After spending time scouring the internet for espresso grind settings, I decided to make a list for you to reference.
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Adventures in espresso making.
Coffee is just one of those things I can’t live without. When I was in college, I’d study at the local Starbucks almost every day. Sadly, we don’t have a trendy, modern cafe nearby, so we stop at every local coffee shop we can find during our travels.
After college, I started making my coffee at home, using a machine similar to this one. The machine worked fine. It allowed me to practice making my coffee at home, experiment with different brands of syrup, and learn how to steam milk.
Although, it was a great, budget-friendly, beginner machine, but it wasn’t quite the coffeehouse-style espresso I loved. While it worked for my needs at the time, I found myself wanting something better.
I guess that’s just my personality. If I’m going to take the time to do something, I want it to be as close to the real thing as I can get.
So, last Christmas, I bought myself an entry-level espresso machine. After doing some research, I decided on a Breville Barista Touch. Despite the fact, it was the more expensive model, the semi-automatic features fit into my lifestyle much better than the manual versions.
I was just about to turn 30, so maybe it was a mini-life crisis coupled with a longer-than-necessary pandemic. Still, overall, I think it was one of the best investments I’ve made as an adult thus far.
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Struggling to find espresso grind settings
It’s been a learning curve, but a good one. After scouring the internet for help on grind sizes, I decided to make a list of espresso grind settings for different brands I try. I hope this will give you a helpful starting point when you are having trouble dialing in espresso. Maybe it will make it less stressful.
Important notes to consider
*disclaimer* this article is for informative purposes only as I cannot guarantee its accuracy. This article should be used as a starting point. Many factors will determine how your espresso pulls. Some of those things include: tamp pressure, water temperature, the warmth of the portafilter, water pressure, extraction time, freshness of beans, personal taste preferences, etc.
>>Want to ensure better results?
- Make sure your portafilter is hot. I pull two (2) double shots for my daily coffee, and the run time on my second shot is always nearly perfect.
- Grab one of these from Amazon. This distributor and tamper combo has made my espresso so much more consistent.
Looking for an espresso machine? Check out these.
How I gauge my espresso grind settings
Please note these espresso grind settings are from a Breville Barista Espresso maker and assume a 1:2 ratio of grounds to the espresso at approximately 15g:30g (give or take).
Additionally, if you are using a brand of beans for the first time, I recommend weighing the grinds before extracting, as the grind times I provide may not equal exactly 15 grams.
Furthermore, extraction times will vary but should be between 22-32 seconds, including an 8-second pre-extraction time recommended by Breville. I always use this scale during my extractions.
Using a different grinder?
The attached grinder has 18 settings. If you use a different grinder, comment below with espresso grind settings for your machine. Tell us what grind settings you use for your brand of grinder.
Craving more? Check out these recipes…
Espresso Grind Settings By Coffee Brand
How I gauge my espresso settings.
These espresso grind settings are from a Breville Barista espresso machine. I use a 1:2 ratio (coffee grounds to liquid espresso), at approximately 15 grams in to 30 grams out.
Additionally, I recommend weighing the grinds before extracting, as the grind times I provide may not equal exactly 15 grams.
Don't forget!
I will be adding new beans and brands frequently, so be sure to bookmark this page.
Intelligentsia Coffee
The Intelligentsia Coffee brand was established in Chicago with the intention of bringing better coffee to the area. They opened shop in 1995 roasting their own beans in house.
Intelligentsia Frequency Blend
Flavor profile: notes of milk chocolate, lemongrass, pineapple, and breakfast tea.
Grind Setting: 08/09
Grind Time: 13 seconds
Extraction Time: N/A
Peace Coffee
"Peace Coffee provides organic and sustainably-sourced beans. They began in the 1980's with their founding nonprofit, the Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy, with a mission to help advocate for long-term systemic change and commodity-farmer profitability. The brand started in the Twin Cities, delivering coffee beans by bicycle."
Peace Coffee Birchwood Breakfast Blend
Grind Setting: 06
Grind Time: 17 seconds
Extraction Time: ~27 seconds
Starbucks Coffee
Getting their start in Seattle, in 1971, Starbucks coffee is known as the largest coffeehouse chain in the world and representing third-wave coffee culture in the States.
Starbucks Pike Place
Flavor profile: Cocoa and toasted nuts
Grind setting: 06/07
Grind Time: 17 seconds
Extraction Time: 27 seconds
Starbucks Veranda Blend
Flavor Profile: Light body with medium-acidity. Soft nutty flavor with hints of cocoa.
Grind Setting: 05/06
Grind Time: 17 seconds
Extraction time: 28 seconds
Notes: When I first tried pulling this bean, I was between a 06/07. After I deep cleaned my machine, I changed the grind setting to a 05 because it was running too quickly. Overall, I really like this one, very delicate.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters
The Stumptown brand is based in Portland, Oregon. They purchase their coffee beans directly from farmers with a goal to make the perfect sip by highlighting the beans distinct flavors.
Read more about their story, here
.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters Hair Bender
Flavor profile: Citrus and dark chocolate
Grind setting: 07/08
Grind Time: 17 seconds
Extraction Time: ~25 seconds
Espresso Must-Haves!
Want to ensure better shots?
- Make sure your portafilter is HOT. I pull two (2) double shots for my daily coffee, and the run time on my second shot is always nearly perfect.
Crema Coffee Products | 53.3mm Coffee Distributor/Leveler & Hand Tamper
In my opinion, this is a must, especially if multiple people are using the machine. While I think you should learn how to tamp, there are many variables between you and your cup of coffee.
This remove one of those obstacles, helping to take some frustration out of the equation, especially when someone like my S.O. does not make espresso drinks regularly.
TIMEMORE Coffee Scale
I chose to purchase a scale that only works in grams to keep myself from accidentally making mistakes by using the wrong settings. I also wanted a sleek, square, black one that fits on the drip tray,
*disclaimer* this article is for informative purposes only as I cannot guarantee its accuracy. This article should be used as a starting point. Many factors will determine how your espresso pulls. Some of those things include: tamp pressure, water temperature, the warmth of the portafilter, water pressure, extraction time, freshness of beans, personal taste preferences, etc.
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