Noob espresso question

baybike

So, I'm new to coffee and my hubby bought me a little gaggia machine which I've recently gotten the hang of(and loving it!)

What I'm wondering though is if it's possible to make an americano(espresso shot with hot water added, right?!) and to put it into a thermos to bring to work with me?
Would the coffee travel well? Would the taste be changed in any way? It'd be in the thermos for about an hour, tops.

And, I'm using Lavazza at the moment but I think Illy is better, am I on the right track with that one?

baybike

Sorry that title was meantt to read 'noob', not noon...coffee must make my fingers move faster than my brain!!:rolleyes:

claiva

should be fine. just make sure you get the volume of hot water right and dont use just boiled water, give it a minute to cool down

baybike

Thanks for that Claiva,
Is there a ratio of expresso to water? This morning I threw in two espresso's and just topped the flask up with water(think it's a 500ml flask) so maybe there was too much water?

the beer revolu

baybike wrote: »

Thanks for that Claiva,
Is there a ratio of expresso to water? This morning I threw in two espresso's and just topped the flask up with water(think it's a 500ml flask) so maybe there was too much water?

That's down to personal taste - the right amount of water is the amount that makes it to your desired strength.

As regarding the coffee, that too is a matter of taste.
Lavazza is a fine coffe - it is quite harsh and there's not much by way of subtlety but some people like that.
Illy is has a more mellow flavour and is quite rounded but some feel it lacks punch.
I'd drink either but if you want really good coffee you gotta get your hands on some good, freshly roasted beans and grind them fresh. The difference ir remarkable! But that means buying a grinder and becoming a little obsessive about you coffee which isn't everybody's cup of tea, so to speak;)

baybike

I'll keep things simple for the minute...another new gadget in the kitchen probably wouldn't go down too well! And could you imagine if I started scrimping on the grocery shopping so I could source good quality beans:rolleyes:they'd be thrown at me, tin and all!!

stimpson

Recently I was down in the sticks for a few days and brought my old Bialetti stove top dealie and a tin of Illy. I ended up buying a brick of Lavazza when I ran out. I'd give Illy the edge, but it may have been down to freshness of the coffee.

Neither beat freshly ground though. hasbean.co.uk get a lot of custom from here and will grind it for you if necessary - at least you know when it has been roasted. And even with postage it works out cheaper than Tescos!