Espresso Enthusiasts

[mobilehaathi]

Well I had the opportunity to use a friend's moka pot for a few days. Delicious!

What a beautiful, slightly viscous liquor that came out of that simple contraption...

I have half a mind to buy one for myself.

 

[Shrink]

Well I had the opportunity to use a friend's moka pot for a few days. Delicious!

What a beautiful, slightly viscous liquor that came out of that simple contraption...

I have half a mind to buy one for myself.

Here's the link...just trying to be helpful.

Now, about that half a mind thing...

 

[mobilehaathi]

Here's the link...just trying to be helpful.

Now, about that half a mind thing...

Always eager to be helpful aren't you?

 

[Shrink]

Always eager to be helpful aren't you?

I live to serve...

 

[mobilehaathi]

I live to serve exquisite espresso...

I think you hit submit too early!

 

[Shrink]

I think you hit submit too early!

I lay out the straight lines...you do the snappers!

A straight man to the end...

 

[Kurwenal]

I love Mrs. Kurwenal. I love coffee (but not as much as I love my wife). My wife does not drink and knows very little about coffee. She does not know the difference between an espresso and a knock box. She could not pick a cappuccino out of a police lineup. She finds this obsession amusing, sometimes even funny.

Timing a shot induces many eye rolls from her and comments along the lines of "did you forget you are over 40?"

Each year, in addition to regular Christmas Day gifts, one week before the 25th, we exchange one gift, and we exchange another gift one week after the 25th, to extend the season.

My wife knows how I feel about Starbucks ("over roasted crappy push button coffee"), but did I mention that she also has a wicked sense of humor, tending towards ironic and sarcastic? Did I mention how much she makes fun of me when I make fun of Starbucks? ("The only difference I see is they don't sniff their drink.")

Whatever in the world am I going to do with this?

 

[Shrink]

I love Mrs. Kurwenal. I love coffee (but not as much as I love my wife). My wife does not drink and knows very little about coffee. She does not know the difference between an espresso and a knock box. She could not pick a cappuccino out of a police lineup. She finds this obsession amusing, sometimes even funny.

Timing a shot induces many eye rolls from her and comments along the lines of "did you forget you are over 40?"

Each year, in addition to regular Christmas Day gifts, one week before the 25th, we exchange one gift, and we exchange another gift one week after the 25th, to extend the season.

My wife knows how I feel about Starbucks ("over roasted crappy push button coffee"), but did I mention that she also has a wicked sense of humor, tending towards ironic and sarcastic? Did I mention how much she makes fun of me when I make fun of Starbucks? ("The only difference I see is they don't sniff their drink.")

Whatever in the world am I going to do with this?

Image

HAHAHA!

You're wife is clearly a gem! She is, of course, correct that standing in front of a coffee machine and timing the coffee dribbling out is ridiculous in the extreme. Just don't tell me you actually use a timer or stopwatch! Even I can't bring myself to do that...I just count 1000 and 1...100 and 2...etc. Now that's perfectly normal, unlike the stop watch users!

The gift is a riot...too bad it's not likely to be used.

Say Hi to Mrs. Kurwenal and tell here she has a fan in Mass!

 

[mobilehaathi]

I love Mrs. Kurwenal. I love coffee (but not as much as I love my wife). My wife does not drink and knows very little about coffee. She does not know the difference between an espresso and a knock box. She could not pick a cappuccino out of a police lineup. She finds this obsession amusing, sometimes even funny.

Timing a shot induces many eye rolls from her and comments along the lines of "did you forget you are over 40?"

Each year, in addition to regular Christmas Day gifts, one week before the 25th, we exchange one gift, and we exchange another gift one week after the 25th, to extend the season.

My wife knows how I feel about Starbucks ("over roasted crappy push button coffee"), but did I mention that she also has a wicked sense of humor, tending towards ironic and sarcastic? Did I mention how much she makes fun of me when I make fun of Starbucks? ("The only difference I see is they don't sniff their drink.")

