PODcast Newsletter, Issue 3

How many shots in a demitasse?
Yes, there are espresso ristrettos and lungos (short and long). But, by and large, a single shot of espresso is one ounce of coffee. That's half a demitasse of coffee — demitasse cups being two ounce cups. So to fill a demitasse cup it should take two shots of espresso, which, if you are using pods, is two pods worth. I hear a lot of customers talk about filling a cup with the coffee espressed from a single pod. By my way of thinking, that's mighty weak espresso. If this has been your practice, please try using two pods for a demitasse and see if that doesn't make a much better cup of coffee with a lot more crema. This concept is graphically illustrated in one of the box stuffers we include with each shipment.
 

For your maximized espresso enjoyment, we present this issue's tip:

Tip No. 4:
When you've finished your last shot, what do you do? Remove the portafilter and wash it off? I used to, and the inside eventually got caked with coffee gunk. This month's tip is simply that after you run your last shot, replace the filter handle, restart the machine's pump, and flush the grouphead / filterbasket / portafilter with hot water. It's easy and fast and will go a long way towards keeping your machine in good condition. Watch your tanks water level though... You'll run thorough your tank a lot quicker.
 

PodMerchant is now selling espresso pods from Segafredo Zanetti, a Bologna roaster. Segafredo produces an Arabica/Robusta blend and a corresponding decaf. I will tell you that I was very impressed with this blend and I am happy to add Segafredo Zanetti to our already broad line-up of gourmet espressos. I want PODcast subscribers to try out Segafredo, so I'm including a coupon below to make it easier for you to try.

Sometimes old news bears repeating: PodMerchant has added a new machine to our pod-friendly line-up of espresso machines — the Ascaso Dream. I've been using the Dream for a few months now, and I will tell you that it is, indeed, a Dream. Besides making superb espresso, the machine's quality of construction is simply better than any other home machine I've used. The Ascaso Dream is the closest thing to what I'd call the "Porsche of Home Espresso Machines".

In addition to the Dream Fixed Filter Holder model, the Dream is also available in the "Versatile" model. The Versatile has traditional removable filter handles — one for ground coffee and one for pods. You should choose this model if you wish to use ground & tamped coffee in addition to pods. The Versatile comes in many designer colors and the fabulous Crazy Collection — Crazy Cow, Lady Bug Yellow, and Lady Bug Red.
 

Decaf on the Bush
Someday soon, caffeine-free coffee beans may be the source of decaffeinated coffee, instead of processing the beans to remove caffeine. Genetically-modified decaffeinated coffee plants are a step closer to reality, after researchers cloned the plant gene that "makes" caffeine. Read the full story.
 

PodMerchant offers the following discounts only to our PODcast Newsletter readers. The discount is taken by redeeming one of the following coupon codes at checkout (Note: These coupons are only valid for PODcast subscribers. We check use of the coupon against the subscriber list.):

$35 off FrancisFrancis! X1, Ascaso Dream, and Espressione Nuvola espresso machines -- Enter code: XXXXXXX (subscribers only)

$25 off all other espresso machines (X3, Cafe Retro, Koala) -- Enter code: XXXXXXXX (subscribers only)

$2.50 off a box of 18 Segafredo espresso pods (decaf or regular) -- Enter code: XXXXXXXX (subscribers only)

And just for being a PODcast subscriber, we're going to take...
$4 off your next order over $30. -- Enter code: XXXXXXXX (subscribers only)