How long should a single shot of Espresso take?

A single shot of espresso can be formulated of about 7 grams of ground Espresso coffee (or a pod) in the Filter. The brewing time from the minute you start the pump is approximately 20 seconds and delivers a single shot cup of 1 ounce (30ml) of espresso.

But let’s start from the beginning

Timing is less important when brewing a coffee, you might have 50 grams or 100grams of coffee. If it is coming out in 20 or 10 seconds you will get a weaker and bitter coffee, your espresso won’t taste good.

Must Read: How Super Espresso Automatic Machine Works

When your espresso is brewed within 20 seconds, you will get a lighter body result. When it is brewed within 40-45 seconds you will get a heavier body result and a tasty espresso. In order words, the slower the espresso the sweeter your espresso, the quicker your espresso, the bitter the result.

Furthermore, there’s no precise rule for timing. The amount of time used depends on how many grounds of coffee you put in your basket. Espresso is a concentrated coffee beverage brewed by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely-ground coffee.

Three factors are determining the amount of time an espresso should take

1. Grind size
   The finer the ground size of the espresso beans, the slower the flow of water through this layer of coffee. The coarser your ground coffee size, the quicker the flow of water. This directly affects the flow rate of the finished espresso.
2. Pump pressure
   The lower the pressure, the slower your espresso shot will run and the lower the flow rate will be.
3. Size of basket
   The coffee basket determines the flow due to the number and wideness of the holes. The more openings the basket has, the easier it is for the water to flow through it.

HOW TO KNOW WHEN ESPRESSO IS DONE

HOW TO MAKE ESPRESSO AT HOME WITHOUT A MACHINE

Image credits: Unless otherwise stated: ©Angela Darroch, ©Pro Stock Media via Canva.com or ©Unsplash.com.

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The links marked with an asterisk (*) are so-called commission links. If you click on one of these links and make a purchase, I receive a commission from your purchase. This income helps us to run this website and to provide our recipes free of charge. The price does not change for you.