The Art of Dialing In Espresso

At Prodigal, dialing in espresso is part ritual, part pursuit. Every shot tells us something about how the coffee wants to be expressed.

For our Reckless Blend, a combination of Timor Leste and Rwandan coffees, we love starting with a 1:1 ratio, typically 18g in, 18g out. It is a focused, syrupy ristretto that brings out red apple brightness, milk chocolate sweetness, and a crème brûlée finish.

The goal is to find that point of balance where sweetness and structure meet, and the coffee feels whole.

Understanding Brew Ratios – Strength through Balance

While most cafés work with a 1:2 ratio, we prefer to go shorter.

A 1:1 ratio compresses flavor into something denser and more expressive. It is not just stronger, it is more intentional. A shorter yield reveals the coffee’s true body and structure while keeping the acidity rounded and the sweetness full.

This is our starting point, and from here, everything else is fine tuning.

The Three Shot Journey to Perfect Extraction*

*Brew time may vary depending on when your coffee was roasted. Fresher roasts often require slightly longer extractions as gases settle.

The First Shot – Over Extraction
Parameters: 18g in, 18g out, 42 seconds
Tasting Notes: Bitter, heavy finish, dull sweetness
Diagnosis: Contact time was too long, sweetness turned flat, texture felt heavy.
Takeaway: Over extraction dulls liveliness and emphasizes bitterness.

The Second Shot – Under Extraction
Parameters: Same dose, coarser grind, 22 seconds
Tasting Notes: Sharp and sour, light body
Diagnosis: Water passed too quickly, flavors stayed underdeveloped.
Takeaway: Under extraction gives acidity without depth.

The Sweet Spot – Balance Found
Parameters: Slightly finer grind, 32 seconds
Tasting Notes: Rich, creamy mouthfeel with balanced acidity and sweetness
Takeaway: The espresso opens up with red apple brightness, milk chocolate depth, and a smooth crème brûlée sweetness.

Macro vs Micro Adjustments – The Art of Fine Tuning

Macro Adjustments

• Adjust grind size for major changes in flow rate

• Use when shots run far too fast or too slow

• The first move when your espresso tastes clearly off

Micro Adjustments

• Subtle tweaks to yield or time (±1g, ±5s)

• Used to refine sweetness and mouthfeel

• Helps lock in that exact sweet spot once flavor is close

Our Final Recipe

Input: 18g
Output: 18g
Extraction Time: 32 seconds
Result: Syrupy, structured, and sweet. The Reckless Blend at its best. Red apple acidity meets milk chocolate richness with a velvety finish.

Key Principles for Dialing In

Change One Variable at a Time
Focus on grind, yield, or time individually. It keeps the process clear and repeatable.

Taste with Intention
Always stir before tasting. Look for harmony between sweetness, acidity, and structure.

Stay Consistent
Track every shot within ±5 seconds. Small differences matter more than you think.

Practical Tips

• Purge your grinder after every grind adjustment to prevent cross contamination.

• Cool your espresso slightly before tasting. Flavors become clearer as temperature drops.

• Stop the shot just before target weight to account for a few grams of post drip yield.

Closing Thoughts

Dialing in espresso is not about chasing perfection. It is about paying attention.

Every adjustment teaches you something about the coffee, the roast, and your technique.
With the Reckless Blend, that sweet spot reveals itself as a cup that is balanced, structured, and deeply satisfying.

Because great espresso does not happen by accident. It happens by intention.