Enjoy a decaffeinated espresso in the evening without giving up your favorite coffee for the morning: For that, your Linea Mini R with scale primarily needs two easy-to-follow recipes. A decaf does not have to taste the same with the same settings as your caffeinated house blend. The scale helps you make the differences visible.
Start with the beans, not the old recipe
Note the roast, opening date, and your current dose for both coffees. Use an amount of coffee that matches the basket, and aim for a deliberately chosen yield. As a starting point, you can begin with a ratio of about 1:2; for example, 18 grams of coffee and 36 grams of beverage. This is a starting point for experimenting, not a rule for all decaffeinated beans.
If your decaf runs or tastes differently with the same setting, that is initially just an observation. Adjust the grind size deliberately and compare again while keeping the dose and target weight the same. Only afterward is it worth adjusting the yield.
Changing beans depends primarily on your grinder
With a hopper grinder, beans or ground coffee from the previous coffee often remain in the system. Check your grinder manufacturer's instructions for switching between coffees and take any remaining residue into account. A new label on the container does not automatically make the next shot a pure decaf.
If you switch between two coffees very frequently, a suitable single-dose workflow may be practical. If several people use the same beans every day, a different process may be more convenient. The right decision depends on your routine and the grinder you actually use.
Two recipe cards prevent mix-ups
- House blend: Name, dose, grinder setting, target weight, and tasting note.
- Decaf: Its own values and a clearly recognizable name.
- Switching note: Which step is necessary on your grinder?
- Test shot: After making a change, check briefly before preparing more drinks.
Name your recipes after the coffee and not just “single” or “double.” This keeps it clear which beans belong to which target weight.
What the Connected Scale contributes when switching
It helps you monitor the beverage yield. The decision on the appropriate grind size and cleaning or reconfiguring the grinder remains with you. An unchanged target weight can therefore be a good reference point, even though you need different grinder settings for the second coffee.
Can I use the same portafilter?
A second portafilter is not automatically required for different beans. A clean workflow and clearly assigned recipes are more important at first. For specific requirements, you should take possible residue throughout the entire setup into account.
Would you like a machine-and-scale upgrade that suits the way you switch between beans? Tell us about your grinder and how often you prepare decaf. We will then plan the setup based on how you use it.
Matching Linea Mini R bundles at BaristaYOU
If your existing grinder suits the way you switch between beans, you can focus your upgrade on the machine and scale:
- La Marzocco Linea Mini R with Scale - Crème Home Barista Weight Bundle
- La Marzocco Linea Mini R with Scale - Black Connected Espresso Bundle
Request personal advice on your La-Marzocco setup
Read more on this topic
- Ristretto, espresso, lungo: testing recipes with the Linea Mini R
- Linea Mini R at home: A recipe everyone can follow
Is the Linea Mini R right for your setup?
If you are still considering a purchase, our Linea Mini R buying guide brings together the technology, differences, and questions to consider when choosing. This guide explores the practical use of the machine and scale in greater depth.
Products from this article
La Marzocco Linea Mini R with Scale – Crème Home Barista Weight Bundle
€5.424,00 Currently unavailable View product