How to Adjust Grind Setting on an Espresso Machine: Achieving Your Perfect Shot
A delicious shot of espresso requires more than simply brewing a concentrated shot of coffee. It requires a balance between the roast, grind, and extraction to produce the rich and bold flavor that is unique to espresso. The grind setting on your espresso machine is an essential part of that balance, and any subtle changes in the grind setting can directly affect the flavor of your shot. In this 787 Coffee blog, we’ll break down the process of adjusting your espresso machine's grind setting to achieve your perfect shot.
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Understanding Grind Sizes:
Before making any adjustments, it is essential to understand the different sizes of coffee grinds. Espresso requires a fine grind since the water comes in contact with the coffee grounds for just 20-30 seconds. A finer grind allows for more surface area, meaning the water contacts a higher concentration of coffee. A coarser grind for standard coffee, French press, or drip coffee brewing methods can not be used for espresso.
Finding Your Starting Point:
Start by adjusting your grinder to the finest setting which is too fine for brewing an espresso. It will help you avoid under-extraction. Once you have your starting point, brew a shot of espresso with the new grind size. Evaluate the taste, and if it’s bitter or sour, either extend or reduce the brew time. If it still tastes foul, make adjustments to the grind size again.
Slighter Adjustments:
When you’re making slight adjustments to your grind size, it’s critical to make only one change at a time. If you adjust multiple times, your results may become confused, and you may not notice the subtle changes you’ve made. It is essential to remember that you’re aiming to create a smooth curve of flavors, moving from sour to bitter. By making minor adjustments to grind size, you can adjust the taste of each shot.
“A good espresso is like a hug in a cup, warming your soul and energizing your day”
Optimum Brew Time:
An espresso machine’s extraction process should be between 20-30 seconds, and a grind that is too fine will prolong the brew time and extract more flavor compounds than recommended. Similarly, a coarse grind will result in a short brew time and an under-extracted espresso shot. When your coffee tastes overly bitter, reduce the brew time by few seconds, and make adjustments in the grind size. On the other hand, reduce the brew time by adding grind size when it tastes sour.
Be Patient and Persistent:
Finding the perfect grind that works best for you can be a trial and error process, making it essential to be patient and persistent. Remain open-minded, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different roasts, blends, and brew times. Over time, you will become skillful in making the perfect tweaks to your espresso grind, leading you to a tastier and more fulfilling shot.
5 lb Single Origin Coffee Beans — Puerto Rico Supremo, Mexico, or Colombia
The Big Bag is 5 lb of single origin specialty coffee from one place, never blended, roasted to order and shipped free. Choose Puerto Rico Supremo grown on our own farm, or single origin Mexico or Colombia, in whole bean or ground. It's the same coffee we serve in our 34 cafés across New York, New Jersey, Texas, Puerto Rico, Mexico City, and Miami, in a bag built for people who make a lot of coffee.
Why buy a 5 lb bag of coffee
A 5 lb bag makes about 150 to 200 cups. That's a month or more for most households and two to three weeks for an office of ten. Buying coffee in bulk means a better price per pound than 12 oz bags, fewer boxes at your door, and no more running out on a Wednesday morning. Every Big Bag ships free and comes in a resealable zipper bag with a one-way valve, so the beans stay fresh from the first cup to the last.
If you brew for an office, a restaurant, a church, a studio, a fire station, or a house full of coffee drinkers, this is the bag.
Three single origins. You pick.
Single origin means every bean in the bag comes from one farm or one growing region, with full traceability. No blending, no mystery beans. Choose your origin at checkout:
Puerto Rico Supremo — Our flagship. Grown at 3,000 feet on Hacienda Iluminada, our own farm in Maricao, Puerto Rico, and honey-processed for natural sweetness. Smooth medium roast with notes of dark chocolate, buttery caramel, citrus, and honey. Naturally low in acidity, the way Puerto Rican coffee is known for. $38 per pound.
Mexico — Single origin Mexican coffee we source directly from [region] and roast in small batches. [Roast level] with notes of [tasting notes]. A smooth, balanced daily cup that works in any brewer. $__ per pound.
Colombia — Single origin Colombian coffee from [region]. [Roast level] with notes of [tasting notes]. Full-bodied and dependable, the classic choice for offices and drip brewers. $__ per pound.
Why 787 Coffee is different
Less than 1% of coffee shops in the world own a farm. We do. Our Puerto Rican coffee is not imported. We grow it, harvest it, process it, roast it, and serve it ourselves, which is what farm-to-cup means at 787 Coffee. That's the quality that earned us #3 Best Coffee Shop in New York City and #32 in North America on the World's 100 Best Coffee Shops 2026.
