Confused - just read that an automatic machine doesn't create a true espresso

[Daffodilgirl]

ANOTHER UPDATE:

I've read all the new comments on here, but only today. I bought a 1kg bag of Woolies dark roast beans with no expiry date - the only one on the shelf - last week BUT it has a refund policy! If I'm not 100% happy with them, they'll refund or replace. So I'll ask for a refund if I don't like them.

Nothing's arrived yet :-( sob.

[Yelta]

As a senior member and man of obviously impeccable taste,

I'll take that as a compliment, I think.

Not sure of this assessment TB, senior member! wont dispute that, not that it counts for much other than having been around for a while.

Impeccable taste! nah, other forum members would run rings around me in this area, my knowledge and taste is pretty well limited to espresso, been drinking coffee for a lot of years, have narrowed my preference down to the aforesaid form of the brew, even then my taste is mine alone, I have established and know exactly what I prefer.

Yep, I have opinions and am not shy in expressing them, doesn't mean everyone has to agree, and they often don't.

Having said that I have no time/taste for poorly roasted and/or stale beans and refuse to use or endorse the stuff.

HooRoo.

[EZCFlair]

Definitely a different aroma.

The others here are wondering what I’m laughing at.

[herzog]

The only supermarket beans I’d buy are the baked variety but the side effects are not good.

Definitely a different aroma.

[apicius]

Our Coles has Yahava beans. I think they are Margaret River based. Their useby date is 2yrs after roasting (!). But I found bags that were 4wks post roast so expiring in Dec 2020. They got me through the new years period, and we're fresh enough for espresso

FWIW I stopped buying from "Yahava Coffee Works" here in Singapore (is it the same?) for the same reason. Got stale beans a few times. Very nice service though, they even sent me a Christmas card. But I could just go down the road where I know my roaster's schedule and turn up the day after for the regular pickup.

[level3ninja]

Our Coles has Yahava beans. I think they are Margaret River based. Their useby date is 2yrs after roasting (!). But I found bags that were 4wks post roast so expiring in Dec 2020. They got me through the new years period, and we're fresh enough for espresso

Having visited Yahava in MR last year I can confirm their beans are reasonable. If you can get them fresh they're at least as good as Aldi, probably better (they had a natural processed Indian when we were there that was pretty damn good, but they also had a couple of average beans).

[TroubleBrewing]

After 24 posts we're down to pushing the virtues of supermarket beans, again! it's a growing trend among some posting on Coffee Snobs.

I'm wondering if some of these posters have an agenda? surely not.

Seems to me to be an attempt to bypass all of the collective wisdom of the past 10 or so years, do the people posting believe what they say? or is it a deliberate attempt to promote the stuff being sold by the supermarket chains.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, if your taste runs to this stuff, fine, go for it, but please don't insult my intelligence by trying to convince me this stuff is quality coffee.

Hi Yelta,

I am green as they come so following as many of these journeys as i can, along with my own!

As a senior member and man of obviously impeccable taste, I would respectfully suggest that these posts are probably not trying to convince you of some exceptional quality supermarket beans...
...my perspective is quite different from yours in that all is new and shiny and I too thought it logical to experiment by practising with Aldi Lazzio beans - it seems to make sense as a starting point whilst testing the waters.

I am glad I did too - as it instantly affirmed that I am going to spend the rest of my life spending more on coffee beans than less! Whilst i am really glad I tried them, I am convinced it is worth paying more for good Espresso at home. I totally recommend everyone do the exercise at least once (and i believe you have!) but for those like me, starting out that is, do it with some fresh quality roasted beans as a comparison.

I bought only a coupe of hundred grams of each of 2 different 'gourmet' beans, each costing the same more or less as a kilo of Aldi beans and I can't see the Aldi beans getting finished. Naturally YMMV and everyone should find their own way

[EZCFlair]

The only supermarket beans I’d buy are the baked variety but the side effects are not good.

[Yelta]

After 24 posts we're down to pushing the virtues of supermarket beans, again! it's a growing trend among some posting on Coffee Snobs.

