Espresso Enthusiasts

[mobilehaathi]

OK...for real...nothing would give me more of a kick than having you, or any of the wonderful folks here, show up at my front door.

But be sure to call ahead, sometimes I lark about at home dishabille.




Not a pretty sight!

I'll bring the Thorazine just in case.

 

[Shrink]

A quick review of Moka Kdir Blend.

As I have already spent a long time apologizing for my lack of skills as a cupping reviewer, this will be quick and dirty.

First...I really like it. I roasted it to Full City+ --> Vienna, dark with a very light, oily sheen (but not very oily).

It has a deep, rich, full flavor...with a heavy, thick mouth feel, pronounced molasses flavor (even I can identify it!) a and pleasant, lingering aftertaste. It is much deeper and more declarative than the Espresso Workshop #31 Level Three that I tried recently.

I have only had on cup thus far (first guess at dose and grind seemed to be pretty much on the mark...25 second extraction time), but I like this stuff so much it might go into my regular rotation.

 

[S.B.G]

A quick review of Moka Kdir Blend.

As I have already spent a long time apologizing for my lack of skills as a cupping reviewer, this will be quick and dirty.

First...I really like it. I roasted it to Full City+ --> Vienna, dark with a very light, oily sheen (but not very oily).

It has a deep, rich, full flavor...with a heavy, thick mouth feel, pronounced molasses flavor (even I can identify it!) a and pleasant, lingering aftertaste. It is much deeper and more declarative than the Espresso Workshop #31 Level Three that I tried recently.

I have only had on cup thus far (first guess at dose and grind seemed to be pretty much on the mark...25 second extraction time), but I like this stuff so much it might go into my regular rotation.

No scent of cat fur this time eh?

 

[Shrink]

No scent of cat fur this time eh?

Just a very frisky, jejune, but aristocratic overtone of coyote sweat...

 

[mobilehaathi]

A quick review of Moka Kdir Blend.

As I have already spent a long time apologizing for my lack of skills as a cupping reviewer, this will be quick and dirty.

First...I really like it. I roasted it to Full City+ --> Vienna, dark with a very light, oily sheen (but not very oily).

It has a deep, rich, full flavor...with a heavy, thick mouth feel, pronounced molasses flavor (even I can identify it!) a and pleasant, lingering aftertaste. It is much deeper and more declarative than the Espresso Workshop #31 Level Three that I tried recently.

I have only had on cup thus far (first guess at dose and grind seemed to be pretty much on the mark...25 second extraction time), but I like this stuff so much it might go into my regular rotation.

Only one cup? Pish, come back when you're serious about coffee.

 

[Shrink]

Only one cup? Pish, come back when you're serious about coffee.

I know...an embarrassing lightweight!

I'll have 6 more before bed and vibrate to sleep tonight.


Wait...somehow that didn't sound right!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Indeed. Electricity is quite an underrated, unnoticed thing in our contemporary lives, that is, until, you're without it.

Even with no power last night, I still had a good charge on my laptop, iPad and an AT&T portable Internet device. So I was still able to get online and stream some movies in the dark!



Yeah, we get some crazy weather around here at times. Heavy rain, heavy wind, lot's of lightening and thunder. Though yesterday's storms seemed rather mild in comparison to most of the ones that come through. Regardless of that, it still knocked out power to 160K people in my power company's service area.



Yes, the last message I received said 11:30pm tomorrow! I know, shocked I was. I'm hoping it was more of a typo....

I could drive to Boston for cup at your place and probably be back home before the estimated restoration time!

Yikes! I remember the extremely violent electrical storms I encountered in MI. Often there was no rain, just thousands of lightning bolts webbing across the sky. It was both terrifying and enthralling. One night I pressed my face to the window for nearly an hour to watch the spectacle. I think the gods were throwing a rave.

Okay but I still had coffee....

