Posted Sat Dec 11, 2004, 7:54pm Subject: Espresso drink volumes
Hi Guys,
Something has been troubling me about making espresso drinks. I might sound a bit silly, but bear with me.
Now we all know that a single shot of espresso is about 30ml (1 ounce) and a double is about 60ml (two ounces).
A standard capuccino cup is 180ml and the mixture is supposed to be 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk and 1/3 froth. I'm no mathematician, but doesn't that mean 60ml (a double) of espresso?
I only put a single shot into a cup sized cap or FW and I'm sure that the coffee shops I've seen do as well.
What is the story? Are the single shots being poured by coffee shops more than 30ml? Or am I just mistaken?
Posted Sun Dec 12, 2004, 2:33am Subject: Re: Espresso drink volumes
Matty,
I dont know what you'd call it (single shot) ...maybe latte with excess foam !!?? (wink)
Not many cafes would do a traditional cappa (1/3,1/3,1/3,) the public just aint ready for it ? These days if I want a milky drink in cafe (rare) I ask the barista to max out a basket and pull a 60ml shot ...could you mix into it the same amount of milk ... and add some silky foam ...they look at me strange ! I look back at them even stranger ... I'm only indirectly telling them pretty close to a trad cappa ! Its usually too strong for most people but espresso drinkers may think you've hit the spot with ya cappas ! (smile)
Most PBTC hit the lever twice on the grinder ...light tamp on plastic pad attached to grinder and pull double shot for a cappa/latte ? It doesnt suit my taste but I can see how the masses like it ...and thats ok !!! I prefer to taste the coffee as well if there is milk in it ! It really comes down to most people prefer a bit of coffee in their steamed milk rather than the other way around. Most palates are not ready for espresso .... and also not at 50/50 with milk.
Posted Sun Dec 12, 2004, 2:55am Subject: Re: Espresso drink volumes
Hi Anthony,
From what I've seen , I thought that baristas tend to only do a double (two pulls of doser) for a large cappucino which would be much larger than 180ml. I thought they usually put two cups or one large mug under a double spouted PF.
Maybe you're right and they just tend to make caps etc.. weaker than the traditional 1/3 approach.
I usually use a double basket with suitable amount of coffee (15gms?) with a cup under each spout. The cups are probably about 180ml and they taste about the same strength as those I've gotten from cafes.
Dunno - I've always followed the "single shot in a cup and double shot for a mug" approach and have been happy with my coffees. Perhaps I need to look at upping my espresso amounts?
syd Senior Member Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 431 Location: Melbourne Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Sunbeam EM6910 Grinder: Mazzer Mini-E Roaster: Many
Posted Sun Dec 12, 2004, 5:10am Subject: Re: Espresso drink volumes
I don't think you need to stick to a hard and fast 60ml for a milk-based coffee. A nice double-ristretto of Atomica dark topped up with milk and finished off with a rosetta is just about heaven. Andrew made a pearler on Saturday, and there's only about 35ml of coffee in the cup, maybe even less.
Posted Sun Dec 12, 2004, 3:55pm Subject: Re: Espresso drink volumes
Matty,
Like I said ...its just my tastes ..I prefer the taste of the dbbl shot in the 180ml (ish) cup ...I dont like sweet cappas ... I dont add sugar. I see most people add sugar at cafes ? Just the sweet western palate we have ... we'd rather have a juicy sweet plum than a grapefruit ! (smile)
I have to admit though ....when I make a cappa for a visitor ..unless they say otherwise .... I pull the double into 2 x180ml cups and go from there (same as you) ? That has it around 30ml espresso, 90ml milk and the "top up" is foam.
This suits most people I make a cappa for in my home.
I think the skill we all strive for is the ability to change it on the fly if someone requests it different ???
I'm still striving in that department !!! (smile)
Syd,
That description has me leaving the PC for my morning espresso early now !!! (smile) its just gone 9.55am so milk it just still ok in the espresso ! (wink)
I think you are right there. If I started serving people cappas with 60ml of espresso in a 180ml cup, they would stop wanting coffees!
I tried a cappa made this way this morning. It was obviously much stronger, but I quite liked it as I am partial to the odd Machiatto and this was just a weaker version really. Not sure it would be to everyones' taste though.
ant Senior Member Joined: 7 May 2003 Posts: 1,044 Location: Brisbane Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: sunbeam em6910 Grinder: sunbeam em0480 Vac Pot: hario syphon Roaster: 1kg sample roaster at work
Posted Sun Dec 12, 2004, 7:26pm Subject: Re: Espresso drink volumes
I think intelligentsia or some other american cafe uses..
4.5oz cappacino - single shot 6oz cappacino - double shot
for their sit ins..
I could be wrong, but I think i saw or heard that somewhere on these or some other forums.
Most places in australia don't follow traditional rules for cappacinos, but that's ok- as long as what you make tastes good to the customer, or you can customise a drink for a customer- that's something that people appreciate :)
syd Senior Member Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 431 Location: Melbourne Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Sunbeam EM6910 Grinder: Mazzer Mini-E Roaster: Many
Posted Sun Dec 12, 2004, 10:07pm Subject: Re: Espresso drink volumes
OzBean Said:
That description has me leaving the PC for my morning espresso early now !!! (smile) its just gone 9.55am so milk it just still ok in the espresso ! (wink)
Those damn coffeepolice have forced me to move home 4 times !!! I've put them off the scent now ...by ...
Having a "Tea Room" sign on front door .. I spray Camomile scent around house ... Have a tea set sitting on table .... I have a giant tea cosy that covers Silvia ... I hang used teabags from ceiling by thumb tacking tag to ceiling ... I keep coffee beans under false floor in tea filled container ... Rocky has a bag of nutmeg in top hopper to look like giant spice grinder ... Offer a hot cup of soothing green tea when I open door ....
I'm only one step ahead of them though ..... (smile)
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