Can This Be The One?

Can This Be The One?
Originally uploaded by Spinnaker007.

I like caffe mocha, and I have been looking all over for "The" cocoa powder/syrup to my liking.

I was browsing aimlessly at World Market with nothing particular in mind, then I found myself in front of its coffee/hot cocoa section. World Market sure has the impressive cocoa offerings with the name such as Valrhona.

I picked Ghirardelli, so at least I can say that I have tried it, good or bad. However, I didn't have a high expectation initially.

It turns out that Ghirardelli's chocolate mocha is easy to make, mixes well with the espresso and steamed milk, most importantly it has the big dark chocolate flavor.

Thumbs up!

Picasa!

 










Playing around with Google's Picasa. I find it fun and it is pretty fast for loading and shuffling pictures...

Americano.

Americano.
Originally uploaded by Spinnaker007.

Well, the machine is repaired. Shots are being pulled. Milk is stretched and steamed all the time. Where is latte art? I can't pour a decent rosetta with my best effort. My last heart art was merely a fluke.

Some says it is like riding a bike, once you get it, you got it. Clearly, it is not that simple. I keep falling off the bike and all bruised up. Keep trying, I guess...

As for now, licking my wound and drinking Americano...

First Mochaccino!

First Mochaccino!
Originally uploaded by Spinnaker007.

My first mochaccino since my espresso machine went kaput. Thanks for MikeP and another Chicago coffeegeek, Scott, helped me fix my machine. The foam tastes better with cranked up steam pressure. I need to work on the pull and the pour...

Read My Mind BY The Killers.

Operation Espresso.

The eagle has landed, and the replacement is here. The swap has to wait because I managed to yank loose (don’t ask) the springs that support the plate which the water reservoir sits on. I will need to find some new springs and the heat sinking thermal compound paste this weekend before the “Operation Espresso”.

Forza Barista!

Just in case you want to know about the people who make your daily coffee, and the barista competition. (Thanks JimmyO for this find.)

Problem Solved!

I dragged my 50 plus pound espresso machine to Mike’s house yesterday with a hope to find the cause of my failed machine.

Scott, a local coffeegeek showed up to help. With two brilliant minds, they figured out the problem of my machine. They tugged and followed the wires, multimeter tested the components and they determined that the solid state relay (SSR), an electrical switch, had gone bad. It was a great feeling when I heard the heating element roared back to live with a temporary connection.

From my understanding of the issue is that the corrosion around the SSR caused it not able to dissipate heat properly and that ultimately fried the SSR. All I need now is to order a replacement and connecting the wires to the corresponding terminals.

I can smell and taste the sweet espresso already...Guys, thanks for your help...

Cautiously Bullish.

Teaser.
Originally uploaded by Spinnaker007.

I am taking my busted machine to Mike’s place tomorrow and have an open troubleshoot session. Hopefully provided with these two pounds of great beans can entice some local talented coffeegeeks to come out and find just what the heck is wrong with my machine.

Western Regional Barista Competition.

Kyle at the WRBC
Originally uploaded by tonx.

One of my favorite baristi finished a close 2nd place at WRBC last weekend. Kyle G., everybody.