2580 Coffee anyone?

[QUOTE=Aliena]

I will take my personal favourite as an example; Kimbo (It's the best anyway.. ask anyone!)

:) :)[/QUOTE]

See ! Here we go again...its the best...I say so...blah blah...can't we have any discussion here with some old bigot force feeding the rest of us with his/her prejudices?

Makes me blood boil. :)

You can't go wrong with Illy 100 percent arabica...the aroma on opening one of their vacuum sealed tins can be swoon inducing...so have somewhere to sit and relax near to hand.

And stodge has a kinky coffee sniffing habit! Where will the sordid revelations end, I wonder?

Are you a Lib-Dem, stodge? ;)

[QUOTE=Wishful Thinker]And stodge has a kinky coffee sniffing habit! Where will the sordid revelations end, I wonder?

Are you a Lib-Dem, stodge? ;)[/QUOTE]

Nothing kinky about swooning...necessarily.

Avoiding the question eh, stodge?

Are you or have you ever been, a member of the Lib Dem party?

I think we have a right to know. :)

[QUOTE=Wishful Thinker]Avoiding the question eh, stodge?

Are you or have you ever been, a member of the Lib Dem party?

I think we have a right to know. :)[/QUOTE]

Please note: there are three things one shouldn't discus over coffee.

Au contraire, mon ami. Tinkers (aka pikeys, or gypsies) are recognised as an ethnic group. ;)

Hmm.. I understand that some very interesting things (some surprising things too) come in black packages....even it seems black packages...a bit like Russian dolls, you might say ;)

Now that we have establised the type of coffee (because we're not allowed to have any opinion other than Aliena's) can we get down to the original question; to wit stove top or gaggia (gas and/or electrical supply permitting).

My frothy mike has gone cold and flat waiting...:)

How dare you say my comments are rubbish! Its a well known fact that you only post on here to see your name in lights! ;)

Do they drink coffee in Puglia?

[QUOTE=Wishful Thinker]How dare you say my comments are rubbish! Its a well known fact that you only post on here to see your name in lights! ;)

Do they drink coffee in Puglia?[/QUOTE]

of course yes. Saicaf, better if freshly grinded

now let's not get all Partisan here ;)

I wanna know about the stove/gaggia problem :)

and, no one ever solved the other great coffee conundrum - why aliena's coffee pot didn't taste so good...

who would have thought the coffee could prove such a microcosm of the world's ills?

aren't these posts getting a little muddled up? why are your later ones coming before mine?

Is it the thought police again?

I see that you've relocated to Liverpool! How brave :)

Isn't time a for little pre-lunch aperitivo? What do you have?

[QUOTE=Aliena]Sigh.. will it never end?

I'm rather tired of this constant barrage of complaint about everything. I'm going to send a PM to il direttore and protest in the best possible taste!

Now, as I said.. my personal favouriteis KIMBO and within the Kimbo brand there is arabica, aroma italiano, espresso napoletano, gold medal, and macinato fresco. there is no contest.. Kimbo wins.. all others fall flat on their faces! ;)

If you have a problem with that.. send a PM to someone and complain.. but keep your bitter coffee and your opions to within this thread!

:) :)[/QUOTE]

Is it because Kimbo's head office is in Campagnia that you consider it the best?

We like Illy but can't seem to make it as well as the cafe's can but they have a proper macchina da caffe and we only have a caffettiera

Yes, why is it that the coffee in the cafe is so different. I like the little froth on the top which you don't get at home.

Ever had Turkish coffee? Its like supping mud from a thermal spring. ;)

Ever had Turkish coffee? Its like supping mud from a thermal spring. ;)[/QUOTE]

I think Turkish Coffee is an acquired taste. Very hard on the old taste buds!
No wonder they drink it out of such dinky little cups.:p

Francesca

I find it works better after a particulary GOOD lunch/dinner, but then most things do, don't they? ;)

But I have an electric espresso maker (please read the threads before commenting, you silly old bat), but it doesn't give froth (except of course frothy milk). :)

[QUOTE=Wishful Thinker]But I have an electric espresso maker (please read the threads before commenting, you silly old bat), but it doesn't give froth (except of course frothy milk). :)[/QUOTE]

How much did your electric coffe maker cost. A good automatic machine, Gaggia-Saeco etc will set you back at least 1000.00.

