How to Brew Coffee with an Espresso Machine

Espresso is at the heart of many of the world's favourite coffee drinks. Brewed under pressure, it produces a small but intensely flavourful coffee with a rich body, delicate sweetness and the signature golden crema on top.

A great espresso starts with quality coffee, but small adjustments to your grind, dose and extraction time can make a big difference. Once you've found the recipe that works for your coffee, you'll be rewarded with a beautifully balanced cup every time.

You'll need:

• Freshly ground Cafédirect coffee (fine espresso grind)
• 18g coffee (for a double espresso)
• Espresso machine
• Burr grinder (recommended)
• Digital scales
• Timer
• Tamper

1. Warm your espresso machine and portafilter before brewing.
2. Grind 18g of coffee to a fine espresso grind and add it to the portafilter basket.
3. Distribute the grounds evenly and tamp firmly to create a level coffee bed.
4. Lock the portafilter into the machine and begin brewing immediately.
5. Aim for an extraction time of 25–30 seconds, producing around 36g of espresso (a 1:2 brew ratio).
6. Your espresso should have a rich, golden crema and a balanced flavour that's sweet, smooth and full-bodied.

Every coffee behaves a little differently, so don't be afraid to make small adjustments.

• If your espresso pours too quickly and tastes sour or weak, try a finer grind.
• If it pours too slowly and tastes bitter, adjust to a slightly coarser grind.
• Keep your coffee dose and tamp consistent, changing only one variable at a time until you find the sweet spot.

Finding the perfect espresso is part of the enjoyment, and every adjustment helps you discover more about your coffee.

• Grind your coffee just before brewing for the freshest flavour.
• Use filtered water where possible.
• Keep your machine and portafilter clean to maintain consistent results.
• Warm your cups before serving to help your espresso stay at the ideal temperature.
• If you're making milk-based drinks, steam your milk until it's smooth and silky to complement, rather than overpower, the coffee.

Espresso brewing highlights the depth, sweetness and complexity of your coffee.

Our espresso blends are crafted to deliver a beautifully balanced shot, while our single origin coffees can reveal unique flavour characteristics shaped by their altitude, climate and growing conditions. Exploring different origins is one of the best ways to discover how every coffee tells its own story.