Coffee Appreciation

classic plus mc2 here also, adequate enough whilst acknowledging all the limitations listed already.

Whatever the setup there'll always be an upgrade possible unless money is no object, then limit will be skills of barista you choose to employ.

Hej Coffee buds,

Do your taste buds taste this alleged syrupy sweetness that is special to cold brews? Mine, officially, do not. I taste a little bit more lemony acid, but that is true for all cold coffee regardless of brewing method (I think including espresso).

Who says that cold brews should come out as syrupy sweet? I cold brew a lot to take to work and have had everything from chocolate, lime, lemon and nut depending on the beans I'm using (naturals seem to work better imo). If there is a general common theme to cold brews then I would say that they have a tea like lightness compared to other brew methods.

Will someone please kick me in the ass until I get my gaggia fixed. Can't seem to get round to it.

Thursday will be tinker day, I promise myself.

Or maybe I should ride my bike. Hmmmmm.

Joe get the gaggia and you have a good starting point, the rest can be built up over time. get a half decent tamper with it (madebyknock are good) and you can start making coffee, it's a learning process anyways and you'll probably learn more upgrading it bit by bit rather than sticking everything on at once and trying to figure out what's not working.
my order of priority...

1. coffee machine (and tamper that's not the plastic one)
   1a. steam wand mod (if milk drinks are important)
   
2. grinder
   
3. other machine mods
   
   

Talking of tampers... got this one as a present today:

Right, I'm freelancing on Lower Marsh St.

Where's the good coffee at?

Coffee app brings up Four Corners and Scootercaffe, both on Lower Marsh. Not been to either I'm afraid.

Joe get the gaggia and you have a good starting point, the rest can be built up over time. get a half decent tamper with it (madebyknock are good) and you can start making coffee, it's a learning process anyways and you'll probably learn more upgrading it bit by bit rather than sticking everything on at once and trying to figure out what's not working.
my order of priority...

1. coffee machine (and tamper that's not the plastic one)
   1a. steam wand mod (if milk drinks are important)
   
2. grinder
   
3. other machine mods
   
   

I'm going to do this ^ for myself when I move into my new place - house of coffee drinkers makes more sense than single drinker. She would like a nice coffee machine but im of the opinion that an Aeropress and Porlex are enough for now.

Booked flights to Bologna and reservation at Osteria Francescana instead - so not just being tight!

Thanks for the advice though all!

I prefer being creative with an Aeropress and hand grinder than just throwing money at a machine which is how I felt when I had my Gaggia Classic. The fact that I can take it away with me when I travel is a massive bonus. As far as I'm aware a Gaggia Classic and a Mazzer Mini won't fit in airline hand luggage.

Probs with the Bezzera - when I turn the machine on and it gets to pressure, it activates the [internal] steam plug coming out of the boiler, [i presume this is a 'safety release valve'] - any ideas on the cause of this, blockage somewhere? time for a deep descale?

I like a good filter coffee, but also like to sit around and get some work done in a coffee shop (the american in me, I guess). Any suggestions for a good cup of coffee in north london that also welcomes laptop-lingering?

^ which part of N London?

I'm going to do this ^ for myself when I move into my new place - house of coffee drinkers makes more sense than single drinker. She would like a nice coffee machine but im of the opinion that an Aeropress and Porlex are enough for now.

Booked flights to Bologna and reservation at Osteria Francescana instead - so not just being tight!

Masterchef Wanker!

^ which part of N London?

I'm near finsbury park
A fairly good one I've found around here is Blighty Coffee - but i'd like to hear some other opinions and don't mind traveling a bit to try new places

la peche mignon or Vagabond are both on the Holloway road.

Vagabond coffee is better but La Peche has great food.

Masterchef Wanker!

U jel?

Obvs

Bologna is such an amazing place. Makes my mouth water just to think about it.

This is what I use, the Wilfa Svart Manuell.

just smashed my french press. ordered an areopress. hope it's as good as people make out

You'll wish you'd broken it (the french press) a lot sooner, would be my prediction

Just don't expect automatic amazing coffee, have a play with different recipes/methods. It's a good one to move to from French press though, if you do it inverted it's 'full immersion' and if you get it good it'll be like the best you've done in the French press but cleaner. Also easier to wash up.

^That.
I'll never use my cafetiére for hot coffee again unless my apartment's full of thirsty people I don't particularly like.

Anyone got a decent machine they're looking to shift?

Looking at Expobars, Rockets etc.

Bologna is such an amazing place. Makes my mouth water just to think about it.

If you had any advice it would be great!