If you have one of the above machine it should produce the "crema" froth which you are looking for.

Take care Dave if you use Italian coffee in your cafetiere it blocks it up and you find its hard to push the plunger down - thats because its finer - made for stove top pot or a domestic gaggia type.
I use a cafetiere while both in England and Italy - I always offer the locals and plumbers etc the choice and they always say - English big coffee.
I use a smooth tasting coffee - Sainsburys Original Blend for cafetieres been using it for about 10 years. I also go to the bar in Italy for a coffee fix when I want a strong one!
Pamela [url]www.food-style.co.uk[/url]

[QUOTE=pamela]Take care Dave if you use Italian coffee in your cafetiere it blocks it up and you find its hard to push the plunger down - thats because its finer - made for stove top pot or a domestic gaggia type.
I use a cafetiere while both in England and Italy - I always offer the locals and plumbers etc the choice and they always say - English big coffee.
I use a smooth tasting coffee - Sainsburys Original Blend for cafetieres been using it for about 10 years. I also go to the bar in Italy for a coffee fix when I want a strong one!
Pamela [url]www.food-style.co.uk[/url][/QUOTE]

Is this what you refer to as a Cafetiere??

[ATTACH]85[/ATTACH]

I always thought a cafetiere in Italy was this..

[ATTACH]86[/ATTACH]

Aliena please explain!! When my mother told me to go get the Cafetiere, I always brought the one pictured below. She refered to the other one as the pichature!!

photo 1 is to as a cafetieres and you usually see a little picture of it on coffee bought for cafetieres (in this country)- picture 2 not sure of the name will have to look in my old home economics books I am sure one has a photo under the chapter - making coffee!!!Perhaps photo 2 is a cafetiere as well.
Pamela

[QUOTE=pamela]photo 1 is to as a cafetieres and you usually see a little picture of it on coffee bought for cafetieres (in this country)- picture 2 not sure of the name will have to look in my old home economics books I am sure one has a photo under the chapter - making coffee!!!Perhaps photo 2 is a cafetiere as well.
Pamela[/QUOTE]

I did a little research and it seems that the first photo is commonly refered to as a French Press Coffee Maker. The second photo is refered to as an Expresso maker or a "Moka Pot".

In Italian the second photo is commonly refered to as the Cafetiere. We usualy have 2-3 of them per household..

[QUOTE=Frank]Is this what you refer to as a Cafetiere??

[ATTACH]85[/ATTACH]

I always thought a cafetiere in Italy was this..

[ATTACH]86[/ATTACH]

Aliena please explain!! When my mother told me to go get the Cafetiere, I always brought the one pictured below. She refered to the other one as the pichature!![/QUOTE]
Frank, my father in law is Italian and he has picture number 2 so i would say u are right, in our restaurant we have gaggia coffee machine with italian coffee beans all diffrent types, no matter what beans they are , it does not taste like the coffee in Italy for a start the water is diffrent and as far as a cappicino is concerned the same applies to the milk, even though i think they use part cream in italy, but we can get a good froth on expresso,s:)

Having recently been in London, I've been pleasantly surprised on how the espresso quality there have improved along the years.
The first time I went there (i was 18 at that time) espresso was a sort of coloured water, now in some bars I've tasted no difference from some italian cafes.

[QUOTE=FRANTIANI]Frank, my father in law is Italian and he has picture number 2 so i would say u are right, in our restaurant we have gaggia coffee machine with italian coffee beans all diffrent types, no matter what beans they are , it does not taste like the coffee in Italy for a start the water is diffrent and as far as a cappicino is concerned the same applies to the milk, even though i think they use part cream in italy, but we can get a good froth on expresso,s:)[/QUOTE]

You must also take care of the type of expresso machines available today. I find that the old Lever Piston Steam machines still make better coffee than the new automatic.

