Handpresso: Portable Espresso in Dire Situations
There are many cheap luxuries which my dive buddies can bring aboard our little dive boat, and one of these is the Handpresso, a portable, pump action espresso maker. We had two of these on board our boat. There’s nothing like a shot of espresso (or a latte) right after a dive.
Surfacing from the ocean leaves you discombobulated and dizzy from the waves to the point that water may not be enough to help you get your bearings back. However, a shot of espresso can do the trick. Above is a video of some of my dive buddies using pods for the Handpresso. All you need is hot water, pump it up to 10 bar and extract the pod into your cup. By George, it even produces crema!
There are many versions of the Handpresso — the most popular would be the pod version for the sake of portability. But the Handpresso Wild Domepod is also a winner for ground beans.
What a perfect Christmas gift for traveling caffeine lovers! The whole set will cost you about 169,00 €. Not bad!
“Pumpkin Spice Up” Your Coffee
It’s Halloween! For sure, you have got your costumes ready, and you have all your candies and treats bundled up for the kids that will come knocking at your door. Perhaps you’ve even done your grocery shopping if you’re hosting a dinner or party of some sort. In any case, I think that your Halloween will NOT be complete unless you have coffee as part of the festivities. After dinner, some of your guests may want drinks with a little kick – wine and other spirits – but I am also sure that a lot would look for coffee at one point of the night or another.
Instead of serving good old brewed coffee or plain old espresso, why not spice up your Halloween party? For sure, you have seen all those Torani bottles of syrup that many coffee shops use to flavor their coffees. You can actually get one in pumpkin spice flavor! Try your local grocery store or supermarket OR you can do your shopping online (although it is quite impossible to have it delivered on time). I searched for pumpkin spice syrup online and found some options here.
Anyhow, what’s the trick to making pumpkin spiced espresso? There really is none. All that you have to do is make espresso the way you normally do with your machine. I suggest two shots for a bolder flavor. Pump one or two shots of the syrup (depending on how strong you want the flavor to be) into the coffee, stir, and then add your steamed milk. Optionally, you can add whipped cream (you might want to pass up on that if you’re on a diet) and some cinnamon or more pumpkin spice powder.
Bugatti Coffee Machine
I am in the market for a new drip coffee maker. Ours conked out a couple of months back and we have been using the espresso machine for our daily dose of java. I love the coffee that my trusty Duomo makes BUT sometimes I yearn for the taste of simple brewed coffee.
Anyhow, I was looking for a nice new machine when I ran across – of all things – a coffee machine made by Bugatti. Now if you are not into cars, you may not have a clue as to what the big fuss is about. Truth be told, I probably wouldn’t have an idea as well if not for my husband, who is car crazy. Bugatti is the maker of the Bugatti Veyron, one of the most prized cars in the world. Watch Discovery Turbo (the cable channel) and you will see what I mean).
So how did they find themselves making coffee machines? Heck if I know, but I do know that their machines are beautiful! Even a quick look at that picture above will tell you that these are no ordinary coffee machines. A closer look will not disappoint.
Now here’s the clincher: these machines are also espresso machines! In short, they are not what I need. But hey, sometimes you do not have to get what you need if you find something this beautiful, right? Then again, the price tag is enough to make me get what I need and not what I want. How much is it? $1,300, fancy that!
Affogato al Caffe
What is the best thing to have after a huge turkey dinner? I am sure you already know my answer – coffee! This, of course, is subject to interpretation or personal preference but you cannot deny that a nice cup of coffee after a filling meal is always welcome. For Thanksgiving this year, I think I am going to try something new. Instead of the good old brewed coffee or even café latte, I want to serve a different coffee drink. As such, I have been on the (online) prowl for a recipe that could be prove to be interesting.
Trust Mario Batali, who is perhaps my favorite Iron Chef, to provide me with the perfect coffee recipe dubbed Affogato al Caffe. Apparently, he published this recipe way back in 2000 but I have never come across it before. It does look interesting, though:
Ingredients
Semifreddo
• 2 1/2 cups whole milk
• 3 ounces very strong espresso
• 6 egg yolks
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 8 cups strong decaffeinated coffee, cooled
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powderPreparation
In a 3-quart saucepan bring the milk to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and add the espresso.In a mixing bowl, beat the yolks until pale yellow. Gradually add the sugar and beat until light yellow ribbons form when the beaters are lifted. Stir in half of the hot milk, then stir in the remaining milk.
