Coffee: drip vs percolate vs...

[kwkarth]

That is interesting they created their own Intensity scale. Now I'm really looking forward to this. Seemed like a great B-Day present for my wife too. The best presents for family members are ones that you can share together. LOL!

How do you use the milk/creamer with sugar? Do you put sugar into the milk and it heats it and whips it or something? Then I assume you spoon it over the 'Spresso, or do you stir it in?

I've tried using the aeroccino a couple of different ways. So far, the method that works best for me is to pour in the cold milk, add the sweetener, close the lid, and push the button. The light goes out in about a minute and it's all done.

I pour/spoon the hot, sweet foam into the cappuccino cup/glass, and then pull the shot(s) into the cup. All done, enjoy!

 

[LuxLuthor]

... the hot, sweet foam....

We are talking about espresso still, right? :devil:

Do you just use sugar? What goes on in that milk chamber? Is it like a heated chamber with a rotary blade, or a more traditional steam rod that has to be cleaned?

 

[kwkarth]

We are talking about espresso still, right? :devil:

No comment

Do you just use sugar?

Any sweetener or flavor syrup should work equally well. I've used sugar, xylitol, and maple syrup so far.

What goes on in that milk chamber? Is it like a heated chamber with a rotary blade, or a more traditional steam rod that has to be cleaned?

It is a heated, thermostatically controlled, completely sealed chamber using a magnetically suspended and driven agitator or frother. Both are supplied. You use one or the other depending upon if you just want to stir or you want to whip. Oh, oh, there's another kinky reference... 😉 The agitators store underneath the deck of the CitiZ platform.

Very simple and ingenious design, making it super easy to clean.

 

[LuxLuthor]

OK, sounds very well designed. I should have mine from Amazon + the Pops by Wed.

 

[LuxLuthor]

Oh this is every bit as great as you described it. Got the machine today, and fortunately it comes with a 16 pop sleeve, as the Club motherlode isn't coming until tomorrow. Just seeing how simple and well designed it is blows me away.

That milk frother works incredibly well. Just about ready to sample some pops. I have to get myself setup so I don't have a bunch of distractions. Part of my Zen of Coffee approach.

 

[LuxLuthor]

Well I had a religious awakening over this little Nespresso machine. My wife and I just blew through 8 of the 16 pops that came with it (5 for me--so I have a pretty good buzz going on). Tried all the variations of espresso, capaccino, late, lungo. Amazing how well that milker mixes, heats, and froths a tsp of sugar thrown into the milk.

One suggestion I found a couple years ago is this particular King Arthur Flour mixture of Vietnamese cinnamon & fine grain sugar in a little shaker. Not only does this make the best Cinnamon Toast you ever had, but put a couple shakes on top of the foam, and you are teleported to LaLa Land.

Great Great suggestion!

 

[kwkarth]

Well I had a religious awakening over this little Nespresso machine. My wife and I just blew through 8 of the 16 pops that came with it (5 for me--so I have a pretty good buzz going on). Tried all the variations of espresso, capaccino, late, lungo. Amazing how well that milker mixes, heats, and froths a tsp of sugar thrown into the milk.

One suggestion I found a couple years ago is this particular King Arthur Flour mixture of Vietnamese cinnamon & fine grain sugar in a little shaker. Not only does this make the best Cinnamon Toast you ever had, but put a couple shakes on top of the foam, and you are teleported to LaLa Land.

Great Great suggestion!

Glad you like it Lux! I'll have to try that King Arthur recipe! They should package the machine with the "Welcome Kit" because that's how many samples you need to go through before the newness wears off and you can get down to the business of enjoying the coffee!

Cheers!

 

[kwkarth]

BTW, after further evaluation, I would guess that probably 2 shots is equivalent to one of my old cups of coffee, not three, as I had originally estimated. I gauge this by the apparent strength of the coffee after adding the foamed cappuccino mix to the cup. Added to two shots, I can still taste the coffee better than adding the same mix to one of my traditional cups of coffee.

 

[LuxLuthor]

BTW, after further evaluation, I would guess that probably 2 shots is equivalent to one of my old cups of coffee, not three, as I had originally estimated. I gauge this by the apparent strength of the coffee after adding the foamed cappuccino mix to the cup. Added to two shots, I can still taste the coffee better than adding the same mix to one of my traditional cups of coffee.

Yeah, I'm sure I will always do double pop-shots, but I wanted to taste all of these single flavors they give you in the meager sleeve of 16.

I got the 200 pop welcome kit, plus another 140 of others coming tomorrow, so I will be able to pop up the power.

I absolutely guarantee that King Arthur Cinnamon Sugar. Try it on buttered toast too! They used to sell a little amber glass bear shaker, but he is out of stock now...but you could just use a salt shaker. If you are going to order the cinnamon sugar, get a couple of these Fabulous Fudge Brownie Mixes too. Just add a half bag of Nestles semi-sweet chips. Trust me.

 

[kwkarth]

Yeah, I'm sure I will always do double pop-shots, but I wanted to taste all of these single flavors they give you in the meager sleeve of 16.

I got the 200 pop welcome kit, plus another 140 of others coming tomorrow, so I will be able to pop up the power.

