Ground coffee for your espresso machine

Why espresso needs a fine grind

Espresso needs a fine grind because the water has only seconds to pass through the coffee, pushed by high pressure, and the grind sets how much the coffee resists it. Too coarse, and the water rushes through: the shot is finished almost at once and tastes thin and sour. Too fine, and the machine can barely force the water through; the espresso drips out slowly and turns bitter. Timing is your check, with a well-balanced shot running for about 25 to 30 seconds. Machines with a pressurised, double-walled basket, common on entry-level models, are far more forgiving, and pre-ground espresso nearly always works in them. If your shots run much faster, see My espresso flows too fast. How do I fix this?

How much ground coffee per shot

A single espresso takes 7 to 9 g of ground coffee and a double 14 to 18 g. With pre-ground coffee the grind is fixed, so the dose becomes your adjustment: a little more coffee if the shot runs too fast, a little less if it runs too slowly. How much ground coffee per espresso? goes into dosing in more detail, and How to properly dial in your espresso machine? helps when the machine itself needs setting up.

Choosing espresso coffee

• Italian brands. illy, Lavazza, Segafredo and Pellini arrive factory-ground to espresso fineness in 250 g packs. A small pack is used up quickly, so you are always brewing from one that was opened recently.
• Decaf. illy Decaffeinato and Lavazza DEK Classico are the decaffeinated ground espressos from the brands; our own Decaf Espresso and Decaf Special can be ground for espresso too.
• Strength for milk drinks. For a cappuccino or flat white, pick a coffee high on our strength scale of 1 to 13, so the coffee still comes through the milk.
• Roast. Dark-roasted espresso gives the classic heavy, cocoa-toned cup; lighter roasts taste brighter and a little more acidic.
• Our own coffee, ground to order. Select 'Freshly ground - Espresso semi-automatic (manual)' and the coffee only goes through the grinder after you order, with the roast date printed on the label.

Moka pot and other grinds

Making coffee on the hob in a moka pot? Espresso grind is slightly too fine for that, and percolator coffee is the better match. For an overview of every grind, from espresso through to French press, see ground coffee.