They look nice, I might have to order a couple.
This is what I received in the post today
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Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread
- Thread starter Siliconslave
- Start date
This is what I received in the post today
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Associate
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I'm really struggling with the Fazenda. The shots are coming out tasting burnt, bitter and with little body or crema. Shot times are on target though. Not sure what to do, could it need some time to settle in? Roasted on the 16th, using a porlex and a gaggia classic.
Well that's not good. I would have thought that the beans should be fine 6 days after roasting. Whilst the shot time is a good guide for the grind and tamp, it doesn't mean that what you are going to get will taste as good as it can. Perhaps the shot is blonding too soon? Have a look at this video and read about it here. It does make a difference to the taste of the espresso, and you might end up not using the whole extraction to get that lovely sweet chocolate toffee flavour that you should get from the Fazenda beans
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Soldato
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Hooray my cups arrived.
here is a quick snap of them side by side.
a couple more pic's of my office setup:
my little coffee corner in the office
here is a quick snap of them side by side.
a couple more pic's of my office setup:
my little coffee corner in the office
Last edited:
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What does everyone think of Happy Donkey's coffee beans? They are cheaper than the likes of James and Hasbean.
Caporegime
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Soldato
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well i decided that if i am spending 9+ hours at work I want to have nice things. Plus if we have an visitors from suppliers etc then I can treat them to a nice cup of coffee/tea rather than the instant stuff that everyone else serves up or from a coffee machine.
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Anyone do any subscription deals? I have been with small batch coffee for last 6 months now maybe 9 not sure, I have enjoyed pretty much everyone and at £42 is quite a good deal. Was looking at coffee bean shop and that is £71! Seems very expensive when all you seem to get extra is some videos on the coffee you have been sent.
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Does anyone have a recommendation for a decent calibrated tamper? I had a play with one earlier at my local coffee shop earlier and it was a revelation.
Alas, their was old and knackered and the owner couldn't remember where he'd bought it from, so after a little searching I found some. But I'm baulking at the price of an Espro and I don't like the look of the Nuova.
And I'm not set on the idea of the clicking mat either, just in case someone was about to suggest it!
Alas, their was old and knackered and the owner couldn't remember where he'd bought it from, so after a little searching I found some. But I'm baulking at the price of an Espro and I don't like the look of the Nuova.
And I'm not set on the idea of the clicking mat either, just in case someone was about to suggest it!
I'm not totally convinced it will be effective and it seems to require regular recalibration with a set of scales.
Something also tells me that the smaller pressure-points created by the portafilter will skew the results somewhat, but I'm no physicist and have probably just showed that!
Something also tells me that the smaller pressure-points created by the portafilter will skew the results somewhat, but I'm no physicist and have probably just showed that!
I've read one person mention about recalibrating once a week but others say that they've only needed to every few months.
Is using a naked portafilter, the pressure points shouldn't really be a problem but if using a PF with spouts, you could easily get round this with a small coaster placed on the mat. That would even out the pressure.
I think having an adjustable tamp pressure is quite a nice idea but agree it's not as tidy as the Espro.
wondering if anybody here has used a stove top milk steaming solution like the bellman cx25s?
I'm currently enjoying excellent espresso from my stove top bialetti pot but am desperate to be able to make some proper microfoam milk not a frothy mess like I currently am able to make using my french press :/
I'm currently enjoying excellent espresso from my stove top bialetti pot but am desperate to be able to make some proper microfoam milk not a frothy mess like I currently am able to make using my french press :/
Associate
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The bodum frother works pretty well.
if thats the thing that looks like a french press with a plunger system then its not for me- I really want to find a way to steam milk without having to resort to buying a machine with a steam wand
I have one!! I looked around for a milk steaming solution when my Gaggia Baby Twin steamer packed up (it wasn't very good anyway), and eventually found the Bellman. I like it, and it works really well for a stove top steamer. It takes at least 5 minutes to get enough pressure to steam milk to a decent quality, and the actual steaming takes slightly longer than a decent coffee machine, but it does a really good job.
How I use it:
- Fill with water up to line inside, screw the top on tight, and place on gas stove on a high heat
- After about 4 minutes I open the valve to release the pressure inside. I find this gets rid of the hot air, so that more steam is produced. (Not sure if that makes sense but before I did that, when I came to use it, only hot air came out for a while before any steam did, and it didn't last that long. This way, steam comes out straight away).
- A couple of minutes later, I turn down the heat slightly and start steaming the milk. I keep it on the heat the whole time so that more steam is being made whilst it's in use.
There is a pressure release for safety in case you leave in on the stove without using it. When this starts to hiss, you know it's at its maximum pressure and will produce a couple of minutes worth of great steaming.
It is a bit more work than a built in steamer on an espresso machine, but it steams milk a lot better than any cheap espresso machine (sub £400) I've used. I'm glad I've got it even with the extra effort needed.
Thanks so much! Really glad to hear it's working well for you. Seems like the perfect companion to a stovetop coffee pot. I have seen one guy even attempt latte art with his which is pretty cool though not something I;m concerned with.