ExperimentCompleted

Finding the Sweet Spot: Square Mile Sweet Shop Espresso Recipe Exploration

Exploring how different espresso ratios affect flavour expression, balance, and extraction characteristics in Square Mile Sweet Shop coffee.

Question

Which espresso ratio best represents the flavour profile of Sweet Shop coffee?

Hypothesis

Different brew ratios will emphasise different characteristics of the coffee. Longer ratios may increase clarity and fruit expression, while shorter ratios may increase body and intensity.

Coffee

Coffee: Sweet Shop - Square Mile Coffee

Dose: 18g

Yield: Variable

Ratio: Variable

Shots

Shot A (nearest the 1:2 recipe)

Dose
18g
Yield
33g
Time
28 seconds
Ratio
1:1.8

Straight espresso

Aroma: Mango.

Good acidity, mouth-watering after tasting. Think sour mango.

With milk

Really present, super mango, delicious. "God, it's so good."

Shot B (1:3 recipe)

Dose
18g
Yield
54g
Time
30 seconds
Ratio
1:3

Straight espresso

Aroma: Brioche-like bread.

Soft and delicate, with a general sweetness like jelly beans.

With milk

Not great, a bit unpleasant. "Meh, bit gross."

Method

1:4

Target time: 25-30 seconds

1:3

Target time: 25-30 seconds

1:2

Target time: 25-30 seconds

1:1.5

Target time: 25-30 seconds

Results

Both shots used an 18g dose. Shot A (33g out, about 1:1.8, 28 seconds) had a mango aroma and good acidity, and was mouth-watering after tasting, think sour mango. With milk it was really present, super mango and delicious. Shot B (54g out, 1:3, 30 seconds) had a brioche-like bread aroma and a soft, delicate taste with a general sweetness like jelly beans. With milk it was not great and a bit unpleasant.

Conclusion

At an 18g dose, the shorter shot (about 1:1.8, 28 seconds) gave mango and bright acidity and shone with milk. The longer 1:3 shot (30 seconds) was softer and sweeter as a straight espresso, like jelly beans, but did not work with milk.

Limitations

  • No TDS measurements were taken.
  • Sensory evaluation is subjective.
  • Extraction time alone does not represent full extraction quality.
  • Puck preparation consistency may influence results.

Next Steps

Compare results and identify the recipe that best represents Sweet Shop's intended flavour profile.

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