... This review is on the variety sold by Whittards of Chelsea.
It is basically a percolator which comes in three parts; the bottom which holds the water, a perforated middle insert for the coffee and the top into which the espresso eventually bubbles. The top and bottom pieces screw together ... Read review
Advantages: Cheap and simple to use. Disadvantages: Only for serious caffeine users
As well as a tendency to flail my hands about dangerously when I'm talking, 12 years in Southern Europe also turned me into a hardcore caffeine addict.
You can keep your lattes and cappuccinos, they're just so much froth, literally in most cases and instant coffee is completely off this addict's radar. I need thick black evil looking espresso coffee, the type that can be easily mistaken for sump oil. It has to hit my cerebral cortex ... .../>
But how do you get your true fix north of Barcelona? Cafetieres and filter systems extract the flavour but not enough of the drug. You can buy the steam espresso machines such as you find in the glorious cafes that I have become accustomed to, but they tend to be expensive and complicated in their use. This is where these traditional Italian octagonal stovetop espresso makers come into their own.
As well as a tendency to flail my hands about dangerously when I'm talking, 12 years in Southern Europe also turned me into a hardcore caffeine addict.
You can keep your lattes and cappuccinos, they're just so much froth, literally in most cases and instant coffee is completely off this addict's radar. I need thick black evil looking espresso coffee, the type that can be easily mistaken for sump oil. It has to hit my cerebral cortex in a manner normally restricted to Class A drugs.
But how do you get your true fix north of Barcelona? Cafetieres and filter systems extract the flavour but not enough of the drug. You can buy the steam espresso machines such as you find in the glorious cafes that I have become accustomed to, but they tend to be expensive and complicated in their use. This is where these traditional Italian octagonal stovetop espresso makers come into their own.
They are common in most of Europe and are considered a kitchen essential. Here they are not so easy to find but are becoming more so. This review is on the variety sold by Whittards of Chelsea.
It is basically a percolator which comes in three parts; the bottom which holds the water, a perforated middle insert for the coffee and the top into which the espresso eventually bubbles. The top and bottom pieces screw together and form an airtight seal by means of a rubber ring which is attached to the top piece.
You fill the bottom with water up to a visible ridge on the inside. Then you put your coffee of choice in the perforated insert and slip it into the bottom. There is a tube attached to the insert which reaches the water. Finally screw the top on tight and place on any type of hob.
The system works in the same way as a pressure cooker. The water is converted into steam which is forced through the coffee, up a tube and into the upper container as a hot black lovely liquid. It takes between 5 and 10 minutes. The coffee it makes is very strong but can be made weaker according to the quantity of coffee used.
This is the most basic and cheapest form of percolator. Whittards sell the cheapest and most reliable versions of these. There is a version made by Bialetti which are ridiculously expensive and unjustifiably so, since they are exactly the same in every way. Also beware of very cheap versions which tend not to be made so well.
Whittards sell them in differing cup sizes, and by cups they mean the little espresso cups:
3 cup size £8.40
6 cup size £10.50
9 cup size £12.60
I recommend the largest unless you hate your friends. It stands at about 15". They are incredibly robust and reliable. I've had mine for a year and it's still going strong. The only problem is the rubber seal which needs to be replaced about every year depending on use. Whittards sell replacement seals for £1.50.
They are simple and efficient and my life would be empty and meaningless without mine. Thoroughly recommended, but only for hardcore addicts!
Advantages: A cheap and simple way to make passable espresso Disadvantages: Smaller model awkward on gas stoves, not up to standard of a dedicated machine
...forth from university.
The Whittard pots are fairly standard, consisting of a base to be filled with water, a small basket to hold the grounds, and a jug-like top part to collect the espresso. These slot and screw together solidly, with a rubber ring providing a decent seal. Nothing special here, but also nothing terrible.
I picked up the smallest, 3-cup model, mainly because it was also the cheapest Whittard stock at £12. However, I found the ... ...the quantity this pot makes has only ever been enough for me to fill two demi-tasse cups. If you're only making it for yourself, however, more that this probably isn't wise anyway, particularly if you plan to operate heavy machinery. I would recommend a larger size if you're having company round, and also if you have gas rings: the three-cup size can be awkward to balance on a gas stove due to the size of its base.
The quality of the finished product ...
DNMark 10.03.2007
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