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The Perfect Espresso Shot

The Perfect Espresso Shot

I hate my espresso machine. For the past year-plus, I’ve been using a Krups XP4030 pump espresso machine, which is perfectly fine for occasional use (like Sunday morning lattes to be sipped whilst reading the New York Times), but really doesn’t hold up to daily use. After 10 months of daily use, I had to replace my original machine a couple months back.

I don’t know if it’s me, and the way that I’m grinding my beans, or if it’s the machine itself, but my coffee is either watery, or stupid-bitter strong (could be ground too fine, clogging the basket). No matter what I try, I just can’t seem to get it right anymore, and I used to be the master at this stuff, getting the perfect crema to top off the shot.

It’s not the beans, for the Caffe Ibis Moon Shot espresso roast is one of the better beans I’ve had the extreme pleasure of brewing into not only the perfect espresso shot, but also as a regular drip coffee.

I’d kill for something like the Saeco Primea Touch, but who has $1800 to drop on a coffee-maker for home use, especially these days, considering the state of the economy.

So for now, I’ll keep dealing with my morning frustration, trying on a daily basis to make that perfect shot once again, and creating that perfect froth on my somewhat less than adequate machine … I know it can be done; I’ve done it before, I can do it again. And I’ll continue to browse and explore and research sites like CoffeeGeek.

I refuse to knuckle under and start spending $4.00 a day at Starbucks.