James Hoffmann Teaches Dan How to Brew and Drink Espresso | What's Eating Dan?

Brewing espresso at home can be fun and rewarding, but also quite complicated. Coffee expert, KZbinr, and author James Hoffmann is here to guide Dan through the process of brewing (including dose, ratio, grind size, temperature, pressure, and brew time) and drinking the best espresso.
Check out James' channel: / @jameshoffmann
Check out James' book: amzn.to/3Ax1Xeg
Read our review of espresso machines: cooks.io/3u0xPGX
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[@internetshaquille]

two absolute titans of their industries what a time to be alive

[@tommy2capa]

OMFG NOW YOU'RE HERE TOO! I'M OVERWHELMED

[@Yopperpo]

I love you dad

[@AsianBM55]

I know I could not believe the thumbnail this morning. It’s like Dan and British Dan, or vice versa.

[@Robinzorz]

Dude with you here it's like my holy Trinity of Food related KZbinrs!

[@marvinloya5039]

Absolutely loving that net shaq showed up

[@Hoss1492]

When considering getting an espresso machine you must ask yourself, "do I want a cup of coffee or a new hobby"!?

[@STEVEARABIA1]

Exactly. It’s crazy how complicated it could get. I went with the more idiot proof auto type.

[@lenabreijer1311]

And how much counter space do I want to sacrifice? After my espresso maker died after 6 months I went for a moka pot instead and claimed my counter back.

[@derkaiserzen]

The one wisdom that James teach me. I do LOVE coffee, But I'm too poor to have a new hobby right now

[@TuliTheUnruly]

Thank you for the reminder. I want to save money at the cafe, but not sure if I want to get so obsessive about another food.

[@bolerkai]

This, which is why I stick to our over, which is a bit less of a hobby - thanks to James.

[@jacobprince6602]

America’s test kitchen and James Hoffman combined… I have a feeling 2022 is gonna be my year.

[@parker4544]

Same

[@JohnCWannamaker]

I mean depending on the kinda person you are... but I assume that since you like both these things (ATK and James Hoffman).. I am going to guess that this comment has aged poorly.

[@robsmith5434]

Hope you had a great year!

[@bryanherr1093]

A double dose of James this morning. Nice.

[@SchadenNZ]

When you talked about loving crema I was surprised James didn't have anything to add. Then when we got to the final tip I smiled at his very British (diplomatic) "Crema is amazing, but try scooping it off" 😆 ☕

[@sirlord001]

Oh goodness.... the collab I wanted is finally here!

[@breinich2]

What a morning treat: Dan, espresso, and James. Perfection

[@kylecronin8737]

Isn't it "expresso"? lol

[@adamb.4585]

These two dudes have contributed to my nerdy inhibitions for years its nice to see them together. Also, for the group $900 is how much the espresso machine costs the grinder is a little less.

[@WhatsInAName222]

A match made in heaven. I love Dan and James’ videos and together they provide the perfect nerdgasm. Thanks guys!

[@cookwithroomi8034]

I need support

[@joconnell]

One thing of note in Dans process is that using a cake tester or something as thick, may end up causing more channels than it’s going to fix. If you go finer with the tool you use, you’ll get better results. Most folks are finding that 0.3mm needles are giving the best results, you can buy a cheap set of acupuncture needles and push them through a wine cork, or even just tie them to a wine cork so they’re spaced out, it’ll work really nicely! For anyone who hasn’t heard of this, it’s called “wdt” and some kinda thingy with needles is known as a wdt tool.

[@SuZiKaT22]

Fascinating! Thanks, good tip!

[@Kmaaq]

James wants to flat out say that espresso without crema tastes better but is afraid of getting banished from the coffee community. 😂

[@simonsavelyev7399]

Two giants at the top of their game! Love this episode

[@winanderson4143]

James Hoffman is a rock star!!! Still the best. His style, explanations, and common-sense statements perfectly fit this format. I watch almost all videos with James.

[@shashwatasamanta7358]

The collab we all wanted!

[@igglewiggle6649]

Hi Dan, thanks for inviting James Hoffmann …he always has knowledge to impart. La Pavoni, is a sight to behold!! What a beauty!!

[@STEVEARABIA1]

The very first coffee drink I had that I liked was made by a coworker on a pavoni just like that. Before that I thought I hated coffee. I bought a Gaggia Berra after that and still use it daily. Changing this many variables might still be a bit overwhelming for me, but I found this video fascinating. Great work guys as always.

[@karenconger2224]

Two all time favorites together at last!

