Being something of a raconteur - and a connoisseur of espresso - it was an arduous task bringing myself to buy a single cup coffee maker. I was struck low by the constraints of my yacht cabin and so I opted for a teal-tinted machine to make the most of it. This does not mean that I wholeheartedly endorse the device, but I must admit, it does come in handy. Yes, I'm certain Luigi Bezzera, the father of the modern espresso machine, is turning over in his grave. Or is he?
The merits of the machine speak for themselves. Bezzera would have appreciated a single cup coffee machine that expresses espresso so methodically. One no longer needs to grind the beans or measure the shots. No, this machine eliminates the guesswork - or hard-earned science for those who have dedicated themselves to espresso. Based on the merits of the machine alone, Bezzera would have gladly ponied up to the bar at a local CBTL or Starbucks and ordered a cappuccino.
To be sure, espresso is not in any danger of losing its worldwide appeal thanks to single serve coffee. When McDonald's is slinging lattes from the drive-thru window, you can be sure the demand for espresso is only going to increase. As the supply of baristas can't possibly keep up with this demand, the layman's only hope is a single serve maker.
All this talk of espresso naturally leads us to talk of grinds. Yes, although my new machine can squeeze out a single serve cup of rather decent coffee, it cannot compare to a cup of finely ground espresso. You will notice I differentiated between a drip grind, which my machine does so well, and an espresso grind, which it does not. The next time you buy a package of conventional drip coffee, do yourself a favor and buy a package of espresso grind. Pour the two side by side and you will notice how incredibly course drip grind is.
Compared to drip grind, espresso grind is like fine silt from the Nile. This powdery quality is what makes espresso so heavenly. When the grind is shot through with nearly boiled water, it creates a fine, malty elixir that cannot be challenged in terms of taste and texture. Granted, we all cannot have true espresso luxuriance every morning. This is where the single serve coffee machine comes into play.
