Well, this morning I went about making my morning java once again with the hopes of pulling something better than the day before. This time I had no disappointment. In fact, I experienced elation and joy. It seems that Silvia and I have come to an arrangement. They say no two women can share a kitchen but I believe we will do fine - at least until the next spat. (grin)
I did some things different this morning.
As usual, I flipped the power onto the Silvia early so it would heat on its own. The new beans from Counter Culture are ready so I went about the grinding. Instead of placing the portafilter into the tines of the Rocky, I used a cup instead so I could grind, feel the grinds, adjust, and grind again if needed. Using Dan's tactile clues of finer than salt but courser than flour, I must have hit a sweet spot in the grind. I loaded the portafilter using the scoop enclosed with the Silvia. I began to tamp but this time I did something majorly different.
Instead of a straight tamp down the middle using the plastic tamp, I tamped the middle, adjusted the sides which rise higher against the side of the filter, and then flattened the grinds completely across with the hope of an equal tamp despite the fact the plastic tamper is smaller in diameter than the PF. This must be the solution I needed.
This morning the coffee was the absolute best! The brew flowed like honey. The shot took approximately 24 seconds. The froth was like silk. I didn't need any whipped cream to lighten the bitterness. It was perfect or as close to perfect as I have been yet. It is a bad vision day so I can't tell for certain but I would almost be the milk was consistent enough to form some art if I had the talent. It was that even and silky textured.
Tamper Question
Should the tamper be the exact diameter of the PF? Could my even "all-over" tamping have made that much of a difference?
The RSVP metal tamper comes in today. I'll see how that one goes in the next cup or in the morning. I'm so proud of this cup I am afraid of the letdown if I screw the next one up. I want to enjoy and savor the moment. Now if I can figure out how to keep the espresso hotter while frothing I will be in business. By the time I clean up, the coffee is considerably cooler.
I am certain now that I made the best possible choice in the Silvia and Rocky set.
Paisley
