Coffee Blog
3 Signs You’re Tamping Wrong (And How to Fix It)
Tamping might seem like a small step in the espresso-making process, but it plays a big role in how your coffee extracts and ultimately, how it tastes. At The Espresso Club™, we design our blends to perform beautifully at home, but if your shots are inconsistent, too fast, too slow or just not quite right, your tamping technique could be the culprit. Here are 3 common signs you might be tamping wrong and what to do about it. 1. Your espresso is running unevenly What it looks like: The shot starts pouring from one side of the spouts or comes out in a thin, uneven stream. What’s happening: You may have tamped unevenly, meaning one side of the puck is more compressed than the other. This causes water to flow through the coffee unevenly, leading to an unbalanced flavour (and a frustrating mess). How to fix it: Make sure your tamp is flat and level. Tamp with your wrist straight and elbow above the portafilter (your arm should almost be in an L-shape). Check from eye level if the coffee bed looks level before and after tamping. 2. The shot runs too fast (or tastes weak and sour) What it looks like: Your espresso starts almost instantly and finishes in under 20 seconds, and it tastes sharp, watery, or underwhelming. What’s happening: Either your grind is too coarse, or your tamp wasn’t firm enough, letting water rush through too quickly and under-extracting the coffee. How to fix it: Tamp firmly with even pressure. Use your full arm, not just your wrist, to apply pressure. If you're already tamping well, try adjusting your grind finer. 3. Your puck is cracked or stuck to the shower screen What it looks like: After brewing, the coffee puck is stuck, has broken apart, or shows a crack through the middle. What’s happening: You may be tamping too hard or using too much coffee. Over-compression can cause channeling or even damage your machine over time. How to fix it: Use the right dose. For most home espresso machines, that’s around 18g for a double shot. Tamp firmly but not forcefully (you want compression, not compaction). If the puck is consistently stuck, check your shower screen or try reducing your dose slightly. Perfect tamping doesn’t require barista training It just needs a little consistency, and beans that are designed to work with home equipment. Our Smooth Medium and Rich Strong blends are roasted for home espresso machines, meaning they’re more forgiving of small technique variations and easier to extract well. So even if your tamp isn’t perfect, your espresso still can be. If you’re tamping level, firm, and consistent, you’re doing it right. And with the right beans, everything else gets easier. Now available at Woolworths You can grab both our Smooth Medium and Rich Strong blends at your local Woolworths. Or, Shop Online
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How To Dial In Your Espresso Machine
If you’ve ever brewed an espresso that tasted too sour, too bitter, or just…off, you’re not alone. One of the most important steps in making great coffee at home is learning how to “dial in” your machine. At The Espresso Club™, we make beans specifically for home espresso machines, and we’re here to help you get the most out of them. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your setup, this guide breaks it all down. What Does “Dialling In” Mean? Dialling in means adjusting your grind size, dose, and extraction time until your espresso tastes balanced. The goal? A shot that’s smooth, rich, and full of flavour – just the way you like it. Why It’s Important At Home Home espresso machines don’t have the same pressure or consistency as commercial cafe setups, which means your coffee needs to be just right to get a good extraction. That’s why The Espresso Club™ blends are roasted specifically for home conditions and why dialling in is such a game-changer. The 5 Key Steps to Dial In Your Espresso at Home 1. Start with the right doseUse 18g of coffee for a double shot. We recommend weighing your dose with a small digital scale to keep things consistent. 2. Grind fine (but not too fine)You want your grind to be somewhere between flour and sand. Too fine may mean over-extracted and bitter. Too coarse and you're looking at a shot that's under-extracted and sour. Start with a fine grind and adjust from there. 3. Tamp flat and firmUse even pressure to tamp your coffee down flat. Uneven tamping causes uneven extraction, which can throw off your flavour. 