November 30, 2006
Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans - Great Gift
Thought I would put up a post for these great little treats. They are a great gift for any coffee lover, let alone an espresso drinker. I had forgotten about them, and decided to add them onto my
Holiday Gift Guide – The Best Espresso Gifts. We picked some of these up when we went to Costa Rica a few years ago, and could barely stop eating them. There are a couple of coffee varieties: a
chocolate covered espresso bean – classic, and a
white chocolate covered coffee bean, a nice twist on things. Café Britt is a huge brand of coffee in Costa Rica, and I really enjoyed their
coffee while we were there, they seemed to be everywhere. Anyway, you should also check out some of the other confections they have under the brand name,
chocolate covered Macadamia nuts, etc. yum!
November 29, 2006
Endangered Species Dark Chocolate with Espresso Beans
Continuing our little foray into chocolates with espresso in them, we found this Endangered Species Dark Chocolate with Espresso Beans bar and I thought that it was great. So, apparently 10% of the profits go to helping endangered species, habitat and humanity. So, apparently this isn’t just a good tasting chocolate bar, its doing some good for the world. Anyway, this is a bar with espresso bean bits right in the bar that give it a visual cue on the bottom of the bar as you can see a few little lumps and bumps sticking out, as well as a few audible cues when you chew. The bar is dark chocolate, and subtly sweet, but doesn’t have an overly strong espresso flavor to it. That’s OK, because the bar is delicious. I would prefer a well made bar with bits of espresso in it to a bar that has a poorly done espresso flavor dosed on top of the chocolate. On the inside of the paper wrapper, there’s plenty of information regarding their product and cause.
More at Endagered Species Chocolate Bars
November 28, 2006
Peppermint Mocha Recipe
OK; we're not forgetting the other holiday drink that people crave this time of year, the Peppermint Mocha! You've had them maybe at Starbucks - the classic holiday tradition (can it be a classic tradition if it's only a few years old?) Enjoyed maybe with a mini candy cane on the side, this can warm up the cooler December days.
Peppermint Mocha Recipe
Ingredients:
1 oz. (2 Tbsp.) Torani Chocolate sauce
1/2 oz. (1 Tbsp.) Torani Peppermint syrup
8 oz. (1 cup) milk
1-2 shots espresso
Instructions:
Steam together Torani and milk. Pour into a 16-oz. glass and pour espresso over.
Strong Coffee can be substituted for the Espresso.
More at the Torani Website
November 27, 2006
Pump Driven Espresso Machines Around (and Under) $100
A lot of readers have been writing in about what pump driven espresso machines are the best for under $100. Well there aren’t a lot of espresso machines less than $100, but there are a few. There are also a few good ones for a little over $100 that I’ll include. Read why a pump-driven espresso machine is so important.
Lello Ariete 45900 Ariete Espresso Machine – this 15-bar pump driven stainless steel beauty is a little over $100, but with the $25 Amazon discount (See the Promotional details on the Amazon Page), it’s only about $105. It’s a decent little espresso maker made by DeLonghi that is just starting to be imported into this country. Works with ground espresso but not reliably with ESE Espresso Pods. The easy operation and good looks make it a winner in the gift department. I have this in for review and so far, I like it alot.
Krups XP4030 Pump Espresso Machine – A solid performer from Krups, this machine is about $149 - $25 = $124…. Close enough. This machine offers 3 portafilter inserts that allow you to do ESE Espresso Pods, single and double shots. The metal accents give you good looks and the 15-bar pump gives you good crèma.
Krups FNC2 Novo 3000 – the little brother of the XP4030, is still a pump driven machine that offers a 16-bar pump and a few less metal accents for about $99. Still includes a filter basket for ground and one for ESE Espresso pods. Classic look at an attractive price.
DeLonghi EC155 – this unit makes incredible crèma with your espresso with its patented crèma system design. The 15-bar pump and it’s easy operation make it a dream to operate turning out good shots time and time again. If you want more on this, see my review of the DeLonghi EC155 Espresso Machine.
