World Class Espresso at Home?

[SnowballCamper]

Almost three decade ago I got my second espresso machine. La Pavoni Professional
Periodically DW would beg me to get it back out. It still works fine and makes good espresso.
As far as the skill involved...with the super automatic machines in most coffee shops, there is no skill. It's all push-button, except maybe steaming & foaming milk.
With a completely manual machine you get to control everything, and everything matters. It is a fun hobby for a while, but I always end up back to my French press...so much faster than an espresso machine (did you get that? it was a joke.)

 

[pjigar]

You guys made me buy a Breville Barista Touch! I was on the fence for a while because my old Barista Express still works just fine. But today the Breville Barista Touch is on sale for $750 (lowest in the last few years, I have been watching!) so the "Like New" was offered at $618. I just couldn't pass up the deal. I plan to sell the old Breville Barista Express on marketplace to subsidize the cost for the new one!

 

[audreyh1]

I agree. I'll never be 'world class' at anything. For me, my interest lies in learning new things. Thankfully, once my interest has peaked (piqued?), at least I'll be able to make a decent oat milk cappuccino.

Peaked - in the peak of a mountain. Pique - refers to irritation or anger.

 

[HappilyRetired]

I have world class espresso 2-3 times a week out (actually Breve), at $6.50 + tip a pop. Their La Marzocco machine cost about $15,000 plus grinder.

Years ago we had a cheap espresso maker, but the product it made was frankly awful even when I bought espresso beans.

So I asked ChatGPT and it said

• $500–800: Excellent espresso that's better than most chain coffee.
• $1,000–2,000: Café-quality espresso is very achievable.
• $2,000–4,000+: You can produce espresso that competes with top specialty cafés if your technique is strong.

It went on to recommend a specific grinders, espresso machines at each level and guidance on coffee beans, water quality and technique.

Anyone here mastered espresso/latte at home? I’m concerned I won’t have the discipline to do what it takes…

 

[audreyh1]

Another thing - IIRC over many years we tried several machines before settling on a full setup that worked great. How likely are you to get it right the first time?

 

[HappilyRetired]

You guys made me buy a Breville Barista Touch! I was on the fence for a while because my old Barista Express still works just fine. But today the Breville Barista Touch is on sale for $750 (lowest in the last few years, I have been watching!) so the "Like New" was offered at $618. I just couldn't pass up the deal. I plan to sell the old Breville Barista Express on marketplace to subsidize the cost for the new one!

This is the machine we have and it was $900 at the time. It makes excellent expresso and lattes. Of course your beans are very important as well. Here in Santa Barbara we have a coffee place called Caja. And we get our beans from there. Delicious every single time! Congrats on your purchase. In 2 months we paid for the machine as my husband used to get lattes every single day/ 30 days a month at $7.50 per lattee.

 

[audreyh1]

No it's piqued, as in pricked or aroused. https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/pique-vs-peak-vs-peek

I thought he was talking about his interest reaching a peak and then waning.

 

[cathy63]

I thought he was talking about his interest reaching a peak and then waning.

Yeah, I saw that afterwards and deleted my post. Usually interest is piqued, but I guess it can peak as well.

 

[pjigar]

Another thing - IIRC over many years we tried several machines before settling on a full setup that worked great. How likely are you to get it right the first time?

Here was my progression: Cheap Mr. Coffee espresso maker (~50 at the time)+hand-crank burr grinder -> Another nicer Mr. Coffee dual espresso maker (~$150)+hand-crank burr grinder -> Breville Barista Express.

 

[audreyh1]

Yeah, I saw that afterwards and deleted my post. Usually interest is piqued, but I guess it can peak as well.

I thought he meant “once his interest peaked” he’d still have some skills even if he didn’t pursue the hobby further.

 

[planuntilthefisthits]

We love our Nespresso machine. I use it all the time. We’ve had the full semi-commercial setup at home and DH is an excellent barista. Sold it when we moved. The Nespresso machine is still outstanding compared. It makes an amazing amount of crema. No grinder or beans needed as you buy pods. We use the original pods.

You’re only looking at $135-$150 dollars.

Personally I drink straight espresso with a long pull. DH might add a little cream. We have the compact Pixie model. But you can get machines that include milk steamers/frothers.

I don’t recommend chunking down hundreds and thousands of dollars when you also have to learn all the techniques.

I used to do all the grinding and brewing with machines in my office and home. I also had a source for pure dark-roasted Kona coffee that shipped in 25 pound lots. About 25 years ago we took a trip to Switzerland and were introduced to Nespresso in the executive lounge of the Zurich airport Hilton. Since then, it has all been Nespresso for us, also with the Pixi after previously trying some more complicated modesl. Most of the hotels and cruise ships we frequent have Nespresso in the suites, and we bring our favorite pods to supplement whatever pods they provide.

