Someone bought me an expresso machine and i'm not sure how to use it...

[FearoftheNight]

Originally posted by: AlienCraft

Originally posted by: FearoftheNight
Can someone give me the lowdown on how to start using this? Breville Cafe Roma Espresso Maker

Send it to me, I'lll make it for you. 😀

How about I make it, then send it to you. 😀

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: FearoftheNight


Yea I'm from NYC. So don't order it online, go into a store and buy it? What would you recommend I pick up in that case? Btw, I took a quick view on their website and most of them dont' explicitly say "normal coffee" or "espresso". Am I missing something here?

Go to an Italian corner store. Ask them what they like.

Personally, I like Miscela D'Oro in the red bag (forget what variety, but the bag is red) or Lavazza in the white bag.

I'm first generation from the Philly area. This is how it would work there, and NYC has a similar population. I usually get mine from one of the Italian clubs when I go back home to visit my folks, since I'm going to stop in and visit people anyway. Basically any place operated by Italians that sells brewed coffee, sweets, etc, will also sell you beans if you ask. Probably the best way if you don't know what you like, because at the very least, they won't start you off with crap.

Expect to pay about $18-20 for a kilo bag.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Read The Fucking Manual <---actual link to said manual

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: FearoftheNight

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: FearoftheNight

Originally posted by: silverpig

Originally posted by: FearoftheNight
Thanks for the link DEscartes. Can anyone recommend a place to buy some espresso grind?

You can get it anywhere really.

1. You can buy whole beans and a decent burr grinder and grind it yourself at home just before you brew (preferred method).
2. Buy your beans from a coffee shop and ask them to grind it for you.
3. You can buy pre-ground stuff at starbucks.
4. You can buy pre-ground stuff at the grocery store.

Oh I see. Thanks. What would be a good option for a first timer who just wants to test the waters? I don't want a giant bag or anything at first or if I want to try different kinds. What would be an economical choice for someone like me?

You're from New York? Go to Gimme Coffee, stat.

Seriously, there are a lot of coffee roasters/shops in New York. This is assuming you're from NYC.

Chances are you have a local roaster if you're not from NYC. This would be your best bet. Get it fresh (profound difference... really, trust us on this) and get what you want and only what you need.

Failing that, look to Whole Foods/Wild Oats or similar. Many Whole Foods have air roasters right in the store. You can choose between a dozen or more different beans all roasted fresh.

Failing that, you could try Starbucks. Tell them you want some from the bag (used to be a silver bag), not what they have on the shelf. The beans in the bag generally have a roast date, and it's far fresher. Schultz has been stipulating that all *$ beans should have roast dates. You can actually get a decent espresso from these beans. Your luck may vary with this.

Failing that... well... I really don't know. Plant a coffee plant and wait a decade? I have one and it still hasn't even produced a single fruit.

[edit]Also, you can order online from quite a number of excellent roasters. They generally ship the same day they roast or soon after, so you get it fresh. If you want to go that route, feel free to ask here or PM me and we'll give references.[/edit]

Yea I'm from NYC. So don't order it online, go into a store and buy it? What would you recommend I pick up in that case? Btw, I took a quick view on their website and most of them dont' explicitly say "normal coffee" or "espresso". Am I missing something here?

Yep, just walk in and say you want some whole-bean (really that goes without saying; most won't even grind it for you since they want to control quality of their product) of their espresso blend. If you go to Gimme, just ask for some of their Leftist Espresso Blend.

Almost every reputable roaster will have a separate espresso blend. Intelligentsia, Stumptown, Counter Culture Coffee, Dancing Goats, Vivace, etc. all have blends.

I know I'm long-winded, so let me just finish up by saying your best bet is to go into Gimme. Get an espresso while you're there, maybe a cappuccino, ask them what they recommend for espresso and pick some up. It's a great blend.

I would recommend buying their smallest amount possible, if possible. A full pound will likely spoil unless you just go crazy pulling shots, but that might be all they'll sell.

Have fun 🙂

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: FearoftheNight

Originally posted by: AlienCraft

Originally posted by: FearoftheNight
Can someone give me the lowdown on how to start using this? Breville Cafe Roma Espresso Maker

Send it to me, I'lll make it for you. 😀

How about I make it, then send it to you. 😀

lol, naw, you don't know what you're doing.... I'll show you....

I want the breville 800esxl. Had one on order from Overstock.com and then from Amazon and both were cancelled due to stock problems. NOW, the price has gone up $60.00.
Dammit JIM!

 

[everman]

Descartes covered it. Go to one of the recommended shops and perhaps sit down with a good machiatto first, this is a double espresso with a little micro-foamed milk in it. Then get a ristretto (drink a little water before this). If they did everything right, you just received an education as to what a good espresso should be like, and you can take this knowledge with you when you go home.
Also check out coffeegeek.com and home-barista.com

 

[FearoftheNight]

Ok. To wrap it up. Will Gimme grind it for me? What/where can I buy espresso cups?

 

[LordMaul]

The title says "expresso" and the OP says "espresso"... Is this "expresso" some kind of FASTER variation of espresso? Intriguing.