A few years ago, I spent two years in Georgia (Caucasus Georgia, that is), and was stupefied by their astounding thunderstorms in summer; both the number of storms, and their staggering intensity. Anyway, I remember standing on my balcony one incredible night, barefoot, (temperature over 40 C during the day, and mid 20s C at night, and I'm one of those northern Europeans who suffers from icy feet most of the time), watch in hand, timing the lightning - for around an hour the lightning flashes were coming at around one per second, sometimes even more frequently. It was spell-binding. Awesome, to use that American adjective…...

I also remember the 'blue lightning' which I was privileged to see in the Balkans on a number of occasions; it was as though a sheet of electric blue light drenched the sky. Astounding.

OK...for real...nothing would give me more of a kick than having you, or any of the wonderful folks here, show up at my front door.

But be sure to call ahead, sometimes I lark about at home dishabille.




Not a pretty sight!

Duly noted. I will ensure a well-timed call ahead is placed before arriving!

Bravo.

Indeed. As will I, should the occasion and opportunity arise….

No scent of cat fur this time eh?

Guffaw. Very good….

Just a very frisky, jejune, but aristocratic overtone of coyote sweat...

That is a new one on me……but I must say that I rather like the distinction implied in this eloquent and entirely original description….

Only one cup? Pish, come back when you're serious about coffee.

Well said.

Great dialogue, by the way; the sort of exchange that makes this thread such a perennial pleasure to visit...

 

[S.B.G]

I'm home from work and the juice is back on. So that means the Gaggia is warming up for an espresso!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I'm home from work and the juice is back on. So that means the Gaggia is warming up for an espresso!

Great news! I am very happy for you and I hope that you truly manage to enjoy your (belated, but doubtless much anticipated) espresso…..

 

[Shrink]

I'm home from work and the juice is back on. So that means the Gaggia is warming up for an espresso!

This will be an especially good espresso...very celebratory!

 

[S.B.G]

Great news! I am very happy for you and I hope that you truly manage to enjoy your (belated, but doubtless much anticipated) espresso…..

This will be an especially good espresso...very celebratory!

Thank you, thank you! It will be very tasty indeed.

I've also decided to bring out the Encore grinder again. I'll use that for the course grinding for the French Press and then will use the Rancilio for espresso grinding. This way I won't have to keep changing the adjustments on the Rancilio all the time.

 

[Shrink]

Thank you, thank you! It will be very tasty indeed.

I've also decided to bring out the Encore grinder again. I'll use that for the course grinding for the French Press and then will use the Rancilio for espresso grinding. This way I won't have to keep changing the adjustments on the Rancilio all the time.

Crikey! A two grinder guy!

Makes a lot of sense...

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Crikey! A two grinder guy!

Makes a lot of sense...

Only in the weird and wonderful universe of those of us who dwell here in this thread….

 

[S.B.G]

Only in the weird and wonderful universe of those of us who dwell here in this thread….

Absolutely!

For yours, and my, enjoyment. The shot was pulled in a very good, and precise manner. Decent crema, it was even larger before the picture was snapped, and the taste is good. As always, the cup was pre-heated as well. ☕

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Absolutely!

For yours, and my, enjoyment. The shot was pulled in a very good, and precise manner. Decent crema, it was even larger before the picture was snapped, and the taste is good. As always, the cup was pre-heated as well. ☕

Bravo, very well done, and may you sip and savour…….

Lovely picture; and yes, I am impressed.

However, the most important question remains - as yet - unasked. And it is this: How did Master Puma cope with the lack of electricity, what was his response to its restoration, and how does he react to the wonderfully wafting aroma of freshly ground and made espresso?

 

[Shrink]

Bravo, very well done, and may you sip and savour…….

Lovely picture; and yes, I am impressed.

However, the most important question remains - as yet - unasked. And it is this: How did Master Puma cope with the lack of electricity, what was his response to its retention, and how does he react to the wonderfully wafting aroma of freshly ground and made espresso?

Clearly, SBG is busted. It is obvious to all who runs the household, and who is, in fact, The Master!

 

[S.B.G]

Bravo, very well done, and may you sip and savour…….

Lovely picture; and yes, I am impressed.

