I was at Border's the other day, getting my usual chai, when a woman came to the counter. I would say she was in her early to mid 50s, and when she got to the counter the guy asked her what she wanted. The woman scanned the menu, looked around the counter and said, "what's an espresso?"
This surprised me, because I thought everyone - well, at least everyone who drinks coffee, goes to coffee shops and had passed the age of 50 - would know what an espresso is. I thought of this while reading this Esquire column by director Barry Sonnenfeld. While directing the new ABC comedy Notes From The Underbelly, he decided to test several cappuccino makers on the crew, and he publishes the results.
He says the Elektra Microcasa Lever is "an old-fashioned manual machine, perfect for a guy who loves ritual." He finds it so-so, but a person could make a good up with practice. He likes the Jura-Capresso Impressa Z6 a lot more, because it's a high-tech, all-in-one machine that has a separate thermos that stores the milk for lattes and cappuccinos. He also test drives the Nespresso Le Cube and the Nespresso Aeroccino.
On a related note, my roommate just bought one of those Keurig coffemakers. I'm not a coffee drinker, but I'm curious to see how it is.
New York Times Magazine's food issue
Chicken McNuggets frolic at New York City pet store
Eat your broccoli orbs! 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-13-2006 @ 6:20PM
John Park said...
If you want a glimpse into the serious (borderline insane) home espresso world check out coffeegeek.com and homebarista.com
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12-16-2006 @ 5:09PM
Greg Sherwin said...
Years from now, our landfills are going to be stocked heavily with second-rate home espresso machines like the fondue sets of 30 years ago.
Reply
12-17-2006 @ 9:46AM
Sam said...
this seems like a cool little gadget. i read about them in a magazine the other week and ive order myself one!
Reply