Each espresso extraction has different dosage limits depending on the size of the portafilter basket. Front Street Coffee uses 10-11g of coffee grounds to make a single shot (1 shot), extracting 20-25g of espresso, with an extraction time of about 22 seconds; for a double shot, it uses 19-20g of coffee grounds to make 35-40g of espresso, with an extraction time of about 29 seconds.

Every espresso machine and espresso grinder has different performance, and different coffee beans also have different conditions. It is not 100% guaranteed that you can extract delicious espresso under these data. The above are only the parameters for extracting espresso at Front Street Coffee stores, using the Q18 grinder, Lelit coffee machine, and Front Street Coffee Sunflower Warm Sun blend coffee beans (made from 30% sun-dried Yirgacheffe coffee beans + 70% Snow Pear coffee beans).

Through extremely fine grinding and under a 9-10 bar vacuum environment, 94°C water is quickly passed through the coffee particles. The extracted espresso drips from the portafilter like honey, smoothly dripping, with the color changing from reddish-brown to light golden yellow. After extraction is completed, the surface of the espresso is covered with a layer of delicate golden coffee crema (the oily foam produced by carbon dioxide in the coffee particles combining with coffee oils and emulsifying under the vacuum environment).

Important Factors That Determine the Taste of Espresso

The most important things in making espresso are dose, ratio, time, grind size, water temperature, and pressure. Each step will change the final expression of the coffee's taste. For water temperature and pressure, most machines have a preset plan, and there is no need to change them unless necessary. So the parameters we ultimately need to determine are dose, ratio, time, and grind size.

"Dose" has different usage limits depending on the size of the portafilter basket. Front Street Coffee uses 10-11g of coffee grounds when making a single shot (1 shot); for a double shot, it uses 19-20g of coffee grounds.

"Coffee-to-liquid ratio" The more common espresso ratio is between 1:1.5 and 1:2.5. Front Street recommends starting with a 1:2 coffee-to-liquid ratio for extraction, meaning if using 20g of coffee grounds, extract 40g of espresso.

"Extraction time" Controlling the extraction time within 20-30 seconds makes it easier to extract delicious espresso. Espresso that finishes extracting in less than 20 seconds will most likely taste thin and watery. Espresso that finishes extracting in more than 30 seconds is prone to a burnt bitterness. Front Street Coffee uses double shots for daily output, with an extraction time of about 28-30 seconds.

"Grind size" The scale on every grinder varies, so you need to continuously extract and taste, feeling the changes in the coffee's flavor until it is balanced. The coffee machine is very sensitive to testing the degree of coffee grinding. If the grind is slightly too coarse, it will cause the flow rate to be too fast, the extraction time to become shorter, and the coffee taste to be thin; if the grind is slightly too fine, it will cause the flow rate to be too slow, the extraction time to become longer, and the coffee taste to be burnt and bitter.

Espresso Extraction Steps

①Dosing

Before dosing, wipe the coffee portafilter basket clean and keep it dry. Turn on the grinder switch and begin grinding the coffee beans. Catch the coffee grounds with the coffee portafilter basket.

②Distribution & Tamping

Use your fingers or a distribution tool to distribute the coffee grounds, with the purpose of ensuring the coffee grounds are evenly distributed and avoiding areas of inconsistent density during tamping later. Front Street Coffee recommends using a distribution tool, which ensures stability and speed for beginners. Place the distribution tool flat on the coffee portafilter basket, rotate it several times, and then lift it off.

③Pre-extraction Confirmation

Before locking onto the group head, confirm two things: first, confirm whether the tamping is level; second, confirm there are no residual grounds around the edge of the portafilter basket. Then press the brew button to wet the group head, and gently lock the portafilter onto the group head. Be sure to confirm whether it is locked tightly to avoid water leakage.

④Extraction

After locking onto the group head, quickly press the brew button to avoid the high-temperature group head scorching the surface of the coffee grounds. At about the 4th second after pressing the extraction button, the espresso drips from the portafilter like honey, smoothly dripping, with the color changing from reddish-brown to light golden yellow. After extraction is completed, the surface of the espresso is covered with a layer of delicate golden coffee crema (the oily foam produced by carbon dioxide in the coffee particles combining with coffee oils and emulsifying under the vacuum environment). 

Front Street Coffee currently offers 6 espresso blend coffee beans with different flavors, meeting the taste needs of most people.　　

(1) Front Street Specialty Espresso Blend Coffee Beans: Colombian coffee beans: Brazilian coffee beans 75 yuan/pound

Flavor characteristics: comfortable bittersweet taste, extremely smooth on the palate; with a faint grassy aroma, light fragrance with slight bitterness; sweet and smooth, with a refreshing aftertaste; using a medium-dark roast, when made into espresso, the taste has a soft slight acidity, clean sweetness, and nutty sweetness on the return. The overall impression is not too stimulating, peaceful, with medium crema. It is an espresso blend bean that meets the daily output needs of coffee shops.

(2) Front Street CommercialEspresso Blend Coffee Beans: Colombian coffee beans: Brazilian coffee beans: Robusta coffee beans 60 yuan/pound

In terms of the flavor of a single bean, the coffee taste obtained from commercial beans is much inferior to that of specialty coffee beans. Generally, commercial beans are chosen for use as espresso blend coffee beans. Through blending, they can also produce very good-tasting coffee and can be used to make lattes, cappuccinos, and other espresso drinks. When Front Street Coffee uses this Front Street Commercial Espresso Blend coffee bean to make Espresso, because it contains Robusta beans, the crema will be richer, the taste is classic, and it is suitable for daily shop needs.

Flavor characteristics: caramel sweetness, nutty and cocoa-like, dark chocolate flavors, balanced acidity and sweetness, slightly bittersweet, with a lasting finish.

(3) Front Street BasicEspresso Blend Coffee Beans: Yunnan coffee beans: Brazilian coffee beans 50 yuan/pound

Flavor characteristics: with soft fruit acidity, caramel sweetness, nutty and dark chocolate flavors, smooth and viscous, but the taste is relatively light. This cost-effective coffee bean is suitable for shops and home users who prioritize cost and have average requirements for flavor.

(4) Front Street Strawberry Candy espresso blend coffee beans: Front Street Costa Rican coffee beans: Panama Geisha coffee beans 42 yuan/100g

Flavor characteristics: obvious fruity aroma, with a faint strawberry gummy candy aroma lingering. On the palate are pleasant flavors of berries, cream, and raisins, with a comfortable sweet aftertaste.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.