Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

Scottland · 11 Oct 2008 at 17:23

NickK said:
Problem is that once you start making espresso at home you start picking out the errors in starbucks etc.. Like the bad coffee, the foam etc, etc.. Mind you the Costa coffee in Waterstones in Reading (as you exit the Oracle) is pretty good and the espresso was drinkable!

They tend to over-roast (or burn) the beans in Starbucks et al, this way they can get a consistent taste™ when they buy different beans and blends etc.

GTanny · 11 Oct 2008 at 19:10

NickK said:
Problem is that once you start making espresso at home you start picking out the errors in starbucks etc.. Like the bad coffee, the foam etc, etc.. Mind you the Costa coffee in Waterstones in Reading (as you exit the Oracle) is pretty good and the espresso was drinkable!

what your saying is very true but it was starbucks that showed me the difference between instant and 'real' coffee, now have my own machine though ive noticed the difference and no longer drink there unless im in town and really fancy a coffee... i do think there fraps are nice!

growse · 11 Oct 2008 at 22:09

ThriceNightly said:
wow I would be interested at that price but are you sure it is the classic they are selling and not another gaggia model?

I own a classic, so I know what it was. Same price as the cubika thingie.

ThriceNightly · 12 Oct 2008 at 12:23

growse said:
I own a classic, so I know what it was. Same price as the cubika thingie.

very interested at that price

which store was it? please give me a clue as competitors cannot be listed

ThriceNightly · 12 Oct 2008 at 12:31

what do you guys have with your espresso i.e. do you just have it neat or do you add sugar or anything else for that matter...... just interested to know.

when i was in italy (tuscany) espresso shots were served with a separate glass of cold water to follow.

also what is your favourite accompaniment.

i do love a croissant........i am very much enjoying an almond croissant with my fresh coffee as we speak

Raymond Lin · 12 Oct 2008 at 12:35

I usually make a Latte (yes i know in italian this means nothing), but sometimes i have it neat with some sugar.

xander_uk2 · 12 Oct 2008 at 12:44

In the mornings it's a double espresso latte and a cinnamon and raisen bagle

GTanny · 12 Oct 2008 at 13:27

i normally have a latte as i generally cant stomach pure espresso unless im really in the mood for one.

i was on a greek ship this morning and got a frappe/iced coffee so i think im going to try one of them too next time a make one... possibly just before i watch the F1 as i fell asleep watching it this morning.

edit: just been looking at recepies and every one i found so far is using instant coffee and specifically nescafe!

NickK · 12 Oct 2008 at 14:14

That depends. Not normally but I will drink water throughout the day - went for a run earlier so that demanded water as it's quite warm out.

To be honest I can find lattes in large cups too much. A small mug or cup is far better. So far today - a double in a latte at about 9 this morning then water.. water on the run, and now I'll go for some more water whilst the coffee machine is warming up. I think this will be another double latte as I'm just using up the milk.

My ex (italian) drank a lot of water. Funnily enough I'm seeing her again this week so I'll ask her about italians drinking a lot of water with coffee..

Raymond Lin · 13 Oct 2008 at 09:51

LOL, check this out. In my blog today, i put up the post about 1am last night and look who has posted a comment ! Not sure if he's really from HasBean or not but I see no reason to doubt him

Wonder how he found it.

http://raymondwlin.wordpress.com/2008/10/13/more-coffee-gadgets/crw_5085/

wozzizname · 13 Oct 2008 at 10:29

Grrr, my beans have 'disappeared' in Royal Mail somewhere (ordered them a week ago) - I emailed hasbean and they'll resend some if they haven't turned up by tomorrow

Scottland · 13 Oct 2008 at 10:31

If his site was linked to from here or your blog, he may well notice the referral traffic.

Maybe he's reading this thread? Maybe he's going to send us some free samples?

ThriceNightly · 13 Oct 2008 at 10:34

Raymond Lin said:
LOL, check this out. In my blog today, i put up the post about 1am last night and look who has posted a comment ! Not sure if he's really from HasBean or not but I see no reason to doubt him Wonder how he found it.

http://raymondwlin.wordpress.com/2008/10/13/more-coffee-gadgets/crw_5085/

yup appears to be steve from hasbean

Scottland said:
If his site was linked to from here or your blog, he may well notice the referral traffic.

Maybe he's reading this thread? Maybe he's going to send us some free samples?

hasbens getting good referals in this thread

free samples would be nice

Raymond Lin · 13 Oct 2008 at 10:56

ThriceNightly said:
yup appears to be steve from hasbean

That is wicked

my site is offically famous.

NickK · 13 Oct 2008 at 11:28

I think once the kitchen light is fixed and camera attached to my forhead I'll re-record those youtube videos.. perhaps with a bit of sponsorship

hehe.

However Hasbean's service speaks for itself any my experience so far has been exemplary [word of the day]. I did feel compelled to send him the original picture of the MCAL with Hasbean bags next to it that I posted to Home-Barista forums too.

Just out of note - I've opened the Kenya Kiriga Estate Auction Lot 729 which is really nice too and it's more abruptness and darker 'drier' (rather than sweet) taste helps with lattes too. It's not heavy or bitter but I can taste the espresso from about 30 minutes ago even after a cup of water after.. yum!

netby · 13 Oct 2008 at 11:53

I presume you are drinking a cup of nice fresh spring water after your espresso?

cause tap water is only ruining it,IMHO

NickK · 13 Oct 2008 at 12:04

netby said:
I presume you are drinking a cup of nice fresh spring water after your espresso?

cause tap water is only ruining it,IMHO

Lol... well to prolong the life of the machine I use 80mg/l bottled water

The taste of the tap water here is ok to be honest.

netby · 13 Oct 2008 at 12:32

I have a well of water, and that water is not bad, but I only use it for cooking - I drink spring water( and I drink a lot ), it´s cheap here, each 5 litres cost around 90 cents of Euro, and the taste is excellent

Flibster · 13 Oct 2008 at 12:45

ThriceNightly said:
what do you guys have with your espresso i.e. do you just have it neat or do you add sugar or anything else for that matter...... just interested to know.

when i was in italy (tuscany) espresso shots were served with a separate glass of cold water to follow.

also what is your favourite accompaniment.

i do love a croissant........i am very much enjoying an almond croissant with my fresh coffee as we speak

Neat espresso for me.

It's meant to be served with a glass of water, can't exactly remember why, but it is.

Lotus biscuits go down well, as do pain au chocolate.

Raymond Lin · 13 Oct 2008 at 12:56

Do people really use bottle water for their coffee machine? I live in Hererford and the water has hardly if at all limescale in it, our kettle after 5 years of use is really clean still.