Nicoletti Espresso

#1: Post by **lancealot** » February 20th, 2020, 5:57 pm

I had been pulling some natural Ethiopians and I wanted a change of pace. I took at swing at Nicoletti after hearing about it in some other threads. In those threads, I got the impression that is was going to be along the lines of an american comfort espresso - redbird, lusso GMC.
I don't think it is very much like those coffees. At least my bag is not. Mine is bitter no matter what and has that rubber robusta taste. The results I am getting are more along the lines of a bad italian blend.
Today, 9 days post roast date, I have pulled it between 198 and 204, ratios from 18:28 to 18:40, and rippin' fast 20 second extractions up to 35 second slow-mo pours. No preinfusion. I have used BDB baskets and EPNW 14's too.
No matter what, I can't shake the bitter or the rubber. The beans look great! They look lighter than redbird espresso. I was not expecting these flavors. Any thoughts?

#2: Post by **Chert** » February 20th, 2020, 6:01 pm

I almost ordered some yesterday, but thought better of it. The website states they carry Passalacqua, but the ebay store doesn't mention it.

Thanks for warning me off.

#3: Post by **JohnB.** » February 20th, 2020, 6:18 pm

Still going through the batch I got late Oct. Just had a nice dark chocolate shot about an hour ago. Don't know what to tell you but I've ordered it twice & enjoyed it both times as have others.

February 20th, 2020, 6:54 pm

I've ordered it twice & enjoyed it both times as have others

I know. That is what gets me. I am hoping to hear form others. Maybe my bag is a fluke. It happens. If it looks that way, I will contact the roaster.

But taste is a weird thing though. Maybe it is consistently bitter and people just like that.

#5: Post by **JohnB.** » February 20th, 2020, 8:23 pm

I'm not a fan of bitter or sour. I'll be ordering a new bag in the next few days & will let you know if it's changed from my last order once I start pulling shots.

February 21st, 2020, 9:26 am

Not knowing if all the components of this blend are roasted together or if they are roasted separate and blended after roasting, I put all the coffee from the bag into a large bowl and mixed it up last night.

I was also unsure of how the bag the coffee came in effects the off-gassing process. I do not know the name for the material the bag containing the coffee is made out of. It does not seem like paper. It has a shiney slippery outside. It does not look breathable. It was not sealed and did not have a 1-way valve. So I put as much coffee in the hopper as I could fit.

This mornings pulls were better. I decided on 198 and chose to go a little shorter, 18:28. in 25sec. Less robusta rubber. Still a bit bitter but not as bad. 10 days post roast.

#7: Post by **mgwolf** » February 22nd, 2020, 7:47 pm

FWIW,
I tried a bag last year and found it burnt, rubber-like and I threw it away. I have generally liked most of the coffee I've had in Italy, for reference.

#8: Post by **JohnB.** » February 22nd, 2020, 9:01 pm

Nicoletti does offer two espresso blends, one roasted much darker then the one I buy. Did you buy the same blend I've been buying? Mine is a nice medium Full City roast with no oil or burnt beans. No idea what you guys got but the blend I've bought twice does not taste burnt or rubbery.

#9: Post by **GregoryJ** » February 22nd, 2020, 9:06 pm

I've only tried "Nicoletti Coffee Espresso Roast" and did not find it burnt or rubbery tasting. With 18g in and 32-36g out in ~28 seconds at 200F it tasted quite nice.

There is also an "Old School 1972" espresso roast which I have not tried.

February 22nd, 2020, 10:04 pm

"Espresso Roast" Mine came in a silver bag. It was 2.2lbs. I am out of town till Tuesday. I'll let you guys know how it is doing when I pull some shots on Tuesday.