psavoie Senior Member Joined: 14 Jun 2012 Posts: 19 Location: laval, québec Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Saeco Aroma Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Posted Wed Jan 16, 2013, 8:17am Subject: How to make a less strong cappuccino
Yeah, it does sound like a strange question. I have the Saeco Aroma with both portafilter pressurized (for her) and non-pressurized (for me) and the Baratza Virtuoso grinder. My wife does not like the cap I prepared for her; too strong. My question, how can I brew a weak or less strong but still tasty cap. She hates Starbuck too much milk. I’ve tried to add water, more milk, less coffee, used the pressurized portafilter.
My goal is to only use the non-pressurized portafilter and stop changing grind setting for me and her and not to buy an espresso machine to her.
She only drinks cap on the weekend, 2 per day. I have 2 espressos every morning. I used fresh coffee within 2 weeks roast.
emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,716 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Wed Jan 16, 2013, 8:40am Subject: Re: How to make a less strong cappuccino
Can I ask why you use the pressurized pf for her and the non-pressurized for yourself? Do you think that has anything to do with it?
Other than that, it sounds like you need to try a different blend of beans - with a different flavor profile. See if she can tell you what it is about the flavor profile she does and doesn't like, then search for blends that seem to suit her taste better. Most of the roasters I've bought from have pretty good descriptions of the flavor profiles of their blends on their website. You could also ask for opinions in the espresso blends forum, once you find out what you're looking for.
emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,716 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Thu Jan 17, 2013, 6:54am Subject: Re: How to make a less strong cappuccino
simply changing to lighter roast may not do the trick. If roasted too light, the flavor can get grassy. Also the roast level, though affecting the balance of flavors in the bean, doesn't really change it's overall profile...what's there is there. Now, if what you're currently using is predominately charcoal and ash tasting, then a lighter roast is definitely what you want. Other than that, you might get lucky, but it's a crap shoot.
...and didn't you say you've already tried changing the espresso:milk ratio?
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,671 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Thu Jan 17, 2013, 7:01am Subject: Re: How to make a less strong cappuccino
The drink is one of ratio. A cap is 1/3 1/3 1/3 foam, milk, espresso. If that is too strong, that is not the drink for her. What do you mean when you say "too strong"? That could mean lots of things, what is it exactly that she does not like?
I also ask why you use a PPF with her and not you, isn't what is good for one, good for the other?
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
psavoie Senior Member Joined: 14 Jun 2012 Posts: 19 Location: laval, québec Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Saeco Aroma Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Posted Thu Jan 17, 2013, 9:41am Subject: Re: How to make a less strong cappuccino
Strong cap for her is Epic from 49th Parallel, for example. Maybe I should try a latte, bigger cup, more milk. I uses the PPF for her, so the coffee is less strong more water in it, less tasteful. I used to have a Breville Roma, and was buying grocery store pre ground coffee, she love it. My taste changed a lot since our trip to Italy, but not hers, she only drank one coffe per day at the hotel and it was horrible, I was going to the espresso bar and I was in heaven.
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,317 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Thu Jan 17, 2013, 9:54am Subject: Re: How to make a less strong cappuccino
Yes, try making her a good espresso and add enough milk for a latte and see if she doesn't like that better. My taste is changing a lot since I am tasting my good espresso. I was at 12 oz of milk to 2 oz of coffee at the start and now I am drinking 2 oz of coffee to 3-4 oz of milk.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,671 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Thu Jan 17, 2013, 1:02pm Subject: Re: How to make a less strong cappuccino
A PPF, does not make less strong espresso, it just lets you make something that kind of looks like espresso with supermarket bought, pre ground coffee designed for drip use. It won't be good but it will have fake crema and be strong..... strong swill. If you have the ability to grind properly to not need a PPF, do not use it, it is only hurting things.
You might try adding water to the espresso, this will make an americano or weak espresso that kind of resembles brewed coffee then add milk to that. At least the quality of the coffee will be better.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = 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.
= No New Posts since last visit 