How Fine Should Espresso Be Ground: Beginner's Guide to Grinder Settings for Espresso Machines

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How Fine Should Espresso Grind Be?

How can you adjust to the correct espresso grind size? This is a major challenge for amateur enthusiasts.

We need to be clear about one thing: adjusting the espresso grind size is not a one-time fix. Changes in coffee bean condition and air humidity will constantly affect espresso extraction. Therefore, fine-tuning the grinder is necessary to adapt to these changes. Generally, we check every morning whether this grind size is suitable for extraction with these parameters. Sometimes when weather changes frequently, the grind size adjusted in the morning may deviate by the afternoon, requiring readjustment.

Factors Affecting Extraction Stability

FrontStreet Coffee wants to specifically explain here that sometimes unstable extraction requires frequent grind adjustments. Besides uncontrollable factors like weather, another important reason is the freshness of the coffee beans. Very fresh coffee beans contain abundant gases, making extraction unstable and limiting flavor development. Espresso coffee beans generally require a longer resting period. If you want more stable beans, FrontStreet Coffee recommends resting them for at least 2 weeks.

Adjusting the appropriate espresso grind size can only be achieved through repeated extraction adjustments. Before adjusting the grind, we need to clarify several objectives. First, why do we need to adjust the grind? Because the extracted espresso doesn't meet our preset requirements, including extraction parameters and flavor. Second, when adjusting the grind, we must keep other parameters as consistent as possible, such as skilled and precise distribution and tamping techniques, consistent dose and yield, otherwise your grind adjustment will be filled with uncertainties.

Quick Method to Determine Grind Size

Here's a simple and quick way to determine grind size: First, apply the extraction parameters of 1:2 brew ratio and 20-30 seconds extraction time. Calculate the dose based on the basket's recommended capacity, for example, use 20g of coffee for a 20g basket. Then select a grind setting (that looks like flour consistency), then extract and observe the time. If the time exceeds 30 seconds, the next extraction needs to be adjusted coarser. If the time is less than 20 seconds, the next extraction needs to be adjusted finer.

Fine-Tuning Through Taste

After controlling the extraction time within 20-30 seconds, we then fine-tune by tasting the espresso. If the coffee lacks aroma and tastes overall acidic, adjust finer. If the coffee tastes burnt and bitter, causing discomfort, adjust coarser.

Important Notice :

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