4. Aim for a 25-30 second extractionStart your shot and time it from the moment the espresso begins to pour. Your target is 25–30 seconds for a double shot (36–40g out). If it runs too fast? Grind finer.If it runs too slow? Grind coarser. 5. Taste and adjustYour taste buds are your best tool. If your shot tastes sharp, sour or acidic, it’s likely under-extracted, meaning the water passed through the coffee too quickly and didn’t pull out enough of the flavour. If it’s harsh or overly bitter, it might be over-extracted – the water has been in contact with the coffee too long, drawing out too much and leaving an unpleasant aftertaste. Small tweaks to your grind size, dose, or brew time can make a big difference. Taste, adjust, and find your sweet spot. Pro Tip: Use Beans Made for Home Machines Your coffee can only be as good as your beans, and most aren’t designed to perform in home setups. The Espresso Club™ blends are roasted specifically for home espresso machines: that means better extraction, more consistent results, and less trial and error. Now available at Woolworths You can grab both our Smooth Medium and Rich Strong blends at your local Woolworths. Or, Shop Online
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How to Brew Rich Strong Blend
When it comes to cafe-quality coffee at home, your beans matter – and so does how you brew them. At The Espresso Club™, we created Rich Strong for those who love bold flavour and a thick crema, no matter your brewing method. Whether you’re an early-riser espresso fan or a silky latte lover, here’s how to get the most out of our boldest blend – your way. What is Rich Strong? Rich Strong is our darkest blend, roasted specifically for automatic espresso machines, but it also performs beautifully across a range of brewing styles. Expect full-bodied flavour, chocolate and caramel notes and a smooth intensity, not bitterness, with a thick golden crema (especially in press-button home espresso machines). This is the blend that delivers a cafe-style hit without needing to dial in every detail. It’s designed for flavour that holds up in milk, shines on its own, and keeps you coming back for another cup. How to Brew Rich Strong at Home 1. With an Automatic Espresso Machine This is where our Rich Strong Blend shines. Automatic espresso machines do everything – grind, dose, tamp, extract – at the touch of a button. Tips: Adjust your strength setting to medium-strong Use around 18g of coffee per shot (standard double shot) Keep the grind medium-fine, depending on your machine's default Try it as a short black or top it with steamed milk for a rich flat white Bonus: Add dairy or oat milk – our Rich Strong Blend holds it own in milk beautifully. 2. With a Manual Espresso Machine Our Rich Strong Blend works great in manual setups too – especially if you like a fuller flavour. Tips: Dial in using a 1:2 ratio (18g in, 36g out) Pull your shot in 25-30 seconds Tightly pack/tamp the puck Great for flat whites, cappuccinos or iced long blacks 3. With a Moka Pot No espresso machine? No problem. Our Rich Strong Blend brews beautifully in a stovetop. Tips: Use a medium-fine grind Fill the basket evenly, no tamping Heat slowly to avoid bitterness Expect a bold, espresso-like result – excellent with a dash of milk 4. With an Aeropress (Espresso-Style) A great travel option that can still give you that espresso kick. Tips: Use 18g of coffee with 50-60ml hot water Use the inverted method and a 1-minute steep for a strong, syrupy shot Press slowly for best flavour Enjoy straight or top with frothed milk 5. With a French Press A classic method that’s easy to master and perfect for a smooth, rich cup at home. Read our full French Press brewing guide here. Tips: Use 30g of coffee with 500ml of hot water (just off the boil) Go for a coarse grind (similar to sea salt) Stir gently after pouring water, then place the lid on Steep for 4 minutes, then press the plunger down slowly and evenly Pour and enjoy right away (don't leave it sitting – it keeps brewing!) Brew it Your Way The beauty of our Rich Strong Blend is in its versatility. However you take your coffee – strong and black, smooth and milky, on ice, or travel-ready – this blend delivers the same quality, body, and flavour you expect from a great espresso, no matter the machine. Find your nearest Woolworths Shop Online
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Do I Need An Espresso Machine For These Beans?