Whatever in the world am I going to do with this?

Image

Now that's a woman with a sense of humor!

 

[GoCubsGo]

I love Mrs. Kurwenal. I love coffee (but not as much as I love my wife). My wife does not drink and knows very little about coffee. She does not know the difference between an espresso and a knock box. She could not pick a cappuccino out of a police lineup. She finds this obsession amusing, sometimes even funny.

Timing a shot induces many eye rolls from her and comments along the lines of "did you forget you are over 40?"

Each year, in addition to regular Christmas Day gifts, one week before the 25th, we exchange one gift, and we exchange another gift one week after the 25th, to extend the season.

My wife knows how I feel about Starbucks ("over roasted crappy push button coffee"), but did I mention that she also has a wicked sense of humor, tending towards ironic and sarcastic? Did I mention how much she makes fun of me when I make fun of Starbucks? ("The only difference I see is they don't sniff their drink.")

Whatever in the world am I going to do with this?

Image

She's hilarious! I think the post-it note really tops it all.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well I had the opportunity to use a friend's moka pot for a few days. Delicious!

What a beautiful, slightly viscous liquor that came out of that simple contraption...

I have half a mind to buy one for myself.

Well, those who dwell here know that I am rather attached to my ancient, rather battered, much loved, and oft-used Bialetti moka pot;

It was a gift, over two decades ago, from my godmother (who had been my mum's best friend at school; now, I hear you all say, that is a godmother - the sort of godmother who does not think to proffer silly, trite trivia as gifts, but instead produces a proper Bialetti moka pot which she had brought back from a holiday to Italy nearly three decades ago). Anyway, I love using it. I love the soothing precision of the preparation, the soporific wait for the strangled gurgle as the pot heats on the stove, setting out lovely little espresso cups,.......and savouring the end result.

So, yes, my advice would be to buy one for yourself; you'll love it. Better still, try to persuade (hm,perhaps we are straying towards the dark arts) someone who loves you (a someone, indeed, whom you also love) to get you one as a present.....and then, whenever you use it, the pot will beam happily at you, evoking pleasant memories......

Here's the link...just trying to be helpful.

Now, about that half a mind thing...

Ah, yes, but isn't it just beautiful? I sometimes simper stupidly at mine; it cuts such a dash on the top of the stove.....

I love Mrs. Kurwenal. I love coffee (but not as much as I love my wife). My wife does not drink and knows very little about coffee. She does not know the difference between an espresso and a knock box. She could not pick a cappuccino out of a police lineup. She finds this obsession amusing, sometimes even funny.

Timing a shot induces many eye rolls from her and comments along the lines of "did you forget you are over 40?"

Each year, in addition to regular Christmas Day gifts, one week before the 25th, we exchange one gift, and we exchange another gift one week after the 25th, to extend the season.

My wife knows how I feel about Starbucks ("over roasted crappy push button coffee"), but did I mention that she also has a wicked sense of humor, tending towards ironic and sarcastic? Did I mention how much she makes fun of me when I make fun of Starbucks? ("The only difference I see is they don't sniff their drink.")

Whatever in the world am I going to do with this?

Image

Brilliant. Just brilliant. Sheer unadulterated class.......and you, sir, you have an absolute gem of a spouse.

 

[Kurwenal]

Ha ha, thank you.

I suggested we could re-gift the card to my wife's father, who visits SB daily with a group of friends (really, every day....think about that for a moment and then cringe). Apparently, that was not the expected response and I may be sleeping in the guest room until after Santa has come and gone. So, I actually think I will end up owning this thing. Darkness at the break of noon, Shadows even the silver spoon, The handmade blade.

It seems I am destined (fated? cursed?) to try pretty much every thing you can place, put, pour, tamp, press, wedge, chock, force and fill coffee grounds into. Y'all have me convinced. So which Bialetti should I buy? How much coffee does the 3-cup actually make?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Ha ha, thank you.

