The secret of a great cup of espresso coffe

[castellano]

I just came from a short vacation in Madrid, I was surprised every bar in Madrid serves
espresso coffee all day long. I stopped every morning in El Palentino,
a bar in calle Pez (Fish street), which was close to my apartment, where dozens of students
where having the first cup of coffee before going to class. The aroma coming out from
the place called my attention the first day, the place was not very appealing from the
outside, but the aroma of espresso coffee and the youth surrounding the entrance made
me walk inside without thinking. The bar is attended by Antonio, whose in his 'almost 70'
has been in the business for more than 40 years. I asked him about his secret
for this great coffee, the taste and the aroma, and he told me, I have been using the
same brand of coffee for 30 years now, but the real difference is in the espresso machine!

For a great cup of espresso coffee needs the water's pressure and the water's temperature are of critical importance. The same with tea.
I have been using La Pavoni, La Spazialle, and even La Cimbali, and they worked fine, but after a few years, got problems. The last 10 years, my coffee brand, brought me this one, Marcfi Automatic M990 Control D. It has been a great change. It turns on and off automatically, refills water, adjusts pressure and temperature, etc, and as I tell you, after 10 years I don't have to worry about anything else, just to have enough cups for 'my students' and clients! And then, it brewers the best espresso coffee in Madrid. Don't you smell it ?
Marcfi is my secret for a great coffee !


So you know, if stop in Madrid don't forget to have a espresso coffee in El Palentino. They have a facebook profile.

 

[shadow745]

I do agree that the espresso machine is quite important, but don't leave out the grinder, FRESH coffee and skill as being equally important. More often than not people think if they have good equipment it all falls into place and that isn't the case.

 

[jeniferselly]

Coffee

I like Espresso coffee made from fresh beans but i love cappuccino more.

 

[Corvuscoffee]

Shadow, just wanted to second this! The grinder is, debatably, 90% of the "good" in good coffee- especially espresso! What I tell customers who are asking about coffee brewers is to make a budget, then spend about 90% of that budget on the grinder. Coffee is basically a solution of sorts (infusion/solution) and if you were to ask another type of professional who makes solutions for a living ( chemists) they will tell you that to ensure a proper solution you need correct temperature, pressure, but also a well distributed solute (coffee grounds).Love discussions like this!Phil

 

[ElPugDiablo]

Add vst baskets to the list.

 

[devsmith]

I just love the fresh bean Espresso coffee, and kind of addicted to it along the day with my work. Loved your article. Pretty researched i would say.

 

[eldub]

I'm not sure what the best espresso in madrid has to do with hawking the machine the guy uses at home.