At The Espresso Club™, we craft our specialty coffee blends with home brewing in mind, aiming to bring quality espresso experiences to your kitchen. While our beans are perfect for espresso machines, we understand that not everyone has one – so, let's explore how you can enjoy our coffee, regardless of your equipment. Designed for home espresso machines Our Smooth Medium Blend and Rich Strong Blend are roasted specifically for home espresso machines. This means: Optimal extraction:The roast profile is tailored to extract rich flavours under the high pressure of home espresso machines Flavour balance: Expect notes of chocolate and caramel, delivering a well-rounded cup Crema formation:Our beans are ideal for producing that desirable crema on top of your espresso shot Don't have an espresso machine? No problem. Our beans are versatile and can be brewed using various methods. Stovetop Flavour: Produces a strong, espresso-like coffee Grind size: Medium-fine Tip:Fill the filter basket without tamping and brew over medium heat Aeropress Flavour: Offers a concentrated, smooth cup Grind size: Fine Tip: Use the inverted method for better control over steeping time French Press Flavour: Yields a full-bodied, rich coffee Grind size: Coarse Tip: Steep for 4 minutes before pressing the plunger slowly Each method brings out different aspects of The Espresso Club beans' flavour profile, allowing you to tailor your coffee experience to your taste preferences. Finding your perfect brew: Your choice of brewing method depends on your desired coffee strength and flavour:Espresso machine: For a concentrated, crema-rich shot. Moka Pot: For a robust, espresso-like brew without the machine.Aeropress: For versatility and portability.French Press: For a hearty, full-bodied cup.Pour-Over: For clarity and subtle flavour notes. No matter your equipment, our beans are crafted to deliver a satisfying cup. Where to Buy You can find The Espresso Club blends at your local Woolworths or order directly from our website, straight to your door.
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How To Brew The Perfect French Press Coffee
There’s something timeless about a French press, with a hands-on simplicity that brings cafe-quality coffee right into your kitchen. At The Espresso Club™, we believe that great coffee doesn’t have to be complicated, and our blends are crafted to shine across a variety of home brewing methods, including the humble French press. Whether you're new to brewing or just want a reliable routine, this step-by-step guide will help you get the best out of your beans, every time. Why French Press? The French press is loved for its full-bodied flavour, simple setup, and no-fuss process. It brings out the rich, natural oils in your coffee, making it perfect for showcasing the bold body of our Rich Strong Blend. Our recommended ratio for brewing French Press is 1:16 – this means, for any size French Press plunger, you will need 15 grams of coffee per 250 grams of water. If you double your coffee to 500g, double your coffee to 30 grams. What You’ll Need: A French press (plunger) Scale (optional) 15g of The Espresso Club™ Rich Strong coffee (about 1 heaped tablespoon) 250g of hot water (just off the boil) A grinder (or pre-ground for French press) Watch or phone to time your brew Spoon for stirring Your favourite mug Step-by-step: 1. Grind your beans coarseStart with a coarse grind for french press – it should feel like sea salt. If your grind is too fine, the coffee will taste muddy and over-extracted. 2. Add 15g of coffeeThis is a solid starting ratio for 250g of water (roughly 1:16). Adjust to taste once you've tried it a few times. 3. Pour in 250g of hot waterUse water just off the boil (aiming for around 92–96°C). Pour slowly and evenly to saturate all the grounds. 4. Stir gentlyUse a spoon to gently stir the top layer and ensure all the grounds are wet. 5. Pop the lid on and let it brew for 4 minutesSet a timer and let the coffee steep. The longer you brew, the stronger the taste, but 4 minutes gives you a smooth, well-rounded cup. 6. Press and pourSlowly press the plunger down with steady pressure. Pour immediately into your mug and enjoy. Tips Don’t leave coffee sitting in the press for too long — it keeps brewing and can turn bitter.Rinse your French press straight after to keep flavours clean.Try using a scale to exactly measure your coffee and water, if you want better consistency. Use the Right Beans The Espresso Club™ blends are roasted specifically for home brewing, including French press. Shop now online, or at your local Woolworths. Find your nearest Woolworths
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Why Most Beans Don’t Work in Home Machines
