Getting close, seeking advice to maximize flavor

#1: Post by **jeffg** » July 8th, 2008, 8:46 pm

My technique is now spot on and consistent. I am finding my last few coffees had close to maximum flavour and very nice taste. I think I can get far more out of it though. So I think my weak link may now be grind/tamp. I am homeroasting Colombian coffee. I have a domobar super, grind with a mazzer mini, i dose to the grinds are just above the basket, level with a straight edge, tap about 5 times on the counter to settle the grinds, then tamp. I tamp basically as hard as I can which may be a problem. My shot takes 35secs for almost 2oz it seems to peter out about 1/8th inch under the 2oz line. I know I should experiment but hate to waste coffee (it's not cheap here). Would a good starting point to maximize flavor on the Colombians be a different grind/dose/tamp? The reason i tamp my hardest is because i am consistent this way but I suppose with practice I can learn to tamp lighter. Thanks!

#2: Post by **another_jim** » July 8th, 2008, 10:03 pm

The two biggest taste changers in espresso are dose and grind/volume/time. Get yourself a 1/10th gram scale, and experiment with different doses (i.e. going from 13 to 19 grams). Also try a 35 second, 1 ounce ristretto and compare it to a 20 second, 2.5 ounce lungo. My experience is that a particluar blend, machine, and grinder combo tends to "like" one area in this space of possibilities, where the taste tends to be a lot better than any other.

In general, when somebody happily announces that they've just found the greatest blend ever; it's almost certain that they follow a very strict, but largely meaningless, routine in dosing and grinding, and they've finally stumbled on a coffee and roast level for which it works. My guess is that you're close to the Colombian's extraction sweet spot.

#3: Post by **malachi** » July 11th, 2008, 11:14 pm

Jim...

You rule.
Thank you.

#4: Post by **cafeIKE** » July 12th, 2008, 1:02 am

malachi wrote:In Doser Accuracy :
Don't generalize to assume it's universal.

In general, "In general", isn't.

Jim...
not your usual helpful self

#5: Post by **malachi** » July 13th, 2008, 8:06 pm

Hunh?

#6: Post by **another_jim** » July 13th, 2008, 9:28 pm

cafeIKE wrote: Jim...
not your usual helpful self

I wasn't trying to show up the OP; although I admit I may be getting too hooked on seeing my quotes in the announcement section. I gave my opinion that varying dose and extraction times usually create a more dramatic change in taste than varying temperature or pressure.

But I stand by my remarks on "finding" the perfect blend. Everyone has a routine for the four "main" variables: temperature, pressure, shot time/volume and dose. If you look at the espresso information available until very recently, say a few years ago, the statement was to find a strict routine in all these and stick to it. That basically meant the only search was finding a coffee and roast that "fits" the routine. I think there are still a lot of people who, while very experienced and good shot makers, still follow this old style. The big news in the last few years is that there are a lot more blends and coffees that make good espresso if one is willing to adapt ones dose, time, temperature and pressure to them, rather than vice versa.

If I was wrong about the OP being old school in this, I apologize.

#7: Post by **scalla** » July 13th, 2008, 10:42 pm

another_jim wrote: In general, when somebody happily announces that they've just found the greatest blend ever; it's almost certain that they follow a very strict, but largely meaningless, routine in dosing and grinding, and they've finally stumbled on a coffee and roast level for which it works. My guess is that you're close to the Colombian's extraction sweet spot.

I think this is exactly what happened to me with PR Espresso Nuevo. Now I have to go back to the roasts I have dismissed and give them another try.

When you updose >15g do you use a triple basket? The stock Silvia double basket doesn't seem to do too well for me with anything greater than 15g.