Homemade Coffee Snobs - Page 2

**shel90** · 11-18-2011, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWriteAlex

Actually, I think she's kind of annoyed because it took away one of her Christmas present options for me. hehe. But I don't think she cares that much because she will directly benefit from it.

And yes, she told me she saw you.

Awww...maybe I can help her out in that dept for Christmas.

**TWA** · 11-18-2011, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shel90

Awww...maybe I can help her out in that dept for Christmas.

Just don't tell her to get me the ASL speed limit t-shirt

**TWA** · 11-28-2011, 04:34 PM

Come on now, let's keep this thread alive! Where's all the coffee snobs?

Anyway, I got my Via Veneto espresso maker (Homemade Coffee Snobs) on Friday, and I've been very impressed with the quality of espresso it's making. It's very well designed and made. It's probably around 30 years old already, and I expect it to last my entire lifetime.

This is way better than moka pot espresso. It's got much more flavor. Not bitter at all, and there's even a little bit of crema. If I used fresh roasted and ground beans, I bet I could get even more crema.

I'm still learning how to froth milk with the steaming wand. Haven't quite figured out the technique to get microfoam consistency yet, but all in all, I can make a great latte with this device for a fraction of the cost that Shitbuck's would charge.

**Jiro** · 11-28-2011, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shel90

I'll bet that made L very very happy? hahahaha

BTW I saw L last Sat.

oOoOoOoOoOo do tell us about this L

**Jiro** · 11-28-2011, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWriteAlex

Come on now, let's keep this thread alive! Where's all the coffee snobs?

Anyway, I got my Via Veneto espresso maker (Homemade Coffee Snobs) on Friday, and I've been very impressed with the quality of espresso it's making. It's very well designed and made. It's probably around 30 years old already, and I expect it to last my entire lifetime.

This is way better than moka pot espresso. It's got much more flavor. Not bitter at all, and there's even a little bit of crema. If I used fresh roasted and ground beans, I bet I could get even more crema.

I'm still learning how to froth milk with the steaming wand. Haven't quite figured out the technique to get microfoam consistency yet, but all in all, I can make a great latte with this device for a fraction of the cost that Shitbuck's would charge.

yep. it's very difficult. I already went thru a carton of milk. still can't get it right

**sallylou** · 11-28-2011, 05:10 PM

I had a Keurig steamer/frother and it was great. Unfortunately, it stopped working. That's probably not good enough for coffee snobs but it worked for me.

**TWA** · 11-28-2011, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

yep. it's very difficult. I already went thru a carton of milk. still can't get it right

Have you found any online resources for this? I've watched a bunch of videos on youtube, but they all use professional, high tech steamers and make it look so easy.

From what I can tell, you're supposed to keep the nozzle just below the surface of the milk, but then there are techniques called "stretching" and "texturizing" and I just don't know wtf that is. I'm also not sure what velocity the steam should be at. The steamer on my machine can put out a pretty strong blast.

Also, it seems to me that I need a frothing pitcher (like this one:

frothing pitcher

that is designed specifically for the task. My guess would be that it is the shape that allows for proper convection of the steam moving through the milk?

Why does this shit have to be so complicated!

**TXgolfer** · 11-28-2011, 05:33 PM

I have a nice machine somewhere..... never used it. I don't even know what kind it is although I think it is a Keurig. Love coffee but I really have time to mess with it. My Whole Foods Market has a coffee bar that is pretty cool. I miss Peet's....

**Jiro** · 11-28-2011, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWriteAlex

Have you found any online resources for this? I've watched a bunch of videos on youtube, but they all use professional, high tech steamers and make it look so easy.

From what I can tell, you're supposed to keep the nozzle just below the surface of the milk, but then there are techniques called "stretching" and "texturizing" and I just don't know wtf that is. I'm also not sure what velocity the steam should be at. The steamer on my machine can put out a pretty strong blast.

still not easy because I don't have a Chef Ramsey-like expert yelling at me and correcting what I'm doing wrong

stretching is when the volume of milk increases as milk turns into foam - this is where you have to repeatedly move your cup up and down as milk whirls around. the whole purpose is to "soften" the milk.

texturing is when you create air-to-milk ratio foam... I think.