Hamilton Beach 40729 Espresso Machine – This little machine comes in well under $100, in fact right around $68. We used it for a review and enjoyed using with ESE Espresso pods. We didn’t quite get the crèma we were looking for from ground coffee, but if you are looking for an inexpensive ESE pod brewer, here you are. Read our review of the Hamilton Beach 40729 Espresso Machine.
Don’t Forget the Pods!
If you are getting the DeLonghi EC155 or the Breville Café Roma, I would add in some ESE coffee pods. They make preparation easy and painless. They also make an excellent cup of espresso with these machines. If you like Starbucks, try the Starbucks ESE pods, or if you want something more adventurous and also delicious, try the Lavazza pods.
Another great option is to get a HUGE ESE Espresso Pod Super Sampler . With 60 (2 each of 30 kinds) ESE pods, you'll be able to sample your way through all kinds of different Espresso. Lots of fun, lots of espresso.
Want to read more about Great Espresso Gifts? See our Single Serve Espresso Holiday Buying Guide.
November 27, 2006
Eggnog Latte Recipe
You either love them or hate them; Eggnog Lattes. In a few short years, Starbucks has created a following with their seasonal Eggnog lattes. Well you can learn how to make an eggnog latte at home and create a similar drink with some flavored syrups. Torani Syrups has all you need with Torani Eggnog Flavored Syrup. Hurry, Eggnog Latte season is a short one.
Don’t forget the Torani Pump!
Recipe after the jump.
Need help with Espresso Gift Ideas? Check out our Holiday Buying Guide – The Best Espresso Gifts
Continue reading: "Eggnog Latte Recipe"
November 25, 2006
Aloha Island Espresso: Get $10 Off a Future Purchase at Amazon.com
From November 19 to December 15, 2006, every order of $50 or more of products offered by Aloha Island Coffee will earn you a gift certificate for $10 off a future Amazon.com purchase. Restrictions apply. Please review the Fine Print below. Thanks to Terry and our sister site SingleServeCoffee.com this.
To take advantage of this offer
1. Browse for products offered by Aloha Island Coffee.
2. Add to your Shopping Cart products that are sold and shipped by Aloha Island Coffee until the total amount before taxes, gift-wrap, shipping, and other promotions is $50 or more.
3. Click the Proceed to Checkout button and purchase your products.
4. Important: All purchases must be made in a single order to a single address.
5. Limit one gift certificate per order.
6. Limit of three gift certificates (for a total of $30) per customer.
7. Between December 30 and January 13, 2007--provided you don't return items that qualified you for the promotion--Amazon.com will e-mail you a gift certificate redeemable for $10 off a future Amazon.com purchase. (Canceled orders are excluded from the offer.)
At Aloha Island Espresso Offer
Still need help figuring out what to buy? See our Holiday Buying Guide - the Best Espresso Gifts
November 24, 2006
Holiday Gift and Shopping Guides from Around the Blogpire
Our editors have been hard at work coming up with the latest products to give as gifts this holiday season. Each of our different sites has their own holiday gift guide on various topics including: shaving, hdtv, gps, gaming, coffee and espresso, kitchen gadgets, cookbooks, and more.
Make your holiday gift giving easier this season by visiting the holiday shopping guides below, and get your shopping done online without the crowds and hassle of ever leaving your comfy couch or computer chair.
November 22, 2006
Gingerbread Latte Recipe
So with Gingerbread Lattes showing up all over the place, I decided that it would be good to go and post a recipe for the rest of us to be able to make one. It's easy to learn how to make a Gingerbread Latte at home. You can whip it up with just one syrup on top of a latte.
Don’t forget the Torani Pump!
Gingerbread Latte Recipe
Ingredients:
1 oz. Torani Ginger Spice syrup
8 oz. milk
1-2 shots espresso*
Instructions:
Steam together Torani and milk. Pour steamed flavored milk to about 1/2 inch below the top of a 16-oz. glass. Add espresso and top with a thin layer of foamed milk.
Notes:
Garnish with powdered cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg.
*substitute 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee if desired.
