Why Is My Espresso Watery?

A perfect espresso is a delight for the senses—rich, aromatic, and topped with a velvety crema. However, achieving that fantastic shot can sometimes be tricky. This leads many coffee enthusiasts to wonder, “Why is my espresso watery?”

It’s a frustrating dilemma, especially when it repeatedly ruins your morning pick-me-up. But understanding the reasons behind it can help you brew a more satisfying cup.

Let’s explore the factors that can lead to watery espresso. We’ll also provide practical solutions to help you enjoy the much-needed, full-bodied espresso you crave.

What Makes Espresso Watery?

Watery espresso can be caused by several factors. Learning what to do in each scenario can help you troubleshoot and perfect your espresso-making process.

Here are the most common reasons to be aware of:

1. Grind Size

The grind size of your coffee beans plays a vital role in the quality of your espresso. Principally, if the grind is too coarse, water will pass through too quickly. This results in under-extracted, watery, and weak coffee.

Conversely, if the grind is too fine, it can lead to over-extraction, bitterness, and even clogging of your machine.

What To Do

• Check Your Grind Settings: Adjust your grinder to achieve a finer grind if your espresso is watery. In general, you might want to aim for a consistency similar to table salt.
• Experiment With Grind Sizes: Gradually adjust the grind size of your fresh beans and keep testing to find the perfect shot balance.
• Use a Quality Burr Grinder: Ensure you’re using a burr grinder for a consistent coffee grind size rather than a blade grinder. Sometimes, blade grinders produce uneven particles, leading to an improper coffee extraction process.

2. Dose

The amount of ground coffee you use, known as the dose, is another important factor you may not be aware of. In most cases, using too little coffee (under-dosing) will result in watery, weak coffee. That’s because there aren’t enough grounds to extract the flavors properly.

On the other hand, using too much coffee (over-dosing) can cause uneven extraction and other issues with the brewing process.

What To Do

• Measure Your Coffee: Use a digital scale to measure the correct amount of coffee grounds. A typical single shot requires about seven to nine grams of coffee, while a double shot requires about two times the amount.
• Adjust the Dose: If your espresso is watery, try increasing the dose slightly and see if it improves the extraction.
• Ensure Even Distribution: Before tamping, ensure the coffee grounds are evenly distributed in the portafilter. Otherwise, it may lead to channeling, which refers to the uneven flow of water through the espresso puck.

3. Tamp Pressure

Tamping is the process of compressing the coffee grounds into a uniform puck. Inconsistent or improper tamp pressure can lead to channeling, resulting in under-extracted coffee.

Basically, too little pressure results in a loose puck. Consequently, the water flows too quickly and produces a watery shot. At the same time, too much pressure can lead to over-extraction and a bitter taste.

What To Do

• Apply Consistent Pressure: Aim for about 30 pounds of pressure when tamping. To practice, use a scale and get a feel for the correct pressure.
• Check Your Technique: Make sure you’re tamping evenly and not tilting the tamper, which can cause uneven extraction.
• Invest in a Quality Tamper: A good tamper with a flat base helps achieve a more proper tamping technique.

4. Water Temperature

The temperature of the water used to brew espresso is another critical factor.

Generally, the ideal temperature range is between 195°F and 205°F (90°C and 96°C). So, too hot water can cause over-extraction, while water that’s too cold can result in under-extraction. Both of these issues lead to a less-than-optimal cup of coffee.

What To Do

• Check Your Coffee Machine Settings: Ensure your machine is set within the ideal temperature range.
• Preheat Your Machine: Allow your espresso machine to warm up fully before brewing to ensure a consistent temperature.
• Use a Thermometer: If your machine doesn’t have temperature control, use a thermometer to monitor and adjust the water temperature manually.

5. Brew Time

The brew time, or extraction time, is the duration that water is in contact with the coffee grounds. As a rule of thumb, the optimal extraction time of a shot of espresso is about 25–28 seconds.

If the extraction time is too short (under-extraction), the result is often a weak and watery espresso. If it’s too long (over-extraction), you might go past the sweet spot and end up with a bitter shot.

What To Do

• Time Your Shots: Use a timer to ensure your shots are within the 25- to 30-second range.
• Adjust Grind Size and Dose Accordingly: If your brew time is too short, try a finer grind or a higher dose. If it’s too long, try a coarser grind or a lower dose.
• Experiment: Make tiny adjustments and test the results to find the optimal brew time for your taste preferences.

6. Machine Maintenance

Keeping your espresso machine free from coffee residue is important for the brewing process. Normally, a dirty machine can lead to inconsistent water flow and temperature. This, in turn, affects the quality of your espresso.

Overall, you should regularly clean coffee oils and descale your machine to ensure it functions properly. Consequently, this can help you avoid watery espresso.

What To Do

• Regular Cleaning: Make sure to clean the portafilter, group head, and steam wand immediately after each time you use your coffee machine.
• Descale Regularly: Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for descaling your machine to remove mineral buildup.
• Inspect Seals and Gaskets: Check for worn-out seals and gaskets, as they can affect water pressure and flow.

The Final Scoop

Preparing the perfect espresso shot can sometimes feel like a delicate balancing act. Yet, getting to know the common causes of watery espresso can help you fine-tune your technique.

So, if you’ve ever wondered, “Why is my espresso watery?” the answer often lies in a few key areas. These areas probably include adjusting the grind size, dialing in the right dose, perfecting your tamp pressure, and maintaining your machine.

Primarily, each step is crucial to the brewing process of a rich, flavorful shot. Therefore, you need to pay attention to these details and make small adjustments.

If you manage to do that, you can transform your watery espresso into a satisfying, full-bodied cup of coffee with delicious flavor. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep experimenting and never give up on sharpening your espresso skills.