How I Make Espresso: Tools and Techniques

Videos mentioned:
* This one didn't actually make it into the video, but I meant for it to. It's a great video, and why we didn't focus too much on naked extractions today.

Things mentioned:

Chapters:
0:00 Intro to espresso puck prep
1:57 Bean prep
2:00 Weighing grinder input & output
2:24 Ross Droplet Technique (RDT) and spray bottle
3:04 Drying the basket
3:29 Distribution
3:39 Dosing funnel
3:59 Why distribution is important
4:50 Weiss Distribution Technique (WDT) tools: DIY & needles vs loops
5:20 Commercial setting WDT
6:02 Using the WDT
6:38 Wedge distributors
7:52 Manual distribution
8:57 Vibration distribution
9:56 The Porcupress
10:52 Paper filters
13:46 Puck screens
14:59 Tamping
17:36 Surfsharf ad break
18:47 My puck prep routine
20:37 Outro - Coffee Is An Act of Kindness & questions

Links:

My Books:

Find me here:

Things I use and like:

[nickcifarelli]

You have the vanishingly rare ability to speak clearly and eloquently whilst providing so much information. I could watch your videos all day. Honestly, they are brilliant. I can see why you are so successful.

[jasonboomgarden]

Honestly, the whole maximize your setup speech is why James is my favorite YouTuber. Thanks for watching out for us man.

[Director-M]

This year I learned why even "Pro" coffee shops struggle with keeping their espresso consistent. My mom laughs out loud when she sees all these tools I bought alongside my new espresso machine, but after her first sip she understood. Thanks for all that you do, James!

[flyingchicken]

i just bought a Breville barista pro. Ive never made an espresso, and very rarely do I go out and buy one. I usually drink regular coffee from Tim hortons. Ive learned all my techniques through James's videos, and since there's so many tutorials out there that teaches beginners how to use their machine. One thing that ive learned is that each roast, roaster need a different technique to make a great shot; and i learned that from James. No body has taught that so thoroughly, and now a month after owning my machine, I am confident to say, i have perfected the roast i most enjoy. After adjusting grind settings, temp settings, changed portifilter and now a stirrer which I felt was the main item that got my shot tasting exactly the way i wanted. Thank you again

[Masjo]

With respect to the vibration distribution method and migration of fines - this is a well known topic in sediment science and hydrology. The smaller particles can more easily find small gaps to move down, while the larger particles cannot and appear to migrate up to the top. It's the same reason why if you shake a jar of sugar that has sat out for a while, the clumps move to the top.

[TheBaconVanMan]

I don’t even drink coffee hardly ever. But I love the way you talk about things and make a big point that some things are expensive and unnecessary and you do a great job of helping people not feel left behind who may not be able to afford things.

I’m planning to make my first video in cocktail making in the next few days once I finish building my backdrop and I love watching your videos because I find they’re a great resource about how to talk to the public and teach in a way that isn’t overbearing, or condescending.

I think a video like this could get a lot of “this is insane all you need is a good old cup of drip coffee” but with you, you make a great point of making everyone feel valid for what they do and at the same time saying “if you want to take things to the extreme in attention to detail, here’s how to do it, but you don’t need to, and you’re valid for wanting something quick and easy.

There’s something so wonderful about watching a master share their love of something without putting down the people who do things differently or who can’t afford or don’t want to deal with the “best” or “proper” way of doing things.

Love your content mate! You’re an inspiration to me! I really can’t speak highly enough of how good a teacher you are!

[JohnTheBrewer]

"...a sign of obsession?" That ship sailed when I bought my first espresso machine. Nice presentation. Thank you.

[Sprometheus]

Hey James, thanks for the shoutout my friend. The Porcupress is definitely a unique tool, but like you the WDT is my daily driver. I’ve got a similar video in production at the moment comparing extraction numbers between a handful of distribution tools, will be a great addition to this conversation. Cheers!

