Page 94 - #53 English

CTI Class

This is the part of my presentation where Baristas
control chart (CCC) and holding it in your mind’s eye is super 14
important for coffee awesomeness. 13
Note: You don’t need a refractometer to benefit from 12
this information! Not owning a refractometer doesn’t mean the 11
rules don’t apply to you.
The chart above can be overwhelming at first glance, 10
so I’m going to break it down and show you how easy it is to 9
understand. 8
We have two axes: horizontal is Extraction and vertical Strength 7
is Strength. Extraction is the percentage of the dry coffee mass (%TDS)
you dissolved in the water (aka ‘solubles yield’). Strength is the 6
Total Dissolved Solids of the brew (aka TDS%, total dissolved 5
solids or solubles concentration). 4
Every coffee that has ever been brewed sits somewhere 3
on the CCC. It caters to every combination of strength and
extraction. This might seem bleedingly obvious, but it pays to 2
think of the chart as an infinite canvas on which every coffee 1
can be communicated. 0
Taking a step back from infinite, we get to 99.99% of 81 01 21 41 61 82 02 22 42 62 8
every coffee ever brewed. Coffee rarely (if ever) exceeds 30% Extraction (%)
extraction, and brewing espresso above 20%TDS would require
the rizziest ristretto ever dared, which leaves us within these
bounds. I also have a ‘zone of deliciousness’ that encompasses
an overwhelming majority of coffees I’ve measured that I think
are delightful. Notice I’ve thrown in a little extra box between
20 3.5 and 4.5%TDS - I’m quite partial to an americano diluted to
this range.
18
Strength 16
(%TDS) 14
14
13
12 12
10 11

8 10
9
4
8
2 Strength 7
(%TDS)
0 6
0369 12 15 18 21 24 27 30
Extraction (%) 5
4
3
Zooming in a little further, and we find there are two 2
distinct zones covering the vast majority of coffees.The red
zone covers most espressos, and the blue zone covers most 1
drip/filter coffee. When you make americanos, bypass brews or 0
similar they’d sit somewhere between them, in what has been 81 01 21 41 61 82 02 22 42 62 8
coined the ‘twilight zone’ of TDS. Extraction (%)

Various coffee bodies around the world have published
their own zones for strength and extraction preference. Just like
my own above, these zones don’t necessarily agree with you or
your situation. As always, I recommend experimenting with
abandon.

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