Highly Caffeinated

A brief word on Espresso

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Espresso (not Expresso)…gotta get that in as many times as I can. Many new folks on their first roasts post photos of a very dark, Starbucks like roast. Let me get it out of the way now, that this is not a crime and not bad in any way. Deciding to learn to home roast takes time, and even a beginners first roast that was taken a little too far will most likely be better that Starbucks!.  Inevitably, there is a follow up comment on forums to try it as Espresso.
So, my question is why?
Here’s my 2 cents on subject. I think everyone knows that espresso (not expresso) is not a roast profile, or a specific bean. It’s a process – a method of production and you can put any roast profile you want through it. Yes, a darker bean is more soluble than a light roast, but still…we all know what Starbucks espresso tastes like…so why would we voluntarily want to brew that at home?
I light roast can make a wonderful espresso (albeit, I’ve only ever had one I liked), but like *any* brewing method, you will need to dial in the grind and brew time params accordingly. I brew mostly espresso at home (Gaggia Classic and a Bezzera BZ10). The single biggest leap in quality after the grinders and machines was when I started just roasting for the flavor profiles, and not worrying about dark/light. I blended beans for the balance of aroma, body, sweetness, chocolate, etc. that I was after. When I was done, I had not only the espresso I wanted, but a damn good cup of coffee period.
Full City+ Roast
Full City+ Roast from the FreshRoast SR700
Ultimately, you drink what you like, and that’s the great thing about being competent in food prep…you eat/drink what you like all the time. So, if a dark roast for espresso is something you like, brew it up and don’t look back. But, don’t assume that a dark roast will work as brewed espresso.
Of course, that’s just my opinion, I could be wrong (apologies to Dennis Miller).
Highly Caffeinated

Dukale’s Dream

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If you are a coffee person, and/or a humanitarian, or both, watch Dukale’s Dream.  This is a documentary from World Vision hosted by Hugh Jackman (World Vision Ambassador).  In it, Hugh visits Ethiopia to understand the work that World Vision is doing, and specifically meets a coffee farmer named Dukale.

Dukale is a success story for World Vision as he has taken the help received and transformed his life to be better than before.  He’s almost carbon neutral in his farming AND he’s teaching others in his community how to do the same.  Hugh is quite inspired by Dukale, and as a coffee enthusiast himself, makes a pledge to only drink Fair Trade coffee so that people like Dukale can continue to thrive and rise out of poverty.

Hugh helps out Dukale on his farm for a day.  Probably the funniest moment is when Dukale says he has no idea who Hugh Jackman is, but for a supposed famous person, he worked very hard and made a good farmer.  Then there’s the kids in the village who recognized him as Wolverine.  Yes, kids in a remote Ethiopian village know Hugh Jackman is Wolverine.

You’ve probably heard of Fair Trade coffee.  In simplest terms, it’s like Direct Trade (in which you buy directly from the farms), but ads a guarantee to you, the consumer, that your money is going back into the farms to promote sustainability and that the farms are treating their workers ethically as well. So, rather than Starbucks going in and offering pennies on the dollar to farmers, they get a fair wage for their work, and they can survive.

Hugh was so struck by this, that he not only pledged to drink only Fair Trade, but he started a coffee company to directly help as well.  He has the resources to do something tangible.  Speaking at the UN and using his fame is nice, but actually buying thousands of pounds of coffee from these farmers is putting real money into the economy.  And, the shop (and his Laughing Man organization) is donating 100% of profits back into programs to help eliminate poverty.

Laughing Man Coffee & Tea has two locations in New York and serves the Dukale’s Dream flagship Ethiopian coffee.  It’s very good.

Cafes & Shops, Highly Caffeinated

Laughing Man Coffee & Tea

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I finally got down to Tribeca to Hugh Jackman’s place Laughing Man Coffee & Tea.  If you saw his documentary “Dukale’s Dream”, this is the place that came out of the coffee journey he documented.

Laughing Man Coffee & Tea
Laughing Man Coffee & Tea

Located at 184 Duane St (there is now another location further West by the water as well), the place is tiny and had a healthy line on a Saturday at noon.  One might expect this give the fame of the founder, but they make a very good cup of coffee!  And, it seems there’s a good supply of “regulars” as the baristas acknowledged several folks as they walked in the door.

I had a flat white, a favorite in Australia, Hugh’s native land…how could I not (Hugh even has a note on the chalk board behind the bar suggesting it’s his favorite.)

