Double Espresso Recipe

Dose and grind

Weigh 18 g of whole espresso beans. Grind to a fine espresso setting — the texture should be slightly finer than table salt, producing a damp, clumpy puck when compressed. Adjust grind so expected extraction time is about 25–30 seconds for 36 ml yield.

Purge and preheat

Turn on the espresso machine and let it reach full operating temperature. Run a short water flush through the group head and briefly run steam/water through the portafilter basket to warm it and remove old grounds. Place the warmed espresso cup under the spout to preheat.

Prepare the puck

Place the double basket into the portafilter, dose the 18 g of ground coffee into the basket. Distribute grounds evenly (use a distribution tool or gentle taps), then level and tamp with consistent 30 lb (13.6 kg) pressure until the surface is smooth and flat. Polish the tamp and remove any loose grounds from the basket rim.

Lock in and extract

Wipe the group head and insert the portafilter, locking it in place. Place the preheated cup on the scale, tare to zero. Start the shot and simultaneously start the timer. Aim for a yield of 36 ml in 25–30 seconds. Stop the shot when you reach 36 ml (or when extraction time reaches the target).

Evaluate and adjust

Observe the crema: it should be golden-brown and persistent. Taste the espresso. If extraction is too fast (under-extracted, sour/salty), make the grind finer or increase dose slightly. If too slow (bitter/over-extracted), make the grind coarser or reduce dose slightly. Make small adjustments and repeat.

Serve

Serve the 36 ml double espresso immediately in the warmed cup. Present with a small glass of still water if desired. If making drinks that use espresso (cappuccino, latte), proceed to steam milk as required.

Use the burr grinder for consistent particle size — blade grinders are not recommended for espresso. Use the tamper to apply steady, even pressure. Use a scale and timer for repeatable results. Keep equipment clean: backflush the machine and clean portafilter baskets regularly to maintain taste.