[@AmericasTestKitchen]

😊 ☕️

[@alejandrorequena7836]

My two favorite food people. This deserves a coffee

[@axem.8338]

Dan and James, two of my favorites on KZbin! Thanks for making this happen.

[@angelal4285]

My husband loves watching you both and when I told him there’s a KZbin video with Dan and James about espresso, he said, oh they finally got together… I got to see this one!

[@thermalegoogle]

That tiny strand of hair standing up on the back of James' head is ADORABLE

[@masstwitter4748]

Once I noticed it, I couldn’t not notice it!

[@waelkambris6188]

Watching you and James together is the real treat. You guys are amazing.

[@ruthgrovecleaningwithwater]

This video accomplished three purposes: answered many of my questions, showed me how much I don’t know, and made me really want to have some RIGHT NOW!

[@seroun17]

Best episode yet. I learned so much. Thank you both.

[@heidicooper7912]

Love James. His channel is so informative.

[@brendashope9242]

This was bliss to watch. Two of my favorites

[@meizhou9279]

Awesome collab! James’ expertise filtered through Dan’s chill energy! ☕️

[@maryjanekolesar8325]

Best explanation ever! Thank you.

[@Starnoxiar]

Great video! I liked the conversation style to deliver information.

[@bogiesan]

Terrific. Nice to see Mr Hoffman.

[@etpe4830]

love this, everything I learned and forgot over years of James' videos is all summed up in here.

[@jeffr7558]

Just wanna say this was great! Love the collaboration between 2 such highly revered voices. Keep em coming!

[@lyledal]

The collab I've been waiting for!!!

[@m3tek44]

Wow!!! You have explained espresso grind/over extraction very well!!! thank you!

[@ellagreen4336]

Holy cow! THANK YOU James & Dan! ♥♥♥

[@Tenelia]

FINALLY. OUR FAV GEEKS OMG

[@scottydoggymama]

Now this was a video worth making, love Dan and James is my coffee god, he makes me wanna up my coffee game after every video I watch

[@losergrad]

I love what's eating Dan. Do one on Szechuan peppercorns, please.

[@ib8543]

This video has everything I needed to know to up my espresso brewing game. Thanks 🙏🏽

[@novanorman1091]

Very helpful collaboration! Thanks ☕️

[@heididukes394]

This way of discussing between 2 highly intelligent talented experts is very much appreciated. Thanks.

[@Space-O-2001]

Great video, good starter pointers presented clearly and succinctly!

[@CanadianLumber]

Seriously, I love James and the fact you brought him into your show amazballz!

[@wlmontag]

What a great combination. I hope you do more videos together. Really enjoyed it!

[@jerrybobteasdale]

Very good video. So much of it also applies to regularly brewed coffee.

[@musiloko787]

This collaboration was amazing!!! I would love to see more video collabs with James

[@Margo5050]

Two guys who are enjoyable and logical. Thank you.

[@homeworld1031tx]

Really great video, glad it came out as I'm about to get a machine!

[@TheMrbonkers115]

I have never clicked a video faster

[@beyproctor7673]

Awesome video. I love coffee and espresso but it took me 50 years to get an espresso machine in my house. Of all the ways to enjoy coffee I love espresso the most. SO rewarding making a cappuccino at home! Thank you for this overview video to remind me how to easily balance the variables and spend as much energy enjoying a shot as I do brewing one.

[@shanewilson2152]

Really enjoyed your video

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Such fun to see a new episode from ‘What’s Eating Dan?’ 👏🏽

[@mich8261]

I love when two KZbinrs I follow have a collab. I get excited like when Mork showed up on Happy Days

[@charlestwoo]

Fantastic and surprising collab!

[@brujamalvada]

I can't believe this video is real! Dan and James together is THE dream :)

[@lesliedausey]

I just started applying the temp principle discussed for my French press coffee. It's amazing that a few degrees can make such a difference!

[@CUDA1970Terry]

I went to a new espresso shop near where I worked and asked for an espresso, straight. I was handed a cup of liquid that was quite bitter. I mentioned to the woman that pulled the shot that it was bitter and she glared at me, put her hands on her hips and proclaimed that it was espresso, it was supposed to taste bitter. No one can argue with an expert, but I never returned to that coffee shop. One thing I have learned by watching James is that espresso Should taste sweet, not bitter. Thanks James.

[@TuliTheUnruly]

That's the quality that made me love espresso when I first tried it. It was sweeter and smoother than drip coffee. No coffee should only have bitter flavors.

[@Ghorda9]

espresso also needs a light or medium roast, dark is too much.

[@igottmituns]

Great video. I'll add that James' videos on espresso dialing are a great next step for anyone interested to go from here. Nice collab! Subbed!

