Sigh, another poorly done coffee feature

Want to talk espresso but not sure which forum? If so, this is the right one.
Nuprin
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#1: Post by Nuprin »

http://screen.yahoo.com/perfect-cappucc ... 00412.html

Wow, what a snuff to this great site and they totally missed the 1/2 priced Gaggia Baby, why are you talking about an Encore and Virtuoso when it comes to espresso grinders? And this girl is from Joe in NYC? That doesn't qualify her as a Home Barista Expert.

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Randy G.
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#2: Post by Randy G. »

If you read the Yahoo "news" articles, then read the comments left by the rank and file readers, putting the two together you get the bigger picture in that they are pandering to the ignorant masses, and the masses do arrive as predicted. Ignorance, racism, and stupidity are alive and well there.

She got face time, and Yahoo got another page upon which to post advertising. So from that point of view, the article had value. Unfortunately, its educational or informational value approached nil. We hoped for better, but certainly we couldn't really expect more.
EspressoMyEspresso.com - 2000-2023 - a good run, its time is done

Nuprin (original poster)
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#3: Post by Nuprin (original poster) »

She's representing Joe, and this just gives them less credibility IMO. It's not difficult to present correct and accurate information. Just shows people don't care about the details or accuracy, especially in the media.

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tamarian
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#4: Post by tamarian »

Nuprin wrote:http://screen.yahoo.com/perfect-cappucc ... 00412.html

Wow, what a snuff to this great site and they totally missed the 1/2 priced Gaggia Baby, why are you talking about an Encore and Virtuoso when it comes to espresso grinders? And this girl is from Joe in NYC? That doesn't qualify her as a Home Barista Expert.
I actually thought it was a really good introduction to making espresso drinks at home with very decent equipment and coffee (Alexia and Vario at the top, Silvia and Encore/Virtusos at the bottom). And this "girl", basically summed up a lot of what we say here.

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Marshall
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#5: Post by Marshall »

One of the best short videos I have seen for the general public. She got everything right. The only real mistake was by the graphics bozo who wrote "oz." when she clearly said "grams."

In a piece like this, you have to keep the lists short and simple, which she did. She also emphasized the importance of the grinder, which most consumers do not get.

Consumer education and gratifying geeks are not the same thing.
Marshall
Los Angeles

Abnuceals
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#6: Post by Abnuceals »

IMHO, It was more than OK as a basic introduction. I don't know Joe neither than the lady's skills, so I can't comment on that. But what she said seems appropriate given the circumstances.
LMWDP 389

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HB
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#7: Post by HB »

It's not a bad introduction, though based on Rose Emma's recommendations, I suspect she doesn't have much experience with home equipment. Specifically she recommends the Rancilio Silvia and disses any espresso machine under that pricepoint. That may have been good advice years ago, but today there are better options. For example, the Gaggia New Baby is less than $300, is more forgiving of barista errors than the Rancilio Silvia, and the Gaggia's brew temperature isn't all over the map as she claims. She covers the Baratza line of grinders, but I disagree with her recommendation of the Encore or Virtuous for espresso; the Preciso is the minimum I'd recommend.

Of course her biggest gaffe was not recommending Home-Barista.com. :lol:
Dan Kehn

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RapidCoffee
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#8: Post by RapidCoffee »

HB wrote:Specifically she recommends the Rancilio Silvia and disses any espresso machine under that pricepoint.
Yeah, I'd like to see her making cappuccinos for four with the Encore Maestro-Silvia duo. :roll: She also recommends the QM Alexia, yet another single boiler machine - these are odd suggestions for an article entitled "Making the Perfect Cappuccino".
HB wrote:Of course her biggest gaffe was not recommending Home-Barista.com. :lol:
C'mon, Dan - she did recommend CG. :P
John

Nuprin (original poster)
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#9: Post by Nuprin (original poster) »

Dan summed up my issue with the piece. Yes, she got "most" of it right but missed some key points. There's a big difference between $300 and $650 as far as budget goes for a beginner home barista.

She correctly states the grinder as being more important than the espresso machine, so why would she recommend an Encore for espresso? Plus no mention of this site, even when Google places this site as the first 2 listings?

For those who believe it was accurate and informative, how do you pull a good shot on a Silvia with an Encore or Virtuoso grinder? Please, I'd like to know because if a newbie bought the Silvia and an Encore/Virtuoso, how would they make good espresso?

No, I'm sorry, I'll stick with my argument that it was a poorly executed feature. It wouldn't have taken much to do it correctly.

jbviau
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#10: Post by jbviau »

As long as we're picking nits here, where are you all getting "Encore" from in the video? She actually recommends the Maestro--which has been discontinued--for her low-end option IIRC, so that's an issue.
"It's not anecdotal evidence, it's artisanal data." -Matt Yglesias

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