Guide14/03/20268 min read
How to dial in espresso: a complete guide for home baristas
Learn the step-by-step process to dial in your espresso. From grind size to dose to yield, master the variables that make or break your shot.
Read article →The Brew Log
Dial-in advice, brew science and lessons from the puck.
Guide6 min read
Espresso brew ratios explained: finding your perfect cup
Understand espresso brew ratios, from ristretto to lungo. Learn how the ratio of coffee in to espresso out affects flavour, body and extraction.
10/03/2026Read →
Troubleshooting7 min read
Why is my espresso sour or bitter? A troubleshooting guide
Diagnose and fix sour or bitter espresso. Learn what causes under-extraction and over-extraction and how to adjust your grind, dose and ratio.
06/03/2026Read →
Guide7 min read
Espresso grind size: how to find and maintain the sweet spot
Master espresso grind size. Learn how grind affects extraction, how to adjust for different beans and roasts and how to keep your grinder calibrated.
28/02/2026Read →
How-To6 min read
What to track in your espresso journal (and why it matters)
Learn what data to log for every espresso shot and how tracking your brews helps you dial in faster, waste less coffee and make better espresso at home.
20/02/2026Read →
Guide9 min read
Best espresso grinders for home: a buyer's guide
Compare the best espresso grinders for home baristas. From entry-level to prosumer, find the right grinder for your budget and brewing style. Updated April 2026.
14/02/2026Read →
Guide8 min read
Coffee bean origins and processing: how they affect espresso
Learn how coffee origin, altitude, variety and processing method shape the flavour of your espresso. A practical guide for home baristas choosing beans.
07/02/2026Read →
How-To10 min read
Espresso glossary: 50+ terms every home barista should know
A complete glossary of espresso and coffee terms. From channelling to crema, extraction to puck prep, learn the language of espresso.
30/01/2026Read →
Guide8 min read
How to steam milk for latte art: a beginner's guide
Learn how to steam milk for espresso drinks and latte art. From stretching to texturing, master the technique for silky microfoam every time.
22/01/2026Read →
Guide7 min read
Espresso puck prep: WDT, distribution and tamping explained
Master espresso puck prep. Learn WDT, distribution techniques and tamping to eliminate channelling and pull consistent shots every time.
15/01/2026Read →
How-To7 min read
How to clean your espresso machine: a complete guide
Keep your espresso machine in top shape. Learn daily, weekly and monthly cleaning routines including backflushing, descaling and group head maintenance.
08/01/2026Read →
Guide10 min read
Best espresso machines for home: a buyer's guide
Compare the best espresso machines for home baristas. From entry-level to prosumer, find the right machine for your budget and skill level. Updated April 2026.
01/01/2026Read →
Guide7 min read
How to choose coffee beans by origin
A practical guide to choosing coffee beans by origin. Learn how African, Central American, South American and Asian coffees taste different and which origins suit your favourite drink style.
16/03/2026Read →
Troubleshooting5 min read
Why does my espresso have no crema?
Thin, pale or missing crema? Here are the most common causes and what you can actually do about it, without chasing crema for its own sake.
16/03/2026Read →
Troubleshooting6 min read
Espresso channelling: how to spot it and fix it
Channelling ruins extraction and makes your espresso taste inconsistent. Learn what causes it, how to diagnose it, and the puck prep techniques that actually help.
15/03/2026Read →
Guide7 min read
Water quality for espresso: why it matters more than you think
Your espresso is 90% water. Hard water causes scale, soft water tastes flat. Learn what makes good espresso water and how to get it right without overcomplicating things.
13/03/2026Read →
Guide8 min read
Best espresso tracking apps in 2026, and how to choose between them
A comparison of the espresso tracking apps home baristas actually use in 2026 (PUCK YEAH!, Beanconqueror, Burrfect, Dial In Espresso, Espresso Shot Log, Doppio, My Espresso), plus the criteria that separate a good tracker from a basic one.
22/03/2026Read →
Guide7 min read
Caffeine in Espresso: How Much Is in Your Cup?
How much caffeine is really in a shot of espresso? Learn about caffeine content per shot, how roast level affects it, daily limits and how to track your intake.
22/03/2026Read →
Guide8 min read
Freezing Coffee Beans: Does It Actually Work?
