Anyone else a Coffee snob?
Discussion
Me 
I love coffee & it is very hard to get 'proper' coffee.
If you want a home machine, you have a few options. My best recommendation is to speak to an independent supplier (Go Coffee are excellent) describe what you're after & let them advise you.
I used to grind my own beans & have a nice espresso maker, but things have moved on now, & I find the 'bean to cup' machines are excellent. That is, you put beans in one side, water in another, press a button & it freshly grinds & makes coffee to your specification. Except to spend a few hundred pounds for a good one. I have a Jura, which is Swiss made & superb quality, but the new DeLonghi machines with the milk jug look great (half price somewhere online too if you Google).
I have found quite a lot of companies online who roast their own beans & can deliver, yet to try them as I stocked up on beans when I was in Italy, but this is my next call when I run out. Again, search around, get an idea of what machines are around and speak to a few suppliers, then hunt for great beans
I love coffee & it is very hard to get 'proper' coffee.If you want a home machine, you have a few options. My best recommendation is to speak to an independent supplier (Go Coffee are excellent) describe what you're after & let them advise you.
I used to grind my own beans & have a nice espresso maker, but things have moved on now, & I find the 'bean to cup' machines are excellent. That is, you put beans in one side, water in another, press a button & it freshly grinds & makes coffee to your specification. Except to spend a few hundred pounds for a good one. I have a Jura, which is Swiss made & superb quality, but the new DeLonghi machines with the milk jug look great (half price somewhere online too if you Google).
I have found quite a lot of companies online who roast their own beans & can deliver, yet to try them as I stocked up on beans when I was in Italy, but this is my next call when I run out. Again, search around, get an idea of what machines are around and speak to a few suppliers, then hunt for great beans
Nothing beats a proper espresso in the morning. Or anytime come to that.
In my business a lot of face to face discussions are had in City coffee shops (any excuse)
Nero and Costa generally pass muster. Starbucks are yeuch.
I saw a portable espresso maker the other day.....perfect for a roadside break up that mountain pass...ahhhhhhhh
In my business a lot of face to face discussions are had in City coffee shops (any excuse)
Nero and Costa generally pass muster. Starbucks are yeuch.
I saw a portable espresso maker the other day.....perfect for a roadside break up that mountain pass...ahhhhhhhh
FastLaneGirl said:
Me I love coffee & it is very hard to get 'proper' coffee.
If you want a home machine, you have a few options. My best recommendation is to speak to an independent supplier (Go Coffee are excellent) describe what you're after & let them advise you.
I used to grind my own beans & have a nice espresso maker, but things have moved on now, & I find the 'bean to cup' machines are excellent. That is, you put beans in one side, water in another, press a button & it freshly grinds & makes coffee to your specification. Except to spend a few hundred pounds for a good one. I have a Jura, which is Swiss made & superb quality, but the new DeLonghi machines with the milk jug look great (half price somewhere online too if you Google).
I have found quite a lot of companies online who roast their own beans & can deliver, yet to try them as I stocked up on beans when I was in Italy, but this is my next call when I run out. Again, search around, get an idea of what machines are around and speak to a few suppliers, then hunt for great beans
A Jura eh I love coffee & it is very hard to get 'proper' coffee.If you want a home machine, you have a few options. My best recommendation is to speak to an independent supplier (Go Coffee are excellent) describe what you're after & let them advise you.
I used to grind my own beans & have a nice espresso maker, but things have moved on now, & I find the 'bean to cup' machines are excellent. That is, you put beans in one side, water in another, press a button & it freshly grinds & makes coffee to your specification. Except to spend a few hundred pounds for a good one. I have a Jura, which is Swiss made & superb quality, but the new DeLonghi machines with the milk jug look great (half price somewhere online too if you Google).
