Comments on: A machine with a taste for espresso http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/2008/02/espresso-tasting-robot/ Rants and Raves on Espresso Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:12:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: TheShot http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/2008/02/espresso-tasting-robot/#comment-3576 TheShot Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:03:18 +0000 http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/2008/02/espresso-tasting-robot/#comment-3576 That's kind of where I will have to disagree with some of your premise, Andrew. I think the Swiss are great at making consistent, fault-intolerant coffee that is always better than average -- but consistently incapable of any "greatness". I've had amazing espresso shots made for me by champion baristas around the world. And one thing they've all had in common is that they invariably test and toss out shots that don't meet their standards. Just in the process of making me a cup. Which isn't to say the Swiss machine manufacturers don't have room to improve upon where they are now. It's just that they are too intolerant of that kind of "waste" to entertain the chance at making something truly that good with their devices. To some degree, greatness requires risk -- and there's no room for risk in the Swiss equation. That’s kind of where I will have to disagree with some of your premise, Andrew. I think the Swiss are great at making consistent, fault-intolerant coffee that is always better than average — but consistently incapable of any “greatness”.

I’ve had amazing espresso shots made for me by champion baristas around the world. And one thing they’ve all had in common is that they invariably test and toss out shots that don’t meet their standards. Just in the process of making me a cup.

Which isn’t to say the Swiss machine manufacturers don’t have room to improve upon where they are now. It’s just that they are too intolerant of that kind of “waste” to entertain the chance at making something truly that good with their devices. To some degree, greatness requires risk — and there’s no room for risk in the Swiss equation.

]]> By: Andrew Porter http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/2008/02/espresso-tasting-robot/#comment-3573 Andrew Porter Tue, 12 Feb 2008 09:30:52 +0000 http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/2008/02/espresso-tasting-robot/#comment-3573 I would disagree with some of your premise -Does Starbucks really make coffee? Does it therefore need [ or anyone else ] to blame any manufacturer for the quality of its product? The Swiss make the best bean to cup - reliable easy to use, yes you can be 'brain dead' press a button and get a reasonable cup of coffee -but there is a good computer expression very relevant to the coffee industry ~ "rubbish in, rubbish out!" I would disagree with some of your premise -Does Starbucks really make coffee? Does it therefore need [ or anyone else ] to blame any manufacturer for the quality of its product?
The Swiss make the best bean to cup - reliable easy to use, yes you can be ‘brain dead’ press a button and get a reasonable cup of coffee -but there is a good computer expression very relevant to the coffee industry ~ “rubbish in, rubbish out!”

]]> By: TheShot http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/2008/02/espresso-tasting-robot/#comment-3564 TheShot Sun, 10 Feb 2008 20:47:21 +0000 http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/2008/02/espresso-tasting-robot/#comment-3564 Thanks, Wayne. You do know flattery will get you nowhere. But given that we don't even accept advertising, we'll take it! The Swiss seem to be masters at creating engineering solutions to human factor problems. More power to them -- I'm not at all anti-technology (it is my day job, after all). That probably has a lot to do with their love of mechanical precision combined with seriously high labor costs and prohibitively expensive immigration policies. I did see that Starbucks purchased a couple of Clover machines recently. Two down, only 14,998 to go (to supply their retail cafés). Though I'm sure they purchased them for research purposes. But combining that odd news with their new "dollar days" promotion really makes you wonder, given their recent shake-up, if they replaced their executive VP of corporate strategy with a Magic 8-ball. And I wouldn't necessarily knock the Sirena -- other than I don't want BMW Design Works involved in my espresso production just as I wouldn't trust Starbucks with the anti-lock brakes on my car. ;) That said, it sounds like one of their better home private labels in quite a while. Thanks for posting. And do check out Blue Bottle Cafe. I've been there four of the past five mornings -- it's becoming a nasty habit already. (Their simple breakfast/brunch menu is also a standout.) Thanks, Wayne. You do know flattery will get you nowhere. But given that we don’t even accept advertising, we’ll take it!

The Swiss seem to be masters at creating engineering solutions to human factor problems. More power to them — I’m not at all anti-technology (it is my day job, after all). That probably has a lot to do with their love of mechanical precision combined with seriously high labor costs and prohibitively expensive immigration policies.

I did see that Starbucks purchased a couple of Clover machines recently. Two down, only 14,998 to go (to supply their retail cafés). Though I’m sure they purchased them for research purposes. But combining that odd news with their new “dollar days” promotion really makes you wonder, given their recent shake-up, if they replaced their executive VP of corporate strategy with a Magic 8-ball.

And I wouldn’t necessarily knock the Sirena — other than I don’t want BMW Design Works involved in my espresso production just as I wouldn’t trust Starbucks with the anti-lock brakes on my car. ;) That said, it sounds like one of their better home private labels in quite a while.

Thanks for posting. And do check out Blue Bottle Cafe. I’ve been there four of the past five mornings — it’s becoming a nasty habit already. (Their simple breakfast/brunch menu is also a standout.)

]]> By: Wayne http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/2008/02/espresso-tasting-robot/#comment-3562 Wayne Sun, 10 Feb 2008 08:28:13 +0000 http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/2008/02/espresso-tasting-robot/#comment-3562 Ciao Greg, I have to say, you have one of the best coffee blogs I've ever seen, and I've seen quite a few. Re the Swiss, they're an odd lot, eh? They rule the super-automatic espresso field, for what it's worth, but they still make the Olympia Cremina, the Mother of All Levers. Go figure. BTW, have you heard about Starbucks getting Clover machines?! I'm serious! First they look like they're on the ropes, resorting to $1 drip java to pull in the punters, and then they get Clovers?! Those sneaky bastards! :) Still, I'm gonna check out Blue Bottle Cafe first. I may own a Sirena, but I'm not a complete idiot! Happy Brewing, Wayne Ciao Greg,

I have to say, you have one of the best coffee blogs I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen quite a few.

Re the Swiss, they’re an odd lot, eh? They rule the super-automatic espresso field, for what it’s worth, but they still make the Olympia Cremina, the Mother of All Levers. Go figure.

BTW, have you heard about Starbucks getting Clover machines?! I’m serious! First they look like they’re on the ropes, resorting to $1 drip java to pull in the punters, and then they get Clovers?! Those sneaky bastards! :)

Still, I’m gonna check out Blue Bottle Cafe first. I may own a Sirena, but I’m not a complete idiot!

Happy Brewing,
Wayne

]]>