Chefini Premium Espresso
For the new Brikka users not seeing a good crema production:
It may be a good idea to test your Brikka with Chefini Premium Espresso series.
It was my fortune as the founder of this web site: Bialettishop offered me, for trial, three kinds of the coffee beans that are promoted as the companion to Brikka. As they dare to have the name "Gran Crema", you can expect decent amount of crema when the condition of your Brikka is right and the coffee is fresh, and ground right (*) So, you can use these as the test beans.
Of course, they are not just for testing. They are decent coffee beans although I should be honest (especially because of the fact that I was offered these beans as trial so I can write about them) and say my best is still Java Joe's. Anyways here are my super brief impressions:
Gran Crema Intenso: It produces good amount of crema, of course. Very simple and straight from the first sip to after taste. Bitterness is weak. Low acidity.
Gran Crema Mediterana: Less crema than Intenso (I may be wrong on this..depends on the brewing condition), but still decent crema. This bean has a good body, yet very fine and smooth. Low acidity emphasizes the bitter impression, but actually not too bitter, rather mild. A subtle nutty after taste.
Decaffeinato: Decaf. I am not a fan of decaf coffee, but I tried. Good crema production to my surprise. The taste was simple, but surprisingly good for decaf coffee. Sorry, I don't know how to grade decaf beans. hehehe.
Anyways, try them and let me know what you think :)
* I think, for Brikka, the coffee should be ground slightly coarser than espresso grind. But this really depends on the beans you use.
Posted by DAIGO on Tue, Dec 19, 2006, 23:15 Permalink
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Comments on this post:
Test: I'll let Joe know he's still king!
Posted by WeeDram on Sun, Dec 24, 2006, 10:45
If Joe is the King - Chefini is the Queen:
I have not tried Java Joe窶冱 yet so I can not compare it to Chefini. But I tried Chefini 窶廨ran Crema Intenso窶 and it is absolutely the best that I ever used for the Brikka.
What they do with these Arabica beans is just incredible. It is never bitter but always full body and intense.
Since I prefer cappuccino, I prepare the espresso with the Brikka (2 & 4-cup) and froth my milk with a Frabosk Milano Milk Frother. What I was missing in the past was beans or grounds that still provide you with an intense and full body espresso taste. Even that I use a lot of milk and froth in my cappuccino. I tried so many different roasts and always had the same problem that if the espresso was strong enough, it tasted bitter and if it was not bitter, it tasted not strong enough with the milk. No balance in my cappuccino until I discovered Chefini 窶廨ran Crema Intenso窶 .
It is really great. Even in a large cappuccino you have that very nice espresso taste with a hint of nut but without the bitterness of other intense roasts.
So if Java Joe is still the King 窶 Chefini is definitely the Queen. (and we all know that the queen rules the kingdom).
Best,
Angelo
AngeloPosted by a non-member on Mon, Dec 25, 2006, 11:46
Angelo: Angelo: If at all possible, get some Espresso Adoration beans from Joe. I would be interested in your assessment.
Posted by WeeDram on Wed, Jan 03, 2007, 21:42
I agree with Angelo:
I totally agree with Angelo. I received a Chefini Taster from Bialettishop.com and it is just fantastic. I already reordered the Gran Crema Intenso Beans twice and it feels like a very long search for my perfect bean has finally ended.
Walt
Walt
Posted by a non-member on Thu, Mar 22, 2007, 00:36
This site is powered by the people powered by the good caffeine of the Brikka coffee.
This site is not related to the Bialetti corporation, but we still cheer and love their products!