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11.07.2003 01:23pm - Espresso Experts
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Comments (6)
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As I wrote in my last 'blog entry, we got an espresso machine last weekend. The one we got is the Krups Espremio FNP1. Since then, we have been learning a lot about making espresso and espresso-based drinks. Our first attempt didn't turn out very well, but we are getting better and better!
What we have learned: - The milk steaming attachment on our machine has two positions: "up" and "down". In the "up" position it heats up liquids quickly but not much froth. In the "down" position it froths but not much heat.
- Milk (we are using rice milk, but the principle appears the same) froths better when it's cold. Therefore we have learned to use the steamer in the "down" position to froth first while the milk is still cold, and the "up" position second to heat it up after you've got a nice froth.
- It's really hard to tell when the milk is the right temperature. An important accessory is a milk frothing thermometer (we've got one on order) so you can tell when you get the temperature right.
- Making espressos is easy. Making lattes and stuff is harder and messy. Especially the part where you've got your espresso made and your milk frothed but you need to pour the two together. In order to make this easier, more important accessories are a frothing pitcher for the milk and a brew pitcher for the espresso. Then you can more easily pour them into your final latte cup.
- Our espresso maker only has a filter-size to make one espresso at a time. Ie, not a double-shot or one for a you and a friend. It clearly stated this on the box and we thought it wasn't a big deal - but it is a bit of a pain. However if we are making lattes or something (not just drinking straight espressos) we have found that we can run 3oz or so of water and make two from one filter-full without being able to taste a difference. I guess it is just because we are not really connoisseurs. I wouldn't want to try to pass that off on anyone who I thought was really an expert, but for Ted and I it is fine.
- Chai tea lattes do not taste as good with rice or soy milk. Other drinks taste fine, you can barely tell the difference and it's definitely not bad.
So there you go, who would have guessed you'd need so many accessories once you get an espresso machine. We have ordered a bunch of little things by now. A good internet-order company for espresso equipment is Aabree Coffee or Espresso People (they are the same company or affliated, as when I order from one the e-mailed receipt and stuff name both sites). The thing I like about this company is... FREE SHIPPING. It's so dumb to buy something small, like a $5 brew pitcher, and then have to pay $5.85 in shipping. And maybe some handling too. This company doesn't charge anything extra so that's very cool. Unfortunately they do not ship to Canada, not a problem for me right now - but I think often how I will miss all the internet shopping I do down here when I move back. So many places on the internet will not, or else have increased shipping cost, to ship to Canada.
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Comments
Posted by
on 11.11.2003 02:48pm CST
Thanks for the tips on your BLOG. I just bought a Krups one and find that the accessories really are important. Didn't know about the up/down steaming thing, but mine is the same and you saved me some time experimenting there.
Posted by
on 11.11.2003 03:26pm CST
Hi Lila,
Do you have the same one - the Espremio FNP1? We didn't really research before we bought, but now that I have researched AFTER (I know, not a good idea) it turns out this one does get good reviews. Whew!
We got the milk thermometer we ordered on Saturday. It really makes things a lot easier! It's so nice to make a yummy hot drink any time at home. In the long run I hope this will save us a bunch of money... not spending so much at Starbucks!!!
Posted by
on 11.14.2003 09:16pm CST
Hi Janice,
Mine is a Krups Espresso Novo 988. It does make 2 cups at a time, but it took me a little while to find out how long to run the water through the grounds, depending on whether you're making one or two cups. I like a really dark French Roast so I've been experimenting with different companies. So far I like the Murchies Dark French best (better than Starbucks actually).
I'm looking forward to the holiday season and trying some lattes with cognac or other goodies!
Posted by
on 11.17.2003 01:00pm CST
Mmmmm.... Murchies... they have lots of yummy stuff in there. Maybe next time we are back in BC we will have to pick up some beans from there. We haven't figured out what kind we like best yet, we haven't bought any new stuff yet and are just going through what we had given to us a while ago (before the espresso machine).
Lila if you read this again - what kind of grinder do you have and is it good? The first bunch of cups we made were from a pre-ground package. Although I know this is a big coffee no-no, it worked and tasted fine to me. Then we finished with that and moved on to a pack of whole beans, but I don't think our grinder (a cheap blade grinder) can make it fine enough. The water comes through too fast and it ends up weak hardly any "crema". So I think we will need to invest in a new grinder now too.
One thing leads to another... all these accessories.. maybe it won't save us any money after all!
Posted by
on 11.17.2003 08:48pm CST
Hi Janice,
I have a Moulinex cheapie ($19.99) but it seems to work fine. I just have to hold the button down and listen to that high pitched whine until I'm ready to scream (maybe I should have a coffee before I grind!). What I don't like is that the coffee powder gets absolutely everywhere when I try to dump it into my cannister.
If anyone has a good, neat coffee grinder, I'd be interested in what kind it is.
Lila
Posted by
on 11.18.2003 09:58am CST
I am considering this one: http://www.espressopeople.com/grinders/capressoautomaticburrgrinder . If we get it, I'll let you know what we think.
If your "cheapie" works fine than it might be best to stick with it - from what I've heard they're all messy and noisy! But our cheapie is not working for us at all right now. Watery espresso - yuk!
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Thanks for the tips on your BLOG. I just bought a Krups one and find that the accessories really are important. Didn't know about the up/down steaming thing, but mine is the same and you saved me some time experimenting there.