How to set your light roast beans for espresso

Light roasts can be tricky to master on your espresso machine – but with the right methods, you can get amazing flavors. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set up a light roast. espresso, tailored to your taste preferences.

1. Choose the right dose

Start by measuring your coffee dose. For a standard 18–20g basket, you can aim for around 19g of coffee.

Dosage tips:

• Fill the portafilter, press (tamp) and insert it into the machine. Take it out again. About If the puck has marks from the shower screen or screw, reduce the dosage slightly.
• About there is a lot of air between the puck and the shower screen, increase the dose until you reach the right level.

💡 Equipment: A high-precision scale (0.1g accuracy) will help you be consistent.

2. Set the grinding degree

Lightly roasted beans usually require a finer grind. Grind to achieve the right extraction. Try starting with a grind level where the coffee feels fine but not completely powdered.

How to check the grind:

• Pinch a pinch of coffee between your fingers. About If it forms small peaks and holds its shape, it is a good starting point.
• About If the coffee feels like sand and doesn't hold together at all, it's too coarse.

3. Ratio: Adjust the brewing ratio

With light roasted beans, you should use a higher brewing ratio than for dark roasts. A ratio of 1:2.5 (19 g coffee → ~47 g espresso) is a good starting point.

💡 Why higher ratio? Lightly roasted coffees are less soluble and require longer extraction to produce balanced flavors. A higher ratio gives a better chance of extracting sweetness and balance.

4. Brewing: Time and extraction

An ideal extraction time is between 25 and 35 seconds. About If it takes longer than 50 seconds, the grind is probably too fine. About If it goes faster than 20 seconds, the grinding is too coarse.

Test the taste:

• About the coffee tastes good sour: Increase ration or grind slightly finer.
• About the coffee tastes good bitter: Reduce ration or grind slightly coarser.

5. Taste and adjust

Once you have brewed your first espresso, analyze the taste:

• Is the acidity too strong and the sweetness low? Go coarser and extend the time.
• Is the body too thin? Reduce the ration or increase the dose slightly.

💡 Experiment with small adjustments: For example, increase the dose from 19 g to 19.5 g or change the grind one step coarser/finer.

6. Puck preparation is key

With lightly roasted beans, the integrity of the puck is lower, making preparation extra important:

• Use WDT (Weiss Distribution Technique) to even out the coffee in the portafilter and reduce the risk of channeling.
• Tamping: Use a leveltamper to ensure even packing.

Summary of the setup process

1. Start with yours standard dose (e.g. 19 g).
2. Choose one medium coarse Grind that feels right during the pinch test.
3. Use a higher brewing ratio (1:2.5).
4. Adjust the extraction time by fine-tuning the grind.
5. Taste, analyze and tweak as needed.
6. Take extra care puck preparation.

Common problems and solutions

Problem → Solution

Sour and unbalanced → Increase ration or grind finer.

Bitter and harsh → Reduce ration or grind coarser.

Too thin body → Increase the dose or reduce the ration.

Final tip

Lightly roasted beans require patience and experimentation, but the reward is a complex and flavorful espresso with notes of citrus, florals and sweetness. Remember: there are no perfect settings – only what tastes best to you.

Brew something good today, and enjoy the journey!