When Mary-Ann and I come into work and see a new machine sitting on one of our desks, we get pretty excited. Getting to be the first people here at Whole Latte Love to unbox and test a new product is a pretty great thing. This morning, it happened again! As we downed our first cups of coffee, we were told that we would be testing the new Jura-Capresso EC50 espresso machine and telling all of you about it.

Aesthetically, the EC50 is simple and classic. It has no display, a single light, and a single knob. It is utilitarian (which I love). No frills, just solid and sleek with its stainless steel and black body.

Some people take issue with machines with pressurized portafilters but personally, Mary-Ann and I sort of like them. Being new to the business and not being the best at grind settings and tamping, it’s nice to be able to make a solid shot of espresso without having to factor in frequent human error! The EC50 does just that. Regardless of the lack of caffeine in our systems, and the fact that it wasn’t even 9am here yet, we were able to impress ourselves with the amount of crema that came from the shots.

As for the temperature of the shots, you should see the blister on Mary-Ann’s tongue. Despite her saying out loud “Wow, this glass is hot” her cloudy judgment allowed her to sip the piping hot shot which resulted in a pretty humorous dance around the kitchen. The thermo-block heating system (that warms up in less than a minute) made for a nice laugh first thing in the morning.

The EC50 measures up at a whopping (not really whopping at all, actually) 11.5x7.25x10.25 and weighs just 8 lbs. This is one of the smallest machines we have ever used, but still manages to carry an impressive 42 oz of water in its rear mounted reservoir. It lifts out easily for filling with a nifty built in handle to carry to the sink, or the top moves plenty to fill it with a pitcher of water.

Taking after its higher end siblings, the Jura-Capresso EC50 is equally compulsive about being clean. After every brew cycle, the EC50 produces steam to remove any water from the thermo-block water heater, meaning you only have to descale after between 200-300 shots depending on your water.

The powerful frothing wand produces an almost ridiculous amount of steam and pressure given its size. A pitcher of milk is quickly frothed before your shots even have a chance to cool down as the EC50 heats from brew to steam temperature in a matter of seconds. Unlike a typical Pannarello wand, in order to steam your milk you will have to remove the black plastic frothing sleeve and re submerge the metal wand. While it’s not optimal, it really wasn’t a big deal considering the sleeve does come off very easily, and has a small tab so that any heat from the frothing doesn’t bother you.

Just like the when I would beat my older brother in video games, hide and seek, and (later in life) police his grammar, the EC50 takes some of the best traits from its bigger siblings (like my family’s dashing good looks), and puts them into a smaller package (size isn’t everything).

We carry a lot of amazing, top of the line machines here at Whole Latte Love. So it’s easy to be a little jaded when it comes to working with entry level, budget friendly machines. And just like waking up to a fresh snow fall or watching a lightning storm from afar, it’s exciting that there are some fantastic offerings for people who want to share in the joy of the espresso culture, but just aren’t sure that they’re ready to pull the trigger on a big ticket item just yet. Brewing consistently solid shots, giving you more than enough power to froth your milk, and fitting in any kitchen, the Jura-Capresso EC50 is an amazing value from a very well respected company.

When you’re considering the purchase of an espresso machine there certainly is a lot to consider. One detail that has become more popular is the option to have a rotary pump in your espresso machine as opposed to a vibration pump. Rotary pumps are available in a lot of our high end prosumer machines. It is quite often debated which of the two types is better. As with many debates, there are valid arguments in support of both types of pumps and no clear answer as to which is better.

There are a few things to discuss regarding the pump and the first thing discussed is going to be reliability. In order to examine the potential for problems let’s look at how each pump works.

First the Vibration Pump – Vibration pumps utilize oscillation to move a diaphragm which moves the water. A spring piston vibrates back and for the forcing the water through a one way check valve and then to the machine. It is a simple and well designed system. Most vibration pumps are made by Ulka and have had a great track record. The advantages of a vibration pump are as follows

• Much cheaper to replace
• Take very little space
• Will not get damaged if run dry as they are self priming
• Create a natural pre-infusion as they ramp up to pressure
• Less likely for mineral deposits
  
  

Next let’s look at the Rotary Pump – Rotary pumps operate a little differently, utilizing rapidly oscillating vanes inside of a sealed container to push water at high pressure. The pump may also be adjusted to change pressure as well. Lets look at the advantages of a Rotary pump.

