The starting point for great espresso at home: an 18g dose of fresh, finely ground coffee, pulling about 36g of espresso in 25–30 seconds (a 1:2 ratio). Dial in from there using grind as your main control, and keep your machine clean. Get those basics right and you are most of the way to a café-quality shot.
What you'll need
- An espresso machine and a grinder (a good grinder matters more than an expensive machine)
- Fresh Chambers beans — espresso loves freshness
- A scale and a timer to stay consistent
The espresso recipe (and how to dial it in)
- Dose. Weigh about 18g of coffee into your basket (adjust to your basket size).
- Grind fine and distribute evenly. Espresso needs a fine, even grind. Level the grounds and tamp flat with firm, consistent pressure.
- Pull the shot. Aim for roughly 36g of espresso out in 25–30 seconds.
- Read the result. Too fast and sour? Grind finer. Too slow and bitter? Grind coarser. Change one thing at a time.
Grind is your main dial
Once your dose and ratio are set, grind size does most of the work. Finer slows the flow and increases extraction; coarser speeds it up. Small adjustments make a big difference, so move in small steps and taste as you go.
Steaming milk for flat whites and lattes
For milk drinks, introduce a little air at the start to create fine microfoam, then submerge the wand to heat and spin the milk into a glossy, paint-like texture — not big bubbles. Pour as soon as it is ready. For more on the differences between milk drinks, see our guide to flat whites, lattes and cappuccinos.
Keep your machine clean
Coffee oils and limescale are the quiet killers of good espresso. Backflush with an espresso machine cleaner, descale regularly, and brush the group head. Our cleaning range covers machine cleaner, descaler and a group-head brush.
Which Chambers beans for espresso?
Start with Almond Blossom, our smooth, sweet house espresso blend — forgiving to dial in and lovely in milk. Want a bolder, darker shot? Reach for Starry Night.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ideal espresso recipe at home?
A common starting point is an 18g dose pulling about 36g of espresso in 25 to 30 seconds, which is a 1:2 ratio. Adjust grind to hit that window.
Why is my espresso sour or bitter?
Sour, fast shots are usually under-extracted — grind finer. Bitter, slow shots are over-extracted — grind coarser. Change one variable at a time.
Do I need an expensive machine for good espresso?
Not necessarily. Fresh beans and a quality, consistent grinder matter more than an expensive machine. A clean machine also makes a noticeable difference.
Which Chambers blend is best for espresso?
Almond Blossom is the easiest and most versatile espresso blend; Starry Night is the pick for a bolder, darker shot.
Pull a better shot. Shop espresso beans and machine-cleaning essentials.