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    Philips Support

    How to improve the coffee of my Philips Barista Brew Espresso Machine

    Published on 17 July 2024
    We have prepared some tips for you to improve the quality of the coffee you brew with your Philips Barista Brew Espresso Machine. Watch the video and read below to find out.
     

    Select the right filter basket

    Your Philips Barista Brew Espresso Machine comes with different filter baskets.

    Single-wall basket for 1 or 2 cups:
    With single-wall baskets like those of the professional coffee bar machines, you have better control of the crema coffee you brew, but you might need to experiment to get it to your liking.

    Double-wall basket for 1 or 2 cups: 
    If you want to experiment less and still get a consistent coffee taste and crema, we recommend you use the double-wall filter baskets.
     
    baskets

    Use pre-ground coffee or grind coffee beans with the right grind size

    Using fresh beans or pre-ground coffee can both bring the optimal brewing results, as long the right grind size is applied. When the ground coffee is too fine, it can result in higher pressure, longer brewing time, and a bitter or even burned taste. Likewise, too coarse and the coffee will taste watery and bitter due to under extraction, low pressure, and shorter brewing time.
     
    The integrated grinder of the  Philips Barista Brew Espresso Machine gives you the option to grind the beans to a finer or coarser grind. You can choose from 15 different grind settings, where the lower the number indication on the bean container is, the finer the coffee beans are ground and the stronger the coffee.
     
    Read to the end of the article for our Extraction guide table.
     
    Grind settings

    Dosing and tamping the coffee

    Two of the most important parts of making a great coffee with your machine are the tamping and dosing of the pre-ground coffee.
     
    Using too much force and coffee amount can lead to higher pressure, longer brewing times, and over-extraction which can make your coffee taste bitter or even burned. On the other hand, too little force and less coffee amount will lower the pressure and shorten brewing time making it under-extracted with a bitter and watery taste. 
     
    We recommend you use the right amount of coffee for 1-cup/2-cups. You can use the max level printed inside the baskets as a reference for the right amount of coffee. Apply enough force so that the top edge of the metal cap is on the tamper levels with the top of the portafilter holder. The calibrated tamper helps you to control the force.
     
    tamping

    Extraction guide:

    A. Correct Extraction (within Espresso Range)
    • Steady flow starts after a few seconds.
    • Rich and velvety crema.
    • The espresso is dark brown.
    • Extraction takes 20-30 seconds.
    After Extraction:
    • Remove used grinds.
    • Rinse filter basket.

    B. Under Extraction (below Espresso Range)
    • Flow starts immediately and goes fast like water
    • Crema is thin and pale.
    • Espresso is pale brown.
    • Tastes sour/sharp, weak and watery.
    • Extraction takes less than 20 seconds.
    Solutions to improve:
    • Grind Finer (smaller grind size number).
    • Increase ground coffee dose.
    • Tamp properly.
    C. Over Extraction (above Espresso Range)
    • Flow drips or not at all.
    • Crema is dark and spotty.
    • The espresso is very dark brown.
    • Tastes bitter and burnt.
    • Extraction takes more than 40 seconds.
    Solutions to improve:
    • Grind Coarser.
    • Decrease ground coffee dose.
    Tamp properly.
     
    Extraction guide

    The information on this page applies to the following models: PSA3218/01 , PSA3218/10 , PSA3228/41 .

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