How We Dial In Espresso Every Morning

Every morning before we open, one of us runs through the same ritual: dial in the espresso. It takes about 15 minutes and a few wasted shots, but it is the most important thing we do all day.

Here is how it works at Brivo.

Step 1: Weigh the dose. We use 18.5 grams in a 20g VST basket. We weigh every dose on a 0.1g scale. Half a gram off changes the shot.

Step 2: Pull a test shot. We aim for 36-38 grams out in 26-30 seconds. The first shot of the day is almost never right.

Step 3: Taste and adjust. Sour means we grind finer or extend the time. Bitter means coarser or shorter. We taste with a spoon, not in milk — milk hides problems.

Step 4: Pull two more. Once we think the grind is dialed, we pull two more shots to confirm consistency. If both taste good, we are ready to open.

Why it matters. Temperature changes overnight. Humidity shifts. The beans age one more day. What worked yesterday will not work today. Dialing in is how we make sure every espresso we serve is worth paying for.

If you have a home espresso setup and want to chat grind settings, come in early. We love talking about this stuff.