| Author |
Message |
stanleyk
|
|
Post subject: The search for a perfect shot - Or stick with what I like?
 Posted: Nov 22, 2009 - 09:23 AM
|
|
Joined: Oct 17, 2009
Posts: 27
Status: Offline
|
|
The need to gain a perfect shot is taking me on to new grinders, considering new machines etc, however the more I read and experiment the more I wonder whether I should just keep making coffee the way I like it. The 25 second extraction to me seems to result in too 'dark' a taste for me, my old grinder/machine combo resulted in about a 15 second extraction, nice pale crema etc. Now to many this is under extraction, however it produced quite a nice bright coffee, and since changing grinders, upping tamp etc I feel i might be losing this brightness as I extract more. I know you should do what you like, however if it is merely my tastes need to get used to the longer extraction flavours I can stick with it for what may be far superior coffee in the future. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
lsjms
|
|
|
Post subject: RE: The search for a perfect shot - Or stick with what I lik
Posted: Nov 22, 2009 - 09:52 AM
|
|
Joined: Oct 31, 2009
Posts: 82
Location: London, UK
Status: Offline
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
stanleyk
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Nov 22, 2009 - 10:06 AM
|
|
Joined: Oct 17, 2009
Posts: 27
Status: Offline
|
|
| If only I had seen this before investing in a new grinder, off to give it a try now, will report back |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
lsjms
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Nov 22, 2009 - 10:15 AM
|
|
Joined: Oct 31, 2009
Posts: 82
Location: London, UK
Status: Offline
|
|
Awesome, love to hear what you think 
The grinder was still an astute buy it helps with "releasing the carbon dioxide" |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
stanleyk
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Nov 22, 2009 - 12:14 PM
|
|
Joined: Oct 17, 2009
Posts: 27
Status: Offline
|
|
| Unfortunately the freezer was full, but doubled the time in the fridge and the porta was like and ice block, perfect espresso everytime, why hadn't i seen this video five years ago, it would have saved so many sleepless nigths |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
kingseven
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Nov 22, 2009 - 05:01 PM
|
|
Joined: Feb 24, 2004
Posts: 2061
Location: London
Status: Offline
|
|
| What coffee are you brewing? I'd say that if you like the bright/acidity then you'd want lighter roasted coffees. Faster brews often lack the body and texture that make espresso such a joy. |
_________________
http://www.jimseven.com
I'll never own too many items with which to enjoy coffee.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
stanleyk
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Nov 22, 2009 - 05:30 PM
|
|
Joined: Oct 17, 2009
Posts: 27
Status: Offline
|
|
| I am using Hasbean coffees, loving the guatemalan at the moment. I may opt for a blend and see how I get on with that, to be honest I think getting used to the new grinder (MC2) has been the biggest struggle so far, not sure my poor gaggia can cope with anything too fine or hard tamped, as demonstrated this arvo with coffee pouring over the portafilter |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
CakeBoy
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Nov 23, 2009 - 12:22 AM
|
|
Joined: Oct 18, 2005
Posts: 8494
Location: Oxfordshire, England
Status: Offline
|
|
The MC2 can 'choke' the Gaggia, so the adjustment is critical and the MC2 has a bit of a learning curve with its worm. If I remember correctly, you had a Dualit/Solis or similar grinder previously (please correct me if I'm wrong), which would never be able to choke the Gaggia, and would in fact struggle to make tight espresso shots at all. So you are having to get used to some new variables in your routine.
The whole bedding in process with new kit is always a bit of a pain but it will all suddenly come togeher. Meanwhile, keep trying differnt things so you know how and why different shots occur, then work on consistency once you know exactly what you like. |
_________________
www.CakeBoy.co.uk
"This week, I are mostly drinking flatties"
Iberital L'Anna 1 Gp Hand-Fill | Wega Orion 2 Gp | Bezzera 1 Gp | Rancilio Audrey PID | Spidem Trevi
Iberital MC2 Timed | Macap M4 DS & MXA DS | Mazzer SJ | Starbucks Barista Grinder (Dualit E60/Solis 166)
Pinhalense 2x500g Gas Batch/Sample Roaster | Gene Cafe | IMEX CR-100
Aerobie | eSantos | Zassenhaus | Bodum Pour Over | Chemex
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
motoman
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Nov 23, 2009 - 08:26 AM
|
|
Joined: Jul 09, 2005
Posts: 650
Location: Bridgnorth, Shropshire UK
Status: Offline
|
|
| I don't understand your problem, the perfect shot IS what you like. Everyone tells me that I am doing it all wrong but the first taste in the morning brings a smile to my face and warmth to my belly. What else do I need? Oh yeah, my home made bread, perfectly toasted and smothered in my home made marmalade. |
_________________
La Valentina Levetta(I love you)
Mazzer Mini E
Joe Behm Special, WOW
Bodum s/s Press Pot(Covered in dust)
Mokka, Vietnamese Press and other pots(unseen since I fell in love with La Valentina)
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
dr.chris
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Nov 23, 2009 - 09:23 AM
|
|
Joined: Sep 17, 2009
Posts: 105
Location: swansea
Status: Offline
|
|
It was very early days in the process when we added an MC2 to the gaggia/dualit combo and the learning curve is, shall we say, steep and frustrating. I'd also say that with the gaggia evolution we had that I dont think I could get a better coffee out of it using the MC2 rather than the finest setting on the dualit.