More at Torani Website
Need help with Espresso Gift Ideas? Check out our Holiday Buying Guide – The Best Espresso Gifts
November 21, 2006
Gingerbread Lattes at Dunkin Doughnuts
Dunkin Doughnuts has jumped on the holiday Latte bandwagon in a big way already this year with the introduction of the Gingerbread latte. While they may have started their trade on doughnuts, they sell a lot of coffee these days, and that includes fair trade espresso based drinks. This year they are firing up the Gingerbread Latte to welcome in the season. I haven't tried one, but judging from the rest of the line, I'll bet that it's sweet.
"Dunkin' Donuts offers consumers a wide selection of espresso-based beverages quickly and at a fairer price than the market average," said Joseph Scafido, Chief Creative and Innovation Officer, Dunkin' Brands. "Our consumers are increasingly turning to Dunkin' Donuts for our delicious, top-notch espresso-based beverages to charge them through their mornings and well into their busy day. The Gingerbread Latte is an example of the innovation that we continue to drive in this category to meet growing consumer demand for espresso-based beverages."
They are decidedly un-Starbucks, showing this off with a recent billboard that said "No Grande Egos" - taking a swipe at the upscale snootiness that some people associate with espresso.
November 20, 2006
Review: Lello Ariete 45900 Prestigio Espresso Machine Arrives for Review
We are pretty happy to say that we have our Lello Ariete 45900 Prestigio Espresso Machine in for review. The unit is a stainless steel espresso machine that comes with the nice features that you come to expect in espresso machines: 15 bar Thermoblock pump, a large 64+ ounce water reservoir, a 950 watt heater, and a cup warmer. The 950 watt heater is a bit smaller than we have seen on some espresso makers (Usually in the 1100+ watt range), so I am going to be checking out heating times on this as we go through the normal testing process. If it's not too long, this might just rock the espresso maker world with a new value play: Stainless Steel exterior, classically designed, pump driven espresso machine for around $100 after a discount at Amazon.
Remember, Amazon almost always runs a deal for a $25 discount when you spend more than $125 at Kitchen and Housewares. I previously talked about the order backlog on these from Amazon, but things appear to have finally opened up and they appear to be shipping them on demand.
The plan is to use some Starbucks ESE Espresso Pods .
More at Amazon
Need help with Espresso Gift Ideas? Check out our Holiday Buying Guide – The Best Espresso Gifts
Krups FNC2 Novo 3000 Espresso Maker
The Krups FCN2 Novo 3000 Espresso Maker is a pump-driven espresso machine that has a decent list of features for a decent little price. The unit has two filter baskets that allow it to run both ground espresso and
ESE pods in the machine. It has a
15-bar pump driven thermoblock heater, and a 37 ounce water tank. The unit of course has a frother and nicely enough comes with 18 Illy ESE espresso pods in the box. Great bargain for gifting this year. Also consider the DeLonghi EC155 Espresso Machine - see our
review on the DeLonghi EC155.
More at Amazon
Bodum Paula Espresso Cups
Bodum has a nice espresso cup line that I thought I would pass along; The Paula collection of cups. These black on white designs are ready for entertaining and while all different fit together nicely into a modern looking collection of espresso cups. The set is a sturdy 2-ounce porcelain design.
More at Amazon
November 19, 2006
Keurig B70 Deal - Free K-Cups
This deal ran in the Sunday Newspaper. The Keurig B-70 is a favorite of ours and is new in the Keurig line up. We like it for its felxibility and the incredible variety that you can get in K-cups.
This deal gives you:
Free Shipping
Free 24 K-Cups with Purchase, and
the ability to try the B-70 free for 30 days.
Use Promo code: ISFS01-2074 at checkout.
See Green Mountain for purchase and enter code at checkout.
Don't forget the
Keurig 5060 27-Cup-Capacity K-Cup Spinning Carousel to store all of those great K-cups.
Review: I-Roast 2 Home Coffee Roaster Review
"This thing is awesome."
The Hearthware I-Roast 2 is a great little home roaster that allows you to not only take control of what you coffee tastes like, but also gives you access to the freshest coffee you can get. Over the last few weeks, I have roasted up a lot of batches of coffee learning more and more about the process and my own tastes in coffee and espresso. So you might ask “How do I roast coffee at home?” let me tell you it’s pretty easy. Of course there is the question of green coffee, and with so many offerings on the internet, it’s easy to get what you need. I have to say that I loved using the I-Roast 2 to roast coffee, and will say that it should be great for anyone who is interested in delving into their coffee passion even more. While it will take forever to become a master roaster, you can be fluent and comfortable very quickly so that you can be turning out high quality freshly roasted coffee in very short order. This is not hard to do.
