Crafting the Perfect Espresso at Home: A Beginner’s Guide

Professional coffee machine making espresso at home

Espresso is the foundation of many coffee drinks, but crafting a great shot at home canbe tricky. Start with freshly ground coffee; a fine grind is essential to achieve the rightextraction. Use a high-quality espresso machine and aim for a brew time of about 25–30seconds to extract the rich, creamy espresso you’re after. The right temperature andpressure are key, with water around 200°F and a pressure of nine bars. With somepractice, you’ll be pulling smooth, balanced shots that make perfect bases forcappuccinos, lattes, or macchiatos.