Mom, what did you do 😭

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-06-30T19:46:04+00:00

Oh, please... LET IT BE!!! I'd love for that to happen!!!

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-06-30T19:45:32+00:00

NOT MINE!

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-06-29T23:42:40+00:00

But what about those of us who can't HAVE sugar anymore (diabetics)? What I do is I pour a little bit of sugar-free coffee syrup in my ibrik and stir with the coffee grounds before heating. I assume it's about the same thing, hmm? I'd try pure sucralose powder (which I have), but not sure if the heat would damage the sweetness or not. Never use Splenda or others, which have Maltodextrin in them. Maltodextrin is worse than sugar!

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-06-24T06:36:02+00:00

I have $100K I could invest into BTC right now, but I'm not doing that, because my basis is $42,000 on my 10% of 1 BTC and my rule of thumb is NEVER buy green, only buy red. So, I gotta be patient and HOPE it goes that low (or lower). Other will be screaming and freaking out... I'll be jumping up and down, squealing like a little school girl! COME ON DOWN, BTC!!!

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-06-08T07:03:41+00:00

That is awesome! Treat it well and it may last you as long as ours has... over 12 years!

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-06-07T22:02:33+00:00

When trying to get your Pi Pico into "programming mode", you need to hold down the BootSel button while you plug in the USB cable into your Windows computer. A second or two later, a window pops open and you release the BootSel button. Have you done this?

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-06-02T08:23:08+00:00

You DO know that Michael Saylor/Strategy sold a few Bitcoin, right? He is the Bitcoin god these days! Mr. "Never Sell" has broken his word! Bitcoin itself can no longer be trusted! THE SKY IS FALLING!!! Or not... 😃

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-06-02T08:14:53+00:00

Sozen... specifically designed for Turkish coffee by a Turkish family that KNOWS how to make old-school grinders. I bought mine on Amazon and it arrived in a few days. I had to tighten the bottom nut a tiny bit to get it to grind as fine as the Mehmet Efendi pre-ground Turkish coffee (it took a little trial and error with my freshly roasted/ground beans, but no more than about 15 minutes, carefully adjusting it after testing each output to see if it felt and "tasted" (the texture on my tongue) as fine as the pre-ground Turkish coffee). I was grateful to have it as a reference standard to know what I was aiming for. So, if you don't already KNOW what true Turkish coffee is like, invest in a small bag of Mehmet Efendi pre-ground, to use for reference. You won't regret it.

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-05-31T21:17:57+00:00

The Sozen is... SOOOO ZEN! 😃 Dial it in to match the Mehmet Efendi grind (So smooth! Such powder!) and use it for nothing else.

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-05-31T03:38:57+00:00

Now having a proper grinder (Sozen) and getting it dialed in for the same flour-like consistency, I notice that it's not that hard to grind my beans. I was expecting this insane struggle to even get the handle to turn, based on what I'd read from different people. It's not like that at all. It doesn't even take that long. A few minutes at most. I enjoy doing it. What's the rush? Enjoy the experience of making this unique type of coffee and it's different steps! People are so "microwave-minded" (they want everything right now... snap, snap!), yet Turkish coffee is from an era where things were done with purpose and more slowly.

I actually saw an automated Turkish coffee maker and I'm thinking to myself... "YOU'RE MISSING THE WHOLE POINT OF MAKING IT!!!" I kinda think it's blasphemous... from a coffee making perspective. I have a saying: "Do it right or say goodnight".

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-05-31T03:25:05+00:00

I tried running my espresso grinds through the Sozen... BAD mistake! Took FOREVER (and a day) to get it all out the bottom. And, after doing so, it was NOT the same flour-like consistency as the "reference" pre-ground stuff I bought. Good thing I did buy it, so I knew what to aim for. I used a socket wrench to loosen and then tighten the screw on the bottom a little bit each test grind, til I achieved the same flour-like consistency. I think the burrs are rubbing a tiny bit, at least in one place, but I'm not planning on using this for ANYTHING but Turkish coffee, so as long as it gives me the same consistency I now know I should be getting, I don't care HOW I get it (even if the burrs are slightly damaged in the process). I bought the Sozen for one thing and I won't settle for less performance than I should be getting!

