Many times at coffee shops it is difficult to see behind the counter, to see what the barista is really doing. The grinding, banging, pounding, clanking, humming, gurgling, and whistling makes everyone wonder, what is going on back there? While I am making drinks there are usually people peeking around, intently watching with a puzzled […]
Espresso
Espresso Machine Terminology – Clarity for the Caffeinated Connoisseur
Love the taste of freshly brewed espresso but are confused by some of the language used to describe the processes, machinery, and serving suggestions? Well, then you’ve come to the right place. Following is an alphabetized list of easy-to-understand definitions for some of the most commonly used terms. Barista The term is used to describe […]
Ristretto Rant
My coffee drink of choice for the past few years has been the straight espresso shot. All my other coffee equipment has either been packed away or is gathering dust. For me, it is all about espresso now. The ristretto is a very short shot of espresso. On a given day, half the shots I […]
Pulling the Perfect Shot of Espresso
Not all espresso makers are the same, so you need to know what type of machine you have. Do you have a machine where you pour fresh water on top and then screw the lid down? Then chances are that you have a steam-driven machine. If your machine has a huge reservoir and makes all […]