Today was my 3rd and last video in the Evo2 basket size series, it may not be published until later today but it prompted this post. I found myself saying something that I believe is more important than just a passing comment. It reflects things Iv’e found over many years and increasingly so when trying to find a good basket (for me) to use with the Evo.
For now ignore shot ratio, as unless it’s on the abnormal side (e.g. Allonge). I have found a fair difference in the amount of coffee used and the taste of the final extracted product. Even when I reduce the amount of water added to an americano to equalise the coffees strength to account for the reduced weight of coffee. Espressos taste different as well. I referred to this in passing in my video, but now I believe it’s important enough to have a discussion about it.
When you reduce or increase the coffee in the portafilter, to maintain the same shot time, you have to reduce/increase the grind fineness.. To my mind, this logically must have an effect on the final product, the level of extraction and the flavour.
I found myself in the situation of using 14, 16 or 18g of coffee in my different LSM group baskets and having to tweak the grind for each. I find myself actually preferring the shots where I use 14g of coffee, keeping the shot ratio the same. The shots are smaller, but “better”. The Americanos I also make with those shots, have less water so the “strength” is the same, but again taste “better”.
I can only put it down to having to grind progressively finer as less coffee is used and getting a higher/different extraction from the coffee.
Has anyone else noticed this, is this something you should try yourself?
