Your Espresso Prep Road Map

About this Video

• Video Title: Your Espresso Prep Road Map
• Channel: Whole Latte Love
• Speakers: Brian
• Duration: 12:40

Introduction

This video provides a step-by-step guide to espresso preparation, outlining various tools and techniques. Brian emphasizes consistency over perfection, highlighting multiple approaches to achieve repeatable results at home. The video acts as a visual roadmap, guiding viewers from ground coffee to a brewed espresso shot.

Key Takeaways

• Ground Coffee Handling: Several methods are presented for handling grounds: directly into the portafilter, using a dosing funnel, or grinding into a dosing cup. Each has advantages and disadvantages regarding ease, speed, and cleanliness. Grinding directly into a dosing cup is highlighted as the cleanest method and easiest for weighing.
• Ground Distribution: Three primary distribution techniques are explained: tapping the portafilter, using a WDT (Weiss Distribution Technique) tool, and using a leveler. The video demonstrates that each technique leads to varying extraction results.
• Tamping: The video details different tamping techniques, including single-level tamping, multiple tamping, and polishing the top. Brian emphasizes consistency in tamping amount and pressure. Using a WDT to correct a crooked tamp is suggested.
• Screens and Filters: Three options for filters/screens are presented: a puck screen, a paper filter on top of the puck, and a paper filter at the bottom of the portafilter. Each affects the extraction differently, with the bottom paper filter requiring a coarser grind.
• Brian's Personal Method: Brian shares his preferred espresso preparation routine: grinding into a dosing cup, using a WDT and leveler for distribution, a single tamp without polishing, and skipping the final filter/screen step.