When did this espresso extraction go blond? [video quiz]
- HB
- Admin
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.
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.
Dan Kehn
- jesawdy
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.
Jeff Sawdy
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.
- welone
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.
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.
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!
EDIT: where I would stop it.

I think with spouted portafilter it would be another good quiz!
'a a ha sha sa ma!
LMWDP #199
LMWDP #199
I went for G (F was close, but decided G was closer!)... Oh well, different strokes for different folks! 

Steve C.
I'm having an out of coffee experience!
LMWDP # 164
I'm having an out of coffee experience!
LMWDP # 164
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.
Steve Douglas
Sacramento, CA
Sacramento, CA
- JonR10
I had a tough time deciding between D and E (either could apply for me)
Anyways....I went conservatively with D
Anyways....I went conservatively with D