AI vs. Offline – Recommendation Philosophy

Coffee Rings offers two complementary recommendation engines – both based on real espresso physics. Whether you prefer the deterministic offline engine or the context-adaptive AI engine: the goal is always balance, consistency, and comprehensible guidance.

Offline Engine

Deterministic, rule-based corrections with validated plan

AI Engine

Context-adaptive rebalancing based on roast × drink × taste

Detailed Comparison

Both engines consider the same core data and have identical limits. The difference lies in the decision logic:

Primary Goal

Offline Engine

Deterministic, rule-based corrections with validated plan

AI Engine

Context-adaptive rebalancing based on roast × drink × milk × taste deltas

Meaning: AI adapts; Offline guarantees predictable, validated steps.

Considered Inputs

Offline Engine

Same core data plus "Foundation" layer for extremes

AI Engine

Complete shot state, optional pre-shot, equipment, drink, milk, roast, taste

Meaning: Both read the same world; Offline adds a safety net for outliers.

Temperature Policy

Offline Engine

Roast-aware steps; conservative cooling for bitterness

AI Engine

Roast micro-brackets; justified deviations possible (especially for milk/taste)

Meaning: No wild jumps; Offline slightly more conservative.

Ratio Precision

Offline Engine

Roast/style-dependent step sizes with ratio guardrails

AI Engine

High precision (0.1g) and stricter gate for "meaningful" changes

Meaning: Lengthen for clarity, shorten for body; step size varies.

Grind Guidance

Offline Engine

Nearly identical: time first, in neutral band taste, then output pairing

AI Engine

Physics first: ↑ output ⇒ coarser, ↓ output ⇒ finer. Time bands override (≤ 22s ⇒ finer, ≥ 32s ⇒ coarser)

Meaning: Prevents contradictions like "finer + more output".

Pre-Infusion Policy

Offline Engine

Activates/increases PI for high acidity & not long time; removes for bitter-short shots

AI Engine

Policy-enabled/disabled; schema allows integers (0, 3–8s)

Meaning: Offline uses PI more actively as taste smoother.

Handling Extremes

Offline Engine

Also makes at most two adjustments to temperature, ratio, or time before any taste adjustments

AI Engine

"Extreme Mode" focuses on priority-0 corrections to get back on track

Meaning: Both approaches help you start with a kind of first-aid approach.

Dimension	AI Engine	Offline Engine	Meaning
Primary Goal	Context-adaptive rebalancing based on roast × drink × milk × taste deltas	Deterministic, rule-based corrections with validated plan	AI adapts; Offline guarantees predictable, validated steps
Considered Inputs	Complete shot state, optional pre-shot, equipment, drink, milk, roast, taste	Same core data plus "Foundation" layer for extremes	Both read the same world; Offline adds a safety net for outliers
Temperature Policy	Roast micro-brackets; justified deviations possible (especially for milk/taste)	Roast-aware steps; conservative cooling for bitterness	No wild jumps; Offline slightly more conservative
Ratio Precision	High precision (0.1g) and stricter gate for "meaningful" changes	Roast/style-dependent step sizes with ratio guardrails	Lengthen for clarity, shorten for body; step size varies
Grind Guidance	Physics first: ↑ output ⇒ coarser, ↓ output ⇒ finer. Time bands override (≤ 22s ⇒ finer, ≥ 32s ⇒ coarser)	Nearly identical: time first, in neutral band taste, then output pairing	Prevents contradictions like "finer + more output"
Pre-Infusion Policy	Policy-enabled/disabled; schema allows integers (0, 3–8s)	Activates/increases PI for high acidity & not long time; removes for bitter-short shots	Offline uses PI more actively as taste smoother
Handling Extremes	"Extreme Mode" focuses on priority-0 corrections to get back on track	Also makes at most two adjustments to temperature, ratio, or time before any taste adjustments	Both approaches help you start with a kind of first-aid approach

Which engine fits you?

Private, offline, no costs?

Use the integrated offline engine

✓ Completely free

✓ Works in airplane mode

✓ Predictable results

✓ No API keys needed

Ideal for: Users who value privacy and simplicity, pull normal shots, and prefer clear, rule-based recommendations.

Want more contextual nuance?

Add your OpenAI API key for AI recommendations

✓ High precision (0.1g)

✓ Understands free-text notes

✓ Context-adaptive recommendations

✓ Nuanced explanations

Ideal for: Experimental users who write detailed notes, often work outside usual patterns, and want to maintain control over AI costs.

Technical Details & Commonalities

What both engines share:

Identical Limits

Maximum 3 adjustments per shot with priorities P1–P3

Time Philosophy

Shot time is never directly set; results from grind/output. Considers PI credit

Same Data Foundation

Both analyze the same parameters: dose, yield, time, temperature, grind, taste

Safe Boundaries

Respect sensible limits - no extreme recipes for normal espresso

Costs and Privacy

Offline Engine

Costs: Completely free

Privacy: Stays on your device by default – optional sync in your private iCloud/CloudKit zone

Setup: No configuration needed

AI Engine

Costs: Fraction of a cent per call through your OpenAI account

Privacy: Recipes stay on your device (optional iCloud sync). Your API key stays in the app’s secure storage (and in your private iCloud backup if enabled) and is only used when your device talks directly to OpenAI — the developer never sees it.

Setup: Add your own OpenAI API key in settings

Ready to try both engines?

Start with the offline engine and optionally activate AI when you want more contextual nuance. You can switch between both anytime.

"As a coffee lover, I'm an enthusiastic user of this new app!"

Tip: Most users are completely satisfied with the offline engine. The AI option is there when you need it.