Continue reading: "Review: I-Roast 2 Home Coffee Roaster Review"
November 17, 2006
Espesso - Invention of the Year 2006
Espesso has been named one of the best inventions of 2006. We
brought news of the espesso a while ago and announced that it is available in Chicago. Well the mousse like solid espresso is now honored by Time. Maybe Time's Man of the year would like a spoonful?
At TIME
November 16, 2006
Compare the DeLonghi Magnifica 3200 vs 3400 vs 3500
We have the DeLonghi Magnifica 3500 in for review right now, and we've gotten a few people asking what the differences are when we compare the Delonghi Magnifica 3200 versus 3400 versus 3500. I have to say that I am really enjoying the Magnifica right now as I am running it through its paces for my review. The differences are slight between the Magnifica 3400 and 3500, but a bit more dramatic for the Magnifica 3200.
DeLonghi Magnifica 3200 - has a lot going for it in a non-digital super automatic machine. The controls (i.e. strength & size of the shot) are manual, meaning that turn a dial instead of pushing a button. It takes in your whole beans, grinds them, tamps and pulls your shot for you at the push of a button. It has a 7 ounce whole bean hopper, a 60 ounce water reservoir, a frothing arm, a by-pass doser to use a different ground coffee, a drip tray and cup warmer. The steam wand is operated by a manual dial (on/off).
DeLonghi Magnifica 3400 - The move up to the electronically controlled unit makes for some nice touches, keeping a lot of the same physical features (by-pass dosing, 60 ounce reservoir, 7-ounce whole bean capacity and grinder, etc). The unit still has a "manual" steaming knob, but it has electronic controls for almost everything else. You now get push-button control over the strength of the espresso and the size of the cup. You also get some settings that are variable, like the automatic shut-off time, and the ability to have it turn on automatically for you in the morning. The Delonghi Magnifica 3400 is being sold at Starbusks stores this season.
DeLonghi Magnifica 3500 - True luxury here. The move up here is that you get to have a milk pitcher that snaps into the front of the Magnifica and with the push of a single button, the machine steams milk into your mug, then pulls a shot for a one-button latte. All of the controls are adjustable, and digital. Similar physical characteristics as the 3400.
More at Amazon and DeLonghi
November 15, 2006
Holiday Buying Guide - Best Espresso Gifts
It’s that time of year, and we decided to put together a buying guide for people who are interested in giving a little bit of that espresso cheer this year. The list covers a pretty broad spectrum, and offers some insight into what I’ve enjoyed and what I think is a pretty good list of consumer friendly high quality machines that can turn out a great espresso. These are all pump driven machines, (read why this is important), so I won't be recommending any $30 specials, as the quality of the brew isn't there.
Best Super Automatic -Total Luxury
DeLonghi Magnifica 3500 - We’re using it now, and we love it. The one-button lattes are killer and you can’t beat the convenience of the super automatic. It cranks out great espresso after great espresso.
Best Super Automatic - for the Masses
DeLonghi Magnifica 3200 - Leaves out the digital automation, but still grinds, tamps and pulls the espresso shot for you. I've had a lot of people writing me about how much they like this unit.
Best Espresso Machine Under $400
The FrancisFrancis! X6 features a 1100-watt espresso/cappuccino machine housed in ABS plastic with chrome accents and works with ESE pods. It also features an 18-bar pressure pump; all-brass boiler refills automatically and the new Trio Technology which allows for making 3 espresso preparations--short, normal, and long. It has a 5-cup removable water tank, steam jet with built-in milk foamer, and a handy cup warmer. The Francis Francis X6 is priced around $400; normally runs $500 and higher.
Highly Functional Step Up
Capresso Ultima - This unit has been called the super-automatic without all the electronics and the price. With its unique design, it allows you to drop in your espresso, rotate a knob on the top of the machine to tamp the coffee and then pull a shot. Crank another half turn and the spent grounds are in a waste bin inside the espresso maker. Easy and excellent. I liked using it a lot. Read my review of the Capresso Ultima Espresso machine.
