29/11/2023
1. Under Dosed: There are too few coffee grounds in the basket, which will cause the water to pass through the coffee too quickly, potentially resulting in a weak and under-extracted shot.
2. Over Dosed: The basket is filled with too much coffee, which can cause the water to flow through the coffee too slowly. This could lead to an over-extracted shot, which may taste bitter.
3. Uneven Dose: The coffee grounds are distributed unevenly in the basket, leading to “channeling” where the water finds the path of least resistance, usually creating a poor-quality shot that’s unevenly extracted.
4. Perfect Dose: The coffee grounds are evenly distributed and the basket is filled correctly. This allows the water to extract the coffee at an optimal rate, resulting in a well-extracted espresso with a smooth, even flow.
Dosing is a critical step in making a perfect espresso shot. It involves measuring the right amount of coffee grounds to ensure a balanced extraction. The ideal dose depends on the basket size and the desired strength of the espresso. A standard single espresso shot typically uses about 7 grams of coffee, while a double shot uses around 14-18 grams. Precision is key; even a small variation can alter the taste of the espresso. After dosing, it’s important to distribute and tamp the grounds evenly to prevent channeling, where water passes through the grounds unevenly. The aim is to achieve a perfect dose, where the coffee is extracted at a slow, smooth, and even flow, resulting in a shot that’s rich, complex, and satisfying.