Espresso machine owners - latte art?

[Maluco]

I'll pretend you are being serious. That machine is crap. The best starter machine is to take the time & find a used Starbucks machine, the one that they sell for ~$350 & comes in every color under the sun.
You find those used all the time for under $200, and if you spend some time on Coffeegeek.com learning, you will make great drinks. Get a good burr grinder, and you'll have the potential to make shots at least 80% as good as what my setup will do.

sad thing is I was serious. I haven't looked into it at all actually but I am actually glad you guys started this thread as I have been wanting to buy a machine for a while now. Any particulars to look for when buying a used one?

[rThor432]

I'll pretend you are being serious. That machine is crap. The best starter machine is to take the time & find a used Starbucks machine, the one that they sell for ~$350 & comes in every color under the sun.

Yeah good call on the Starbucks machine. Just dont use Starbucks espresso beans. They are roasted and sit on shelves long before they reach the consumers. So they arent fresh, and not being fresh kills the flavor.

And I have never heard of CoffeeGeeks.com. Thats interesting.

[blunttech]

i actually think you can make a decent shot of espresso on an inexpensive machine. the thing the big dollar machines can do is consistency and volume. if you have 4-6 people over and they want a cappucino after dinner you will be at it all night with a little cheap machine.. the machines with a pump in them can churn out steam non stop. i have a 15 dollar campstove espresso maker that makes excellent shots.

[Mtriple]

This is stimulating conversation.

[thectrlguy]

This is what happens when you stop drinking liquor.......

[blunttech]

This is stimulating conversation.

go drink your gatorade or whatever the fuck it is you litter my garage with consistently and let the men discuss real beverages

[blunttech]

This is what happens when you stop drinking liquor.......

there is truth to this statement

[mtechnik]

. And I don't like flavors Blunt, I take mine black, .... :p

Dang son...!

lol

I go for plain coffee w/ cream

[LINUS]

So here's this morning:



And one from a couple days back:



Not much to say, besides I'm already running late. I'll get back to this late this afternoon.

[blunttech]

So here's this morning:



And one from a couple days back:



Not much to say, besides I'm already running late. I'll get back to this late this afternoon.

thats real nice man, the first one looks so good it made me turn my machine on. i dont know what you call it (the dark crema?) but that shit is like a drug to me. i purposely make it so that shit floats on top and i savour it first. mmmmm
maluco, go make yourself some folgers instant and pop a chuckwagon in the microwave

[LINUS]

Thanks, yeah, that one yesterday looks OK, but when you see a real rosette those things are a real work of art.

I was using some nearly stale Vivace beans, and I still got that kind of crema - If you want to blow your mind, give Vivace a call & get a little of the Vita blend for a milk drink, or try a little Dolce if you are into drinking straight espresso. I don't care for espresso straight, but I do like Dolce - it comes out like what espresso should be - just plain intense tasting coffee, none of that sock curling nastiness you get from normal stuff. A few grains of sugar in it, and a little lemon & it's awesome. Doesn't kill your stomach either like you might think.

Fresh Vivace is almost too fresh, like it hasn't quite finished offgassing from the roast - you need plan ahead on the extraction, as you get a crazy amount of crema that settles in a cup.

http://www.espressovivace.com/

It's pricey for sure, but it's worth it on occasion. I've had most blends / roasts you really want to put through a espresso machine, and this really does stand out.

This is what I'm aiming for in the art end - not my work, just what a perfect rosette is for all who never heard of it:

[AlarmedBread]

I've always enjoyed this type of art. Every cg artist has done the coffeecup image, so I think thats part of why I like it.

I don't drink coffee at all, but I've only ever had crap I'd assume. Maybe one day I'll pony up the eleventybillion dollars a cup of coffee costs at some place.

Keep trying and posting your results!

[atomic]

Not mine but one I ran across on the net. Probably a PS but thought you guys would like it anyways

[blunttech]

linus, educate me on dolce. i dont know what that is. i will scope the vivace

EDIT,, oh i see its another blend on that site. 13 a LB?? whoa. thats high but maybe for special occasions like the days i have to work

Thanks, yeah, that one yesterday looks OK, but when you see a real rosette those things are a real work of art.

I was using some nearly stale Vivace beans, and I still got that kind of crema - If you want to blow your mind, give Vivace a call & get a little of the Vita blend for a milk drink, or try a little Dolce if you are into drinking straight espresso. I don't care for espresso straight, but I do like Dolce - it comes out like what espresso should be - just plain intense tasting coffee, none of that sock curling nastiness you get from normal stuff. A few grains of sugar in it, and a little lemon & it's awesome. Doesn't kill your stomach either like you might think.

Fresh Vivace is almost too fresh, like it hasn't quite finished offgassing from the roast - you need plan ahead on the extraction, as you get a crazy amount of crema that settles in a cup.

http://www.espressovivace.com/

It's pricey for sure, but it's worth it on occasion. I've had most blends / roasts you really want to put through a espresso machine, and this really does stand out.

This is what I'm aiming for in the art end - not my work, just what a perfect rosette is for all who never heard of it:

[Dave]

I need to dust off our machine - this thread has me craving.

I've been enjoying the Blue Mountain we brought back from JA, and a good espresso sounds like a nice change of pace.