How I Make Espresso: Tools and Techniques

Could you please recommend an espresso machine in which the hot water does not come into contact with any plastic? (~$2000 budget)

the complication of this process is 2nd only to starting a modern day F1 car. All of these techniques, tools, processes is fine, but sometimes there is joy in keeping things simple and free of overly complicated and cumbersome processes. I'm not going to say your espresso tastes bad because I've never had it, but I do find joy in the simple espresso process I have even if my espresso flavor (profile) is flawed.

Like espresso part, dislike for blaming Russia. Why here?

If I get a like from James or 50 other likes, I will reveal my 15 year old controversial moka coffe recepie.

I watched 20 min, sub'ed & liked only to be left with the bitter taste of left wing politics. 🤢

Wonder if he's also doing a fundraiser for the civilians of Palestine stuck in Israel and Hamas' grotesque war...

Does clumping REALLY matter lol

Why did I watch this? I only drink cappuccino

What would be a good upgrade from a Nespresso Vertuo machine?

謝謝！

I dont wanna be that guy but the tool you use to distribute the coffee grounds is a wedge distributor, not a WDT tool. As WDT specifically means Weiss Distribution Technique, or using fine needles for distribution. Again not trying to sound like a dick or somthing, just hoping to learn people the difference 😅

18.5? Why the half? Surely that makes not one bit of difference.

You have the vanishingly rare ability to speak clearly and eloquently whilst providing so much information. I could watch your videos all day. Honestly, they are brilliant. I can see why you are so successful.

Awesome. I've been tinkering around with my espresso shots for a year now. Test after test, tool after tool, and came to a similar conclusion as you. I do everything the same, just no filter and only spray when shooting for near perfect retention. I really struggled with channeling when I first acquired a bottomless portafilter. I was stumped. I was using a WDT then a metal distributer. Every shot had channeling. As soon as I stopped using the metal distributor, and started stirring a level-as-possible puck before tamping, it's been smooth sailing. Very interested in trying out the filter. Awesome video, James. Really appreciate all you do.

I hate coffee and can't understand why people like it. Still, I can watch this guy descrbing the process and enjoy it.

I use needle and then wedge distributor before tamping.

I had a 40 dollar espresso machine, I'd buy preground espresso and fill a 2 shot basket with it, smash it with the tamper hard as I could, and pull 200ml through it. I'm a savage so I steamed 200ml of milk and took 1 scoop of hot chocolate mix and throw it all together.

I'm happy to see the workflow I arrived at myself is not too far off from yours James. I tried a wedge distributor but the shallow wedge always gave me the nagging feeling it was tamping first and distributing second. Now I strictly use a WDT tool before using a tamper with a ledge that assures a level bed. I've also opted to use mesh screens over paper filters hoping to somewhat reduce paper waste. I don't find cleaning it to be a hassle whatsoever, and I really appreciate how it keeps grounds out of my shower screen. Great content!

C'est un art 😊

This needle clump tool really reminds me of a marajuana grinder.

You know you are the best slaesman when you need to prevent your customer from buying stuff

Don't bring politics into coffee bro. No one cares to hear it in this situation. There is a Time and place for that.

Thanks

Hi James! 2 quick questions:
1. Which basket do you use? For the 2 1/4in papers one would need a straight wall basket… Yours looks like straight walls…
2. If you use Chemex paper (punched) - do you ‘rinse’ them before using them in order to get rid of the paper taste? (put then the puck get wet when you fill he basket, right?)
Thanks in advance for a short feedback - and let the great videos ‘flow’… ;-)

Lifes short man, I'll stick with Taster's Choice instant. Dont kid yourself, its just as good and thousands cheaper !

Espresso is a fast shot of coffee. This is not espresso.

I love watching and learning from your videos. It seems that the better I get, the less I do to enjoy a great cup. Learning to trust and not over work something, Kind regards

I'm surprised to see that you're not using the funnel while filling the basket. That is where I find it the most useful, as it helps prevent spillage. But I guess you are using a very tall funnel, and probably won't be able to fit it in the grinder. Personally, I'm using the tallest funnel I can fit, and it keeps my work surface much tidier.

What is the espresso machine he's using at the end of the video?

James thank you for your videos - may I ask what grinder do you use and espresso machine ?

Most ranges are too deep for a 24” counter depth. Very strange. I’ve found Thermador is best for a true counterdepth range.

I just realized that I learned some random, old techniques when I was googling espresso making 10-15 years ago. It's nice to kind of see all of manual techniques shown here and some other ways to maybe upgrade.

James - I thought the screen was also to decrease channeling and keeping the (sorry, I don’t know the terminology yet) underside of the extraction area?… 😂 clean. Is that so?

I am about to buy the barista pro and I only want to buy the extras people end up keeping and actually using. 😊

i got a question.
after 25 seconds my espresso has over 180 grams ( i use normal mugs ), so my initial thought was, i have to make a finer gind. but if i go with a finer grind, the espresso starts tasting really bad.
so whats my mistake?
if i use a fine grind to get 25 grams espresso after 25 seconds, the espresso is undrinkable

i dont use a paper filter btw

I really enjoy your videos James, keep 'em coming! :)

Lipids in my opinion is a large part of the health benefits. Lipids are very good for the body. There’s science and there is poorly interpreted science and this is what we have in the cholesterol debate. Quality lipids is what you’re after, whether you know it or not. Your body structure and chemistry rely on lipids. Cholesterol was present when studying heart disease, but it was never demonstrated that cholesterol was causing. Cholesterol now, is understood to be active in correcting inflammation, so in this case, the emergency responders got blamed for the incident, but the culprit went undetected and today is controversial because it’s truth may be a threat to the big food industry.

Lol. “Covered a lot of grounds…” 😂

I like James's love for details. I enjoy his videos on coffee because of the level of detail. Thanks & great work 👏

sad to see you support the Ukranian neo-nazi junta - unsubscribing

Pleease stay away from politics.

When do you stop timing the shot?

How are you affiliated with FitSpresso product?

Pleeeease let me know where to get that forced tamper

Anyone know where James got the little porcelain looking cups he uses for weighing out the coffee and spraying?

guido Guido GUIDO!