Everybody, Do the Schyndel!

We read a lot of coffee blogs and espresso forums.  Sometimes it seems like too much information, especially when the A-list baristas from the top shops seem to disagree on methodology for things we didn't used to question, like portafilter distribution and whether single origin coffees make good espresso shots.

In short, with the proliferation of specialty coffee houses comes new ideas that challenge widely accepted practices.

We're not an innovator by any means, but we listen.  And we've joined the conversations, tagging along and willing to experiment with pretty much any new thinking on commercial espresso and coffeemaking that sounds like it should work in providing a tastier, more consistent cup. 

Due to our commitment to our roaster and the fact that we only have two grinders and one "non-Scased" two-group LM Linea espresso maker, we can't put as many of these ideas into practice as we'd like (different temps for different roasts, etc).

But, some ideas are easy to play with.  We've been reading a lot lately about distribution and leveling (which are the same thing depending who you talk with).

When we were first trained just a couple of years ago by Ellie from Intelligentsia, it was on extracting shots using the double portafilter (an 15g basket yielding two 1 oz. shots).  Now Intelly appears to be serving triple ristrettos (a 21g basket yielding one 1.5oz shot of espresso) as their standard shot, similar to what many shops in the Pacific NW and some other notable "3rd Wavers" are doing.

We were also taught what was basically the Schomer NSEW method of leveling the dose in a portafilter using our (very clean) fingers.  But Intelly now uses what Nick Cho calls a "Chicago Chop" style of leveling that involves the use of bottle opener or other flat tool.  (Others use the Stockfleth method).

The always interesting Jaime VanSchyndel of Simon's caught our attention with a PoV that's different - you shouldn't really need to worry much about distribution if your grinder is functioning properly.  But, if you do have issues with imperfect distribution from your grinder (as most home 'spro grinders and it seems a surprising number of commercial ones will), here's what Jaime suggests:

The Schyndel Move explained.

We'll be trying it.  But it would help if we had a video.  And a themesong.  And a dance.

Comments

[Natalie]

fuhgetaboutit...white men can't schyndel.

[Rich]

Better not tell that to Jaime. He doesn't know.