PODcast #47 : Espresso Pods News

Welcome to The PODcast, PodMerchant's newsletter of espresso pod tips, news, education, and deals. Back issues of The PODcast are available online.

Espresso Elucidation

The Creama Controversy

Crema: Translation from Italian: "cream." We espresso enthusiasts love it. Its a joy to behold. It's an indicator of successful extraction. It adds to the mouth feel of espresso. The network of tiny bubbles contain aromatics ready to be released as the bubbles burst on the tongue. Great stuff, eh?

The Coffee Collective (a Copenhagen roaster and coffee house) blog says otherwise. And the proof of the pudding is apparently in the eating. Try scooping off the crema from a shot and taste it apart from the rest of the shot. It's a bit bitter. Tasters more experienced than I describe it as dry and ashy. Now taste the rest of the shot. It should actually be improved in taste sans-crema.

This revelation was made, or at first least brought to the coffee community's attention, by 2007 World Barista Champion, James Hoffmann. James has chronicled this in his video blog, www.jimseven.com.

Some people talk about stirring the crema into the espresso before drinking it. Good idea for cuppers who are judging shots, but from the standpoint of enjoyment, this strikes me as a lose-lose situation.

For me, crema is an integral part of the enjoyment of espresso. It's one of the things that makes espresso, espresso -- and not just strong coffee. Some of you have probably tried the Aeropress portable "espresso" maker. The Aeropress indeed makes a very tasty and supremely smooth cup of coffee. And although the Aeropress uses pressure to force heated water through the grounds within 30 seconds (the definition of espresso), there is zero crema. The body is just not the same as "traditional" espresso. (and as an aside, though they advertise espresso in 20 seconds, I find that including prep and clean up, it's more like 20 minutes door-to-door.) As the Merchant of Pods, I have no fear of the Aeropress...

Try removing the crema from your shots and see what you think. Feedback on your findings would be greatly appreciated on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/podmerchant.
 

Coffee News

I apologize for bringing old news, but better late than never they say. I recently discovered this fascinating espresso machine, the Etienne Louis, designed by Swiss artist Carlo Borer. Unfortunately, this was a very limited production machine and is no longer in production. I certainly would love to have one of these eye-popping machines.

More information on the Etienne Louis can be found at Luxury Insider, Gizmodo, and Boing Boing Gadgets

 
Mr. Borer has more recently designed the Jules espresso machine which, I would imagine, was inspired by Sputnik. There are still a few available but they are European voltage models and not tested for use in the U.S. I believe that neither of these models are pod compatible.

I feel bad about tempting the reader with these exquisite machines that you sadly cannot buy. But at least you can visually enjoy them.

PodMerchant News

We now have in stock these lovely — and exclusive — ceramic cups from Lucaffe'.

The ever-popular Mr. Exclusive character graces the outside of espresso and cappuccino cups in black on white with a black saucer. Shown here is the cappuccino cup. Note the filled-in handle with the "L" logo.

The Blucaffe' motorcyclist and Marlin Monroe (look-alike?) characters are in blue on white with a blue saucer. This design is also available in both espresso and cappuccino cups.

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That's all for this issue of the PODcast.


Kevin Garrett, The PodMerchant.