Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

I was in the West End playing tourist yesterday (dim sum and then cinema!) and stumbled across Notes. I didn't realise that's where it was, although in my defence I don't actually buy much coffee out and about so I don't pay attention to where these 'hidden gems' are! It was rather good timing as I was running very low on my Has Bean beans, so I picked up a bag of the Spring Espresso blend. I've just had my first cup through my AP and it's very nice indeed. I'm no expert taster, but it's very light, smooth and rounded. Definitely a winner.

I was on the way to the cinema so didn't grab a coffee from them, in hindsight I should have. It's a lovely little shop, definitely one to remember. My friend that I was with walks that way to work every day, and works round the corner from Flat White. Damn him :p
 
im not really a fan of milk in my coffee these days other than eherm instant but my god coffee/latte art is amazing. I dream of one day having a small chatteu/french coffee shop with relaxing music on and messing about with latte art LOL
 
Siliconslave said:
unfortunately my sketching isn't nearly that good:

it was from http://tattooedstuff.com/index.html tempted my a hoodie!
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I bought that tshirt in the end, got it yesterday! Guy who owns that site is a pretty cheerful and friendly character, he was nice enough to stuff a bunchload of freebies into the envelope. Among those freebies are a couple of bumper stickers, which I have no car to put them on, and a few different temporary tattoos, which I'm slightly too old and a lot too hairy for! :D So if anyone wants a few send me an address to the email in my trust account and I'll stick a few in the post for you. Sadly, none of them were the "death before decaffe" design, just other generic tattoo-styled designs.
 
Just had my Gaggia Classic and other bits arrive a few days ago, loving it so far - just going through the trial stages of grinds and tamping etc. had a few decent Latte's so far though :D
 
Got myself an Aeropress at the end of last week and I have a problem, so a question for the Aeropressers out there...... If i have it sitting on a mug when I add the water to the ground coffee, the coffee starts to come through straight away so that after 30-40 steeping, half of it is already in the mug :(. Can I sort this by adjusting the grind of the coffee? more course or more fine?
I have tried inverting the press like on the Hasbean video but it starts to come through as soon as I turn it over to place on the mug which can get a little messy.
 
Perfect the Hasbean inverted method. It produces some of the best Aeropress; some of the best brewed Coffee I have ever had :)

After the 30 second steep has expired (inverted Hasbean method). Throw out your pre-heat water and turn the mug upside down and onto your press. While doing this, turn the press over on top of the mug. Hmm, it's hard to describe what I'm doing, but I do this over the drainer and get just a couple of spots of Coffee on there.

Warning: Be sure that your press section (bit with rubber bung) is pushed in a bit. If that pops when you're turning over, there will be a mess all over your counter :p

You only really need the press about 1/2-3/4 full for the steep. You can then add a little water after.

Don't forget to stop pressing before you hear the air escape (when there is still a little Coffee in the press). You don't want to bring those bitters through into your cup :)
 
Changed my syphon procedure this week, really enjoying the results.

Instead of using filter grind and 1:15 infusiuon, going with a a french press grind and a 3:30-3:45 infusion time.

Working really well with the fruity coffee I have at the moment.
 
Flibster said:
Changed my syphon procedure this week, really enjoying the results.

Instead of using filter grind and 1:15 infusiuon, going with a a french press grind and a 3:30-3:45 infusion time.

Working really well with the fruity coffee I have at the moment.
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I tried something similar last week but my coffee tasted a little burnt. Possibly due to the Skerton not being great at producing a consistently coarse french press grind.

How's your holy grail quest for an all-in-one grinder for filter and espresso going?!

Also holy ****! Can't believe how good the Machacamarca tastes with a drop of full fat milk!!
 
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Hamster said:
I tried something similar last week but my coffee tasted a little burnt. Possibly due to the Skerton not being great at producing a consistently coarse french press grind.

How's your holy grail quest for an all-in-one grinder for filter and espresso going?!

Also holy ****! Can't believe how good the Machacamarca tastes with a drop of full fat milk!!
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Incredible as Espresso and also in Milk. If only it was available all year long.
 
Not having much luck with my 'Finca La Fany' in the Chemex but getting reasonable results in the Aeropress. Is my grind too fine or coarse perhaps?

The Chemex tastes a bit 'stewed' and nasty whereas the Aeropress tastes weak- at the same grind settings that is....
 
You'll need to change grind for those brew methods. Slightly finer for the aeropress and slightly coarser for the chemex.

Alternatively you could brew a touch longer in the aeropress.

Anyway, back to what I came in here for...

June 11th - Prufrock Coffee, Leather Lane, London - UK Brewers Cup. :D
http://ukbrewerscup.tumblr.com/

Tempted to compete, but having read the rules I have more questions than they can supply answers too at the moment.

Will definately be there to watch though. Winner goes forward to the World final in Maastricht.
 
Hamster said:
Also holy ****! Can't believe how good the Machacamarca tastes with a drop of full fat milk!!
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I take it this is the Bolivian Finca Machacamarca De Berengula from HasBean? Ordered some of this on Monday and had my first cup this morning using my Aeropress (using the Hasbean method which is working very well). Indeed, it is a lovely lovely coffee, definitely recommended :).
 
molinari said:
I take it this is the Bolivian Finca Machacamarca De Berengula from HasBean? Ordered some of this on Monday and had my first cup this morning using my Aeropress (using the Hasbean method which is working very well). Indeed, it is a lovely lovely coffee, definitely recommended :).
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Yes that's the stuff :) Tried it with a few different brew methods so far and it's great with all of them. Hope there's still some left for my next order when I run out of beans!
 
molinari said:
I take it this is the Bolivian Finca Machacamarca De Berengula from HasBean? Ordered some of this on Monday and had my first cup this morning using my Aeropress (using the Hasbean method which is working very well). Indeed, it is a lovely lovely coffee, definitely recommended :).
Click to expand...

Yes that's the stuff :) Tried it with a few different brew methods so far and it's great with all of them. Hope there's still some left for my next order when I run out of beans!

Flibster said:
Anyway, back to what I came in here for...

June 11th - Prufrock Coffee, Leather Lane, London - UK Brewers Cup. :D
http://ukbrewerscup.tumblr.com/

Tempted to compete, but having read the rules I have more questions than they can supply answers too at the moment.

Will definately be there to watch though. Winner goes forward to the World final in Maastricht.
Click to expand...

As our resident brew expert I say you should definitely enter :) Just looked at the rules pdf though.....blimey!!
 
Hamster said:
As our resident brew expert I say you should definitely enter :) Just looked at the rules pdf though.....blimey!!
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It's not the most entrant friendly competition.

I've printed the rules out and gone through them making notes, not going to enter this year. Going to spend more time studying them for next year.

Then again, also thinking of the UKBC next year too... *I have a couple of ideas for the sig drink that I'm working on - it's all about the blending. ;)*
 
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