Coffee, Tea, Espresso, Cappuccino

[Shandeh]

I LOVE coffee. And I also really love hot tea.

Tonight, I was shopping at my local thrift store, and found a brand new espresso machine for a great price. It was still in the original package, all wrapped up securely, with the owner's manual included.

So, now I'm learning how to make espresso and cappuccino for the very first time. I've watched some how-to videos online, and I'm ready to give it a try.

Do any of you have an espresso machine in your home?
What other coffee or tea beverages do you enjoy making at home?

I have been making hot tea for years, using a simple teapot, covered with a handknit cozy. So, I'm good with that. And I also have a Senseo coffee machine, so I'm experienced at making that as well. This espresso machine is my next adventure. Wish me luck!

[lialab]

I LOVE coffee. And I also really love hot tea.

Tonight, I was shopping at my local thrift store, and found a brand new espresso machine for a great price. It was still in the original package, all wrapped up securely, with the owner's manual included.

So, now I'm learning how to make espresso and cappuccino for the very first time. I've watched some how-to videos online, and I'm ready to give it a try.

Do any of you have an espresso machine in your home?
What other coffee or tea beverages do you enjoy making at home?

I have been making hot tea for years, using a simple teapot, covered with a handknit cozy. So, I'm good with that. And I also have a Senseo coffee machine, so I'm experienced at making that as well. This espresso machine is my next adventure. Wish me luck!

Mmmmmm!! I just made cappuccino coffee this afternoon!! I've had my espresso machine for about a year now. You don't need luck, just time to get use to your machine, and a good coffee grind. I also love jasmine tea, those 2 are my afternoon treat. it is either one or the other depending on how I feel!!
Enjoy!! it is fun to experiment

[Shandeh]

I did it!
You're right, lialab - I just needed to give it a try. No trouble at all.

I made some espresso, steamed some milk, then put it all together in a tall mug. Then, I added some flavoring and some more milk. I didn't name my creation - just enjoyed drinking it.

I've had a decent coffee grinder for a few years, so I was ready to make my espresso fine grind. But, it had a few "chunky" parts in it. I think I need a new grinder. That's next on the list.

Now that I've used the machine once, I feel confident to try different things with it.

[lialab]

I did it!
You're right, lialab - I just needed to give it a try. No trouble at all.

I made some espresso, steamed some milk, then put it all together in a tall mug. Then, I added some flavoring and some more milk. I didn't name my creation - just enjoyed drinking it.

I've had a decent coffee grinder for a few years, so I was ready to make my espresso fine grind. But, it had a few "chunky" parts in it. I think I need a new grinder. That's next on the list.

Now that I've used the machine once, I feel confident to try different things with it.

Latte is fun to make also and it looks amazing

[ladycath]

[quote="Shandeh"]I LOVE coffee. And I also really love hot tea.
So, now I'm learning how to make espresso and cappuccino for the very first time. I've watched some how-to videos online, and I'm ready to give it a try.
Do any of you have an espresso machine in your home?
What other coffee or tea beverages do you enjoy making at home?[quote]

I never acquired a tasted for coffee...my idea of coffee is jamocha almond fudge ice cream
I love tea, good strong English or Irish Breakfast...sweet and white. Since I was in England when I was 7 and 8, I picked up a taste for white tea and I still drink it that way. I also love the Holiday Spice tea from The English Tea Store. Instead of relying on lemon peel like most, they use orange and I like to sweeten it with cinnamon honey.

[Shandeh]

I never acquired a tasted for coffee...my idea of coffee is jamocha almond fudge ice cream
I love tea, good strong English or Irish Breakfast...sweet and white. Since I was in England when I was 7 and 8, I picked up a taste for white tea and I still drink it that way. I also love the Holiday Spice tea from The English Tea Store. Instead of relying on lemon peel like most, they use orange and I like to sweeten it with cinnamon honey.

Ooo, those teas sound tasty! I love good, strong, black tea. English Breakfast, Irish Breakfast, and Earl Gray are my favorites. But, I occasionally have herb tea just before bedtime. I don't care for green tea, though. Haven't tried white tea yet.

[ladycath]

[quote="Shandeh] Ooo, those teas sound tasty! I love good, strong, black tea. English Breakfast, Irish Breakfast, and Earl Gray are my favorites. But, I occasionally have herb tea just before bedtime. I don't care for green tea, though. Haven't tried white tea yet.[/quote]

I have never been able to figure out the passion some have for green tea. I just don't like it. Maybe it comes from being indoctrinated into strong English brews young and even before that it was strong southern 'sweet' tea (the ladies in my family had a tendency to make sweet tea really strong). I have never tried white tea...when I say I like white tea, I mean with milk.

[Shandeh]

Ah! So THAT's what you mean by white tea.
I only added milk to one cup of hot tea, but decided I didn't care for it.

Like you, I drank a lot of sweet southern iced tea when I was growing up. By the gallon!

[ladycath]

Ah! So THAT's what you mean by white tea.
Like you, I drank a lot of sweet southern iced tea when I was growing up. By the gallon!

Of course you did. The south would quit functioning without sweet tea I have never figured out if the true 'opiate' of the south is CokeCola or sweet tea.

[gruvey9]

I like all of the above. I live caramel macchiatos and this time of year I gravitate to chai tea. I have a keurig and I love it but have been thinking about a vue or something with a bigger variety