I just made my first shot of espresso!

M

mimi

Well-known member
My espresso machine arrived two days ago, but I was so busy yesterday that I couldn't attend to it. I did, however, unpack everything, wash stuff, and rearrange my kitchen somewhat for the new arrivals. This morning, as soon as the stores were open, I went to get the best beans I could find, which, according to the excellent blog by David Lebowitz that someone posted (thanks!), had to be medium roast, and not the dark roast they they are usually selling as espresso beans.

So, I pulled my first shot and it came out horrible. Tried again, packing it tighter, and it was lovely, it even had a nice crema. Made an americano. I'm a novice barista but I was VERY happy with my coffee this morning. I'm going to have fun with this. ;o)

Thank you all so much!

 
I'm so glad you went to David's blog. How lucky was he to go to Italy and tour the factory. Was it

Ihly? I can't remember now. How nice that you can think of us all while having your morning espresso/americano. We should come up with a Canadiano----maybe put some maple syrup in it(I have done this and it is yum)

 
and when you get some experience, you can buy one of those little coffee shacks and be a barista

and sell coffee to sleepy folks in your neighborhood.

 
After much research...

I finally decided on the Breville Cafe Roma. I wanted a good "entry level" machine from a manufacturer with a good name and a model that had good reviews. Further, it had to be something that is easily available here in the boondocks and having it serviced or returned/exchanged would not be outrageously expensive. Just the fact of where I live limits my choices tremendously, but the Breville machine fit the bill perfectly, and the price was such that I was also able to get the Breville burr grinder. I am very happy and they look great in my kitchen. :eek:) I made DH an espresso for lunch and he loved it.

 
Ang asked if David had been to the Illy factory. That much, I know!

As for whether there is anything wrong with it...nothing wrong with their coffee that I know of, but I've never had it (I don't think). The only problem with Illy that I'm aware of is that the Illy website won't ship to Canada! I tried to order some last week, to no avail. Where do you get yours? Locally, I suppose?

I'm laughing, though. After "pulling" three "shots" of espresso in my entire life, it would be really pretentious of me to start dissing Illy coffee! lol

 
I would think that you could get it in Montreal without any problem. There must be

gourmet shops around there that sell it. It's all over here. At $28 a pound, though, and more, it would have to be in an upscale shop.

It's my 'treat' coffee, or I buy it on sale. I just buy Barzula or Lavazza Gold beans. Yes, they say Espresso and they're just fine with us. I don't want to read what Liebovitz has to say. I just don't want someone to tell me not to enjoy this coffee.

Loblaws sells Illy, in fact. OR some do.

 
Check out....eBay, Mimi! I sold several tins of Illy on there once and

I know other people do, too! smileys/smile.gif

You can get a great buy, too!

Congrats on your lovely machine! It will be a very good friend for a very long time!

((hugs))

 
Marg, David likes Illy. I'm sorry if my post somehow gave the impression that he didn't. He had a

wonderful tour in Italy.

 
Well, he has good taste then. What tour of Italy wouldn't be wonderful? I just saw that Raymond

when the family went to Italy and now I want to go again. I love it.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top