My first pull, what's up with this crema?

by **bamaster** on Fri Apr 01, 2011 4:47 pm

I received my grinder today (Rocky) and I'm still working on that. I'm using a Silvia and this was about 25 second pull. Didn't look bad at first and then it started spotting, like this. It tasted a little bitter, I thought. I'm not convinced I've dialed in the grind yet (set on 9, at the moment), I'm going to keep going more course to see when it starts running too fast.

The beans are from Cuvee Coffee in Austin, TX, Espresso Medici blend, roasted three days ago.

Your feedback is appreciated. By the way, anyone know of any great places in Houston to start tasting great espresso? I'd like to have something to benchmark against. Thanks!

by **tekomino** on Fri Apr 01, 2011 6:34 pm

Ha, ha. Is that April 1st joke?

Congrats, that crema looks good, nothing wrong with it that I can see. It may spot like that, that does not indicate anything wrong. You are on good path now just go by the taste.

by **asicign** on Fri Apr 01, 2011 9:23 pm

You might want to try Catalina Coffee on Washington. They also sell beans from the excellent roaster, Amaya.

Andy

by **wildbwilson** on Fri Apr 01, 2011 10:26 pm

well if it's bitter and sour I'd say that looks like mold or some other untoward offending type stuff going on there and I suggest you head to the sink and pour without a sniff and definitely not a taste cause iftiwereme my mouth could very well be fried for minutes, hours, days even, no? are you a serious dude or are we having fun here?

by **bamaster** on Fri Apr 01, 2011 11:08 pm

Haha! No, this isn't an April Fools thing. That really was one of my very first pulls. I got the Silvia a few days ago but just got my Rocky in today. I've ended up my grinder on number 11. It seems to be the right number. After more than a few botched pulls... I am eye-ballin' the dosage and my tamping is questionable... it started looking better. At first the shot looks almost total crema then the guinness effect kicks in.

These shots didn't start spotting though. Tasted better, too.

I've heard of Catalina. I'll have to try it out! Thanks, asicign!

by **CoffeeOwl** on Fri Apr 01, 2011 11:16 pm

This spotting is real terrible.
If you drink a few more shots like that, you'll develop a whole lotta moles overnight.
:mrgreen:

p.s.
I dig the Schectermatic single shot glasses.

by **EspressoExpress** on Sat Apr 02, 2011 1:20 am

Was the Silvia a new machine? If so, I dont think it should spot like that. Although Ive never owned a new out of the box machine, but still I wouldnt expect a pull to spot like that. Is it a used machine? If so, I would definitely see spotting especially if the previous owner never cleaned it. Lots of things build up with oils left from the many many pulls. Over time those oils become super rancid. Probable culprits, the shower screen, the shower holder, filter holder gasket, even the porta filter and spout.

Anyway, even if all these things are dirty as-all-get-out, you have before you the pleasure of cleaning the machine. Its an excellent bonding experience. Im not being facetius, ask anyone here and theyll agree.

I envy you man, good luck!

by **bamaster** on Sat Apr 02, 2011 10:49 am

CoffeeOwl wrote:This spotting is real terrible.
If you drink a few more shots like that, you'll develop a whole lotta moles overnight.

p.s.
I dig the Schectermatic single shot glasses.

hehe... I had to Google that name. Funny stuff!

Those are shot glasses I got from a liquor store, they have a 1 oz marker on them you can see at the top of the crema.

EspressoExpress wrote:Is it a used machine? If so, I would definitely see spotting especially if the previous owner never cleaned it.

No sir, this is a brand new machine... maybe 4 days old now. That first shot was probably the 6th or 7th pull ever. But the first pull with the Rocky. Before I was trying it with *gasp!* pre-ground for practice sake... unsuccessfully, btw.

These forums are correct when they say Miss Silvia is finicky! She made me sing her a Justin Bieber song before she would put out. Maybe it was my singing?

by **caffeinatedjen** on Sat Apr 02, 2011 12:05 pm

Maybe she doesn't like Justin Bieber, you should try a Nick Cave song instead. :lol:

by **shadowfax** on Tue Apr 05, 2011 3:54 pm

Maybe I'm still confused as to whether all the tiger mottling talk is a joke or not, but just to be clear I don't believe it's any kind of predictor of shot quality. If you're getting excessive sour and bitter flavors in your shot, you likely have a problem with brew ratio and/or temperature. Once corrected, you may well still have tiger mottling/flecking/striping. See this discussion for more.

In Houston, there's Catalina Coffee (get their Bolivia Temporada espresso if you buy beans from them or they have it in the espresso grinder when you're there; it's some of their best work for sure!) and Greenway Coffee & Tea in Greenway Plaza. Greenway is roasting their own coffee now too, though their first effort is a little acidic to be used as espresso alone.

Beyond Houston coffee shops, the Specialty Coffee Association of America Exposition and the United States Barista Championship are coming to Houston at the end of this month, where you're sure to be able to experience some really delicious coffee from around the country. You have to pay or volunteer to get into the showroom floor, but you can attend the USBC competition for free, I believe. This annual SCAA stuff is not going to be in Houston again for the foreseeable future (I believe they are soon moving it back to the Pacific Northwest for good), so it's a rare opportunity to have it at your doorstep if you live here.

I also welcome fellow home baristas into my house for tasting, hanging out, talking coffee, etc. drop me an e-mail through the forum if you're interested.

Also, if Bieber isn't getting your espresso mojo going, forget Nick Cave and go for the jugular with some Rebecca Black.


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