> we had issues with people stealing cups before the pot was done (don't do this).
That's some amazingly annoying and inconsiderate behavior. We had the same problem at one place where I worked, so when the coffee pot was low I had to not only make a fresh pot, but then stand watch over it while it was brewing.
With coffee, what is extracted first tastes different from what you extract at the end.
There are different compounds extracted at different times.
In espresso, a ristretto shot is a espresso that's been pulled short. Meaning that it has the same volume of coffee but less water. Around half the water.
Ristretto shots tend to be less bitter and bolder. It's more concentrated.