I suggested we could re-gift the card to my wife's father, who visits SB daily with a group of friends (really, every day....think about that for a moment and then cringe). Apparently, that was not the expected response and I may be sleeping in the guest room until after Santa has come and gone. So, I actually think I will end up owning this thing. Darkness at the break of noon, Shadows even the silver spoon, The handmade blade.

It seems I am destined (fated? cursed?) to try pretty much every thing you can place, put, pour, tamp, press, wedge, chock, force and fill coffee grounds into. Y'all have me convinced. So which Bialetti should I buy? How much coffee does the 3-cup actually make?

It really comes down to how much espresso you may wish to drink in one - slow - sitting....

Mine is a six cup espresso pot. I'll concede - albeit reluctantly - that somewhere between (small, exquisite, elegant, Italian, espresso) cup no 4 and no 5 I find I have had my fill of espresso, (for that hour) but, nevertheless, I always manage to finish the contents of the pot.

(Now, that is dedication. And caffeine addiction, for you).

The pot will make what it says on the label; so, a three cup pot, will make three small (espresso sized) cups of espresso; a six cup pot (such as mine) will make six; and there is a monster, made by Bialetti, a sort of dinosaur sized espresso pot, one which even I am not sufficiently deranged to acquire for myself (as none at home share my coffee preferences for this is an obsession that is all my own.....) which claims it makes nine espresso sized cups of espresso.

Buy what amount will give you the most enjoyment; at least a three cup pot, would be my recommendation.......

Today, in fact, today, I found myself lusting after and mulling over a stunning Le Creuset (the French cast iron cookware company) French press for coffee; I was torn between the magnificent 'volcanic orange' or the soothing cream colour, and I hefted both, unable to control my salivation......

It is not as though I do not already have more than enough coffee pots. I tell myself that these are works of art (they are, they are); I also tell myself that I have quite enough coffee post. (I have , I have). This is a most cruel dilemma.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Today, in fact, today, I found myself lusting after and mulling over a stunning Le Creuset (the French cast iron cookware company) French press for coffee; I was torn between the magnificent 'volcanic orange' or the soothing cream colour, and I hefted both, unable to control my salivation......

Do they make the press in cassis? I'm very weak around their cassis colored items, alas the pocket book usually has the (rather harsh) last word.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Do they make the press in cassis? I'm very weak around their cassis colored items, alas the pocket book usually has the (rather harsh) last word.

Um, yes, they do. In fact, my eyes beheld one this very day, alongside the volcanic red, and the creamy one. Winking at me. Yet, for me, personally, the volcanic red seems to be that little bit more seductive.....but the cassis (rich, and luscious looking) and the creamy were both awfully attractive, as well....

 

[Shrink]

It really comes down to how much espresso you may wish to drink in one - slow - sitting....

Mine is a six cup espresso pot. I'll concede - albeit reluctantly - that somewhere between (small, exquisite, elegant, Italian, espresso) cup no 4 and no 5 I find I have had my fill of espresso, (for that hour) but, nevertheless, I always manage to finish the contents of the pot.

(Now, that is dedication. And caffeine addiction, for you).

The pot will make what it says on the label; so, a three cup pot, will make three small (espresso sized) cups of espresso; a six cup pot (such as mine) will make six; and there is a monster, made by Bialetti, a sort of dinosaur sized espresso pot, one which even I am not sufficiently deranged to acquire for myself (as none at home share my coffee preferences for this is an obsession that is all my own.....) which claims it makes nine espresso sized cups of espresso.

Buy what amount will give you the most enjoyment; at least a three cup pot, would be my recommendation.......

Today, in fact, today, I found myself lusting after and mulling over a stunning Le Creuset (the French cast iron cookware company) French press for coffee; I was torn between the magnificent 'volcanic orange' or the soothing cream colour, and I hefted both, unable to control my salivation......

It is not as though I do not already have more than enough coffee pots. I tell myself that these are works of art (they are, they are); I also tell myself that I have quite enough coffee post. (I have , I have). This is a most cruel dilemma.

