Coffee Appreciation

I also think you're meant to purge the steam by running water through the group head (no portafilter fitted) after steaming to refill the boiler otherwise you run the risk of it going dry and fucking the pump.

says something along those lines in the instructions that came with mine (latest version).

Sigh...

As much as I like Red Roaster in Kemp Town every time I go there before noon some 'care in the community' twat sits down next to me and talks bollocks at me.

get a short espresso

the old in and out

But they have nice cake too... :-(

Sigh...

As much as I like Red Roaster in Kemp Town every time I go there before noon some 'care in the community' twat sits down next to me and talks bollocks at me.

I used to get this a lot at LMNH, but mick works somewhere else now so it's ok.

Just so you all know, I'm having some baller coffee over here. These guys do it right:
http://www.merdekacoffee.com/product.php?cat=Roasted%20Specialty%20Coffee
Fabulous flavours.

^Note. I haven't had coffee in almost two weeks apart from that weird margarine stuff up-thread. But discovered this Merdeka place and all is well with the world.

Very good Coffee job going in Bath if anyone is interested:

http://www.gumtree.com/p/jobs/front-of-housebarista/1002617314

Full-time, permanent and 28 days paid holiday!

Sigh...

As much as I like Red Roaster in Kemp Town every time I go there before noon some 'care in the community' twat sits down next to me and talks bollocks at me.

As soon as they sit down start trying, enthusiastically, to bite your own ear.

If you commit to this exercise with enough passion they should bugger off and bother someone less obviously mental.

As soon as they sit down start trying, enthusiastically, to bite your own ear.

If you commit to this exercise with enough passion they should bugger off and bother someone less obviously mental.

Isn't that a secret sign to show that you are in their 'gang'?

http://shop.squaremilecoffee.com/products/jirmiwachu-espresso

opened a bag of this, this morning. very nice. the strawberry milkshake thing is spot on.

Hatbeard rating 8.5/10

Want.

Will be bringing a couple of bags of that merdeka stuff home with me - their Old Dark blend. Beautiful sunday morning coffee. Really nutty and chocolatey. Only had in in a french press though, so intrigured to see what becomes of it under different treatment.

http://shop.squaremilecoffee.com/products/jirmiwachu-espresso

opened a bag of this, this morning. very nice. the strawberry milkshake thing is spot on.

Hatbeard rating 8.5/10

I liked this one a lot. Currenly working my way through a bag of their Kilimanjaro pulped natural which is very nice too.

^^ Can you make that 3 bags? I'll take one off your hands if you like.

Currently enjoying the Climpson's Sidamo Espresso Blend. It's partly Brazilian. Really well balanced, and fairly dark. Doesn't capture the delicate flavours of the Ethiopian beans like Monmouth probably would, but I think this is due to the roast. Still rich and a bit fruity.

Also drinking their Autumn Espresso Blend. It's strong! Similarly dark, but has a real bite to the taste; not bitter, just intense. I think this could work better in a latte, or maybe I should drop the dose down from 18g.

^^ Can you make that 3 bags? I'll take one off your hands if you like.

Beans ok?

http://bit.ly/IWLQW9

I am doing some design work for a friends business - initially I said I wouldn't take any payment, but it turns out their needs are bit more than originally expected.. so, instead of doing mates rates (which I hate) they suggested that I decide on fairly substantial gift they could buy me.

I already have too many bikes (can't say it didn't cross my mind!), and make coffee twice everyday with a stovetop and a Hario hand grinder - I thought that I could ask for a modest home coffee setup as a gift.

So, noob question 101 time:
I understand that a good grinder is more important than a pump machine - but I would ideally like both, I know that the Gaggia classic is an OK entry level machine, and at around £200 leaves me £150 ish for a grinder - is that feasible and what grinder would people suggest?

for that money - an Iberital MC2 for sure

keep an eye on amazon for the gaggia to drop in price as it often does.

also they have amazon warehouse which is returned items with damaged packaging and brand new classics in torn boxes have been up on there for about £140 in the last week. they're listed under the marketplace sellers on the product page.

also try and budget for a tamper and a non-pressurised basket at the very least.

and a milk jug, maybe a milk thermometer, oh the steam wand upgrade is pretty good too you'll want that as well. then there's the coffee to think about.

I already haz tamper and milk jug - don't ask why, I just do!

Not so worried about the milk anyway, hardly ever drink coffee with milk.

http://shop.squaremilecoffee.com/products/jirmiwachu-espresso

opened a bag of this, this morning. very nice. the strawberry milkshake thing is spot on.

Hatbeard rating 8.5/10

Had this at the other week at GiddyUpAngel, and it was delicious!

just had a look at the amazon refurb stuff - doesn't come with a warranty.. hmm...

any other suggestions for machines around that price or is the Classic pretty much where it's at in that neighbourhood?