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Espresso Enthusiasts
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Scepticalscribe
macrumors Haswell
Scepticalscribe
macrumors Haswell
Lioness~
macrumors 601
Time for Ice-Espresso here. Very early, but that’s how it is here at times.
Both spring and winter is much shorter with climate change.
Unfortunately I had no frozen Espresso in the Freezer, so it had to work with some diluted normal Ice-cubes. But it didn’t taste very weak, just delicious. Guess the strong 9/10 beans I had pored in was made for this right now.
However, I made some extra Espresso to pour into portions that I put into the Freezer, for the coming warmer season. Ice-Espresso is actually very delicious in the warmer part of the year 😋
Both spring and winter is much shorter with climate change.
Unfortunately I had no frozen Espresso in the Freezer, so it had to work with some diluted normal Ice-cubes. But it didn’t taste very weak, just delicious. Guess the strong 9/10 beans I had pored in was made for this right now.
However, I made some extra Espresso to pour into portions that I put into the Freezer, for the coming warmer season. Ice-Espresso is actually very delicious in the warmer part of the year 😋
Scepticalscribe
macrumors Haswell
Airport espressos are not the equal of the sort of excellent espresso you can get in a coffee shop.
Scepticalscribe
macrumors Haswell
Alameda
macrumors 68000
There’s a George Howell in the Logan Airport international terminal.
Also, the Cathay Pacific business lounge in Hong Kong has a barista way in the back who is amazing. Check out this drink she poured me.
Scepticalscribe
macrumors Haswell
Notwithstanding the fact that I am widely travelled - and have worked in three continents - I have never been to either the US, or Hong Kong.
Nevertheless, I will note your suggestions for future reference should my travels take me in such a direction.
However, I have worked (including my most recent period abroad) in countries - such as the Balkans, and, for that matter, parts of central Europe - where there is a serious coffee culture; in such places, the coffee everywhere is excellent, which means that airport coffee - while good - tends to pale in comparison.
Alameda
macrumors 68000
W
Personally, I think the nation that wins first prize for poor coffee is not the U.S., but Switzerland, which is “Nespresso Everywhere, Good Coffee Nowhere.”
And, while Italy has excellent espresso, so far, I think the nation which has consistently excellent coffee is Iceland.
We visited Paris two years ago and went to many cafes. The poor quality coffee greatly outnumbered the good quality.
Personally, I think the nation that wins first prize for poor coffee is not the U.S., but Switzerland, which is “Nespresso Everywhere, Good Coffee Nowhere.”
And, while Italy has excellent espresso, so far, I think the nation which has consistently excellent coffee is Iceland.
decafjava
macrumors 603
Objection your honour! While true many restaurants and cafes not specialized in coffee have the Nespresso style, there are good coffee chains, Boreal, Utopia Coffee and Oh Martine! among others do serve excellent coffee!
Scepticalscribe
macrumors Haswell
The Balkans, the Balkans, the Balkans, for superb coffee, everywhere.
Other terrific coffee culture countries - to my mind - are Italy, Austria, Hungary, and yes, Turkey.
The US? No, never. Perhaps Portland, Washington State....but what goes by the name of Americano is underpowered, and Starbucks (stale, bitter, over-extracted, expensive, dross) is an insult to coffee and coffee culture.
Paris? Can be excellent, can be mediocre, can be poor.
Alameda
macrumors 68000
We definitely have many excellent cafes in the US, but the poor shops definitely outnumber the good ones.
There is bad espresso everywhere in the world, I think. For great coffee you need to poke around. If ever to to Boston, visit George Howell Coffee. You will love it.
svenmany
macrumors 68030
Lioness~
macrumors 601
I've had many absolutely awsome Espresso's in New York. The culture around espresso there was awesome too - and I totally loved/love the city ♥️
I didn’t got the same relation with LA and didn’t find any cool espresso culture there.
New York was totally up my alley, while LA was too glossy for me. Still I was there (LA) 3 times. I had some stuff that I did/ connected with people around there for a while. But no doubt, that I enjoyed going there when it was winter at home ☀️
I was in Arizona too, I liked the desert, but can’t recall much specifics about espresso’s there. But I certainly was drinking them🌵
I didn’t got the same relation with LA and didn’t find any cool espresso culture there.
New York was totally up my alley, while LA was too glossy for me. Still I was there (LA) 3 times. I had some stuff that I did/ connected with people around there for a while. But no doubt, that I enjoyed going there when it was winter at home ☀️
I was in Arizona too, I liked the desert, but can’t recall much specifics about espresso’s there. But I certainly was drinking them🌵
adrianlondon
macrumors 604
I’m in Tokyo and they seem to be taking coffee very seriously.
The latte I had ina tiny cafe called “sidewalk stand” was amazing. The beans were very expensive though.
Bought some instead from a chain called Blue Bottle, which has a good reputation. Turned out to be the same price 😁.