• Much quieter
• Ramps up immediately to pressure
• More commercially built
• Designed for higher volume.
• Better suited to plumb in your machine.

That explains the differences in the pumps. The most interesting thing in my opinion is that both will produce excellent shot, there should not be a difference in the quality of the shot based on the pumps. I do think the rotary pump, besides being quieter, is better suited for back flushing your machine. I also think plumbing in your machine and putting a great water softener/filter are the best things you can do for it.

When it comes down to making a purchase, the most important thing is to not really worry so much about the pump but to get the machine you really want. If you want to make great espresso they both work well.

One for All Four Seasons!

Well I am back again! Did you miss me?  So, I recently had the extreme pleasure of getting to play with a brand new La Spaziale S1 Mini Vivaldi II espresso machine.  What can I say? I am spoiled!  I’ve been able to play with a number of prosumer machines like the Rocket R58, the Expobar Brewtus IV-R, the Alex Duetto II, and even the commercial Dalla Corte Mini. It took a lot of begging to get them to bring over the La Spaziale, but I am a completely hands on learner and just had to test it out. Anyone can read a brochure and try to sell a machine, but I take the time to really get to know them.

So, without further ado, my review of this machine. I won’t lie, I had some apprehensions before using this machine: the amount of plastic on the machine, the size of the portafilter, the control for the steam wand. Well these were debunked after I unwrapped the La Spaziale.  The machine is very tastefully built and the plastic wrap jives very well with the design and look of the machine. I wouldn’t mind it at all sitting on my countertop.

As for the portafilter, in most prosumer machines you will find that they feature a 58mm portafilter.  The La Spaziale however, uses a 53mm portafilter.  The theory behind a larger portafilter is that it will pull a better shot because of the increased surface area.  I’ve tested this and I do believe in it.  So why would La Spaziale go with a 53mm?  Well, the design uses the same amount of coffee but allows for a deeper puck. This in turn leads to the water being in contact with the coffee longer allowing for more extraction. You would think this would lead to over extraction and a bitter shot.  Well I am here to say it didn’t and it brewed a beautiful shot of espresso with plenty of mouthwatering crema.

Last but not least, I love my cappuccinos. So of course I fired up the steam wand to froth me some milk. While this machine was able to make great micro foam with its 4-hole steam tip and ample steam pressure; I will say this feature in my opinion needs a bit more refinement. The steam wand has one speed. GO. 

I do prefer the other prosumer models frothing systems which allow complete control over the amount of steam you would like to use. These kinds of machines allow for smaller amounts of milk to be either steamed or frothed. I wouldn’t really call it a total drawback as it still works well and of course this is more of a preference then anything else. If anything, it actually eliminates a variable in your frothing by providing consistent steam pressure.

Before we go, a feature that I really liked that I haven't mentioned yet is the location of the water reservoir. It comes out of the front of the machine. Great idea! In closing it was a great experience using this machine. I would happily suggest the La Spaziale S1 Mini Vivaldi II  to someone who is looking for a great dual boiler machine.  Till next time!

Brewing Espresso – Science or Art? Part One

Could you make brewing espresso a science experiment?  I think you can and should. As with any science experiment, if you can control the variables it is the key to getting what you want in your results. I say why not look at espresso in the same way. In part one I will talk about some of the tools to help you make a great espresso scientifically. In part two, I will discuss some of the equipment that will help.

It is very easy to control variables in the espresso making process especially with all the great equipment and tools available to our customers.  The reason you buy all these great products is because it gives you the ability to create something you like repeatedly.  You should be able to brew a better more consistent espresso then you can get in over 90 percent of the places now currently selling espresso!