I have a Saeco machine at home and it makes a great expresso, crema and all. As far as cappucino's are concerned. Try a different brand of milk. In Montreal there is a difference in brands of milk, I find that Parmalt milk does not froth as well as another brand.

[QUOTE=notaio]Having recently been in London, I've been pleasantly surprised on how the espresso quality there have improved along the years.
The first time I went there (i was 18 at that time) espresso was a sort of coloured water, now in some bars I've tasted no difference from some italian cafes.[/QUOTE]

alas the cappos haven't,infact when i was in volterra 2 years ago, i was
shocked to be given a cappo, out of an automated machine! taste like s..t.
and what was more worrying is these machines are sopposed to be taking over!
anyway forget the beans... apparently the best expresso does come from
naples,its down to the love and attention the baristo gives the making
process, and the water!

[QUOTE=Aliena]Now, now, people.. this thread is degenerating rapidly.. lets all take a time out and have a coffee before tempers start to flare and we all end up in the Playpen.. oops.. we already are! ;)

Can anyone remember.. without looking.. 'cus that would be cheating.. and if you cheat.. that's not playing nicely.. exactly word for word what Tinks original question was?

:) :)[/QUOTE]
To be honest Aliena, I cant remember what Tinks original question was, I assume it had something to do with coffee!!!! can I have a peek? promise you wont throw me in the dungeon and torture me:(

[quote=FRANTIANI]To be honest Aliena, I cant remember what Tinks original question was, I assume it had something to do with coffee!!!! can I have a peek? promise you wont throw me in the dungeon and torture me:([/quote]

Was it something to do with an inheritance? Or a turnip that was shaped just like a thingy?:cool:

The Moka Pot was used in the UK when I was younger and in the 60s - we used them when I trained in the 70s - then we had an the perculator (got one for a weddding present in 1973 - a child bride!!) an electric version of the mok Pot. I find the difference is the Moka Pots boils the coffee and give a stronger taste - sometimes bitter if you are not careful(I have several in Italy) as the old perculators did. French Press doent give that bitter taste - try it -all my Italians friends love my coffee and they always have the choice of French press and Moka Pot. I am foodie - try the coffee test if you have coffee with milk -if you put the milk in first it gives a better taste than adding it second which is sometimes stronger or bitter - failing that test have a gin and tonic !!! Pamela

I have fun when making coffees for photographers food shots - I am a food stylist - I use an egg white whisked up to make the froth!!!- now you know why they look good in magazines
Pamela

Now Frank where are you in Italy if in Abruzzo then call in for an english ladies coffee! - along with Frantiani - may run to food live in Yorkshire when working but I can't promise yorkshire pudddings
Have bad dreams about my cafetere glass breaking in Italy can you buy them in Italy? - I have never seen them - but then not many shops in the part I have a house - or dont shop much when in Italy just chill - eat and drink (oh decorate)

[QUOTE=Aliena]the other is the froth you get on top of a cappucino and that's called er.. 'froth'

:) :)[/QUOTE]

...schiuma or crema too...

[QUOTE=Wishful Thinker]Hmm.. I understand that some very interesting things (some surprising things too) come in black packages....even it seems black packages...a bit like Russian dolls, you might say ;)

Now that we have establised the type of coffee (because we're not allowed to have any opinion other than Aliena's) can we get down to the original question; to wit stove top or gaggia (gas and/or electrical supply permitting).

My frothy mike has gone cold and flat waiting...:)[/QUOTE]
Right, if you ask me it's not a question of moka or macchina. used domestically you're better off with the moka.Machines are fine but require considerable constant use without which you may get a tinny flavour unless you use "cialde".BUT there are other problems lurking.FOR EXAMPLE avoid buying beans to grind unless in v.small quantities to be used fresh every time otherwise with factors like humidity the deterioration is v,fast.Also how/where youkeep the coffee try not to leave it around for weeks /months in a once opened packet ...deterioration again.Personally i prefer ILLY but notice that some find it's flavour too inequivocable and strong and prefer blander stuff.We use ROM caffe which has a very nice flavour and great politically incorrect packaging featuring a golliwog drinking coffee.anyway stick to the moka.....or go to the bar.....

