Espresso Recipe
Make Espresso Recipe in just 10m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Espresso
Equipment & extras
Method
Espresso
- 1
Prepare machine and water
Fill the machine reservoir with fresh filtered water (about 500 ml or as required by your machine). Turn the machine on and allow it to fully heat until brew group and portafilter are at operating temperature (usually 15–30 minutes for home machines).
- 2
Weigh and grind
Weigh 18 g of coffee beans. If using pre-ground coffee, ensure it is a fine espresso grind. If grinding, grind to a fine, slightly powdery consistency appropriate for espresso. Dose the ground coffee into the portafilter basket.
- 3
Distribute and tamp
Even out the coffee bed in the portafilter using a distribution tool or gentle taps. Using a tamper, press the grounds evenly with 30 lbs (approx.) of pressure until you have a level, compact puck. Wipe any loose grounds from the portafilter rim.
- 4
Preheat cup and flush group
Place your espresso cup under the spout. With the portafilter removed, run a short purge of the group head to rinse and stabilize temperature (2–3 seconds). Reinsert the portafilter and run a quick blank shot (~2 seconds) if your machine/portafilter needs to be warmed.
- 5
Brew
Lock the portafilter into the group head and start the shot. Target a 36 ml yield of espresso (liquid in cup) from 18 g dose in 25–30 seconds of extraction. Adjust grind finer if extraction is faster than 25 seconds or coarser if slower than 30 seconds.
- 6
Observe crema and taste
A good shot has a 2–4 mm layer of golden crema on top and a rich, balanced aroma. Taste straight or add optional sugar to taste (about 1 tsp) if desired.
- 7
Serve
Serve immediately in a prewarmed espresso cup. If pulling as a double, adjust dose and yield accordingly (e.g., 18–20 g for a single, 18–20 g x2 or 18–20 g for a double basket).
Equipment & extras
- 8
Clean equipment after use: knock out the spent puck, rinse the portafilter, and wipe down the group head. Backflush the machine according to manufacturer instructions regularly.