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The espresso, a blend of Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Costa Rica (according to the barrista) shines through nicely.  The winey pop of the Dukale’s Ethiopian comes through the milk very well.  It is honestly one of the better milk based drinks from a bar I’ve had in New York.

Even though the inside is tiny, just outside is a small city project called Street Seats.  If the weather is nice, it’s a wonderful place to enjoy your coffee.  It’s an easy walk from either the 1,2,3 or A,C Chambers Street stops.  If you are in the area, give it a try.

Cafes & Shops, Highly Caffeinated

United Partners with Illy

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This isn’t new news.  It was announced in 2015, that United had partnered with Illy to provide coffee for it’s operations (both lounges and in flight).  What is news here is the quantity of coffee that United serves.

United Coffee Service

Look at those numbers.  That equates to 50 TONS of coffee a month.  This isn’t Starbucks (which incidentally WAS served on United until the Continental merger).  This is an airline, and they consume 50 TONS of coffee a month.   This is so much coffee that Illy has built a special line at their plant in Trieste just to service the United contract.

Brewing, Equipment, Highly Caffeinated

Gaggia Classic Espresso Shot with Good Grinder

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I did a video with the Gaggia Classic and a budget grinder to prove you could get a really nice shot with a setup that you could get out the door with at about $500.

Macap M2M
Macap M2M

So, now, here’s the reason you always hear people talk about the grinder, grinder grinder, when giving advice on making better espresso at home.  Here’s a shot with the Gaggia Classic and a good grinder, the Macap M2M.  This setup is closer to $1000 out the door new (machine and grinder).

Note that I did use a slightly different technique here and different beans, but that really made little difference to the overall outcome.  In the budget shot, I used a single origin, natural process Sumatra bean…which produces great crema.  In this shot I used a blend, but plain and simple, the better grinder yields a better shot.

Cafes & Shops, Highly Caffeinated

Starbucks Rewards Revamp

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Starbucks LogoStarbucks is pulling a fast one folks!!! You already know I don’t like their coffee…in fact it’s total crap. But, they apparently are taking advantage of the fact that most people can’t do simple math anymore with their new Starbucks Rewards program.
They are revamping their Starbucks Rewards system starting April 1st…because “we listened to you”. Instead of 1 star per visit, it’s now 2 stars per dollar you spend…ok…so what? Instead of 30 stars to Gold level, it’s 300 stars…wait…hold the phone…menu please?
I’ll round a bit here to make the math easy, but a cup of coffee is $2 (forget all the fancy-schmancy drinks). So, with the old program, a coffee a day for 30 days got you Gold level for a total of $60.
Under the new program, Gold level costs you a flat bargain price of $150!!! So, for the addicts, this is good news, they will reach Gold faster and not much changes. For the people like me that got an ice tea once in a blue moon…no Gold for you (and no rewards either!)  Starbucks just pocketed a shitload more money out all of you…because they guarantee at least $150 is spent before rewards are reached.
Equipment, Highly Caffeinated

New Grinder! Macap M2M

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Macap M2M
Macap M2M

I just got a new grinder and boy am I happy.  It is the Macap M2M Espresso Grinder.  I picked it up at 1st Line.  This is labeled as a “commercial” grinder.  And I can see that working in a small cafe.  But, it’s not fast enough to work in a really high volume shop.   However, the Macap M2M is built like a tank, and the small footprint is excellent for home application.  You can read my full review here.

Brewing, Equipment

Gaggia Classic Espresso Shot with Budget Grinder

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So, you want to stay on the cheap, and you’re wondering if you can actually get a decent shot of espresso.  Yes, yes you can.  Keep in mind that “cheap” is quite relative your your situation, but the combo of a Gaggia Classic with a Capresso Infinity grinder can produce a very respectable beverage.

All told, you can be out the door under $500 and brewing cafe quality beverages at home.

Latte Art with the Gaggia Classic
Latte Art with the Gaggia Classic

Some people will tell you that you HAVE to spend at least $500 on the grinder alone, or to get a Rancillio Silvia.  But, your wallet is the deciding factor.  Yes, the grinder DOES make that big a difference even on a lower end machine.  So, if you can afford it, get a better grinder.  But, if you have a budget of $500, this solution right here is a damn fine choice. 

Demystifying espresso for the average Joe