Supposedly QuickMill makes a good, dedicated steamer. Combine this with whatever method you choose for making your espresso (Nespresso, Mokka, etc), and you could make a latte in short order, with minimal fuss.

I would say the most important part of your mission is finding a good steamer. The espresso certainly plays a part in the beverage, but IMHO, the milk texture really makes milk drinks shine.

That, and good chocolate. After going through quite a bit of different chocolate sauces and syrups (the wife sure is demanding!), I landed on Monin's Dark Chocolate sauce.

Hey everyone! I hunted down Crema last weekend at portamento's suggestion and HOLY FREAKING CRAP that was a great mocha!!! Best mocha of my life. It makes the bux taste like chocolate water. Everything about it was a thousand times better...the taste, the texture, the price (less than the bux, who just had another price increase, btw). Jman's description of microfoam was spot on to what I was served at Crema. That is what I am going to be able to do one day in my own house, come hell or high water.

I tried a shot of espresso, too. I'm sure that it was wonderful espresso, but that is definitely *not* for me...yet lol.

So now I'm thinking that I really should invest the money into a great grinder and a good machine. That one little mocha changed my entire outlook on this. I'm now a believer in "good" espresso! New short term plan is conducting more research on great grinders, good machines, and continuing the learning curve

jessabelle wrote: So now I'm thinking that I really should invest the money into a great grinder and a good machine.

That one little mocha changed my entire outlook on this.

I'm now a believer in "good" espresso!

Now all we have to do is get you interested in lever machines and we will be one convert closer to World Domination!

Honestly I am glad you have had your eyes opened to what will become a lifelong learning (and some say spending) experience.

-Cecil

lol Cecil! Going to starbux every day (sometimes twice) is what I call a lifelong spending experience. It's time to stop the insanity.

Well Jess, you've really done it now! You have crossed the threshold onto the slippery slope of espresso...no climbing back.

jessabelle wrote:Hey everyone! I hunted down Crema last weekend at portamento's suggestion and HOLY FREAKING CRAP that was a great mocha!!! Best mocha of my life. It makes the bux taste like chocolate water. Everything about it was a thousand times better...the taste, the texture, the price (less than the bux, who just had another price increase, btw).

Jessica,

Reading this made my day.

Ryan

jessabelle wrote: Step 1: Please help me to not buy an espresso machine from Starbucks

Step 2: So the espresso quality isn't so important to me since a) I've been drinking Starbucks for years and b) I'm just going to cover it up with a whole bunch of other stuff.

Step 3 : I'm now a believer in "good" espresso!

*tents fingers*

Excellent... Maybe not quite LMWDP, but at least well on the road to HBWDP

-s.

jessabelle wrote: So now I'm thinking that I really should invest the money into a great grinder and a good machine. That one little mocha changed my entire outlook on this. I'm now a believer in "good" espresso! New short term plan is conducting more research on great grinders, good machines, and continuing the learning curve

So what did you end up buying? Inquiring minds want to know!!