Coffee Appreciation

I try to descale on a regular basis too. The best crema is produced (for me) by the freshest ground oily bean style coffee. I do not grind my own but buy fresh ground from Harrods ( number 7 option on their pre-printed list of goodies) and store in freezer.
Might spring for a half decent grinder one day...

I'm seriously annoyed with Harrods right now...

Took your advice PF, and popped by to get some of their number 7, and asked for an espresso ground. Was all excited about giving it a go this morning, but when I opened the packet I could tell that the grounds weren't anywhere near fine enough - probably just slightly finer than a cafetierre grind.

Thought I'd give it a go all the same and it was awful - loads of channelling, spurters all over the place, and about ten seconds into the pull, the blonding started. It tasted pretty foul too - plenty bitter and no smoothness.

The worst thing is that the smell is heavenly, so I was really looking forward to it.

Now all I have to look forward to is cleaning the coffee-sprayed kitchen...