Can you freeze coffee beans without ruining them? The science behind freezing, best practices for storage and how frozen beans affect espresso extraction.
22/03/2026Read →
Guide7 min read
Espresso Extraction Time: What's the Right Range?
What is the ideal espresso extraction time? Learn why time is a result not a target, what affects it and how to use timing to diagnose and improve your shots.
22/03/2026Read →
Guide8 min read
Espresso temperature guide: how hot should your water be?
Learn how brew temperature affects espresso extraction. Covers the ideal range, roast level adjustments, PID controllers, temperature surfing and how to dial in temperature for taste.
22/03/2026Read →
Guide9 min read
Espresso pressure explained: what does 9 bars mean?
Understand why 9 bars became the standard for espresso, what pressure does during extraction, how pressure profiling works and when to adjust pressure on your machine.
22/03/2026Read →
Guide8 min read
How to taste espresso: a beginner's sensory guide
Learn how to taste espresso like a pro. Covers the five key dimensions of flavour, how to identify tasting notes, building your palate and tracking sensory impressions over time.
22/03/2026Read →
Guide7 min read
Espresso vs coffee: what's actually different?
Understand the real differences between espresso and regular coffee. Covers brewing method, grind size, caffeine content, flavour profiles, crema and common misconceptions.
22/03/2026Read →
Guide8 min read
Light roast espresso: how to dial it in
Light roast espresso is notoriously tricky to dial in. Learn why light roasts behave differently and how to adjust your recipe for bright, complex shots.
22/03/2026Read →
Guide8 min read
Single origin vs blend for espresso: which is better?
Should you use single origin or blend beans for espresso? Learn the differences in flavour, consistency and when each type works best.
22/03/2026Read →
Guide9 min read
Espresso dose and yield: finding your sweet spot
Understand how espresso dose and yield affect your shot. Learn standard ranges, the relationship between input and output, and how to find the ratio that works for you.
22/03/2026Read →
Tips7 min read
WDT tool and espresso distribution: better puck prep
Learn how the WDT (Weiss Distribution Technique) and other distribution methods improve your espresso by preventing channelling and creating even extraction.
22/03/2026Read →
Guide8 min read
Coffee freshness for espresso: when are beans at their best?
Learn when coffee beans hit peak freshness for espresso, how degassing works, why roast level affects timing, and how to store beans for maximum shelf life.
22/03/2026Read →
Guide8 min read
Bottomless portafilter: why every home barista should use one
Learn what a bottomless (naked) portafilter reveals about your espresso puck prep, how to read the extraction visually, and how to fix common problems it exposes.
23/03/2026Read →
Guide8 min read
Espresso drinks explained: from ristretto to flat white and everything in between
A guide to every major espresso-based drink, how they differ, what makes each one unique, and how your espresso recipe should change depending on what you are making.
23/03/2026Read →
Guide9 min read
Coffee journal: what to track and why (and how to actually stick with it)
A coffee journal is the fastest way to get better at espresso. Here is what to log, why each field matters, how to pick between paper, spreadsheet and app, and how to make the habit stick past week two.
20/04/2026Read →
Guide8 min read
How to keep a coffee journal: the daily workflow that actually sticks
The daily 30-second log, the weekly 10-minute review and the bag-end retrospective. A practical workflow for keeping a coffee journal past week two.
21/04/2026Read →
Guide7 min read
Espresso flow rate explained: what g/s really tells you
Learn what espresso flow rate (g/s) is, how to calculate it, the typical ranges for a 1:2 shot, and how to use it as a dial-in diagnostic alongside taste.
30/06/2026Read →
Guide7 min read
Pre-infusion for espresso, what it is and whether it helps
A nuanced look at espresso pre-infusion, how machines do it, when the gentle pre-wetting phase genuinely helps your shots, and when the effect is marginal.
30/06/2026Read →
Guide7 min read
Espresso machine and grinder maintenance schedule: how often to do each task
A practical espresso maintenance schedule covering daily, weekly, monthly and annual tasks for your machine and grinder, with cadences that flex to your kit.
30/06/2026Read →
Ready to start tracking?
Put these tips into practice. Log your shots, track your progress, and dial in faster with Puck Yeah.