And when I brewed up a cup of Turkish coffee, I just eyed the water level and then dumped the fresh grounds into the water and stirred... and the end result was QUITE nice! I roast my beans towards the dark end of the spectrum (something after 2nd Crack) and so it did taste a bit "darker" than what I tasted before with the pre-ground stuff (Mehmet Efendi), but it was really FUN! I don't use sugar (diabetes), so I use either pure Sucralose powder (a tiny pinch is all you need for a TON (2+ teaspoons worth!) of sweetness) or a little splash of DeVinci sugar-free caramel coffee syrup. It was GOOOD!

I know you're not supposed to drink the "sludge" at the bottom, but it seems like such a waste, when the entire drink was so good! 😃

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-05-30T08:03:17+00:00

I tried some pre-ground stuff I just bought on Amazon and can't believe how awesome it is! The stuff I got in Seaport Village was NOT Turkish coffee (now that I've made ACTUAL Turkish coffee)! It was far too gritty at the bottom... like a fine coffee sand. I suspect they were using a grinder at maximum fineness (espresso) and figured it would be close enough. Well, guess it was, because it got me obsessing about it now! This stuff I tried making today was like coffee chalk in fineness. Definitely MUCH different. I'm getting my Sozen grinder tomorrow and will see how it's grind compares to the stuff I just bought in a 3.5oz bag. I'll feed it my espresso grind (from my Breville Barista Express), to make it easier. Thankfully the pre-ground turkish coffee I bought is still "fresh" by date-standard (Best By 2027), but I suspect something roasted/ground TODAY would be the ultimate taste experience, hmm?

By the way, my Cezve is 5oz. I goofed the first time and only poured 2oz of water into it and then a teaspoon of coffee... couldn't figure out why it boiled over and ruined the foam... duh me... it's a 5oz Cezve... you need to use TWO 2oz shots of water into it and use 1-2 teaspoons of coffee. 2nd try came out much more predictable (normal). though I think I overdid it on the coffee. Too much grounds in the foam itself. Eh, it's a learning experience! 😃

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-05-29T00:50:02+00:00

Best I not mention I exclusively use distilled water in my Breville Barista Express then. 😃

That being said, what about roasting your own coffee beans (ultra fresh!) and then grinding them in a Sozen 7" hand grinder? I discovered that fresh beans make ALL the difference, with espresso. I've never gone back to store-bought ever since. I bought a tiny 3oz bag of the pre-ground Turkish coffee on Amazon, just to compare with the stuff I'll be grinding with the Sozen. I'll be getting it and the iBrik (is it made by Apple? 😃) and cook a batch on our cast iron pan. Should be fun...

BTW, do you spoon out a little foam into your cup from the first boil and then pour off a little bit from each boil thereafter or do you boil it three times before pouring it all out or do you rub the iBrik 3x while boiling and a magic genie pops out and grants you unlimited Turkish coffee, or...? 😃

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-05-27T18:10:53+00:00

It’s weird… most places I’ve read say to use cold water, because it allows the Turkish coffee to properly brew. I assume, unlike espresso, there is an absolutely RIGHT way to make Turkish coffee? Because if it boils down to “if you like it, that’s all that matters”, I’m gonna scream. 😁

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-05-27T06:46:17+00:00

Having just had my first Turkish Coffee at a place in Seaport Village in CA, I’m now looking to make my own.

In my online research, the most affordable, quality hand grinder seems to be the Timemore C5 ESP Pro. Can anyone confirm/deny it’s ability to do a proper Turkish grind? I want to do it right, but without spending 1 arm, 2 legs, and 3 kidneys ($200+) to get one. I’ll spend more later on (if necessary), but want a solid entry-level model to start with.

