In the world of specialty coffee, we have been following the “golden rules” for many years. One of them is the dogma that the perfect espresso must flow for 25 to 30 seconds. If it flows faster than that, we pour it into the jersey because it’s “under-extracted”. But what if the best coffee of the day ends up in that jersey?
We decided to do an experiment right in the roastery. The results surprised even our experienced baristas – it turned out that a 14-second extraction can tastefully beat a classic on the full line.
What is Turbo Shot anyway?
Before we move on to our test, let’s look at the theory. A turbo shot is not just “espresso gone wrong”. It’s a technique that gained the attention of the global coffee community after the publication of the ” Systematically Improving Espresso” study ,which was backedby chemist Christopher H. Hendon and a team of experts.
Their research has shown that very fine grinding (required for a classic 30-second espresso) often results in uneven extraction (channeling). The water finds paths and does not flow through the bud evenly. The solution? Coarser grind and faster flow. The result is a higher extraction yield and often a sweeter, more balanced taste.
Our experiment: Taste vs. tables
I blindly prepared two espressos from Indonesian coffee (carbonic maceration processing) for my colleagues.
1. Turbo Shot (Extraction 14 seconds) Reactions were immediate and enthusiastic. Colleagues described the coffee as “dancing on the tongue” and having “nice balance”. Ironically, despite the fast time, no one felt the unpleasant acidity typical of under-extracted coffee. On the contrary, the shot had good acidity, no bitterness and a surprisingly pleasant body. Similes such as “pure honey” and a pronounced fruitiness fell. When I revealed that it only flowed for 14 seconds, they considered it a “scandal”, but the taste convinced them.
2. Classic Espresso (Standard extraction) Then we prepared the same coffee “according to the tables” – longer extraction, visually prettier crema (“tiger”). The result? The coffee lost its sparkle. The acidity was too concentrated, the taste was ‘bitter’, astringent, even harsh. This particular coffee was simply not suited to a long stay in the lever.
Table: Classic vs. Turbo Shot
To help you get your bearings, we’ve put together a quick comparison of what you can expect:
| Parameter | Classic Espresso | Turbo Shot (Modern Preparation) |
| Extraction time | 25 – 32 seconds | 10 – 19 seconds (14-16s in our test) |
| Grinding | Fine (risk of channeling) | Coarser ( more even extraction) |
| Pressure | Standard 9 bars | Often lower (6 bar) is recommended, but also works at 9 |
| Flavour profile | Dense body, intense taste, higher viscosity | Higher sweetness, purity of taste, smoother body |
| When to choose | Darker roast, chocolate notes | Light roasting, fruity and experimental coffees |
Recipe: how to prepare Turbo Shot at home/café
Want to try it out? Don’t be afraid to experiment. Here’s a recipe that has worked well for us with lighter roast coffees (like our fruit bombs from Africa or modern Asia):
– Input dose (Dose): 18 – 20 g of coffee (depending on the size of the basket).
– Yield weight: 40 – 50 g (ratio 1:2.2 to 1:2.5 – longer ratio helps extraction).
– Grinding: Set the grinder coarser than you’re used to for regular espresso.
– Target Time: Aim for 13 to 16 seconds.
Important: Ignore the visuals. The turbo shot will have a weaker cream and will flow quickly. Only the taste is important.
Conclusion: drink what you like in taste
Our test confirmed that prescriptions are just a stepping stone. Even a 14-second shot can taste better than a table shot if the coffee is prepared correctly. Modern methods allow us to ‘unlock’ tastes in experimental coffees that would remain hidden behind a wall of bitterness in conventional preparation.
So the next time you see a barista running through his espresso in 15 seconds and he smiles with satisfaction, don’t worry. He may have just made the best coffee you’ll taste today.
Want to see our colleagues’ authentic reactions to this experiment? Watch the video on our YouTube channel.
Resources and recommended reading for geeks:
– Michael Cameron, Christopher H. Insights from Mathematical Modeling and Experiment (Matter, 2020)
– Barista Hustle: The Turbo Shot ( Online course and articles)
