David,
You are so-o-o right. I've been able to find a few good beans here in the
U.S. but never a really good cup of espresso (sometimes at home it all comes
together). And the ristretto "always" gets 'em. (BTW, it is also interesting
ordering risotto.)
We've never met but it would be good to have a cup and conversation some
time.
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-----Original Message-----
From: david west [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2002 3:14 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: good espresso
Ruth
To each their own.
If, as so many Americans, you define 'anywhere' as
being contained within the borders of the United
States of America, then I suspect that you may be
close to being correct when you state that:
> There is NO SUCH THING as GOOD Expresso
> ANYWHERE!!!!!!
For good espresso, you need the following items:
1) Freshly roasted coffee beans (not freeze-dried or
vacuum-packed), preferably within the past 48 hours,
but up to a week is acceptable.
2) A barista (the person using the espresso machine)
who has been trained in the making of coffee in the
Italian tradition.
It has been my experience that one has very little
chance of finding good espresso anywhere in the US,
the UK, or northern Europe. Forget Asia or Africa.
Don't know about South America (never having travelled
there). Here in Australia, there are isolated
locations where good espresso is attainable.
Of course, for those that are really into coffee, then
I strongly recommend a 'ristretto'. My way of
assessing the quality of a cafe's coffee is by asking
for a ristretto. If the waiter doesn't know, and the
coffee-making person looks puzzled, forget it, and
look for somewhere else.
Come summertime, and an affogado is another luscious
approach ... a shot of espresso over a scoop of good
quality icecream. Just thinking of it is enough to
remind me of yesterday afternoon's diversion.
There are few things as wonderful as very good coffee.
Although I must confess, that a glass of Baileys in
the evening is pretty good too.
Cheers
david
(enjoying summer in Sydney, although the bushfire
smoke is a bit of a problem)
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