That is why we spend all of our hard earned money for great espresso brewing equipment.  We know it gives us the chance of making a great espresso drink 90 percent of the time if we are careful and understand our equipment and methods. This is opposed to the woeful 10 percent chance we have buying it from others.

How can we do this? – Lets start by looking at all the things we can control; and I will point out some products I like that you should consider if you really want to taste great espresso repeatedly.

The amount of coffee used to brew an espresso. This is an easy one, just weigh the amount of coffee you are using. You should always brew with the same amount of coffee. Some people will weigh the coffee before they grind it. This gives them the same amount of coffee each time, but if weighing out each dose of coffee is not your style, then acquire a grinder that weighs the ground coffee dose for you like the Baratza Vario W Coffee Grinder. It will stop grinding at exactly the weight you set. It doesn't get any easier than that!

The amount of water per dose. This can be measured using a variety of methods. Your machine may have programmable cup sizes for volumetric dosing which adjusts the amount of hot water forced through the coffee grounds.  That's the easy way; however, if you have a machine with no cup programming, then use a measuring device to determine how much water you are using. This one works great as it is clearly marked so you know exactly how much you are brewing: Rattleware 3oz Shot Glass Pitcher.

The Tamping pressure – In my opinion this is one of the toughest to do consistently.  One of my favorite products professionally speaking is a calibrated tamper. It enables you to tamp with precisely the same pressure each time.

In a professional coffee shop or at home tamping correctly is one of the hardest skills to master. The key is to tamp using the same amount of pressure repeatedly. We have a tamper, (and I love it!), that will allow you to tamp at thirty pounds of pressure each time. If you get one it will help you be more exact in our science experiment. Here is a link: Espro Calibrated Flat Tamper, (and I really like this product in case you can’t tell!)

In part two we will go into more detail about the equipment and how all of this will get you to the end goal of creating a delicious espresso.

An often asked question from Espresso machine customers comparing features is: “These machines seem the same but this one has a three-way solenoid valve. How does it help?” Well, before my Cappuccino gets cold here is the short and sweet answer. A three-way solenoid valve is a big improvement in an entry level machine. It serves two purposes.

• First, it allows for any excess brewing water to be siphoned out of the portafilter usually into the drip tray. This gives you a drier puck of spent coffee grounds to dispose of. LESS MESS!!!
• Second, it relieves the built-up pressure on the portafilter allowing for quick and easy removal.

You will notice on machines that do not have a three-way solenoid valve to relieve the pressure after brewing, that the portafilter will retain a substantial amount of water. Instead of a dry puck you will get a thick soup of spent grounds. And if you remove the portafilter too quickly that soupy mix may blow out with the relieving pressure. So be prepared for CLEAN UP ON AISLE 3!

Thanks for stopping by and picking up some quick information. I hope it helps in your buying decision. Remember coffee is a passion!

It wouldn't be a stretch to say that I fell in love with Rocket Espresso machines after my dalliance with the Rocket Espresso R58 Dual Boiler machine. So, I was ecstatic this week when two new Rocket Espresso boxes turned up in my office. The Evoluzione V2 machines are the most advanced iterations of Rocket's line of Cellini and Giotto home espresso machines and I could hardly wait to get them out of the box.

For the sake of time, I wound up brewing with only one of the two machines, but that's okay because in terms of internal specs, the Cellini and Giotto are identical, Rocket being so devoted to aesthetics that the only differences between the two machines are purely cosmetic. If I had to choose between the two, I'd have to say that Giotto is the prettier machine in my opinion with all of its smooth edges and unique framework. The trade-off is that the Giotto is a bit wider and a bit more expensive than the Cellini.

I was impressed how quiet the machine was as I started making espresso. One of my favorite features of the Evoluzione V2 machines is a much quieter brewing experience due to the inclusion of a commercial rotary pump. I was happy to see that Rocket Espresso included some goodies along with the machine like a newly designed metal tamper, a microfiber cleaning cloth, and a how-to manual and DVD. There was also a group head brush, but that's not quite as exciting.

