Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread
- Thread starter Siliconslave
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*wibble*
What have I done?!
I may have just agreed to help open a cafe with someone in the next few months...
*rocks backwards and forwards wimpering*
It was only a matter of time and you know it
Good luck!! I'm sure the coffee will be top notch!!
The only way to buy it is as green beans really, othewise you don't know how long it's been since roast.
Not really sure of where to buy it, some was given to me a couple of years ago, it was green so I had a friend roast it for me. It was ok... Nothing particularly special.
It was only a matter of time and you know it
Good luck!! I'm sure the coffee will be top notch!!
It was going to happen one day... Spent the morning improving my latte art.
Will need to go on a hunt for a roaster to use.
That could be a fun few weeks.And Tea, chocolate, snacks....
Oh god...the list is HUGE!
Soldato
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To be honest having tried it and probably a very poor example of it I wasn't overally impressed by it.
It really isn't anything special and has a very earthy, muddy taste to it. It's drinkable but not as amazing as reviews would lead you to believe.
I tried it as it was a gift given to me but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy it.
http://www.finestcoffee.co.uk/
is probably your best bet. From reading the info they will probably roast it on day of delivery. (I'm inferring this from them saying they will grind on day of delivery)
Associate
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Well that's the last time you'll have the time to post in this thread for awhile I guess...*wibble*
What have I done?!
I may have just agreed to help open a cafe with someone in the next few months...
*rocks backwards and forwards wimpering*
Will need to go on a hunt for a roaster to use.
Hope you don't also go for Square Mile - they're great but when every cafe around is using Red Brick it can get boring.
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I've not been watching this thread for a while. What's the pressurised basket in the Classic then? Is this something that comes on the re-released model?
Ok, so these 'barista' 'whole bean' instant coffees. I've been reluctant to shell out £5 to try a tin of instant coffee, but I picked up a small size one of Nescafe Azera "half price" in Sainsburys. Either way, it was £1.60. It's ok, but that's as far as I'm prepared to go. What are the other two like? Millicano and Instinct I think they are. All three are 85% instant with 15% 'micro-ground' beans.
Ok, so these 'barista' 'whole bean' instant coffees. I've been reluctant to shell out £5 to try a tin of instant coffee, but I picked up a small size one of Nescafe Azera "half price" in Sainsburys. Either way, it was £1.60. It's ok, but that's as far as I'm prepared to go. What are the other two like? Millicano and Instinct I think they are. All three are 85% instant with 15% 'micro-ground' beans.
Not tried those coffees but you'll get a far better with something as cheap as an Aeropress and a hand grinder. From boiling the kettle, you'll have a nice cup within a couple of minutes. You'll find it hard to stomach instant coffee after that.
The pressurised baskets have replaced the included non-pressurised that come with the Classic and I think it's been a couple of years since they started doing that. The non-pressurised baskets are cheap and easily available though.
The pressurised baskets have replaced the included non-pressurised that come with the Classic and I think it's been a couple of years since they started doing that. The non-pressurised baskets are cheap and easily available though.
Well that's the last time you'll have the time to post in this thread for awhile I guess...
I'll always have time for this.
Trying to persuade my mate to allow me to run evening cupping and brewing sessions for coffee geeks... he's not going for it... yet. 
Red Brick is pretty good, but I suspect we'll be using several roasters. I don't have a problem with it tbh.
House espresso blend - consistancy is the key here.
Guest espresso - single origin or blend - maybe from a different roaster, maybe just a single element from the house blend. Change every so often.
A few single origin coffee for brewed.
Got to spend a few hours with him to nail down what it is he actually wants and what I can get away with.
*uber boiler? *Sacrilege but anyone have a suggestion for the best coffee I can buy in any of the main supermarkets or Costa? I usually buy full bean from somewhere like Hasbean, Square Mile or Union but got some family popping round at short notice tomorrow and I don't think I've got enough good stuff left. Will be grinding for espresso (Gaggia Classic) and likely made into a milk based drink.
Any suggestions much appreciated. As I say, limited to supemarkets (got them all I think) and Costa.
Thanks!
Any suggestions much appreciated. As I say, limited to supemarkets (got them all I think) and Costa.
Thanks!
