Espresso Enthusiasts

[Scepticalscribe]

Which model? La Pavoni's are known to be difficult steamers...small boiler, the steam arm is oddly positioned and the stock tip is horrible. Obviously, whatever technique you had learned on your prior machine is not working on your new machine. Go back to basics and start the learning over.....very cold milk, start with skim, focus intently on the position of the steam tip, and on your machine probably start with a very small amount of milk, ie don't hit it with 10 oz of milk in a 20 oz pitcher.

If you post a picture of your foam, I can probably offer more helpful suggestions. I very rarely make a white coffee, but I have a La Pavoni (the "Professional") and may be able to offer some suggestions.
[doublepost=1476541262][/doublepost]Double ristretto. Hot. Liquid Amber.
[doublepost=1476541333][/doublepost]

Just good natured teasing, Master. If you like it, drink it and be proud, and post about it.





I can't believe I just wrote "be proud" about stale, poorly made coffee.....

A few years ago, my eye alighted upon the La Pavoni (manual) machines; I loved the look of those manual machines, that insanely gorgeous Italian design.

Our Mentor (the inestimable @Shrink) sensibly suggested that - while indisputably gorgeous - these machines required much puffing and pulling and the sort of wheezing panting that hard manual labour gives rise to, in order to acquire even a small degree of proficiency in operating this exquisitely designed horror.

I was suitably persuaded not to even contemplate one. (And my eye has roamed elsewhere...)

However, I am not at all surprised that our other Resident Expert on all matters espresso related, the Venerable Sage @Kurwenal, has had one and can offer sensible and informed advice on this topic.

 

[S.B.G]

I've heard it said that simplicity is the hallmark of genius. Well so I don't have to use labels I put specific blends of coffee in colored Friis coffee vaults. Red is for "French Roast", black is for "Diesel Dark Roast" and silver is for other various blends and today it will be receiving "Ethiopia Chire" beans. All blends pictured are from the Atomic Coffee Roasters.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I've heard it said that simplicity is the hallmark of genius. Well so I don't have to use labels I put specific blends of coffee in colored Friis coffee vaults. Red is for "French Roast", black is for "Diesel Dark Roast" and silver is for other various blends and today it will be receiving "Ethiopia Chire" beans. All blends pictured are from the Atomic Coffee Roasters.

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Sounds as though it is an excellent idea; very attractive containers, and I like the idea of colour coding the contents.

As long as the system works perfectly well for you, - and you know what can be found where - this is fine.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Had a nice black coffee at the hairdressers this morning. Made a change from all my usual
Tea, PG Tips, Hot (unless I doze off then it's like warm).
I suspect it was percolated rather than anything you guys would call real coffee.
But as they had just opened it was lovely and fresh (well to my unsophisticated pallett).

 

[S.B.G]

When new coffee beans arrive it's like Christmas to me!

Everyone's hobby is different. Some like to ride dirt bikes, others crochet but one of my favorite hobbies is the relentless quest for the perfect cup of coffee. ☕️ This is the first pull of the French Roast by the Atomic Coffee Roasters and it was magnificent! My confidence in them has been restored.

 

[Shrink]

I've heard it said that simplicity is the hallmark of genius.

...and modesty, too.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Had a nice black coffee at the hairdressers this morning. Made a change from all my usual
Tea, PG Tips, Hot (unless I doze off then it's like warm).
I suspect it was percolated rather than anything you guys would call real coffee.
But as they had just opened it was lovely and fresh (well to my unsophisticated pallett).

Prepared properly, percolated coffee was the first introduction to 'real' coffee that many of us had. Certainly, for me, as a kid, it was about as good as it got - coffee wise - for a long time.

When new coffee beans arrive it's like Christmas to me!
View attachment 665722

Everyone's hobby is different. Some like to ride dirt bikes, others crochet but one of my favorite hobbies is the relentless quest for the perfect cup of coffee. ☕️ This is the first pull of the French Roast by the Atomic Coffee Roasters and it was magnificent! My confidence in them has been restored.
View attachment 665723

Ah, I am more than delighted to hear that.

...and modesty, too.

Hm. Candidly, I am unable to adjudicate with any degree of credible conviction on either genius or modesty.......

