Our Valued Sponsor
OpinionsConsumer ReviewsGuides and How TosCoffeeGeek ReviewsResourcesForums
Espresso: Questions and Answers
"Ristretto"  the word.
Vintage Lever Gaskets
Leaky machine? Fix it!
Cremina - Caravel - Peppina
Sama  Faemina  Microcimbali
Riviera  La Pavoni
www.orphanespresso.com
 
Not Logged in: Log In to Postlog in
New Topics updated topics   New Posts new posts   Unanswered Posts new unanswered  
Search Discussion Board search   Discussion Board FAQ faq   Signup sign up  
Discussions > Espresso > Q and A > "Ristretto"  the...  
view previous topic | view next topic | view all topics
Author Messages
espressotweek
Senior Member
espressotweek
Joined: 13 Aug 2003
Posts: 117
Location: Florida
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: Francis Francis X5
Grinder: Rocky - doserless
Posted Wed Nov 12, 2003, 2:22pm
Subject: "Ristretto"  the word.
 

Hey gang,

just a quick question here. I know what a ristretto is (.75 shot) and I love them of course, but I can't seem to find the word in English, Italian or German? I assume it means (restricted) but I was just wondering if anybody knew for shure and God forbid I pronounce it wrong as well! I say it like it sounds ie: Ris-tr-etto. So let me know what you know:-)

Thanx,

E.
back to top
 View Profile Link to this post
sjames
Senior Member
sjames
Joined: 19 Dec 2001
Posts: 464
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Expertise: Pro Barista

Espresso: Expobar eb-61 Office Leva
Grinder: Mazzer Mini
Vac Pot: Unibuy Syphon
Drip: Are you talking to me?????
Roaster: Peter Wolff - Veneziano
Posted Wed Nov 12, 2003, 7:32pm
Subject: Re: "Ristretto"  the word.
 

Tweek,

I don't have an Itallian dictionary handy but I'm sure it's Itallian or Itallian slang for restricted.  As for your .75 of a shot, that's a matter of taste in my opinion.  We have customers who like it under 10 seconds and others (including myself) who like it around 15 seconds.

Cheers.

 
Simon James.

Kit:  Expobar EB61 Leva, Mazzer Mini, Pullman Flat & Convex Tampers, Unibuy TCA-3 Syphon.
Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/10678575@N07/sets/
Blog - http://sdotjames.wordpress.com/
back to top
 View Profile Visit website Link to this post
espressotweek
Senior Member
espressotweek
Joined: 13 Aug 2003
Posts: 117
Location: Florida
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: Francis Francis X5
Grinder: Rocky - doserless
Posted Thu Nov 13, 2003, 7:59am
Subject: Re: "Ristretto"  the word.
 

Yea, I think you are right, it is italian slang. And I also like mine around 10 seconds or so.

Thanx,

E.
back to top
 View Profile Link to this post
narc
Senior Member
narc
Joined: 20 Apr 2002
Posts: 517
Location: bayfield
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: Elektra...
Grinder: Macap MX, MACAP M5, cast...
Roaster: ALPs,HotTops,GeneCafe
Posted Fri Nov 14, 2003, 10:11am
Subject: Re: "Ristretto"  the word.
 

Not sure of the word origin. But unlike the previous posts, same extraction time as a double (25-30sec) with a finer grind resulting in a restricted volume of 15-25ml.  So now I'm not sure of the exact definition of ristretto.  IMO, the bottom line is if you like what your tasting/sensing & it's a restricted volume it's "ristretto" no matter what amt of grind, degree of grind, tamping pressure & extraction time.

 
Noel
Mano dell 'operatore> Macinadosatore> Miscela> Macchina espresso
back to top
 View Profile Visit website Link to this post
sjames
Senior Member
sjames
Joined: 19 Dec 2001
Posts: 464
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Expertise: Pro Barista

Espresso: Expobar eb-61 Office Leva
Grinder: Mazzer Mini
Vac Pot: Unibuy Syphon
Drip: Are you talking to me?????
Roaster: Peter Wolff - Veneziano
Posted Sat Nov 15, 2003, 3:51am
Subject: Re: "Ristretto"  the word.
 

