Dialling in an espresso machine properly means setting all the controls so the water extracts just the right amount of flavour from the coffee. You do this by balancing the grind size, coffee dose, pressure and extraction time. When these factors are in harmony, you get an espresso with a rich flavour, a creamy crema layer and the perfect balance between acidity and bitterness. Think of it as fine-tuning your machine so every bean shows exactly what it’s got inside.
Why is dialing in your espresso machine so important?
A well-dialled espresso machine delivers an espresso with the right flavour balance. When your machine isn’t set correctly, you’ll notice immediately: overly bitter coffee often comes from too fine a grind or too high pressure, while a sour taste usually results from too coarse a grind or too low a temperature. By dialing in your machine properly, you not only get the best out of your
espressobonen,
but also from your own barista skills. This way, every espresso tastes full,
Fresh coffee beans taste fuller and richer than coffee pods, but pods are quicker and easier. If you love a real espresso, you’ll notice the difference straight away. Still, many people choose pods for the convenience and consistent quality. Here you’ll read how both options score on flavour, ease of use, price and sustainability, so you know which coffee suits your daily ritual best.
What’s the difference between coffee pods and fresh coffee beans?
The difference between coffee pods and fresh coffee beans lies in freshness and the way the coffee is prepared. Coffee pods contain ground coffee that’s sealed in an airtight capsule immediately after roasting. That’s convenient, but the flavour is less lively than freshly ground beans. Fresh coffee beans are only ground just before brewing, preserving aromas and oils better.
There’s also a difference in experience. With coffee pods, you just press a button and your espresso is ready within seconds. With fresh beans, you control the grind size
The most common mistakes when making espresso (and how to avoid them)
Most espressos don’t fail because of bad beans, but due to small mistakes during brewing. A grind that’s too coarse, too little coffee or a cold brew group can completely change the flavour. Luckily, these mistakes are easy to spot and prevent. With the right attention and technique, you’ll pull an espresso every time with a full body, a beautiful crema layer and exactly the flavour you’re after.
Using the wrong grind size
The wrong grind size is the most common mistake when making espresso. The grind size determines how fast water flows through the coffee and thus greatly affects the flavour.
If the grind is too coarse, the espresso flows too quickly and tastes sour and watery. If the grind is too fine, it flows too slowly and the flavour becomes bitter and heavy. The ideal espresso has a brew time of about 25 to 30 seconds and a nice, even crema.
Adjust the grind size in small steps, change one setting at a time and
The difference between espresso and filter coffee mainly lies in the brewing method. Espresso is made under high pressure, while filter coffee slowly drips through by gravity. This makes espresso taste strong and concentrated, whereas filter coffee is soft and clear. Both brewing methods bring out different flavours, but which one suits you best?
How are espresso and filter coffee brewed?
The biggest difference between espresso and filter coffee is how the water passes through the coffee. Espresso is brewed under high pressure, while filter coffee slowly drips through by gravity.
For an espresso, hot water is forced through finely ground coffee at about 9 bar pressure. This happens in just 25 to 30 seconds. That short extraction time creates an intense, concentrated flavour with a full body and a lovely creamy layer.
With filter coffee, water slowly passes through a filter with coarser ground coffee. The brewing time is between 2 and 4 minutes, allowing the flavours to develop gradually.