Like the Rocket Espresso R58 which uses two boilers to brew and steam, the Evoluzione V2 machines can brew and steam at the same time thanks to their heat exchanger system called a thermosyphon. While I'm not yet confident enough to try it, I'm sure many people will appreciate that capability, and they will be especially thankful for Rocket's patented cool-touch steam wands, which makes steaming safer.

On the topic of steaming, I also un-boxed Rocket's accessory set of four steam tips to play around with. For people like me, who are still getting the hang of manual steaming, experimenting with the variety of tips can be helpful. So if you find that the two-holed steam tips that come packaged with the machines aren't quite to your liking, try a variety of accessory tips. By the way, if you're really daring you might also want to try Rocket's bottomless portafilter.

Taking a look at the workings inside the machines, the Cellini and the Giotto share many similarities with Rocket's new R58 espresso machine. All three are equipped with sensors that shut the machine off if the boiler is dry, they all use the chrome plated brass E-61 brew group, they all come with commercial grade chrome plated brass portafilters, they all use commercial grade Sirai pressure stats, they all use dual pre-infusion systems, they've all got silent rotary pumps, and of course, all three machines come with an on-board water reservoir but are also plumbable to a direct fresh water source.

The boiler is one of the few places where the Evoluzione V2 machines differ from the R58. Whereas the R58 comes equipped with dual 1.7 liter 1400 Watt boilers, the Cellini and Giotto both use 1.8 liter 1200 watt heavy-duty copper boilers that come wrapped in a special heat insulating jacket for increased heat retention and thermal stability.

Really the biggest thing to consider when deciding between the Cellini and the Giotto is which one you think looks better.

The Cellini is more traditional in its shape, with flat sides and rectangular construction. The Giotto on the other hand has angular sides that extend out about half an inch from the main construction but, the base of the machine is the same size as the Cellini. The only real functional difference that results from their body construction is that the cup tray on the Giotto is slightly smaller than the Cellini. Both machines feature a pair of slick black steam and hot water knobs and a pair of black pressure gauges and are cased in stainless steel.

True to their creed, Rocket Espresso has again wrapped commercial quality components in a pair of elegant packages. The Cellini and Giotto Evoluzione V2 are sure to wow anyone in the market for a gorgeous machine with prosumer power.

I constantly get this question from customers: “Why in the world would someone spend thousands of dollars on an espresso machine?” My problem with answering that question is that I worry I will insult the customer by telling them you haven’t had a great shot of espresso until you have used one of the more expensive machines. So I usually just say it’s a status thing.

Well I am going to set the record straight. Say you buy a machine in the $200 to $600 price range, the low end for espresso machines. Yes - you are still going to get a very good shot of espresso. I cannot take that away from the machines in that range. Manufacturers go to great lengths to build low cost machines that will make good espresso, however; someone, whose palette is refined, (spends way too much time drinking espresso such as myself and should think of another hobby), will be able to pick up the subtle brewing differences of different machines.

Let’s examine a couple of the different types of upper level machines. This will help explain why people go nuts and spend the money they do on these machines, instead of the common justification, “well it makes a great cup and I am saving money over going to a name brand place and paying $7.00 for a cup of coffee”.

First you have an HX machine; it typically has a boiler with a heat exchanger feeding the water to the brew-group. These machines excel in one particular area, frothing. You will get great steaming and frothing ability with this type of machine. Who doesn’t love froth that looks like you could build a snow fort out of it? Now with every upside there always is going to be a downside. If everything was perfect in this world we wouldn’t have to make choices. Would the world be that exciting? I don’t think so. With an HX machine you run into an issue of temperature variance. Which means the brew temperature is going to vary. The best way to alleviate that is with a cooling flush. There still will be some variation in temperature but you will make a great shot of espresso. Further an HX with a quality E61 group head can help keep the brewing temperature stabilized. You are going to have one mean shot of espresso to add to a gorgeous cup of cappuccino, latte or a macchiato.

