Coffee School
Espresso Technique
Master the craft of pulling extraordinary shots.
14 lessons
- What Exactly Is Coffee Extraction?An examination of the "stuff" water pulls out of coffee, and what alters the flavor of your shot.
- Brew Ratios: Do They Even Matter?A no-nonsense deep dive into what brew ratio controls and how you can control it.
- The Dreaded Soggy PuckWhat causes a soggy puck, whether it matters, and how to fix it.
- Distribution — The Primary Cause of ChannelingUneven distribution is behind most channeling; here is how to fix it before disaster strikes.
- Are Puck Screens Worth It?Whether a puck screen delivers more even extraction, or just a cleaner group head.
- 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.
- 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.
- Troubleshooting Your Coffee Tasting IssuesHow to diagnose what you are tasting and find coffee that suits your palate.
- All Things Flow ControlA complete primer on flow control: what it does, when it helps, and how to use it.
- Do You Really Need WDT?We test whether a WDT tool earns its place in your workflow.
- Maximalist vs. Minimalist Puck PrepWe compare elaborate puck prep against the bare minimum to see what actually pays off.
- How to Make a Better AmericanoFour simple tweaks that turn a muddy, scalding Americano into something bright and clean.