Their coffee was excellent too, but won’t be able to try the beans for a couple of weeks.
The latte I had ina tiny cafe called “sidewalk stand” was amazing. The beans were very expensive though.
Bought some instead from a chain called Blue Bottle, which has a good reputation. Turned out to be the same price 😁.
Their coffee was excellent too, but won’t be able to try the beans for a couple of weeks.
Macky-Mac
macrumors 601
Blue Bottle......that's a coffee chain founded in the US. It's grown into a large international operation. A few years ago controlling interest was bought by Nestle (said to be the world's largest food and drinks company)
When I first encountered coffee in Japan years ago, coffee was available as a cold drink sold in cans from a vending machine.
adrianlondon
macrumors 604
Well,I bought a blend that said it was unique to Tokyo, so at least they’re pretending to be country-specific.
They probably sell the same blend with different city names 😁
Edit: A picture is worth many words.
Last edited:
Scepticalscribe
macrumors Haswell
I don't need to visit the US to form an opinion on Starbucks (with which I am all too dismally well acquainted - horrible stuff, stale, bitter, over-extracted, over-priced) and what goes by the name of Americano coffee (which I find underwhelming, and relatively insipid).
Re the US, I'm European, and have no intention whatsoever of setting foot in, transiting, or visiting the country under current circumstances.
Macky-Mac
macrumors 601
It's entirely possible that they're set up to make unique blends for specific locations and Tokyo is certainly big enough to make it worthwhile for a company...I suspect you'll enjoy what you brew using those beans
Macky-Mac
macrumors 601
Given that Starbucks has become the 3rd largest coffee chain in the UK, you've certainly had an opportunity to try their coffee. However, they plan to open another 500 stores in the near future, which suggests that your fellow citizens don't agree with your opinion about Starbucks.....although I do.
The news from your country suggests you're going to reform, so maybe in the process all of you will go back to drinking tea.
Scepticalscribe
macrumors Haswell
That means that it is profitable, not that it is good.
My countrymen do not determine my coffee (or tea) preferences.
And I have long loathed Starbucks, and their policy of annihilating small, local, coffee shops.
Not my preference, either.
In any case, don't believe everything you read, - not least, as I am not so sure that the US media is a reliable source of information for anything - and perhaps you (as in, you plural) might be better attending to your own horror show.
For now, I am sipping a late afternoon coffee in one of my favourite coffee shops.
Macky-Mac
macrumors 601
from what I've read, although they attract a lot of customers, Starbucks in the UK isn't actually all that profitable...which in part may be due to their ongoing expansion program
what I read about your current situation is what I find in the UK media, which may not be particularly reliable either.....actually our media doesn't mention your horror story very often since its rather focused on our own
Odd you find it necessary, and appropriate, to disparage the county I am a citizen in, and feel is the best county in the world now or ever. Our unique constitution allows everyone the freedom to share their opinion though.
adrianlondon
macrumors 604
As we like going round in circles, and some opinions are as bitter as a Starbucks espresso … 😁
In some Asian countries, Starbucks cafes are beautifully designed with lovely wooden interiors and comfortable garden areas - here, in the typical Japanese style. I also go to Taipei every year or so, and it’s the same there.
If you want a comfortable seat, toilets, and a caffeinated milky drink, it hits the spot. If you want a “proper “ coffee - such as an espresso, Americano, flat white - where you can actually taste the coffee then it’s not pleasant.
It’s deliberately bitter so that it can cope with half a litre of milk (or soy, almond whatever) and still make its presence known.
As Scepticalscribe says though, the worst thing about it (and other chain stores) is their planned loss-making expansion to force independent places to go under.
In some Asian countries, Starbucks cafes are beautifully designed with lovely wooden interiors and comfortable garden areas - here, in the typical Japanese style. I also go to Taipei every year or so, and it’s the same there.
If you want a comfortable seat, toilets, and a caffeinated milky drink, it hits the spot. If you want a “proper “ coffee - such as an espresso, Americano, flat white - where you can actually taste the coffee then it’s not pleasant.
It’s deliberately bitter so that it can cope with half a litre of milk (or soy, almond whatever) and still make its presence known.
As Scepticalscribe says though, the worst thing about it (and other chain stores) is their planned loss-making expansion to force independent places to go under.
Scepticalscribe
macrumors Haswell
Events, dear boy.
Events.
Let's agree to differ.
Even before - well before - recent developments - and some relatively recent developments - to my mind, most of Europe (and parts of Asia) are far better by every possible metric (that matters and is of relevance) to me.
I'm European, and, from here, the perspective of many of us is dramatically and drastically different.
And, as for coffee, while, in my experience, much of Asia does tea exceptionally well, the coffee culture is improving, and that one can find excellent coffee - and cafés (even the dreadful Starbucks) in Japan, does not surprise me in the slightest.
Currently sipping an excellent flat white in a favourite café.