“How do I make better espresso at home?” Whether you’re a beginner or looking to improve your skills, these three essentials — grind, tamp, and time — will help you make better espresso at home every time.
We’ve honed these three basic skills to make better espresso drinks at home at Toomer’s Coffee and want to share them with you
1. Get the Espresso Grind Size Right
For espresso, grind size is crucial. Aim for a texture similar to fine sand — finer than drip coffee but not as powdery as Turkish coffee.
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Too coarse: Water flows too fast, creating sour, under-extracted shots with little créma.
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Too fine: Water flows too slowly, leading to bitter, over-extracted espresso.
Use a burr grinder for consistency, and make small adjustments until you hit the perfect “sweet spot” for flavor and flow.
2. Perfect Your Espresso Tamping Technique
Even extraction starts with a proper tamp.
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Skip the flimsy plastic tamper included with many home machines.
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Invest in a heavy metal tamper sized in millimeters to fit your Portafilter. Unsure? Contact a trusted supplier like Espresso Parts for sizing help (it’s who we use). Their customer service professionals live and breath coffee!
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Apply 40 pounds of pressure in a gentle twist — clockwise if right-handed, counter-clockwise if left-handed. Practice on a kitchen or postage scale until it becomes muscle memory. The key is get the feel and do it the same every time.
3. Time Your Espresso Shots
A double shot of espresso should result in about 2-2.5 fluid oz and take about 20-25 seconds to extract. From pressing the start button to the last drop, pulling your shot should take 20–25 seconds. The pour should finish with the “coda di topo” like in the image above — the thin, rat’s-tail stream of golden-brown espresso topped with créma.
So there you have in essence the condensed version of 21 years experience in our own coffee shops and the many we have helped start and continue to serve as customers across the USA! But the real key now is practice, practice, practice!
But in the end, it’s all about the coffee. So check out our espresso blend options below and give ’em a try. And of course, FREE SHIPPING is also available for all orders over $75.
Take Your Espresso to the Next Level with Our Signature Blends
Why not try one of our highly regarded espresso blends for your next home shot?
Crema Bella – Our most popular espresso blend. Medium-bodied with smooth, balanced flavor, crafted from highly rated, high-mountain Latin American coffees.
Espresso Bravo – A bold, smokier option combining French Roast depth with the balance of medium-bodied City Roast beans.