Best Inexpensive Espresso Maker
DeLonghi EC155 - This little machine turned out some wonderful espresso for us. It’s got the ability to brew from ESE pods and ground coffee and at a price of around $100 it’s a great deal for an espresso maker that was consistently good. (See our Review of the DeLonghi EC155).
Beautiful Stainless - 2 Now 3 Flavors
Contemporary Stainless Steel Espresso Maker
Breville ESP8XL Café Roma - Classic lines, well built and highly functional, this popular espresso machine is built like a tank and turns out espresso like the best of them. It looks great and turns out espressos from ground espresso and ESE pods. Read our Review of the Breville Café Roma.
Lello Ariete 45900 Ariete Espresso Machine - I am adding the Lello Ariete to the list: at $129, less the $25 discount, its a bargain for a stainless steel beauty. (Remember anything over $125 gets a $25 discount at checkout). They just dropped the price again! It's a branch of the DeLonghi company, and is just starting to get imported into the country. We have it in for review now, and so far so good. Runs on ESE pods and ground coffee and looks great on the counter. See my Review of the Lello Ariete 45900 Prestige Espresso Machine.
Retro Stainless Steel Espresso Maker
VillaWare V41006 Moderno Prima Espresso Maker - This good looking retro machine takes a great look and makes it affordable for the rest of us. With it’s classic lines and its solid feature set, it will look as good on the counter as brewing up a shot. I am a little disappointed in the pricing at Amazon. It was around $230 for this, and has been bouncing around up into the $300's. I wish it would stay low for you. Still looks great though.
Great Gift for the Coffee Nut
Hearthware I-Roast 2 Home Coffee Roaster - What an excellent time roasting coffee at home. There is nothing fresher and nothing more rewarding than to be able to lay claim to roasting the coffee that you serve up to friends and enjoy every morning. Roasting your own coffee is easier than you think, and it doesn’t take long to get good at it. Very high quality green coffee can be ordered easily through several websites. See my review of the iRoast 2 Home Coffee Roaster.
Don’t Forget the Coffee and Pods!
If you are getting the DeLonghi EC155 or the Breville Café Roma, I would add in some ESE coffee pods. They make preparation easy and painless. They also make an excellent cup of espresso with these machines. If you like Starbucks, try the Starbucks ESE pods, or if you want something more adventurous and also delicious, try the Lavazza pods.
Another great option is to get a HUGE ESE Espresso Pod Super Sampler . With 64 (2 each of 32 kinds) ESE pods, you'll be able to sample your way through all kinds of different Espresso. Lots of fun, lots of espresso.
If you want a great whole bean espresso, you should order up some Gimme! Coffee Leftist espresso blend. This high quality artisan coffee roaster from Ithaca NY is well known for their attention to detail and dedication to the espresso.
Espresso Glasses
Finally, for the espresso freak who has everything try out these glasses. They are fantastic to look at with the espresso just hanging there in mid-air:
Bodum Pavina Double-Wall Espresso/Shot Glass, or
Bodum Canteen Double-Wall Espresso/shot glasses
Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans
Who doesn't like Chcolate Covered Espresso Beans? These are from Cafe Britt; a premier roaster from Costa Rica. Espresso beans available in Regular Chocolate, and a lighter roast in White Chocolate.
The Espresso Companion
I have to give a plug to a machine that I love and that I use to complement my espresso makers, the Keurig B70. It’s got push button convenience, and a wide variety of offerings. Read how the B-70 has brought harmony to our kitchen. (The B70 is available at GreenMountain and Amazon. Check out which is the best deal for you.)
See this post for a deal at Green Mountain on the Keurig B70 that offers free shipping, free coffee and a 30 day risk free trial (you need a check-out code for this deal).
Pair that machine with some of the hundreds of K-cups that are available. A few that I like are: Organic Sumatran Extra Bold, Timothy’s Rain Forest Espresso, and Gloria Jean's Black Gold.
