A balanced coffee has flavours sensed evenly across the tongue. Blending several different beans together can create a flavourful, therefore, balanced coffee. Some people prefer coffees with particularly strong flavour distinctions and a completely unbalanced but perfect roast.
When water is pushed through the head to the porta-filter a small amount of the coffee grind is left and is pulled back into the machine. Using solid or blind porta-filters will force the water back up into the head cleaning the espresso machine of any coffee grinds that were left from the previous shot(s).
Author’s note:
A machine should be back washed regularly and should be completed every hour, which will lead to a better fresher shot(s) of espresso.
