Ever felt overwhelmed by the number of buttons, levers, and settings on an espresso machine? You’re not alone! When I first started learning about espresso, I assumed it was as simple as pressing a button and voilà. But after watching some YouTube videos, I realized these machines were a bit trickier. I mean, what’s a…
How many shots are too many? I’ll admit it: I love coffee. The rich aroma, the bold taste, that first sip of espresso in the morning… it’s pure bliss. But one day, I pushed my caffeine limits a little too far. I had shot after shot, thinking I was just fueling my day. And that…
I’ll admit it. I was lazy when it came to cleaning my Breville espresso machine. I figured, “How bad could a little scale buildup be?” Well, let me tell you, I learned the hard way. My once-smooth espresso shots started tasting bitter, my machine made weird noises, and one day, the steam wand just… stopped…
Ever taken a sip of coffee and immediately thought, “Wait… this isn’t what I’m used to?” After years of using my Breville Barista Express, pulling shots, dialing in grind settings, and steaming milk just right, I thought I had my coffee routine perfected. But then, one day, I visited a friend who had a Nespresso…
How many bars of pressure do you really need for espresso? If you’ve ever shopped for an espresso machine, you’ve probably seen numbers like 9 bars, 15 bars, or even 20 bars plastered all over the specs. But do those numbers actually matter, or are they just marketing fluff? When I first got into espresso,…
Ever pulled an espresso shot that just kept going? That’s exactly how I stumbled upon lungo coffee by accident. One day, I was messing around with my Breville Barista Express, adjusting the shot time just to see what would happen. I let the espresso run longer than usual, took a sip, and… well, let’s just…
Ever looked at a coffee menu and thought, “Wait… what is that?” That was me one day when I stepped into an Italian coffee shop near my home. I scanned the menu and spotted something called “ristretto.” I never heard of it. But hey, I love trying new coffee, so I ordered one. A few…
Ever wondered if you’re drinking espresso the right way? For so many years until I started this blog, Coffee Voilà, I drank espresso in one go. No sipping, no savoring, just a straight caffeine hit to kickstart my day. For me, it wasn’t about the flavors but about getting that quick jolt of energy. But…
Is an espresso machine really worth it, or can a Moka pot do the job just fine? My first coffee brewer was a Moka pot, way before I started this blog (Coffee Voilà). Back then, I had no fancy espresso machine. I used this small stovetop brewer for everything from lattes to cappuccinos and even…
Ever had your espresso suddenly taste… off? I sure have. A few months ago, I noticed my shots from the Breville Barista Express were tasting bitter and uneven. At first, I blamed my grind size or tamping pressure, but no matter what I tweaked, my espresso just wasn’t right. Then it hit me! I had…