I recently returned from Italy where, as you know, they have espresso bars on every corner. It was the same in Spain. Why is it that no coffee shop can come close to the espresso that I consistently had in every coffee bar I was in. My main question though, is it possible to duplicate the kind of espresso I consumed in Italy with a home machine? If it is what machine could do it in the $1500 range. I have been reading the questions and answers on this board for a while and if it is possible to duplicate what they have in Italy, the why can't Starbucks or whoever get close?
Thanks
Ps I did buy a $300 machine after my trip to Spain 5 years ago, but could not improve on Starbucks taste

drjch wrote:is it possible to duplicate the kind of espresso I consumed in Italy

Yes with a professional grinder and machine

drjch wrote:why can't Starbucks or whoever get close?

Because of the coffee they use

Topic is cross-posted at CoffeeGeek, look there for my response:
http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/coffee/machines/429328

In the case of Italian coffee, you have it easier. There are US blends that try to duplicate it. Or you can also buy italian branded coffee (Illy or Lavazza) but the freshness will not be that great. Spanish coffee is harder to find because you need a special roaster and there is none in the US. The only brand name I know that sells in the US is called 'tupinamba' 100% torrefato (coffee imported from Spain), which then you have to mix in a proportion of 20% with dark roasted coffee. You can buy the best fresh coffee in US.

Cheers

Why is it that all of the coffee shops over here can't come close to what you can get in Italy?
Not just the espresso but the smoothness/thickness of the steamed milk. If I get an espresso machine, with a good grinder, it is possible to duplicate the stuff I got in Italy?

Why is it that the only place you can get decent hamburger in Italy as good as MacDonald's is at a MacDonald's?

Well that's not quite the same, but you might want to try some different coffee shops to find what you like. There are shops in the US that make better espresso than you can get in Italy. If you are going to shops that specialize in serving the American masses you are looking in the wrong places.

drjch wrote:Why is it that all of the coffee shops over here can't come close to what you can get in Italy?
Not just the espresso but the smoothness/thickness of the steamed milk. If I get an espresso machine, with a good grinder, it is possible to duplicate the stuff I got in Italy?

Is there an echo in here?
Isn't this a repeat of the same question being answered now on two separate websites?
Seems like I'm repeating myself too, but hopefully this post will add some clarity.


1. Not ALL of the coffee shops in America serve drek.

Perhaps the majority of shops and the bigger chains are poor, but there are some great coffee shops here in the US. Quite frankly speaking, the coffee shops I tried in Italy, Norway, and France are generally better than the majority of shops in the USA but still several steps down from the best shops (and what I usually make my kitchen - even though I'm just an amateur).


2. If you get a decent machine and grinder along with great beans you can certainly duplicate what you got in Italy. In fact, with a little practice you should readily be able to surpass the average shop's product.


3. The reason WHY most shops don't come close to the quality you see in other places is the culture just isn't prevalent in the USA (yet ). These shops lack knowledge and training, but since many can make money by following the Starbux model there is little incentive to change.


There are some great shops and great roasters in the USA, and their success helps to grow the culture and the demand for better quality coffee and espresso/espresso-based drinks. This is the 3rd wave we talk about.

Dr. J

Since you are in ATL you need to take a trip to Octane, great espresso is definitely possible!

I'm sorry for the cross posting-I'm new at this and was not aware.. If you had $2000 to spend for the grinder and machine what would you recommend? The steam for the milk is also important to me. Thanks for all your help and again i apologize for being the noob that i am.