How long to leave shot of espresso?? :)

[simonsk8r]

Is there generally an accepted proven time which you should not leave your shot of espresso sitting there? Ive heard you shouldnt leave an espresso shot 1) for roughly one minute, 2) until the crema dissipates, 3) it doesnt matter as long as the temperature is stable and hot.. etc...

So just to restate the question, how long can you leave your shot of espresso sitting there in the cup after it has been brewed until it goes bad? (whatever going bad means..)

cheers!

P.S. I guess im really asking how long can it sit there before you add steamed milk... but lets discuss short blacks too!

[WSullivan]

Re: How long to leave shot of espresso??

I personally enjoy it all the way to cold, for some beans that is, some are horrid, but some i find quite pleasant cool, get some great fruity notes in some...........just my opinion thats all

[askthecoffeeguy]

Re: How long to leave shot of espresso??

I tell my staff that theyve got 20sec to serve an espresso after its made or else we have to chuck it and start again - I reckon that you can sit on it for as long as you want but I tend to down mine in one gulp anyway!

[GregWormald]

Re: How long to leave shot of espresso??

For my home-brew, I dont have a "should".

A straight ristretto is my work morning coffee and will generally be consumed within 20 seconds, with me standing in the kitchen in front of the machine.

My more relaxed coffees have small amount of steamed milk and sugar added and will last anywhere from 2-3 minutes to 2-3 hours, depending.

The milk is added to the shot as soon as I finish steaming it.

If you are really concerned, I suggest you "taste test" differing time gaps and see if you can tell. (Careful! "taste testing" can result in caffeine overload. )

Greg

[A_M]

Re: How long to leave shot of espresso??

I personally enjoy it all the way to cold, for some beans that is, some are horrid, but some i find quite pleasant cool, get some great fruity notes in some...........just my opinion thats all

I agree... I often find the taste and flavours change considerable as it cools... I have had a shot and found it to be less that ideal and walked away... Come back 10 min later and it is great..

[Yelta]

Re: How long to leave shot of espresso??

My feeling is espresso is a little like bread, fresher is better.
Sure you can eat/drink it when its stale but why would you if you had a choice? :

[simonsk8r]

Re: How long to leave shot of espresso??

Great input thanks guys!

Thats interesting regarding the taste of an espresso changing as the temperature drops... I just get concerned im leaving my shot sitting for too long when im spending awhile steaming the milk after (after all, it is a living, breathing entity )... Cheers

[A_M]

Re: How long to leave shot of espresso??

My feeling is espresso is a little like bread, fresher is better.
Sure you can eat/drink it when its stale but why would you if you had a choice? :

Some might say the same as to beans...

Yet we all agree .... They need time to mature and that depends on the beans and what ya looking for in teh cup.....

Not unlike Meat and Fish for eg - they need time to mature prior to cooking and then some need to hang for a considerable time......

[Lovey]

Re: How long to leave shot of espresso??

How long is a piece of string?
I dont think that youll ever get a consensus on what is the best or the correct method, due to the multitude of different opinions and viewpoints. Do what ever suits you and appeals to your taste. As AM said, it comes down to whats in the cup.

I have a friend who double boils the kettle before pouring his cup of instant, and he then microwaves this concoction before he drinks it because he says that he likes his coffee really hot (which is ignoring basic physics and taste principals of course ).
Some people may like to have their shots cool, or even cold, vive la difference.

If you decide that you like to pour your espresso shot straight into your mouth out of the group handle, so be it, or if you prefer it to let it sit for an hour before you drink it, thats good too.

[A_M]

Re: How long to leave shot of espresso??

How long is a piece of string?
I dont think that youll ever get a consensus on what is the best or the correct method, due to the multitude of different opinions and viewpoints. Do what ever suits you and appeals to your taste. As AM said, it comes down to whats in the cup.

I have a friend who double boils the kettle before pouring his cup of instant, and he then microwaves this concoction before he drinks it because he says that he likes his coffee really hot (which is ignoring basic physics and taste principals of course ).
Some people may like to have their shots cool, or even cold, vive la difference.

If you decide that you like to pour your espresso shot straight into your mouth out of the group handle, so be it, or if you prefer it to let it sit for an hour before you drink it, thats good too.

I was known to pour a long black late in the day and often came into work the next morning... Broke the crust and enjoyed a very old black :-)

[Rocky]

Re: How long to leave shot of espresso??

Any hot drink comes back to room temperature very quickly doesnt it. Was out for a late breakfast with friends this am and was reflecting on the difficulties for a cafe in getting all the coffee to the table hot when there are multiple orders involved. My piccolo latte was one of half a dozen coffees and arrived at just the right temp, but because I like to sip it, was quickly luke-warm. At home I use my double-skin Avanti demis for my espresso and always invert the saucer over the top of the cup to keep it hot a little longer. All my cups get hot water in them to warm them up until I am ready to pour.

[greenman]

Re: How long to leave shot of espresso??

If Im having an espresso I consume it asap, but if producing a milk based drink one is limited by the speed at which you can steam the milk and pour into your espresso, I can do it a lot faster with my HX but when I had Silvia and was doing 4 milk drinks the quality did not seem to drop too markedly having the spros sitting there, there were always smiling faces from my guests so I guess it must have been pretty good

[Thundergod]

Re: How long to leave shot of espresso??

I have a friend who double boils the kettle before pouring his cup of instant, and he then microwaves this concoction before he drinks it because he says that he likes his coffee really hot (which is ignoring basic physics and taste principals of course).

So they think they are drinking it at +300 degrees because its triple boiled? :

[Yelta]

Re: How long to leave shot of espresso??

I have a friend who double boils the kettle before pouring his cup of instant, and he then microwaves this concoction before he drinks it because he says that he likes his coffee really hot (which is ignoring basic physics and taste principals of course).  

So they think they are drinking it at +300 degrees because its triple boiled?  :

Its common sense aint it? boil once 100 degrees x 3 = 300, has to get hotter with each subsequent application of fire, I think :-?

[Yelta]

Re: How long to leave shot of espresso??

How long is a piece of string?
I dont think that youll ever get a consensus on what is the best or the correct method, due to the multitude of different opinions and viewpoints. Do what ever suits you and appeals to your taste. As AM said, it comes down to whats in the cup.

I have a friend who double boils the kettle before pouring his cup of instant, and he then microwaves this concoction before he drinks it because he says that he likes his coffee really hot (which is ignoring basic physics and taste principals of course ).
Some people may like to have their shots cool, or even cold, vive la difference.

If you decide that you like to pour your espresso shot straight into your mouth out of the group handle, so be it, or if you prefer it to let it sit for an hour before you drink it, thats good too.

Heres my consensus for what its worth, any cafe that serves my shot 10 mins after its been pulled will never see another cent of my hard earned > and I suspect most other knowledgeable coffee snobs would feel the same.