I absolutely guarantee that King Arthur Cinnamon Sugar. Try it on buttered toast too! They used to sell a little amber glass bear shaker, but he is out of stock now...but you could just use a salt shaker. If you are going to order the cinnamon sugar, get a couple of these Fabulous Fudge Brownie Mixes too. Just add a half bag of Nestles semi-sweet chips. Trust me.

Besides the 200 "Welcome shots, I've purchased an additional 210 shots of various varieties, focusing on my favorites of the moment. The last order arrived yesterday, so now I feel I've got sufficient stock on hand to properly take care of guests, the wife 'n' me.

Not sure what our run rate is going to be once things settle down yet.

I hope you enjoy your Nespresso in CT as much as we are enjoying ours here in PDX.

 

[saabluster]

Lux have you had a chance to try the SMs Sadamo yet?

 

[kwkarth]

Yeah, I'm sure I will always do double pop-shots, but I wanted to taste all of these single flavors they give you in the meager sleeve of 16.

I got the 200 pop welcome kit, plus another 140 of others coming tomorrow, so I will be able to pop up the power.

I absolutely guarantee that King Arthur Cinnamon Sugar. Try it on buttered toast too! They used to sell a little amber glass bear shaker, but he is out of stock now...but you could just use a salt shaker. If you are going to order the cinnamon sugar, get a couple of these Fabulous Fudge Brownie Mixes too. Just add a half bag of Nestles semi-sweet chips. Trust me.

Hey Lux,
Did you get the rest of your coffee supply today? What do you think so far?
k

 

[LuxLuthor]

Lux have you had a chance to try the SMs Sadamo yet?

Funny you should mention that. I just roasted a batch today as City+, will do FC tonight but plan to let them rest for a couple days.

How dark were the beans you got from Starbucks? Sweet Marias says City+ to FC roasts. Their pictoral guide is here.


kwkarth, OMG! Just had two double pops of the "Special Club Singatoba." That is superb. Gonna order another 200 of those after just talking to them on the phone. Apparently these Fall (& Spring) special editions normally have about a 2-3 month run time, but this one has been the most popular, and anticipate selling it for about one more month.

They promise their pops are considered fresh and optimal for 4-8 months, and do have both a made & expire date on sleeve carton. The Singatobas were made last June, and expire end of May, so they can't sell beyond Jan 31 and still fit into the 4 month minimum expiration date. He says they really stay great well beyond their expirations, and some will order 500 or more of a favorite like this.

 

[LuxLuthor]

Also had both of the Espresso Decaf pops tonight. Enjoyed them both. Did you see how you can reset the amount of water it dispenses for either espresso or lungo? I think I increased the amount for espresso to about 150% of what it put out for default.

I did order 200 more of the Singatoba. 😗

 

[kwkarth]

Also had both of the Espresso Decaf pops tonight. Enjoyed them both. Did you see how you can reset the amount of water it dispenses for either espresso or lungo? I think I increased the amount for espresso to about 150% of what it put out for default.

I did order 200 more of the Singatoba. 😗

Yup, I've played with that, and can't make up my mind about where to leave it set. I did measure its consistency too, and it's not bad. Keeps same volume output regardless of varying back pressure from coffee capsules, so it's not a simple timer.

 

[kwkarth]

The trick with extraction is to extract as much volume of espresso as you can without "over" extracting, at witch point, the "over" extracted flavor will emerge from the espresso and ruin the shot.

 

[da.gee]

So basically kwkarth and LuxLuthor haven't slept for days. They're too hyped up on caffeine! :laughing:

 

[kwkarth]

So basically kwkarth and LuxLuthor haven't slept for days. They're too hyped up on caffeine! :laughing:

What makes you say that??
:huh:

BTW, I picked up an Elzetta ZFL-M60 from PTS (arrived today) and it is one awesome light!!!

 

[LuxLuthor]

The trick with extraction is to extract as much volume of espresso as you can without "over" extracting, at witch point, the "over" extracted flavor will emerge from the espresso and ruin the shot.

Oh, see I didn't know about that over-extracting nuance. I think the original espresso setting had their included (cheap) glass only about 40-50% filled (including crema). I adjusted it so it fills about 2/3 of that glass. I could measure exact mililiter amounts. Did you find the volume of what you consider the ideal?

 

[kwkarth]

Oh, see I didn't know about that over-extracting nuance. I think the original espresso setting had their included (cheap) glass only about 40-50% filled (including crema). I adjusted it so it fills about 2/3 of that glass. I could measure exact mililiter amounts. Did you find the volume of what you consider the ideal?

The ideal water volume will vary depending upon the roast, pack density and grind fineness. You'll notice the "Lungo" varieties are designed for longer extraction /higher volume times without becoming over extracted.

From my own subjective "testing" all of the Lungos taste better with less extraction. I've pushed some of the espresso to almost double volume, with some over extraction evident. I would guess that Nespresso has tested this pretty thoroughly and push things as far as they can and still get consistently good results. 2/3 full with some of the espressos is probably ok.

Anything with cream and sugar can be pushed farther and still taste acceptably good since the cream and sugar mask the over extracted characteristic flavor.