Questions & Answers
- Q: How do I make sure that my electric espresso machine produces the same extraction every time?
- A:
Buy freshly roasted coffee whole beans and purchase a grinder that can be calibrated to alter the grind, depending on the humidity of the day. At the merlo coffee factory we may change the grind 12 times a day depending on the climatic conditions. At your home, and without the proper use of a grinder, all we can do is basically guess an approximate grind for your brand of machine and blend, based on our experience and tests. We cannot however determine the humidity levels of your kitchen. We will get a close approximate grind, but nothing beats accurately grinding fresh beans right there!
- Q: What is the perfect extraction for my electric espresso machine?
- A:
A good extraction for freshly roasted coffee is around 15-20 seconds for a 30ml shot. Never pour more than 30mls. If your extraction is over 20 seconds, the coffee may taste burnt or bitter, the make the grind coarser. If the extraction is much less than 15 seconds, the coffee may taste sour or thin, then make the grind finer. It is important to note that these extraction times only relate to freshly roasted coffee. The only real way to tell the best extraction time is taste!
- Q: Why does my coffee taste inconsistent? I.e. sometimes sour or thin; and sometimes burnt, bitter.
- A:
The grind of coffee is probably incorrect or does not match the method of extraction you are using. Eg. You just cannot use plunger grind in a stovetop espresso or vice versa. All different methods of making coffee require the coffee to ground differently to obtain the best results. Furthermore, when making coffee, always use the maximum coffee with the maximum water possible. All coffee makers are designed to only be used for the maximum. I.e. no half plungers, no half stovetops!
- Q: How long will my coffee stay fresh for?
- A:
If stored correctly, (merlo valved bag or tin kept airtight, dry, in a fridge or frost free freezer), whole beans will be best consumed within 6 weeks and ground coffee 2 weeks. It will still be fine after that time, however it will begin to lose the marvellous 'zing' of fresh roasted coffee.
- Q: What is the valve for?
- A:
The valve is a one way release valve that allows the naturally occurring CO2 gas; (released by coffee upon roasting); to be expelled out of the tin or bag without letting any oxygen in. This leaves the coffee in a cocoon of it's own gas and helps keep it fresher for longer.
