Even the best coffee beans can’t save bad technique. Learning to brew the perfect espresso shot at home takes time, patience, and persistence. As you learn to perfect your brew, you’ll find dozens of tips and tricks on the internet that claim to brew the best possible shot of espresso. But which of these espresso tips actually work? We spoke to coffee experts to discover five espresso tips that actually change your cup — and why they matter for a better shot. Here’s what they shared.
Purge your espresso machine
Many coffee experts recommend “purging” your espresso machine before and after brewing each shot to clear and stabilize the steam wand. Brando Theis, Director of Coffee at Lofty Coffee, says purging your espresso machines helps rid them of residue and gets the group head preheated to ensure consistency of your next espresso shot. He recommends always purging the group head between brewing espresso shots for about two to three seconds. This also helps any potential milk residue that may linger in your espresso machine.
Warm your cup
Pre-warming your espresso cup can help preserve the temperature and aromatics in your espresso shot. “You should warm up your cup for a better espresso experience,” says Theis. “In my opinion, though, it’s more about temperature stability than aromatics or the first sip being vivid.” Since a cold cup absorbs much of the espresso’s temperature, starting with a pre-warmed espresso mug can help elevate your experience.
Start a tasting log
“Professional baristas don’t just ‘dial in’ – they document,” says Jack Foster, Co-Owner & Operations Director at Crosby Coffee. “Write down your dose, yield, time, temperature, and taste notes. Over time, you’ll start to see patterns: which coffees shine with longer extractions, which prefer cooler temps, which hit that wow moment. That’s how you turn intuition into expertise.”
Using a tasting log (and tasting even the bad shots) can teach you more than just trying good ones, helping you to understand the variables that change the way your espresso tastes. For Foster, this is part of the “espresso-brewing journey” and a habit that helps you grow as a home barista.
Tiny pinch of salt
“Typically, in the coffee world, people use salt to enhance the flavors of cold brewed coffee. The lower temp brewing method can’t extract as much, but adding salt brings out a little bit of what technically cannot be extracted,” says Marwyn Garcia, owner of Headcount Coffee.
“However, in terms of adding it to an espresso shot, it can be tricky to find the right amount as the volume is quite low. You can easily overdo it. Dark roast coffees will benefit most, because the higher temperature will, in essence, diminish the floral notes and aromas as compared to a light or medium roast,” he shares.
Try a citrus twist
Adding in a lemon peel or a citrus twist makes for a delicious espresso martini (or regular shot of espresso), when done right. According to Garcia, some people add small hints of citrus to espresso to balance the bitter flavors and enhance the aroma. Beyond just taste, the concept of adding citrus to espresso also dates back to World War II, when it was thought that soldiers may have used citrus to mask the taste of old or poor-quality coffee beans.
