Espresso Enthusiasts

[Scepticalscribe]

Oh this smells so good! The espresso machine is warming up right now...

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Well, I can look, and lust. And long for, yearn and wait (for the arrival of our bean cargo…). And imagine what that cup of espresso will taste like. Yours and mine, both. And envy you your espresso, while wishing you hearty enjoyment of the rich bouquet, while savouring the indescribable taste of a freshly brewed espresso…..

 

[Shrink]

Oh this smells so good! The espresso machine is warming up right now...

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Of the three green bean blends that I rotate through...this is my favorite blend.

I'm just finishing up a batch of another blend, and tomorrow I will start using the (now resting) Liquid Amber Blend.

I hope you like it as much as I do...

 

[S.B.G]

Oooh, yummmmmmm! I keep missing the buying window. Ugh.

Is there a special 'roasted beans are now available' email that I've failed to notice that is separate from the regular newsletter?

Actually yes there is a window you missed. I signed up for email notification for the next, undetermined, time that they do a roast, of this particular blend. I received the email when I arrived for Thanksgiving dinner, by just pulling into the driveway. All I had on me was my iPhone and I sat there for 15 minutes on the tiny screen placing the order as soon as I could. 16 minutes after I received the email the order was placed.

The next day when I checked the website again, they were already "sold out." If you want a roast of Sweet Maria's you have to be quick and on the ball!

Well, I can look, and lust. And long for, yearn and wait (for the arrival of our bean cargo…). And imagine what that cup of espresso will taste like. Yours and mine, both. And envy you your espresso, while wishing you hearty enjoyment of the rich bouquet, while savouring the indescribable taste of a freshly brewed espresso…..

I must say that the smell of these beans/roast rivals the smell of my favorite Tim Hortons beans. This is a feat no other bean/blend/roast that I have tried has matched yet.

I sure hope you get some in soon. But I am sure after the wait, your espresso will taste that much better than ours.

Of the three green bean blends that I rotate through...this is my favorite blend.

I'm just finishing up a batch of another blend, and tomorrow I will start using the (now resting) Liquid Amber Blend.

I hope you like it as much as I do...

Well, just as with all other straight espresso, I don't like it so much. So I am par for the course. But the smell is fantastic. That's not an issue since I always make milk-based espresso drinks.

This time I made a vanilla nutmeg latte and the combination tastes great! Thanks for the recommendation!

The crema on this blend is crazy! I've never seen one produce so much before.

 

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Well, just as with all other straight espresso, I don't like it so much. So I am par for the course. But the smell is fantastic. That's not an issue since I always make milk-based espresso drinks.

This time I made a vanilla nutmeg latte and the combination tastes great! Thanks for the recommendation!

The crema on this blend is crazy! I've never seen one produce so much before.

Hey...Hey...

I so glad you like it. I know you're not a fan of straight stuff...but one of the recommendations of this blend is that it holds up so well with milk in latte or cappuccino, which are more your drinks.

Enjoy....

 

[mobilehaathi]

Actually yes there is a window you missed. I signed up for email notification for the next, undetermined, time that they do a roast, of this particular blend. I received the email when I arrived for Thanksgiving dinner, by just pulling into the driveway. All I had on me was my iPhone and I sat there for 15 minutes on the tiny screen placing the order as soon as I could. 16 minutes after I received the email the order was placed.

The next day when I checked the website again, they were already "sold out." If you want a roast of Sweet Maria's you have to be quick and on the ball!

Thanks, after poking around I finally found the notification options. Too bad I'll be out of town for most of December and probably won't be able to order until Jan.

The coffee looks lovely though......

 

[S.B.G]

I had some friends over yesterday and made espresso and lattes for them. I used the Liquid Amber blend and proudly showed off the Gaggia at work and how awesome the crema size was.

Everyone enjoyed their drinks very much. Both the coffee and machine were big hits.

 

[S.B.G]

Funny coffee video here.

This guy goes around NYC all the time, acting a fool and putting on goofy outfits in a candid camera sort of way to see what reactions he gets from people. The guy is hilarious and I subscribe to his YouTube channel.

This morning he put up a new video, 'The Coffee Experiment.'

 

[Shrink]

Funny coffee video here.

This guy goes around NYC all the time, acting a fool and putting on goofy outfits in a candid camera sort of way to see what reactions he gets from people. The guy is hilarious and I subscribe to his YouTube channel.

This morning he put up a new video, 'The Coffee Experiment.'

YouTube: video

Just an example of my incredible kindness and good nature...my reaction would have been similar to the guy who said..."I'll drop you...".

 

[S.B.G]

I did notice that the guy who made his own at home was easily willing to let him try it. But the people who bought theirs weren't so willing to let him try it.

 

[Shrink]

OK...now this is cute. Roast, grind, tamp, extract...all in one 20pound package!

It will never work...but it's cute.

Aside from the idea that you have little or no control over much of the process...not resting the beans (their claims notwithstanding) is only the beginning of the problems.


Many thanks to GoCubsGo for the link!

 

[mobilehaathi]

OK...now this is cute. Roast, grind, tamp, extract...all in one 20pound package!

It will never work...but it's cute.

Aside from the idea that you have little or no control over much of the process...not resting the beans (their claims notwithstanding) is only the beginning of the problems.


Many thanks to GoCubsGo for the link!

What is with people trying to ultra-automate everything?? Reminds me of this.

 

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What is with people trying to ultra-automate everything?? Reminds me of this.

I'd get one...but it seems you have to be able to paint to use it.

