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Is crema being fetishsized? [Question from a rookie]

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  • Is crema being fetishsized? [Question from a rookie]

    Hi guys,

    Im completely new to brewing coffee. I was using my dedica for quite some time and to get better quality coffee I switch to non pressurized basket, and bought porlex grinder.

    Im using my fav beans from a local coffee shop in Tokyo, I think those are good quality beans (judging by the price and shop popularity).
    I was experimenting a lot with grind size, tamping etc and finally I managed to adjust everything to get 30 second extraction with rich, beautiful crema.
    The problem is, faster extraction with almost zero crema tastes much better to me. Its not bitter nor acidic, smooth, sweet and tastes "full". Shot with rich crema tastes too bitter for my taste.
    Am I doing something wrong, or its just a matter of beans, or just personal taste? Im guess the last one, but wanted to make sure with real coffee snobs.

    Best
    Last edited by Javaphile; 15 February 2020, 12:14 AM. Reason: Corrected spelling in title for future searches

  • #2
    Make the coffee so that it tastes best to you.


    Java "Let taste be your guide" phile
    Toys! I must have new toys!!!

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    • #3
      As a general rule crema tastes pretty awful. It differs from bean to bean though. I personally think espresso tastes best with the crema scooped off. It's not so much better to be worth the effort though, I rarely do it. I would suggest trying the crema shot with the crema scooped off and see if you like that or the less Crema shot better. Then run with what you like.

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      • #4
        It used to be called 'scumma' then one day somebody stood up for it and put lipstick on the pig and called it crema.

        Voila!

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        • #5
          Originally posted by Kucchane View Post
          Im using my fav beans from a local coffee shop in Tokyo, I think those are good quality beans (judging by the price and shop popularity).
          I was experimenting a lot with grind size, tamping etc and finally I managed to adjust everything to get 30 second extraction with rich, beautiful crema.
          Coffeesnobs in Japan! Welcome to the Forum "Kucchane".

          As was mentioned earlier, the successful brew is the one which you enjoy the most. Never hurts to experiment and fine tune a little each way with Grind, Shot Duration (+ or - 5 secs), etc. especially when you open a new bag of beans. Different Roast batches can still benefit from a bit of tweaking each side of your normal settings. Change one thing at a time. Taste in the cup will tell you when you've hit the mark.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by level3ninja View Post
            As a general rule crema tastes pretty awful.
            Evening L3n, crema is part and parcel of espresso, I enjoy it, however as others have indicated, to each his own.

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            • #7
              Yep, ditto for me...

              Mal.

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              • #8
                I have always regarded Crema as purely cosmetic.
                If my cup is a bit too full I will sip the crema off before taking it out on the deck to drink.
                The crema isn't the best tasting part of the coffee.

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                • #9
                  Im from the 'if there's no crema its not coffee' school of extracted coffee - I like the way the crema combines with the milk in a cafe latte to provide a rounded mouthfeel, that coats the whole palate. You could try cutting the extraction time (and volume) a little short - such as 24ml from 24 seconds (for example) as this would I think remove some of those 'bitter' flavours that you are talking about ...

                  Pat

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