Dialing Espresso: Beginner

If you love espresso, you might want to learn how to dial in the perfect shot on your espresso machine. Dialing in means adjusting the variables that affect the extraction of coffee, such as grind size, dose, water temperature and pressure. By dialing in, you can achieve a balanced and flavorful espresso that suits your taste and preferences.

Here are some steps to dial in your espresso:

1. Start with fresh and high-quality coffee beans. Ideally, use beans that are roasted for espresso and within two weeks of their roast date. 

2. Grind your beans to a fine consistency, similar to table salt. You may need to adjust the grind size depending on your machine and the type of beans you are using.

3. Measure and dose your coffee grounds into the portafilter. A typical dose for a double shot is 18 grams, but you can experiment with different amounts to find your sweet spot.

4. Tamp your coffee grounds evenly and firmly with a tamper. Make sure there are no gaps or cracks in the puck of coffee.

5. Insert the portafilter into the group head of your machine and start the extraction. Aim for a brew time of 25 to 30 seconds and a yield of 36 to 40 grams of espresso.

6. Taste your espresso and evaluate its flavor, body and acidity. If it tastes sour, weak or watery, it means it is under-extracted and you need to grind finer, dose more or brew longer. If it tastes bitter, harsh or dry, it means it is over-extracted and you need to grind coarser, dose less or brew shorter.

7. Repeat the process until you find the optimal settings for your espresso.

Enjoy your perfect espresso!