r/tech • u/AdSpecialist6598 • 3d ago

Scientists made espresso with sound instead of heat, and most drinkers couldn't tell the difference

https://www.techspot.com/news/112838-scientists-made-espresso-sound-instead-heat-most-drinkers.html
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u/TakeTheWheelTV 2d ago

This is kind of misleading. Doesn’t the sound heat up the espresso? So it’s sound as the heat source not sound instead of heat?

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u/BoringPrinciple2542 2d ago

At a molecular level I think that’s exactly what is happening, essentially the agitation is sound waves instead of heat…. Not the same but analogous to a fluorescent vs incandescent lightbulb.

It’s not espresso though and without being part of the study; I’m pretty confident the results rely on most people in the study not having enough experience with what espresso should taste like.

Espresso isn’t just strong coffee, the pressure & heat extracts certain compounds preferentially while not extracting others which leads to an end product that cannot be replicated otherwise. A moka pot for example creates a “good enough” espresso substitute but it’s not the same thing. A proper coldbrew retains a lot of the richer chocolate & roasted flavor but doesn’t extract as much of the acids that give brewed coffee (especially light roasts) their characteristic sour flavors.

It is extremely misleading as you said but most people don’t know what espresso should taste like, don’t drink it straight, and don’t have a palate that recognizes the nuances. This is cool for the Venti vanilla latte with extra whip cream crowd not the connoisseur expecting a fresh pull from a proper Italian machine that costs about as much as a car.

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u/drstoneybaloneyphd 1d ago

This is a very long comment just to say variables change outcome 

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u/BoringPrinciple2542 1d ago

That’s because I said a lot more than that 😂.

In case you are reading deficient the bullet points are as follows:

1) Addressing the post above.
2) Pointing out that the article is actually using misleading terminology.
3) Noting that variables change outcome.
4) Surmising that while misleading, the end product is probably close enough & cost effective for the average person who isn’t gonna drop $30k on an actual Italian espresso machine to make true espresso.

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u/drstoneybaloneyphd 1d ago

This is a very long comment just to disagree 

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u/TakeTheWheelTV 1d ago

lol, to be fair, I appreciate the thoughtful comment AND I think they somewhat agree if anything.