I usually make doubles, but often split them to make a milk drink for my partner and have a single for myself. For some reason, those split singles tend to taste better. Same weight in, same time, same yield, just half the coffee.
Do I just like less coffee? Is it a temperature thing? Am I missing something here? Does anybody have a similar experience?
Are you pouring half out or pulling directly into two cups? If you’re pouring, then you might be getting rid of some bitter crema or something. If you’re pulling directly into two cups, you might be capturing more of the volatile oils etc by cooling that other half more quickly due to the doubled thermal capacity of the cups.
Splitting directly. Then it could be a temperature thing!
I haven’t tried it but I’ve seen a few videos on some whiskey ball type things you can brew directly onto in order to cool the espresso more quickly. Might be worth trying. That or brewing into bigger more massive cups that can sink more heat, or even just a cooler cup. Maybe try that before buying the gadget unless you have a gadget problem.
Which, you’re here, so maybe you have a gadget problem like most of us. 😅
Yes, I’ve been diagnosed with chronic GAS - Great Acquisition Syndrome.
In all seriousness, for singles I use ceramic cups, but for doubles I use double-walled glass cups. Maybe I should try changing things up.
Have you tried a double out of a ceramic cup?
Even aside from the thermal properties, the cup material itself can have an impact on how the flavors come through.
I did and it tasted better! This is so weird and interesting.
I think the double-walled cups may be very good for some of the nice light roasts I like, but the darker roasts I’m driving these days may work better with a ceramic cup.
Thanks for the suggestion.