Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

Going by the weather I think:
a) Royal Fail will not deliver due to adverse weather
b) I'll not be able to get in to work
c) Nobody will be at work anyway
 
Royal mail is a long way off schedule in my area. I was sent 3 A4 sized envelopes on the 18th of Dec and they only just arrived today, so if you are expecting a package through the royal mail, don't expect it to be fast (unless its special delivery or something).
 
Mint Sauce,

How are you getting on with the Rancilio Silvia and Rocky grinder? Are you glad that you got them both? Used to using the Rocky now?

I'm thinking of getting this combo myself soon.

Does it come with a decent tamper?

I have ordered some Australian Skybury and Breakfast Bomb today. I have only had Ikea Coffee and Starbucks Espresso beans so far through an Aero Press and a dodgy Delonghi machine. Fresh coffee experience imminent :D
 
Ok guys, I have tried the Skybury and I cant say that I was too taken with it. I think I would prefer hints of nutty/choclate/caramel tatses rather than oily and spicy to be honest. Oh well, at least I have tried it.

The Breakfast Bomb blend was far more enjoyable and i'll be picking that up again I think.

I have decided on the Silvia with doserless Rocky from Caffè Italia.
 
It's good you've tried a second - the taste depends on the individual and the to a certain extent the brewing method/technique.

For choccy I'd recommend South American coffees. Asians tend to be a bit more earthy and Africans have a sharpness to them.
 
Thanks, I will try a South American next time then and maybe some premium espresso blend :D

The lack of decent grinder can't be helping. With my Aeropress, the water goes through into the cup in about 10 seconds and before the plunger is fully erm plunged :p

I'll give it another whirl when the gear arrives from Caffè Italia.

Rancilio Silvia
Rancilio Rocky (doserless)

And a set of these (also from Caffe Italia, albeit purchased at a discount £30 rather than £60) http://www.1-800-espresso.com/gaggia-platinum-cups.html ... I still need a slap for paying that for 4 tiny cups mind you :p
 
After using the Gaggia a fair bit of the last couple of weeks I though it best to give her a good clean. Using a backflush and puly caff, the amount of old coffee that came out was jaw-dropping. I was expecting some but I ended up doing it twice over, and it defiantly something I will be doing every week or two in the future!
 
gumbald said:
Any opinions on DeLonghi machines? Ordered an out of stock EC710 for £113 (not in any rush for it and allows me to change my mind ;))...
Click to expand...

I have just bought the De'Longhi EC330S and I must say, makes a really nice espresso :) Looks beautiful on my desk too :D

20100128-ep5i3r5u2seywnkcxiee13ah14.jpg
 
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Right I'm wondering if anything I'm missing here.

I've purchased around 5 different blends now from HasBean, but I'm still amiss at why I'm not tasting the subtle 'special' elements of the beans.

I've got a Gaggia Classic and a Aeropress, and as much as they make really nice coffee, it's not as 'special' as I thought it would be.

My machine is cleaned, my shots are taking #~25sec with a nice 'rat's tale' and crema is pretty good. I've tried corse all the way too very fine and still not a massive change.

The espresso I can tell the difference in beans but not overly so, and once I turn it into a Amereicano the game is lost.

I can't much comment on late yet as I've a new wand arriving Monday.

I can't think of what else I can do?
 
Try an espresso without turning into an american. Hold it in your mouth and swirl it. See if that makes a difference.

One other point is if you've been blasting away dialling in then you may be a bit saturated.. once I had it dialled in it look a time to see the differences in some brews.

Lastly - drink an espresso single. On the MCAL this is hard work (less ground result in a better cup I found) - however a single espresso shot straight of good coffee is akin to fine wine.

It is worth noting that virtually noting that all fresh brewed coffee will taste good. Then it's like wine tasting as you slowly work out what really floats your boat.
 
Right, just back flushed it with some putty caff and first shot came out amazing, soooo much purer crema, I even used some Gaggia descale cleaner stuff that goes into that tank. Though one thing I can't clean and get rid is the hint of green moss looking thing in the plastic tubing that goes into the water tank.....I know bleech will kill it, but is it safe to put bleech in a coffee machine lol
 
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