An espresso cartridge includes contours under a rim of the espresso cartridge for guiding and sealing the espresso cartridge in an espresso brewing machine. Espresso brewing machines inject a high pressure flow of water heated to near boiling temperature into the espresso cartridge to brew espresso. As a result, a very good seal is required between the espresso cartridge rim and the espresso brewing machine to prevent leaking. The contours includes a first contour which centers the espresso cartridge in the machine and a second contour which is crushed to seal the espresso cartridge to a brewing chamber base.