[Andrii_G]

As a Ukrainian I want to thank you for a couple of things. For the compassion and willingness to help and support. For doing your work and showing the passion for it. For providing guidance on how to explore the topic. While working, volunteering, going to deoccupied territories with aid, taking care of the family it's important for me to maintain a sense of normalcy. Learning new things and step by step improving my skills of working with my Gaggia Classic is a meditative experience. Thank you again. Stay well.

[Likeacannon]

I find it amazing that when I started in coffee 15 years ago the purpose of going to a Third Wave coffee shop was to get better coffee than you can make at home. Today the very opposite seems true. With enough time, resources, and a pinch of obsession you can make better espresso at home than almost any cafe in the world, and us in the coffee industry have yet to reckon with that reality.

[tonybernard]

I love that James emphasizes spending money to solve specific problems.

None of your prep looks in any way excessive; it's low maintenance and easily repeatable. Every espresso machine should come with a link to this video.

[danielmiller]

Awesome. I've been tinkering around with my espresso shots for a year now. Test after test, tool after tool, and came to a similar conclusion as you. I do everything the same, just no filter and only spray when shooting for near perfect retention. I really struggled with channeling when I first acquired a bottomless portafilter. I was stumped. I was using a WDT then a metal distributer. Every shot had channeling. As soon as I stopped using the metal distributor, and started stirring a level-as-possible puck before tamping, it's been smooth sailing. Very interested in trying out the filter. Awesome video, James. Really appreciate all you do.

[PiotrBrykalski]

(funnel magnet pings)
(needle distributor stirs)
(basket taps)
(tamper clicks)
(Cup and scales put in place)
(machine buzzes)
(espresso drips)
(machine clicks)
(spoon stirs)
(spoon taps)
(James slurps)
It made my day. 😄
Thanks James (and the person who does subtitles)

[danielchipper]

In no way am I interested in speciality coffee, mostly because I don’t have the money but my god when im stressed or feel just shit I watch your videos and am calmed by your voice and your clear expertise! Thank you James!

[PRJohnnyT]

As a typical italian, i used to mainly just make moka coffee but got bit by the espresso bug... so I wanted to thank you James and the coffee community for helping me make espresso at home. Bought a kingrinder k6 for black friday, a 2nd hand delonghi dedica, a bottomless portafilter, and a delonghi tamper. Used some illy decafeinated beans. Tried a single shot and a double shot. By following the Hoffmann teachings, and to my surprise, both didn't channel and extracted well, like in the videos! Tasty tasy tasty.
PS: on the dedica, i pull a shot without coffee right before i put the portafilter and make an espresso, as it has a better temperature on the second time around.

[CoffeeGodAzzy]

I'm only 22 years old, going on 23, and I opened up a coffee shop last July. I've scoured the internet for resources to help me learn some tricks of the trade because culinary school did not teach me how to make proper coffee; I absolutely love your videos (sometimes I play them in my shop and people come and watch) because they've helped me learn quite a lot about how to properly treat and make coffee for people to enjoy! One day I hope in the future that I become as good as you and other people in the Industry that use your content as a refresher or a guide to better hone their skills.

[andrewbreeden]

Everything about James is so wholesome and pure. The fact he posts both his affiliate and non affiliate links to things. While I'm sure he makes a great living on this channel I truly believe his first and foremost goal is to share his love of coffee :)

[crashm]

The way James is able to provide so much information, so fast, consistent, and clear blows my mind. Other people would take 40 minutes providing the same amount of information. Thank you James!

[DmitryBabanov]

I don't do espresso myself (only V60) but watching all your videos is so much pleasure. The amount of effort you put into production (video quality, sound quality) is above all expectations.

[LeoRomanusFilms]

I sincerely appreciate the tone of your videos. Aside from them being wonderfully informative, I love the “here are some options for you to consider” delivery model. You demonstrating ALL the toys, and then offering editorial on why one may/may not want to use said toy really offers the viewer the opportunity to weigh the value based on their habits/needs.

I always look forward to new content. I love your high quality content!