lavender latte with cream Making espresso at home has many advantages — from saving money to controlling the ingredients going into your favorite morning (or afternoon or evening!) espresso drink. From the beginning barista to the practiced pourer, learning new espresso-making tips and tricks can help ensure your espresso, latte or cappuccino is always exactly the way you like it. Follow these 9 simple tips for great homemade espresso to get the freshest and most flavorful cup, every time.

Grind Your Espresso Beans
The flavor of your espresso is largely affected by the consistency to which you grind your espresso beans. Too fine, and the flavor may be too strong or bitter and could clog the filter. Too coarse, and the water may flow too quickly through the coffee and end up tasting weak. A good rule of thumb when you’re grinding beans is to aim for a gritty consistency, like salt or sand, rather than a powdery texture like flour.
Store Your Espresso in the Freezer
Fresher is always better when it comes to espresso beans. But if you do opt for a pre-ground bean or grind up more than you can use in one sitting, store the leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer and try to use them up within the week.
Cold Water Works Best
Not just any water will do when your goal is the perfect cup of homemade espresso. Use cold, filtered water to brew your espresso.
Learn the Proper Proportions for Your Favorite Espresso Drinks
Go beyond espresso and treat friends and family (and yourself!) to cafe-worthy hot drinks at home. One great feature of the Hamilton Beach Espresso & Cappuccino Maker is the frothing nozzle on the right-hand side. With the ability to make steamed and frothed milk, you can make not only cappuccinos but lattes and mochas, too.
Steam with Skim
When using the frothing nozzle of your espresso machine, always use fresh, cold milk. Skim milk is recommended – it makes for the best foam due to the fat content – but you can always use alternatives like almond milk or soy milk.
Tamp Your Ground Espresso Beans
Tamping your ground espresso once it’s in the portafilter is a step you don’t want to skip. By lightly compacting the grounds, you are helping the water to seep evenly through them, rather than inconsistently. This makes for a noticeably better flavor.
Stencil on a Design
You don’t need to be super artistically inclined to impress your guests with a sweet design on top of your latte or cappuccino. Use a small food-safe stencil to create a design by dusting cinnamon, nutmeg or cocoa powder over top.
Utilize Your Cup Warmer
If you pour your hot espresso into a cold cup, it will change the temperature of your beverage before you get to drink it. Some espresso machines have a cup warmer on top of the unit to keep your beverage nice and hot, so be sure to take advantage of this feature if your model has it. This is also especially useful when you’re making a cup for both you and a pal, or need a few extra minutes to foam some milk.
Clean Your Espresso Maker
We don’t mean to nag, but hear us out. You could have the finest espresso beans in the world ground to the exact perfect consistency, but if you don’t clean your espresso machine regularly you risk ruining the taste of your drink. Consult your machine’s use and care guide for how to service your particular model.

Remember — creating homemade espresso can be easy. Following these simple tips can help you brew a great tasting cup of espresso or craft a cozy cappuccino, all from the comfort of your home.