However, the most important question remains - as yet - unasked. And it is this: How did Master Puma cope with the lack of electricity, what was his response to its retention, and how does he react to the wonderfully wafting aroma of freshly ground and made espresso?

Clearly, Detroit Edison (DTE), our local power company, understands the vast importance of getting the electricity restored to my, no, wait, Puma's home, is. Puma, himself, really doesn't care too much for the electricity whether it's on or not. He is a survivor and can take care of himself without it. The concern that Puma has with electricity is for my comfort. Since he owns me as his pet, he wants to be sure that I am properly taken care of and have reasonable accommodations. He understands how weak and dependent we humans are on electricity and thus demands that DTE put the juice back on in a priority conducive to my needs.

Puma loves the act of creating espresso from the pouring of the beans into the hopper, to the grinding into the portafilter and extracting into the cup. He sits nearby, supervising every move to ensure it's done properly. Once I have my cup, and sit on the recliner, he hops up into my lap to be near the espresso, and me, and enjoys the company I provide him. He is currently in my lap resting while I finish my cup. ☕

Clearly, SBG is busted. It is obvious to all who runs the household, and who is, in fact, The Master!

Puma's reputation, obviously, precedes him and the denizens of this magnificent thread know, and have known for a period of considerable time, that he is the ruler of this tiny kingdom where I reside and I live to serve him as his royal subject, for as long as it pleases his royal highness!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Clearly, Detroit Edison (DTE), our local power company, understands the vast importance of getting the electricity restored to my, no, wait, Puma's home, is. Puma, himself, really doesn't care too much for the electricity whether it's on or not. He is a survivor and can take care of himself without it. The concern that Puma has with electricity is for my comfort. Since he owns me as his pet, he wants to be sure that I am properly taken care of and have reasonable accommodations. He understands how weak and dependent we humans are on electricity and thus demands that DTE put the juice back on in a priority conducive to my needs.

Puma loves the act of creating espresso from the pouring of the beans into the hopper, to the grinding into the portafilter and extracting into the cup. He sits nearby, supervising every move to ensure it's done properly. Once I have my cup, and sit on the recliner, he hops up into my lap to be near the espresso, and me, and enjoys the company I provide him. He is currently in my lap resting while I finish my cup. ☕



Puma's reputation, obviously, precedes him and the denizens of this magnificent thread know, and have known for a period of considerable time, that he is the ruler of this tiny kingdom where I reside and I live to serve him as his royal subject, for as long as it pleases his royal highness! Image

Aw, what a beautifully written post, with a wonderfully descriptive account of the important stuff in life; coffee, companionship and cats worthy of worship all conveyed superbly in eloquent prose…...

 

[Scepticalscribe]

My French press was very busy today, having been pressed into action on a number of occasions; this was because firstly, the coffee shop is closed, as my good friends who staff the place with smiles, courtesy, and friendly service - 'the boys' - are celebrating a national holiday, and secondly, my Italian friend's neat small Gaggia - his office is one of the places where I have been known to while away no small time in the afternoons - and indeed, he has my espresso cups on permanent loan in his office - decided to commit some sort of spectacular suicide yesterday, of all days……unfortunately, we are not sure whether it can be revived.

So, French press coffee it was, prepared with tender attention to detail by me…….and very welcome, it was, too….in the afternoon heat, the chocolate biscuits ran the risk of melting, and one of the affectionate but slightly feral sandy cats approached us in the hope that melting chocolate would be matched by melting hearts.

 

[Shrink]

My French press was very busy today, having been pressed into action on a number of occasions; this was because firstly, the coffee shop is closed, as my good friends who staff the place with smiles, courtesy, and friendly service - 'the boys' - are celebrating a national holiday, and secondly, my Italian friend's neat small Gaggia - his office is one of the places where I have been known to while away no small time in the afternoons - and indeed, he has my espresso cups on permanent loan in his office - decided to commit some art of spectacular suicide yesterday, of all days……unfortunately, we are not sure whether it can be revived.