Next up the scale is the dual boiler (DB). I am going to borrow a phrase coined by one of my co-workers. It’s the Cadillac of machines. I get a chuckle out of that statement so I had to use it. I think more like BMW, Mercedes or Range Rover, Lamborghini, Ferrari. I mean really if I was going high-end it wouldn’t be a Cadillac. So let’s take the dual boiler and throw in a E61 group head and PID (proportional–integral–derivative controller) OK-really? Can’t we call this thing what it is? It controls the boiler temperature accurately.

Why is this important? Espresso coffees brew best at a precise temperature and, based on bean properties, they achieve full flavor at temperatures like 198°, 199°, 200°, or 201°. When you’re trying to achieve the pinnacle of brewing espresso, that Unicorn of shots, having precise control over your brew boiler does have an effect on the quality of the shot. With two boilers, you have one for hot water and steaming and the other for brewing with temperature control (If equipped with PID). That Unicorn that you have been chasing becomes a reality. So as before, yes you run into a downside. Well not a complete downside. With the HX, (heat exchanger), machine you have amazing frothing capabilities but lose a bit of control on the shot. With a DB, (double boiler), you have amazing control over the shot and you lose a bit on the side of frothing. It still does a great job of frothing and it can brew and froth at the same time. It just will lack the power of the HX has for steaming.

Don’t feel bad if you bought the $200.00 machine. You are still going to love it and get many great shots of espresso. Everyone has to start somewhere. You might find that you are happy never upgrading. Or you might catch the bug and find you really want to get amazing frothing capabilities or you are looking for the Unicorn of shots. That perfect créma that just melts in your mouth.

Justify it however you want, “you are trying to save money over the coffee shops”, “it is more convenient in the morning”. But really, why do people spend that crazy amount of money? Coffee is a passion. It is a hobby. Think of something you accomplished in your life and the feeling that it gave you. Now take a machine that gives you the capabilities to perform like a Barista. Close your eyes. Place yourself in front of that machine. Make the perfect frothed milk and combine it with that perfect shot. Take a sip of the drink and marvel at just how amazing it really is. It reminds you of the smells and taste of your favorite coffee shop. You begin to smile and get that tingling feeling. Now you understand why people spend the money they do. It’s for the love of coffee.

To me, there's something really special about plumb-able machines. They represent a commitment to making the espresso machine a permanent part of your home and a part of your life, in addition to being a homage to the dedication of the people who make them.

All of this of course rings true with the new Rocket Espresso R58 Espresso Machine. Stylish, and superbly functional, the Rocket Espresso R58 was the perfect way to kick off my foray into the world of semi-automatic espresso machines.

I'll start by saying that the Rocket Espresso R58 is by no means a lightweight. At a solid 64lbs, it took a bit of muscle to get it out of the box. Once I had it on the counter I was able to fully appreciate just how good looking a machine it really is. The team at Rocket Espresso cut no corners when it came to the aesthetics of the R58, literally. Every edge has been rounded and curved, giving the machine a very smooth and streamlined look. From the robust steam valve emblazoned boldly with the signature Rocket R, to the precision Swiss pressure gauges, the machine is a testament to the enduring allure of Italian design. I rapidly became very fond of its old world charm.

I had the opportunity to talk to Whole Latte Love's resident Rocket expert Todd, who explained to me a bit about the R58's mechanics. The Rocket Espresso R58 was highly anticipated as it is the first Rocket espresso machine with dual boilers, and it utilizes the unique PID temperature monitoring system that gives the user the actual temperature inside of the boiler instead of a calculation. This allowed Todd to show me how to program the machine to the optimal temperature for the coffee we were drinking. The R58 is programmed via a peripheral digital display that connects to the side of the machine, so as not to ruin its classic charm.

For an in-depth look at the machine's insides, you can follow the link here.

This time around, Todd recommended I try brewing with some Klatch Coffee House whole bean espresso, which I used to make myself a cappuccino. As someone who typically does all of his frothing automatically with the handy Nespresso Aeroccino Plus, I was happy that the steam tip was designed with two large holes that let me froth milk quickly. It was very easy to find the sweet spot in the pitcher, and the micro foam I was able to produce made all the difference in the quality of my drinks.

