How to Make the Perfect Espresso

The basic espresso shot.  Besides being delicious on its own, it's also the basis of most coffee concoctions.  So it's essential to get it just right or your coffee recipes won't even get off the ground.Here's how to brew the perfect double shot:

1.) Grind 18-21g of coffee beans into a fine ground.  For best results, use a burr grinder.

2.) Evenly tamp the grounds into the portafilter.

3.) Depending on your espresso machine, it is typically recommended to run a single shot of water with no portafilter in place to ensure the water temperature reaches the ideal level.

4.) Put the portafilter in place and brew using filtered water. (Tip: begin brewing as soon as your portafilter is in place to avoid unnecessarily exposing your fresh ground coffee to heat from the machine)

5.) Extraction will take 23-28 seconds.

The result?  A 2 oz (double shot) espresso.  You'll know you've done it right when there's crema, a foam with creamy consistency, at the top.

Of course, with espresso, special equipment is required.  And while you can easily spend tens of thousands of dollars on a high-end espresso machine, there are numerous options that don't break the bank -- and still make a delicious cup of coffee.

No matter what equipment you choose to use, the essentials are the same.  The water used to brew is forced through the grounds under pressure, as opposed to being allowed to drip through like many other methods.

Originally called Caffè Crema, the term espresso actually has triple meaning.  Derived from the word "express," the name can refer to expressing flavor from the grounds, the speed with which it's brewed or the idea that the coffee is brewed expressly for somebody, as it's made to order.

In Italy, where the espresso was invented, it is simply called Caffè, translating simply to "coffee."  When you order a coffee in Italy, they assume you mean espresso.

Whatever you call it, we hope you enjoy yours now that you know how to brew it.  And if you're looking for the perfect coffee to use, try our Two Tails espresso blend, created specifically for brewing espresso.