First espresso experience.

[Yelta]

The (All about coffee) thread along with the Wiki chronology got me thinking about the first time I experienced espresso coffee.
I can pin it down pretty well +/- about a year, it was 1957 and I was 15, Went to a coffee lounge (thats what they were called then) in Adelaide (The Festive Bowl) after a club meeting, an older friend bought me a cappuccino and I was hooked, have spent the the following 53 years in pursuit of the perfect cup, and Im still looking.
And of course this means that approx 10 years after Gaggia developed his modification at least one commercial espresso machine was being used in Adelaide.
I know, Ive given my age away, but I can assure you age is no barrier to the enjoyment of good coffee.  

[Justin_Boyle]

Re: First espresso experience.

I know, Ive given my age away

And I thought it was your avatar!!!!

I remember my first coffee was an instant and I loved the flavor of that. I thought I was a connoisseur because I knew what blend of nescafe was the best. Little did I know. Funny thing is I feel I have been into coffee for years now but looking back I got my first espresso machine 3 years ago. That died so I bought a sunbeam EM2300 and it was then I actually learnt about coffee even though I was using preground stuff but it is only a year ago that I got an HX machine with a good grinder. Cant believe how far Ive come in a year(or at least I think so)

Interestingly I felt that my preground coffees were better than at least 50% of cafes but like most of us I believe that my home roasted coffee now is better than 95% of cafes(or at least in perth)

[kotaro]

Re: First espresso experience.

check this thread.
I just added my experience

http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1166962996

I know, Ive given my age away, but I can assure you age is no barrier to the enjoyment of good coffee.  

mate, its just one of those things isnt it, doesnt matter whether you are 20 or 100, when you have a cup that makes you smile, theres just nothing quite like it.

[Yelta]

Re: First espresso experience.

I know, Ive given my age away

And I thought it was your avatar!!!!

I remember my first coffee was an instant and I loved the flavor of that.  I thought I was a connoisseur because I knew what blend of nescafe was the best.  Little did I know.  Funny thing is I feel I have been into coffee for years now but looking back I got my first espresso machine 3 years ago.  That died so I bought a sunbeam EM2300 and it was then I actually learnt about coffee even though I was using preground stuff but it is only a year ago that I got an HX machine with a good grinder.  Cant believe how far Ive come in a year(or at least I think so)

Interestingly I felt that my preground coffees were better than at least 50% of cafes but like most of us I believe that my home roasted coffee now is better than 95% of cafes(or at least in perth)

Interesting journey aint it, I think what you describe sums up the experience of most home Baristas.

[Yelta]

Re: First espresso experience.

check this thread.
I just added my experience

http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1166962996

I know, Ive given my age away, but I can assure you age is no barrier to the enjoyment of good coffee.  

mate, its just one of those things isnt it, doesnt matter whether you are 20 or 100, when you have a cup that makes you smile, theres just nothing quite like it.

Amen to that.

[Blue_House]

Re: First espresso experience.

have spent the the following 53 years in pursuit of the perfect cup, and Im still looking.

About two years ago (St. Ali, South Melbourne) I thought that Id found it.  Went back the next day - same cafe, same Synesso, same bean, same barista and like a a flash of lightning in the night it was gone.

[Yelta]

Re: First espresso experience.

have spent the the following 53 years in pursuit of the perfect cup, and Im still looking.

About two years ago (St. Ali, South Melbourne) I thought that Id found it.  Went back the next day - same cafe, same Synesso, same bean, same barista and like a a flash of lightning in the night it was gone.

That can happen, perfection is an elusive goal.