Green Coffee Freshness
After it has been picked and processed, green (i.e. un-roasted) coffee has a
considerable shelf-life. However, the potential quality of coffee beverages
deteriorates with the age of the green coffee. For best results, buy roasted
coffee from a trustworthy supplier that guarantees the freshness of its green
coffee.
Roast Profile
Roasting makes the dense, green coffee bean porous and soluble and is the first
step in preparing coffee for extraction. Coffee may be roasted to varying
degrees by a variety of technologies, each producing coffee with distinct
characteristics that contribute to discernible differences in beverage flavor.
Generally, the flavor of espresso prepared from light-roasted coffee will more
closely resemble the characteristics of its origin, variety, and processing method
(e.g. “bright”, “fruity”, etc.). Conversely, the flavor of espresso prepared from
dark-roasted coffee will more closely resemble the characteristics of the roasting
process (e.g. “smoky”). Because dark roast profiles may not exhibit the full
potential of your Slayer, nor the flavorful complexity of your coffee, Slayer
recommends light and medium roasts.
Roasted Coffee Freshness
After roasting, coffee beans are increasingly vulnerable to deterioration.
Preserve freshness by storing in a cool, dark, and sealed container. Ideally, use a
container that allows the outward flow of gas, which coffee releases as it ages,
but prevents the inward flow of oxygen. Espresso is generally most flavorful
when prepared with coffee that has “rested” for at least two (2) days after
roasting but not exceeded three (3) weeks. These guidelines are especially
important for dark-roasted coffee, which deteriorates faster than light-roasted
coffee.
Ground Particle Size
Preparing espresso requires finely-ground coffee and a professional grinder. Due
to its slower introduction of water, permitted by a precision needle valve, Slayer
is able to brew espresso with coffee that has been ground at extremely fine
settings. Smaller particles reveal more of the coffee’s surface area to water,
thereby allowing the extraction of more flavor-carrying oils. These oils create a
rich, silky mouthfeel, mask bitterness, and increase perceived sweetness.
When setting up your grinder, target a setting that achieves the recommended
beverage yield with the recommended dose weight in the recommended brew
time. Continue reading for recommendations regarding these brewing
parameters. Adjust grind as necessary, noting these rules:
Finer grind setting (small particles)
• Longer extraction time
• Enhanced body
• Reduced clarity
• Recommended when…
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