How to pour a sweet, very full bodied espresso shot

Rob1 · Jul 9, 2023

Find a coffee that offers what you want and extract it properly.

Not all will offer complexity, not all will offer full body. With your equipment, you can force a full-bodied shot with a low ratio but that will mean a low extraction and lack of complexity, and probably also a lack of clarity.

If it’s sweetness, complexity, and nuance you want then use a longer ratio. You’ll probably want a roast on the lighter-medium end of the spectrum too. If you want body then get a coffee from an origin known for it e.g Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador or Asian coffees.

drdre89 · Jul 10, 2023

It’s the decaf beans that’s the problem. I was on decaf for months and found it very hard to hit that sweet spot. It’s alot harder to dial in and get good flavour.

I’ve gone back to regular medium to darker roast caffeinated beans and it’s been easy to get that nice sweet rich chocolatey flavour in both espresso and milk drinks.

Remember the darker the roast the less caffeine is in the bean. So I would recommend to try a darker roast caffeinated bean if you want less caffeine.

MediumRoastSteam · Jul 10, 2023

drdre89 Remember the darker the roast the less caffeine is in the bean

I didn’t know this. 👍

Rob1 · Jul 10, 2023

MediumRoastSteam because it isn’t true.

dfk41 · Jul 10, 2023

The problem with decaf, is normally down to poor execution by the roaster. So many think, that as it is considered the poor relation, all they need to do is roast the tits off it……I have drunk decaf on and off for many years now. In that time there has been the odd good one, lots of bang average and even more total shite!!

LMSC · Jul 10, 2023

I think the decaf should be judged on its’ own merit and comparing it with the normal beans can colour the judgement.