I'm curious about the Bialetti and have a few questions...are the cups about 2 - 2 ½ ounces each...the equivalent of a double shot?

Also...after the second or third cup...is there still crema, or does it dissipate?

Does the espresso stay hot in the pot...or do you have to re-heat after the second or third cup?

My experience is that espresso should be served as soon after the production as possible. One of the Rule of 15s, somewhat facetiously, states coffee should be served within 15 seconds of production. Obviously if it's 30 seconds, or even a minute, I will not spit it out in disgust. But unless you toss down the double shots very quickly, by the third cup it's been sitting in the pot for a while. Do you find that has any effect on the quality of the later cups of the drink?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I'm curious about the Bialetti and have a few questions...are the cups about 2 - 2 ½ ounces each...the equivalent of a double shot?

Also...after the second or third cup...is there still crema, or does it dissipate?

Does the espresso stay hot in the pot...or do you have to re-heat after the second or third cup?

My experience is that espresso should be served as soon after the production as possible. One of the Rule of 15s, somewhat facetiously, states coffee should be served within 15 seconds of production. Obviously if it's 30 seconds, or even a minute, I will not spit it out in disgust. But unless you toss down the double shots very quickly, by the third cup it's been sitting in the pot for a while. Do you find that has any effect on the quality of the later cups of the drink?

Well, I sip and savour, thus, the first three cups are invariably delicious. Nectar. Divine. Sublime. Transformational......

The cups are standard Italian espresso cups, (made by d'Ancap, with the legend 'Espresso di Italiano "Storie di viaggi!"' inscribed inside the cup under the rim) but I sometimes (did I write 'sometimes'? Er, maybe close to 'always' would be a bit more accurate) serve a bit more in the cup than might be found in a standard espresso.

However, while sipping and savouring, I also seem to brood, and ponder, and think and speculate, or worse, even start to read, (coffee and a newspaper or book are just so perfect together, but for a short period of time) so sometimes, time goes sort of missing.

Now, as the pot is metal, and has already been heated on the stove, it retains its heat for quite a while. However, the cups are rather solid, as in ceramically solid, well constructed, and not dainty, and so require (in winter) heating with hot water before pouring an espresso into them.

My sense is that by the fourth cup (that has been poured - I do not speak of quantity in cups) the quality is not as good. Nor is the crema. Mind you, I have sometimes been sitting, lost, for several minutes, many minutes, by then.

 

[Shrink]

Well, I sip and savour, thus, the first three cups are invariably delicious. Nectar. Divine. Sublime. Transformational......

The cups are standard Italian espresso cups, (made by d'Ancap, with the legend 'Espresso di Italiano "Storie di viaggi!"' inscribed inside the cup under the rim) but I sometimes (did I write 'sometimes'? Er, maybe close to 'always' would be a bit more accurate) serve a bit more in the cup than might be found in a standard espresso.

However, while sipping and savouring, I also seem to brood, and ponder, and think and speculate, or worse, even start to read, (coffee and a newspaper or book are just so perfect together, but for a short period of time) so sometimes, time goes sort of missing.

Now, as the pot is metal, and has already been heated on the stove, it retains its heat for quite a while. However, the cups are rather solid, as in ceramically solid, well constructed, and not dainty, and so require (in winter) heating with hot water before pouring an espresso into them.

My sense is that by the fourth cup (that has been poured - I do not speak of quantity in cups) the quality is not as good. Nor is the crema. Mind you, I have sometimes been sitting, lost, for several minutes, many minutes, by then.

As always...thanks for your observations.

Ha ha, thank you.
It seems I am destined (fated? cursed?) to try pretty much every thing you can place, put, pour, tamp, press, wedge, chock, force and fill coffee grounds into. Y'all have me convinced. So which Bialetti should I buy? How much coffee does the 3-cup actually make?

Unless you plan to drink as much as Scepticalscribe does in one sitting, I would suggest a three cup pot. If finances allow, you might get a one cup and a three cup for different situations.(Or a three cup and a six cup.)

