What We Thought We Knew Was Wrong

About this Video

• Video Title: What We Thought We Knew Was Wrong
• Channel: Lance Hedrick
• Speakers: Lance Hedrick, Chris Henden, Samus Smur (mentioned)
• Duration: 00:15:39

Introduction

This video challenges the commonly accepted "volcano effect" model for espresso extraction. Lance Hedrick presents his own experimental data, gathered from 60 espresso shots, to argue against the volcano effect and propose an alternative "plateau effect" model.

Key Takeaways

• The Volcano Effect Challenged: Hedrick disputes the established "volcano effect" model, which suggests espresso extraction peaks at a certain grind fineness and then decreases.
• Plateau Effect Proposed: Hedrick's research suggests a "plateau effect," where extraction remains relatively consistent over a range of fine grind sizes before becoming inconsistent.
• Grind Size and Shot Time: Finer grinds lead to exponentially longer shot times and greater variability, while coarser grinds result in shorter, more consistent shot times.
• Consistency over Maximum Extraction: The goal shouldn't be maximum extraction, but rather consistent and efficient extraction within a specific time range (approximately 20-25 seconds).
• Practical Application: Hedrick recommends finding a "golden zone" of grind size resulting in 20-25 second shots for optimal taste and consistency. Moving too far into the plateau region (longer shot times) leads to inconsistent extraction and undesirable flavors.