I have found quite a lot of companies online who roast their own beans & can deliver, yet to try them as I stocked up on beans when I was in Italy, but this is my next call when I run out. Again, search around, get an idea of what machines are around and speak to a few suppliers, then hunt for great beans
got a Siemens myself - made in Switzerland, funnily enough 
I bought a (domestic) Gaggia Synchrony Logic machine last year (bean-to-cup); cost about £350. Has been worth every penny. Having tried beans from various places, we evenually settled on the 'classic roast' from Caffe Nero (the same beans they use in their own machines)
Edited by V8mate on Tuesday 30th December 18:55
V8mate said:
I bought a (domestic) Gaggia machine last year; cost about £350. Has been worth every penny. Having tried beans from various places, we evenually settled on the 'classic roast' from Caffe Nero (the same beans they use in their own machines)
I have a Gaggia and Bialetti, I rarely have coffee anywhere other than at home.Recently got a Jura Ena 5 to replace our machine that went bad Get beans from Monmouth or Mango Bean usually roasted not long before we get them, I like to get different types rather than stick to one.
We had a rare bean from Cuba once I think it was made under a tobacco plant that had an amazing after favour, but don't find it very often.
Get beans from Monmouth or Mango Bean usually roasted not long before we get them, I like to get different types rather than stick to one.We had a rare bean from Cuba once I think it was made under a tobacco plant that had an amazing after favour, but don't find it very often.
bomb said:
Gaggia do a good range.
We have a 'classic' machine that produces great coffee. I don't drink tea so its a must to have a nice cup of the good stuff.
Worth the £200 + that we paid. They also chucked in some coffee and accessories for free after a good 'haggle'.
Podie here...We have a 'classic' machine that produces great coffee. I don't drink tea so its a must to have a nice cup of the good stuff.
Worth the £200 + that we paid. They also chucked in some coffee and accessories for free after a good 'haggle'.
We just treated ourselves to a Gaggia Classic in the sales... it's ruddy brilliant
currently enjoying Cuban coffee...
Had my Gaggia Carezza (same as the 'classic' underneath IIRC) for about 5 years now and it's still going well. Started grinding my own beans about two years ago. Haven't touched instant coffee for longer than that.
If it breaks I might splash out on a bean-to-cup machine, but the Gaggia does what it needs to very well...
If it breaks I might splash out on a bean-to-cup machine, but the Gaggia does what it needs to very well...
I have a classic Gaggia too and I agree that it's worth every penny. I get my coffee beans from
www.coffee-direct.co.uk and use a Krups grinder. Really into Old Brown Java at the moment, the Cuban beans I got from them didn't do it for me though.
www.coffee-direct.co.uk and use a Krups grinder. Really into Old Brown Java at the moment, the Cuban beans I got from them didn't do it for me though.
Edited by SwanJack on Tuesday 30th December 17:39
I have a Gaggia Classic too had it a couple of years now, it's wonderful,
very rarely use it for the milk frothing, the foam never seems to last more than a few minutes, even though I do all the right things.
I usually drink something resembling a macciata (sp?) i.e.white double espresso (10 times better with cream)
I bought a bean grinder too, so very rarely use pre ground coffee
Not sure why I am a snob though as I cannot taste enough difference between the coffees yet, I just want the best
usually stick with Lavazza or Illy, or the coffee man in town
for Xmas this year I got some Dualit SS thermal espresso cups, by far the best vessel that I have discovered as it keeps them nice and hot. God knows how much they cost, at least I can't break metal ones
very rarely use it for the milk frothing, the foam never seems to last more than a few minutes, even though I do all the right things.
I usually drink something resembling a macciata (sp?) i.e.white double espresso (10 times better with cream
)I bought a bean grinder too, so very rarely use pre ground coffee
Not sure why I am a snob though as I cannot taste enough difference between the coffees yet, I just want the best
usually stick with Lavazza or Illy, or the coffee man in town
for Xmas this year I got some Dualit SS thermal espresso cups, by far the best vessel that I have discovered as it keeps them nice and hot. God knows how much they cost, at least I can't break metal ones
Mark300zx said:
Might be able to pick up a Gaggia nespresso maching fairly cheap, not sure about the whole pod thing?
I always steer clear of design fads. I just know I'll be buying into his year's 'betamax'.Can't go wrong with a bean-to-cup solution
Edited by V8mate on Wednesday 31st December 12:43
Mark300zx said:
Might be able to pick up a Gaggia nespresso maching fairly cheap, not sure about the whole pod thing?
I looked at them but didn't like the pod idea. I prefer to choose a coffee bean, and enjoy trying differing roasts etc. Plenty of places sell coffee so its part of the fun with our Gaggia Classic.Each to their own though.
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