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Astra Mega! Circa 1998

I got my hands on what looks to be a clean Astra Mega 1-group automatic. Called Astra and spoke to a pretty unhelpful tech ("how do you know there's no water in the boiler?") but here's the deal: when I power it on, it clicks a bit and seems to warm

Critique my new menu

hit me up with some feedback, i'm trying to perfect it before we talk to the printer

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Things that make you go hmmmm?

Like why on the SCAA homepage UPCOMING EVENTS section the N. Central RBC 2/18-20 and SE RBC 2/11-13 are up there while NW RBC 1/28-30 happening before them is not? Hmmmmm

NW Region being dissed (ignored, forgotten) by the SCAA or what?!

Coffee freezing skills?

OK, so Ive been on an espresso quest of sorts over the last 6 months, and during this quest ive acquired more coffee than i could drink in 10 to 14 days. So I decided to test the old "its ok to put whole bean coffee in the freezer, as long as you onl

La Marzocco GB5 Tamper size

A little ridiculous, but I can't seem to figure out what size tamper I should buy for my GB5.  Also, any websites where I can get a nice tamper for cheap??  Thanks in advance!

Register now for the 2011 SCRBC on April 1st

If you haven't already registered to compete or judge the South Central Regional Barista Competition hosted by Kaldi's, don't put it off any longer.  The event is only a few weeks away and is the qualifier for the USBC in Houston TX April 28-May 1st.

Frustration with Adjectives

These are our current coffee offerings, along with the adjectives I've printed on the menu to describe them. I cupped them all and picked two basic adjectives plus one specific taste to describe each coffee.

sumatra mandheling DP gr. 1: deep, loamy

how many hours would you like to work in a coffee/espresso shop, ideally?!

hey all!  moving on into february, hope everyone makes the leap successfully!  

i posted a discussion before about offering free refills, or half-priced, etc., etc.  wowwa!, got alot of feedback on that one...some education, some insight, even some v

evolving as an owner

My bakery cafe has been open a little over three years, and from the start, I've been in the kitchen doing a lot of the baking with the help of a full time pastry chef and the occasional intern. We have a shop with espresso and do lunches. I like doi

Searching For Trophies

Greetings.

I've spent about the last hour looking into the possibility of acquiring a barista trophy for a jam-like competition. I would love to have it be a portafilter or tamper of some sort. I just cannot find anything on the internet that is cl

Developing an Education Program

Hey all, we'd like to develop an education program at our shop and frankly we have no idea where to begin.  Can anyone help us out?  We just started construction on our second location and we wanna make sure all our staff are educated/trained enough

Propane Power

Hey guys,

I'm looking for a used propane powered espresso machine, preferably lever-operated and preferably dirt cheap. Anyone have anything? Or any leads?

-Tristan

The Three P's

Hi, 

Can anyone please add some definition to the third P

1. Center

2. Ahead

3 Behind

Is the Center where you start for your heart?

Florida.....

Anyone near Ft Pierce? I will be there next week and will be looking for somewhere to get a good cup. Anyone recommend any shops?

Steamed espresso?!>!:(

this morning i ventured out and ordered a capp from an unassuming cafe(which will remain nameless). harmless sounding yes? no. what followed was gut wrenching. I watched at first confused then agape with horror as the "barista" poured my shot into th

In search of decent 16 oz cups and saucers

Is anyone aware of any cool 16 oz cups n saucers out there on the internet?

It seems to have become more or less not possible to find 16 oz cremaware goods anymore.

Machines for Sale

I have 3 machines that are looking for a good home:

Astoria Plus 4 You 2 group $6000

Rancilio Classe 8  2 group w/ iSteam $5500

Nuova Simonelli Aurelia 2 Group $4500

Mazzer SJ lower burr carrier center bolt

Ok maybe a strange request. Anyone know the specific size bolt used in the lower burr carrier on the Super Jolly? Don't suggest I call Devon at EPNW, he couldn't come up with it and obviously hence they don't carry it.

Worst case scenario I'll down

working counter height

We are wanting to open a coffee house in melbourne... the difference being that the shop is a heritage listed old chemist building (cicrca 1920's) with original fittings!!! They say the best example of intact art nouveau architecture in australia. Ho