Struggling with Espresso? This Beginner's Guide Will Change Everything!

[@parulmalik208]

Despite dailing down my coffee for a few years now, it's always humbling to hear about the basics over and over. A few adjustments here and there and it changes the game. There's no end to knowledge. Love it! Keep it coming! Thank you!!! Cheers, Mate!

[@ArtistiCoffeeRoasters]

Thanks so much! Glad this helped. I do forget the basics need to be covered as a reset from the new crazy techniques that are all additional to the basics.

[@victorantos]

Perfect timing! Just made my ristretto and now I have this video to enjoy while sipping it. 😊

[@ArtistiCoffeeRoasters]

That's the way to do it! 😊 great to hear! Cheers luke

[@waynewilkins007]

Well!!!!!! just watched the video. I've learnt more during this video than I have in my period of owning a coffee machine, plus also being on a Masterclass. You're right when you said it can be expensive if we don't do it right. This is my journey, over only 18/24 months 4 coffee machines, first being a Delonghe stellosa, then a Breville one touch (not knowing that here in UK sage is not Breville) then a Sage duo temp to now a Sage Barista Pro, 3 grinders Baratsa ESP a second hand super jolly Mazzer and now Sage smart grinder, and still not satisfied, why? because of the inconsistency. It is a very expensive hobby and a frustrating journey. One of your suggestions is, which I'm going to do, is keeping to the same roaster and bean, I've been journeying the offers in subscriptions and never knowing which really is the one I need to stay with. 2025 I will now be staying with one roaster and the one beans. Thank you for your instructions Luke, Jimmy's good toooo. From Wales

[@bhagmeister]

Luke, I think the often overlooked detail is the ability - or inability - to assess a shot and then make the correct adjustments to refine. These videos are great for initial orientation but do not address the next stages to achieve good tasting shots. Would be great if you spent some video time on refinement. thnx

[@ArtistiCoffeeRoasters]

Thanks, we have many videos covering this including channeling, floating pucks etc. they will help you. Cheers luke

[@George-rm7yw]

Great video Luke.... thanks. From a home barista point of view, I drink coffee 2 times during the day (morning and afternoon). Any recommendations on how to clean the portafilter between these shots? I usually rinse it with water and leave it to dry, but is cleaning it with just a cloth sufficient?

[@ArtistiCoffeeRoasters]

In a busy cafe a cloth wipe or and auto portafilter cleaner is used, then when a break occurs the handles are rinsed. If you rinse you have to remove the baskets and dry in the handle to get out all the water.

[@markw-2025]

Thank you for the video! I have the Micra, and use their 17gr ridged basket. Do you recommend staying with the ridged (use a puck screen, light roasts 18gr, stay below the ridge)? Or should I switch to a ridge less basket?

[@gwendafishley6368]

What water temperature do you recommend for the Christmas Blend?

[@davidlsilva]

You mentioned good quality bottled water. Can you recommend what to buy from Woolies or Coles?

[@Conservator.]

I’m about to make my morning brew. I’m a certified barista but I’m going to watch anyway. 😁

[@ArtistiCoffeeRoasters]

Hope you enjoy your brews and the video. Cheers luke

[@littlelambert]

Great video! You talk about backflushing, my breville touch came with a cleaning disc with a hole in the middle. When i run the backflush, the water escapes from my portafilter and not through my drip tray. When i spoke to Breville they said that water is meant to come out of the portafilter. But I don't see how this is going to cause a backflush if water is escaping. Can you explain please?

[@parulmalik208]

Hey, Just learnt about backflushing a couple of days ago from a barista. I understand your confusion, I was too. What Breville said is correct. So, as I understand so far, the water fills the blind filter, touches the shower head above, fills above it and since the water supply in the entire process is constant for about 10-20 seconds (depending upon your machine program), thus the remaining water starts coming out. Don't worry mate, there's nothing wrong with your machine. Enjoy your coffee! Cheers!

[@Conservator.]

Maybe your Breville doesn’t have a 3-way valve to release the pressure directly after brewing. In that case, I can imaging the solution they came up with is ok. Some manufacturers supply a small rubber disk/insert for a regular filer so it becomes a blind filter.

[@Swimmingforlife.]

Hi Luke Fantastic video and very informative for most people, you are never to old to learn, when I got my Sage Oracle (Breville) I got the white glove service, the man told me just to use tap water as I lived in Scotland where our water is very soft. When I bought my Linea Mini I went to bottled water, I went on a coffee forum and most LM users used a certain bottled water, I still use to this day, I always back flush at the end of each day and I also wash my basket and portafilter every night. Luke, can you give me your honest opinion on a really good grinder, please. Thank you so much. Kindest regards, Johnny (Scotland)

[@Conservator.]

@@Swimmingforlife. Do you grind on demand or single dose? Most 64mm grinders are excellent imo. I use retail grinders at home because I like their robustness and speed but they’re big and not everyone’s taste. (And I’m not Luke of course;)

[@Conservator.]

@@Swimmingforlife. Your water company can give you the exact contents of their water. You could compare that with the bottled water you’re using. I’ve heard that Scotland has excellent water so maybe all you need is a limescale filter. I use them and measure the outcome with indicator sticks to check. Just fyi.

[@lafabricadebodas]

Nice info. This is not for begginers though.

[@balmatian]

I think maybe 80% of coffee drinks purchased are milk based, so taste not so important as espresso only

[@bhagmeister]

Excerpt for those of us who want a good espresso…..

[@ArtistiCoffeeRoasters]

You'd be surprised how much the espresso impacts the flavor of the milk based drinks. Getting this right is the key to a great balanced and not bitter latte

[@chriskvikstad4980]

It's similar to how some people say you should just use cheap liquor in cocktails because you are mixing it with other flavors, so why waste good liquor? That's flawed logic because all that gets you is a cocktail made with bad liquor. If you use high quality ingredients that taste great on their own, the end result is going to be excellent. The whole point is to enjoy it. Espresso drinks are exactly the same as this. Garbage in = garbage out, no matter how much milk you dilute it with.👍