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Espresso Enthusiasts
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My best wishes to you and your family for a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season...and to all you delightful and slightly demented denizens of this silly thread!
My best wishes to you and your family for a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season...and to all you delightful and slightly demented denizens of this silly thread!
What excellent news to find I'm only slightly demented.
What excellent news to find I'm only slightly demented.
It's important to humor the really deeply demented...otherwise they tend to become very hostile.
Bah, Bloody HumbugIt's important to humor the really deeply demented...otherwise they tend to become very hostile.
But seriously the best of Festive cheer, and I'm off to town to acquire a Bialetti Moka pot, It's Boxing Day here, or St Stephen's Day, whateverKGB
Bah, Bloody Humbug
KGB
Well, Happy Boxing Day, or St. Stephen's Day, or whatever.
Enjoy your new Bialetti pot, and let us know about the coffee it produces.
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So, mobilehaathi, a brief update re the Le Creuset French press. I bought it (on Christmas Eve), of course, I bought it, self-denial in the area of coffee consumption is not at all a part of that equation. As the shop had somehow sold their volcanic orange before I managed to plot and plan my return to claim it, I was torn between the dreamy cream one and the cassis French press instead. Following advice received (from the Polish manager, who was helpful and enthusiastic), I bought the French press in cassis; it is still in its box, as the Bialetti has been doing duty on the stove these days.
Again, mobilehaathi and Grey Beard: The Bialetti is not simply for espresso - although that is its primary function. This morning, (well, alright, the time better known in offices around the world as 'coffee time', that lull between morning and afternoon), as it is in the dog days of the dying year, overcast grey skies, news bulletins inexplicably absent from the airwaves and a few free days where the clock does not rule every minute of one's daily life, I had time, plenty of time, to potter around while making coffee.
So, I put the Bialetti on the stove, on a low heat. Then, I took a small (French) copper saucepan, and poured some organic milk (no, not measured, a generous guesstimate) and set that to heat nicely, too. My d'Ancap cups (cappuccino ones, not espresso ones) were put out (and heated). Frankly, this was more a homemade latte, than a cappuccino, but it was simply divine, nonetheless.
I consumed the contents - more or less the entire contents - of the pot (and yes, Shrink: The Bialetti stays not warm, but actually hot, - as do its contents - for a surprisingly long period of time. And, having consumed the contents of the pot, I can add that I now feel fully human today.......
And a benevolent, if belated fulsome Yuletide greetings to the denizens of the espresso thread......
Again, mobilehaathi and Grey Beard: The Bialetti is not simply for espresso - although that is its primary function. This morning, (well, alright, the time better known in offices around the world as 'coffee time', that lull between morning and afternoon), as it is in the dog days of the dying year, overcast grey skies, news bulletins inexplicably absent from the airwaves and a few free days where the clock does not rule every minute of one's daily life, I had time, plenty of time, to potter around while making coffee.
So, I put the Bialetti on the stove, on a low heat. Then, I took a small (French) copper saucepan, and poured some organic milk (no, not measured, a generous guesstimate) and set that to heat nicely, too. My d'Ancap cups (cappuccino ones, not espresso ones) were put out (and heated). Frankly, this was more a homemade latte, than a cappuccino, but it was simply divine, nonetheless.
I consumed the contents - more or less the entire contents - of the pot (and yes, Shrink: The Bialetti stays not warm, but actually hot, - as do its contents - for a surprisingly long period of time. And, having consumed the contents of the pot, I can add that I now feel fully human today.......
And a benevolent, if belated fulsome Yuletide greetings to the denizens of the espresso thread......
SS, you have started something. I ordered a Bialetti as well.
FYI, big sale at WLL. Mazzer Mini Type B nearly $200 off (plus I think I have a 10% coupon laying around here if anyone wants it).
FYI, big sale at WLL. Mazzer Mini Type B nearly $200 off (plus I think I have a 10% coupon laying around here if anyone wants it).
Congrats on the beautiful press! And yes, I'm tempted more and more by the Bialetti...
Hmmm, decisions! I was planning on getting a little inexpensive (yet Shrink approved) espresso machine to play with next month, but all this talk of the moka pot (and my recent time playing with one) is making me pause to reconsider what my next purchase ought to be...
Ah, what can I say? This is wonderful news indeed.
May you all get as much enjoyment and pure pleasure from your lovely Bialetti moka pots (and they look stunning, sitting there on the stove), as I do from mine. They make lovely espresso, and I must say I really enjoy the ritual of making it. So, Kurwenal, mobilehaathi, and Grey Beard, I think this is a purchase none of you will regret......
Now to a separate - but related - topic, a tale of a gift for the Season that is in it.