[QUOTE=pamela]I have fun when making coffees for photographers food shots - I am a food stylist - I use an egg white whisked up to make the froth!!!- now you know why they look good in magazines
Pamela[/QUOTE]

The egg trick sounds interesting...do you need to suck it first? Can anyone teach us how to do that?

Careful what you get up to with that gollywog, you might get yourself in a jam:)

Now, our "coffee" making thingey here in the office boldly states "Lavazza Italy's favourite coffee"

That must be it then ;)

We have establisghed that the beans have to just right, and freshly ground, but what about the water? Does fluoridification make a difference?

If I live in a hard water area (as opposed to you, where everthing is hard) do I need to soften it. Which water softener should I use?

La vita: molto complicato :)

Starbucks?

There is no point fighting globalisation. Italy had its day with spaghetti and pizza. Now that the American Empire stretches all the way to Asia minor, Starbucks will provide the coffee. ;)

[QUOTE=Wishful Thinker]There is no point fighting globalisation. Italy had its day with spaghetti and pizza. Now that the American Empire stretches all the way to Asia minor, Starbucks will provide the coffee. ;)[/QUOTE]

We have had two Starbucks open here in Dublin just recently...

Sad day for coffee lovers across the city...

[QUOTE=Wishful Thinker]There is no point fighting globalisation. Italy had its day with spaghetti and pizza. Now that the American Empire stretches all the way to Asia minor, Starbucks will provide the coffee. ;)[/QUOTE]

The only person which will go into a Starbucks in Italy will be an American tourist. Last time I was in Rome and went into McDonalds there was not 1 Italian in there. Not even the employees were Italian.

Starbucks what crap. Caramel Coffee!! Give me a break.

[QUOTE=Frank]The only person which will go into a Starbucks in Italy will be an American tourist. Last time I was in Rome and went into McDonalds there was not 1 Italian in there. Not even the employees were Italian.

Starbucks what crap. Caramel Coffee!! Give me a break.[/QUOTE]

i am sorry..so sorry ,really sorry. did you say mcdonalds? yep been to the
one around the corner from the spanish steps,and the one on the main drag
some 300 yards from the piazzo venezia,up on corso vittorio emanuelle 2.
but it was for the kids,everytime......also know where theres a great mcdonalds at the last
service station b4 crossing into italy from switz,onto the a8 or9.....

Gio,

You seem to have an identity issue. One minute you're a persecuted Italian, the next you were born in England. Non capisco :)

Or do you simply mean that you are not American (not sure if that's allowed either ;)?

[QUOTE=Wishful Thinker]Gio,

You seem to have an identity issue. One minute you're a persecuted Italian, the next you were born in England. Non capisco :)

Or do you simply mean that you are not American (not sure if that's allowed either ;)?[/QUOTE]

bravo..now you've got it.....well attempted persecution, but didn't listen to
jesus,and never turned the other check.......must remember to renew my
italian passport,have herd the price as gone up so it might cost me a fiver!
missis needs her renewing as well...only wish that hers was a fiver.....:eek:

didn't even think about the american bit.........and dont forget the swiss one
is open 22 hours a day........

Being in the "trend capital" here in southern Califorina I can tell you that the new place to get your coffee is Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.:D

Apart from that, most of the good coffee here comes from Mexico (we like a small company called Jose's Coffee) and South America. We get easy access to all sorts since we are right on the border with Mexico. We buy our own and make our own coffee, and fill a thermos for us to drink when we're out and we know we'd like some good coffee. I think it's a waste to buy something at huge prices that doesn't taste as good as we can make ourselves.

[QUOTE=greatscott] We get easy access to all sorts since we are right on the border with Mexico. [/QUOTE]

I bet you do ;) Bit like Puglia, no? :)

LOL!!!! Maybe :)

I've read somewhere that Starbucks is not planning to open in Italy because it would be a commercial non-sense

Has anyone ever had Tim Horton's coffee? It's addicting in America.
Josie