Saturday, December 10, 2005

Caffeine dreams


Got my espresso machine set up last weekend, but had little time to test it. Too much to do, things to settle....

But this Saturday is a relaxing one. And gave me time to work on my barista skills. Ok, the description below is for people with barista experience...

The Gaggia Classic is a beautiful little machine. Made in Italy, the machine is one of the best reviewed on www.wholelattelove.com, the website I bought it from. It is a one-group high pressure espresso machine, not those cheapo steam ones.

Accompanying the Gaggia, I got a Solis Maestro Plus burr grinder, for a consistent espresso grind. Along with it, got the shot glasses, tamper, milk frothing jug, milk thermometer.... the works!!

Turn out pretty well! Made a good latte for myself, and a mocha for Wan.

Ingredients:
- Peets Espresso Forte blend (Peets has one of the best beans in US, almost comparable to San Francisco Coffee , ahem...)
- Silk organic soy milk, instead of cow milk (trying to avoid dairy products). Made a pretty good latte!!

The espresso shot was sweet, with good crema during a 25-second shot. The Silk soy milk was sweeten, so the latte tasted somewhat like a vanilla latte. Must try unsweeten soy milk next time.

Made a mocha for Wan too, with additional ingredient:
- organic Abuela hot chocolate powder from Chuao Chocolatier (yummy, yummy) . She liked it!

More to experiment later.... now I can have all the coffee I want!! Caffeine overload!

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