Some folks think there is absolutely no reason to spend $1,500.00 on a fine expresso coffee machine. Some folks say they don’t like coffee.
I wonder if those two groups of people might be the same ones who haven’t savored the full body, rich intensity, dark, deep, heavy, creamy experience of sipping a fine, boutique cup of the world’s finest coffee from Boquete, Panama.
The three coffee makes I’m reviewing here are the Pasquini, the Gaggia Titanium, and the Expression 2 Group Espresso Machine.
Once someone has the “coffee” experience, they are coffee lovers forever and they will pay almost any price to get the finest coffee grown anywhere and to make the finest cup of coffee possible. The enjoyment and satisfaction experienced at the moment the coffee touches your palate is indescribable. We are talking about spending lots of money to get that pleasure, $1,500.00, for that matter.
Let’s get back to the fact that the kind of expresso coffee maker I’m looking for is expensive and I’m trying to think of 3 good reasons to make such an big investment.
First, I live in Boquete, I grow coffee and I love coffee. Notice my first reason actually contains 3 reasons, all actually very good reasons, but not good enough to justify an outlay of $1,500.00. I’ll keep thinking about my first reason, especially when there are so many fine expresso makers for under $150.00.
Next, I need the challenge of learning how to make the perfect cup of coffee at home, you know, like a real barista makes at Starbucks. The barista performs the incredible job of making the very finest cup of coffee possible and I really want to learn how they do it. If you want to see just what every barista does during their day on the job, visit http://www.greenbeanscoffee.com/pdf/GBCC_Barista_Job_Description.pdf. After carefully reading the responsibilities of a barista, I’m not so sure this reason will hold up.
Lastly, very few private homes have a fine expresso maker and wouldn’t you think “The Boquete Gourmet” should have one? Please let me know what you think – is it worth $1,500.00 to have such a fine appliance in my gourmet kitchen?
Great website, Cora. Now I know how you have been spending all of your time.
As to the $1,500 expresso coffee maker. Yes, buy it, if you have more money than good sense. Otherwise, like you said, there are a number of good expresso coffee makers for considerably less.
On the otherhand, if you are planning on setting up a Starbucks franchise, in Boquette, go for it. Just don’t use Starbucks’ coffee. Yours is much better!
Personally, I still enjoy the little pot I first discovered in Puerto Rico, in 1976, that you set on your stovetop burner; and that has no mechanical systems, whatsoever, that might break down. Comes in single or larger sizes. Makes great expresso, or whatever you wish to use the resulting coffee concentrate for. And, as you well know, I am very particular about my coffee.
Hi Diane,
Thanks for your comments. My new blog has been more work than expected, but lots of fun.
I’m working to provide my kitchen to local cooks for presenting cooking lessons here, like Lauretta is doing on Thursday for Bid 4 Boquete.
Maybe then I’ll need a fancy espresso maker, we’ll see.
I know your little stovetop expresso maker and it makes great coffee, I’ve tasted it.
It’s called a “moka” pot, very popular in Europe. Cora, TBG
Hi Cora,
I say buy the less expensive one, even if it is a $500 machine. You can always use the remaining money to throw a fantastic party. And even more than coffee, Boqueteno transplants love a good party!
Thanks for your comment, Fene,
We in Boquete love coffee and Lauretta, of course.
Be sure to put the Bid 4 Boquete Cooking Class on Lauretta’s calendar for this Thursday.
It will be a huge success. Cora