foxhole-coffee.polsia.app/field-manual/espresso — Printed
Beans for the machine you own. Not the machine you wish you had.
No fluff, no latte art. The recipes we actually use in the roastery, written so you can dial in a cup that doesn’t waste the bean. Foxhole sells beans, not espresso machines. This guide covers what you can do with the bags and home equipment.
Fine · espresso setting
1:2
90–94°C
25–35 seconds
Grind 18g as fine as your machine allows (espresso setting)
Distribute evenly in portafilter, tamp with 30lbs of pressure
Lock in portafilter, pull shot at 9 bars, 90–94°C
Target: 36g out in 25–35 seconds
If flow is too fast (<20s): grind finer, tamp harder, redistribute grounds
If flow is too slow (>40s): grind coarser, reduce tamp pressure
For Foxhole bags: Sentinel works best as espresso (medium roast, good body)
Lighter roasts like Daybreak produce less crema — still drinkable, just different
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Sour Espresso | Under-extracted. Grind finer, extend pull, raise temp |
| Bitter Espresso | Over-extracted. Grind coarser, shorten pull, drop temp |
| Channeling | Redistribute grounds, tamp more evenly |
| No Crema | Try Sentinel (medium roast). Light roasts produce less. |
Q: Can I use Foxhole beans for espresso?
Yes. Sentinel is our best espresso pick — medium roast, good body, acceptable crema. Daybreak is drinkable but lighter on crema.
Q: Best roast for espresso at home?
Sentinel (medium) is the sweet spot. Reveille works as a straight espresso too if you want something bolder.
Q: Can I pull espresso-style shots with an AeroPress?
Yes — use 18g fine grind, 36g water at 94°C, steep 30 seconds, press hard. It’s not true espresso but it’s close enough for most people.
Q: What's the ideal shot pull time?
25–35 seconds for 18g in, 36g out. Faster than 20s = under-extracted (sour). Slower than 40s = over-extracted (bitter). Adjust grind size to dial in.
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