I've failed in everything. I'm a failure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWriteAlex

Also, it seems to me that I need a frothing pitcher (like this one: that is designed specifically for the task. My guess would be that it is the shape that allows for proper convection of the steam moving through the milk?

Why does this shit have to be so complicated!

yea I have a frothing pitcher. still difficult. do you have temperature too? it matters too. everything matters - the way you position your cup to make a vortex, the temperature of steam, duration of stretching, velocity of steam, type of milk, etc.

cannot believe this level of difficulty and complexity just to make a simple frothing.

one of my dreams is to be a barista. damn... this shit ain't easy

**TWA** · 11-28-2011, 05:47 PM

^^ LMAO. Yeah, who would have thought it took skill to pour a cup of coffee. Now I want to kick some Italian's ass for inventing lattes and making this shit complicated. Maybe I should kick my own ass

I don't have a thermometer, yet . . . I guess I'll have to get one now so I can be as big a failure as you. lol

**Jiro** · 11-28-2011, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWriteAlex

^^ LMAO. Yeah, who would have thought it took skill to pour a cup of coffee. Now I want to kick some Italian's ass for inventing lattes and making this shit complicated. Maybe I should kick my own ass

I don't have a thermometer, yet . . . I guess I'll have to get one now so I can be as big a failure as you. lol

I'm sad that I missed a huge international barista competition in NYC few months ago

I didn't know about it till my dad showed me NY Times article about it. I'll have to find it. It's fascinating about how meticulous they are.

**TWA** · 12-02-2011, 08:20 PM

Think I figured out how to froth the milk. Trick is to have the tip just barely into the milk so that it pulls in a lot of air. Have to slowly move tip down as you do this in order to keep it in right position. That will create a lot of foam on top of the milk. next thing to do is to whirlpool the entire contents so that it all mixes together. This video helped me:

Bellman CX-25 Steaming Demonstration - YouTube

That espresso maker/steamer is the same that I have. It's great. I really like it. If you're considering an upgrade from your moka pot, I'd go for it. It's 10 times better than moka pot.

**TWA** · 12-22-2011, 02:00 PM

This is a public service announcement: steamed/foamed skim milk sucks in espresso. I'm out of regular milk and don't feel like going to store, so I dipped a little into my roommate's milk, which happens to be skim (I really hope he's not reading this. Lol). It froth's easily, but very difficult to get microfoam.

Overall verdict: SUCKS. What a waste of a good espresso pull. Oh well.

**Jiro** · 12-22-2011, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWriteAlex

This is a public service announcement: steamed/foamed skim milk sucks in espresso. I'm out of regular milk and don't feel like going to store, so I dipped a little into my roommate's milk, which happens to be skim (I really hope he's not reading this. Lol). It froth's easily, but very difficult to get microfoam.

Overall verdict: SUCKS. What a waste of a good espresso pull. Oh well.

oh no no - you don't use regular milk for frothing. actually you can but I don't think barista does that. using low-fat milk does make it easier. you can try experimenting with bunch of other milk and find one suitable to your tasting. 50/50, low-fat, 2%, so on.

make sure your milk is COLD. REAL COLD.

SimonJ · 12-22-2011, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

if you want a "lazy man coffee machine"... get Nespresso Pixie. You can try its sample at stores. Its coffee is fantastic too.

The Lattissima Plus is much better, Cappuccino and Latte and the touch of a button, cleaning by the press of a button. Pods are $0.68 each but the quality is the same (or better) than most coffee shops. I just "upgraded" from the Premium to the Plus.

**Jiro** · 12-22-2011, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimonJ

The Lattissima Plus is much better, Cappuccino and Latte and the touch of a button, cleaning by the press of a button. Pods are $0.68 each but the quality is the same (or better) than most coffee shops. I just "upgraded" from the Premium to the Plus.

lol nice. Lattissma is $$$$ though. Pixie is good too and affordable for Average Joe seeking better than decent coffee.

FYI ya'all - both Lattissima and Pixie are same brand - Nespresso.

SimonJ · 12-22-2011, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

lol nice. Lattissma is $$$$ though. Pixie is good too and affordable for Average Joe seeking better than decent coffee.

