How to brew a perfect espresso? ☕

A perfect espresso is like an art form for coffee lovers.

It is about:

• balance

• precision

• understanding of extraction

• and the right ratio of coffee to water

When everything is correct, you get an espresso with:

✔ Rich aroma
✔ Clear sweetness
✔ Plump body
✔ Long aftertaste

Here we go through exactly how we do it in the roastery.

Espresso recipe – our basic approach

This is our standard recipe:

• 20 grams of coffee

• 40 grams of espresso in the cup

• Extraction time: 25–30 seconds

• Ratio: 1:2

It is a classic and stable starting point that works day in and day out.

Which beans should I use?

We use our Espresso Original in the roastery.

It is designed to:

• operate stably every day

• provide balanced sweetness

• works both black and with milk

👉 Here you will find our Original Espresso:
https://hallakafferosteri.com/kaffe/morkrostat-kaffe/espresso-blend-500g

Step by step – how we brew espresso

1️⃣ Weigh out 20 grams of coffee

Accuracy is the key to espresso.

Weigh out 20 grams of whole beans .

Make sure that:

• the machine is hot

• the portafilter is clean

• the group head is flushed

2️⃣ Grind the coffee finely

The grinding should be:

• nice

• but not as fine as flour

• a little coarser than flour

Espresso requires a fine grind because the water is forced through the coffee under high pressure.

3️⃣ Distribute and tamp evenly

We use a Leveler Tool to level the coffee bed.

This means that:

• no air pockets are formed

• the extraction becomes smooth

• the water flows straight through the puck

Then we use a tamper and press the coffee down evenly and steadily.

Perfect espresso ratio: 1:2

In our opinion, the perfect balance is:

20 g coffee → 40 g espresso

This is called a 1:2 ratio .

It is a classic standard that provides:

• clear sweetness

• good body

• balanced intensity

Note: Different beans and roasts may require slight adjustments.

How long should an espresso take?

A good guideline is:

⏱ 25–30 seconds

This is where the flavor is usually most balanced.

Troubleshooting – adjust the grind

Espresso is all about reading the extraction time.

If it flows too quickly (8–18 seconds)

Symptom:

• Watery

• Thin

• Tart

Solution:

👉 Grind finer
It slows the flow and increases extraction.

If it runs too slowly (55 seconds or more)

Symptom:

• Drips slowly

• Tastes overly intense

• Bitter

Solution:

👉 Grind coarser

This makes it easier for the water to flow through the puck.

What affects a good espresso?

There are four important factors:

1. Dosage (20g)

2. Ratio (1:2)

3. Extraction time (25–30 sec)

4. Grinding degree

Always adjust the grind first if something is wrong.

Which espresso is right for you?

For balance and stability – Original Espresso

Perfect for:

• cappuccino

• latte

• daily espresso

• office

Summary

A perfect espresso requires:

• accurate dosage

• correct ratio

• correct grinding

• 25–30 second extraction

With time and a little experimentation, you will learn to read your machine and your beans.

And remember:

An espresso a day is good for your stomach ☕

Swim calmly,
Roaster Dan