 

[Shrink]

Hm. Candidly, I am unable to adjudicate with any degree of credible conviction on either genius or modesty.......

Ah, yes.

But when "genius" is self proclaimed...well...

 

[tadad1]

Everyone's hobby is different. Some like to ride dirt bikes, others crochet but one of my favorite hobbies is the relentless quest for the perfect cup of coffee. ☕️
View attachment 665723

I whole heartedly concur. I take great delight in the entire ritual of coffee making and revel in the resulting titillation of all my senses.

A fresh start today, the alchemy of the roast. It truly is the transmutation of lead to gold.

 

[S.B.G]

Alrighty then. I may not be able to sleep tonight due to too much coffee consumption! Good thing it's not a work day tomorrow.

When I opened the bag of the Ethiopian Chire beans to put them into the Friis vault the smell was absolutely wonderful. A light and sweet aromatic scent filled my nostrils and the area around me which brought a big smile to my face.

Below is my first pour over action with these beans and I think it turned out fairly good. I was able to get 350 grams in 4 minutes which from the videos and other sites I have been looking at for this method seems to indicate I am in the right zone I think. But I'm always open to suggestions of course.

I used 20 grams of beans and with grinder retention ended up with about 19.3 grams used. The taste is quite good; it's very smooth, sweet, not bitter and not acidic which is all in my wheelhouse for coffee.

I do believe this is my first experience with Ethiopian beans and it is a good one I must say.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

"Very smooth, and sweet" - yes, these are two of the features of Ethiopian coffees that I like, as well, (along with the 'not bitter or acidic').

Another aspect that I also tend to notice is the 'clean, bright' taste, the opposite of those 'muddy' and yes, 'tannic' notes that so many other (inferior) coffees occasionally have.

Anyway, I am delighted that you have enjoyed your first exposure to Ethiopian coffee. As you know, it is - or rather, in recent years, has become - a firm favourite of mine.

Feel free to tweak; indeed, feel free to blend and experiment.

 

[S.B.G]

"Very smooth, and sweet" - yes, these are two of the features of Ethiopian coffees that I like, as well, (along with the 'not bitter or acidic').

Another aspect that I also tend to notice is the 'clean, bright' taste, the opposite of those 'muddy' and yes, 'tannic' notes that so many other (inferior) coffees occasionally have.

Anyway, I am delighted that you have enjoyed your first exposure to Ethiopian coffee. As you know, it is - or rather, in recent years, has become - a firm favourite of mine.

Feel free to tweak; indeed, feel free to blend and experiment.

"Clean and bright" are words I can use to describe this coffee as well. I've now finished the mug, the Le Creuset mug, of coffee and it was good all the way through.

It is interesting though, for me, that when it comes to Press and now Pour Over coffee I actually prefer the lighter roasts, but when it comes to espresso I prefer the much darker roasts. It seems that each distinct style of preparation combined with the methods of roasting brings out the best and most unique flavors of the coffee depending on the extraction process used.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

"Clean and bright" are words I can use to describe this coffee as well. I've now finished the mug, the Le Creuset mug, of coffee and it was good all the way through.

It is interesting though, for me, that when it comes to Press and now Pour Over coffee I actually prefer the lighter roasts, but when it comes to espresso I prefer the much darker roasts. It seems that each distinct style of preparation combined with the methods of roasting brings out the best and most unique flavors of the coffee depending on the extraction process used.

Actually, I'd be pretty much in agreement with you.

For French Press, and pour over (Hario, and Kallita dripper) methods, I do think that a lighter roast works better.

But yes, for an espresso, my Ethiopians, much adored though they are (by me), don't really cut it, on this, I find myself in complete agreement with you.

 

[JamesMike]

I've heard it said that simplicity is the hallmark of genius. Well so I don't have to use labels I put specific blends of coffee in colored Friis coffee vaults. Red is for "French Roast", black is for "Diesel Dark Roast" and silver is for other various blends and today it will be receiving "Ethiopia Chire" beans. All blends pictured are from the Atomic Coffee Roasters.

View attachment 665700

A good idea, will have to look into them when I get home.