Roasted to order. Every bag is roasted in small batches after you order and ships within days. You get a roast date, not a best-by date, and you'll never receive coffee that sat in a warehouse.
Specialty grade. Our coffee is specialty-grade Arabica, the top tier of coffee sold anywhere in the world.
Sustainably sourced. Every bag supports coffee-growing communities in Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Colombia.
When you buy this bag, you plant a coffee tree. Every 5 lb bag funds one new tree at Hacienda Iluminada in Maricao, so your morning coffee is growing the next harvest.
Whole bean or ground
Whole bean stays freshest if you have a grinder. If you don't, we grind to order for your brewer:
Drip — medium grind for automatic drip coffee makers, airpots, and commercial brewers
Espresso — fine grind for espresso machines
French press — coarse grind for French press and cold brew
Not sure? Choose whole bean. It keeps longer, and any grinder will do.
Made for offices, cafés, and big households
The Big Bag is our most popular size for workplaces. Set up a subscription and it arrives on your schedule at 7% off every delivery, with no contract, and you can pause or cancel anytime. Cafés and restaurants ordering regularly can apply for wholesale pricing on our wholesale page.
It also makes a serious gift for the coffee drinker who has everything.
How to store 5 lb of coffee
Keep it in the resealable bag with the zipper closed, away from heat, light, and moisture. Don't refrigerate or freeze it. Coffee is at its best within a month of the roast date, which is why we roast to order instead of stocking shelves.
Specifications
Size: 5 lb (80 oz / 2.27 kg)
Type: 100% single origin specialty-grade Arabica
Origins: Puerto Rico (Hacienda Iluminada, Maricao), Mexico, Colombia
Roast: Medium (Puerto Rico Supremo); [Mexico]; [Colombia]
Process: Honey-processed (Puerto Rico Supremo)
Grind: Whole bean, drip, espresso, or French press
Packaging: Resealable zipper bag with one-way valve
Shipping: Free, roasted to order
Subscription: Save 7% on every delivery
Frequently asked questions
How many cups of coffee does a 5 lb bag make?
About 150 to 200 cups, depending on how strong you brew. At 2 tablespoons per cup, most households get 4 to 6 weeks. An office of 10 goes through it in 2 to 3 weeks.
Is this a blend?
No. Every Big Bag is 100% single origin. You choose one origin and that's the only coffee in the bag.
What is the best coffee to buy online in bulk?
Coffee that's roasted to order by the people who grow it. The Big Bag is grown on our own farm in Puerto Rico, roasted after you order, and shipped within days, which is what makes fresh coffee taste fresh.
What does Puerto Rican coffee taste like?
Smooth, full-bodied, and low in acidity, with notes of dark chocolate, caramel, honey, and subtle citrus. Puerto Rico Supremo is honey-processed, meaning the sweet fruit mucilage stays on the bean while it dries in the sun, so the sugars go into the coffee.
Which origin should I choose?
Puerto Rico Supremo for our signature farm-grown coffee. Mexico and Colombia are smooth, dependable daily drinkers that work well for offices and larger groups.
Is 787 Coffee specialty coffee?
Yes. Our coffee is specialty-grade Arabica, and 787 Coffee is ranked #3 in New York City on the World's 100 Best Coffee Shops 2026.
How much is it per pound?
Puerto Rico Supremo is $38 per pound. Mexico is $__ and Colombia is $__. Every 5 lb bag ships free.
Is a 5 lb bag good for an office?
Yes. It's our most popular size for offices, cafés, and restaurants. Subscribe and it arrives on a schedule at 7% off.
Whole bean or ground?
Whole bean if you have a grinder. Otherwise choose the grind for your brewer: drip, espresso, or French press.
Do you ship fresh?
Yes. Every bag is roasted to order and ships within days of roasting.
Can I subscribe?
Yes. Subscriptions save 7% on every delivery, and you can pause or cancel anytime.
What happens when I buy this bag?
You plant a tree. Every 5 lb bag funds one new coffee tree at Hacienda Iluminada, our farm in Maricao, Puerto Rico.
Do you offer wholesale?
Yes. Cafés and restaurants can apply on our wholesale page.
787 Coffee A From Farm to Cup Coffee Experience .
To summarize
Achieving the perfect grind size for your espresso machine takes practice and patience. Remember to start with a fine grind and regularly make small tweaks, paying attention to taste. Remember to make only one tweak at a time and brew several shots of espresso before re-evaluating. Most of all, have fun and enjoy the journey to discovering the perfect grind size for you and your espresso machine. With the tips shared in this 787 Coffee blog, you’re ready to take on the challenge, and there's nothing too difficult in mastering the art of achieving your perfect shot. Start with a Good Base and good single origin coffee.
Stay caffeinated and motivated.
