declan Senior Member Joined: 6 Jan 2005 Posts: 21 Location: Scotland Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Gaggia Evolution Grinder: Gaggia MDF
Posted Thu Jan 6, 2005, 5:47pm Subject: Starting the journey...
Hi!
I have been reading quite a bit recently about espresso and wanted to say hi to everyone who posts here and thank-you for sharing your enthusiasm.
Up until a few months ago, I was lost and wandering in the bad-coffee-desert. My world (well at least my coffee world) changed when I stumbled upon a small Italian café and ordered an espresso macciato. WOW! I nearly shouted for joy when I tasted what I expected to be just another brown caffeine hit. The most wonderfully nutty, smooth, dark and thick espresso tumbled into my mouth and sent espresso firmly into my mind. The coffee incidently was segafredo zanetti (not illy!) and convinced me that I did not need to settle for the crap that I am normally served by regular coffee shops.
I decided to buy an espresso machine. After weeks of looking and thinking and deciding, I opted for a cheap Gaggia evolution - which should arrive in a week or so. However, am I wasting my time and deluding myself that I can approach the wonderful espresso I had in that fateful café or can I with practice get close to that little slice of froth marked heaven?
Is it all down to the grinder? Should I start saving now for a grinder and make do with ready ground until then (3- 4 months) or should I get a moderately cheap burr grinder now? What is the bare minimum I can get? I can stretch to around £50 but definately not the £150 I have seen for some.
Please help with this and anything else I should know as a neophyte crouching at the altar of the brew head.
Thank-you for everything I have already learned from you guys!
Posted Thu Jan 6, 2005, 6:54pm Subject: Re: Starting the journey...
Hi Delan,
I'm a newbie like you & had similar questions .....I was told one of the best low priced burr grinders is the Solis Maestro. It will cost around $115 USD. I have one of those old Krups steamers & it just isn't cutting it. Hopefully someone more knowlegable than me can give you better info or suggestions.
Could you let me know how you like the Gaggia??? I have been toying of getting one myself so if you could post back & let me know, that would be great!
OK, the Gaggia machines are great, maybe the best entry-level machines out there. But to make great espresso you need great beans and a very good grinder.
The Solis Maestro won't do it, but the Maestro PLUS (or SMP) has gotten some decent reviews amungst the regular members. It's probably the least expensive passable grinder. I favor the LUX and the Innova i2. CLICK HERE for some more on grinders.
Once you get some VERY fresh beans (maybe even roasted at home) and the good grinder to go with your Gaggia machine then you will have no trouble making espresso shots that equal and surpass most shops out there (with notable exceptions of course).
declan Senior Member Joined: 6 Jan 2005 Posts: 21 Location: Scotland Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Gaggia Evolution Grinder: Gaggia MDF
Posted Fri Jan 7, 2005, 6:07pm Subject: Re: Starting the journey...
Hi all,
Thank-you very much for the advice - I really appreciate it!
Looks like I should start saving now! I am going on holiday to New York at the end of march, and given the dip in the economy in the US at the moment (Bush hasn't done too well!) my UK pound will buy nearly 2 dollars - thats a 50% discount on anything I buy in the states. If I save now, I should be able to afford a pretty good grinder by march -I'm thinking a rocky or a gaggia mdf.
I really appreciate your help and encouragement and I hope that you all have a fantastic 2005!
Jill - I will let you know how the evolution goes. I have little to compare it to other than the quality of shot compared to starbucks (yep we have them too) and the like. Should get it within the next 2 weeks.
Jon - How easy is it to roast your own. It seems way too daunting for me at this stage, but then I like a challenge... What kind of equipment is needed? Isn't it hard to get unroasted beans?
Posted Fri Jan 7, 2005, 8:25pm Subject: Re: Starting the journey...
declan Said:
Jon - How easy is it to roast your own. It seems way too daunting for me at this stage, but then I like a challenge... What kind of equipment is needed? Isn't it hard to get unroasted beans?
It's much easier than you think. Some folks take it to the level of an art or science, but all you need to start is an extremely inexpensive Air-Type Popcorn Popper and an extension cord. Click Here for some more information on that method. Everyone (including me) who I know who tried it has exclaimed that it is MUCH easier than they ever could have imagined.
(Air Popper roasts a batch in under 10 minutes)
As for green bean availability, doo a google on "green coffee beans". I think in the UK you can check out www.hasbean.com . I have heard good things about them. Green beans are good for up to a whole year before you roast them. For 1/2 the cost of roasted I get some of the world's finest coffee, and I roast to my own preference, and I never have to make espresso from beans that are more than 8 days old.
Good stuff. Consider it the easiest and least expensive upgrade there is. Once you're hooked on really good coffee it will be worth a try.
declan Senior Member Joined: 6 Jan 2005 Posts: 21 Location: Scotland Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Gaggia Evolution Grinder: Gaggia MDF
Posted Sat Jan 8, 2005, 11:15am Subject: Re: Starting the journey...
Jon - Thanks! That is really helpful. I have a popcorn maker at home that has the required side-hot-air-vents. The hasbean website seems good too. I might just give this roasting thing a go! Just need to get that grinder now....
Incidently if any UK based people are interested, both amazon.co.uk and boots are selling a cheap popcorn maker for about £9.99 (Hinari "movie-time" popcorn maker)
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