Welcome to our guide on brewing a double shot of espresso! In this blog post, we’ll take you through each step to ensure you get the best quality espresso every time.
Key Factors for a Great Espresso Shot
The quality of your espresso depends on a few crucial elements, the first being the calibration of your grinder. If you’re unsure how to calibrate your grinder, check out our separate grinder calibration guide.
Additionally, as baristas, there are several steps we can take to make sure our espresso is consistently excellent.
Preparing Your Portafilter
Before adding fresh coffee, always wipe or brush out any leftover coffee grounds from the basket. This prevents stale grounds from affecting the flavour of your new shot.
Once your fresh coffee grounds are in the basket, the next step is evenly distributing them to ensure a balanced extraction.
Tamping for Even Extraction
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Place your portafilter on a tamping mat.
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Hold your tamper firmly and press down evenly with your weight, keeping your elbow high to avoid wrist strain.
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You should now have a flat, even coffee bed that allows water to flow through properly.
Flushing and Pulling the Shot
Before inserting the portafilter, flush the group head by running water through it for a few seconds. This clears any old coffee grounds and ensures a clean extraction.
Next, insert the portafilter securely into the machine. If it’s not tight enough, water may leak from the sides, which can negatively impact your shot.
Now, run your double shot of espresso and watch as the rich, golden crema forms on top.
Cleaning Up
Once your shot is complete:
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Move your cup aside.
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Remove the basket and flush the group head again, just as you did at the start.
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Knock out the used coffee grounds on a knock box rubber bar.
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Brush or wipe out the basket to remove any remaining coffee grounds, leaving it ready for the next use.
Perfecting Your Espresso
By following these steps alongside proper grinder calibration, you’ll consistently produce a high-quality double shot of espresso. This forms the perfect base for all your favourite coffee drinks.
Now, get brewing and enjoy your expertly crafted espresso!