So, French press coffee it was, prepared with tender attention to detail by me…….and very welcome, it was, too….in the afternoon heat, the chocolate biscuits ran the risk of melting, and one of the affectionate but slightly feral sandy cats approached us in the hope that melting chocolate would be matched by melting hearts.

A busy French press is a happy French press...and happy people!




I am ignoring the (unintentional?) semi-pun at my own risk!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

A busy French press is a happy French press...and happy people!




I am ignoring the (unintentional?) semi-pun at my own risk!

Indeed it is. I am happy to say that it is earning its keep.

I will say that the French press (and its coffee) were much appreciated today; soaring temperatures are no impediment to the enjoyment of coffee.

Meanwhile, in his office, my Italian friend was mortified to have on display on an office desk a box which contained the accoutrements for………instant coffee. He blushed, with no small embarrassment, and secreted the box away, all the while gazing gloomily at the pristine (but mortally unwell) neat little Gaggia in the corner, (which cost a pretty penny when purchased a few months ago).

And, no, the cats got nothing, but sprawled languidly in the sun, staring at us out of half-shut eyes, offering an occasional, tentative, miaow with a mildly interrogative air.

 

[BenTrovato]

Absolutely!

For yours, and my, enjoyment. The shot was pulled in a very good, and precise manner. Decent crema, it was even larger before the picture was snapped, and the taste is good. As always, the cup was pre-heated as well. ☕

That's so funny! We were just talking about the pre-heated cups and then it shows up in a story with a picture. Very nice.

 

[D.T.]

soaring temperatures are no impediment to the enjoyment of coffee.

... especially [here] in our home/office where we keep it at ~73-74º an afternoon cup is pretty nice, even in the summer

( sweatshirts are also welcome )

 

[S.B.G]

My French press was very busy today, having been pressed into action on a number of occasions; this was because firstly, the coffee shop is closed, as my good friends who staff the place with smiles, courtesy, and friendly service - 'the boys' - are celebrating a national holiday, and secondly, my Italian friend's neat small Gaggia - his office is one of the places where I have been known to while away no small time in the afternoons - and indeed, he has my espresso cups on permanent loan in his office - decided to commit some sort of spectacular suicide yesterday, of all days……unfortunately, we are not sure whether it can be revived.

So, French press coffee it was, prepared with tender attention to detail by me…….and very welcome, it was, too….in the afternoon heat, the chocolate biscuits ran the risk of melting, and one of the affectionate but slightly feral sandy cats approached us in the hope that melting chocolate would be matched by melting hearts.

Sounds like a great day for the French Press! That is still my daily go-to coffee making method and I just love it.

Those cats wouldn't be so happy if they got their paws on that chocolate and received some bad tummy aches!

That's so funny! We were just talking about the pre-heated cups and then it shows up in a story with a picture. Very nice.

I actually tweeted that picture to DTE, our local power company, thanking them for restoring my power sooner than expected so that I might enjoy my espresso again. They thanked me for the kind words and re-tweeted my tweet to over 12,000 of their followers. The little cup got around today!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Sounds like a great day for the French Press! That is still my daily go-to coffee making method and I just love it.

Those cats wouldn't be so happy if they got their paws on that chocolate and received some bad tummy aches!



I actually tweeted that picture to DTE, our local power company, thanking them for restoring my power sooner than expected so that I might enjoy my espresso again. They thanked me for the kind words and re-tweeted my tweet to over 12,000 of their followers. The little cup got around today!

Yes, the French press worked hard today, and we all enjoyed it. It is a very forgiving method of making coffee, and one I find endlessly reliable, a boon in my current environment.

Well, re the cats, I think they are happy when anyone pays them any heed; words, caresses, and food are all equally welcome (though food is most welcome). Actually, they invariably approach when I (or any of us) sit at the small shaded coffee tables outside my room, and have been known to leap, lightly, onto a lap, pause for a stroke behind the ears or under the chin, and from there launch with an effortless, lithe, disturbingly fluid grace onto the table itself, where they proceed to prowl and inspect anything resembling food.

Congrats on the tweet; great tweet and I'm delighted you received a response and such an impressively widely circulated re-tweet.