Tuesday, November 03, 2015

Single Cup Baskets for Espresso Extraction?

Single Cup Filter Basket
We get this inquiry every once in a while to use the one cup basket. We think of these baskets as paperweights. Unless you are exclusively using a single cup basket, they are useless.

Most people think you set the coffee grinder to a certain grind setting and dosage of coffee (i.e. 14 grams) for a double cup filter basket and one just needs to cut the amount (dosage) in half for the single cup basket.
Two or Double Cup Filter Basket

This is sooooo untrue! In fact, in almost every case where we tested filter baskets, this is not the case. Either the amount (dosage) AND/OR the grind fineness need to be adjusted. So, it is not as simple as
everyone would conclude. Therefore, we say the single cup is a paperweight as there is a lot of work to convert the grinder settings and dosage amount. This is why the largest coffee shop chain always made doubles and the second spout went to the drain.

The reason to use the 2 cup basket is because there is more coffee to extract a superior flavor profile - one that is much better in taste and mouth feel.

You can see a lot of different filter baskets that 1st-line Equipment offers!

Monday, November 02, 2015

Hundreds of Coffee Varieties?

Did you ever notice a coffee company carry so many different coffees and blends? There are some companies who carry over 100 different or more coffee varieties. How does one expect all those different coffees to be turned over frequently to maintain freshness? Which are their favorites?

At 1st-line Equipment, we carefully select our favorite blends based on our client needs and desires. Not only do we have to like the coffee blend, but it also must meet a need of our clients, based on price, flavor profile, and availability. In addition, we like coffees that turn inventory over faster for freshness. When too many coffee blends are carried, there will always be coffees that go stale.

Our limited selection includes green coffees for home coffee roasters, our own master blended freshly roasted coffees, and select blends from coffee roasters based in Italy. Try some today!

Wednesday, August 05, 2015

Were we espresso machine duped?

ECM in Germany markets their grouphead mushroom in stainless steel versus their competitors who make it in brass with chrome plating. Although the stainless accumulates less limescale build up, the little brass nut with the orifice as shown in the picture below is made of brass. We learned of this when a customer dropped off his ECM Germany Technika espresso machine.

Considering that this little brass nut was not in stainless, were we espresso machine duped?


Grouphead mushroom found on ECM Technika espresso machine

Saturday, May 02, 2015

Learn a Latte with the Orchastrale Nota

Learn a latte with the Orchestrale Nota espresso and cappuccino machine with Ashley! Experience music in the flavor profile and mouth feel in the wonder espresso that can be produced with this espresso machine. In fact, this high performance espresso machine worked well with all our espresso blends, but one, when making espresso, cappuccino and lattes. Currently available in four body style formats in the United States.