Coffee School
Espresso Technique
Master the craft of pulling extraordinary shots.
25 lessons
- How to Pull the Perfect Shot of EspressoDose, yield, and time: the three variables behind every shot, and how to adjust your grind to hit them.
- How to Dial in Your Espresso GrinderA step-by-step guide to going from an out-of-box grinder to a repeatable 25–35 second shot.
- Brew Ratios, Basket Sizes, and the Confusion over a Double ShotWhy a double shot means different things everywhere, and what to standardize on at home.
- Dialing In Espresso By TasteAre you close to a perfect shot, but not quite there? Here's how to dial in using your palate instead of chasing numbers on a scale.
- Brew Ratios: Do They Even Matter?A no-nonsense deep dive into what brew ratio controls and how you can control it.
- The Perfect Espresso Recipe How dose, yield, and time work together, and how to taste your way to the right numbers
- How to Perfect Your TampWhy even distribution and a level tamp matter more than pressure, and the simple technique to avoid channeling.
- The Dreaded Soggy PuckWhat causes a soggy puck, whether it matters, and how to fix it.
- Espresso Channeling - What is it?What channeling does to your shot, how to spot it with a bottomless portafilter, and how to prevent it.
- Even Extraction - The Pursuit of PerfectionWhy even dosing, distribution, and tamping matter more to your shot than almost anything else.
- Do You Really Need WDT?We test whether a WDT tool earns its place in your workflow.
- How Much do Fancy Baskets Really Affect Extraction?We test premium baskets against standard ones to see how much an upgrade really gets you.
- Portafilter Baskets: Does Size Really Matter?Larger baskets let you dose more and grind coarser, but do they make better espresso?
- VST and IMS Precision Baskets: Why You Should UpgradeWhat precision baskets change about extraction, and whether the upgrade is worth it.
- Maximalist vs. Minimalist Puck PrepWe compare elaborate puck prep against the bare minimum to see what actually pays off.
- Espresso Pucks: What Matters & What Doesn'tWhy soggy pucks, tamp pressure, and basket ridges don't matter much, and what to focus on instead.
- Are Puck Screens Worth It?Whether a puck screen delivers more even extraction, or just a cleaner group head.
- Troubleshooting Your Coffee Tasting IssuesHow to diagnose what you are tasting and find coffee that suits your palate.
- Why is My Coffee Bitter?The usual causes of bitter coffee and how to adjust your recipe for a more flavorful brew.
- All Things Flow ControlA complete primer on flow control: what it does, when it helps, and how to use it.
- What is Flow Profiling?What flow profiling does to an extraction, and whether it belongs in your setup.
- Our Favorite Flow Control Recipe Featuring the LUCCA TempoThe flow control recipe we keep coming back to on the LUCCA Tempo.
- Flow Dialing: Fix Your Shots in PostHow to use flow control to correct a shot while it is still pulling.
- Tips & Tricks: Behind the Scenes of EspressoHabits our baristas swear by, from purging between grind changes and keeping towels on hand to soft water.
- Five Ways to Fall in Love with Espresso AgainFive ideas for breaking out of a rut and enjoying your setup again.