Elegant design features and advanced functionality make the Rocket Espresso R58 Espresso Machine an attractive choice for someone looking to buy at the prosumer level.

I have always been fascinated by machines and have come to appreciate painstaking workmanship and carefully engineered and tested designs. Finding the very best quality design and craftsmanship at a reasonable cost in an espresso machine can be a daunting task. In some cases the beauty and quality is only skin deep and doesn’t extend beyond the polished metal finish, as the structure and type of components can be affected by the manufacturers desire to be cost competitive.

In a quest to find a really good espresso machine one must first think about what makes a great shot of espresso. Clean water, correctly ground beans, careful preparation of the grounds and very precise control of the brew-water temperature and brewing dwell-time along with plenty of steam for milk drinks. Once you find a machine that will help you meet the criteria for great espresso you are well on the way to being a gratified espresso machine owner. And in the case of the class of machines known as semi-automatic it comes down to filtering the water, and controlling water temperature, pressure, volume, and dwell-time for brewing and making steam for milk additions.

The best of breed for controlling water temperature for both brewing and steaming are machines with dual boilers. One boiler is dedicated to making a large volume of hot water and steam for making americanos and frothing and heating milk for lattes and cappuccinos. The second, and by the nature of its job, smaller boiler is dedicated to producing precisely temperature-controlled water for brewing shots of espresso. With this dual boiler plumbing arrangement many features can be added to keep critical temperature needs monitored and controlled.

Thinking about these facts I admire two machines in this class, the Breville BES900XL Dual Boiler and the LaSpaziale Mini Vivaldi II Espresso machines. Both machines have programmable controls and pay very careful attention to the brew temperature. Breville as a manufacturer has earned consumer respect for producing very high quality appliances for the home, and the Breville espresso machine is a modern sleek looking design with a great deal of carefully engineered features under the skin. LaSpaziale has a respected Italian heritage, commercial quality components, and very good craftsmanship. And by looking at buyer reviews of the LaSpaziale it is clear that it has a rock solid reputation for steady performance and a growing fan base.

When you get ready to become an espresso machine owner and avail yourself of great coffee drinks either at home or in the office, it would be worth your effort to take a careful look at both of these machines and to compare them to any others in their class.

What I Like About This Machine:

Compact Design – The machine is small in stature but great for making espresso. It is only 12 inches tall and 8 inches wide. It should fit in just about any size kitchen. The Saeco Aroma is almost small enough to travel around with or bring to a small intimate dinner gathering.

Pressurized Portafilter - This is the key to what makes this machine so easy to use. It allows you to use just about any grind and still produce a pretty good espresso. The portafilter allows you to build up the pressure to 9 bars before the coffee is allowed to flow. This means that the portafilter is creating all the pressure for you to extract an espresso. In my opinion, the Aroma has been built to be kind to newbie’s. Almost anyone should be able to brew a satisfying espresso with this machine.

Easy controls – The controls are very simple. You have an easy to find on/off switch. You also have two buttons – one for activating the steam, another button to brew with and a steam knob on top of the machine to start and stop the steaming.

Stainless Steel Boiler – This is one of the few machines in this price range that has a stainless steel boiler. This is important to many people and it also helps keep your boiler form building up mineral deposits. This type of boiler can help improve the longevity of your machine.

What I Would Change:

Portafilters- It would be nice if you could also use a non pressurized portafilter. Many semi-automatic machines offer the ability to use a pressurized or non pressurized. The Aroma only offers the pressurized version.

Pannarello Wand – You may want to get a Gaggia Latte Art Pannarello wand. This will fit on the Saeco and give you much more control over the steaming of your milk. You will be able to create perfect latte milk with some practice. The Panarello wand that comes with it will make great cappuccino foam but may struggle with Latte milk.

Recommended User:  This machine is great for people just getting in to their first espresso machine or for people that have limited counter space. It can work in a small apartment to a vacation home quite well.  I could even see it on a RV or a boat. The nice thing is with a little care and good soft water the Aroma should be a good friend for a long time.