 

[wannabefire]

This is the machine we have and it was $900 at the time. It makes excellent expresso and lattes. Of course your beans are very important as well. Here in Santa Barbara we have a coffee place called Caja. And we get our beans from there. Delicious every single time! Congrats on your purchase. In 2 months we paid for the machine as my husband used to get lattes every single day/ 30 days a month at $7.50 per lattee.

I make minimally 2 lattes per day on mine. I used to have a Nespresso and got tired of the pod thing. Plus the breville is SO MUCH BETTER!

 

[yakers]

I have a DeLonghi machine, Krupps burr grinder, Nespresso frother (and a wand too, works better on nut milks). I have my favorite Peets beans, their decaf Mocha Java is a great decaf, when they have a peaberry its my favorite. I make what anyone wants; espresso, latte, cappuccino, hot or cold, whatever. Even Egyptian (Turkish) coffee after a recent visit there.
I have a commercial water purification system inherited from the previous professional baker in our house.
I never did like French Press, but will make it for DW & DS if they want.
The old Mokka Pot fun ritual but was just too much work, it did make good coffee.
The surprise for me is the Aeropress, not the best as it loses the crema which is what I really want but the fluid coffee is really good and I carry it to our camper and when traveling.
What really 'hurts' is that for all the coffee effort, when I go to Italy and in backstreet Naples 'Antonio's car reapir and coffee shop' have coffee better than mine. I ask the fellow is it the beans, grind, water? and I get "I make 'da coffee"
When I'm is NYC I always visit Cafe Reggio:

The Oldest Espresso Machine in NYC is in Cafe Reggio - Untapped New York

There are many reasons why Caffè Reggio in Greenwich Village is the grand dame of coffee shops. One is the espresso machine, allegedly the oldest in NYC.

www.untappedcities.com

 

[explanade]

You use a separate grinder and then you feed the grounds to your Delonghi?

 

[yakers]

Yes, I grind separately, I can adjust grinds for French press& Aeropress and for the Delonghi or pour over

 

[pjigar]

What really 'hurts' is that for all the coffee effort, when I go to Italy and in backstreet Naples 'Antonio's car reapir and coffee shop' have coffee better than mine. I ask the fellow is it the beans, grind, water? and I get "I make 'da coffee"

Side comment: Actually, my DW cooked some South Asian crepes for lunch today and she commented "I must do xyz better so they come out spongy like how the native cafes make it." My reply was "if you are born in South Asia and have been making crepes *there* for a couple decades then the crepes will come out just like their cafes!". It all comes down to perfecting the routine and your brain making all the little adjustments over the years. You really can't put your finger on any one thing and this applies to any kind of culinary adventure.

Back to espresso discussion.

 

[wannabefire]

Someone posted about their progression of coffee/espresso makers.

Mine went like this. Years of drip coffee makers, basic grinder. Tried a cheap espresso maker and had a poor experience. More drip coffee. Then Nespresso, with steam wand. Enjoyed this for several years. Got tired of the pods. Went down the rabbit hole of investigating super automatic espresso machines. These are very expensive to get good quality and can have maintenance issues. Then went back to wanting to learn to make a proper espresso shot and froth milk, barista style. Landed on Breville barista touch impress. This is working very well for me. One key item is finding a good local coffee roaster.

More times than not, if I happen to be out and buy a latte, it is not as good as the one I make at home.

 

[Surewhitey]

We have a conical burr grinder for the Aeropress for camping, but we're very pleased with our Ninja. Researched the Breville and De'Longhi and decided on this one. 7 months in & loving the ease of use & customizing options for grind, strength and foam. You dial in the drink you want & it recommends the grind & weight of the grind.

Switching from cappuccino to brew coffee is also a breeze, just use the deeper pod. I've never cared for the Nespresso pod & how little it gives. Works in a pinch, but not my favorite.

 

[hesperus]

I have world class espresso 2-3 times a week out (actually Breve), at $6.50 + tip a pop. Their La Marzocco machine cost about $15,000 plus grinder.

Years ago we had a cheap espresso maker, but the product it made was frankly awful even when I bought espresso beans.

So I asked ChatGPT and it said

• $500–800: Excellent espresso that's better than most chain coffee.
• $1,000–2,000: Café-quality espresso is very achievable.
• $2,000–4,000+: You can produce espresso that competes with top specialty cafés if your technique is strong.

It went on to recommend a specific grinders, espresso machines at each level and guidance on coffee beans, water quality and technique.

Anyone here mastered espresso/latte at home? I’m concerned I won’t have the discipline to do what it takes…

The hardest part about home espresso is definitely the daily commitment. It’s a rewarding hobby if you enjoy the technique, but it can definitely become a chore when you just want a quick cup of coffee.

 

[pjigar]

The hardest part about home espresso is definitely the daily commitment. It’s a rewarding hobby if you enjoy the technique, but it can definitely become a chore when you just want a quick cup of coffee.

I can crank an espresso cup with frothed milk in about 3 minutes with my Breville Barista Express. It can get old when I have 6 friends wanting the same drink as I! Coffee roasting is a 15 minutes a week affair.