How to Dial In Your Home Espresso Machine Like a Pro

The Basics

Ever wondered why your morning flat white tastes amazing at your local café but a bit 'off' at home? It’s all about the 'dial-in.' Getting the best out of your home espresso machine isn't just about the machine; it’s about understanding your beans.

Start by checking the roast date—if it’s been roasted in the last 2–4 weeks, you’re in the sweet spot. Older beans will often start to dry out and may result in faster pours with bland, water or burnt flavours.

Start with a small, accurate scale and measure how much ground coffee you put in the portafilter basket. Then measure the weight of coffee espresso that you pour into the cup. Most 58mm baskets are designed for 14g of coffee. If you can pour about 28g (28ml) in about 30 seconds, then congratulations, you've managed a great standard, Italian style espresso shot.

If your shot is pulling too fast, try a finer grind. Fast shots will often be weak or sour. If it’s too slow and bitter, go a little coarser.

From there you can experiment. If you love dark, rich ristretto then maybe try 22g of coffee, a finer ground, and try to pour 21g coffee in 30 - 40 seconds. 

Not your style? Maybe you're a 3rd wave lover of light roast single origins. Turn try a slightly coarser grind and faster pour to bring out those sweeter, acidic notes. 

Remember, the perfect cup starts with high-quality, freshly roasted coffee beans. Whether you’re chasing a sweet, chocolatey profile for your latte or something bright for a long black, our latest medium roast blends are designed to be forgiving and easy to dial in for any home setup.