FYI ya'all - both Lattissima and Pixie are same brand - Nespresso.

The Plus was $479 with $100 cashback so $379, that is awesome for the automation. I must admit the Premium was $849 some years ago but it has earned its money as I don't buy coffee out anymore, saving at least $5 per day over its lifetime. The Plus makes hotter drinks and the steamed milk is slightly better. I love it, can you tell?

**TWA** · 12-22-2011, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimonJ

The Lattissima Plus is much better, Cappuccino and Latte and the touch of a button, cleaning by the press of a button. Pods are $0.68 each but the quality is the same (or better) than most coffee shops. I just "upgraded" from the Premium to the Plus.

I'm not in this for the caffeine or even just the taste of espresso. I enjoy the art of preparation. I've gone to great pains to make this process as painful and complicated as possible for me. Don't tell me to **** it up now.

**Beowulf** · 12-22-2011, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWriteAlex

I'm not in this for the caffeine or even just the taste of espresso. I enjoy the art of preparation. I've gone to great pains to make this process as painful and complicated as possible for me. Don't tell me to **** it up now.

Somebody needs to write "The Zen of Coffee-Making."

**TWA** · 12-22-2011, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beowulf

Somebody needs to write "The Zen of Coffee-Making."

, I wonder if Robert Pirsig is available . . .

SimonJ · 12-22-2011, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWriteAlex

I'm not in this for the caffeine or even just the taste of espresso. I enjoy the art of preparation. I've gone to great pains to make this process as painful and complicated as possible for me. Don't tell me to **** it up now.

Yeah fair enough, you people are purists and while I admire the results could not spend the time doing it.

**TWA** · 12-22-2011, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimonJ

Yeah fair enough, you people are purists and while I admire the results could not spend the time doing it.

Ahem "you people." YOU PEOPLE?

You sir, are an anti-barristite! How long must my people be persecuted for their beliefs!

Good day, sir!

Grummer · 12-22-2011, 07:17 PM

the baachi seems alot of work...just as much as french pressing (i used that too) and also used a older-than-mokka , no idea what its called..but its stove top and it made great coffees...in the years when i didnt know squat....my flatmates were into it...

whatdidyousay! · 12-22-2011, 07:43 PM

I can't drink regular coffee any more , I have to make my coffee half decaf and half regular . I get horrible heartburn . I miss drinking regular coffee .

**TWA** · 12-22-2011, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grummer

the baachi seems alot of work...just as much as french pressing (i used that too) and also used a older-than-mokka , no idea what its called..but its stove top and it made great coffees...in the years when i didnt know squat....my flatmates were into it...

Yeah, but what you get is top notch espresso crema. It's not coffee or weak moka expresso. It's the real deal.

BTW, Grum, an Australian put out a little device called the OTTO. Similar to Baachi, but not as many BARs of pressure. Have you heard of it? I don't know if it's available in the States. The Baachi isn't.

**Daredevel7** · 12-22-2011, 08:53 PM

Holy moly....

I thought I was a bit snobbish when it comes to coffee, but, jeez, you guys (TWA and jiro) make me look like a humble monk.

**TWA** · 12-22-2011, 09:27 PM

Wirelessly posted

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daredevel7

Holy moly....

I thought I was a bit snobbish when it comes to coffee, but, jeez, you guys (TWA and jiro) make me look like a humble monk.

Yeah, and? This is the coffee SNOB thread, as opposed to the coffee semi-snob thread.

**Bottesini** · 12-22-2011, 10:25 PM

Dear Alex,

Probably Dunkin Donuts Mocha Mint made in a Mr Coffee would not meet your standards, but it makes the house smell good.

Kraft also now produces Mint bits it a little jar.

Love,
Bottesini

(Applying my new found knowledge of epistolary form.

)

Grummer · 12-22-2011, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWriteAlex

Yeah, but what you get is top notch espresso crema. It's not coffee or weak moka expresso. It's the real deal.

BTW, Grum, an Australian put out a little device called the OTTO. Similar to Baachi, but not as many BARs of pressure. Have you heard of it? I don't know if it's available in the States. The Baachi isn't.

well, great ... had a look...looks fantastic but HOLY SHIT it AUD 799, and in NZ it'd be close to a THOUSAND BUCKS....
i'f have to burgle a millionaires' place and get bitten by dobermanns in process...NO WAY...maybe maybe id ask my brother if he knows anyone in coffee industry for contact, doubtful though ...and id check i trademe - NZ's version of ebay...

