www.baratza.com: skilled in the art of grinding

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  • Quotable Quote:
    "You should be able to grind, dose, distribute and tamp in under 45 seconds, one minute tops. If you can't, you've accumulated too many barnacles on your prep ritual." --Jim Schulman, Review this espresso extraction/morning routine please
  • Quotable Quote:
    "If I had to choose a country where I could find the most consistent espresso beverages I'd choose Italy. But I would get bored there after a while, because there is very little special there and very little that rises above the average." --Ken Fox, What "true" espresso is, and how Americans ruin it
  • HB: Please welcome Zoka Coffee Roasters & Tea to the roster of HB sponsors! Their offering features Paladino Espresso, which they describe as "a rich, honeyed body espresso that finishes with subtle taste of baker's chocolate and walnuts. Flecked with caramel and cocoa flavors; proven in many barista competitions."
  • Quotable Quote:
    "My humor is rarely mistaken for humor." --Chad Beauford, Espresso Blends; Why Bother?
  • Quotable Quote:
    "Yeah, Starbucks will probably retain the upscale crowd that wouldn't be caught dead at a fast-food joint but doesn't understand fine coffee either. But I wouldn't buy any Starbucks stock right now." -- Dick Green, Think Starbucks coffee is too "burnt"? They have an answer for you.
  • Quotable Quote:
    "The Robur is a spectacular grinder, but personally I'd get the dosered one for home use even if it cost exactly the same [as the Robur E]." --Nicholas Lundgaard, How good is the Mazzer Robur?
  • HB: Espresso equipment vendor Prima Coffee is new to the HB community, but they say they like the vibe and want to support the site by joining the sponsor roster. Check them out, let us know what you think!
  • Quotable Quote:
    "Hold on, just a sec. I'm a little curious about your buying hubby this coffee gear. I'd worry that it could be like buying kids a puppy. Who is really going to be responsible for this addition to the family, get trained on using and caring for it, clean up the mess?" --Martin, Which espresso machine for husband's birthday?
  • Quotable Quote:
    "Staleness is an equilibrium state in which all coffees are equally mediocre. If you're selling generic coffee, making it completely stale ensures consistency and cuts raw material costs. Since most Italian espresso is generic, they stale it as a matter of course." --Jim Schulman, Origin and Purpose of Doser
  • Quotable Quote:
    "At one time, the Rancilio Silvia was considered a fantastic espresso machine, and it was very avant garde to own a Pasquini Livia. Now both are considered barely tolerable, the sort of gear one might have in a trailer." --Ken Fox, Which grinder has the best bang for the buck?
  • Quotable Quote:
    "To explore an unknown espresso blend, I'd have more trust in using a basic Saeco or Gaggia, matched to a big commercial conical, a 0.1 gram scale, and a bottomless portafilter than using a GS/3, matched to a Mini, and no scale, no bottomless." -- Jim Schulman, Sources of espresso equipment upgraditis
  • Quotable Quote:
    "As for the tamp, I put it near the bottom rung of probable causes. Even newbie baristas master the basics of tamping in short order; keep it consistent, level, and move on." --Dan Kehn, Sour espresso
  • Quotable Quote:
    "I wouldn't think twice about spending $12 on a glass of wine at a nicer wine bar every now and then, so what's the problem here, right?. If anything, there's more labor and care involved in serving the coffee than the wine." --Dan Fainstein, Cafe Gumpy and their $12 Cup
  • HB: Homepage poll: How do you typically learn about new coffees to try?
  • Quotable Quote:
    "There are some parts used in espresso machines where releasing your inner geek and refurbing or repairing is worth it. Vibe pumps and safety valves are not among them." --Alan Frew, Rebuild Kits or Source For Ulka EP5 Pump Parts?
  • ThaRiddla: Starting Monday, April 5th, Intelligentsia will start roasting coffee for all web customers in both our Chicago and Los Angeles Roasting Works locations. See Intelligentsia Now Shipping from Los Angeles! for more details.
  • Quotable Quote:
    "And if [disabling the safety interlock] does turn out to be an issue, I'm sure Grindz will safely remove those pesky finger bits from your burrs and grind chambers." --Jim Schulman, Elektra Nino owners: Can it beat the Robur?
  • Quotable Quote:
    "At least we're not into making our own mustard." --Tristan, Being too Anal
  • Quotable Quote:
    "By reading the guide on HB, I have sealed my fate in buying a grinder and espresso machine. I'm going to know too much about espresso NOT to be making it." --Anthony Y. via IM referring to the Home Barista's Guide to Espresso
  • Quotable Quote:
    "This is not complicated. Dial in a new blend at the middle of your weight range. Once it's flowing correctly, if the coffee tastes like someone is jackhammering your tongue, use less; if it tastes like dishwater, use more." --Jim Schulman, Measuring dose by weight vs volume?
  • Quotable Quote:
    "The best chefs are far more fanatical than coffee aficionados. My favorite example? Thomas Keller famously won't buy fish that are not packed for shipment to him 'right side up' (dorsal fin up - as they would be while swimming)." --Chris Tacy, Slayer as the "Fourth Wave"? Seriously?
  • Quotable Quote:
    "How long does it take to learn how to pour a rosetta? About a week if you want it. I'm going to declare another answer today. How long until you can pour a decent rosetta almost every time? About 6 weeks." --Matt McCurley, Latte art! from beginner to winner
  • Quotable Quote:
    "Some [buyers] arrive by searching on 'Best Espresso Maker' and find people whom, for all they know, are out of their freakin minds, telling them that EVERYTHING they think know about coffee is FLAT OUT WRONG. Well, we're spinning our wheels with 99% of these folks." --Jeff Cirelli, Anyone like super-autos
  • Quotable Quote:
    "It's not a yard sale, it's a grinder. In a year, you won't even remember the great or awful deal you got. You will however be happy or stuck with whatever you get." --Jim Schulman, A conical of my own: Compak K10 vs. Cimbali Max Hybrid
  • Quotable Quote:
    "Coffee beans sitting in a can for months are like canned mushrooms: a poor substitute for the fresh item. You buy the canned item when the fresh item is unavailable." --Timo, Imported Italian Espresso?
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