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  • Announcements
  • HB: Finally posted introduction to Olympia Maximatic - Second Look. Research started a couple weeks ago; it will take at least a week to catch up with real time.
  • Quotable Quote:
    "I am less interested in the particulars of brew temperature control than the consistent quality/character of the group's extractions. But that's hard to quantify, so manufacturers ceaseless tout their equipment's impressively flat/reproducible brew temperature profiles. Yawn." --Dan Kehn, E61 vs E2009
  • HB: See Counter Culture Coffee's Independent Day Celebration, including an exclusive giveaway for HB members!
  • PSA: Seattle Coffee Gear is auctioning off five Limited Edition Giro D'Italia Giotto semi-automatic espresso machines with the benefits going to CoffeeKids!
  • Quotable Quote:
    "A shocking number of new members post something like 'I've never tasted good coffee, but I want to spend a significant fraction of my income on some kit'. They are not looking for a nuanced discussion before investing heavily in something that they know nothing about." --Greg Hunt, The Princess on the Pea
  • Quotable Quote:
    "In your price range, you could produce great espresso from most machines available. DO NOT IGNORE THE GRINDER. This is like when your parents told you never to put anything into electrical sockets. You can take it on faith or learn things the hard way." --Michael Wolfson, Great espresso at home?
  • Quotable Quote:
    "For me the ultimate goal is not to have the best gear, or gear that is on the bleeding edge of technology, or bragging rights over all of the people still using outdated equipment. The ultimate goal is to find the right gear for me." --Gus Imig, Downgraditus
  • HB: The Buyer's Guide to the Expobar Brewtus III is published. Comments, corrections and follow-up questions to the article are welcome in Article Feedback.
  • Quotable Quote:
    "We obsess about temperature because we can accurately measure it and display it. We should be obsessing about things like bean freshness, but unfortunately it doesn't come covered in chrome or have a sexy display." --Endo Smith, HX vs. DB
  • HB: Vote for your favorite photo in Barista Bling Grudge Match.
  • Quotable Quote:
    "Sorry, time has passed you by. Speedsters, Cyncras, GS/3s and (shortly) Slayers are the entry level machines for serious discussion on HB now. Even boiling water in something less than the Uberboiler is declasse. You might consider moving your future comments over to Facebook." --Marshall Fuss, My New Speedster
  • HB: The forum was upgraded to most recent version of phpBB. If you notice any bugs / problems, please e-mail me. Thanks!
  • Quotable Quote:
    "While everyone else's posts seem to make me want to spend more money on gear, this [article on properly freezing coffee] is actually saving me around $10 per coffee order. At this rate I will save around $120 to $150 on coffee this year." --Gus Imig, Coffee: To Freeze or Not to Freeze?
  • HB: New sponsor www.swisscoffeeproducts.com is the US importer of Olympia Express equipment. Check out Olympia's meticulously crafted and compact Cremina lever espresso machine, Maximatic HX espresso machine, and Moca grinder.
  • Quotable Quote:
    "Had a customer who always wanted an extra hot latte to go. Complained all the time that it wasn't hot enough. Started serving it to her in a double to-go cup and told her I was steaming it much hotter. She was happy." --Chris Tacy, Ideal serving temperature for steamed milk
  • Quotable Quote:
    "Nowadays people pay attention to the color, the exact dose and the fine grind settings as a matter of course. The average home barista now is a lot more consistent shot to shot than the average one from five years ago. So much of this discussion has become redundant." --Jim Schulman, Good this and that
  • Quotable Quote:
    "I personally love the vibe pumps. Simple, soft ramp-up, no leaks, no burn-out if you run it dry, and cheap to replace. Some people just love rotaries but personally I don't see the advantage except for the 'wow' factor and cool noise." --Scott Smith (Endo), Risky location of pump?
  • HB: Homepage poll - When is your espresso 'last call' due to caffeine?
  • HB: Congratulations Tyler (gadflea), winner of the barista bling photo contest! He has the choice of a TORR tamper or pair of Terra Keramik cups from terrakeramik.com.
  • HB: Please welcome new sponsor cafelat (formally known as bumper)! Paul Pratt will be rolling out new products in the coming weeks. See a preview on cafelat.
  • Quotable Quote:
    "Italian manufacturers recommend rotary pump machines be attached to a permanent water supply. Simple as that. In my own experience, you KNOW when a vibe pump is running dry by the sound. You find out when a rotary is running dry when the tech gives you the bill." --Alan Frew, Vibe Pump vs Rotary
  • Quotable Quote:
    "Obsess with the details in the beginning and, as you get better, you'll be able to consistently pull great shots without obsessing. The obsessing should be a means to an end." --Keith (brokemusician77), Still haven't hit espresso nirvana
  • Quotable Quote:
    "Learn the art of brevity. When you type too many words, people skim through and lose the detail. Whisper and people will pay closer attention." --Jon Rosenthal, Ranking consumer/prosumer machines by espresso quality (CoffeeGeek)
  • Quotable Quote:
    "I haven't yet tried freshly roasted beans." --John Lilley. "Until you do, attempts at diagnosis are pointless. Order some beginner-friendly coffee and please don't post your results until you've gone through at least two pounds. Seriously." --Dan Kehn, New rancilio silvia owner requesting suggestions
  • Quotable Quote:
    "Probably like being stuck in a sandstorm and being forced to drink one's own urine. Under normal circumstances it would be unthinkable, but as an alternative to dying from deprivation, it's a 'decent' alternative." --Keith (brokemusician77), I drank the coffee that came with the machine!
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