The Freshness Lab - Dialing In & Troubleshooting

Find whether weak espresso needs a recipe adjustment, a preparation check or less added milk or water. Compare one change while preserving flavor.

Little or no crema can have several causes. Use flow, flavor and basket type to decide what to check and when to leave a good shot alone.

Find the cause of uneven espresso flow, avoid misleading puck clues, and compare one change at a time for more repeatable shots.

Find why your espresso shot flows slowly, only drips or stops. Choose the right basket, grind or water delivery check and compare one change at a time.

Find why your espresso reaches the target yield too quickly. Check dose, grind, preparation and basket type, then compare one controlled change.

Bitter espresso has several possible causes. Use measured output, shot consistency and taste to choose a yield, grind, preparation or concentration test.

Sour espresso can have several causes. Use taste, measured output and shot consistency to decide whether to change grind, yield, preparation or heating.

WDT uses fine needles to distribute espresso grounds before tamping. Learn the method, avoid common mistakes, and test whether it improves your routine.

Learn a repeatable espresso tamping method, check tamper fit and alignment, and decide when a flow problem needs a dose or grind adjustment.