If the shot is extracting too quickly, check the puck by pressing the tip of your finger on the surface: if it’s soft and wet you need to increase your dose ; if it’s firm and dry you need to make the grind finer. If the shot is extracting too slowly, check you haven’t overdosed the basket.
Why is my espresso puck so wet?
A coffee puck can be wet when the amount of coffee grounds in the scoop isn’t enough You can also get a sense of this when you don’t notice resistance upon tamping your espresso. If you want to decrease your espresso’s potency, you can use a coarser grind or a different roast.
What causes a wet puck?
The larger the gap between your coffee grinds and the shower screen (headspace), the more water there is The more water there is, the wetter and sloppier your coffee grinds will be. If there’s less coffee and more water, it’ll be wetter. If there’s more coffee and less water, it’ll be dryer.
What does your espresso puck tell you?
Any sign of channeling is telling you something about what’s going on inside the puck during extraction The surest way to spot it is by looking at the underside of your portafilter while your shot is pulling. Spraying, gaps in extraction, and the way the first drops come through the filter can all be warning signs.
Why is there still water in my portafilter?
You are probably using too much coffee in the portafilter mhoy wrote: You are probably using too much coffee in the portafilter.
Can you tamp espresso too hard?
tamping pressure shouldn’t be too hard as it can lead to over-extracting and an extremely bitter taste of espresso polish the puck with a twisting motion. Avoid twisting as you push down though.
How do you know if espresso is over extracted?
Over-extracted espresso has a dark blotchy colour with white spotting Over-extracted espresso often flows very slowly where it will take much longer than 30 seconds to deliver 30ml of liquid. In extreme cases an over extracted expresso will often drip from the portafilter outlets.
Why is there no crema on my espresso?
If your espresso comes out with no crema, it’s most likely because you’re using the wrong coffee grind size Your coffee grind should be just a tad finer than table salt. Other reasons why you’re seeing no crema could be because of stale coffee beans or bad water pressure.
Should you rinse portafilter between shots?
Should I clean the portafilter between every shot? You don’t have to clean the portafilter after every shot you pull Doing so will certainly make things easier in the long run, but it’s not exactly possible if you work at a coffee shop pulling dozens of espresso shots daily.
Do you need a tamping mat?
tamping mats are an essential must-have accessory for every barista , be it in a busy commercial setting or at home. Sure you can buy a flat square of rubber in any hardware shop that would achieve a lot of the aims of our Cafelat mats, but more often than not these are smelly old bits of rubber that look awful.
How tight should you pack espresso?
Baristas often recommend 30 pounds of pressure , but some do as little as 20 pounds. More and more are finding that tamping pressure is overrated—it’s hard on the wrist and cause an over-extracted, bitter brew. Use a twisting motion as you pull up to “polish” the puck.
What is the best grind size for espresso?
The best ground beans size for espresso is 0.88 mm or 1.32 of an inch ; this is a fine grind. While the precise size can fluctuate slightly with different coffee beans and even different espresso machines, it’s essential to keep practicing until you get the grind size right.
What should espresso puck look like after extraction?
The puck is the used coffee grounds in the portafilter. If your grind was right, the grind should stick together in a solid round ‘puck’ It should be firm and dry, easily snapping into 3-4 pieces.
How long should an espresso shot pull for?
The ideal brewing time you’re looking for is between 20 – 30 seconds – if you’re running too long or too short, check your grind, dose and tamp, then adjust it accordingly. If your shots are coming out unevenly from both spouts, your tamp needs to be more even.
What is the ideal extraction time?
Grind Size It is important that you always reach the recommended extraction time of 25-30 seconds for a well-extracted espresso shot. Always taste every extraction and take notes if this is your first time and you are experimenting with your coffee.