07/30/2026
Espresso part 2!
Did you know? ๐ค๐
Espresso is very sensitive! It will change depending on humidity, temperature, water type, and grind size.
When an espresso shot is pulled, the amount of time it's pulled for matters when it comes down to a "good shot" and a "bad shot". A good shot will range between 26-29 seconds. A bad shot is anything outside of that. Sometimes, you can get away with 24-25 seconds, but never less. Or, you can get away with 30-31 sec, but never more.
โ๏ธ What's the difference?
A shot that is pulled under 26 sec. will be very acidic and sour, and a shot that is pulled over 29 sec. becomes very burnt and bitter.
The amazing baristas at Sweets n Such fix these issues by changing our "grind size". We change the grinds to come out finer if the shot is pulling too long, which makes the espresso puck a bit fluffier allowing water to pass through it quickly. And if the shot is running to quickly, we make the grinds coarser, creating a more dense puck which allows the shot to pull for longer. Seconds change everything when it comes to good vs bad shots, so we do this process in small increments.
๐ Bonus facts!
The shot can also be affected by 2 things outside of the machine. When a shot is pulled, you have 30 seconds to mix it with something (water, milk, flavor) before it "expires". When a shot expires, it is no longer fluffy in appearance and becomes flat and dry, losing most of its flavor, tasting bitter. And, if you pour your shot immediately over ice and cool it down rapidly, the flavor will change from layered and rounded, to a sharper, more bright flavor.
The more you know! ๐๐
Enjoying informational posts like this? Let us know in the comments!
Note: The image pictured is not how we make our iced lattes, this one was just for show!