Making Coffee with the SMEG Bean-To-Coffee Automatic Coffee Machine BCC12 – My Short Review

[randyap]

Coarse grind coffee generally leads to slower extraction, which can result in a milder flavor and less acidity in the brewed coffee. This is because the larger particles have less surface area for the water to extract the acids and other compounds effectively.

My 2 replies so far are by AI

The slower extraction part AI meant is likely in the context of brew coffee. Coarse grind, need to steep for a long time to extract more.

Extraction time in the context of espressos is different. The coarser u go, the faster water run through the puck leading to under extraction.

 

[Jurong640]

The grind size of coffee affects its acidity; finer grinds expose more surface area, leading to higher extraction of acidic compounds, which can result in a more acidic taste. Conversely, coarser grinds typically produce a less acidic brew, as they allow for slower extraction.

. This is because the larger particles have less surface area for the water to extract the acids and other compounds effectively.

thanks let me try again. Few days ago I switched to fine grind, found coffee more sour and acidic. I'll try and it less fine or coarser see if taste change.

 

[Apparatus]

Though I've never used a super automatic, usually grind coarser will make the coffee taste more acidic

But in your case, if both coarse and fine seem to taste acidic, maybe you can try looking at @Apparatus idea of adding baking soda or potassium bicarbonate.

Take 10g of potassium bicarbonate, add it to 1000g of water. This is kinda a 1% concentrate - you can add 1-2 drops to your final espresso brew and see if the sourness drops or not.

If the sourness drops, then can consider changing your espresso brew water - so you don't have to add drops after the shot. For the brew water, add 10g of the 1% concentrate made earlier to non-remineralised super low TDS RO water. You can search better ways to make this with "rpavlis water recipe"

You can do the same with baking soda .. but the coffee tastes saltier imo Prefer the potassium bicarb version

Nowadays I eat some fruits like banana or papaya and take milk 15min to half an hour ahead before drinking coffee. This helps to reduce the acidic effect in my stomach

 

[Apparatus]

Good. This is the smart choice.

Always eat something 20-30mins before coffee or alcohol

Cannot drink coffee on an empty stomach. Can also eat something to fill the stomach like bread before drinking coffee

 

[sacredrays]

a bit hard to differentiate between under-extracted "sourness" or the sour profile from that particular lighter roasted coffee beans.

 

[miko66]

My friend reco me Philips baristina around rmb 2k+ ..

Can buy ?

Anyone using ?

I lim Americano hot only

 

[Apparatus]

My friend reco me Philips baristina around rmb 2k+ ..

Can buy ?

Anyone using ?

I lim Americano hot only

I suggest you check out YT reviews, if any, prior to buying

 

[tellim]

After switching from capsules to fresh beans espresso, every morning after my cappuccino and some bread, it helps me to move my bowel before I leave my house. I find bean coffee stronger than capsules even though I used two capsules per cup

 

[sacredrays]

where can get steamer but cheaper? or just get espresso machine with steam wand attachment? any recommendations for budget user?

 

[menthol28]

Coarse grind coffee generally leads to slower extraction, which can result in a milder flavor and less acidity in the brewed coffee. This is because the larger particles have less surface area for the water to extract the acids and other compounds effectively.

My 2 replies so far are by AI

In fact on the contrary, coarse grind will lead to faster extraction and less pressure. Coarse grind less densely packed and then less pressure and water flow more freely

 

[randyap]

After switching from capsules to fresh beans espresso, every morning after my cappuccino and some bread, it helps me to move my bowel before I leave my house. I find bean coffee stronger than capsules even though I used two capsules per cup

Once you go fresh, you can never go back to capsules.

 

[menthol28]

thanks let me try again. Few days ago I switched to fine grind, found coffee more sour and acidic. I'll try and it less fine or coarser see if taste change.

For me coarser grind is more acidic, finer grinder less sour coffee and more aroma and taste. I think also depends on the freshness of the beans

 

[randyap]

where can get steamer but cheaper? or just get espresso machine with steam wand attachment? any recommendations for budget user?

This is the first time i see a standalone steam wand machine. Looks like it's function is only to introduce alot of air in the milk and bring it up to temperature by default/autofroth. Probably can only make cappuccino without latte art in the auto mode.

Wonder if can change the nozzle to just 3/4 holes and ownself start and stop the process. If can then can use like a normal manual steam wand.

 

[randyap]

where can get steamer but cheaper? or just get espresso machine with steam wand attachment? any recommendations for budget user?

Bambino. Theres also alot of products that resembles bambino at the moment out there also.
spend more to get a quality grinder. Its what makes the biggest difference.

 

[lampano]

coffee is serious business this days

 

[sacredrays]

Bambino. Theres also alot of products that resembles bambino at the moment out there also.
spend more to get a quality grinder. Its what makes the biggest difference.

i using df54 and flair neo flex. no steamer so never do hot latte, have been drinking iced latte all the time.

 

[sacredrays]

This. Much better than Subliminal Nanofoamer. Want even cheaper, can get those French Press type frothers

oh.. stove top steamer ah.. hmm..

 

[randyap]

i using df54 and flair neo flex. no steamer so never do hot latte, have been drinking iced latte all the time.

Manual shots is pro sia. i tried to find before, but seems like there is no proper standalone steamer wands in the market.

 

[sacredrays]

Yeah. Is more or less a "pressure cooker" with a steam wand outlet

Flair also released their own version https://flairespresso.com/products/milk-steamer/

the problem is the price lor.. lol

 

[Jurong640]

Though I've never used a super automatic, usually grind coarser will make the coffee taste more acidic

But in your case, if both coarse and fine seem to taste acidic, maybe you can try looking at @Apparatus idea of adding baking soda or potassium bicarbonate.

Take 10g of potassium bicarbonate, add it to 1000g of water. This is kinda a 1% concentrate - you can add 1-2 drops to your final espresso brew and see if the sourness drops or not.

If the sourness drops, then can consider changing your espresso brew water - so you don't have to add drops after the shot. For the brew water, add 10g of the 1% concentrate made earlier to non-remineralised super low TDS RO water. You can search better ways to make this with "rpavlis water recipe"

You can do the same with baking soda .. but the coffee tastes saltier imo Prefer the potassium bicarb version

Wah Baking Soda. I always don't like the idea of putting too much baking soda into food. Afterall, Baking soda is also used for toilet cleaning also, can help easily clear stubborn stains.

I'm using filtered water from my water filter machine to brew coffee though. Do you mean for the water, I can put little baking soda before brew or after brew?