Chasing the ghost of perfection

Espresso Brewing guide

Frequently asked questions

One of the most common questions we receive is, "Which coffee is best for espresso?" or "Which coffee is your espresso roast?" When curating our selection, we intentionally chose not to label any as a specific "espresso" roast or blend. Instead, we embrace the philosophy of any coffee, any brew, allowing you to explore and enjoy espresso with a variety of coffee profiles.

Yes! Espresso is a brewing method that produces a concentrated coffee beverage by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee under high pressure. To achieve this, you need specialized equipment, including an espresso machine and an espresso grinder.

The espresso machine heats water and pushes it through the coffee with precise force, creating the signature crema on top. Because of this pressure-based process, espresso requires a very fine grind to create the necessary resistance for proper extraction. Standard coffee grinders, designed for drip or filter brewing, typically can't achieve this level of fineness, making the right equipment essential for brewing true espresso.

When you order an espresso at a modern specialty coffee shop, you're typically served a double espresso, which serves as the foundation for most espresso-based drinks. A double espresso is defined by specific coffee-to-water ratios. If you request a single espresso, the barista will use the same brewing process but split the shot in half using the portafilter spouts.

Most other café drinks are simply a double espresso plus varying amounts of milk. The key difference between a cappuccino and a latte is the milk ratio—cappuccinos generally contain less milk than lattes, though exact measurements depend on the café's guidelines.