Espresso challenge

[flynnaus]

Woohoo! My first big coffee making challenge. The Task:

14 in-laws at my house (my wifes cousins had spread the word)

Order of 12 cappuccinos

About 2/3 bag of Rio coffee (from Jetblack - this is a great blend IMO)

Just over a litre of milk

1 VBM Domobar Piccolo Single boiler dual purpose


I had never made that many coffees before and I wasnt sure I had enough beans and milk. Luckily I had a dozen Japanese tea cups (100ml) so 12 piccolo lattes (with chocolate) it was to be.

The result: 12 satisfied customers. There was more than enough coffee and 3 x 600ml jugs of steamed milk did the job (not full to the brim). I even managed a couple of rudimentary rosettas (not that anyone noticed), and some were adding 3 sugars to their coffees even when I told them it would already be a bit sweet. Philistines

I really enjoyed the challenge and the machine was more than up to the task. only had to top up the water once. I didnt time myself but I reckon it took me about 15 mins or so.

[mipl]

Re: Espresso challenge

Well done!
I can imagine you didnt hear or see anything for those 15 mins ;D

mike

[Thundergod]

Re: Espresso challenge

Philistines!!!

[Banjo]

Re: Espresso challenge

well dont hold back now Steve, give yourself a rap mate ;D

i especially liked the bit about the rosettas lol

Darren

[Koffee_Kosmo]

Re: Espresso challenge

Good on-ya Steve
How long B/4 the relatives invite themselves back for seconds?

KK

[flynnaus]

Re: Espresso challenge

Thanks. Probably not that high on the whoopee scale to some of the more seasoned CSers, but first time I achieved this with anything other than a jar of instant and, yes, I was feeling righteously chuffed, Darren. I felt like I should have earned a boy scouts badge for it, or something like that

mipl: Not quiet as some were standing around watching and asking questions

Yeah KK Im sure I will be asked to repeat the performance before the end of the year though probably not on that scale. But it gave me a chance to plant the idea of a HX in my long-suffering wifes head, saying that the task would have been much easier and quicker.  We were at Darling Harbour for dinner tonight and I took the time to point out a Faema two group as the sort of machine that would really knock this number of coffees out in half the time.

[greenman]

Re: Espresso challenge

Well done flynn you deserve a pat on the back for your effort.
I was a busy chappy on Christmas day, we had 12 for lunch and Silvia was kept busy over the afternoon, went through plenty of my Xmas Blend (El Salvador, PNG Sigri, Ethiopian Blue Horse) and milk, talk about performing under pressure, I reflected on how the baristas in competitions must feel.
Im saving madly for an HX for next festive season!!!

[martybean]

Re: Espresso challenge

Great work Steve,
you may have single handedly converted 12 people into making better coffee for themselves, or at worst buying better lattes.

I to had a busy christmas day mum brought over here jar of half caff, half full caff crap and asked if I could make her a coffee. So I did, with some Ethiopian Limmu. I then made 6 more and It followed like that all night

[Banjo]

Re: Espresso challenge

boy scouts badge huh ;D

i had two mates over one day and things were chaotic enough then

Darren

[Dennis]

Re: Espresso challenge


Good onya Steve!  

Dont ya hate it when ppl want to ask questions while youre pumping em out - I find that telling them, "We can talk once Ive had MY coffee, so if you continue, its NO coffee for you".  This usually works very effectively, though I dont understand why Ive been called a coffee nazi. :

Anyway, no matter how long the queue is, I still only make one coffee at a time.

[flynnaus]

Re: Espresso challenge

Cheers guys.

Yes, I think once someone tastes good coffee then most will start wondering why they have been putting up with crap until now. I know at least one of my relos will be having a chat to her husband when she goes back home.

I didnt play the coffee nazi Den but during critical moments I would grunt rather than respond and they got the idea that the question could wait.

[Intellidepth]

Re: Espresso challenge

Well done. Its sure a challenge to talk and cut the shot at the perfect point, or to create latte art quality microfoam while discussing your grinder - one split second of inattention and ... ;D

[PhilMac]

Re: Espresso challenge

If you want to get round the refilling of the tank thingy, knowing you are going to do a lot of coffees, you can fill a soft drink bottle with water and turn it upside down so the neck sits in the tank and as the water level drops it just keeps refilling the tank.

As for keeping the cups warm, I usually fill them with hot water from the kettle anyhow.

Cheers

[flynnaus]

Re: Espresso challenge

Thanks PhilMac - thats a good tip but how do you keep it upright? I thought you would also need to keep the bottle at a certain depth to maintain an equilibrium

Intellidepth: I didnt say anything during the moments I needed to concentrate. My first steaming effort was poor - big bubbles, no troubles. The other two were excellent but as I wasnt used to the cups, the shots were all ristrettos anyway so they were fairly sweet (or mine was, at least : )

[roknee]

Re: Espresso challenge

flynn-aus i had a similar experience recently - went away with the in lwas and other relos and had a borrowed HX and mazzer mini.
some ppl loved the coffee (despite guage showing 10 bar under pressure and consequently shorter shots), some thought it was ok.
mother in law went from a cappuccino lover to a latte drinker to a strong latte drinker (and twice per day). she used to drink caps for the froth only...

pumped out some ok microfoam and rosettas and tulips - definitely not my best though.

its nice entertaining with good coffee