Quotable Quotes

Memorable quotes and quips
about espresso from the forums

Quotable Quote The Announcements above the forum listing frequently contains "quotable quotes" nominated by Team HB and the membership. Entries in the announcements are limited to recent quotable quotes; below is the unabridged collection with links to their source in the forums. We hope these nuggets of wisdom and amusing quips will lead you to a deeper understanding of the art of espresso.


 

quote Don't cover your check engine light

"Hiding the problem with a paper filter makes the [bottomless portafilter] useless. It's a bit like putting a smiley-face sticker over top a check-engine warning light on your dash - 'All better now'." --Jake Groseclos, Naked portafilter mess


quote Success through persistence

" If one insists on their daily coffee and never exactly repeats their process, I assert they're doomed to find success." --Gary (GDM528), Help with Grinder/Espresso Machine


quote You're having fun, right?

"Both espresso machines will make excellent coffee. But which will bring you joy in the process is what the hobby is all about." --Dustin, Decent vs La Marzocco Linea Micra (or Mini)


quote Barista, know thyself

"The choice is based on looking at yourself, not at the espresso machines." --Jim Schulman, Comments on La Marzocco Linea Micra Espresso Machine Review


quote The 80/20 rule is a rule for a reason

"It's been my observation in life that no matter what you do, someone will complain. My rule of thumb: If 80% of the people are pleased, you're doing great." --Dan Kehn, Bigger default fonts


quote Common wisdom isn't always right

"There's been a lot of 'armchair science' around coffee and espresso, much of which has proven to be wrong." --Jeff Kletsky, Why are 25 gram baskets not popular?


quote Nobody is loved by everybody

"The idea that popular products don't receive criticism is simply not true. Maybe it's the minority and maybe that's because a product is a very good one. But the Niche Zero has certainly not escaped criticism." --John (jpender), Niche Zero: One year in review


quote Entry level by another name

"If you end up wanting to pursue espresso as a hobby, [entry level espresso equipment] will limit you at some point, depending on which ways you decide to explore. Those are sort of the Toyota Corollas of the espresso world." --Jeff Kletsky, Advice on espresso machine/grinder for a newbie


quote Happy Birthday, Angelo Moriondo

"Today, Moriondo is considered as the father of the express machine and consequently the starting point of the history of espresso." --Sebastien Delprat, In search of Moriondo's espresso machine


quote Recalibration of expectations

"Expectations are just that. I'm on the list, and I greatly appreciate an honest list over aggressive marketing masquerading as transparency." --Jeff Kletsky, Delay for Argos lever espresso machine


quote Great grinder → happier barista

"The TL;DR is: invest in the grinder. More than you would now feel comfortable. It'll pay off in the form of much better coffee and a happier, less frustrated you." --Osku, Rocket Appartamento - help, heavy channeling


quote This is supposed to be fun, remember?

"But you know what? I get pretty damn good coffee with my simple recipes, simpleton devices and 10-15 minutes of concentration. I cherish the fact that I know where and how to improve, but I resist on the fomo and upgraditis." --Dustin Holloway, Reviving the coffee Zen?


More quotable quotes...