At Trade, we believe that any coffee can be brewed as espresso, as long as the correct parameters for the roast level and coffee are used.

Espresso blends and roasts are simply coffees that the roaster has roasted or selected with a specific flavor profile or brewing parameters in mind. Other coffees, like single-origin coffees, also offer a unique experience as espresso, as the flavors of the varietal and terroir truly come alive with the more concentrated brew method.

If you'd prefer to receive only coffees designated as espresso blends and roasts, please reach out to our team for further assistance.

Espresso recipes vary widely depending on roast level. A great place to start for most espresso blends or roasts and home espresso machines is with a 1:2 ratio of coffee-to-water brewed in 25-30 seconds. For example, in an 18g portafilter basket, try using 18g of finely ground coffee to make 36g (~1.25oz) of brewed coffee.

If the shots taste sour or dry, you may want to experiment with different brew ratios based on your coffee.

For example, light-roast single-origin coffees may benefit from longer brewing ratios, like 1:2.5 or 1:3, to achieve a more balanced flavor profile. What you'll lose in body, you'll gain in flavor.

On the other hand, dark roasts may benefit from even shorter brew ratios, like 1:1.5 or 1:1, to best showcase the body and texture that they have to offer.

If shots are tasting too sour or pulling too quickly, try grinding finer to increase the contact time between the water and coffee and boost your extraction to achieve a more balanced shot.

If shots are tasting too bitter, or pulling too long, try grinding coarser to reduce the contact time and mitigate over-extraction.

If you're still having trouble brewing a tasty shot of espresso after trying these steps above, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team of experienced baristas. They'll be happy to help you troubleshoot your brews further!