Guides

Coffee & Espresso Guides

Practical techniques that actually improve your coffee — from descaling to dialing in the perfect shot.

Scale build-up is the silent killer of espresso machines. Here is how to descale yours safely, how often to do it, and what to use.

Grind size is the single biggest lever you have over espresso. Here is how to dial it in without wasting a bag of beans.

Silky microfoam is what separates a cafe flat white from a bubbly home latte. Here is the technique, step by step.

Espresso is about 90% water — so the water you use shapes both the flavour in your cup and the scale in your machine. Here is what to use.

After the grind, puck prep is what separates an even, sweet shot from a sour-and-bitter mess. Here is how to do it right.

Backflushing clears built-up coffee oils from the group head and valve. Here is how to do it safely — and which machines can.

Nespresso machines scale up too. Here is how to descale Original and Vertuo models safely, step by step.

A scaly Keurig brews slow and weak. Here is the quick step-by-step to descale it and clear the descale light.

Every machine boasts '15 bar' — but great espresso is pulled at about 9. Here is what pressure really means, and what matters far more.

A clean machine pulls better shots and lasts years longer. Here is a simple daily / weekly / monthly routine that takes only minutes.