My brother - whom I love dearly, but who knows little of coffee (save that I like it.....that I like it a lot), while he, himself does not like it at all, decided to embark upon an exploration of the topic online with a view to treating me for the Yuletide Season with Something Special. (His Something Special was a leather jacket).
Thus, a gift wrapped package containing a small wooden box, with an attractive metal clasp, materialised under the tree. The wooden box contained a packet of Kopi Luwak.........which was acquired from a very respected coffee importation and roasting company.
"If this is as good as I have read, (and as the sellers have said it s), maybe I'll try out a cup, too," he said eagerly, implying, but not stating that he, too, might be converted.
The company in question suggested a French press method of serving this, rather than as espresso. I shall keep you appraised of the outcome of the tasting process.
May you all get as much enjoyment and pure pleasure from your lovely Bialetti moka pots (and they look stunning, sitting there on the stove), as I do from mine. They make lovely espresso, and I must say I really enjoy the ritual of making it. So, Kurwenal, mobilehaathi, and Grey Beard, I think this is a purchase none of you will regret......
Now to a separate - but related - topic, a tale of a gift for the Season that is in it.
My brother - whom I love dearly, but who knows little of coffee (save that I like it.....that I like it a lot), while he, himself does not like it at all, decided to embark upon an exploration of the topic online with a view to treating me for the Yuletide Season with Something Special. (His Something Special was a leather jacket).
Thus, a gift wrapped package containing a small wooden box, with an attractive metal clasp, materialised under the tree. The wooden box contained a packet of Kopi Luwak.........which was acquired from a very respected coffee importation and roasting company.
"If this is as good as I have read, (and as the sellers have said it s), maybe I'll try out a cup, too," he said eagerly, implying, but not stating that he, too, might be converted.
The company in question suggested a French press method of serving this, rather than as espresso. I shall keep you appraised of the outcome of the tasting process.
Why do I have this feeling that we're like a bunch of pushers...get'em hooked, and they're ours!
I hope your brother enjoys the coffee. I remember when I first started drinking coffee, in Grad School, I was not initially thrilled with it....but with a little more exposure, and even the total garbage in the pot in the Clinic office was pleasing. Of course, I didn't realize that the horrid crud that the Clinic Secretary made (not her fault, she did what she could with what she was supplied) was horrid crud...your brother has the advantage of starting with well prepared good, quality coffee.
EDIT: It just dawned on me that the Kopi Luwak coffee is the civet poop coffee! If he doesn't know, I might not mention that to him!
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Why do I have this feeling that we're like a bunch of pushers...get'em hooked, and they're ours!
I hope your brother enjoys the coffee. I remember when I first started drinking coffee, in Grad School, I was not initially thrilled with it....but with a little more exposure, and even the total garbage in the pot in the Clinic office was pleasing. Of course, I didn't realize that the horrid crud that the Clinic Secretary made (not her fault, she did what she could with what she was supplied) was horrid crud...your brother has the advantage of starting with well prepared good, quality coffee.
EDIT: It just dawned on me that the Kopi Luwak coffee is the civet poop coffee! If he doesn't know, I might not mention that to him!
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Shrink, my brother is a lawyer, and very proud of his internet research on coffee. He told me that he had spent ages researching what Mr Google had to say on the topic.
He knew exactly what he was buying and was purring with pride (and giggling insanely) at the bizarre reputation of these beans, the insane expense, and the supposed rarity and difficulty of the 'harvesting' process; this was conceived as a special treat for me.
So, he is eagerly anticipating a cup himself, (made by me) as the vendor reassured him that these were indeed special, and greatly valued and cherished in the world of coffee lovers.......
Still, if this is what it takes to hook him......
In any case, I mentioned the name in order to note the response here; I assume that everyone will join with me in anticipating the taste of this rather special product.....
I'm with you...in this special case, any means to an end! (Definitely not an ethical concept I normally espouse...but whatever works!)
Since many think it's sort of a gimmick, since it's not the beans that matter, but rather the...ah...extraction from the cherry process that makes them special.
i'll be VERY interested in hearing your review of the coffee produced from these beans.
Joking aside, I'm not at all squeamish about the de-pulping process, and am interested in the claimed effect of the digestive process on the beans.
I think most of us on the thread will have an interest in how this tastes.....which is why I mentioned it, here.
Tomorrow morning, I expect, with a French press, we shall have an answer. The blurb accompanying the wooden cask used adjectives such as 'sweet, smooth, intense' and last, but not least, the word 'rich' to describe the taste of coffee made by these beans.
I regret to relate to you good gentlefolk that when I'd driven across Wellington, my coffee emporium was shut up tight as a drum. It'll reopen on the 6th January, so I'll have to bide my time 'til then.