[@espressosensei]

Thanks for sharing this trove of actionable advice! Sadly the review linked hasn't been updated since 2017. There's been a tremendous amount of innovation in the under $500 category these past 5 yrs, and your viewers just getting into home brewing would benefit greatly to know about. Keep up the great work, and please more coffee!!

[@vraymond108]

Great video!

[@mickreynolds3065]

Finally! I've been waiting for "foodies" to embrace 3rd wave coffee for what seems like forever, instead of treating it like a complete afterthought. What a great synergy!

[@BloomByCC]

So exciting!

[@redoorn]

it is this video that introduced me to James. he has upped my coffee game by orders of magnitude

[@jonathanromo2305]

There’s an added benefit to a lever style machine that adds a new variable. By increasing or decreasing the pressure you exert you can “profile” your espresso, essentially you can extract different flavors by pushing hard then letting the pressure decline at the end or starting slow and ramping up the pressure. It’s a feature that’s done with a small paddle on my Profitec and pricey slayer machines. It’s not necessary by any means but it opens you up to very different flavors with a simple pull of a lever c:

[@aritrabanerjee6186]

Sipping an instant coffee mixed with hot water and wondering where my beloved tea is. Good work Dan.

[@newmennium]

World's are colliding!! Love James Hoffman and his channel

[@cloudyview]

Fantastic video - great intersection of talent happening here ☕👍

[@MrCthur]

Thank you for collab'ing with James!

[@user-ty5fp7vx1u]

I was absolutely salivating from beginning to end. Can't wait to make my next 'spresso!

[@ortiz73caify]

Great video

[@Khristafer]

The collab that I didn't know I needed.

[@AndyMelton]

DAN! AND JAMES! IN A SINGLE VIDEO! OH. MY. GOD! This is a dream come true! Fantastic video! I watched this last night and this morning I was tempted to scrape off the crema before turning my espresso into an Americano, but I couldn't bring myself to do it! Maybe tomorrow!

[@gloriouslyimperfect]

The collab of two legends I didn’t even know I needed

[@HTMLguruLady2]

I love james. He's awesome. I've been watching his channel for a long long time.

[@shellycooper1210]

Brilliant videos

[@VinegarAndSaltedFries]

Great video.

[@jerrysmith3515]

Dan, I want to thank you very much for this video. I didn't know anything about espresso until I watched your video. I may even go out and buy one. Thanks

[@SpencerDonahue]

James is taking over youtube

[@mendonesiac]

I'm impressed with James's knowledge, and his hair

[@markjthomson]

Nicely done - love the La Pavoni... had mine for 3 years... dark roast, 14gm... NDT and leveler have improved my puck game... and so nice! Naked porta filter... all the way!

[@mitchellhilbert8874]

So happy to see this collaboration!!

[@sarahdeschene3152]

A dream video, ATK’s Dan meets James Hoffmann. Thank you Dan and James!

[@1gaurav001]

I binge watch both these KZbinrs religiously. Had to rub my eyes when I saw this thumbnail. 😂 MCU step aside, the greatest crossover ever is here.

[@sharvo6]

That's one off my wish list.

[@nimry80]

Informative information

[@magdalenabresson8308]

I love Espresso, and now I love it even more!

[@dahdahdaniel]

what a great video!

[@richhansen8617]

Great collaboration!

[@JessOlsonANSChomework]

Where did James get his Sweater? It's gorgeous!

[@Motologist95]

Pavonis are beautiful machines! Love the espresso they produce 😋

[@adriandelatorre2263]

Magnificent!

[@lissyperez4299]

Cuban here, you've never had great espresso until you Make some through What I call the sock method.. Boiling the coffee sugar and water together until it almost boils and straining it through a cloth strainer nothing like it!

[@drwagner14]

glorious!

[@noahreeverts465]

What absolute legends

[@brendanleadbeater9400]

I gave this a try and was pleasantly surprised. I will be doing this from now on as it indeed does have a massive effect on the taste. After removing the crema, I throw in some MCT oil to increase the thickness/body/creaminess you lose when removing the crema... it's worth giving it a try.

[@corinnecorley9584]

Love!

[@BobMacNeal]

James is the go-to expert amongst aficionados. I've got a signed copy his World Atlas of Coffee sitting on my coffee table.☕

[@Djpauly_bobo]

Haven't watched yet but this is a collab the world deserves.

[@_DMW]

O.M.G. When my two worlds come together! Holy Ish!!!!!!!! Two of my favorite dudes!

[@microtasker]

James God-ing things up as usual. I watch as many of his videos as I do of you guys. Standards are good to have.