Cook over low heat without boiling until the mixture coats the back of a spoon thickly and sets slightly, about 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the vanilla and chill for 1/2 hour.
Whip 1 1/2 cups of the cream to stiff peaks and fold into the custard mixture. Transfer to an ice cream machine and freeze according to manufacturer’s instructions. (The semifreddo can be made up to 2 weeks in advance).
Whip the remaining 1/2 cup cream to soft peaks. Place 1 scoop of semifreddo in each of eight tall glasses. Pour 1 cup of cooled coffee over each scoop, dollop with whipped cream, and dust with cocoa.
This makes 8 servings.
I would really love to make this – if I can find an ice cream machine to use!
Jura Capresso S9 One Touch
A couple of weeks ago, I received an e-mail from a friend who works with Nestle and she was selling a new espresso machine for a couple hundred dollars. I was about ready to take her up on her offer but I realized that I didn’t have enough money. More so, I have been looking around for other kinds of espresso machines and I have found a couple that are in the more affordable range.
In my quest to look for a workable solution, I ran across a new espresso machine that I would really love to have. Dubbed the Jura Capresso S9 One Touch, this baby is fully automatic. I am not sure but it seems that it is not widely available yet but this site, 1stincoffee, is already offering units. This is the full description of the machine:
The Jura Capresso Impressa S9 One Touch brews from 1 to 16 ounces at a time using just the right amount of fresh ground coffee. The machine features a large 96 oz. removable water tank, 2 stainless steel-lined Thermoblock heating systems and an insulated milk container. Jura Capresso is the 1st and only company to offer One Touch coffee centers with insulated milk containers to keep cold milk cold.
All coffee, milk frothing and hot water functions are fully programmable. You can set the temperature, coffee volume and coffee strength for each button. The Jura Capresso S9 includes an integrated conical burr grinder and a separate coffee shoot for ground coffee. The S9 One Touch also dispenses hot water for tea or Cafe Americano. Other features include: large cup warming area, Clearyl water filtration, Automatic cleaning and rinsing functions, LED Dialog system, electronic sensors and a powerful 18 bar pump.
Now I would really love to get my hands on the S9 One Touch. Unfortunately, it is way too pricey for me at the moment. How much is it selling for? A hefty $2399. Donations, anyone? 
Which Espresso Machine is Right for You?
Looking for the perfect shot of coffee? Maybe you want a more robust flavor in your cappucinos and lattes. When it comes to taste and aroma, espresso machines deliver the most bang for your buck.
When you brew a shot of espresso, you get more of the coffee beans’ aroma into the cup. How is this possible? It begins with the beans. Espresso beans are finely ground until they are the right texture for the chosen type of machine. Water is heated in another chamber within the machine. When the water is hot enough, it is passed through the finely ground beans. This captures the strong flavor and fragrance that have made espresso such a popular coffee drink.
What to Look For
The best espresso coffee machines are often the simplest. Stove-top espresso pots for the home have surged in popularity. There are even simple espresso pots that can be taken on camping trips.
When shopping for a new machine, always look for a model made of stainless steel so that rust is never an issue. Some pots come with cool-touch handles to keep users from burning themselves. There are even espresso pots decorated with famous works of art. The buyer’s choices are limitless.
On the other hand, you might need the brewing power of a commercial espresso machine. These machines let the user control every aspect of the how the espresso is brewed. With the push of a button, the user can dictate water volume, brew time, and even how much crema to include in each shot.
The Best Pump Style for Your Needs
Brewing the perfect shot takes skill and practice. Pump style refers to the way the water is delivered through the ground beans. Manual pumps require lots of experimentation on the user’s part, as the user is responsible for determining water volume and brewing time. They are a great way for experienced baristas to show off their talent, but can be intimidating to the new user.
For a mix of affordability and ease of use, many people choose semi automatic espresso machines. These require some judgment from the user, but carry out the actual brewing process by themselves. The user simply turns on the electric brewing pump when they are ready to brew, and turn it off after they have finished.
Semi-commercial machines offer more automated pump styles that leave most of the decision making to the device itself. Whatever your needs, there is a pump style perfectly suited to every user.
As more coffee drinkers are awakening to the intense flavor of espresso, they are looking for home-brewing solutions that are affordable and easy to use. Coffee sellers are looking for machines that produce the perfect volume and flavor to meet their customers’ demands. Take a look at the many available models and pump styles to find the perfect espresso machine for your needs.
