How to Brew the Perfect Barth Lane Espresso

The perfect espresso shot is a work of art - balanced, rich and full of flavour. Whether pulling a shot at home or dialing in your cafe's espresso machine, there are a few key factors to achieve perfection. The two most important? Shot time and brew ratio.

The Ideal Shot Time

The extraction time of an espresso shot determines its flavour profile. Too fast, and your shot will taste weak and sour. Too slow, and it can become overly bitter.

• Dark Roast Espresso: For our bold, full-bodied darker roasts, aim for a shot time of 27 seconds. This allows the rich, caramelized flavours to shine while keeping bitterness in check.

• Light to Medium Roast Espresso: If you're using one of our lighter or medium roasts, extend the shot time to 28 to 30 seconds. These beans need a bit more time to fully extract their delicate acidity and complex flavour notes.

Our ideal shot times are based off our own personal experience, our customers and the taste we love.

Timing starts the moment you activate the machine and ends when you hit your target weight of espresso.

The Optimal Brew Ratio

A great espresso starts with the right balance of coffee to liquid. At Barth Lane, we recommend a 2:1 brew ratio—this means for every gram of coffee used, you should extract twice as much liquid espresso.

This ratio is based off a 22g basket size, many home machines come with a 18-20g basket, if this is the case you may dial down your dose to this amount and keep with the 2:1 brew ratio eg. 18g ground coffee for 36g espresso yield.

• Dose: 22 grams of finely ground coffee

• Yield: 44 grams of espresso

• Time: 27 seconds (dark roast) or 28-30 seconds (light to medium roast)

This ratio ensures a balanced extraction, giving you a rich body, a smooth mouthfeel, and the perfect mix of sweetness and acidity.

Dialing in Your Shot

To achieve these numbers, adjust your grind size. If your espresso is running too fast (under-extracted), make the grind finer. If it's coming out too slowly (over-extracted), coarsen the grind slightly. Keep an eye on your shot’s flow rate—a steady, honey-like pour is a good sign you’re on track.

Mastering espresso is all about consistency and precision. Once you lock in the perfect balance, you'll taste the difference in every sip.

Ready to brew like a pro? Try these tips with your favourite Barth Lane roast and experience espresso at its finest.