☕ How to Make Espresso at Home (Simple Guide)

☕ How to Make Espresso at Home (Simple Guide)

Making espresso doesn’t have to be complicated. If you have a good machine, a grinder, and fresh beans, you can make café-quality coffee at home.

1. Pick Your Coffee

Use fresh whole beans from Clockwork Roasters.
If you’re not sure which one to start with, try something labeled “Espresso Roast” — like Conductor’s Choice or Barista’s Pride.
These are roasted to taste great under pressure.

2. Grind the Beans

Espresso needs a fine grind — like table salt or a bit finer.

• Use a burr grinder if you have one (it gives even results).

• Grind right before you brew for the best flavor.

• Start with 18 grams of coffee for one double shot.

👉 If the espresso pours too fast, grind finer.
👉 If it barely drips out, grind coarser.

3. Prep the Coffee

• Put the ground coffee in your portafilter.

• Tap it gently so it’s even.

• Tamp (press) it down firmly and evenly.

• Wipe off any loose grounds on the edge.

4. Pull the Shot

• Lock the portafilter into your espresso machine.

• Start the shot.

• You want about 25–30 seconds of brewing time.

• You should get about 2 ounces (or ~36 grams) of espresso from 18 grams of coffee.

The espresso should flow like warm honey — not too fast, not too slow.

5. Taste and Adjust

Take a sip and see how it tastes:

• Too sour? → Grind a bit finer or let it brew longer.

• Too bitter? → Grind a bit coarser or brew a little shorter.

• Watery? → Add a bit more coffee next time.

6. Make Milk Drinks (Optional)

If you like lattes or cappuccinos:

• Use cold milk.

• Steam it until it’s hot (around 140–150°F) and has smooth, tiny bubbles.

• Pour gently into your espresso.

7. Clean Up

Always clean your gear after you’re done:

• Rinse the portafilter and basket.

• Wipe the steam wand.

• Flush a bit of water through the machine.

Clean tools = better tasting espresso next time.

8. Quick Tips

✅ Use filtered water (bad water = bad espresso).
✅ Keep your machine hot before brewing.
✅ Always use fresh beans (ideally within 2–4 weeks of roasting).
✅ Practice! Each coffee behaves a little differently.

Example

Here’s how a simple session might look:

1. Use Clockwork Roasters “Conductor’s Choice” Espresso Roast.

2. Grind 18 g of beans fine.

3. Tamp evenly.

4. Pull shot for 28 s.

5. Taste — adjust if needed.

6. Enjoy your espresso (or turn it into a cappuccino).