Coffee

[Cav]

C'mon then Kiwi.. let's see this mega coffee maker!

[kiwikrasher]

C'mon then Kiwi.. let's see this mega coffee maker!

Ha! The machine isn’t mega at all. Just a simple semi auto Breville Duo Temp Pro. But it gives a lot of manual control and gets really good reviews on coffee snobby boards.

Out in the city at the moment.. just waiting on an espresso martini as it happens

[kiwikrasher]

[Cav]

And meanwhile, I'm sat in my office waiting for a PLC programmer to find another fault in his code and fix it. Things are better down South!

I have a Nespresso Vertuo Machine.. insert your pod, press play. I love how no one can mess with settings and I get the same coffee every time.

They rate their pods on an intensity scale out of 12. Typically I go for the 7-10 coffees but the difference in flavours can be quite major.

[kiwikrasher]

I’m measuring weights of grind in, weighing output espresso to target a 1:2 ratio in 25-30 secs.

Getting the grind size is the main goal then fine adjust with dose levels (only by a gram or two) and tamp pressure.

Each change in bean means another full dial in session. Luckily the beans I’m currently using are Jess and my favourite.

[Cav]

That sounds like a lot of work...

What sort of bean do you like? (this isn't a euphemism)

[kiwikrasher]

https://camposcoffee.com/

This is a Sydney roastary that have a really good solid base blend, but also do a lot of single origin beans and Panama special blends.

I order online mostly, even though they are now stocked in our local supermarket. But the beans directly ordered are a lot fresher and it makes a huge difference in your shot.. I wouldn’t have believed it till I proved it to myself.

I only drink straight espresso so any little change is noticeable.

[Cav]

I drink a mug size black coffee so I'm the same as you, I am able to taste a change quite noticeably. It also helps with chasing in on initial and after tastes. If you ever get offered a Nespresso Vertuo coffee and they have Costa Rica or Odacio, try them!

I'll have a look at them. I love independent coffee shops, it'll be great when they open again.

[kiwikrasher]

Here is my machine Cav, can get much more expensive machines but I wanted one that was as manual as possible, this automatically sets temp and pressure via a thermoblock (really wanted a traditional boiler machine but they are triple the price) but the rest is user controlled. I’ve had the sunbeam grinder for years as I learnt ages ago that fresh beans freshly ground makes the best coffee no matter your method. So I was still pulling great coffee from my stove top espresso pots.

Using the bottomless non pressurised portafilter (so highlights any deficiencies and helps you dial in better) and getting a good crema and tasty shot.

[kiwikrasher]

Slowly getting better at the milk art.

I rarely get to do a proper milk coffee. Jess has soy and her preferred soy is f**ked for making microfilm. I drink espresso.

So I practice on the kids hot chocolates each morning and you don’t get the contrast or separation like you do on coffee.

But couple of builders here working on the house atm so made them flat whites and got to lay up in a real coffee for a change!

[Cav]

Proper hot chocolate every morning... Where's mine?!

Like you I drink black coffee (although by the mug than the shot) so I don't get to experience coffee art.

I enjoy sipping through the crema of my Nespresso machine but a couple of pods have such an acidic crema I avoid it.

[Frankie]

I no longer drink coffee, dropped out of my diet and only tea now. I thought it was going to be like when I gave up smoking many, many moons ago. (A bloody struggle)
Seems to have gone well, not missing it at all.

[StMarks]

.....

But couple of builders here working on the house atm so made them flat whites and got to lay up in a real coffee for a change!

7D2414E1-8ABD-428D-B248-84ADA2FB62A3.jpeg

How did they react to Kiwikrasher eagerly proffering an exquisitely prepared coffee, with a love heart floating atop. ?

[kiwikrasher]

.....

But couple of builders here working on the house atm so made them flat whites and got to lay up in a real coffee for a change!

The attachment 7D2414E1-8ABD-428D-B248-84ADA2FB62A3.jpeg is no longer available

How did they react to Kiwikrasher eagerly proffering an exquisitely prepared coffee, with a love heart floating atop. ?

It’s a Rosetta (left) and a half arsed tulip (right)

The hearts look like this (but in hot chocolate)

So no St Marks, I wasn’t trying to swoon my builders at all

[D41]

Looks like a pumpkin.
Or a lettuce.
Or E-coli.

[Cav]

Not bad that last one! Could call it a heart, turnip, or anything else you wanted haha

[kiwikrasher]

Made myself a flat white today

I don’t know how I ever drank them, tasted terrible.

It’s amazing how you can retrain your taste preference so dramatically.

[Cav]

I enjoy a Flat Black from Costa.. in Starbucks you'd have to order a Ristretto shot in a medium. Super strong, slightly sweet and a very pleasant after taste.