Any home baristas? Espresso Drinkers?

[tranceport]

I have been researching the purchase of a coffee grinder and espresso machine. I just pulled the trigger on my first setup.

Any other espresso drinkers? I have been drinking Doppio Con Panna's since I got back from vacation last year. The ones I have been getting at SBUX has added up and when I saw what I have spent in the last 3 or so months I had to do something.

Anyone have any favorite drinks, tips, advice, stories, or general comments?


Edited title for ichy.

 

[ponyo]

http://forums.anandtech.com/forumdisplay.php?f=45

 

[JS80]

I have a Nespresso. Love it.

 

[RavenSEAL]

http://forums.anandtech.com/forumdisplay.php?f=45

 

[Howard]

The Aeropress can be converted into a very good espresso maker. It is not one out of the box, however.

 

[Zorander]

For the past 3 years, I've been using the Rocket Espresso Giotto machine along with a Mazzer (can't recall model name) grinder. Love it.

For the beans, there is a large variety available from good cafes here in Sydney, like Campos, Mecca Espresso, Coffee Alchemy, etc. Here's a tip: make sure the coffee beans you use is fresh (4-7 days from roast date is optimal). Stale/old beans plain suck.

 

[marmasatt]

Good move. My wife and I have an espresso every single morning. We're kind of spoiled at this point. I mean think about what you are saving. Can't go wrong with Krups and Delonghi (sp) for the coffee makers. The frother will break after only a couple of months. Just get a hand frother for like $8 shipped on Ebay. For brands, so long as you get espresso beans you will be fine. We use stop and shop brand because it's literally only $2.79/$2.99 a can. Also if you go to the Goya section in supermarkets you can usually get some cheap Cafe Bustelo or something like that. Don't spend alot on the beans.

 

[CraKaJaX]

I just recently got a Krups espresso machine for my birthday last month. I went and bought a can of the LavAzza (?) coffee and it's not too bad. I'm not comparing it to any other brand, but I think it's pretty good (but also pretty expensive). I'll have to keep up with this thread and go buy some whole beans and grind them myself....I know this is definitely the way to go with drip coffee. I'll have to give it a shot with the espresso.

 

[ichy]

Ugh, it should be "home baristas" not "home barista's."

 

[IndyColtsFan]

This is the one I have. We like it quite a bit and it isn't super expensive:

http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-EC702...2422111&sr=8-2

 

[lozina]

I was all into that shit several years ago. dropped good coin on a Rocky Rancilio grinder and a Nuova Simonelli Oscar espresso machine.

But after like 3 years I got bored of it and now just drink Turkish coffee and that equipment is sitting collecting dust

 

[alent1234]

when i was in italy the story was the secret is in the water. make sure you use good filtered water. people buying the expensive espresso machines were paying for the good filters in them

 

[JulesMaximus]

I picked up a Gaggia espresso machine back in December. I already had a burr grinder that I was using for coffee so I just set the grind to fine and bought some espresso roast beans and have been enjoying a cappuccino every morning since.

 

[manimal]

Get a La Pavoni used. Most people dont know how to use them and dump them.


If you get the pressure right and the grind just so it will extract a crema to die for.

 

[ichy]

I have a Saeco Aroma machine and a Carpresso Infinity grinder. Neither of them is super-high end, but the Saeco is a vast improvement over steam driven pieces of junk and the Capresso grinder is much better than some whirly blade grinder.

I'm usually too rushed in the morning to make espresso before work but my machine gets a lot of use on the weekend. My only complaint with the Saeco machine is that it originally came with a pressurized portafilter that's supposed to eliminate the need for tamping but does NOT make real espresso. I had to spend $50 for an aftermarket unpressurized portafilter but the change was absolutely worth it.

 

[iroast]

I was all into that shit several years ago. dropped good coin on a Rocky Rancilio grinder and a Nuova Simonelli Oscar espresso machine.

But after like 3 years I got bored of it and now just drink Turkish coffee and that equipment is sitting collecting dust

You can sell them at http://coffeegeek.com/forums/members/buysell/

 

[ponyo]

I don't use espresso beans as it tends to clog up my super automatic espresso machine. I prefer medium roast bean to the dark and oily espresso beans. My drink of choice is Americano as I'm not a huge fan of steamed milk. I drink cappuccino, latte, mocha, and macchiato here and there but I prefer plain Americano for my everyday drink.

 

[Crusty]

The best thing you can do to have a great cup of coffee is to buy freshly roasted whole beans from a local shop if you can.