If you’ve ever brewed a cup at home that tasted flat, bitter, or wildly different from your cafe favourite, you’re not alone.One of the biggest struggles for home baristas is this: most coffee beans just aren’t made for home espresso machines. And that’s exactly why we created The Espresso Club™ – to change that. The Why: 1. Other blends are roasted for commercial pressure Commercial machines push water through coffee at 9 bars of pressure or more. Home machines (especially automatic or entry-level manual machines) often operate at lower, inconsistent pressures. This means the beans don’t extract the same – they can taste thin, sour, or overly bitter. 2. They’re made for pros Many beans are roasted with skilled baristas in mind. In a cafe, you have: A calibrated grinder Dialed-in recipes Experienced hands pulling each shot At home, you're working with smaller machines, less time, and variable tools – and those cafe beans just aren’t forgiving. 3. They expect full control Single-origin, light-roasted beans might be amazing in the right hands – but for home espresso, they often lead to inconsistent results, especially in milk-based drinks. You end up adjusting endlessly and wasting good coffee trying to “figure it out.” Enter: The Espresso Club™ The Espresso Club™ by Industry Beans is Australia’s first specialty coffee brand designed specifically for home espresso machines – manual and automatic. Here’s what makes our blends different: Roasted for your machine Smooth Medium is crafted for pump machines – it’s balanced, sweet, and easy to extract.Rich Strong is designed for every brew method – bold, consistent, and full of flavour even at lower pressure. No more over-roasting. No under-extraction. Just beans that work. Blends, not guesswork We’ve removed the trial-and-error. Two blends: one for pump machines, one for every brew method – clearly labelled and easy to choose.Each blend is tested and perfected for real-life home brewing. Designed for results From crema to consistency, every part of the The Espresso Club™ experience is built to give you a better espresso at home. Whether you’re making a quick flat white before work or enjoying a long black on a slow Sunday, The Espresso Club™ delivers a great cup – without the stress. Now available at Woolworths Skip the confusion and coffee aisle overwhelm. The Espresso Club™ is roasted for your machine – and available at your local Woolworths, so you can get started brewing better coffee at home today. Find your nearest Woolworths
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Home Barista Alternative Milk Guide
At The Espresso Club™, we believe great coffee starts with the right beans – and ends with the way you enjoy them. Whether you're pulling shots with our Smooth Medium Blend or Rich Strong Blend, the milk you pair it with can transform your drink entirely. And these days, there’s more choice than ever. From oat to almond to soy (and everything in between), here’s our simple guide to alternative milks – and what to consider when using them in your home coffee routine. What makes a milk "good" for coffee? When it comes to pairing with espresso, here’s what matters most: Texture: Can it stretch, froth, and hold microfoam?Flavour: Does it complement the coffee or overpower it?Stability: Does it split when mixed with espresso? Alternative milks have come a long way – and with the right pairing, you can create barista-level drinks from your kitchen bench. Oat Milk Best for: Balanced, creamy results with easy frothingWhy we love it: Oat milk has become a barista favourite for a reason. It steams beautifully, produces silky microfoam, and adds natural sweetness that plays well with espresso’s boldness.Home Tip: Look for “Barista Edition” oat milks – they’re formulated to be extra stable and froth-friendly Almond Milk Best for: A light, nutty flavour and low-calorie optionWhy we love it: Almond milk gives a more delicate cup with a subtle marzipan note. It won’t overpower espresso, but it’s more prone to splitting if not steamed carefully.Home Tip: Warm it gently and avoid pouring into very hot shots. Barista blends = best bet. Soy Milk Best for: Rich texture, cafe-style frothWhy we love it: Soy has long been a cafe standard. It stretches well, holds its shape in lattes, and has a smooth, creamy body. Its flavour is slightly stronger, but The Espresso Club’s blends handle it beautifully.Home Tip: Avoid overheating – it can get thick fast. Less is more with steam time Coconut Milk Best for: A light tropical twistWhy we love it: Coconut adds a gentle, sweet lift to iced coffee and long blacks. It doesn’t always steam well, but it shines in cold drinks or as a flavour twist in espresso.Home Tip: Try a splash in an iced long black for a subtle surprise Other up-and-coming options: Macadamia: smooth, buttery, and luxurious mouth-feelHemp: earthy, nutty, high in omegasPea/Protein-based: super creamy, but more savoury in flavour These niche options can work well, but may take more trial and error. Shop Online at Woolworths
