Every coffee preparation method has little tricks, secrets, pitfalls, and different ways to end up with a cup of something you're not super happy with. Espresso has more of those than most, I'd say.

I'm an ex-barista, so I have a lot of experience in the world of coffee. Whether it was working the Christmas rush in my local Starbucks (don't remind me) or lovingly crafting artisanal flat whites at ...