BTW: With a Bialetti, there is no need to tamp, press, wedge, chock, force or do anything to the freshly ground beans...just spoon them into the pot.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

As always...thanks for your observations.



Unless you plan to drink as much as Scepticalscribe does in one sitting, I would suggest a three cup pot. If finances allow, you might get a one cup and a three cup for different situations.(Or a three cup and a six cup.)

BTW: With a Bialetti, there is no need to tamp, press, wedge, chock, force or do anything to the freshly ground beans...just spoon them into the pot.

Agreed.

However, you do need to pay heed - close heed - to what you are doing - a steady wrist with a spoon works wonders, while over-eagerness, or, worse, day-dreaming, or, fantasising about the espresso you are about to make, can lead to embarrassing spillages of ground coffee........

 

[Shrink]

Agreed.

However, you do need to pay heed - close heed - to what you are doing - a steady wrist with a spoon works wonders, while over-eagerness, or, worse, day-dreaming, or, fantasising about the espresso you are about to make, can lead to embarrassing spillages of ground coffee........

Which is why the below is an essential accessory!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Which is why the below is an essential accessory!

Image

Ah, yes. Coughs. Clears throat. Cue contemplation of the purchase of compulsory coffee accessory No. 27 (at this rate).......

But thank you for posting this, ah, so, necessary further purchase.....

 

[S.B.G]

It really comes down to how much espresso you may wish to drink in one - slow - sitting....

Mine is a six cup espresso pot. I'll concede - albeit reluctantly - that somewhere between (small, exquisite, elegant, Italian, espresso) cup no 4 and no 5 I find I have had my fill of espresso, (for that hour) but, nevertheless, I always manage to finish the contents of the pot.

(Now, that is dedication. And caffeine addiction, for you).

Six cups of espresso in about an hour!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Six cups of espresso in about an hour!

I am not a morning person. In fact, I do not understand mornings. Especially winter mornings, although I am prepared to concede that summer mornings can be different: Preferably summer mornings which come with lots of natural light, pellucid blue skies, a bit of hazy heat with the promise of more for the coming day - all, in fact, the sort of stuff I rarely experienced in the cold, wet, dark climate of the Northern European country I grew up in.

Even as a small child, I didn't get mornings, especially winter mornings.

Now, I have long loved coffee (even, strangely, ever since I was a small child). Firstly, of course, I loved the aroma, and then, the taste of real coffee, a habit happily indulged in by my father, who also loved his coffee, (and his dark chocolate, another shared preference, while both of us loathed milk chocolate). This was a preference shared by nobody else chez nous, and, I blithely and cheerfully utterly disregarded the sage admonitions from tedious adults that real coffee was not good for me.

So, it is quite simple really. Even at school, I found a strong coffee before heading in, rather helpful. My coffee habit as an undergrad was legendary, and I was one of only two people I knew, who, when pals were hosted at our respective homes, offered them real coffee in a real pot - every else served instant rubbish. These days, I am almost moderate in my consumption, and never drink the ten cups daily which were de rigeur when I was a student........

Quite apart from the fact that I love the stuff, another equation comes to mind. It runs something along the following lines: Mornings + espresso = functioning (barely) adult.

 

[Shrink]

Quite apart from the fact that I love the stuff, another equation comes to mind. It runs something along the following lines: Mornings + espresso = functioning (barely) adult.

Well, at least you made it, by methods fair and foul, to almost adult functioning.

Not even many espressos gets me that far!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well, at least you made it, by methods fair and foul, to almost adult functioning.

Not even many espressos gets me that far!

In my current job, our local staff know me well by now. So, the first double espresso enables me to progress from a barely comatose adult to one who is slightly alert; the second double espresso has me capable of adult conversation, - though polysyllabic adjectives might still be a source of some stress - by the third, I can be adjudged quite fit to join the human race as a functioning and civilised adult.

Now, offer me espresso at night, and you will see wit, creativity, and pristine prose - which is why (unless some mad, deadline demands otherwise) my better offerings are crafted during the witching hours......