1. Start with Fresh, Quality Beans

The foundation of every great espresso? Fresh coffee beans. Ground coffee loses its aroma within a few days, while whole beans retain their flavor for up to a month.

Our tip: Choose a balanced blend such as the Lavazza Crema e Aroma . This combination of Arabica and Robusta beans gives you that signature creamy crema and full flavor you're looking for.

2. The Right Grind Makes the Difference

Too coarsely ground? Your espresso will be watery and acidic.
Too finely ground? You'll get a bitter, over-extracted cup.

The golden rule: For espresso, you want a grind that feels like fine sand. Invest in a good bean grinder—it's the best upgrade for your coffee experience.

3. Water: The Forgotten Hero

Coffee is 98% water. Use filtered water at the correct temperature (90-96°C) for optimal extraction.

Avoid:

• Too hard water (limescale and bitter taste)
• Distilled water (flat taste)
• Boiling water (burns the coffee)

4. Dosage and Tamping

For a single espresso, use about 7-9 grams of coffee. Tamp with an even pressure of about 15 kg – not too hard, not too soft.

Pro tip: Keep your tamper level. A crooked tamper will result in uneven extraction and a less flavorful cup.

5. Timing is Everything

The perfect espresso extraction takes 25-30 seconds for about 25-30 ml of coffee. Is your espresso brewing too quickly? Grind finer. Is it taking too long? Grind coarser.

Which Beans Are Right For You?

Your Perfect Cup Starts Here

At Donckers Koffie, we believe anyone can make barista-worthy coffee at home. It all starts with the right beans, the right knowledge, and a little practice.

Discover our selection coffee beans and start your journey to the perfect espresso today.