Openness is our secret sauce: why other espresso machines fall behind

Summary

The speaker discusses the journey of developing a versatile espresso machine aimed at solving the problem of making espresso with light roast beans, a challenge not addressed by traditional machines. The process involved collaboration with experts and feedback from the community, leading to innovations like Blooming espresso and pressure profiles. Openness and experimentation were key to the success. Looking ahead, the focus will shift to sourcing quality beans and automating a system for sharing information and experiences, fostering a global community of coffee enthusiasts. The speaker hopes to continue this collaborative journey in 2025.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speech is about the future of software for the espresso machine platform.
• 😀 The problem the platform addresses is making espresso with light roast beans, a challenge that was not solved before.
• 😀 Espresso machines were initially designed for Italian roasts, making them ill-suited for light roasts.
• 😀 The concept of a 'Turing machine for espresso' was introduced, aiming to create a machine capable of making any espresso, rather than just copying historical machines.
• 😀 The initial software goal was to get the machine into users' hands, then evolve it as a tool for exploration, and to attract talent.
• 😀 Scott Rao's input was instrumental, providing important discoveries and insights, including the Blooming espresso technique.
• 😀 The process involved a lot of experimentation, feedback, and iterations, which helped solve challenges like choking shots with Blooming.
• 😀 Openness and sharing ideas were key to the project's success, as it allowed constant improvement based on real-world user input.
• 😀 The next phase focuses on refining espresso profiles and sharing them with the community, ensuring reliable results even with errors.
• 😀 The ultimate goal for the platform is to disseminate knowledge about great beans, making it easier for people to share and replicate successful brewing methods.
• 😀 A new feature called 'Groupthink' will allow users to follow others' coffee choices and brewing profiles, enhancing community collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

Q & A

What problem was the coffee machine designed to solve?

The coffee machine was designed to solve the problem of making espresso with light roast beans, a problem that hadn't been solved previously because traditional espresso machines were optimized for Italian roasts, not light roasts.

Why were traditional espresso machines not suitable for making espresso with light roast beans?

Traditional espresso machines were optimized for Italian roasts, which require different brewing techniques and plumbing. Light roast beans, however, have different extraction needs that these machines couldn't handle effectively.

What is a 'Turing machine' for espresso?

A 'Turing machine' for espresso refers to an espresso machine capable of making any type of espresso, offering endless possibilities and flexibility in terms of brewing styles and profiles. It is based on the idea of a machine that can adapt and evolve to make various espresso styles.

What was the first goal in developing the coffee machine’s software?

The first goal was to ship the software and get it into users' hands so that it could be tested and used by the coffee community to understand its potential and functionality.

What role did Scott Rao play in the development of the coffee machine's brewing techniques?

Scott Rao played a pivotal role by making initial discoveries, including the Blooming espresso method and the Best Overall pressure profile. His input helped shape the foundation for the machine's brewing techniques.

How did the concept of Blooming espresso evolve?

The concept of Blooming espresso was challenging to dial in at first. However, through experimentation and feedback, the introduction of a software limiter allowed users to adjust flow without exceeding pressure limits, making the technique more achievable and effective.

Why is openness considered crucial to the success of the coffee machine?

Openness is key because it allows for continuous feedback, collaboration, and innovation from the community. By remaining open, users contribute to the evolution of brewing techniques and profiles, which leads to better coffee-making results.

What is the goal for coffee machine profiles in the near future?

The goal is to develop profiles that adapt to different coffee-making scenarios and ensure that even mistakes result in good coffee. This includes creating profiles like 'I Got Your Back' and 'Extramundo Dos' that help users consistently make quality espresso.

What shift in focus is planned for the next phase of development?

The focus will shift toward beans as the source of quality coffee. The goal is to identify and share information about the best beans available and how they pair with various brewing profiles to produce excellent coffee.

How will the system for sharing information about beans and profiles work?

The system will allow users to share their coffee experiences, including the beans they are using and the profiles they’ve developed. Users can follow others who make good coffee, see their profiles and beans, and join a community conversation to refine their techniques.