Collection: Portafilter

The portafilter is an essential tool in the world of espresso making. It is a handle with an attached filter basket that holds ground coffee and facilitates the extraction process. When used correctly, the portafilter can help you get an aromatic and flavorful espresso that is the hallmark of a great coffee experience.

In this guide, we will explore the steps to making coffee with a portafilter to help you master the art of making espresso.

When making coffee with a portafilter, it obviously depends on what kind of drink you are making. The classic drink from a portafilter machine is espresso.

During preparation, the portafilter is inserted into the machine and pressed down at a temperature of around 92 degrees Celsius with a pressure of 9 bar (~130 psi). The pressure is then responsible for the excellent, full-bodied coffee experience.

The characteristic full-bodiedness of your espresso is paired with the delicious flavors of the selected espresso blend. This is often an excellent chocolatey taste, rounded off by spicy, bitter or even caramel accents. If your espresso blend is roasted a little lighter, floral notes will also emerge.

1. Selecting and grinding the coffee beans: Start by selecting high-quality coffee beans that suit your taste. Opt for freshly roasted beans as they offer the best flavor. Once you have the beans, grind them just before brewing to preserve the aroma and flavor. For espresso, a fine grind is crucial to ensure proper extraction.

2. Prepare the portafilter: Remove the portafilter from the espresso machine and check the filter basket. Make sure it is clean and free of residue. Wipe the basket with a dry cloth if necessary.

3. Dosing and distributing the coffee: Place the portafilter on a stable surface and pour in the freshly ground coffee. The amount of coffee you use depends on your desired brew ratio, which is usually between 17 and 19 grams for a double espresso. Distribute the coffee evenly over the portafilter using a distribution tool or your fingers to avoid lumps or bumps.

4. Tamping: Tamping is the process of compacting the ground coffee in the portafilter. Use a tamper with a flat and level base that matches the size of your filter basket. When tamping, press with a pressure of around 15 kg to obtain a smooth and level surface. This step is crucial to ensure an even extraction.

5. Insert the portafilter: Once you have tamped the coffee, insert the portafilter back into the espresso machine's brew head. Tighten it to ensure a good seal. This step is important to avoid leaks during the brewing process.

6. Brew: Activate the brewing process by starting the espresso machine. The water will flow through the coffee grounds in the portafilter, extracting the flavors and oils. The ideal brewing time and pressure will depend on your machine and the coffee, but generally a brewing time of around 25 to 30 seconds is a good starting point.

As described above, the portafilter machine offers a wide range of preparation methods. You can prepare numerous recipes and try out a variety of different things. Once you've got the hang of it, it's not difficult at all to make tasty coffee from the portafilter machine. Of course, it might be a bit complicated at first, but experience comes with time... so don't despair: practice makes perfect!