Espresso Enthusiasts

[Shrink]

You're not going to bump my appointment for him are you?

Never!

Your five appointments a week are safe...however there may be a fee increase...

I'm drunk with power!

BWAHAHAHAHA1

 

[mobilehaathi]

Agreed. Go into ten good coffee shops and order a "machiatto" without specifying more and you will get ten different drinks. Hell, order that drink from different baristas at the same shop and you will get different drinks.

Speaking of macchiatos, this is something I order somewhat regularly when I'm out. I expect a brilliant shot plus a whisper of foam.

Often (when I'm traveling) it's nothing even close, but I have to blame SB for this. The number of times I've been asked if I want a REAL macchiato......

Or my favorite, "You know that's just espresso with a drop of foam, right?"

To which I typically respond, "Well it is macchiato..."

But at least they ask!

 

[Kurwenal]

Speaking of macchiatos, this is something I order somewhat regularly when I'm out. I expect a brilliant shot plus a whisper of foam.

Often (when I'm traveling) it's nothing even close, but I have to blame SB for this. The number of times I've been asked if I want a REAL macchiato......

Or my favorite, "You know that's just espresso with a drop of foam, right?"

To which I typically respond, "Well it is macchiato..."

But at least they ask!

Agree 100%. Thanks to The Great Coffee Satan, many folks today think a macchiato has to come with caramel syrup. Good on them for asking, I suppose.

 

[S.B.G]

The new stainless steel Pannarello wand arrived today.

The Gaggia before:


The Gaggia after:

 

[Shrink]

The new stainless steel Pannarello wand arrived today.

The Gaggia before:
View attachment 486646

The Gaggia after:
View attachment 486647

Looks great...a definite improvement in appearance.

I'm assuming that it works well, too.

 

[mobilehaathi]

The new stainless steel Pannarello wand arrived today.

The Gaggia before:
View attachment 486646

The Gaggia after:
View attachment 486647

Have you taken it out for a spin yet?

 

[S.B.G]

Looks great...a definite improvement in appearance.

I'm assuming that it works well, too.

Have you taken it out for a spin yet?

I'll find out soon enough. I just arrived home and installed it. I'll create a polluted espresso of some sort in a little while and report back on how it does.

 

[S.B.G]

It works very well. Actually, it made an appreciable difference in the froth it makes than from the plastic one. I think the difference is the hole in the stainless steel one is actually present. The plastic one I don't think ever got molded properly. There is a spot where the air hole is supposed to be, but it doesn't go all the way through like it should.

I made a modified caffe mocha.. I used about the same amount of milk (whole milk) as I did with the plastic wand and it made way more foam than before. Now I have to re-learn my frothing skills again.

 

[Shrink]

It works very well. Actually, it made an appreciable difference in the froth it makes than from the plastic one. I think the difference is the hole in the stainless steel one is actually present. The plastic one I don't think ever got molded properly. There is a spot where the air hole is supposed to be, but it doesn't go all the way through like it should.

I made a modified caffe mocha.. I used about the same amount of milk (whole milk) as I did with the plastic wand and it made way more foam than before. Now I have to re-learn my frothing skills again.

View attachment 486657

Great stuff.

Not only looks great ...works great!

A definite winner!

Enjoy!

 

[mobilehaathi]

It works very well. Actually, it made an appreciable difference in the froth it makes than from the plastic one. I think the difference is the hole in the stainless steel one is actually present. The plastic one I don't think ever got molded properly. There is a spot where the air hole is supposed to be, but it doesn't go all the way through like it should.

I made a modified caffe mocha.. I used about the same amount of milk (whole milk) as I did with the plastic wand and it made way more foam than before. Now I have to re-learn my frothing skills again.

View attachment 486657

Mmmmm, I'm thirsty.

 

[Kurwenal]

I made a modified caffe mocha..

Outstanding. Looks like a nice upgrade.

 

[Kurwenal]

Enjoyable article.

A Quest For The World’s Best Restaurant Coffee At Noma

I noticed the Mazzer + GS/3 in one of the photos.....but that's not so much what the article is about.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I should make up an Immanuel Kant sock puppet and show up in those "crappy coffee is good coffee because it's easy" threads.....








