Adjusting Espresso Recipes: How to Fix Bitter and Harsh Espresso - Recipe Adjustment Guide

To maintain the quality of espresso coffee, adjustments need to be made every morning. Because coffee beans change over time and may not adapt to existing extraction parameters, you must adjust the espresso extraction parameters according to the state of the coffee beans.

FrontStreet Coffee checks the day's extraction parameters before opening each day. If the extracted espresso shows noticeable differences in flavor compared to yesterday, adjustments are needed. Generally, we start by adjusting the grind size.

If your extracted espresso is too bitter, it may be due to issues with your extraction method. Let's look at FrontStreet Coffee's suggestions:

Dose

Why start with dose? Because this is a relatively fixed element. How much coffee powder to fill depends on how much coffee powder the portafilter basket can hold. So how do you know how much coffee powder the basket can hold?

First, you can look for the model number engraved on the coffee basket and find detailed information corresponding to the official website model. Second, there is an outwardly concave ring line inside the coffee basket. After tamping, if the surface of the coffee puck is within the range of the ring line, it represents "reasonable capacity." If your tamped coffee puck is above the ring line, you might not even be able to lock the portafilter into the brew head. If it's below the ring line, it may cause the coffee grounds to tumble during brewing, resulting in unpleasant flavors.

For example, FrontStreet Coffee chooses to fill 19 grams of coffee powder as the standard, so each extraction should maintain 19 grams of coffee powder (accurate to 0.1 grams).

Yield

This means how many grams of espresso liquid are extracted. With a determined dose, this derives the brew ratio (ratio). In the past, volume measurements (milliliters or ounces) were used for making espresso. However, because the volume and weight of crema are not equal, weight measurements (grams) are now commonly used for greater accuracy.

Taking FrontStreet Coffee's espresso extraction as an example, 19 grams of coffee powder extracts 38 grams of espresso liquid, with a brew ratio of 1:2. This ratio is not absolute - it depends on the desired flavor. If you extract more coffee liquid, the coffee will taste thinner with more noticeable bitterness. If you extract less coffee liquid, the coffee will be viscous, rich, with more concentrated but incomplete flavors.

In the past, people also determined the yield by observing color changes in the crema. When espresso first starts flowing, it appears dark brown and quite rich. As time passes, the color gradually shifts to golden yellow, then to light yellow. Generally, when the crema turns white, it's time to end the extraction.

Time

This is a very important factor in espresso extraction. This introduces a factor called "flow rate." Generally, espresso extraction time is between 20-30 seconds, and FrontStreet Coffee prefers 25-30 seconds. With determined dose and yield, less time means faster flow rate. If extraction time is below 20 seconds, under-extraction may occur, resulting in sourness and astringency with a relatively thin mouthfeel. If time is longer, it means slower flow rate. If extraction time exceeds 30 seconds, over-extraction may occur, resulting in burnt bitterness with a relatively viscous mouthfeel.

Similarly, with determined dose and yield, changing extraction time can only be achieved by adjusting the coffee grind size, which leads to the key to espresso adjustment - grind size. Making the coffee powder coarser will shorten extraction time, while making it finer will extend extraction time.

Therefore, when adjusting espresso, you're essentially changing three elements: dose, yield, and time. (Process: determine dose → preset yield at 1:2, set target extraction time range → taste feedback → adjust grind size to change time → taste when target is reached → if there are still minor issues, continue adjusting grind size or changing brew ratio → taste until qualified → record)

For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style).

For more specialty coffee beans, please add FrontStreet Coffee on private WeChat, WeChat ID: qjcoffeex

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473