28/09/2007 by andrew.

Coffee drinking just gets better and better - now I discover that Italian scientists have reported that - “Drinking coffee protects against an eyelid spasm that can lead to
blindness, a study suggests. Italian researchers looked at the coffee
drinking and smoking habits of 166 people with blepharospasm”.
This has been reported in the journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, not my normal evening read but as I down my umpteenth cup of espresso today I can relax in the knowledge that I have reduced my chances of my eyelids twitching- i suppose to compensate for any other twitching brought on by my excess’ of caffeine!

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28/09/2007 by andrew.

Verde Coffee are pleased to announce their brand new web site just launched. As business progresses and we sell a greater range of products we have found you have to look continually to see if you are doing justice to your customers.

After a lot of searching we choose a fantastic program - ZEN CART. This is an open source product  -ie free. I am  a recent convert to this type of software - we were not adverse to paying but I think you get more from open source -an active community who are building on the existing framework all the time so you are not waiting for paid updates but can pick and choose what module to add when you want.

After trawling through a lot of comments -both negative and positive we came to the conclusion it was the best solution for us -I would say you need an in-house ‘expert’ or equivalent as the options and modifying can be complex -it is not a total out of the box solution but really that is part of is appeal -you can custom build.

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19/09/2007 by andrew.

After reading some current comments on barrista blogs the question is which is the best espresso machine I should preface that by with the word ‘commercial’ -domestic machines are a totally different subject.

I think the main discovery over the past few years is how small temperature difference alter the quality of your cup of coffee -and the temperature that you make your coffee depends on the blend!

At the cheaper end of the market a coffee machine will have a fluctuating temperature -it will start off at 97 [too high ] and then as you draw more coffees off drop too 82 during busy periods or lower in stages -somewhere in that range you will suddenly perceive a dramatic increase in the quality of the coffee - but because you can’t control the heat this is momentary.

Whats the answer?

Well there are too my knowledge two machines on the market that can help you make the perfect cup of espresso -the V6 espresso machine [declare an interest -we sell it ] and the Della Corte.

Both are lovely machines enabling the temperature to be controlled to fine parameters -+/- 1 degree but the Della Corte temperature has too be changed by an engineer - so each time you change your coffee or blend you have that cost whilst the V6 can be altered by the owner.

And perhaps the most important -the V6 is sensibly priced and has the longest warranty - 5 years.

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18/09/2007 by andrew.

So which do you choose? Bean 2 Cup or Traditional Espresso Machine. In my opinion there is only one answer but let me preface that with some explanation.

Outlets are drawn to the Bean to Cup machines because of ease of use, you don’t have to train staff to steam the milk, fill and tamp the coffee handle or then make the coffee. BUT they miss the point - what you save on staff training on making coffee you more than make up on cleaning -and this is where the Bean to Cup coffee machine bites back!

Most traditional espresso machines are very reliable, easy and cheap to maintain -Bean to Cup are not -a service contract will cost you twice the price [or more ]

Despite what some people think to train someone to use a coffee machine is not such a burden but if you feel training is an issue then lack of training on a bean 2 cup will leave you without coffee and an expensive bill.

Why is this? Mainly because machines are not designed to take our high fat milk and milk frothers are prone to block up and malfunction within a short time.

So my advice is buy a Traditional, pay less, produce more coffees per day, have lower maintenance cost and a longer working life.

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17/09/2007 by andrew.

Quick answer is yes most espresso machines do not need main pressure as they have either built in or external rotary pumps.

These will creat a pressure of around 8.5 bar for making coffee.

But be carefull - big tip is do not run the tank dry. Pumps are wet run and will jam if there is no water and or get an air lock.

Another tip is too get a one way valve on the end of the hose in the water tank, this will ensure the hose remains full [ie the water does not drain back into the tank so the pump always runs wet. Get a valve that opens easily - test by blowing through it - all you should need is a gentle blow! 

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17/09/2007 by andrew.

I would like to open a competition for the most stupid local council - I believe that Cardiff County Council has to be striding out front.

We have the most expensive car parks except London in the UK - standard is 70 per 1/4 hr- it was recently 70p hour.

We also have this wonderfull idea that if sport is being played in Cardiff all drinks - even non -alcoholic drinks have to be served in a plastic container -so a bottle tin of say coke or lemonade has to be decanted into some ridiculous plastic container - no supporting the environment and what a waste of time -remember we have / or had until recently the highest paid Chief Exec in the Uk -the man is provong his monies worth.

There’s always a place for such people in the ” ministry of silly walks “

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06/09/2007 by andrew.

I watched Freddie Mercury last night on channel 4 -much missed showman giving his all in Brazil - a recording from the recent past. A great singer and performer much missed by many - I walked up cromwell road soon after his passing past his house and read some of the very moving graffetti left by bereft fans.

Too wake up this morning to hear that Pavrotti had died is terrible news!
We all have a limited time in this ‘mortal coil’ but somehow these guys tend to fade away… [as the Stones once said!]
As a light opera fan I am sure many will agree that he will be sorely missed!

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04/09/2007 by andrew.

Does the water temperature on your coffee machine make a difference - well yes it does. Commercial espresso machines rely on heat exchangers to produce about 95degrees. This can vary depending on how busy you are and the quality of the coffee machine.

The more we experiment with different coffees the more we taste the difference with temperature.
The problem you have when i convince you that there is a big difference is how do you alter it?

I am aware of only three models on the market offering you the option, the V6 espresso machine [ i declare an interest - we sell it!]the Della Corte or the La Spaziale - all premium priced machines but what a difference with quality!

You though have to make up your mind- is it worth the extra money?

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03/09/2007 by andrew.

Whilst I am a coffee addict i think claiming that it will also keep you slim is taking the whole thing a bit too far - still you know what they say about fools and their money? See the rubbish here.
Perhaps i am too cynical?

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