Good morning chaps. I thought I would pass along my initial impressions of this bargain priced consumer espresso machine. First let me say I am in NO way trying to convey any sense of what is right or wrong with any espresso maker or even espresso for that matter. I am not well versed in it but I can tell you that ninety-five percent or better of the espresso I have been served has been terrible. Just awful dreck that was bitter, acrid, and none to pleasant to drink. I have always wondered what the hoopla is all about. Using this little DeLonghi machine has somewhat changed my tune about it.
Here is a photo of the little beasty.
It is listed at $149.95 but that is not very accurate. It was $99.95 at Kohl's and we had a twenty percent discount card. It also came with a twenty dollar rebate form. So our net cost will be sixty dollars plus sales tax. In other words, if it turns out to be a lemon or dies in a year or two, so be it.
I followed the instructions for set up to a t, and then proceeded to brew some "espresso". My wife had bought me Illy medium roast drip coffee and I bought her a can of Illy espresso grind for Christmas. Nice swap I would say. The Illy hazards itself as all Arabica coffee and I have no reason to doubt them because my untrained palate could not tell you the difference between it and any other. Well except for the stuff listed as dark or French roast.
The little machine is a bit noisy when it pumps the shot. It has an indicator light that will go out as the water temperature drops but the machine is well on its way to pulling the shot. I have been going about twenty seconds. It seems to work.
The first cup made me aware of why I bought the medium roast instead of the dark roast. It pulled a nice crema and the cup was not bitter at all. Even using the drip roast grind. I pulled a few shots with the espresso grind and it was good too. Much better than anything I have had at an over priced coffee shop. I think this is more an indictment of how bad most coffee shops really are. And it also seems to lend credence to something this "good coffee" newb has suspected for awhile. The whole Starbucks/dark/West coast/French roast thing is WAY overdone and much exaggerated in its importance. I think they are doing it to cover up cheap beans and the resulting charred taste is not good to me. And remember lads, your are reading the ramblings of a guy who loves bitter vintage marmalades and can eat lemon curd by the spoon. Well made things that are tart can be good. Bitter, over roasted coffee is not among them. At least to me.
So if like me you wanted something to satisfy your wife's Latte-a-day habit instead of buying it at an over priced shop, give this little bugger a try. You can always donate it to a family friend who wants to try "expresso" if you don't like it. Surprisingly, it has pretty good reviews on Amazon. And remember, all this palavering comes from a guy who knows squat about making espresso. So you gurus go easy on me, please! Besides, this may lead to an upgrade in the future. And no, you will not lead me into another AD. At least I think so... I mean, I am pretty sure anyway.
Regards, Todd
Here is a photo of the little beasty.
It is listed at $149.95 but that is not very accurate. It was $99.95 at Kohl's and we had a twenty percent discount card. It also came with a twenty dollar rebate form. So our net cost will be sixty dollars plus sales tax. In other words, if it turns out to be a lemon or dies in a year or two, so be it.
I followed the instructions for set up to a t, and then proceeded to brew some "espresso". My wife had bought me Illy medium roast drip coffee and I bought her a can of Illy espresso grind for Christmas. Nice swap I would say. The Illy hazards itself as all Arabica coffee and I have no reason to doubt them because my untrained palate could not tell you the difference between it and any other. Well except for the stuff listed as dark or French roast.
The little machine is a bit noisy when it pumps the shot. It has an indicator light that will go out as the water temperature drops but the machine is well on its way to pulling the shot. I have been going about twenty seconds. It seems to work.
The first cup made me aware of why I bought the medium roast instead of the dark roast. It pulled a nice crema and the cup was not bitter at all. Even using the drip roast grind. I pulled a few shots with the espresso grind and it was good too. Much better than anything I have had at an over priced coffee shop. I think this is more an indictment of how bad most coffee shops really are. And it also seems to lend credence to something this "good coffee" newb has suspected for awhile. The whole Starbucks/dark/West coast/French roast thing is WAY overdone and much exaggerated in its importance. I think they are doing it to cover up cheap beans and the resulting charred taste is not good to me. And remember lads, your are reading the ramblings of a guy who loves bitter vintage marmalades and can eat lemon curd by the spoon. Well made things that are tart can be good. Bitter, over roasted coffee is not among them. At least to me.
So if like me you wanted something to satisfy your wife's Latte-a-day habit instead of buying it at an over priced shop, give this little bugger a try. You can always donate it to a family friend who wants to try "expresso" if you don't like it. Surprisingly, it has pretty good reviews on Amazon. And remember, all this palavering comes from a guy who knows squat about making espresso. So you gurus go easy on me, please! Besides, this may lead to an upgrade in the future. And no, you will not lead me into another AD. At least I think so... I mean, I am pretty sure anyway.
Regards, Todd