I've found this to be an excellent guide for debugging extraction issues: http://www.home-barista.com/espresso-guide-good-extractions.html
I haven't worked with Black Cat, but a couple tips that might help: * if the bean you're working with is supposed to have more savory/bitter notes like chocolate or nuts, going a little cooler can help bring out that flavor. I usually pull light roasts at 96 and darker roasts at around 94. I will usually start low and then work my way up if the flavor is too sour. * How many grams are you using per double? For mouthfeel, I use 20g per double. I had been pulling 14g doubles for my first few months and vastly prefer the flavor with 20. This is a way to avoid "thin" flavors like you described. To accommodate 20g with a 20-25s pull, I grind coarser and tamp medium-hard. I got the hint to do this from a local baristas. If you like chocolate flavors, I've been having great luck with Verve's Sermon recently. I get chocolatey with bing cherry and apricot notes out of it. Cheers, Scott On 3 Dec 2010, at 9:38 AM, TheMirror wrote: > After buying into the hype of the black cat, I ordered 3lbs and was > quite excited to pull some shots on my III-v last night. After a few > attempts, I must say I am a bit disappointed. I get a light, bright > citrus, thin shot with some tomato-like notes... I definitely do not > get rich, chocolate like tones for sure.... > > I tamp lighter, grind coarser and brew hotter (96c). > > Any other advice? Comments? Recent experience with Black Cat? > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Brewtus" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/brewtus?hl=en. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Brewtus" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/brewtus?hl=en.
