Espresso
Latest articles, industry insights and brewing guides
Espresso Extraction: How Much Coffee Powder Should You Really Use?
Explore why higher coffee doses in espresso aren't always over-extracted — it's about extraction yield, not just concentration.
What Is a Macchiato? The Real Italian Espresso Drink
A macchiato is a small espresso with a dash of milk—not a sugary dessert. Learn its true definition, size, and how it differs from lattes and cappuccinos.
Why I Still Use a Home Espresso Machine After All These Years
Home espresso machines get a bad rap—but for one writer, the Dalla Corte Mini and Isomac Mondiale taught him more than just shots.
What You Actually Get from a Home Espresso Machine
A home espresso machine makes espresso and steamed milk — but its true value is helping you understand coffee better than most baristas.
How Milk Composition Affects Your Espresso Drink
Learn how milk temperature, fat, and protein levels impact flavor and foam when making espresso drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.
How to Properly Tamp Coffee for Even Espresso Extraction
Learn why tapping your portafilter after tamping ruins espresso extraction, and how to avoid channeling for balanced shots.
Espresso Powder Dose: Why It Matters More Than You Think
Learn how just 0.5g difference in espresso powder dose alters extraction, taste, and consistency—and how to control it like a pro.
How Much Coffee Grounds for Espresso? The Scottie Callaghan Approach
Discover how coffee freshness affects your espresso dose and how barista Scottie Callaghan’s powder scraping technique helps fine-tune extraction.
How Italian Espresso Shaped Global Coffee Culture
Italian espresso, born from precision and speed, became the foundation of modern global coffee drinks—from lattes to Americanos.
What Is a Macchiato? The Real Italian Espresso with Milk Foam
A macchiato is an espresso topped with just two spoonfuls of milk foam—no steamed milk or cream. Here’s how it tastes and why it’s different.
Espresso vs Drip Coffee: What’s the Difference?
Learn how espresso and drip coffee differ in strength, caffeine, brewing methods, and versatility. Includes key ratios and practical insights.
Single Origin, Espresso, Black Coffee: How Coffee Is Classified
Explore how coffee is categorized: single origin, blends, espresso, Americano, flavored, and black coffee—with details on 8 single origins and classic blends.
Why Drip Coffee Has Less Caffeine Than Espresso
Drip coffee contains around 115mg caffeine per cup, while espresso has about 80mg. Find out how brew methods affect caffeine levels in coffee.
What Exactly Is Espresso?
Espresso is a high-pressure coffee brew extracted through finely ground coffee using 8.2–9 bar pressure. Most café versions are poor, but the real thing is intense and flavorful.
How to Steam Milk for Espresso with an Italian Coffee Machine
Learn how to properly steam milk for espresso using an Italian coffee machine, including when to purge steam, ideal temperatures, and techniques.
How Espresso Pre-Infusion Works: Methods & Mechanics
Explore how espresso pre-infusion works across lever, E61, electric, and manual machines, with key pressure timings and why surface contact matters.
How to Clean and Maintain Your Home Espresso Machine
Learn how to properly clean your home espresso setup: steam wand, portafilter, group head, and more—with step-by-step routines for daily and deep cleaning.
Why You Need a Coffee Tamper for Espresso
Using a coffee tamper ensures even pressure during espresso extraction. Without it, water finds weak spots, causing under- or over-extraction.
How to Build the Perfect Espresso Blend
Learn why blend composition matters more than you think — and how pros balance beans from different origins to craft balanced espresso.
How Grind Size and Technique Shape Your Espresso Shot
Learn why espresso grind size matters, how to apply Illy’s classic parameters, and what really affects temperature stability during extraction.