Also consider getting a variety pack of K-Cups from Green Mountain, they are a popular way to try out a lot of different coffees in one easy box. At Amazon.
November 14, 2006
November 13, 2006
What does "15-Bar Pump Driven Espresso Machine" mean?
I have been getting a lot of people writing in asking about what does 10-bar or 15-bar pump driven mean when we talk about espresso machines. First to start out, a "bar" is a scientific term for pressure. It's about equal to an atmosphere of pressure, or about the ambient pressure at sea level (all approximate; we're not in science class here). So, a 15-bar pump will deliver about 15 times the pressure at sea level; it's fairly high pressure. So, when you see 15-bar pump-driven espresso machine, in the description, you should take away that this machine pumps the hot water through the ground espresso at high pressure.
Why is it important to have a Pump Driven Espresso Machine?
There are a couple of kinds of espresso makers out there: Steam driven and Pump driven (there's also manual where you are the pump). Steam driven machines are less expensive, and when the water boils, it develops only 2-3 bars of pressure to push the hot water through the espresso. In order to get the foamy crema on top of an espresso, which is emulsified oil and air, you need the higher pressure of a pump driven espresso machine. So, if you want better tasting, crema topped espresso, go for the pump-driven espresso machines.
We have reviewed a lot of inexpensive pump driven espresso machines as well as some more expensive ones - check out our reviews in our Espresso Machine archive.
Bodum Canteen Espresso Glasses
I really enjoy my Bodum Pavina glasses (they are my everyday espresso glasses), and I thought I would also pass along a slightly different design based on the same double walled borosilicate glass technology that creates an elegant way to serve up a shot of espresso as it seemingly hangs in midair. Because the glass is double walled, your fingers stay cool and the espresso stays hot. The Bodum Canteen glasses are available in different sizes:
2 ounce Espresso glasses and a nice
13-ounce "grande" latte/coffee size. I love them for everyday, but they also transition to entertaining very well, and of course the cool factor makes them a great gift for the espresso or coffee lover.
November 10, 2006
Review: Newman’s Own Sweet Dark Espresso Dark Chocolate Bar
We checked out a familiar name in cause-related food products; Newman’s Own Sweet Dark Espresso Dark Chocolate Bar. This product is made with only organic ingredients, and is smooth in texture, i.e. no coffee lumps or bumps. It’s mildly sweet, and has some definite dark chocolate notes to it, without much hint of espresso. I have to say though that it’s got a lot of funky off-notes to it that is a real turn off. The bar has an acrid, “wild” flavor to it that is not good. I had to force myself to eat more of it to write this review and try to come up with what was wrong. Love your other stuff, not this bar though. Sorry Paul…..
More at Newman's Organics
November 9, 2006
Review: DeLonghi Magnifica EAM3500 Super Automatic Espresso Machine Arrives for Review
We are very happy to have the DeLonghi Magnifica EAM 3500 Super Automatic espresso machine here for review at the SingleServeEspresso.com test kitchens. The unit has an impressive list of features, and the one that stands out for me is the one-push latte/cappuccino button. Yes, at the touch of a button this will make you your favorite latte or cappuccino. The unit comes with the capability to draw milk automatically from a pitcher that attaches to the steam outlet and either steam or froth the milk right into your cup. The unit then grinds, tamps and pulls an espresso shot right on top for a beautiful espresso drink right before your eyes.
Need help with choosing Espresso Gifts? - See our Espresso Holiday Buying Guide
Continue reading: "Review: DeLonghi Magnifica EAM3500 Super Automatic Espresso Machine Arrives for Review"
November 8, 2006
VillaWare V41006 Moderno Prima Espresso Maker
This totally retro machine from VillaWare brings you back to a different day in Italy when espresso reigned and black plastic espresso machines weren't even invented. The classic styling of the
VillaWare V41006 Moderno Prima Espresso Maker is sure to be a focal point on your counter with its bright stainless steel skin. This pump-driven espresso machine isn't all good looks, as it's got a nice cup warmer on top as well as a 15 bar pump and a 1,000 watt heater. The unit comes capable of running both ground espresso and ESE espresso pods with different filter inserts. The prominent temperature gauge is positioned on the front of the machine with simple toggle switches to control the heating and the pump for creating your espresso. The removable 25-ounce water tank is a little on the small side, but will handle plenty of espressos before needing a refill. The frothing steam is controlled by a classic looking lever arm that brings the user back to the days when espresso was hand-pulled.
