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Scott Rao Masterclass: Allongé vs. Standard Espresso: Roast Level, Flow Rate & Flavor
Coffee consultant and author Scott Rao joins Decent Espresso to explore how flow rate and roast level shape the taste of espresso. Using the DE1 machine, Scott compares a standard 2:1 espresso with an Allongé—both brewed from the same light-roast washed Typica—and explains why lighter roasts often shine with higher flow rates, while darker roasts benefit from shorter, gentler extractions.
Along the way, Scott covers:
- Why lighter roasts can handle (and benefit from) more water through the puck
- How roast degree affects extraction yield and solubles
- The differences between Allongé, Blooming Espresso, Turbo shots, and traditional 2:1 ratios
- Tips for reducing channeling, including paper filters and upgraded shower screens
- How flow profiling on the DE1 makes high-flow extractions more forgiving
- Learn more about Scott Rao
Chapters
- 00:00 – Introduction & session overview
- 00:21 – Serving the first espresso (2:1 ratio)
- 00:39 – Roast color, weight loss & development levels
- 01:25 – How flow rate affects light vs. dark roasts
- 02:10 – Shot length and managing bitterness in dark roasts
- 02:38 – Myth: Dark roasts are easier to extract
- 03:45 – How roast degree changes solubles & extraction potential
- 04:22 – Roast styles in Northern vs. Southern Italy
- 04:50 – Allongé & Blooming profiles on the Decent Espresso machine
- 05:35 – Why Allongé highlights acidity and fruity flavors
- 05:58 – Blooming Espresso: extraction yields & profile behavior
- 07:00 – Roast weight loss ranges: light to very dark
- 07:35 – Risks & benefits of high-ratio shots like Allongé
- 08:23 – Demo setup: serving the Allongé
- 08:42 – Paper filter tips for reducing channeling
- 09:43 – How grind size & flow rate change extraction dynamics
- 10:50 – Transport vs. diffusion in coffee extraction
- 11:33 – Defining “easy to extract” & bean origin differences
- 12:28 – Why Scott keeps recipes consistent across coffees
- 13:38 – Scott's Montreal café experience with Allongé
- 15:00 – How the Decent makes Allongé easier & more consistent
- 15:38 – Timing-based flow profiling & adaptive shot control
- 16:12 – Allongé tasting notes & final thoughts
#scottrao #rao #allonge #blooming #decon #decon2025 #italy #roastcolor
Updated 2025/08/24