I do have an array of Hario classical coffee making gear as well as a Bodum French Press, so I'll not be suffering unduly. My fault for not checking on line, impatience is something I have to deal with.
Thank you for your encouragement Scepticalscribe the wait will now make the first pot to be the more enjoyable.
Cheers, KGB
Best pun I've seen all year, and if that was unintentional, even better. Bravo, Oh Shrinkinator.
I'm sorry.
Thanks here as well, Your Scepticalness. The 3-cup Bialetti is ordered and on the way. I have no idea what to expect, in terms of flavor, consistency, etc. Very much looking forward to The First Cup, after reading so many of your posts. I plan to roast up a special batch of beans tomorrow to celebrate the occasion.
By chance, it will arrive in the same box (assuming UPS gets its Kopi Luwak together) as my newly ordered DVD of the 1995 Bayeruth Tristan und Isolde, so I will get to enjoy my first Bialetti while enjoying my favorite recording of my favorite opera....this being my 4th DVD of the same, the first three having worn out/become too scratched/etc. Perhaps I will have to risk looking into one of those other MR forums and learn how to "copy" this new DVD to my Mac.
Unintentional!?
The incredible depth on my literary subtlety is truly hard to fathom.
OK...it was unintentional...
Well I hope you all have had a very nice Christmas, for those that celebrate it, and will have a fantastic new year! I am back with my folks here on Canada's West Coast-far from bereft of excellent coffee though my parents rather prefer the weak filtered variety. I thought of our friend Sandbox General as I have made it a point to pop into Tim Horton's for some coffee and bagels or donuts. A decent blend indeed. To a well-caffeinated 2014!
And you too.
Today's fun: roasting up a batch of El Salvador Majahual - Tablon Tempisque from SM's:
From the photo the roast appears to be sort of a medium roast. I'm curious if you use it for espresso or a different production method.
I roasted a batch this morning of Sweet Marias Liquid Amber Blend. For that blend (and most of their espresso intended blends) they recommend Full City+ to Vienna roast...quite dark.
I know that the SO beans are an excellent choice of beans. However, I've tried some, and found that I prefer the blends best...philistine that I am. In your experience are there SO beans that handle a dark roast well. Sweet Marias have many SO beans intended for espresso...but I'm interested in your personal experience with SO beans that hold up well with a dark (Full City > Full City+ > Vienna) roast.
Why...of course!
I had my MBP resting on top of the roaster with the picture full screen!
That wasn't bad for my computer... heat-wise, was it?
Having looked at the picture, I had ascertained that the roast Sweet Marias produced is what I aim for...so the picture did help, but I went at it on my own in the kitchen.
I'm wildly courageous...no?
Why...of course!
I had my MBP resting on top of the roaster with the picture full screen!
That wasn't bad for my computer... heat-wise, was it?
Having looked at the picture, I had ascertained that the roast Sweet Marias produced is what I aim for...so the picture did help, but I went at it on my own in the kitchen.
I'm wildly courageous...no?
Once your MBP is finally broken in, it should form the likeness of the Gateway Arch on profile. Sitting it on the roaster ought to speed up this process nicely!
Thanks for the reassurance. I was worried there for a while that the slow bending might be problematic.
I have a Crossland CC1 and Baratza Preciso. Thinking of upgrading to the HG-One hand grinder as it looks awesome, massive Titan conical burr, and single dosing... I single dose my Preciso. CC1 has been great, had almost two years now. If I upgrade machines I'd pry look at the double boilers in the 2-3k range, or even a lever like the Strega.
It is funny the reactions of people whom of never had good coffee before, and actually considered Starbucks or similar the greatest thing in the world. Starbucks is about the worst, cheapest/highest defect bean batches (do you think a company doing that volume would get high quality beans lol), and b/c their poor beans they over char them all so all you taste is the nasty roast flavor so each store has that consistent taste. Plus their stale, do you eat stale food... no, then why drink stale coffee lol?!? once friends have been over and I've made them a shot or drink their blown away, I've had some even get into ordering fresh beans now and getting a grinder and something like a Chemex, Press, Moka, or drip like the Technovorm or Bonavita.
It is funny the reactions of people whom of never had good coffee before, and actually considered Starbucks or similar the greatest thing in the world. Starbucks is about the worst, cheapest/highest defect bean batches (do you think a company doing that volume would get high quality beans lol), and b/c their poor beans they over char them all so all you taste is the nasty roast flavor so each store has that consistent taste. Plus their stale, do you eat stale food... no, then why drink stale coffee lol?!? once friends have been over and I've made them a shot or drink their blown away, I've had some even get into ordering fresh beans now and getting a grinder and something like a Chemex, Press, Moka, or drip like the Technovorm or Bonavita.
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