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The Best Way To Store Coffee Beans
At The Espresso Club™ by Industry Beans our specialty blends are roasted specifically for home espresso machines, so every shot starts with the right foundation. But once you’ve got the perfect beans, there’s one small detail that makes a big difference: how you store them. Just a few easy habits can help you preserve flavour, protect freshness, and enjoy consistently delicious coffee, day after day – no fancy setup required. 1. Keep them in a cool, dry place (not the fridge) It’s tempting to pop your beans in the fridge, but that’s a myth we’re happy to bust. Coffee absorbs moisture and odours easily, so storing them near food or inside a humid fridge can affect taste. Do this instead: Keep your bag in a cool cupboard, away from heat (like the oven or sunlit shelves) 2. Use an airtight container The bags your beans come in from The Espresso Club™ are all equipped with rippa zippas, which helps your coffee stay air-tight, waterproof and helps to maintain freshness. If you're looking to take a bigger step, airtight containers can slow this process dramatically. Do this: Transfer beans into a dark, airtight container Choose one with a one-way valve or tight seal 3. Avoid clear jars As beautiful as a glass jar looks, light degrades coffee over time. Do this instead: Use an opaque container, or store glass jars inside a cupboard to protect them from light 4. Buy just what you need Not sure how much coffee you really go through at home? Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right bag size: If you’re making 1–2 coffees a day, a 400g bag will last you around 2–3 weeks If you’re brewing 3+ coffees daily, the 1kg bag is your best bet – offering better value and less frequent restocking Having the right amount of beans on hand for your household's needs helps keep your routine smooth and stress-free. Pro Tip: Want to test your bean freshness? Brew a shot – and check the crema. A thick, golden layer usually means your beans are still fresh and full of life. You’re closer to great coffee than you think Storing your beans well doesn’t take special gear or barista know-how – just a few mindful habits that help your coffee shine. At The Espresso Club™, we believe that great coffee at home should be simple. Our beans are roasted specifically for home espresso machines – which means the hard work is already done. All that’s left is to enjoy your daily coffee. Shop Online at Woolworths
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Why The Espresso Club Coffee Tastes So Good
We created The Espresso Club™ back in 2020 with one clear goal: help more people make great coffee at home. Five years later, we’ve had over 5,000 members join our subscription program, brewing better coffee and building home barista confidence every day. Now, we’ve taken everything we’ve learned and roasted it into two brand-new blends - Rich Strong and Smooth Medium - now available at Woolworths supermarkets and online. Roasted for Home Coffee Machines Unlike cafe blends, which are roasted for powerful commercial equipment, The Espresso Club coffee is crafted specifically for home machines. We’ve fine-tuned the roast profile to extract beautifully on domestic equipment, delivering balanced flavour and consistent results. Whether you’re using an espresso machine, french press, or a stovetop, these blends are designed to perform. 100% Arabica Beans Both blends are made with 100% Arabica beans, chosen for their superior taste, aromatic complexity, and clean finish. No bitterness, no muddiness - just bright, full-bodied flavour that shines through in every brew. The Blends Smooth Medium: Balanced, Versatile, EffortlessSmooth Medium is the go-to for everyday espresso. It’s got a mellow acidity, caramel sweetness, and a smooth finish. It’s incredibly versatile - perfect for long blacks, flat whites, and everything in between. Check it out at Woolworths. Rich Strong: Bold, Chocolatey, Full-BodiedRich Strong is for those who love their coffee big and bold. With rich chocolate notes and deep body, it’s ideal for milk-based drinks or a strong, flavourful shot. It works beautifully in espresso machines, French Press, and even stovetop brewers. Check it out at Woolworths. Brew Better, Every Day Whether you're just starting out or chasing the perfect shot, Espresso Club coffee brings the cafe-quality experience home - no barista badge required. Find our new blends at Woolworths or shop online and activate your free membership for tips and tutorials, and discover just how good home-brewed specialty coffee can be. Find your nearest Woolworths
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