Step-by-Step Guide: Perfect Espresso with Sage Barista Express

To master your Sage Barista Express involves fine-tuning every step of the brewing process. Here's a detailed guide to help you get the most out of your coffee beans.

1. Coffee Bean Selection and Preparation

• Coffee beans: Always use fresh, high-quality beans. Make sure the beans have a roasting date on the package, preferably no older than 1-2 months. Some people aim for coffee roasted within a few weeks.
• Preheating the Machine: Turn on the machine and let it heat up. The tip is to also heat the portafilter. By brewing a few times without coffee or placing it in a container of hot water.

2. Grind of Coffee beans

• Setting the Grinder: Start with a medium coarse setting (around 5-7). Adjust based on the results later.
• Weighing: Use a scale to weigh 16-18 grams of beans for a double espresso. We recommend that you use double espresso the container which is not pressurized.

3. Dosing and Tamping

• Grind and Dose: Grind the beans directly into the portafilter and make sure you have the right amount.
• Tamping: Pack the coffee evenly and with proper pressure. The surface should be even and compact. For an even tamping, keep the tamper straight and use a constant force.

4. Using the Scale for Brewing

• Preparation: Place a scale under the espresso cup to measure the amount espresso which is extracted.
• Start Brewing: Start the machine and begin the extraction. Measure both the time and the weight of the extraction. The goal is to get about 36 grams espresso from 18 grams of beans in 20-30 seconds.
• Rule of thumb to try to get a 1:2 ratio between the amount of ground coffee to the amount espresso you get out.

5. Program settings

• Customize Programs: Sage Barista Express allows customization of the volume. First press the program button, then press the double shot button once to start brewing and press again when you have reached the desired amount has been extracted. (Now the machine has memorized that brewing time)
• Refinement of Extraction: About The espresso flows too quickly, adjust the grinder to a finer setting. About it flows too slowly, choose a coarser setting. That is, About you got out 36g espresso under 20 seconds, you need to grind finer. About you got out 36g espresso over 30 seconds you will need to grind coarser. This is what you need to do About until you reach a time between 25 to 30 seconds.

6. Analysis and Adjustment

Once you have reached a certain brewing range that is within 20-30 seconds, you will need to make grind adjustments based on taste.

• Tasting: Taste the espresso and note the flavor. For bitter notes, adjust to a coarser grind. Grind. Bitterness indicates that the coffee is over-extracted. For sour notes, try a finer grind. Grind. Acidity indicates that the coffee is under-extracted.
• Texture: Try to keep as many variables fixed as possible such as; the amount of ground coffee, desired espresso amount and how you press the coffee. Otherwise you will not know what affects the taste. Adjust only one variable at a time. For example, we recommend adjusting the extraction time by Grind until you reach a balanced taste.
• Extra tips: About you feel like you are very close but not quite there you can keep all the variables like brew time, grind amount, volume espresso and grind level. Instead, adjust the brewing temperature. About If you have dark roasted beans and feel that the coffee is a bit bitter, you can lower the brewing temperature. About If you have light roasted beans, increasing the brewing temperature may improve the flavor. See user manual for further instructions. About how to do it.

Extra info: Lack of cleaning can drastically affect the taste of the coffee

• Cleaning: Clean the portafilter, tamper, and other parts regularly. Coffee residue, coffee oil, and limescale deposits can negatively affect the taste. Cleaning with tablets and limescale removers can make a big difference in taste and improve the machine's performance that many people miss. Make sure the machine is cleaned regularly.
• Water quality: Use filtered water to avoid mineral deposits and to improve the taste of the coffee. Be sure to replace the water tank filter within 3 months.
• Experiment: Try different beans and adjustments to find the perfect balance for your taste.

Problem: Cause and Solution

The coffee flows far too fast even though I grind it to the finest setting:

• This may be because the coffee you are using is too old or not intended for espresso. There is a big difference between brewed coffee and espresso coffee. Coffee that is too old does not have enough carbon dioxide to create the thick “crema” consistency and instead becomes watery. Try changing the coffee and make sure it is not too old. Local roasteries are a strong recommendation!
• Sage Barista Express has an internal grinder setting as well. Try adjusting it finer. One step in the internal setting corresponds to about 2 clicks on the external setting. 

The pressure gauge does not reach high pressure during brewing: 

• This may be because you are not grinding the coffee finely enough to create resistance between the coffee and the espresso machine. Try grinding it finer. 
• About If you have ground it very finely but still cannot get the pressure to come up, it could be because the coffee is old. Try switching to fresher roasted coffee. 
• About If you have done all of the above and still cannot print, it may be due to a machine fault. To diagnose, you can insert a gentle filter/cleaning pad (rubber) with a simple espresso filter and try brewing without coffee. This filter creates 100% resistance and About If the pressure gauge seems to be working, it is due to the first two reasons above. About If the pressure gauge does not move at all, please contact the store where you purchased the espresso machine. About you have shopped with us, contact us immediately and we will help you. Contact us at: info@barista-espresso.see

By following these detailed steps, you can ensure that every cup espresso from your Sage Barista Express will be as good as possible. Good luck with the brewing!