O.K. We’ve had this machine maybe 5 minutes or so (minus the set up time, and unpacking, which didn’t really take all that long and kind of had a life of its own after a few seconds), and we are now experts. The unpacking took the longest. We also bought a Mazzer Mini and some odds and ends. Frankly, the boxes should have come with a pop up popcorn alert or something. We are green people, totally. Not really, it’s just an idea. So, to get back to the point, we have just made the best cup of coffee that we have ever made in our house. Even though we have moved a few times, it still counts. To think that it could and probably will get better is mind-boggling. We don’t know anything about this “barista” stuff, since we started out on a stove top, moved to a $49.99 Christmas Special, which kind of made hot water (we got screwed, but Maria never complained, what a lady), and then moved quickly through some step-ups (who remembers what), then a couple of Gaggia’s (Oh my god, were these things demanding or what, I mean who is the Barista, him or us?) After a long period of frustration, maybe 20 years or so, and having lost our minds and taste buds along the way, we went the Super Automatic route. This is where our marriage ran in to problems. I thought the coffee was great. My wife just rolled her eyes and took a silent 5th amendment, whenever the subject came up. She was not Impressad. In short, I am the kind of person who thinks he knows everything but is still humble, of course, so it took a few years before I figured out that the reason why I liked this coffee was because it was “easy.” You made it. It made you. After a while, I fell in love with the machine but the coffee sucked. Even I knew that. Feeling guilty over the whole thing, I sprung for the Brewtus III-V. Coincidentally, soon after we ordered the machine, we were in a restaurant in NY City (Brooklyn, actually) and they had an Expobar machine, and even I had to admit that it was good. Maria thought it was good but it could have been hotter. Our non-paying guests (please don’t be offended if you read this) sided with me (well, maybe I’m making this part up, I mean, the part about them siding with me), but who knows, maybe Maria is just unlucky and got a cold cup. O.K., so like now, I want to become a Barista. It sounds sooooo interesting. If one needs just one more compulsion, this is certainly it. Maria is kind of relaxed on the whole issue (she was the one that made “the best cup of coffee that we have ever had in our house),” but I see this as an opportunity to buy more gadgets and to become a mad scientist. Ah! This is the fun of it. I don’t want to sound snooty or anything but the coffee is kind of incidental! My question is, do you need a special helmet to make a good espresso? O.K., moving on, and we’ve got a long way to go, but to make it short, we just had the best Cappuccino that we have ever had in our house. I didn’t make it, but I supervised. What a machine. One more question, there is no mention of a “Baristo,” so does that mean my wife has to make the espresso all the time or just clean up, afterward? We feel so lucky, but so as not to press it, we are paying special attention to the water we use. Oh, yes! Look out for our full length YouTube video, titled, “Et tu can make real espresso with the Brewtus III-V!” |
