Holiday Coffee Class - Bongo Roasting Co.

Espresso

Espresso is both an art and a science, and learning to pull a great shot is part of the fun. With the right combination of grind size, dose, and extraction time, you can create a rich, balanced espresso that serves as the foundation for everything from cappuccinos to lattes. Follow our guide below to learn the basics, make adjustments with confidence, and start pulling café-worthy shots at home.

Shop Espresso

Ready to press? Follow our guide below and brew like a pro in just 1 minute!

What You'll Need

  • Espresso Machine With Portafilter
  • Grinder
  • 18g of Bongo Coffee
  • Scale
  • Timer

LET'S GET BREWING!

  1. 1

    Measure The Coffee

    • Measure out 18 grams of whole bean coffee (about 3 tablespoons).
    • Heat your espresso machine and allow it to fully warm up.
    • Fill the water reservoir with fresh, filtered water.
  2. 2

    Grind The Coffee

    • Grind your 18 grams of coffee on a fine setting.
    • The grounds should resemble table salt and feel slightly finer than sand.
    • TIP: If your shots run too quickly or too slowly, adjust the grind size accordingly. A perfect pull will brew for 30 seconds.
  3. 3

    Start Brewing

    • Add the ground coffee to your portafilter basket.
    • Distribute the grounds evenly and tamp firmly with consistent pressure.
    • Lock the portafilter into the machine.
    • Place your cup underneath the spouts.
    • Start brewing and begin a timer.
    • Aim for a shot time of 25–30 seconds.
    • You should yield approximately 36 grams (about 1.25 ounces) of espresso from your 18 grams of coffee.
  4. 4

    Finish Brewing

    • Once your shot is complete, remove the portafilter and knock out the used coffee puck.
    • Rinse the basket and wipe down the steam wand and group head if needed.
    • Your machine is now ready for the next shot.
  5. 5

    Enjoy!

    • Enjoy your espresso as-is, or use it as the base for cappuccinos, lattes, americanos, and more.
    • Experiment with grind size and shot time to dial in your perfect cup.
Grind Guide

Grind Level

Coarse Fine

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