Maybe the perfect cup of coffee...

[jyl]

Peets Major Dickason.

"Junior Espresso" stove-top espresso maker (kind of like a Bialetti.) Cheap and effective.

Frothed organic whole milk. Like those happy cows!

One cube of brown sugar.

A heavy, thick-handled mug made by my wife. (I'm on a campaign to eat only off homemade dishware.)

Welcome to my weekend morning routine.

[pwd72s]

Evren's pics are almost pornographic!

[tabs]

Well here is my Espresso machine and grinder once again...I am begiining to feel like Jack Olsen, always showing off his BB2...

But this truly is a good machine and makes great coffee...it seems no matter what kind of beans I use it always winds up tasting like a rich, frothy, hot cocoa... I steam 1% Milk and add a couple of teaspoons of Raw Sugar.

So far I like the different kinds of beans Trader Joes has...I have used their....Kenya AA, Sumtra, Dark Sumtra, Espresso, Dark Yemen, Organic 5 Countries Espresso, Moka Java, and Columbian. The only one that I didn't like was the Columbian..it just didn't have any taste.

I have to say that after running my own machine I won't go to Starbucks anymore, because all they do is sell is water with a little flavor in it.

[CamB]

Tabs, when you die, can I have the Mazzer?

evren's pictures have got me very excited, so I'm off to Altezano.

As for Thom - I suspect that went over a few people's heads. Check out this link (not safe for work, need audio - 350kb) for an advert about Dicken's Cider:

http://www.dlhill.com/wav/dickens.wav

[vash]

tabs! is that an ice cream maker in the background? you da man!

[Robert Coats]

Originally posted by widebody911
I'm more of a cider fan; first thing every morning I enjoy a large Dicken's Cider just before breakfast.

Ah, yes. quite nice.

My wife won a contest once. A free Ford Taurus, from Ed Pinkley's Ford. While I drive the 911, for some reason, she prefers I keep driving her Pinkley Taurus all the time. It's pretty responsive.

Say it with me now, "Pinkley Taurus"

[Pat S]

Originally posted by Moses
Course grind Peet's Major Dickason's Blend. French press. Heavy diner mug. Good morning!

Mmmm, I espresso grind the Major and it makes a very tasty latte.
Not quite the set-up Tabs has but I have had a Gaggia Espresso Machine that's been working great for several years now.

Pat

[n8marx]

I thought this thread was going to be about the guy here in MN trying to open a topless coffee shop.

[Nader]

Lately I've been into Turkish coffee. An altogether different coffee experience. Kind of a pain in the ass to make, but you can read your fortune in the grounds patterns as they drip down the insides of the overturned cup.

[djmcmath]

Ah, Turkish coffee -- how does the old saying go? As strong as love, as bitter as death, and as dark as night? Me, I like my coffee like I like my women -- thick, black, and strong. Oh, wait, that's not right. Seriously, my favorite coffee is made by a little Filipino (sp?) guy named Joel at the coffee shop in one of the secure areas on the Submarine Base. When I make my own, the best beans are the ones my dad brings back in 5lb bags from the Co-Op in Italy. And BTW, coffee is a health drink now, according to the Italians. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3540729.stm



Dan

[VINMAN]

Chock Full of Nuts "the heavenly coffee"

[dhoward]

Cheap generic grocery store coffee 50% with Old Bushmills Irish whiskey.
Environmentally dangerous styrofoam cup.

Pinkie in.

"so tell me, how WAS the ballet?"

[JonT]

So what is the best maker? whats a french press? where can I learn more about this?

[vash]

french press is PEET's suggestion for making the perfect cup. it is one of those glass things with a screen plunger in it. apparently it lets the grind release the essential oils for nice tasty brew. somebody post a pic of a french press. downside, they are kinda a pain to clean, naw scratch that, i am just lazy. the only downside is that you haveta boil the water and pour it in. no nice little timer to have the java waiting for you in the morning. i personally hate crap out on my kitchen counter, so the french press is perfect for me.

[djmcmath]

Now that I think about it, my little Krups machine is getting ready to give up the ghost. Anybody have a good recommendation on an affordable espresso machine? Tabs, what is that monstrosity on your counter, the one that always makes perfect coffee, and how expensive would it be if I had to buy one? Pat S, how much did yours cost? How heavily do you guys use your machines? (Sorry for the pseudo-hijack, but at least I'm still on coffee, right? )

Dan

[CamB]

Tabs, what is that monstrosity on your counter, the one that always makes perfect coffee, and how expensive would it be if I had to buy one?

Lots of $$$. Search Tabs' name and "coffee" - he made a couple of threads about it during the intial excitement (see below). Basically, if you are going to spend the money, spend it on something with approx the specs on the Salvatore machine, specifically:

- at least a couple of litres of boiler
- an E61 group head

Tabs' grinder is the Porsche of grinders. Apparently a Mazzer Mini will last forever with only changes to the grinding burrs.

And in my opinion, as far as cheaper machines go, the Solis Crema SL-70 is worth a look (my parents have one).

Expresso Machines

Nirvana

In the first thread, you even get to see my coffee rant.

(edit) This thread has so made me want to go get another coffee...

[911Rob]

Never miss my cup 'o joe.

If there's one thing routine about my life, it's my coffee.
Starbucks top of the line cap/expresso machine does the trick for me. I'm also a coffee connisieur, able to make anything that Starbucks serves up. My wife bakes biscottis too.

You now have a personal invitation to join us for a cup......... pm me and we'll set the date.

[djmcmath]

CamB -- thanks for the info. Holy cow, I had no idea a decent espresso machine could cost so much! I'll have to start saving up to replace my little old Krups Real Soon Now.

Dan

[Pat S]

djmcmath
For entry level esspresso machines, I like my http://www.wholelattelove.com/Gaggia/espresso.cfm
It takes some practice to get a good crema (the light colored smooth topping of espresso) but it's a good enough machine to get you there. Get a good grinder (something around the $100 mark) and you can be fairly well set up for not too much cost.

Pat

[Moses]

What do you guys think of something like this? It's a "superautomatic". The gadget freak in me is fascinated!