The [coffee snobs'] espresso thread

[DaveC]

Hi Steve,

Just thought we would let you know that inspired by your enthusiasm and clear track record for being incredibly discerning...we just made that first step away from Nespresso and bought a very simple Jura, the A1 which simply makes espresso but where you have 3 settings of volume for the water. We never used all the frothing, milk things that came with the Nespresso machines we have owned over the years (at least 3 I think)...so we figured the less to break the better.

Looking forward to trying it!!! What coffee do you recommend? We have had Blue Mountain when we were in Vietnam...mindblowingly good. But for everyday drinking and adding cold milk anyway, thanks for any thoughts on what great whole bean coffees you like that are more widely available (since we are in London, the unique boutique local brands are probably different than in California, but presumably the bigger names are available).

Congrats!

Check out Traction Coffee:

https://traction.coffee/

Keep your eyes open for some new Geshas going up soon! If you try them DON'T put any milk in them, they are too delicate for that! If you haven't tried a Gesha they are very aromatic, floral and delicate, some are barely recognizable as coffee. Otherwise the Colombia Esperanza, the natural Ethopian and Summer Blend are also awesome.


Here's a recent heart... these are really difficult to get right!

 

[StreamFidelity]

Wow, looks sensational!

Thank you. Everyone who visits me in Berlin gets the cappuccino.

 

[12elfthfloor]

View attachment 63223I’ve had my trusty and much loved ECM Giotto since 2000 and have pulled easily 20,000 shots off it since then. Have been considering retiring it and going for a final destination espresso machine to take me out into the future. With an approaching lockdown imminent I moved and went the upgrade.
View attachment 63224
Welcome to the new ECM Technika V with Pid and Profi pump. Had the flow rate kit fitted so I can flow rate profile to emulate lever extractions and do properly long pre-infusions. I had a Mazzer mini manual that I had bought back in 2000 also. Such a good machine. Now replaced with the new Mazzer mini electronic B. Good goes awesome and extra sexy as well.

Have also gone an Acaia lunar scale and a naked ECM bottomless portafilter, ECM tamper station and Rhino dosing cup...

and an Espro calibrated 58.35mm tamp with an OCD 58.5mm levelling tool.
View attachment 63225View attachment 63226
OCD by name and OCD by nature . After dialling in the grinder and getting used to working the flow rate lever today I have pulled the two best shots I’ve ever pulled in a row and amongst some of the best coffees I’ve ever had. Super happy. If there’s a lockdown the espressos aren’t going to be shabby, plenty of time to work on my technique as we’re starting working from home on Monday .

I know im a few months late but great set up! I used to be all in with a rocket R58 with VST baskets and shower screen a distribution tool. They all make a difference! One of the variables I got rid of was the tamp, I moved to the puqpress which helped. The last was modifying a small whisk to stir the grinds in the basket before using the distribution tool. This was essential using the mazzer mini e to break down some of the clumps.

Using a naked and this method the results were the best I could get from this setup.

When visitors came I would do all this with my back turned to reduce the chances of being taken to the funny farm

 

[the sound of Tao]

Nice... Naked porta is such a great thing to be able to see if the shot is channeling, its a lovely ritual. Thanks also for the tip... will try the whisk out thanks 12elfthfloor.

Funny farm is of course the expected outcome for all of us in this... and then in audio in general

 

[findog]

My fav coffee right now. Single origin from Peru: https://www.lacolombe.com/products/peru-el-guayacan

 

[12elfthfloor]

Peeps have to walk past my hifi to get to the kitchen for a coffee... sigh my red tshirt pales in colour to my cheeks
I am sure you have it all worked out but if a picure helps....

The catcha is 54 mm not 58 mm so slightly narrower. Ill do the 58 next.

 

[the sound of Tao]

Lol

 

[Zero000]

Waitrose, Illy, all are not that good. Try from various roasteries, you can order online. Recently we have been ordering from extract coffee roasters, their Brazil, Mexico, Rwanda, and the limited edition Columbia were all very good. Their decaf is excellent as well. Not expensive.

