You finally bring home a bag of coffee from your favourite coffee shop, excited to make that same great espresso in your own kitchen.
But when you take your first sip, something is off.
Your espresso tastes watery, and suddenly you're questioning everything. Did you grind the beans too coarsely? Did you use enough coffee? Or did you let the shot run for too long?
The frustrating part isn't necessarily getting a bad shot. It's not knowing what to change first.
Before blaming the beans, take a closer look at how you're brewing them.
Great espresso comes down to a few important details. And the good news? You don't need to be a professional barista to start improving your shots.
If you're using a home espresso machine with a portafilter and an adjustable grinder, here are five things worth checking.
1. Get Your Grind Size Right
Grind size affects how quickly water moves through your coffee and how much flavour it extracts.
If your grind is too coarse, water may flow too quickly, leaving your espresso weak or sour.
Too fine, and the water may struggle to pass through evenly, potentially creating harsh or bitter flavours.
Here's what to try:
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Pours too quickly? Grind slightly finer.
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Pours too slowly? Grind slightly coarser.
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Still not quite right? Make one small adjustment at a time and taste the difference.
There's no single perfect grind setting. Different coffees and machines need different adjustments.
2. Measure Your Coffee and Espresso
Eyeballing your coffee dose might seem easier, but small differences can change the final cup.
A kitchen scale makes it easier to repeat a recipe and understand what's working.
A simple double espresso starting point:
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18 g ground coffee
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36 g finished espresso
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1:2 brewing ratio
This means you're aiming for twice the weight of your ground coffee in your finished espresso.
If your basket holds 15 g instead, start with approximately 30 g of espresso.
Try this: Weigh your coffee before brewing, then place your cup on a scale to measure the finished espresso.
Once you have a consistent recipe, adjusting becomes much easier.
3. Pay Attention to Extraction Time
Ever watched your espresso rush into the cup in just a few seconds?
Extraction time can help you understand what's happening.
For many traditional espresso recipes, 25–30 seconds, measured from when the pump starts, is a useful starting point.
Here's how to interpret your shot:
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Around 15 seconds: If you've reached your target weight and the espresso tastes thin or sour, try grinding finer.
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Around 25–30 seconds: Taste your espresso before making adjustments.
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Around 40 seconds: If the shot tastes harsh or bitter, try grinding coarser.
Different machines and coffees may produce excellent espresso outside these ranges.
Think of timing as a guide, not a strict rule.
4. Don't Overlook Puck Preparation
Even with the right grind and measurements, unevenly prepared coffee can affect your espresso.
When grounds aren't distributed evenly inside the portafilter, water may find easier paths through the coffee. This is called channeling, and it can lead to inconsistent extraction.
Here's what to try:
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Distribute the coffee grounds evenly in your basket.
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Tamp firmly and keep the surface level.
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Use the same preparation method each time.
You don't need expensive accessories to get started. Consistency matters more than complicated techniques.
5. Use This Quick Espresso Troubleshooting Guide
Not loving how your espresso tastes? Start with what you're noticing.
Weak or watery?
Check your coffee dose and finished espresso weight. You may be brewing too much liquid.
Sour and pouring quickly?
Try grinding slightly finer.
Bitter and pouring slowly?
Try grinding slightly coarser.
Tastes different every morning?
Weigh your coffee and check your puck preparation.
These are starting points, not guaranteed fixes. Coffee freshness, water quality, and uneven extraction can also affect flavour.
The most useful habit is to change one thing at a time.
Better Espresso Starts With Understanding Your Brew
The difference between coffee shop espresso and homemade espresso isn't always the beans.
Baristas work with established recipes, calibrated grinders, and consistent preparation. At home, you're learning to make those adjustments yourself.
Great coffee also begins long before you press the brew button, with the care farmers put into growing it and the decisions made during roasting.
At Road Coffee, our commitment to quality and our BeyondFair relationships are part of that journey.
Your part is discovering how to bring those flavours into your cup.
Start with a consistent recipe, make small adjustments, and pay attention to what tastes better.
Ready to explore your next favourite coffee?
Sometimes, a better espresso is only one small adjustment away.