Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

tigerstyle · 12 Mar 2016 at 12:27

rhysduck said:
Is that straight out of the portafilter? What Morphy Richard's machine is it?

The coffee should be between the two types that u get. Firm, slightly damp.

In my days it was called a group handle?
The machine has no timer, so it's down to my mental clock to do it, think that might account for a large amount of the difference. Have been using larger mugs rather than a smaller esspresso shot cup to measure the output, so might also be better if I use the espresso cup and decant into the mug later.

Machine is a Morphy Richards Accents 172002 simple but works well.

Dj_Jestar · 12 Mar 2016 at 19:51

I've got a cheapo CDN digital timer that I use to keep check, but I always brew until the coffee is blonde (as in, stop as soon as it becomes blonde). Some times that's a few seconds longer, other times a few seconds short.

FrenchTart · 15 Mar 2016 at 08:52

This group coffee order thing is starting to get a bit out of hand...

Ducky89 · 15 Mar 2016 at 10:17

http://www.hasbean.co.uk/collections/africa/products/ethiopia-yirgacheffe-gedeb-natural-kurume

Add that! Thank me later!

rhysduck · 15 Mar 2016 at 10:44

I've changed from HasBean beans to RedBer. Much much better!

I've found my last 4+ bags have been a bit hit and miss with taste, crema etc. i thought it was my machine but switching to RedBer has proved that theory wrong.

I'm not the only one to notice this either, mate had same issues.

FrenchTart · 15 Mar 2016 at 10:47

rhysduck said:
I've changed from HasBean beans to RedBer. Much much better!

I've found my last 4+ bags have been a bit hit and miss with taste, crema etc. i thought it was my machine but switching to RedBer has proved that theory wrong.

I'm not the only one to notice this either, mate had same issues.

Between us we order about £50 worth of coffee every two weeks and we've not had any issues. I'm not saying you're wrong but there are two sides to every coin and all that

Ducky89 said:
http://www.hasbean.co.uk/collections/africa/products/ethiopia-yirgacheffe-gedeb-natural-kurume

Add that! Thank me later!

Order already placed I'm afraid...I'll try it next time though

Grimley · 15 Mar 2016 at 22:49

I've not ordered from Hasbean for over a year now. I wasnt particularly struck on the bean that I ordered from them (recommended in this very thread back then) I tend to buy from Rave now, I get offers from them about once a month & their blends I find to be good value for money. I'm going through a batch of Rwanda Simbi right now & its good, despite the fact I'm not really that keen on African coffee for some reason.

Bar · 16 Mar 2016 at 10:08

Looking for some advice before going ahead with a purchase.

Im getting back into enjoying a solid cup of coffee and so is the wife. What I am looking for is the best flavour for the simplest operation, and ideally at a reasonable cost.

I have looked at buying seperates in terms of machine and grinder but my preference would be an all in one solution.

I keep coming back to this one:

http://www.sageappliances.co.uk/the-barista-express.html

Which seems to tick all the boxes - but after skimming through the pages here there are lots of different options.

Ideally I wouldnt look to spend quite that much, but any advice would be much appreciated.

Scottland · 16 Mar 2016 at 10:31

The Sage is a Breville outside of the UK/Europe. From what I've seen they're pretty good but overpriced. Also means you can't upgrade or replace one or the other down the line if you wanted something better/different.

Review here:

FrenchTart · 16 Mar 2016 at 10:40

uv got one of those - upgraded from a Classic. It seems like a nice machine.

FTM · 16 Mar 2016 at 10:58

decided to try the hasbean starter pack

lucky enough up here as I can get beans from Pumphreys in the grainger market or from the ouseburn coffee company if I want to try different stuff..but I am all for trying as many different kinds as I can!!

I have the wife converted fully now and if my current bean to cup machine ever breaks she wouldnt hesitate to get another regardless of cost...she couldnt live without it now!

when I had a manual machine she never touched it...now its a double espresso every morning before work and a tall latte after work to relax

next time I think I would get one with easily swappable hopper

Scottland · 16 Mar 2016 at 11:03

FTM said:
I have the wife converted fully now and if my current bean to cup machine ever breaks she wouldnt hesitate to get another regardless of cost...she couldnt live without it now!

when I had a manual machine she never touched it...now its a double espresso every morning before work and a tall latte after work to relax

next time I think I would get one with easily swappable hopper

My other half only used to use my old bean to cup for Americanos - she could never be bothered with steaming milk. Since switching to a Silvia she's never touched it but is a convert to drip now and loves the V60.

FrenchTart · 16 Mar 2016 at 11:31

Aww yeah...

Bar · 16 Mar 2016 at 14:40

Ok so I am guessing it shouldnt take an hour and nigh on a bag of coffee to dial in a brand new machine. However the cup I have just had was sublime and the wifes just declared better than anything from Starbucks. The beans werent anything special - just a cheapish bag to try and balance grind / amount / tamper pressure - but its come out lovely.

Now to try and restrain myself at Has Bean

FrenchTart · 16 Mar 2016 at 15:04

One thing to keep in mind when you get some fresh beans is that the difference in grind required for fresh vs the stuff you get in supermarkets is often pretty huge.

Ducky89 · 16 Mar 2016 at 15:56

What beans are you working with Bar? Try something cheap-ish to dial in, Italian Job/Fudge blend from Rave - grab a kilo and keep going until you're happy.

Then invest is some different beans if you want to try different flavours out. I must be honest, I tend to stick with 1 bean for espresso and use all my other stuff in filter. Current 'spro is Foundry's rocko and it's lovely

Then I can use the #SSSSS and other hasbeans as filters as I know they'll come out well and I won't waste any.

Bar · 16 Mar 2016 at 16:18

So at the moment its just some roasted beans from Sainsburys - Taylors i think?!?!

But will put an order for some sample packs from Has Bean / Redber to try different regions / blends to see which we prefer the most.

So just to check the following aspects are coming from the way I have things set:

Nice Crema
Nice coffee taste / not bitter / overly dark
Grinds come out as a solid cake damp throughout but no moisture sitting on top
Pressure indicator is bang in the middle

The only difference I can see from what the pamphlet describes is the time it takes to pour - my coffee seems to be done in about 23 seconds, where as it states between 25-30 I think.

Ultimately its giving a lovely coffee which seems to give much more of a kick than other coffees Ive had, including costa / starbucks etc.

Ducky89 · 16 Mar 2016 at 16:30

Bar said:
So at the moment its just some roasted beans from Sainsburys - Taylors i think?!?!

Nooooo! Get some proper stuff in there!

Is it a bean-to-cup machine you're using? 23s sounds about right, but it'd be interesting if you could get ratios (beans used > coffee out) for espresso.

Bar · 16 Mar 2016 at 16:57

It is a bean to cup - Sage Barista Express. In terms of ratios do you mean grams in for millilitres out?

Proper stuff (Espresso Starter Pack) ordered from Has Bean - but only picked up the machine today.

Ducky89 · 16 Mar 2016 at 17:31

Grams in -> grams out usually. Does the machine weigh the grinds?

Aim for a 2:1 ratio to start with then adjust to your taste. 18g in 36 out - but if you like how it tastes with Taylors I'm sure you'll be blown away with the HB stuff :-)