I'm wondering if some of these posters have an agenda? surely not.

Seems to me to be an attempt to bypass all of the collective wisdom of the past 10 or so years, do the people posting believe what they say? or is it a deliberate attempt to promote the stuff being sold by the supermarket chains.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, if your taste runs to this stuff, fine, go for it, but please don't insult my intelligence by trying to convince me this stuff is quality coffee.

[Jackster]

Our Coles has Yahava beans. I think they are Margaret River based. Their useby date is 2yrs after roasting (!). But I found bags that were 4wks post roast so expiring in Dec 2020. They got me through the new years period, and we're fresh enough for espresso

[noidle22]

Thanks so much, Beensean :-) I think I'll stick with what comes with the Bambino Plus for now and then if I think my coffee needs improving I'll buy those extra basket things that were recommended :-)

I've just read on another thread about using cheap beans for practicing so will have a look at Woolies tomorrow at the Republica brand that was mentioned.

And I'll be at Coles next week so I can get those cheap Coles beans, too :-)

I would advise not doing any of these things, sorry to sound negative.

You will not be able to produce repeatable and consistent results with dual wall baskets and supermarket coffee, it's just going to be a futile endeavour.

The only supernarket beans I, and many others, would recommend are the Aldi Lazzio brand beans for practising, they are always fresh enough to produce good results.

Using dual wall baskets will mean that you can't alter grind and dose settings and observe a measurable change in the cup. Sure, you will get a coffee, but it's not going to be anywhere near as good as you will get by using the correct gear.

There's plenty of threads on here and videos on YouTube which cover espresso theory, it's definitely worth your time to research them.
Pair the learnt theory with the right equipment then it's just down to you to practise and improve.

[Daffodilgirl]

Thanks so much, Beensean :-) I think I'll stick with what comes with the Bambino Plus for now and then if I think my coffee needs improving I'll buy those extra basket things that were recommended :-)

I've just read on another thread about using cheap beans for practicing so will have a look at Woolies tomorrow at the Republica brand that was mentioned.

And I'll be at Coles next week so I can get those cheap Coles beans, too :-)

[beensean]

Hi Daffodilgirl. My reaction on reading some of the comments, all of them thoughtful and intended to be helpful, is that a bit of winding back can be a good thing. I think it is complicated to the extent you want to make it so. Follow just the basics and you will probably get a very good coffee along with the satisfaction of doing it yourself. Adjust something if it is obviously out compared with the basics. There are years available for refinement at your leisure, to the extent you desire at the time.

[Daffodilgirl]

I agree. To further explain the double wall stews the taste but produces a better looking shot with more crema and virtually fool proof, no matter what beans are used, the single wall works better for taste but needs fresh roasted high quality beans to produce its magic. In other words you need both basket types.
It is advisable to have extended warranty with any of the appliance machines but it is a positive to see the bambino comes with a two year warranty.
Hope to see a user report in due course.
GOOD LUCK

Gah! I didn't know any of that. Thanks, everyone. This is my first espresso machine, upgrading from a Nespresso capsule machine.

I'll be making single shots. I only have 1 coffee per day usually (at breakfast) and I want to make mochas and pumpkin spice lattes (pumpkin spice from iherb.com - it's delicious in my coffee - I just add a little sprinkle).

P.S. I've just ordered freshly roasted beans from Zimmah - The Devil and The Deep :-)

[WarrenK]

The Bambino only comes with dual wall filter baskets (not sure why) but you will need to also purchase single wall filters to get the best from the machine and grinder.

The double shot basket part number is SP0001520 and can be bought directly from Breville. The single shot basket is SP0001518 and isn't quite as important, you want to stick with the double shot basket for the best results.

I agree. To further explain the double wall stews the taste but produces a better looking shot with more crema and virtually fool proof, no matter what beans are used, the single wall works better for taste but needs fresh roasted high quality beans to produce its magic. In other words you need both basket types.
It is advisable to have extended warranty with any of the appliance machines but it is a positive to see the bambino comes with a two year warranty.
Hope to see a user report in due course.
GOOD LUCK