You’ve dialed in the perfect grind. Your espresso machine is preheated, your beans are fresh, and your tamp was spot-on. But the final shot tastes flat, harsh, or just… wrong. If this scenario feels familiar, there’s a high chance the culprit isn’t your technique or your beans—it’s your water. Most people don’t realize it, but … Read more
Pulling espresso is part science, part art, and part… heartbreak. Few things are more frustrating than putting effort into grinding, dosing, tamping, and brewing—only to end up with a shot that tastes off. Whether it’s sour, bitter, or just plain boring, these problems don’t just happen randomly. They’re signs your espresso is trying to tell … Read more
There’s a phrase you’ll hear over and over in cafés and among serious coffee lovers: “I’m still dialing it in.” It might sound technical—or even a bit vague—but for any barista, dialing in is one of the most important skills you can develop . In fact, it’s the very foundation of espresso consistency and flavor … Read more
It’s easy to think of espresso as the ultimate barista skill—and it’s definitely a foundational one. But being a well-rounded barista involves much more than just pulling shots and frothing milk. If you’re in your first year on the barista journey, learning a range of brewing methods, drink styles, and customer-facing skills will help you … Read more
If you’re brewing espresso without paying attention to brew ratios, you’re not just skipping a step—you’re sacrificing flavor, consistency, and control. Brew ratios are one of the most powerful tools a barista can use, and yet, they’re often misunderstood or completely overlooked, especially by beginners. Maybe you’ve been pulling shots based on timing alone, or … Read more
Tamping is one of those steps in espresso brewing that looks simple—press the coffee down, and that’s it. But in the world of professional baristas, tamping is far from basic. It’s a crucial moment in the espresso workflow that can either set your shot up for success or introduce inconsistency you’ll struggle to fix later. … Read more
If you’ve been pulling espresso shots consistently but still feel like something’s missing—maybe the flavor isn’t quite balanced, the crema is inconsistent, or some shots just feel unpredictable—it might be time to look at one powerful but often misunderstood step in the brewing process: pre-infusion. Pre-infusion is a small adjustment with a big impact. While … Read more
Latte art is one of the most exciting milestones in any barista’s journey. Whether it’s your first attempt at a heart or your hundredth go at a rosetta, there’s something deeply satisfying about pouring textured milk into espresso and watching a design bloom. But let’s be honest—latte art is also one of the most frustrating … Read more
Every barista wants consistent espresso. Whether you’re pulling one shot a day at home or making dozens during a café shift, consistency is the difference between a good drink and a great one. Yet despite all the focus on grinders, machines, and tampers, there’s a simple, often overlooked technique that has a huge impact on … Read more
If espresso is the heart of any café or home barista setup, then the grinder is the brain. No matter how advanced your machine is or how fresh your beans are, if your grind size is off, your espresso will suffer. That’s why learning how to calibrate your coffee grinder isn’t just a technical skill—it’s … Read more