Extract are OK but Wogan is quite a bit cheaper and amazingly better.

Extract do pretty packaging. Wogan is located very close to Extract here in Bristol.

 

[bonzo75]

Extract are OK but Wogan is quite a bit cheaper and amazingly better.

Extract do pretty packaging. Wogan is located very close to Extract here in Bristol.

Ok will try Wogan. So far have tried all of Monmouth, kiss the hippo, Harrods, wood street, and a few random ones. Very happy with extract.

 

[Zero000]

Ok will try Wogan. So far have tried all of Monmouth, kiss the hippo, Harrods, wood street, and a few random ones. Very happy with extract.

Buy by the KG and the value is excellent. But to start just try a few unblended ones at 250g to get an idea. I am rarely disappointed if ever really.

Like Extract, there is a house taste and I am sure its just down to the roasting techniques and roasters themselves.

Extract do a great job on their marketing and coffee roaster hype but I really do think Wogan is better and others have agreed.

 

[bonzo75]

Buy by the KG and the value is excellent. But to start just try a few unblended ones at 250g to get an idea. I am rarely disappointed if ever really.

Like Extract, there is a house taste and I am sure its just down to the roasting techniques and roasters themselves.

Extract do a great job on their marketing and coffee roaster hype but I really do think Wogan is better and others have agreed.

I always buy the smaller packs to try various ones. Coffee is consumed over days so cost doesn't matter, gets spread, and I get to try many roasteries that by buying small packs

 

[Zero000]

I always buy the smaller packs to try various ones. Coffee is consumed over days so cost doesn't matter, gets spread, and I get to try many roasteries that by buying small packs

Check out the Team to help the NHS. Universally liked on another hi-fi forum. Not cheap but arrives quickly from Scotland. It's lovely. Despite the alien bug in the coffee.

 

[bonzo75]

View attachment 68060


Check out the Team to help the NHS. Universally liked on another hi-fi forum. Not cheap but arrives quickly from Scotland. It's lovely. Despite the alien bug in the coffee.

View attachment 68061

Btw, I have my coffee black, not with milk. That changes preferences a lot, because I used to, but with better coffee I prefer it black.

 

[Zero000]

Btw, I have my coffee black, not with milk. That changes preferences a lot, because I used to, but with better coffee I prefer it black.

By the Team.

 

[LL21]

I always buy the smaller packs to try various ones. Coffee is consumed over days so cost doesn't matter, gets spread, and I get to try many roasteries that by buying small packs

Thanks, Bonzo75. Ordered a few bags to start. Looking forward to the Jura and some good coffee. Stay tuned.

 

[LL21]

Extract are OK but Wogan is quite a bit cheaper and amazingly better.

Extract do pretty packaging. Wogan is located very close to Extract here in Bristol.

Thanks! looking into this as well...fun!

 

[LL21]

Arrived...tried the Jura A1 with the Extract Coffee...purely for coffee (no bells/whistles for milk)...excellent quality coffee. One of the few times we could drink coffee 'neat' and really enjoy it. Thanks for introducing us to Jura! And to the world of fresh coffee beans...the fact that the 'extra cost' for the machine pays for itself in less than one year (even factoring in these boutique/artisanal coffees) in comparison to a Nespresso is also great.

 

[bonzo75]

Arrived...tried the Jura with the Extract Coffee...excellent. One of the few times we could drink coffee 'neat' and really enjoy it. Thanks for introducing us to Jura! And to the world of fresh coffee beans...the fact that the 'extra cost' for the machine pays for itself in less than one year (even factoring in these boutique/artisanal coffees) in comparison to a Nespresso is also great.

What did you get from extract? In terms of single origin location

 

[bonzo75]

Good coffee has to be drunk neat, not with milk. And good sushi should not be had with wasabi, and you don't need ketchup for good eggs

 

[LL21]

What did you get from extract? In terms of single origin location

Original, Cast Iron and Dr. Strangeglove. We tried the latter first. More to come. What do you recommend?