And to your question...when I tell folks that the preparation and clean up take 3-4 times longer than it takes to drink a double shot, my already questionable sanity is no longer a matter of question for them...

See the popularity of Nespresso or Keurig...pop in a cartridge, push a button, walk away and when you come back...coffee. The idea of grinding, loading the PF, tamping, and standing there while your double shot id extracted is a pain...but one some are willing to go through.

Please understand Keurig, automatic machine, Nespresso users...I'm not knocking it. If it makes coffee that you enjoy...that's all that counts. And the convenience and lack of mess endemic to grinding, etc. certainly has it's charm.

Finally, in fairness to the roast it - grind it - brew it machine...it looks as if it is meant for drip coffee production...so fine control of the grind is less crucial (not unnecessary, but less crucial than with espresso.) I still say using beans with zero post roast resting time will give you mighty tingly coffee!

 

[mobilehaathi]

I'd get one...but it seems you have to be able to paint to use it.

And to your question...when I tell folks that the preparation and clean up take 3-4 times longer than it takes to drink a double shot, my already questionable sanity is no longer a matter of question for them...

See the popularity of Nespresso or Keurig...pop in a cartridge, push a button, walk away and when you come back...coffee. The idea of grinding, loading the PF, tamping, and standing there while your double shot id extracted is a pain...but one some are willing to go through.

Please understand Keurig, automatic machine, Nespresso users...I'm not knocking it. If it makes coffee that you enjoy...that's all that counts. And the convenience and lack of mess endemic to grinding, etc. certainly has it's charm.

Finally, in fairness to the roast it - grind it - brew it machine...it looks as if it is meant for drip coffee production...so fine control of the grind is less crucial (not unnecessary, but less crucial than with espresso.) I still say using bean with zero post roast resting time will give you mighty tingly coffee!

I'd post some vaguely pretentious statement about how I love the ritual of preparation, but I might just be preaching to the choir here...

 

[twietee]

Just a quick heads-up re my new grinder: AWESOME! So utterly happy about this decision, remarkable machine.

After some early struggle with the initial setup (including an epic 'all beans from the hopper to the floor' moment - which I have to admit occurred also a second time (!) ) it works like a dream come true. Rather quiet while grinding and most importantly really clean! I have yet to spill some, not sure if it works that flawless because of the small remodelling at the spout or because I'm rather cautious (probably both). Paired with an elegant yet very solid build = highly recommended. And most importantly: I save some very precious seconds every single morning...

 

[Shrink]

Just a quick heads-up re my new grinder: AWESOME! So utterly happy about this decision, remarkable machine.

After some early struggle with the initial setup (including an epic 'all beans from the hopper to the floor' moment - which I have to admit occurred also a second time (!) ) it works like a dream come true. Rather quiet while grinding and most importantly really clean! I have yet to spill some, not sure if it works that flawless because of the small remodelling at the spout or because I'm rather cautious (probably both). Paired with an elegant yet very solid build = highly recommended. And most importantly: I save some very precious seconds every single morning...

Aahhh...join the "all beans from the hopper to the floor" club! My early experience was not all beans to the floor, but rather all grinds to the floor. Much more fun to clean up...especially when it's bone dry in the house and the grinds want to stick to EVERYTHING!

It's great to hear how pleased you are with your grinder. I know what that feels like..when I first got mine...it brought a smile to my face every time I used it.

And I know that you'll enjoy the coffee made with the perfectly ground fresh beans!

 

[twietee]

when I first got mine...it brought a smile to my face every time I used it.

So true! Really fascinating and elegant process. Next thing is a Motta tamper plus tamper station!

 

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So true! Really fascinating and elegant process. Next thing is a Motta tamper plus tamper station!

What kind of filter basket are you using in your portafilter?

If you are using a VST or a Strada...take a look at the Cafelat Royal tamper. It is 58.35MM with a 0.05MM variance. Fits those baskets perfectly...and would probably fit any good 58MM basket.

I have both the Cafelat and the Rocket tamping stations. I like the Rocket a lot, and don't use the Cafelat any more.

 

[mobilehaathi]

...

...

Huh, turns out I'm not the only one who has managed to dump their coffee all over the kitchen.

 

[S.B.G]

Hmmm dumping beans or grounds all over is a feat I have yet to accomplish!

 

[Shrink]

Hmmm dumping beans or grounds all over is a feat I have yet to accomplish!

Then you haven't earned your bones yet!

Trust me...it will happen somewhere along the line.

It's a right of passage....sort of like a coffee bar mitzvah!

 

[S.B.G]

Then you haven't earned your bones yet!

Trust me...it will happen somewhere along the line.

It's a right of passage....sort of like a coffee bar mitzvah!

Maybe I need to buy a new grinder to unlock that badge.

 

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Maybe I need to buy a new grinder to unlock that badge.

Uh oh...sounds like SBG is getting ready to make an upgrade move!

 

[S.B.G]

Uh oh...sounds like SBG is getting ready to make an upgrade move!

Yep. Just as soon as that check you promised me arrives AND clears the bank.

 

[Shrink]

Yep. Just as soon as that check you promised me arrives AND clears the bank.

It's in the mail!

It will get there faster if you stand on one leg until it arrives!

 

[twietee]

Haha, what a sympathetic club this is! Although the ground-on-floor strikes me more of a cursing moment while the beans-on-floor makes for a remarkable sound which brings out a brief but true Donald Duck feel. The second time was purely annoying though and made me question my sanity.