Short trip back to UK - observations
Oct 29th 2010, 6:03 pm
#151
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Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: Short trip back to UK - observations
I'm a purist ... pure latte - just espresso and foamed milk (no sugar, no sprinkles, no extras). I got addicted to this in Italy. If you get the foaming just right - the texture of the foam can be amazing. Not unlike, perhaps, the 'head' on a Guinness or certain other beers/ales/etc. Each sip brings just a touch of the 'head' with it, all the way to the bottom of the glass/cup, IF ... it's poured (Guinness) or foamed (milk) right. 95% of places don't know how to do it so maybe you've never had the experience 
. I recently paid $600 for a machine that has the 'umph' to do the foaming correctly (those cheapie home jobbies don't have the steam pressure to do the job).
. I recently paid $600 for a machine that has the 'umph' to do the foaming correctly (those cheapie home jobbies don't have the steam pressure to do the job).I'm glad I'm a tea drinker, it's only $5 for the teabags and $2.99 for the milk
Of course, you would probably laugh at the money I've spent on musical instruments over the years but there you go
Oct 29th 2010, 6:15 pm
#153
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Oct 29th 2010, 7:21 pm
#156
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Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: Short trip back to UK - observations
I was just mildly surprised they can be that expensive. We were looking at a new cooker the other day that didn't even cost that much
Oct 29th 2010, 7:54 pm
#159
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Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Oct 29th 2010, 11:59 pm
#160
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Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: Short trip back to UK - observations
had to laugh this morning at the local coffee shop - lady in front ordered a 24oz vanilla latte with extra vanilla, 4 pumps of caramel, 2 splenda and whipped cream, then turned to her friend and said "i love the coffee in here - they make the best espresso in town"....err like she could taste it with all that cr@p on top - may as well have been folgers instant...!
And seriously, after adding all that crud, to ask for low fat milk or a sugar substitute just makes me laugh...it's like the balloon asking for a diet 64oz Coke at a McD's
Oct 30th 2010, 12:02 am
#161
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: Short trip back to UK - observations
I'm a purist ... pure latte - just espresso and foamed milk (no sugar, no sprinkles, no extras). I got addicted to this in Italy. If you get the foaming just right - the texture of the foam can be amazing. Not unlike, perhaps, the 'head' on a Guinness or certain other beers/ales/etc. Each sip brings just a touch of the 'head' with it, all the way to the bottom of the glass/cup, IF ... it's poured (Guinness) or foamed (milk) right. 95% of places don't know how to do it so maybe you've never had the experience . I recently paid $600 for a machine that has the 'umph' to do the foaming correctly (those cheapie home jobbies don't have the steam pressure to do the job).
. I recently paid $600 for a machine that has the 'umph' to do the foaming correctly (those cheapie home jobbies don't have the steam pressure to do the job).It's just become very pretentious these days though and tele shows haven't helped there.
Best espresso still comes from a Bialetti stove top jobby, cheapest way to make it too.
Oct 30th 2010, 12:55 am
#162
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Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 13,111
Re: Short trip back to UK - observations
. You can easily spend $2,000+ ... (that will be my next upgrade )
Oct 30th 2010, 1:14 am
#163
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Google Town
Posts: 7,532
Re: Short trip back to UK - observations
We all have our weaknesses! I spend next to nothing on clothes, drink Miller Genuine Draft beer, wine under $10/bottle, and buy a new car about once every 15 years. My only expensive hobby is photography, and even with that I've migrated to smaller, more portable cameras and don't get into lens collecting. This is what I have - including the $350 grinder . You can easily spend $2,000+ ... (that will be my next upgrade )
. You can easily spend $2,000+ ... (that will be my next upgrade )I know what you mean about the cost, he has his eye on a very expensive lense at the moment
Oct 30th 2010, 1:24 am
#165
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Location: Midlands - MA - CO-CA
Posts: 2,763
Re: Short trip back to UK - observations
I've had plenty of decent coffee in various places, latte is one thing, but I prefer espresso straight if I drink it...or straight coffee, maybe a splash of milk.
It's just become very pretentious these days though and tele shows haven't helped there.
Best espresso still comes from a Bialetti stove top jobby, cheapest way to make it too.
It's just become very pretentious these days though and tele shows haven't helped there.
Best espresso still comes from a Bialetti stove top jobby, cheapest way to make it too.