Comments on: Neat, like a shot of Tequila

By: Fella Evans

Fella Evans — Fri, 14 Oct 2005 10:54:18 +0000

I agree with you Fruey on what you say about the Nespresso machines. I’ve had a few espressos made by such machines over the past few years and I have to say that I dont think its possible to make a better coffee at home.

By: Simon

Simon — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 20:06:39 +0000

Hi Dave,

Good to see you here. I have been known on occasion to prepare cappucino with real whipped cream and steamed milk. If you have a strong espresso base it can be a good drink on some occasions. It’s rarely my choice of coffee style though. Maybe if I ever make it to NYC again (been there twice, but only once downtown Manhattan) I’ll have time to check out Little Italy espresso joints.

You make an excellent point about the menu at Starbucks and especially what they call their strange mixes of espresso, milk, cream, chocolate and whatnot. I’m with you all the way on that!

-Fruey

By: Marinade Dave

Marinade Dave — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 19:59:53 +0000

I’ve always been a cappuccino man, myself. I used to go to NYC a lot. I’d try to venture down to Little Italy where the best cappuccino was made. There’s just something about that Italian style or flair. Starbucks is fine, but, I have a problem with some of their coffee drinks and what they call them. I mean, it’s like looking at a menu in a diner somewhere. So much to choose from. Also, you made a very good point. Whenever I’ve asked for coffee to go, they assume it’s got cream and sugar. You have to tell them, NO, black! It doesn’t seem right.

By: Simon

Simon — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 14:10:22 +0000

You’ve got a fair point there Fella. However, a filter coffee machine is a filter coffee machine at 10€ or 50€ it’s all the same just like them potatoes once they’re peeled or boiled.

Given time and budget, a proper espresso machine is indeed in order. But the morning tiredness makes it easier to make filter coffee, and strong Carte Noire filtered makes for a perfectly acceptable breakfast coffee. I already said the best coffee of the day – for me at least – is the post-prandial lunch coffee.

The real espresso machine wasn’t consigned to the bin by the way. It will no doubt come back to life when go back to drinking coffee more regularly at home. Or maybe I’ll get a Nespresso™ machine as a present one day too, but that’s an expensive present! They’re the only machines that combine simplicity with proper coffee flavour. Other cheaper imitations are no better than filter coffee makers that foam the last drops of coffee. Real espresso machines are expensive because you have to have high pressure steam – at around 19 bar or so – hence a strongly reinforced water chamber to make a decent cup of coffee.

A nice cup of tea goes down well as an alternative. When you’re out and about however, only espresso coffee will do the trick.

By: Fella Evans

Fella Evans — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 12:38:03 +0000

I agree with most of your comments about coffee and how it should be drunk. However, I do find it alarming that a supposed connaisseur such as yourself would shrink to the depths of buying a 10EUR throw-away cheap n’ cheerful filter machine to make the most important coffee of the day, ie that of the morning.

I find this to be somewhat of a contradiction in terms with the rest of the article and I thus ask that you explain yourself on this bizarre choice of coffee-making hardware.

If you really are a connaisseur and wish to preach the coffee-making bible to the world via your (much-read and widely appreciated) blog, then you cant admit to throwing a real espresso machine in the bin just because it took a few seconds extra to clean it.

Id be interested in hearing your reply on this much-debated point.