How we brew it

Espresso

  • Ratio: 18g in, 36–40g out. Aim for about a 30-second pull.

What you need

  • 18g very finely ground coffee
  • A home espresso machine
  • A portafilter, tamp, and brewing scale

Grind size

Very fine — sugar-like. Fresh-ground makes a real difference here.

Weighing your dose will get you a more consistent shot every time.

Directions

Weigh your portafilter and add 18g of freshly ground coffee. Tamp into a level, evenly packed puck.

Dust off any stray grounds and lock the portafilter in. Pull your shot — you’re aiming for about 36–40g of liquid in around 30 seconds. Taste it.

If it doesn’t taste right

Pulls too fast: grind finer.
Pulls too slow: grind coarser.
Bitter: pull a shorter shot.
Sour or salty: pull a little longer.
Thin or watery: add more coffee, 0.5g at a time.

One more thing

Clean your machine regularly. It makes more of a difference than most people think.

Questions about brewing? We’re at the bar or at info@cityandstate.us.