Question regarding Crema

[Honu-Hugger]

This is NOT off topic, given the largest thread on this forum is "Camera and Coffee" 😀!!!
How do I get consistent crema? Same coffee, same grind; from one cup to the next the crema will be inconsistent (ranging from none to great -- great usually in my wife's cup where it goes unappreciated and destroyed with foam, none usually in mine...). With all of the fine coffee I have seen here someone must be able to help.

Also, does anyone else have the problem with static electricity when they open the lid on their grinder? Mine will shoot grounds across the counter top unless I zap it first with the Zero-Stat gun -- this looks a little bizarre to guests 🙂.

These are the things that are on my mind this fine Monday morning; wishing everyone a good week ahead!!!

 

[Honu-Hugger]

Does the grinder have a metal top/lid?

Plastic, it is hinged.

 

[captainslack]

Never have any problems with my grinder & static electricity. Of course, mine is made of plastic.

Ever tried a french press? Makes the best coffee ever!!!

 

[Todd.Hanz]

It's been a while but I used to get pretty good crema from a cheap espresso maker, the consistency varied based on how tightly the grounds were packed and how fine the grind was, finding the right combination was like perfecting development times (now I just pay 17.50 for a triple espresso at starbucks and call it a day 😉 ).

Good luck,
Todd

 

[jan normandale]

Hi Honu … (please excuse the familiarity , honuhugger just sounds so formal) Check this link and the links in the article. It should get you started on the right track. From there you can adjust to your own taste. These people are great and I have dealt with them on previous occasions.

Jan

http://www.wholelattelove.com/articles.cfm?articleID=32


BTW take the grinder into the dealer and tell them there is an electric shock hazard. They will deal with it.

PS got any pix of the flying grounds???

 

[denishr]

(now I just pay 17.50 for a triple espresso at starbucks and call it a day 😉 ).

17.50 for a triple espresso?!!!

Eeeeeek!

Does it come with 24-carat gold mixed in? 😉

Denis

 

[oftheherd]

Never have any problems with my grinder & static electricity. Of course, mine is made of plastic.

Ever tried a french press? Makes the best coffee ever!!!

OK, so it's a matter of taste. But, Cafe Cao Nguyen in a french press does make a really good cup of coffee to my tastes. Some of the other Vietnamese coffees are also very nice in a french press. Even Cafe Du Monde is OK. Just as good, I think, as the Vietnamese aluminum or stainless steel drip coffee makers. And it doesn't get cold waiting for it to drip as sometimes happens. Especially with the SS drippers. Just my take on it. As I said, a matter of taste. But nice to see others (who obviously also have good taste 🙂 ) also enjoy it that way.

Have you tried one of the Vietnamese coffees on that rascal bmattock? 😀

 

[hoot]

For fluffy crema, use a soft focus coffee filter. However, make sure it doesn't protrude into the opening in your espresso machine, or it will cause considerable vignetting on the rim of your coffee cup. As for the static - if you're using a one-shot espresso, decrease stirring to once a minute.

 

[f/stopblues]

Hey Honu, your crema shouldn't be varying that much between shots if you're doing things consistantly, such as the same tamp pressure (should be about 30lbs of force. push on your bathroom scale til it hits 30lbs and see how that feels.) and the consistancy of the size of grounds also. The golden rule is two shots brewed over 20-25 seconds. If it's taking longer or shorter amounts of time your crema won't come out.

Past all that, if everything is the same I'd say its the pump on your machine. If the water isn't being pushed through the grounds at the same pressure every time it'll vary the crema. You should be able to spot that by having inconsistant times though.

I hope that helps a little! I looove me a good espresso 🙂

Chris

 

[captainslack]

Have you tried one of the Vietnamese coffees on that rascal bmattock? 😀

No. In fact, I haven't tried Vietnamese coffee myself! I have tried Cafe Du Monde and that will put hair on your chest. 😉

 

[f/stopblues]

Wait, are we talking about espresso or does regular coffee have crema too?? I'm an espresso fiend, not so much on regular coffee.

 

[jan normandale]

Wait, are we talking about espresso or does regular coffee have crema too?? I'm an espresso fiend, not so much on regular coffee.

viennese style coffee makers (single cup/filter drip)into a single pour pot will deliver a faint crema around the rim of the cup. Thats the only other way I've seen it and it 'ain't' no espresso!

 

[oftheherd]

viennese style coffee makers (single cup/filter drip)into a single pour pot will deliver a faint crema around the rim of the cup. Thats the only other way I've seen it and it 'ain't' no espresso!

Well, no, it ain't. Nor is it intended to be. It is just a good coffee (depending on individual taste) the flavor of which stands on its own. It is also the only coffee to my taste that can be served iced and taste good. Espresso does't do a lot for me (taste?), but then, I have probably never had a really good espresso either.

 

[Honu-Hugger]

Hi Honu … (please excuse the familiarity , honuhugger just sounds so formal) Check this link and the links in the article. It should get you started on the right track. From there you can adjust to your own taste. These people are great and I have dealt with them on previous occasions.

Jan

http://www.wholelattelove.com/articles.cfm?articleID=32


BTW take the grinder into the dealer and tell them there is an electric shock hazard. They will deal with it.

PS got any pix of the flying grounds???

Thank you for the link (pulling it up now). Do you really think the static is related to an electrical fault? I asssumed it was the grinding action and the plastic...hmmm. The flying grounds probably could be photographed -- they'll go at least a foot or two!

Alright -- I'm going to zero on the grind setting first, timing it as suggested in the link. Fortunately a Zeiss Tenax II came in the mail this morning so the coffee can serve a dual purpose 😀.

G-Man: thank you for the ground wire tip -- I'll try that, too.

 

[oftheherd]

No. In fact, I haven't tried Vietnamese coffee myself! I have tried Cafe Du Monde and that will put hair on your chest. 😉

Yes, and many Vietnamese I have known, who can't get a Cafe Cao Nguyer or some such like it. I don't mind it, but don't prefer it. Perhaps it is the chickory.

 

[jaapv]

There is -for me- but one excellent coffee and crema that is fit to go with a rangefinder: A (fully manual) La Pavoni Europiccola with Lavazza Crema & Aroma coffee. :angel: :angel:
The only drawback: it will take about a year to learn to get it right 🙁 (again, just like a RF)

 

[Little Prince]

HH, didn't you get a Tenax II in the mail like a month ago?

 

[Honu-Hugger]

HH, didn't you get a Tenax II in the mail like a month ago?

Perhaps...the last Tenax II item that came was a 27mm Orthometar lens and finder which prompted an immediate "Camera and Coffee" shot 😀 (I love that thread -- it's nonsensical and relevant). This Tenax has the 40/2.8 Tessar.

 

[jan normandale]

There is -for me- but one excellent coffee and crema that is fit to go with a rangefinder: A (fully manual) La Pavoni Europiccola with Lavazza Crema & Aroma coffee. :angel: :angel:
The only drawback: it will take about a year to learn to get it right 🙁 (again, just like a RF)

the Pavoni is a great little home espresso machine to truly 'pull' an espresso. Lavazza is a great product too.

Jan

 

[jan normandale]

Well, no, it ain't. Nor is it intended to be. It is just a good coffee (depending on individual taste) the flavor of which stands on its own. It is also the only coffee to my taste that can be served iced and taste good. Espresso does't do a lot for me (taste?), but then, I have probably never had a really good espresso either.

Hi 'of the herd' .... an apple is not an orange either , I think you misinterpreted my comment. I meant simply the discussion was about espresso not another coffee style. Personally I love just about any style of coffee , Viennese is great especially 'mit schlag'

jan