Storing Shots

[He_Brews_Espresso]

Hey guys~
Im wondering how you guys store shots of espresso and for how long?
Currently I am storing them in a milk base at 1/3 ratio of espresso. I dont keep it for more than a week, but havent tried to either! Have any of you just stored the espresso without a base? I have a catering gig next weekend and will be primarily serving cold drinks, and since the venue probably wont be supply adequate power for my machines, I was thinking about just serving the iced drinks with the shots pre-made the night before.

Id love to hear your thoughts and feedback!

[Yelta]

Re: Storing Shots

Im wondering how you guys store shots of espresso and for how long?

Que. :-/

[WSullivan]

Re: Storing Shots

You wont find too many people around these parts who store espresso shots, fresh is best as it is a consumable food product, maybe you could change your handle to "He stores espresso" lol sorry, couldnt resist!

[beanflying]

Re: Storing Shots

I do sometimes store shots in the fridge for making an iced coffee but only for a few hours. Plenty of sugar in the icecream and milk helps cover the loss of flavours. As for storing one to make a hot coffee later :P

If you want to serve hot coffee see about hiring a dripolater to get around the power thing and made fresh with good beans is far better than instunt.

[JJJ]

Re: Storing Shots

I dont keep it for more than a week

A week old espresso shot? Eek, i get stressed if my shots sit for more than 60 seconds. ;D

Im heard of CSers who only drink single shots but use the double basket so they just cover the straight spare shot and refrigerate but im sure theyd only ever keep it for a day or two and even then only use it as a base for an iced coffee.

[3fun]

Re: Storing Shots

Could an alternative method of brewing be an option?
Such as Cold Dripped or Pressed, I am know a quick search on CS will give you lots of information about it.

[scoota_gal]

Re: Storing Shots

You wont find too many people around these parts who store espresso shots, fresh is best as it is a consumable food product,

Er...what? :-?

Hmm, I really think you should just read back what youve said here. As if that statement is true then quick everyone, chuck out your meat, your milk, in fact anything that is "consumable" food because its not going to be ok! :P

Look, we store our cold coffee for iced coffees. Sometimes, shock I know, over night. I have found that if left much longer than that the cold coffee gets a thick syrup at the bottom of the container and I generally chuck it out once that has happened and start again. However, seeing as the coffee does this I dont think Id be using stored coffee for anything but iced coffees. Forget reheating and trying to turn it into something decent again.

[phrostyboi]

Re: Storing Shots

ive never stored shots in the fridge, never will either

the only exception would be if I got myself into cold press or wanted to make an iced coffee

[Sketchy]

Re: Storing Shots

I would never store shots. At work we always use fresh shots for iced coffee. It is just as quick and tastes better. As with all foods and drinks coffee shots have a best before, which is only a few minutes.

LE

[Dimal]

Re: Storing Shots

LOL.... ;D

I realise that in a commercial situation, things are very different but even for Iced Coffees in our place, I pull however many shots are required, add milk and then whack in the freezer for 20-30 minutes - Beautiful.... This is what we drink through Summer mostly 8-)

Mal.

[Yelta]

Re: Storing Shots

Hmm, I really think you should just read back what youve said here. As if that statement is true then quick everyone, chuck out your meat, your milk, in fact anything that is "consumable" food because its not going to be ok!

Have to agree with WSully, when it comes to perishable consumables fresh is undoubtedly best.

[scoota_gal]

Re: Storing Shots

As with all foods and drinks coffee shots have a best before, which is only a few minutes.

LE

Based on what...your opinion??  :-?

Seriously, Ive never had a customer complain about their iced coffee not having a "fresh shot" in it, rather quite the opposite...in that theyre surprised that we use coffee from the machine and not just instant coffee...It is after all meant to be an "iced coffee" and pouring a hot shot in is not making it iced now is it??




Ah...*stops beating head against brick wall*

:...never mind...

*wanders off to see if there is anything better to be doing with a Sunday afternoon*

[Andy]

Re: Storing Shots

theyre surprised that we use coffee from the machine and not just instant coffee

For sure. Most places will head for the "Coffee(ish) Flavoured Milk Shake Topping" and Ill have to steer them towards the espresso machine.

Given the options I guess I would like:

1. Fresh Shot
2. Fridge Shot
3. errr, just water thanks

Could I tell the difference after milk, ice cream and cream was added? Maybe not.

Back to the original question of how long and how to keep them... I would expect just straight shots in the fridge, toss after a few days.
(furry green coffee shots have little appeal)

[Justin_Boyle]

Re: Storing Shots

I often did this through summer. A lot of people are not really reading the original question that well.

Given that you intend on serving cold drinks primarily it shouldnt be a problem. Agreed there has to be another way to do the hot coffees. I have no problem with maybe 2 days when I did it but longer than that it would start to evaporate and and go to a syrup. I only ever added cold milk and that was fine for me. The moment you add sugar or icecream the coffee flavor dissapears for me so it depends what flavor you want.

As andy said the average joint uses coffee essence of some sort. I went to one place and for the iced coffees they used a teaspoon to fill the portafilter with presumably yesterdays grinds from the doser out of a glass jar!!!!!

Point Im trying to make is you could do worse.

[Javaphile]

Re: Storing Shots

If youre planning on serving lots of cold/iced coffee my suggestion is that, as previously mentioned, you give CP (Cold Press) serious consideration. Many of my friends now refuse to drink anything other than CP, in both its hot and cold manifestations.


Its hard to beat CP for iced coffees and you can make it in large quantities just as fast and as easily as in small.




Java "Sippin da CP!" phile