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Post by MartinT on Jan 25, 2016 21:45:03 GMT
I couldn't give a toss what 'purists' would do. I've been in Italy enough to know that you can't get a proper Americano, all they give you if you ask for a large one is a double espresso. I despair of getting a good coffee there. Now, Belgium is different and great coffee is in abundance. Proper, tasty Americano with great rich flavour and no effin' bitterness. What I don't want is what they use to surface the M3 with!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2016 21:51:55 GMT
Black and rich I like, but not bitter. To me, Starbucks is horribly bitter and not smooth at all. It could all be differences in preferred taste, then. Costa make an almost perfect Americano. I do not like espresso and don't see the point of a single shot of acrid nastiness. Hmmm, Costa make a weak flavourless Americano coffee IMO, I think you have answered your own conundrum by describing an espresso as acrid nastiness Martin  Purists would turn in their graves at that observation and I'm sure my coffee would be far too robust for you and you wouldn't like it. What does surprise me though is you like those chemically acrid shockers Milicano and Azera whatever they are called. Those really are nasty laboratory manufactured abominations, that bear no resemblance to real coffee. Truly awful. (that's what I didn't say first time around . . . haha) I think what you are missing here is that not everyone 'tastes' things in exactly the same way ... some (for instance) are particularly sensitive to the sulphur content of foodstuff and experience high sulphur content foods, like sprouts, as extremely unpleasant - this is a physiological not psychological response. Also can't agree that 'purists' would necessarily side with you on this having worked with a few who could vehemently disagree on simple topics such as 'the best bean'. At home my favourite is a Costa Rica bean sourced from a local roaster, brewed strong and probably acrid to most people's taste, even as a cappuccino, but I would definitely choose Costa above Starbucks even though it is a 'smoother' brew. I have never had a cappuccino from the former I didn't like - and never had one from the latter that I found remotely tolerable; simply because I find it overbearingly bland |
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Post by MartinT on Jan 25, 2016 21:57:34 GMT
When I ask for a coffee I do not want an espresso. That's why I ask for Americano despite disliking the term. It's the right dilution of bean to water for me.
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Post by Tim on Jan 25, 2016 22:12:55 GMT
Haha, guys I'm just yanking Martin's chain, which I'm sure he realises  I do like sprouts mind you. |
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Post by MartinT on Jan 26, 2016 6:26:30 GMT
No problem, Tim! I love sprouts!! I dropped into my local Costa (a nice spacious one just down the road, despite being called a Drive-in) last night and had another Americano with Old Paradise No. 11 bean. I quite like it, a bit more chocolatey. Nectar at the end of a long day |
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Post by Tim on Jan 26, 2016 7:10:58 GMT
There is a Costa downstairs in the Premier Inn I'm staying at. I've walked past it 4 times now, but not put my hand in my pocket yet
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Post by MartinT on Jan 26, 2016 7:16:55 GMT
They have good wi-fi if you have an O2 account. Sometimes 30 mins in peace with a good coffee and catch-up with the news is perfect.
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Post by Tim on Jan 26, 2016 7:55:45 GMT
Agreed, but a shame you can't get a good coffee in a Costa |
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Post by MartinT on Jan 26, 2016 10:42:59 GMT
That's a matter of opinion. Sounds like you drink it thick and strong. Not for me  Reminds me of working with the British Army in Germany, living in Sergeants' quarters. They liked to drink Gin and Tonic. Now, I love a good G 'n T but they spoiled it by putting too much gin in. They thought they were rewarding me with a mighty drink but they didn't understand that it ruined the delicate balance between the gin and the tonic. It has to be just right to achieve that superb resonance. There's balance in everything! |
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Post by Tim on Jan 26, 2016 12:15:54 GMT
Haha, balance eh? You're just a light weight |
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Post by MartinT on Jan 26, 2016 12:49:02 GMT
Yes, that's me |
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Post by Tim on Jan 29, 2016 14:57:50 GMT
Well here's an interesting find. Continuing my taste testing I had an Americano in Starbucks yesterday, but I'm in Thailand. I was expecting it to be the same, but it wasn't, far from it actually. It was weak and wishy-washy and not hot enough either, but the main thing was how flavourless it was and much like a Costa strength wise. That was a surprise and I'm sure glad I brought my own beans and a grinder |
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Post by ChrisB on Jan 29, 2016 17:28:04 GMT
Well, you wouldn't want to end up like yer man Muddy, would you?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2016 11:29:02 GMT
I couldn't give a toss what 'purists' would do. I've been in Italy enough to know that you can't get a proper Americano, all they give you if you ask for a large one is a double espresso. I despair of getting a good coffee there. Now, Belgium is different and great coffee is in abundance. Proper, tasty Americano with great rich flavour and no effin' bitterness. What I don't want is what they use to surface the M3 with! I know what you mean Martin, went to my local Volvo dealer yesterday and they have one of these relly posh Nesspresso machines. The Americano did taste like M3 road tar, with perhaps a hint of M4 elevated section and an aftertaste of local road gritstone. Went to the local Italian deli after for a coffee and a nata |
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Post by MartinT on Jan 30, 2016 12:21:52 GMT
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Post by Tim on Jan 31, 2016 10:33:54 GMT
The only thing posh about a Nespresso machine is the price. Dreadful coffee, dreadfully expensive and environmentally wasteful and that's before you get to the fact it's a Nestlé product
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Post by ChrisB on Jan 31, 2016 10:38:15 GMT
Environmentally wasteful? Not arf!
I once went to meeting about sustainable procurement and was offered coffee from one of those abominations!
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Post by MartinT on Jan 31, 2016 10:43:05 GMT
Yes, Nespresso are nasty.
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Post by DaveC on Jan 31, 2016 11:19:07 GMT
At Mercedes Exeter they have a machine that grinds the beans whilst you wait, and then makes it for you. Then you can sneak an extra espresso to top it up !
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2016 15:32:48 GMT
Just had myself a lovely large Decaf Latte from Costa and it was indeed lovely |
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Purists would turn in their graves at that observation and I'm sure my coffee would be far too robust for you and you wouldn't like it.
