Double Espresso with Thick Crema
Inspired by techniques from Serious Eats.
A double shot pulled at a 1:2 ratio, 18 g of coffee in and about 36 g out in 25-30 seconds, for a balanced, syrupy espresso with thick crema.
Based on the listed ingredients, none of the 14 major EU allergens. Always check product labels.
Method
- 1
Warm up. Run the machine with the portafilter locked in for a few minutes and fill the cup with hot water. A cold portafilter or cup steals heat and makes the shot taste sour.
- 2
Dose and tamp. Wipe the basket dry, add the 18 g of fine coffee and tap it level. Tamp firmly and evenly so the water cannot find a weak channel through the coffee.
- 3
Pull the shot. Tip the water out of the cup, lock the portafilter in and set the cup on the scale. Start the shot, start the timer at the first drip, and stop at about 36 g (40 ml), after 25-30 s.
- 4
Adjust the grind. If it ran in under 20 s and tastes sharp, grind finer next time; if it took over 35 s and tastes bitter, grind coarser. Change one thing at a time.
- 5
Serve. Drink it straight away, while the crema is thick and the aroma is at its peak.
Storage
Espresso does not keep; brew it fresh each time.
Caffeine · Free sugars
- Per serving: about 76 mg caffeine (serving: 1 cup (double espresso, 36 g)). Source: 36 ml espresso × USDA FDC SR Legacy #171891 (espresso, 212 mg/100 g).
- Scaling: making more servings does not change the caffeine in each serving; what counts is how many servings you drink in a day. 1 serving: 76 mg · 2 servings: 152 mg · 3 servings: 228 mg (above EFSA 200 mg at once) · 4 servings: 304 mg (above EFSA 200 mg at once).
- General guideline: EFSA Scientific Opinion on the safety of caffeine (2015): for healthy adults, up to 200 mg in a single dose and up to 400 mg per day do not raise safety concerns. 1 serving = 19 % of 400 mg. EFSA
0 g per serving
0 % of the 50 g daily maximum · 0 % of the ideal 25 g
Free sugars under 50 g a day, ideally about 25 g, based on WHO free-sugar guidance (not endorsed by WHO). The share shown is the share of one serving. WHO
Equipment
- espresso machine with steam wand
- burr grinder
- digital scale
- tamper
- timer
- small preheated cup (about 90 ml)
Nutrition per serving (estimated values)
| Per serving | Amount |
|---|---|
| Energy | 4 kcal |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrate | 0.7 g |
| of which sugars | 0 g |
| of which free sugars | 0 g |
| Fat | 0.1 g |
| of which saturates | 0 g |
| Fibre | 0 g |
| Salt | 0.01 g |
Protein per 100 kcal
0 g High Protein needs ≥ 5 g (20% of energy)
Calculated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient values
