How to Use a Coffee Machine: The 8 Essential Tips

There's something truly invigorating about starting your day with a perfect cup of coffee. Over the last few years espresso has captured the hearts of coffee enthusiasts worldwide. Whether enjoyed straight espresso, short or long black or as a base for espresso milky beverages like flat white's, lattes and macchiatos, making espresso at home is increasingly becoming the popular start to any day.

This guide offers eight tips to take you on your coffee journey wand give you the knowledge and skills to consistently brew a perfect coffee from a home coffee maker machine.

1. Select Premium Coffee Beans: The foundation of an exceptional espresso lies in your choice of coffee beans. With a multitude of roast levels and flavour profiles available, your selection should align with your personal taste preferences. However, for espresso, it's crucial to use fresh finely ground beans to achieve the intense flavour and that "crema" layer. You can opt for pre-ground espresso beans or for the best results invest in your own coffee grinder for freshly ground beans at home.

2. Understand Your Espresso Machine: Espresso machines come in various styles and sizes, but most share common components. Familiarise yourself with key parts, including the portafilter, grouphead, pump activator, and steam wand. While espresso machines may look complex, mastering a few essential elements will put you on the path to brewing exceptional espresso. In addition, there are various types of machines available from the complete manual barista style, to semi automatic that will do everything but froth the milk, to the fully automatic machines that produce a great coffee at the press of a button.

3. Maintain Machine Cleanliness: A clean espresso machine is essential for consistently great results. Before each use, clean the portafilter and the area around the grouphead to prevent residue and moisture from affecting the quality of your espresso.

4. Measure Coffee Grounds Accurately: Precise measurements are crucial when packing coffee grounds into the portafilter, a process known as "tamping." A single espresso serving requires 9 to 12 grams of coffee grounds, while a double shot (doppio) requires 18 to 22 grams. Maintain these measurements for the best results.

5. Ensure Even Distribution: Evenly distributing coffee grounds within the portafilter is vital to brewing concentrated espresso. Tap the sides of the portafilter to distribute grounds evenly before tamping them down firmly. Continue tamping until the grounds can no longer be compressed further.

6. Brew Immediately: After tamping, load the portafilter into the machine and start brewing immediately. Avoid letting the portafilter sit, as this can lead to undesirable flavor alterations caused by heat exposure.

7. Watch Your Brew Time: Controlling brew time is essential for achieving a well-balanced flavor. Manual machines require careful monitoring, while automatic machines can lead to over-extraction (too much water) or under-extraction (too little water). Adjust the brew time to ensure optimal flavor extraction.

8. Embrace Experimentation: Once you've mastered the art of making espresso, don't hesitate to explore the world of coffee beverages. Experiment with concoctions like Americanos, cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos, using your espresso as a base. Unleash your creativity and savor the rich possibilities your espresso machine offers.

Brewing excellent espresso at home is an art that requires dedication and practice. By following these eight indispensable tips, you'll embark on a rewarding journey towards crafting the perfect cup of espresso. Breville's high-end espresso machines are designed to make this journey even more enjoyable, allowing you to savor the richness and complexity of espresso whenever you desire. Start your espresso-making adventure today with Breville.