What's also attractive is the price of this machine. Other brands have similarly styled machines for quite a bit more. The price of this machine is a little over $200; not bad at all for such a beautiful machine. See the product page at Amazon for a $25 off savings code and Free Shipping.
More at amazon.
November 7, 2006
Blackboard Mugs
I know that these are a long way from a demitasse for espresso, but I thought these were cool and wanted to pass them along. The mugs are made so you can write on them with chalk, so you can craft whatever design or message you want. The chalk washes off in the dishwasher. I am not sure if I am going to get some for my kids’ hot chocolates or for their teachers as a present or both.
More at GreenMountain
November 6, 2006
Preva xSport Sailing in The San Juans
One of our testing staff recently took a cruise in the San Juan Islands and brought along the Preva xSport espresso maker. So, from the
top of Mt Washington, to the shores of Washington State, this little Preva xSport has been there for us getting us decent coffee where decent coffee usually doesn’t exist. Without too many espresso shops while sailing the Haro Straight, they needed to have a back up and so the Preva xSport came to the rescue. Once again, a few
Starbucks ESE Espresso Pods, some hot water and a few pumps gave a decent little shot of coffee.
More at Preva
November 3, 2006
Krups XP4030 vs. Krups XP4050
A few people have asked about the differences between the Krups XP4030 vs. the Krups 4050 espresso machines. While they may look similar, they are different enough to take pause and look at the features that separate these machines. The Krups XP4030 is a pump-driven espresso machine with a 15 bar pump that goes through a 1200 watt thermoblock heater to a portafilter with one of three filter inserts that are included: single, double and ESE espresso pod insert. The machine can easily steam with the turn of a knob, and has a 32 ounce reservoir. (See our post on the Krups XP4030)
Need help with choosing Espresso Gifts? - See our Espresso Holiday Buying Guide
The Krups XP4050 builds on the sound features of the Krups XP4030, by adding two specific items that are worth noting. The first is programability. You can program the buttons on the front panel to give you a specific cup size and corresponding espresso strength. The unit also has the ability for you to add a draw tube for the frother. It allows you to drop a tube into a container of milk, and automatically draw the milk up, and froth it right into your cup.
Espresso Shorts - Krups Sponsored Movie Shorts
Krups has put together a small website that compiles a few good movie shorts centered around coffee. Some of these had previously been available on You Tube, but they have made their way to a nicely designed mini-website centered on the movies, and ah-hem, advertising the Krups Espresso machines.
See EspressoShorts
November 2, 2006
Review: Green & Blacks Organic Espresso Chocolate Bar
This is a very dark chocolate bar that has a low amount of sweetness, and a smooth texture, with a nice mild coffee flavor that is detectable, but not overwhelming. The bar is made in Italy of all organic ingredients and claims 5% coffee content, which is ground to a point that it is undetectable in the mouth. The flavor of the bar is nice dark chocolate, but is not a strong espresso. I would assume that it’s got some caffeine kick to it if had in large quantities, but I was happy to bite into it any time of day and didn’t worry about some caffeine backlash.
More at Green & Blacks
November 1, 2006
Krups 4050 Espresso Machine
The
Krups 4050 Espresso Machine is a nicely designed espresso maker with a stainless steel front panel and features that back up that pretty face. The noteworthy feature of the Krups 4030 is that its a programable espresso machine, capable of customizing its buttons to give you the cup size and strength of your espresso. The unit comes three portafiler inserts capable of making espresso as singles, doubles or with ESE pods. The machine has a great storage system for the spare inserts, just flip up the water refill cover and the inserts slide into tracks on the underside of the lid. This 15 bar pump-driven espresso machine comes complete with a 1200 watt heater. A 32 ounce water reservoir lets you run for many many espressos before refilling. Finally, the Krups 4050 has an automatic frothing attachment that allows you to drop a tube into a container of milk, and automatically draw the milk up, and froth it right into your cup. Nice!
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