KitchenAid 4KPES100, Coffeemaker, 88 manual Leveling, To Level Coffee In the Filter Basket, Tamping

TECHNIQUES

OF A BARISTA

3.If the coffee in the portafilter has an imprint of the shower screen or the shower screen screw, there is too much coffee in the filter basket!

Leveling

Leveling the coffee after it has been dosed into the filter is a critical technique for great espresso. If the coffee isn’t evenly distributed in the filter, tamping the coffee will create areas of high and low density. The high pressure brew water will inevitably follow the path of least resistance, flowing heavily through the low density coffee – overextracting the bitter coffee compounds – and flowing lightly through the higher density coffee, underextracting the flavourful essences. This uneven extraction results in thin, weak, bitter espresso.

To Level Coffee In the Filter Basket:

•Make sure the filter basket is dry before adding coffee; moisture in the basket will create a path of least resistance for the brew water.

•After dosing the filter with coffee, level the coffee by sweeping a finger back and forth over the filter. Do not sweep in one direction only – this will cause the coffee to pile up on one side of the basket and produce uneven extraction. Try to impart a slight bowl shape to the coffee, with the center lower than the sides.

•Make certain there are no gaps between the coffee and the sides of the filter.

Properly Leveled Coffee

Tamping

Tamping compresses the coffee into a level disc (also called a puck) that provides uniform resistance to the high-pressure brew water. Properly leveled and tamped coffee will produce an even extraction of coffee compounds – and great espresso. Coffee that is tamped too softly will be deformed by the brew water, resulting in uneven extraction, a fast brewing time, and mediocre espresso. Coffee tamped too firmly will slow the brewing time, making for a bitter, overextracted beverage.

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