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.
Better lighting probably would have helped.
"Pro" coffee roaster. Ex barista trainer, competitor, consultant.
- 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