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26 January 20266 min read

Espresso Basics: Dialing In Your Shot

Learn the fundamentals of extracting a perfect espresso shot, from dose and yield to timing and taste.

By Brew Connect Team
Espresso Basics: Dialing In Your Shot

The Foundation of Great Espresso

Espresso is about precision. Small changes in any variable can dramatically affect the taste of your shot.

Key Variables

Dose

The amount of ground coffee in your portafilter. Most modern recipes use 18-20g for a double shot.

Yield

The weight of liquid espresso in your cup. A standard ratio is 1:2 (18g in, 36g out).

Time

The extraction time from first drip to stopping the shot. Aim for 25-32 seconds for most coffees.

Troubleshooting

Sour shot? Your coffee is under-extracted. Try a finer grind or longer extraction.

Bitter shot? Your coffee is over-extracted. Try a coarser grind or shorter extraction.

Topics
espressotechniqueguide