Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

Hmm, don't know if I can stretch to a Reg Barber. Does seem a little excessive.

How is everyone finding coffee this year? I've been struggling to find one I like out of all the new crops they've had in at my local roasters. Wondered if it's affecting everyone else?
 
Jonny69 said:
Hmm, don't know if I can stretch to a Reg Barber. Does seem a little excessive.

How is everyone finding coffee this year? I've been struggling to find one I like out of all the new crops they've had in at my local roasters. Wondered if it's affecting everyone else?
Click to expand...

Could try this one from coffeehit. They also do it in black

I'm not sure if it is actally 58mm or not though.

Coffee this crop has been a bit hit or miss for me this year. Had some amazing coffee's, also had a quantity of meh.
 
Flibster said:
Could try this one from coffeehit. They also do it in black

I'm not sure if it is actally 58mm or not though.
Click to expand...
Damn you. I'm going to spend all my pocket money in there!

Flibster said:
Coffee this crop has been a bit hit or miss for me this year. Had some amazing coffee's, also had a quantity of meh.
Click to expand...
Good to know. Not just me then!
 
I tell you that Motta one for 15 pounds fits the 58mm basket very well and has made a hell of a difference from a 57/58 tamper I was user previously.
 
So what are people drinking these days? I haven't ordered anything from Hasbean etc. in a while, been drinking a nice blend I buy locally from one of my coffee hangouts, but I need more paper filters for the vac pot so thought I'd get some beans as well, something new and unusual preferably!

EDIT: Went for the Kenya Mukui in the end, seemed interesting, but still curious to hear what others have tried lately!:)
 
Last edited:
I'm rocking the breakfast bomb for my commute into work and the Cuba Serrano Superior for other times (generally weekend & after dinner drinking).
The Cuban is really impressive, speaks directly to my taste buds with the sort of flavours I love, deep malty hews over a chocolate syrupy finish.
Really want to try some red-brick from hasbean so that'll probably be my next non-commute coffee :)
 
Hi, long time since I've been in this thread. Has anybody given EL SALVADOR SAN RAFAEL BOURBON a try recently, I really fancy some more Coffee because all I have been drinking lately is Tea

Thanks.
 
I've been fascinated by reading this thread the last few days. I thought espresso was effectively just thick instant coffee.

I've never liked "normal" brews from a kettle, instant coffee with milk. But I love a nice latte or the stuff from italian restaurants.

Now very tempted to pick up an espresso machine and grinder and taking an adventure into the world of coffee.

I live in a block so I don't actually have a proper kitchen where I can keep the stuff. Just a fridge and bench top in my room. Sink is nearby. This gives me issues with cleaning the stuff. Is there much to it or is it just a case of removing certain parts and rinsing them?

I'm pretty happy to invest good money (£300-400) if it's worthwhile. Is the Gaggia Classic still a good one? what about a grinder? or a bean to cup machine maybe for my situation?
 
MarkST said:
Hi, long time since I've been in this thread. Has anybody given EL SALVADOR SAN RAFAEL BOURBON a try recently, I really fancy some more Coffee because all I have been drinking lately is Tea
Click to expand...

I've not tried that one but all the el slavador bourbons i've had have been good & the writeup on hasbean is very glowing - go for it :)

Swiftan said:
Is there much to it or is it just a case of removing certain parts and rinsing them?

I'm pretty happy to invest good money (£300-400) if it's worthwhile. Is the Gaggia Classic still a good one? what about a grinder? or a bean to cup machine maybe for my situation?
Click to expand...


The classic is still a good starter machine, for about £400 you should be able to pick up a classic and the Iberital MC2 from happy donkey or the Baratza Maestro from hasbean (arguably not as good a grinder but much more flexible if you want to use anything but the machine to make coffee)

Cleaning wise its very easy to do, most of the parts you can take off and wash in a sink, everything else you can do with a cup and a brush :) The main problem is keeping the grinds under control but a damp cloth will pick them up easily.


ZeFO2.jpg

In other news I got my coffee Joulies through yesterday (finally) and tried them out this morning. My initial impression is that the coffee seemed hotter than it usually was post commute however i had also finished it faster (probably because the Joulies take up a fare amount of space) - the Joulies were still giving out a fare amount of heat so i guess somethings working...
 
Last edited:
Jonny69 said:
Hmm, don't know if I can stretch to a Reg Barber. Does seem a little excessive.
Click to expand...
But they're really nice! It will definitely improve the taste of the espresso! (or perhaps not)

Jonny69 said:
How is everyone finding coffee this year? I've been struggling to find one I like out of all the new crops they've had in at my local roasters. Wondered if it's affecting everyone else?
Click to expand...
Struggled a bit this year too, although I did get some Bolivia Finca Bolinda 2011 from HasBean which was fantastic. They don't have any left now though :(.
 
Siliconslave said:
In other news I got my coffee Joulies through yesterday (finally) and tried them out this morning. My initial impression is that the coffee seemed hotter than it usually was post commute however i had also finished it faster (probably because the Joulies take up a fare amount of space) - the Joulies were still giving out a fare amount of heat so i guess somethings working...
Click to expand...

Still waiting for mine. Seems that people are pretty positive about them.
 
Siliconslave said:
In other news I got my coffee Joulies through yesterday (finally) and tried them out this morning. My initial impression is that the coffee seemed hotter than it usually was post commute however i had also finished it faster (probably because the Joulies take up a fare amount of space) - the Joulies were still giving out a fare amount of heat so i guess somethings working...
Click to expand...

Oh you lucky dawg! I still haven't got mine, getting a bit worried actually...

Speaking of temperature-related stuff, I've been thinking about "espresso shock" and issues like that lately. Did a bit of reading around on the internet and some people in the industry maintain it doesn't exist, but when making iced coffees I've definitely noticed a difference in the bitterness of coffee depending on whether I add the milk first (lowering the temperature a bit gradually), or whether I just pour the hot coffee directly over ice.

I recently saw a video of a lecture on cooking and chemistry from Harvard (here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJe3iPV1mTs ) and about 1hour 20 minutes in the guy makes an infusion of coffee in vodka under pressure using nitrous oxide, and it made me think: substitute water for vodka, and wouldn't that be an easier and faster way to brew iced coffee, and without the cooling shock?
 
Where are you guys buying the joulies from? I read about them a while ago but completely forgot! I'd like to give them a try.
 
It was a crowdfunding thing, they're still fulfilling preorders so you'll have to wait a few months before they put them on general sale (if they do at all!)
 
MarkST said:
Hi, long time since I've been in this thread. Has anybody given EL SALVADOR SAN RAFAEL BOURBON a try recently, I really fancy some more Coffee because all I have been drinking lately is Tea

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Yep, had some about a month ago. Nice coffee, nothing spectacular though.

That said, the bar has been raised somewhat stupidly high by the Machacamarca- nothing comes close to that :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom