There’s nothing better than a rich, velvety espresso — the kind that hits you with bold flavour, silky texture, and just the right amount of sweetness. Most people assume you need a >$20,000 cafe machine to make a shot like that at home.
Good news: you don’t.
With the right beans, a consistent grind, and a simple method, you can pull espresso that rivals your favourite café — even using an entry-level machine. This guide will teach you exactly how to do it.
What You Really Need to Make Great Espresso at Home
1. Freshly Roasted Coffee Beans
Espresso relies on flavour intensity. Beans older than 4–5 weeks lose aroma, body, crema and sweetness. Freshness matters more than equipment.
Recommended: Fixation Coffee Vibe Blend — rich, chocolatey, perfectly balanced.
For brighter espresso: Fixation Coffee Single Origin.
2. A Good Grinder (More Important Than the Machine)
If you invest in one piece of gear, make it the grinder. Espresso requires a fine, consistent grind with tiny adjustment steps. Even a basic machine will perform well with the right grind.
3. A Basic Home Espresso Machine (or Alternatives)
You can make a good espresso with beginner-friendly machines such as:
- Breville Bambino
- Breville Bambino Plus
- Delonghi Dedica
No espresso machine? You can still make espresso-style coffee using:
- AeroPress (espresso concentrate method)
- Moka pot
4. A Scale + Timer
This is how you gain control over consistency. You cannot improve what you don’t measure.
The Step-By-Step Espresso Recipe
1. Espresso Dose
Use 18–20g of coffee in a double basket.
Lighter roasts → 19–20g
Medium/dark roasts → 18g
2. Grind Size
Espresso grind should be fine, powdery and slightly gritty.
If your shot runs too fast: Grind finer.
If it chokes the machine: Grind coarser.
3. Tamping
Tamp with firm, even pressure. Keep the surface flat. Don’t twist while lifting. Your tamp should compress the coffee without forcing it too much.
4. Brew Time & Yield
Target: 36–40g of espresso in 25–30 seconds.
This “1:2 ratio” produces sweetness, balance and a silky body.
What a Perfect Espresso Shot Should Taste Like
A great espresso is rich, sweet, smooth and balanced.
If it’s sour: Under-extracted → Grind finer or brew longer.
If it’s bitter: Over-extracted → Grind coarser or brew shorter.
How to Dial In Espresso (Beginner Friendly Guide)
1. Adjust the Grind First
Sour → finer grind.
Bitter → coarser grind.
2. Adjust Your Yield Second
More yield → lighter, more acidic.
Less yield → richer and stronger.
3. Adjust Your Dose Last
Small dose changes (±1g) can fix weak crema, channeling, or uneven flow.
Common Espresso Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
Mistake 1: Using Old or Pre-Ground Coffee
Espresso needs fresh beans. Pre-ground supermarket coffee loses flavour quickly.
Try: Fixation Award Winning Jolt Blend — small-batch and freshly roasted.
Mistake 2: Inconsistent Grind
Your espresso will taste different every day with an inconsistent grinder. Upgrade the grinder before the machine.
Mistake 3: Tamping Too Hard
More force doesn’t equal better espresso. Tamp evenly, then stop.
Mistake 4: Not Purging the Group Head
Run hot water for 1–2 seconds before inserting the portafilter to clear old grounds.
Mistake 5: Channeling
Water shoots through cracks in the puck, creating weak or uneven shots. Fix this by levelling your grounds and tamping evenly.
Best Coffee Beans for Espresso at Home
1. Fixation Coffee — Award Winning Blends
Great for milk drinks and balanced black espresso.
2. Fixation Coffee — Single Origin Espresso
Flavour notes: fruit-forward, citrus, florals.
Perfect for straight espresso or long blacks.
3. Fixation Coffee Subscription
Fresh beans → better espresso. Get freshly roasted coffee delivered on your schedule.
Espresso Troubleshooting Chart
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Sour taste | Under-extracted | Grind finer, increase brew time |
| Bitter taste | Over-extracted | Grind coarser, reduce brew time |
| Weak flavour | Low dose or grind too coarse | Increase dose or grind finer |
| No crema | Old beans | Use fresh Fixation beans |
| Uneven extraction | Channeling | Tamp evenly, improve distribution |
| Shot too fast | Coarse grind | Grind finer |
| Shot too slow | Fine grind | Grind coarser |
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need a Café Machine to Brew Like a Pro
With fresh beans, a good grinder and a simple method, you can make espresso at home that rivals your favourite cafe. Focus on consistency, adjust one variable at a time and taste your way to improvement.
Try these to get started:
Happy brewing — you’ve got this.