The Coffeehouse.... Baristi, Barista, Bariste

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Originally Posted by Marco

Ah, that explains it then, as you'll never get proper crema without a pressurised espresso machine, just froth. Yeah, I know what you mean - to do it right you need a few gadgets, aside from the machine itself. I've got a whole side of the kitchen dedicated to making coffee/tea - and cocktails for the princess!:D

What do you use to grind your beans? I suspect you could upgrade things in that department, as how the beans are ground has a *MASSIVE* impact on the quality of the resulting coffee.

Marco.

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its a good machine.. an all in one i think. not sure which model but some are over a grand

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Originally Posted by guy

Hi Marco, it's that bitterness that you refer to which I dislike in coffee - will give the "welsh coffee co" a look when I am running low on stocks (strange but I love bitterness in beer, time and place for everything I suppose :))

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there are a miriad of potentials to bitter coffee. water temp, bean grind burn,,, list goes on.

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Originally Posted by Marco

What do you use to grind your beans? I suspect you could upgrade things in that department, as how the beans are ground has a *MASSIVE* impact on the quality of the resulting coffee.

Marco.

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The machine grinds the beans as well. However, if it’s any consolation, though, it does have a fair range of grind settings and it took me a good couple of weeks of fiddling to arrive at the optimum one!

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Originally Posted by struth

its a good machine.. an all in one i think. not sure which model but some are over a grand

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That one is a grand. Better than the Smegster I would guess.

I'd like to play with something like that out of pure curiosity.

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Originally Posted by guy

Hi Marco, it's that bitterness that you refer to which I dislike in coffee - will give the "welsh coffee co" a look when I am running low on stocks (strange but I love bitterness in beer, time and place for everything I suppose :))

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Yup, indeed. With this Columbian blend at least, there's certainly no excess bitterness, just a lovely smooth taste, as I've described, so yes give them a go and see what you think:cool:

Marco.

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Originally Posted by Beobloke

The machine grinds the beans as well. However, if it’s any consolation, though, it does have a fair range of grind settings and it took me a good couple of weeks of fiddling to arrive at the optimum one!

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Nice one, I'm unaware of your machine but it sounds good, even though it's not a proper espresso machine. The main thing is that you're happy with the results, so just enjoy them!:)

Marco.

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Originally Posted by struth

its a good machine.. an all in one i think. not sure which model but some are over a grand

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Noted, mate:)

Marco.

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Originally Posted by User211

That one is a grand. Better than the Smegster I would guess.

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Lol - "better" in what way? How can you judge something you've never used, either the De Longhi or the Smeg?

I guess it depends on what you're after, a proper, pressurised espresso machine, that makes real crema, as your machine, Grant's and mine does, which of course involves a fair bit of effort and some extra 'gadgets', as Adam alluded to, or something much more convenient that still makes good coffee and also grinds the beans.

The Smegster makes superb coffee, as you can clearly see, and I have an excellent hand-grinder [the Lido], plus plenty of time to fiddle [not not just THAT:eyebrows:], and rarely in a rush, so I'm delighted with it and won't be changing it until it breaks:cool:

Marco,.

Ha! Gotcha!

I did say 'I would guess'.

That said I own a really cheap Delonghi and it's surprisingly good for the money. So I do think it will be good. It might even be better than my Rocket but without having a play I dunno.

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Originally Posted by User211

Ha! Gotcha!

I did say 'I would guess'.

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:D Well. I would 'guess' that Rachel Riley is a better shag than Nicola Sturgeon, but I doubt I'll ever know!

I think I'm too much of a purist (and lover of the whole 'ritual' and hands-on approach involved in making proper espresso) to ever use an all-in-one machine. The best part of my morning is hand-grinding the beans in the Lido, as I find it rather therapeutic!:)

Marco.