Now we have Anna tho and the MC2 is finally dialled in on our favourite bean and the results can be just wonderful |
_________________
Iberital L'anna / Gaggia Evolution/ Dualit grinder / MC2 / Iberital tamper
In Swansea they have both types of coffee - Segafredo and Lavazza..
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
bruceb
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Nov 23, 2009 - 09:25 AM
|
|
Joined: Apr 04, 2004
Posts: 3922
Location: Northern Hesse, Germany
Status: Offline
|
|
The problem with ideas such as "the perfect shot is what you like" rest in the fact that sometimes we just don't know what is possible.
Twelve years ago I really liked the drink I made out of preground "espresso" in a steam toy. I called it espresso and thought it was great, bitter as gall as it was. Then one of my sons said, "That isn't an espresso machine, it doesn't have a pump!"
The rest is history (or hysteria). First a real espresso machine (with a pump), then a grinder big enough to grind up my mother-in-law, then a roaster, then a bigger machine, a more expensive grinder, a bigger roaster and on and on. Great stashes of greens, visits to local shops and roasters, yet I was never satisfied. And I'm still not satisfied.
I love my coffee. I don't know of a place anywhere that makes coffee more to my taste than my own, but I'm not satisfied. I'll never be satisfied, I'm sure, and the reason is simple. It's always possible to improve on it, it's always possible to get more out of the bean, either by finding other beans, roasting more carefully, by letting the beans mature longer or shorter times, by grinding differently, by choosing different temperatures, amounts, etc.
There really is no "perfect shot." There is only "the best shot I can make at this time with these beans and this machinery."
Edit: I make a funny distinction between "not being satisfied" and "being dissatisfied." I don't worry about or lose sleep over my "imperfect" coffee. I, too, smile in the morning at the delicious, warm espresso/latte macchiato/cappuccino/longo or whatever I chose to drink. It's delicious and I am thankful for it. But if I have a chance to try to improve it I won't miss the opportunity. |
_________________
Three Francesconi (CMA) espresso machines - Rossi, San Marco, LaCimbali, Faema and 2 Mazzer Major grinders- CoffeeTech Maggionlino, Hottop, Alpenröst and HW Precision roasters.
This week I are sick and tired of all the snow. 
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
stanleyk
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Nov 23, 2009 - 12:12 PM
|
|
Joined: Oct 17, 2009
Posts: 27
Status: Offline
|
|
Well first off thanks to you all for your input, always appreciated.
Cakeboy - Correct it was a move from a dualit to the mc2, and it is taking some bedding in, so impatient!
Motoman - I agree that the coffee you make and like is the 'perfect' shot, however it's that push to try and find something better.
I think I will keep enjoying what I get, and slowly play around with it all, as yet I can't even produce a similar shot to before the upgrade, so definite need for practice.
Ahhh the joys of coffee, now all I need to do is train my ears to not think my hifi needs and upgrade! |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
CakeBoy
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Nov 23, 2009 - 03:53 PM
|
|
Joined: Oct 18, 2005
Posts: 8494
Location: Oxfordshire, England
Status: Offline
|
|
|
bruceb wrote:
The problem with ideas such as "the perfect shot is what you like" rest in the fact that sometimes we just don't know what is possible.
Twelve years ago I really liked the drink I made out of preground "espresso" in a steam toy. I called it espresso and thought it was great, bitter as gall as it was. Then one of my sons said, "That isn't an espresso machine, it doesn't have a pump!"
The rest is history (or hysteria). First a real espresso machine (with a pump), then a grinder big enough to grind up my mother-in-law, then a roaster, then a bigger machine, a more expensive grinder, a bigger roaster and on and on. Great stashes of greens, visits to local shops and roasters, yet I was never satisfied. And I'm still not satisfied.
I love my coffee. I don't know of a place anywhere that makes coffee more to my taste than my own, but I'm not satisfied. I'll never be satisfied, I'm sure, and the reason is simple. It's always possible to improve on it, it's always possible to get more out of the bean, either by finding other beans, roasting more carefully, by letting the beans mature longer or shorter times, by grinding differently, by choosing different temperatures, amounts, etc.
There really is no "perfect shot." There is only "the best shot I can make at this time with these beans and this machinery."
Edit: I make a funny distinction between "not being satisfied" and "being dissatisfied." I don't worry about or lose sleep over my "imperfect" coffee. I, too, smile in the morning at the delicious, warm espresso/latte macchiato/cappuccino/longo or whatever I chose to drink. It's delicious and I am thankful for it. But if I have a chance to try to improve it I won't miss the opportunity.
+1 Totally |
_________________
www.CakeBoy.co.uk
"This week, I are mostly drinking flatties"
Iberital L'Anna 1 Gp Hand-Fill | Wega Orion 2 Gp | Bezzera 1 Gp | Rancilio Audrey PID | Spidem Trevi
Iberital MC2 Timed | Macap M4 DS & MXA DS | Mazzer SJ | Starbucks Barista Grinder (Dualit E60/Solis 166)
Pinhalense 2x500g Gas Batch/Sample Roaster | Gene Cafe | IMEX CR-100
Aerobie | eSantos | Zassenhaus | Bodum Pour Over | Chemex
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Register
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
