The first ever INTROVERT portafilter basket.

Update: Thank you so much for the amazing enthusiasm! I didn't expect to have all 100 spots filled so quickly (13 hours 😲). I'll have a blog page that shows all the upcoming updates. For those who didn't have the chance to claim a spot for the Alpha, please use the "notify me" button and sign up to the newsletter to be notified when the next version and batch becomes available. In the meantime, if anyone backs out of the Alpha, I'll also send out the notifications in chronological order of the signups for you to claim a spot on the Alpha.

Unlock new dimensions of flavour with the INTROVERT 58mm to 49mm step-down espresso basket, designed for clarity, balance, and shot stability.

What is a step-down espresso basket?

A step-down espresso basket fits a standard 58mm portafilter but has a smaller 49mm extraction chamber. This taller, narrower design promotes sweeter, more balanced shots with fewer dry channels by encouraging more even water flow through the puck. It also allows for coarser grinds, improving clarity and texture. In effect, it brings the forgiving, high-aspect-ratio performance of 49mm baskets to 58mm machines—making low-dose and precision shots easier and more consistent.

Alpha Edition Pre-Order — Limited Release of 100 Baskets

With all that said, while I'm super excited to release this product, it is currently in Alpha state, which means it may not work optimally, and at worse, may not work at all. Every single aspect and detail of the basket and accessories may be subject to change in future iterations.

I'm making a limited run of 100 baskets, making them available to testers and espresso enthusiasts at a exclusively reduced price. Your feedback will help refine the final production model — giving you a chance to shape the future of espresso gear. Additionally, having a large sample size with various machines, portafilters, and workflows will help ensure that it is more compatible with more setups!

Many more features, details, and real footage will be added in the weeks to come. Stay tuned!

Key Target Features (Subject to Change)

• Compatible with 58mm Portafilters and Dosing Rings
  Having a 60mm outer diameter at the upper portion of the basket, it's meant to fit standard 58mm portafilters like other baskets. It's also meant to work with 58mm dosing rings. (Currently, the exact list of compatible portafilters and groupheads is not known yet, but a list will be built with your data) 
• 49mm Extraction Zone
  Focuses flow through a 49mm diameter extraction zone, enhancing clarity, brightness, and texture. Pairs well with manual 49mm tampers. If you use leveled tampers, they need to have extra long reach.
• Angled Step Down
  Ensures that all coffee grounds will easily fall down to the 49mm zone without getting stuck at the ledge.

• Ideal for 16g of Espresso
  This Alpha edition is designed to support doses of around 16g. Actual capacity will vary with the beans, roast level, and grind size used. 16g of loose grounds may sit just above the 49mm diameter zone. After tapping and tamping, there will be some extra space in the extraction zone, which may allow a higher total dose if you keep layering in grounds and tamping it. Optimal dose range is to be determined with your help! Lower and higher dosage designs are considered for future versions.

• Optimized Hole Pattern and Coverage
  Precise laser-cut holes that are evenly spaced in a layout inspired by the Fibonacci sequence. The whole array stretches all the way to the absolute edges of the basket to promote maximum eveness and smoothness in flow. This initial Alpha version is designed to have 1001 holes with 2.7% of the surface area comprised of holes, targeting a medium flow rate (this could still end up being too high or too low). Lower and higher flow versions are considered for future versions.

• CNC-machined from Solid 304 Stainless Steel
  CNC-machined from solid steel rather than molded, for maximum precision and straight walls, while offering corrosion resistance and durability.
  

Included in the Alpha Edition V0.1 Pre-Order:

• 1x INTROVERT 58mm to 49mm Step-Down Espresso Basket (Alpha Edition)
• In exchange for your feedback, you'll get a for coupon for a future iteration of this basket, if it comes to fruition. I'll have a system for feedback set up by the time the basket ships.
• (Updated May 14th):
  • 49mm steel mesh puck screen
    • There will be a lot of headspace, and a mesh screen at the top of the puck will help even out the flow and minimize disturbance to the upper levels of the puck
  • 49mm steel spring
    • Experimental piece to test resistance against the expansion of the puck during shot

Requirements (Not Included):

• 58mm naked portafilter
  • The basket is very tall, which means it will likely not fit on any portafilters with a closed bottom
• Espresso machine with 58mm grouphead
• 49mm (Diameter 49.80mm or smaller) tamper to reach deep into the basket. A simple tamper would be easiest. For tampers with levelling mechanisms, it needs a longer movement to reach deeper into basket)

Future Accessories To Be Explored (Not Included):

• Puck expansion reducer
  • Helps add pressure to the top of the puck to reduce its swelling and to reduce pressure loss
• Custom portafilter stand
  • 3D printed spacer that helps you tamp while having the basket mounted on the portafilter, without letting the basket touch the countertop
• Custom tamper for tamping in this basket

Timeline:

May 13: Announcement Day

Early June: Internal testing to be completed. At this stage, some refinements / design changes may be made before the production of first batch V0.1 starts. 

Mid July-August: First batch of V0.1 will (hopefully) be ready and shipped out.

Disclaimers:

Images are renderings and are for reference purpose only. They may not entirely represent the final product. Please join this Alpha test at your own risk. This version may not work at all, and I won't be able to provide refunds for it once I ship it out.

You may request to cancel your pre-order on or before June 1, 2025.