 

[Alexander.Of.Oz]

Just heading off to the local cafè for our morning fix on this drizzly, overcast Sunday morning down under. I can hear and feel the comfy lounges calling me to while away the hours there, with coffee in one hand and a weekend paper in the other.

 

[Shrink]

Just heading off to the local cafè for our morning fix on this drizzly, overcast Sunday morning down under. I can hear and feel the comfy lounges calling me to while away the hours there, with coffee in one hand and a weekend paper in the other.

Sounds like an enjoyable Sunday morning.

We're not quite yet there here in the States. It's just about Saturday bedtime for me. But then a quiet Sunday morning, with a wonderful cup of coffee, soon awaits.

Enjoy your morning...

 

[Alexander.Of.Oz]

Sounds like an enjoyable Sunday morning.

We're not quite yet there here in the States. It's just about Saturday bedtime for me. But then a quiet Sunday morning, with a wonderful cup of coffee, soon awaits.

Enjoy your morning...

And enjoyed it was, thank you kind Sir! Followed by an afternoon of playing Dungeons & Dragons!

 

[Apple fanboy]

And enjoyed it was, thank you kind Sir! Followed by an afternoon of playing Dungeons & Dragons!

Dungeons and Dragons? Haven't played in about 30 years. Didn't realise that was still a thing.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I knew people whose lives revolved around Dungeons and Dragons, some of my male student friends did little else at one stage of their lives......but yes, the time line of the 1980s - thirty years ago - sounds about right.

Meanwhile, Decent Brother and I and preparing Sunday Brunch: This will feature proper butcher's sausages and smoked back bacon rasher,s and smoked streaky bacon rashers. Organic eggs, and tomatoes, too.

Real coffee, and freshly squeezed juice. French bread and jam.

 

[Shrink]

I knew people whose lives revolved around Dungeons and Dragons, some of my male student friends did little else at one stage of their lives......but yes, the time line of the 1980s - thirty years ago - sounds about right.

Meanwhile, Decent Brother and I and preparing Sunday Brunch: This will feature proper butcher's sausages and smoked back bacon rasher,s and smoked streaky bacon rashers. Organic eggs, and tomatoes, too.

Real coffee, and freshly squeezed juice. French bread and jam.

What other kind is there?

Oh, wait...forget I asked that. Don't even mention the ...other kind.

 

[AVBeatMan]

Another lovely drink of Crosby Coffee's Trio blend. Only bought it on Thursday and it's nearly gone! Might last until Wednesday as I'm away this afternoon for the start of the working week.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

What other kind is there?

Oh, wait...forget I asked that. Don't even mention the ...other kind.

Hm.

This afternoon, while we were all sipping our 'real' coffee, (that is, Decent Brother, the substitute carer, and myself) and discussing the pleasant effects of 'real' coffee, Decent Brother reminded the substitute carer of a jar of 'the other kind' - jerking a thumb towards where it was tucked away, well hidden - that he had bought (or so, he claimed, for her) while I was away, and tried to get her to admit that she was liked it, or, at the very least, that she was just ever so slightly grateful that this purchase had been made.

Her indignant expression (because she really likes good coffee) was very funny to behold.

 

[Kurwenal]

We're not quite yet there here in the States. It's just about Saturday bedtime for me. But then a quiet Sunday morning, with a wonderful cup of coffee, soon awaits.

Enjoy your morning...

Early in the morning here, sitting out on the porch watching the rain move in, across the water. The air is an impossible to believe mix of the smells of the ocean and clean, fresh rain and the frangipani tree sitting off the end of the porch. Petrichor.......and, Faure's Requiem and a full press pot of Sweet Maria's Ethiopiques blend.

An enriching, empowering, quiet moment to remember.....many things.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Early in the morning here, sitting out on the porch watching the rain move in, across the water. The air is an impossible to believe mix of the smells of the ocean and clean, fresh rain and the frangipani tree sitting off the end of the porch. Petrichor.......and, Faure's Requiem and a full press pot of Sweet Maria's Ethiopiques blend.

An enriching, empowering, quiet moment to remember.....many things.

Beautiful post.

Sublime scents, excellent coffee (Ethiopian, no less) and Fauré's Requiem.......a scene close to perfection. Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

[Shrink]

An enriching, empowering, quiet moment to remember.....many things.

...yes...