Second, you need to stop the dribble at just the right moment, before the oils in the coffee are exhausted. The best grind for espresso is very fine and gritty, but not a dusty powder. Filling and Tamping. Fill the filter basket with coffee to the point just below the brim, spread it evenly, then lightly tamp it down. Never use less than the minimum volume of ground coffee recommended for your machine, even if you are brewing a single cup.
Timing is everything in espresso brewing.
Consequently, collect only as much coffee as you will actually serve. Espresso is a strong, concentrated coffee, and, in accordance with European tradition, many of the drinks in espresso cuisine combine it with large quantities of frothed milk. It loses its aroma and taste very quickly. That's why canned ground coffee never measures up to fresh-ground coffee. We recommend that we ship you only whole roasted coffee beans for maximum freshness.