(Just kidding SG.)

That sounds like an extremely good idea; perhaps as a mascot for the denizens of this thread?

…….
Shrink what would you call an espresso with just steamed milk 1:1 ?

I spoke today w my grandma 87 and she said Cafe Au Lait, found this art graph that is more expanded and has "sources", …….

Well, one of the rules set in stone of family is that "Granny Is Always Right" (even when she is wrong).

However, personally, I would have thought that the drink you described, with that particular ratio of milk was more macchiato than cappuccino, (where the ratios, and how the milk is prepared may differ….)

Agreed. Go into ten good coffee shops and order a "machiatto" without specifying more and you will get ten different drinks. Hell, order that drink from different baristas at the same shop and you will get different drinks.

It's even worse with a ristretto. I (personally) believe the proper way to make a ristretto is to adjust only the grinder, nothing else. But if you go into some very good coffee shops, you will find them adjusting the timing, dosing and various other things.

Drinker beware. Know what you like and ask for it. Or live dangerously and drink what you get.


----------



Heated and steamed milk are very different things. Steamed is a subset of heated. You can heat milk in a microwave and various other ways. But, to produce steamed milk, as that term is used in connection with white coffees, you must use a steam wand.

And, not to be confused with frothed milk, which takes the steaming process and adds very tiny air bubbles to which the milk proteins adhere, and which is* the key difference between a latte and a cappuccino.

*perhaps I should instead say "should be" as many, perhaps most, coffee shops get this wrong.

Kurwenal, I love it when you go on a coffee inspired, and doubtless caffeine fuelled rant. I love the attention to detail, the integrity of the motivation, the sheer sustained emotion…….always well worth reading: And I usually learn a lot, too!

Ah yes... they all do it wrong around here. It's such a pleasure and a treat to have a coffee in Italy. No matter where you go, they do all the little things with care and detail - fast! From start to finish including giving you the mineral water on the side is under a minute and then they are back to socializing. Here it takes 5 minutes to get a coffee. It's been a few years now that unless I know for certain they are going to make it properly, I'll likely just order a bold roast, touch of cream and take a few sips.

And I definitely will not be getting crumbs on the MBA!

Agreed. Another paean to coffee and espresso as served in Italy, and may I join you in stressing just How Good It Really Is - the serving of coffee as an art form, done with grace and elegance….. (Note to self: Cease, desist and stop right now, or you run the risk of bursting into floods of tears……And no, striving to pass laws which may serve to compel parts of Northern Europe and the United States to Learn to Prepare and Serve really Good Coffee Does Not Necessarily Rank As Sound Public Policy Or A Desirable Goal Of International Relations... )

Speaking of macchiatos, this is something I order somewhat regularly when I'm out. I expect a brilliant shot plus a whisper of foam.

Often (when I'm traveling) it's nothing even close, but I have to blame SB for this. The number of times I've been asked if I want a REAL macchiato......

Or my favorite, "You know that's just espresso with a drop of foam, right?"

To which I typically respond, "Well it is macchiato..."

But at least they ask!

Well, I must admit that I rather like macchiato; back in the cooler climes of Northern Europe, you quickly see why dairy products are so highly regarded.

Indeed, just this very morning (as I am suffering from a really bad chest cold), I felt the need for soothing milky goodness in my coffee, and so, along with the pot of coffee (served in a silver pot) I requested hot milk, which was duly served up. 'Pollution' be damned, she sez; this was delicious……..

 

[Kurwenal]

Indeed, just this very morning (as I am suffering from a really bad chest cold), I felt the need for soothing milky goodness in my coffee, and so, along with the pot of coffee (served in a silver pot) I requested hot milk, which was duly served up. 'Pollution' be damned, she sez; this was delicious……..[/SIZE]

Best wishes for an expeditious recovery.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Best wishes for an expeditious recovery.

Thank you.

Mind you, I am not sure (given the strong views expressed here, in this very thread, and the stronger coffee willingly consumed) whether the recovery wished is to my chest or my (possibly) addled brain and deranged taste buds…..