Grummer · 12-22-2011, 11:03 PM

i did a fake purchase and back off closed the page, its 900 AUD...scary..

11-28-2011, 05:10 PM	#36 (permalink)
sallylou Potterhead and Janeite Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: My own private Idaho Posts: 6,653	I had a Keurig steamer/frother and it was great. Unfortunately, it stopped working. That's probably not good enough for coffee snobs but it worked for me. __________________

11-28-2011, 05:33 PM	#38 (permalink)
TXgolfer Dream Weaver Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Everywhere Posts: 17,656	I have a nice machine somewhere..... never used it. I don't even know what kind it is although I think it is a Keurig. Love coffee but I really have time to mess with it. My Whole Foods Market has a coffee bar that is pretty cool. I miss Peet's.... __________________ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. - Romans 12:21 Sometimes at night, I see their faces. I feel the traces they've left on my soul

11-28-2011, 05:47 PM	#40 (permalink)
TWA Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5,374	^^ LMAO. Yeah, who would have thought it took skill to pour a cup of coffee. Now I want to kick some Italian's ass for inventing lattes and making this shit complicated. Maybe I should kick my own ass I don't have a thermometer, yet . . . I guess I'll have to get one now so I can be as big a failure as you. lol posts from hell likes this.

12-22-2011, 07:17 PM	#53 (permalink)
Grummer Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: In the Batcave Posts: 9,534	the baachi seems alot of work...just as much as french pressing (i used that too) and also used a older-than-mokka , no idea what its called..but its stove top and it made great coffees...in the years when i didnt know squat....my flatmates were into it... __________________ "Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them." Albert Einstein

12-22-2011, 11:03 PM	#60 (permalink)
Grummer Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: In the Batcave Posts: 9,534	i did a fake purchase and back off closed the page, its 900 AUD...scary.. __________________ "Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them." Albert Einstein

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11-28-2011, 04:34 PM	#33 (permalink)
TWA Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5,374	Come on now, let's keep this thread alive! Where's all the coffee snobs? Anyway, I got my Via Veneto espresso maker (Homemade Coffee Snobs) on Friday, and I've been very impressed with the quality of espresso it's making. It's very well designed and made. It's probably around 30 years old already, and I expect it to last my entire lifetime. This is way better than moka pot espresso. It's got much more flavor. Not bitter at all, and there's even a little bit of crema. If I used fresh roasted and ground beans, I bet I could get even more crema. I'm still learning how to froth milk with the steaming wand. Haven't quite figured out the technique to get microfoam consistency yet, but all in all, I can make a great latte with this device for a fraction of the cost that Shitbuck's would charge.

12-22-2011, 02:00 PM	#43 (permalink)
TWA Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5,374	This is a public service announcement: steamed/foamed skim milk sucks in espresso. I'm out of regular milk and don't feel like going to store, so I dipped a little into my roommate's milk, which happens to be skim (I really hope he's not reading this. Lol). It froth's easily, but very difficult to get microfoam. Overall verdict: SUCKS. What a waste of a good espresso pull. Oh well.

12-22-2011, 07:43 PM	#54 (permalink)
whatdidyousay! Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 8,625	I can't drink regular coffee any more , I have to make my coffee half decaf and half regular . I get horrible heartburn . I miss drinking regular coffee .

12-22-2011, 08:53 PM	#56 (permalink)
Daredevel7 Adrenaline Junky Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 4,341	Holy moly.... I thought I was a bit snobbish when it comes to coffee, but, jeez, you guys (TWA and jiro) make me look like a humble monk.

12-22-2011, 10:25 PM	#58 (permalink)
Bottesini Joe's Friend Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: With Owl Sock Posts: 37,532 Blog Entries: 1	Dear Alex, Probably Dunkin Donuts Mocha Mint made in a Mr Coffee would not meet your standards, but it makes the house smell good. Kraft also now produces Mint bits it a little jar. Love, Bottesini (Applying my new found knowledge of epistolary form. )

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