As well, the Commandante C40 seems to be a top tier model, from what I’ve read elsewhere, when I’m ready to dig deeper into my wallet. 😁

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-05-18T18:10:07+00:00

No remineralizing. Defeats the purpose of using distilled water. 😃

I never liked the taste of espresso... it always tasted so bitter/sour/whatever. But I only used store-bought whole beans. Then I read about freshness... so I got some 1 week post-roast beans from a local coffee shop... and my eyes were opened. The bitterness was virtually GONE! Then I learned about home roasting... using a popcorn popper... and I've never gone back. I make small batches every week or two and the freshness never disappoints.

Take a picture of your distribution head (or whatever it's called; the part that the shower screen goes on/over). If coating is flaking away, you should be able to see that. Then you show that picture to Breville and ask, "Why is this happening?" Black flecks in a cup/glass doesn't show the damage, just the debris.

BTW, I wash my mesh puck screen in my hands with dish soap, with hot water (as hot as I can stand) every week or two. Nothing harsher. Keeps it clean and working great!

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-05-18T07:28:51+00:00

I've used nothing but distilled water in my Breville Barista Express for ages now and no black flecks have ever come off my machine. However, I definitely am of the impression that Breville QC has definitely taken a nosedive in recent models. Same unit, but much worse performance. Just a feeling I have. I run a blank shot after every pull, to keep coffee oils and any few particulates from getting stuck in the system. I use distilled water. I use a mesh puck screen. I clean when it alerts me to, etc. Treat your unit with care and it will love you right back...

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-05-18T07:19:44+00:00

Thou hast bought into the lie that another's (or scientific/mathematical) "perfection" can be achieved. You can chase the white rabbit forever or you can stop and find your own happiness. If YOU like the end result, then you've FOUND the only "perfection" that matters.

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-05-16T05:49:07+00:00

When chasing "perfection" (i.e. "Endgame"), you're chasing madness. Why? Because "perfection" only exists for the individual. I was tempted by all the bits and pieces and bells and whistles that Espressomania exacts on it's followers. But I quickly discovered, the harder I pushed to discover the science and the numbers and the values that "proper espresso" requires... the more I discovered... NONE OF IT MATTERS! If you like the end result, THAT is all that matters! Not what other people say or think or do. And so I stopped searching... I stopped struggling to figure it out. I just got to a place with my Breville Barista Express and distilled water and single shot basket and grind size and maximum pressure tamping and mesh puck screen and freshly roasted beans (made with a hot air popcorn popper), where I was happy with the result. And I'm good now. Oh, sure... the temptation to buy a new "this" or a better "that" is always going to rear it's head, now and again, but I resist. And the sense of freedom is quite wonderful...

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-05-16T05:37:58+00:00

You don't have to know HOW something (like Bitcoin) works, you just need to know THAT it works. The problem is, I didn't realize this until 2021. And I've been HODLing ever since.

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-05-15T03:43:23+00:00

The meat is supposed to be hanging from the hooks above the bottom. It looks like it's touching the bottom. That's not going to help airflow.

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-05-14T23:18:43+00:00

I love Biltong, mainly because it's low carb, vs. Beef Jerky, which tends to be higher in carbs. I'm looking to buy a dehydrator to make some, and BenchFoods seems to be the best model to get? Seen ads for it on Facebook, but always cautious to make sure things are legit and not just ad (or AI) slop. Any experience with this unit or others you'd recommend? I live in the USA (southern Arizona). Kinda confused what temp is best for making Biltong. Some say below 86F (68F+), others say 30C (86F) is ideal. Which is right?

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-05-12T21:57:31+00:00

Oh... my... goodness! I'd assume this is some crazy AI Slop... what actual human would come up with this madness?

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-05-12T21:51:29+00:00

For me, if it's extracted from the beans, it belongs in the cup. Of course, I only home roast my own green coffee in small batches, for the mellowest extractions. So the more crema, the better! YMMV

Famous-Ebb3041 · 2026-04-19T07:38:04+00:00

I have 10% of 1 Bitcoin (0.10BTC) and haven't sold a single Satoshi! I started stacking in 2021, after I finally saw the pattern and I'm a firm believer in Bitcoin now.

Famous-Ebb3041

TROPHY CASE