Every coffee preparation method has little tricks, secrets, pitfalls, and different ways to end up with a cup of something you're not super happy with. Espresso has more of those than most, I'd say. Many things can impact the quality of the shots you pull from your espresso machine , and it can be hard to tell what is causing the trouble.
So, I'm here to walk you through the basics of how to make espresso at home. Whether you've got your first espresso machine sitting on your counter, or you're an old pro looking for a quick refresher course, we've got you covered. Be sure to check our other coffee gear guides, including the Best Espresso Machines , Best Cold-Brew Coffee Makers , Best Latte and Cappuccino Machines , and Best Coffee Grinders .
Oh, and our How to Brew Coffee at Home guide covers the basics. Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off) . This includes unlimited access to WIRED.
com , full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day. If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission.
This helps support our journalism. Learn more . There’s no such thing as espresso beans.
Sometimes, coffee makers will have a blend of beans designed for use in espresso machines, but the beans are the same as any coffee beans. For me, I like a medium roast for espresso. Medium roasts tend to have enough rich, chocolatey flavors on their own that they won’t get lost if you add some stea.