I think my cold is a reaction to the fact I have been living on adrenalin for over two years, and when that ends, and one pauses for breath, and a little perspective, to take stock, one crashes. Completely. Actually, I now realise that I am really very tired, but am thoroughly enjoying London.

Yesterday, I spent almost seven hours in the Aldwych theatre, watching the RSC adaptations of Hilary Mantel's superb novels, 'Wolf Hall' and 'Bring Up The Bodies'; this was theatre of spellbinding brilliance, superb, rollicking, clever, sharp, insightful, brilliantly acted by a cast who are utterly at home in and with this material, inhabiting it almost effortlessly.

When the plays opened first, in Stratford, in January, they were sold out within days; marooned in central Asia, I had to wait until they transferred to London, and had bought the tickets since May, when that happened; yesterday, I brought two very close British friends as my guests, and it was a brilliant day…...

 

[Scepticalscribe]

The new stainless steel Pannarello wand arrived today.

The Gaggia before:
View attachment 486646

The Gaggia after:
View attachment 486647

SBG: My abject apologies.

I head off for a few hours, (or a day), yes, on a much needed and long overdue break, (theatre, coffee, and a few beers), but that is no excuse. No excuse at all, for my neglecting to 1) notice, or 2) remark on your lovely new purchase. May you derive enormous enjoyment from it…...

Indeed, anytime I wander off for a short while, on dropping in, I find on my return that this thread has grown by Whole Pages of incredible coffee gossip, information, observations, rants and gentle teasing…….

 

[S.B.G]

SBG: My abject apologies.

I head off for a few hours, (or a day), yes, on a much needed and long overdue break, (theatre, coffee, and a few beers), but that is no excuse. No excuse at all, for my neglecting to 1) notice, or 2) remark on your lovely new purchase. May you derive enormous enjoyment from it…...

Indeed, anytime I wander off for a short while, on dropping in, I find on my return that this thread has grown by Whole Pages of incredible coffee gossip, information, observations, rants and gentle teasing…….

No need for apologies! But thanks for the nice words on the new wand.

Even if I stay away for a few hours during the day, this thread can go hog wild and I will have plenty of catching up to do!

 

[mobilehaathi]

That sounds like an extremely good idea; perhaps as a mascot for the denizens of this thread?



Well, one of the rules set in stone of family is that "Granny Is Always Right" (even when she is wrong).

However, personally, I would have thought that the drink you described, with that particular ratio of milk was more macchiato than cappuccino, (where the ratios, and how the milk is prepared may differ….)



Kurwenal, I love it when you go on a coffee inspired, and doubtless caffeine fuelled rant. I love the attention to detail, the integrity of the motivation, the sheer sustained emotion…….always well worth reading: And I usually learn a lot, too!



Agreed. Another paean to coffee and espresso as served in Italy, and may I join you in stressing just How Good It Really Is - the serving of coffee as an art form, done with grace and elegance….. (Note to self: Cease, desist and stop right now, or you run the risk of bursting into floods of tears……And no, striving to pass laws which may serve to compel parts of Northern Europe and the United States to Learn to Prepare and Serve really Good Coffee Does Not Necessarily Rank As Sound Public Policy Or A Desirable Goal Of International Relations... )



Well, I must admit that I rather like macchiato; back in the cooler climes of Northern Europe, you quickly see why dairy products are so highly regarded.

Indeed, just this very morning (as I am suffering from a really bad chest cold), I felt the need for soothing milky goodness in my coffee, and so, along with the pot of coffee (served in a silver pot) I requested hot milk, which was duly served up. 'Pollution' be damned, she sez; this was delicious……..

Sorry to hear you're still under the weather. I recommend ginger tea with a hint of honey and lemon.

 

[Carlanga]

...
Heated and steamed milk are very different things. Steamed is a subset of heated. You can heat milk in a microwave and various other ways. But, to produce steamed milk, as that term is used in connection with white coffees, you must use a steam wand.

And, not to be confused with frothed milk, which takes the steaming process and adds very tiny air bubbles to which the milk proteins adhere, and which is* the key difference between a latte and a cappuccino.

*perhaps I should instead say "should be" as many, perhaps most, coffee shops get this wrong.

