Hi All..

I am not new to espresso just new to GOOD espresso .

I have been using my QuickMill Anita and MACAP M4 for about a month now and just starting to get some really good shots (Not THAT consistent yet though)

Anyway, my question is:
Does the flavor of a double change over the time it takes to drink it or as it cools? Reason I am asking is, as my shots are getting better I sometimes get a shot that seems to taste really rich, good flavor right at the beginning, then after sipping for a little while the end seems to start to have a bitter or acidity bite to it. Not too much, but what I think is noticeably different from my first sip?

ps.. Ohhh I have been using Paradise Roasters espresso and now just some Black Cat (Don't know if that helps?)

Thanks
-Craig

All coffee gets more acidic as it cools; properly extracted coffee also gets sweeter. Espresso loses crema, and the mouthfeel deteriorates, getting less creamy. The overall effect of cooling on a well pulled shot is usually a slightly harsher, more angular taste at the end.

I agree with Jim.

I just felt like mentioning that espresso never stops changing from the moment it leaves the bottom of the filterbasket to the time you finish it.

Of course, if you were to just let it sit, it would eventually reach a limit, but for all intents and purposes, the above is true.

FWIW, I like to let my espresso cool just a tad before drinking. I do find I enjoy the extra sweetness I get from it then.

Cheers

Ian

Cool...

So the change in flavors I am seeing is for real, and it is not something I am doing wrong with my technique.(Got enough problems there )

Another_Jim: I couldn't explain the changes I was tasting, but when I read your post I was like "YEAH! YEAH!.. that is what is happening"

When you are learning like me, it is so hard to put into words what I am tasting in my cup.... But I assume that is the longer journey in this hobby

Thanks
-Craig

The change in the taste is PROBABLY due to the change in taste RESPONSE in your mouth as the shot cools.

That is, if you take a cup holding something, split it in two, then heat one of them (GENTLY!) to a warmer temperature, you will find that the two do not taste the same. In fact, the taste differences to you can be quite remarkable with varying temperature - even though the actual product has not changed.

Beer is an obvious example - ice cold it tastes different than "not so cold". Stout tastes like crap (to me anyway) cold but has a nice mouthfeel and taste when at "cool" (e.g. "proper") temperature.