For example, if you’re drinking the espresso straight, you might want a single-origin bean that’s not roasted very dark. Or if you’ll be making the espresso into a latte or cappuccino, you might want a darker roast that will stand up to the milk.
If you’re buying your beans from a store, check the label on the bag to find the roast date.
If the beans are ground too coarsely, the water will run through them too quickly, so the flavor won’t develop. If they’re too fine, the shot will pull for too long which could make the espresso bitter. If you don’t have a grinder, you can ask your local coffee shop to grind the beans on their espresso setting.
Avoid storing the espresso or beans in a refrigerator or freezer. These spaces can introduce moisture which will damage your beans.
While all machines are different, you’ll just need to practice to learn the specifics of using your machine. Read your espresso machine’s manual to learn how it should be used. The hot water will also warm up the espresso cup or shot. Dump the water out right before you’re ready to pull the actual espresso shot into it.
Avoid using tap water because it contains minerals that can clog your espresso machine over time. If you use tap water, you’ll need to descale your machine frequently.
If you’ve practiced dosing and just know how much espresso to use, you can skip weighing out the espresso. Keep in mind that it’s a good idea to occasionally check your dosing for accuracy.
Don’t set the clean portafilter on a counter that’s got coffee grounds on it. You don’t need to knock the outside of the portafilter after you’ve tamped the espresso. This will create small cracks in the packed espresso puck and can prevent good flavor from developing.
Avoid filling the portafilter and letting it sit with packed espresso. The portafilter should still be hot from being in the machine, so letting espresso sit in it could burn it a little or give a bitter taste.
Don’t put the filled portafilter into the brew head and wait to extract the espresso. The espresso grounds will begin to heat up as soon as they come into contact with the brew head.
Most single shots will be about 1 ounce (30 ml) and double shots are usually 2 to 2. 5 ounces (60 to 75 ml).
Consider serving the espresso with chocolate covered espresso beans or a small cookie. You could also use it in a latte, cappuccino, or flavored coffee beverage.