Thanks, yes I knew this much about the milk stages in my current newbie stage, I guess my sentencing might be hard to understand on there, I meant as my grandma taught me for Cafe Au Lait: Dark coffee w/ heated milk at home and/or at cafes is done with espresso and steamed milk. My guess in the old days not many people had espresso machines at home or were expensive and cafes had espresso machines so that is how you got the coffee w milk served in the mediterranean.

----------

The new stainless steel Pannarello wand arrived today.

The Gaggia before:
View attachment 486646

The Gaggia after:
View attachment 486647

dang looks nice and the end result of the milk looks very tasty. Might have to search for a replacement for mine as well seeing as the hole is kind of meh in the plastic one in mine as well. I knew it was a bad idea coming into this thread….

----------

snipped

A machiatto umm interesting. I guess you can never go wrong saying coffee things in Italian instead of French as its the more international language for coffee style, thanks! And yeah, grandmas are hard to beat in our minds, but I know coffee like anything else that uses words to describe things they change w/ time.

 

[S.B.G]

dang looks nice and the end result of the milk looks very tasty. Might have to search for a replacement for mine as well seeing as the hole is kind of meh in the plastic one in mine as well.

Yeah, now that I have this new one, knowing the difference it makes, I think you, and anyone, who has a plastic one must needs purchase the stainless steel one!

I knew it was a bad idea coming into this thread….

We will find ways to spend all of your money. See comment above for an ensample.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Sorry to hear you're still under the weather. I recommend ginger tea with a hint of honey and lemon.

Well, my good friend Mr Shrink, among others has discussed this with me; in essence, I am no longer running on adrenalin, and therefore, have (inevitably, and not unexpectedly) completely crashed. I'm surprised at how utterly tired I am; other than that, (and coughing resonantly, and sneezing, and feeling the chill of northern Europe), I am fine, visiting shops, pubs, theatres, museums……..cafés and bookshops up next….

Yeah, now that I have this new one, knowing the difference it makes, I think you, and anyone, who has a plastic one must needs purchase the stainless steel on!



We will find ways to spend all of your money. See comment above for an ensample.

Oh, yes. We will indeed find ways to spend your money…….very inventive, creative and……..and……..indubitably…….rather expensive…….

On topic, I had another pot (silver) of coffee, accompanied by another of warmed milk the morning; delicious and desired…...

 

[Shrink]

dang looks nice and the end result of the milk looks very tasty. Might have to search for a replacement for mine as well seeing as the hole is kind of meh in the plastic one in mine as well. I knew it was a bad idea coming into this thread….

We will find ways to spend all of your money. See comment above for an ensample.

Oh, yes. We will indeed find ways to spend your money…….very inventive, creative and……..and……..indubitably…….rather expensive…….

Aah...you caught on quickly that this wonderful thread, full of wonderful information, is not so wonderful on your bank account.

Those other people here are so profligate and equipment crazy they will encourage you to spend a fortune! I, on the other hand, am frugal and spend only on essentials...so my advice, when proffered, will be best followed as I will never suggest expensive stuff. My modest little espresso set up is an example of my chary ways.

Trust me on this!

Really...

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Aah...you caught on quickly that this wonderful thread, full of wonderful information, is not so wonderful on your bank account.

Those other people here are so profligate and equipment crazy they will encourage you to spend a fortune! I, on the other hand, am frugal and spend only on essentials...so my advice, when proffered, will be best followed as I will never suggest expensive stuff. My modest little espresso set up is an example of my chary ways.

Trust me on this!

Really...

An excellent example of the masterly understatement for which this thread is justly quite infamous, nay, mayhap, notorious.

 

[S.B.G]

Here's another latee art tip from Whole Latte Love.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Well, my good friend Mr Shrink, among others has discussed this with me; in essence, I am no longer running on adrenalin, and therefore, have (inevitably, and not unexpectedly) completely crashed. I'm surprised at how utterly tired I am; other than that, (and coughing resonantly, and sneezing, and feeling the chill of northern Europe), I am fine, visiting shops, pubs, theatres, museums……..cafés and bookshops up next….

Well, the ginger tea would still be lovely.