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Soldato
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Well I have been using Sainsbury's taste the difference beans while trying out my new gaggia and they taste fine.
I used to use these before I found the wondeful world of the micro-roaster.
The columbian is quite nice is very nutty and milk chocolately.
Congrats Flibster on the new cafe. I take it this is probably going to be in London then?
Now that I have a friend over the in the states I will hopefully be getting regular shipments of some interesting beans from the likes of handsome roasters, stumptown, Intelligensia and any others he can find for me or I find while scouring the internet. I would like to try some beans from Tim Wendleboe such a shame he doesn't do international delivery.
Still need to order my non-pressurised basket and shot glasses but I am finding the whole experience with my first espresso machine wonderful. I don't think I could ever get bored, I can see this new passion of mine costing me a lot more in a few years when I take the next step up in espresso machine.
Done, thanks for the tip. Will bung some through first thing to get a taste for it.
They are the emergency beans that I use too. I used to get the Kenyan Taste the Difference beans which were much better but the beans in the last bag I got were oily and over-roasted.
Contact Philips, tell them that you can't make the coffee you like with the pressurised baskets and they will send you out a non-pressurised free within a few days.
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Whats the best bang for buck coffee machine to buy??
Im a barista myself in M&S cafe and work with £10k machines, (how id love one at home)
any good options? Also id love to see others latte art if they have any pics! i was trained by the best coffee maker in the nation
Im a barista myself in M&S cafe and work with £10k machines, (how id love one at home)
any good options? Also id love to see others latte art if they have any pics! i was trained by the best coffee maker in the nation
Have you got a location in mind? West London is short of decent coffee shops
We have, can't say where yet. But it's not London. *which is great - I'd hate the commute
*Whats the best bang for buck coffee machine to buy??
Im a barista myself in M&S cafe and work with £10k machines, (how id love one at home)
any good options? Also id love to see others latte art if they have any pics! i was trained by the best coffee maker in the nation
Gaggia Classic is the normally recommended one. Depends on your budget though. Working on the pro machines may push you more towards the Francio Puccino - home twin boiler job, so you can steam and pull shots at the same time.
Trained by the best in the nation? Hmmm... I know Gwilym was having meetings with M&S a while back. Was it the lovely Prufrock people?
And no, I'm not showing my dismal latte art to anyone.
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Soldato
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I wish i could do latte art. I have come close a couple of times to doing something vaguely creative but it generally just ends up as a white splodge in the middle.
I am still trying to get used to actually using an espresso machine and the steam wand is something I think will take me a few more weeks to get to grips with.
I am more than happy with my gaggia as a home (work) machine but i guess if you work with a big machine you probably would want something a bit better/ something you are more familiar with. For me I would see the next logical step up to be the ROCKET CELLINI CLASSIC (maybe a big step up but you can dream)
I am still trying to get used to actually using an espresso machine and the steam wand is something I think will take me a few more weeks to get to grips with.
I am more than happy with my gaggia as a home (work) machine but i guess if you work with a big machine you probably would want something a bit better/ something you are more familiar with. For me I would see the next logical step up to be the ROCKET CELLINI CLASSIC (maybe a big step up but you can dream
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Good luck Flibster, will be very interested to hear how you get on Not sure how much were allowed to talk about business ventures but would be great to know what its like setting up
Not sure how much were allowed to talk about business ventures but would be great to know what its like setting up
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I've got a Gaggia Classic at home, so I don't need an Aeropress as well
This stuff is more for when I'm in a rush.
So what's the difference between the normal basket and a pressurised one then? And why did they change it if it's not as good?
Edit: oh, it's got a weird disc thing on the bottom of the basket. For improved crema, right?
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I've got a Gaggia Classic at home, so I don't need an Aeropress as well
Ah sorry, I didn't realise! When you talked of instant coffee, I was assuming that that's the coffee you're drinking!
Get an aeropress anyway. They're great
Don't know why they changed it. A lot of people refer to the crema that you get from the pressurised baskets as 'fake' as, from what I understand, it forces the coffee through the hole at the bottom, slowing down the shot and aerating it. Also, from reading around, the tamp pressure and grind will need changing when you start using the non-pressurised.
Philips send them out for free if you tell them you're not happy with the pressurised. The one I bought is going back!!
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