When does this shot go blond?

[danestead]

Hi,

Ive got a new machine (Breville Dual Boiler) and are still struggling to determine the exact point the shot goes blond. Ive made some really nice shots however its a bit hit and miss whether I stop the shot at the right time or not.

Ive put a video up to help educate me so if you are able to post with what time you think this shot has gone blond (the time on the video, not the time i started the pour).

http://youtu.be/cXdHSyRwYn0

Thanks!

[flynnaus]

Re: When does this shot go blond?

Blonding is when the shot looks thin,watery and light in colour (not white - thats crema); a bit hard to tell from your video but Im guessing around the 40sec mark.
There are no absolutes with blonding; it can occur a different stages depending on the quality of the bean and grind, dose and distribution (ie technique).

Developing a consistent technique is the first thing but difficult as conditions are always changing: beans age, humidity varies, bad hair days, etc..

Te best advice here is practice and patience. If you google espresso blonding you will find a lot of info including youtube vids.

[danestead]

Re: When does this shot go blond?

thanks flynn,

ive done a huge amount of googling and watching of videos but i really struggle to see the blonding unless it is really evidently running watery. i thought i would put up my own video because then i can see what others thought of the particular blend of coffee im using.

[flynnaus]

Re: When does this shot go blond?

i really struggle to see the blonding

Sometimes its hard to see. I now always pour one shot from a double filter basket rather than split between 2 cups so I dont really have to worry about blonding now anyway. I can pour a 45 to 60 ml shot into a single cup before i would see blonding

[Dennis]

Re: When does this shot go blond?

Id guess it starts at 30 though found it a little hard to see.

What I did notice (and it happened to me when using this machine) is that the pour is quick from the outset. It tends to pour rather than ooze. I usually found viscosity lacking compared to other machines using the same coffee, grind and dose.

[danestead]

Re: When does this shot go blond?

i just had a play around pouring some shots.

if i stop the shot just after the tiger striping stops it seems to taste fairly balanced.

is this a reliable way to do things?

[flynnaus]

Re: When does this shot go blond?

is this a reliable way to do things?

If it tastes good and you enjoy it, then yes. As it has often been said, its what is in the cup that counts.

What coffee are you using? Balanced in coffee terms means that there are no dominant flavours, which doesnt necessarily indicate an ideal. A dominant flavour may be sought after, such as chocolatey.

[danestead]

Re: When does this shot go blond?

Im using allpress caramelo.

By balanced i mean neither sour nor bitter.

Ive only been tasting espresso shots a matter of a few days because it seems to be easier to identify sour vs bitter etc. I usually drink lattes which i think tends to mask any off flavours.

TBH i cant really taste the caramels, chocolates etc etc due to my inexperience in espresso tasting. Sour vs bitter, yes, however thats about as technical as it gets for me.

[flynnaus]

Re: When does this shot go blond?

TBH i cant really taste the caramels, chocolates etc etc due to my inexperience in espresso tasting

Nothing to apologise for. This is only about enjoying your coffee; you set the standard.

Im not familiar with Allpress. is there a Roasted date on it? If so, was it roasted more than a month ago? If so, go and buy some recently roasted beans, ideally roasted 1 - 3 weeks ago. Stale beans will affect the quality of your shots.

[danestead]

Re: When does this shot go blond?

I buy the beans from a cafe 5 mins walk from my house. I was going to ask them the roasting date today just out of interest however couldnt be bothered in the end. Im pretty sure they arent old because ive seen how age affects the pour. They basically fill up a small bag for me from the big bag they are using.

The crema they are producing is good.

[GregWormald]

Re: When does this shot go blond?

If it was my ristretto, Id be stopping about the 25 sec mark--maybe 30.

Greg