Pre-heating cups with hot water. Is something I like to discuss about, because not only is it hard to find anything related to it, but its also an issue which differs from cafe to cafe.
Now we all keep our cups on the top of our machines, it keeps them warm. We throw a tea-towel over it and it keeps them warmer. But is it really necessary to pre-heat the cups with hot water as well, so that the espresso is being sheltered by a blistering hot cup.
Personally, I find pre-heating cups for milk based drinks to be pretty required, as it not only prevents the the coffee from being sent back to you 3 out of 10 times for not being hot enough, but also just that, extends the time in which you can enjoy the beverage.
Yet for an espresso, I find heating the small little espresso cups, takes something away from the cooling process of espresso, in a sense, flavours that appear through cooling. Is this just something unique to myself and preference? or do others find this as well.
I know alot of people are trained to pre-heat cups, every cup, doesnt matter if its a little espresso cup or a latte glass. Yet as Ive stated before, in one cafe with a reputable history, theyll pre-heat; yet, in another reputable cafe they wont pre-heat anything.
What do you prefer? Do you allow your cup to sit for a little bit and enjoy the extra bit of warmth the cup energises the espresso with or do you prefer to allow it cool and drink it straight away.
If not your preference, then what your method is behind the bar.
Regards,
Rob
EDIT:
This is something Ive been meaning to talk about since a few weeks back when I was training a group, one of the girls participating asked me if we pre-heat the cups with water and without further ado, one of the other gentlemen participating blurted out "Of course you pre-heat the cups!" with such a tone that wouldve made the poor woman feel absolutely grilled on the spot. Half the classes short quite giggles certainly, did not help her case.
However, I honestly felt the questions merit. Its not ground-breaking knowledge that one must know, but it is something that does not have clear defining arguments on, readily available.
Now we all keep our cups on the top of our machines, it keeps them warm. We throw a tea-towel over it and it keeps them warmer. But is it really necessary to pre-heat the cups with hot water as well, so that the espresso is being sheltered by a blistering hot cup.
Personally, I find pre-heating cups for milk based drinks to be pretty required, as it not only prevents the the coffee from being sent back to you 3 out of 10 times for not being hot enough, but also just that, extends the time in which you can enjoy the beverage.
Yet for an espresso, I find heating the small little espresso cups, takes something away from the cooling process of espresso, in a sense, flavours that appear through cooling. Is this just something unique to myself and preference? or do others find this as well.
I know alot of people are trained to pre-heat cups, every cup, doesnt matter if its a little espresso cup or a latte glass. Yet as Ive stated before, in one cafe with a reputable history, theyll pre-heat; yet, in another reputable cafe they wont pre-heat anything.
What do you prefer? Do you allow your cup to sit for a little bit and enjoy the extra bit of warmth the cup energises the espresso with or do you prefer to allow it cool and drink it straight away.
If not your preference, then what your method is behind the bar.
Regards,
Rob
EDIT:
This is something Ive been meaning to talk about since a few weeks back when I was training a group, one of the girls participating asked me if we pre-heat the cups with water and without further ado, one of the other gentlemen participating blurted out "Of course you pre-heat the cups!" with such a tone that wouldve made the poor woman feel absolutely grilled on the spot. Half the classes short quite giggles certainly, did not help her case.
However, I honestly felt the questions merit. Its not ground-breaking knowledge that one must know, but it is something that does not have clear defining arguments on, readily available.



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