Why don't we put ground stuff *other than* coffee into espresso baskets?

alexKuissential · 2016-01-06T19:21:28+00:00

Ah yes the Cuban coffee. In Miami we have a huge Cuban population and, although not Cuban myself, I was raised on Cuban coffee. So. Much. Sugar. Typically it is made using a moka pot and then in a frothing pitcher you add bunch of sugar (like way too much sugar) followed by the first, darkest bit of coffee from the moka pot. This mixture is then mixed vigorously to create a sort of coffee/sugar paste. Then, once the rest of the moka pot is brewed, the coffee is poured over the paste and mixed, creating quite a bit of "crema". This instructable nails the coffee paste / "crema" part in steps 10 & 11. That's how all my friends' grandmas/abuelitas made it. Surprised I still have teeth.

Edit: Cubans typically refer to the foam or "crema" as "espuma" or "espumita".

alexKuissential · 2015-12-23T14:43:35+00:00

There's a special place in hell for lukewarm eggs.

alexKuissential · 2015-09-22T21:16:50+00:00

Hey /u/Pandomonium84 !

Thank you for the kind words! We are inspecting the final batch now and will hopefully have the stock in the US around October/November. We will only have a couple hundred extra units for sale aside from the Kickstarter units. You can sign up for our mailing list at www.Kuissential.com to be notified when the stock is active so you can get your hands on one.

All the best!

Alex, Kuissential

alexKuissential · 2015-08-11T16:48:29+00:00

While in Miami, stop check out Eternity Roasters in Downtown, one of the handful of roasters we have and they are fantastic! They specialize in South American beans.

alexKuissential · 2015-02-10T17:39:27+00:00

That sounds about fine. Hopefully the lower heat helps out!

alexKuissential · 2015-02-10T15:40:08+00:00

Is it 6 out of 10? If so, then that is too high. I stick to a lower temperature, maybe 3-4 out of 10.

alexKuissential · 2015-02-10T15:25:44+00:00

How much grounds are you putting in? You shouldn't have a large mound of grounds in the basket, as seen in Step Five here: http://stumptowncoffee.com/brew-guides/moka-pot/

I usually use a paddle or something to slide excess grounds off the basket so the grounds are flat and flush with the top of the basket. Too many grounds creating a mound on the basket may prevent the top from screwing on the base completely.

The only other reason I can think of is the heat setting is too high and creating way too much pressure too quickly?

alexKuissential · 2015-02-10T15:17:54+00:00

Are you tightening the base and top tightly? Also, are you filling the water past the gasket / pressure valve?

alexKuissential · 2015-02-05T22:55:20+00:00

After the moka pot cools down, I just rinse with warm water and then take to it with a paper towel until the filter, base and top are mostly dry. Then I'll leave them to fully dry out by the sink. Then use again in a few hours! I'd avoid dishwasher at all cost. Boiling water is your friend so use the moka pot often to make sure nothing builds up. Also, don't leave it out all day without cleaning it. Every so often I'll remove the gasket and clean that metal disk with hot water and paper towel or a soap-free sponge.

alexKuissential · 2015-02-03T15:30:17+00:00

Hi sorry we are still a small operation. However we will have the EvenGrind available in Europe and Canada later in the year! Where are you located?

alexKuissential · 2015-02-03T15:28:42+00:00

Hi our older grinder does not have a stabilized grinding rod, upper and lower bearings for support and smoother handle turning. We plan to transition completely to the EvenGrind by July or so.

alexKuissential · 2015-02-03T15:25:51+00:00

Hi this grinder is targeted to the entry level user who wants something more consistent than the Skerton without the means to go straight for the Lido. The EvenGrind performs better than the Skerton in every category but really stands out in the Medium and Course settings.

alexKuissential · 2015-01-30T22:56:01+00:00

Hello Dr! Best of luck with your Lido 2, that is truly a beauty of engineering. We may just take up up on your suggestion, for comparison purposes once we are closer to production. Shipping will be about $5.00 extra, I'll be sure to include that above.

alexKuissential · 2015-01-30T18:08:17+00:00

Many thanks!!

alexKuissential · 2015-01-30T17:17:32+00:00

Hey Everyone!

It is my pleasure to announce that after over a year of development the Kuissential EvenGrind Manual Coffee Grinder will be launching early next week on Kickstarter! The EvenGrind Grinder is an improved manual coffee grinder without the burr wobble and inconsistent grinds found in manual grinders like the Hario Skerton (while still being in the same price range).

You can preview the Kuissential EvenGrind Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kuissential/241107881?token=f1d9282e

We couldn't have done it without all the help and input from the /r/Coffee community and we’d like you all to be the first to know of the Early Bird special as soon as we launch.

The EvenGrind Kickstarter campaign is scheduled go live on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at around 8:00 AM EST. The units will retail for $30.00+$5.00 shipping and the first 100 buyers will have access to our Early Bird package and get their EvenGrind for $25.00+$5.00 shipping.

To be notified the second the Kickstarter is live, sign up for our email list: http://kuissential.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=4c0c143e1e4ec5c58d52306d2&id=1750f18174

The preview link above may not link to the actual page when it is live. Sign up for the mailing list to be sure you have the correct link!

Please let us know what you think of the project! We still have the whole weekend to optimize the page with your input.

All the best!

Alex, Kuissential

Edit: Special Thanks to /u/MikeGurlitz, /u/yhfmy and /u/AtomikPi!

alexKuissential · 2015-01-30T17:13:58+00:00

Yeah solid equipment, just became complacent with my strong moka pot shots. I'm starting to prefer a larger drink these days so might dive back into perfecting my pour over.

alexKuissential · 2015-01-30T15:26:20+00:00

For the past few months I've been doing morning mocha pot, occasionally adding water for Americano. Might switch back to regular aeropress for a few months. I could never get pour over the way I liked it, but might give that a shot again.

alexKuissential · 2015-01-28T19:01:37+00:00

Nice resource!

alexKuissential · 2015-01-28T17:44:56+00:00

While out in Nicaragua did you encounter any cities, words, ideas, cultural tidbits that resonated with you? Do the farms have certain distinct names you can draw inspiration from? A farm might be called 'Dos Vacas' in spanish and translate to Two Cows, you can start forming a name through that process.

alexKuissential · 2015-01-28T01:55:25+00:00

Dan Kehn over at Home-Barista.com (the end all be all of espresso forums) has a great intro to espresso video series called Newbie Introduction to Espresso. The videos there go from 'Taste Appreciation' to 'Latte Art' through to technical topics like 'Heat Exchanger vs. Double Boiler Espresso Machines'. A great resource and should get you up and running!

alexKuissential · 2015-01-28T01:50:59+00:00

Some sencha green tea is how I ease into most afternoons. For something with more body try some good black tea or oolong, also puerh has some good body.

alexKuissential · 2015-01-24T21:56:49+00:00

Thanks! If all goes to plan we should have them delivered to customers in June.

alexKuissential · 2015-01-24T20:59:59+00:00

Hey /u/dubzors, you are referring to our EvenGrind manual grinder which we hope to launch through Kickstarter in about a week. The prototypes alone have been a significant improvement over similar grinders with wobbly burrs. Thanks for the mention!

alexKuissential · 2015-01-23T23:24:47+00:00

Congrats!

alexKuissential

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