When did this espresso extraction go blond? [video quiz]

by HB on Thu Jan 03, 2008 10:15 pm

The Home Barista's Guide to Espresso advocates ending the extraction by color, meaning blonding of the stream of espresso. But does everyone agree what "blond" means? To test, I created a video of an ordinary espresso extraction with markers A.. B.. C.. through H.

When would you cut off this espresso extraction?

Spoiler warning: Vote before reading further.......

Spoiler warning: Vote before reading further.....

Spoiler warning: Vote before reading further...

Spoiler warning: Vote before reading further.

by **jesawdy** on Thu Jan 03, 2008 10:57 pm

Hmmm. 6 votes and 6 different answers right now.... goes to show you that it's different strokes for different folks. I voted G, but F looked like it was about there.

by **Spresso_Bean** on Thu Jan 03, 2008 11:00 pm

I voted F because it looked like the blonding started to show in a few areas at that point, but it still looked pretty decent even at H. I've had worse and still drank it.

by **Jasonian** on Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:53 am

Better lighting probably would have helped.

by **welone** on Fri Jan 04, 2008 7:24 am

I voted for F although it was hard to decide.
my 2 cents are that the beans as well as the type of grinder strongly influence the sharpness of the blonding point. When I changed from the MDF to the K-10 the blonding point became much more fuzzy. When using 'older' beans (already a week out of roast) the blonding point seems to become more distinct. Also when using a lower dose the blonding point is easier to detect than with a high dose.

by **CoffeeOwl** on Fri Jan 04, 2008 10:10 am

voted F, though maybe it could be E as well

EDIT: where I would stop it.

I think with spouted portafilter it would be another good quiz!

by **ntwkgestapo** on Fri Jan 04, 2008 10:37 am

I went for G (F was close, but decided G was closer!)... Oh well, different strokes for different folks!

by **stevendouglas** on Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:00 pm

I went for D. I usually end the extraction when the "crema cone" volume drops significantly, which it seems to toward the very end of D.

by **JonR10** on Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:11 pm

I had a tough time deciding between D and E (either could apply for me)
Anyways....I went conservatively with D

by **ThaRiddla** on Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:43 pm

i went F, but I could see going to G. The video is a little dark on my screen here at work as well.

I'm so used to spouts that I might be able to tell better on a spouted pf.


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