Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

I used sound waves to make espresso

theconversation.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

101–110 of 179 posts

Re: I used sound waves to make espresso

#101

Post by ibaikov »

hdndjsbbs wrote: post #43
kowalej wrote: post #35

This seems very interesting, at least from a pure coffee nerd standpoint and what it could mean for improving espresso brewing in general. However, I'm going through the research paper, and am a bit skeptical of the energy savings angle, especially considering the many variables with espresso machine in terms of how they heat and brew (single vs dual boilers, heat exchangers vs dippers, spring lever machines vs pump…

"room temperature espresso" was the first thing I thought of - espresso is meant to be drunk hot, right away. If you let a good shot cool off and compare it to a bad shot you're not going to notice the difference as much because you made them both worse by letting them sit and cool. For industrial processes it probably doesn't matter - look at how nescafe is manufactured.

It is a myth that an espresso shot 'dies' if you let it sit. A good espresso shot won't become worse.

Re: I used sound waves to make espresso

#102

Post by craftkiller »

If you want to really save energy, then they've already made the ideal product: caffeine pills. It's all the wonderful drugs without any of the bullshit. You can have it at any temperature, with any drink or even without a drink at all. It doesn't get cold or give you coffee breath. They're ultra compact and don't require rituals or specialty restaurants. They're also incredibly cheap.

Re: I used sound waves to make espresso

#103

Post by cyberax »

mandeepj wrote: post #72
comrade1234 wrote: post #3

My dad was stationed on a submarine in the navy and he and a few others used to dump their laundry in the ultra-sonic cleaner normally used to clean engine parts. Said it did a great job....

Maybe there can be an ultra-sonic laundry machine

There are! And you can buy them for a couple bucks.

The biggest downside: rinsing. You have to do it manually. And no, just refreshing the water and letting the ultrasonic emitter run will do nothing. And doing it manually takes a surprising amount of time.

Re: I used sound waves to make espresso

#104

Post by DanHulton »

ibaikov wrote: post #101
hdndjsbbs wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"room temperature espresso" was the first thing I thought of - espresso is meant to be drunk hot, right away. If you let a good shot cool off and compare it to a bad shot you're not going to notice the difference as much because you made them both worse by letting them sit and cool. For industrial processes it probably doesn't matter - look at how nescafe is manufactured.

It is a myth that an espresso shot 'dies' if you let it sit. A good espresso shot won't become worse.

Call it what you want, but it certainly becomes less enjoyable.

Re: I used sound waves to make espresso

#106

Post by mbrameld »

craftkiller wrote: post #102

If you want to really save energy, then they've already made the ideal product: caffeine pills. It's all the wonderful drugs without any of the bullshit. You can have it at any temperature, with any drink or even without a drink at all. It doesn't get cold or give you coffee breath. They're ultra compact and don't require rituals or specialty restaurants. They're also incredibly cheap.

Such an HN comment. I drink coffee for the taste, I’m sure I’m not the only one.

Re: I used sound waves to make espresso

#107

Post by cyberax »

saagarjha wrote: post #7
mybbor wrote: post #4

I tend to wake up before my partner, and I can only imagine the look on her face when the ritualistic grinder noise gets joined by a noisy brewer. In all seriousness, people tend to have a routine around coffee, but I think the Aeropress showed that people will change if the result is meaningfully better.

It’s ultrasound so presumably it will be difficult to hear

Ultrasonic welders sound like all daemons of hell rising up to get you. So... I wouldn't be too sure.

Re: I used sound waves to make espresso

#108

Post by moozilla »

hdndjsbbs wrote: post #43
kowalej wrote: post #35

This seems very interesting, at least from a pure coffee nerd standpoint and what it could mean for improving espresso brewing in general. However, I'm going through the research paper, and am a bit skeptical of the energy savings angle, especially considering the many variables with espresso machine in terms of how they heat and brew (single vs dual boilers, heat exchangers vs dippers, spring lever machines vs pump…

"room temperature espresso" was the first thing I thought of - espresso is meant to be drunk hot, right away. If you let a good shot cool off and compare it to a bad shot you're not going to notice the difference as much because you made them both worse by letting them sit and cool. For industrial processes it probably doesn't matter - look at how nescafe is manufactured.

This is only true for poor quality coffee. The hot temperature masks defects (bitterness). Good coffee tastes better as it cools. https://www.baristamagazine.com/the-temperature-paradox-why-...

Re: I used sound waves to make espresso

#109

Post by ibaikov »

DanHulton wrote: post #104
ibaikov wrote: post #101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is a myth that an espresso shot 'dies' if you let it sit. A good espresso shot won't become worse.

Call it what you want, but it certainly becomes less enjoyable.

Agree to disagree.

Espresso, pour overs and even cupping shows you different aspects of the coffee when it cools. In fact, if you follow SCA cupping protocol, one of the most important parts is to evaluate the coffee at room temperature.

I can't recall any amazing cups I drank that became worse when they were cool (both V60s and espresso). They become sweet and syrupy, less harsh and bitter. They taste like juice and it just makes you joyful for some reason, it is almost unbelievable that this is coffee.

Re: I used sound waves to make espresso

#110

Post by gregrata »

maplethorpe wrote: post #94
drawnwren wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The majority of Americans that drink espresso drink it with milk.

Really? The Last time I was in an American office, there didn't seem to be any milk around. They had an unrefrigerated bottle of "creamer" next to the coffee machine, but I was too scared to try it. I'm still not sure what it is, or how I'm supposed to use it.

Odd - when I'm at a cafe, I'm almost always asked if "whole milk" is ok. It work, we have fat free, 2%, and creamer...
Post reply on HN