How Long Do You Pull an Espresso Shot?

Ideal Brewing Time for Espresso Shot

• The ideal brewing time for an espresso shot is 20 to 30 seconds. If the shot comes out too fast, grind finer as the coarser the coffee the faster the flow. Most machines apply a given pressure to a given water volume, which is resisted by the espresso.

Qualities of a Perfect Espresso Shot

• A perfect espresso shot should have four qualities: crema, body, aroma, and flavor. Crema is the foam on top of the espresso shot. Body refers to the texture of the espresso. The aroma should be strong and pleasant. The flavor should be balanced, with no bitterness or sourness.

Espresso Extraction Guidelines

• The brew ratio we’ll follow today is 20g of ground coffee to 30g of liquid espresso. Time ties everything together, aim for your shot to pull between 25 and 30 seconds.

Espresso Extraction Timing

• Espresso extraction should produce a double espresso of 50-60ml or a single espresso of 25-30ml in 25-30 seconds.

Importance of Time in Espresso Extraction

• Time is the least important variable in any espresso recipe, but it can still make or break an espresso. You need contact time to extract flavor; to bring out the sweetness and complexity of a coffee.

Summary of Espresso Brewing Facts

• The vast majority of espressos made in today’s coffeehouses will have a time somewhere between 22 and 40 seconds. It is important that you always reach the recommended extraction time of 25-30 seconds for a well-extracted espresso shot.