I agree.  Finer grind with same time less  and volume works for me too.

Cheers.

 
Simon James.

Kit:  Expobar EB61 Leva, Mazzer Mini, Pullman Flat & Convex Tampers, Unibuy TCA-3 Syphon.
Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/10678575@N07/sets/
Blog - http://sdotjames.wordpress.com/
back to top
 View Profile Visit website Link to this post
flydhest
Senior Member
flydhest
Joined: 28 Jul 2003
Posts: 274
Location: Washington, DC
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: ECM Giotto
Grinder: Mazzer Mini
Roaster: Hottop
Posted Sat Nov 15, 2003, 6:14am
Subject: Re: "Ristretto"  the word.
 

As far as the word goes, it the past participle of the verb "restringere" which means, as you might guess, to restrict.  Like in English, and many other languages, the past participle in Italian is often used as an adjective, but also as a noun by association and context.  Ristretto is a restricted (coffee or pull) where the noun is in parentheses because it is suggested, and thus the adjective becomes the noun.

Sort of like pesto.  That's a noun for the scrumptious green stuff I like on pasta, but it is actually the past participle of the verb "to pestle" which I don't think exists in English, but the traditional way of making it is to put the ingredients in a mortar and grind them up with a pestle--so the sauce has been "pestled" or pesto.
back to top
 View Profile Link to this post
malachi
Senior Member
malachi
Joined: 5 May 2002
Posts: 1,761
Location: SFCA
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Monster Mia (for now)_
Grinder: Monster Cimballi Junior
Vac Pot: Not any more
Drip: never
Roaster: Ecco, Stumptown, Intelli,...
Posted Sat Nov 15, 2003, 10:55am
Subject: Re: "Ristretto"  the word.
 

narc Said:

Not sure of the word origin. But unlike the previous posts, same extraction time as a double (25-30sec) with a finer grind resulting in a restricted volume of 15-25ml.  So now I'm not sure of the exact definition of ristretto.  IMO, the bottom line is if you like what your tasting/sensing & it's a restricted volume it's "ristretto" no matter what amt of grind, degree of grind, tamping pressure & extraction time.

Posted November 14, 2003 link

For what it's worth, we do ristrettos as 0.75oz shots with a target extraction time of around 27 seconds.
back to top
 View Profile Visit website Link to this post
view previous topic | view next topic | view all topics
Discussions > Espresso > Q and A > "Ristretto"  the...  
New Topics updated topics   New Posts new posts   Unanswered Posts new unanswered     Search Discussion Board search   Discussion Board FAQ faq   Signup sign up  
Not Logged in: Log In to Postlog in
Discussions Quick Jump:
Symbols: New Posts= New Posts since your last visit      No New Posts= No New Posts since last visit     Go to most recent post= Newest post
Forum Rules:
No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards.
No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum.
No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum.
Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards.
Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics.
Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies.
Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies.
Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts.
Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
Refurbished Machine Sale
Extensive selection of refurbished machines from Capresso, Saeco, Gaggia and more.
www.wholelattelove.com

WIPS™ Forums Software.   ©2010, WebMotif Net Services, Inc.
The WIPS Forums is customized software and part of WebMotif's WIPS Content Management System.
Home | Opinions | Consumer Reviews | Guides & How Tos | CoffeeGeek Reviews | Resources | Forums | Contact Us
CoffeeGeek.com, CoffeeGeek, and Coffee Geek, along with all associated content & images are copyright ©2000-2010 by WebMotif Net Services, Inc., all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated. Content, code, and images may not be reused without permission. Usage of this website signifies agreement with our Terms and Conditions. (0.292887926102)
Privacy Policy | Copyright Info | Terms and Conditions | CoffeeGeek Advertisers | RSS