Even with the best espresso makers, there are always a few extra tips you can learn to improve your brewing technique.

The most important tip would be to get a good machine in the first place. Don’t skimp and buy one of the super cheap steam machines. They will make an acceptable espresso, but it won’t be fantastic. If you are aiming for excellence, spend a little more for a pump machine. They are no longer all that expensive, and can sometimes be found at roughly the same price as the steam versions. They start at around $100, but can easily run up ten times that.

After getting a good machine, start with good coffee. Get some roasted whole bean coffee and grind your own right before you fire up the espresso machine. A fine grind is best. Having freshly ground coffee will make a huge difference in your final cup. The taste will be much stronger, bolder and rich.

Along with grinding your coffee beans before use, another thing to consider with your beans is the roast. Since espresso is supposed to be a very strong drink, you should get your beans roasted quite dark. Not on the verge of being burned, but definitely dark. If you get your beans roasted at a coffee house, ask for an Italian or espresso roast. They’ll know what you need. If they don’t, then find another coffee house.

A smaller tip would be to get the tamp just right. When you fill the portafilter with ground coffee, you need to press it down slightly. This will take some experimenting. Too much tamping, and the water won’t flow through the grounds. Too little, and it will pass through without drawing any flavour out.

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