Comments on: Tucson Trip Photos

By: Spencer

Spencer — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 04:01:11 +0000

Keeping fresh roasted beans frozen keeps them fresh. Warm beans will off-gas, which corrupts the flavor. Some beans sold in bags have air valves to release these gases. This was invented to save retailers the cost of refrigeration. If beans are frozen in a sealed container, then moisture will not condense on them, and they will remain fresh for a long time.

By: sallyho

sallyho — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 04:44:45 +0000

The bubbles are from the freshness of the beans, like the crema on an espresso. If they freeze the beans directly after roasting there is no off-gassing, and froth and bubbles naturally occur in fresh brewed coffee, and more so in the high-pressure circumstance of an espresso shot. I’ve never witnessed air pots at raging sage in all the times I’ve visited, only the freshest coffee around.

By: David

David — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 14:36:58 +0000

I see in your top photo that you are using a Laranzato ME-2 machine along with the Aurelia from Nuova. What features do you like about each one of them? Why do you have two machines at the shop?

By: Ken

Ken — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 20:52:27 +0000

Don’t know what the bubbles are at Ragaing Sage. But since I live right nearby and go there frequently I have to say they are definitely one of the best cafes in Tucson. Excellent home baked goods. Their espresso is way better than their drip, which unfortunately isn’t true of lots of places.

I was served a terrible espresso at Espresso Art – way bitter, no crema. Yeah, it’s weird that Raging Sage keeps their beans in a fridge, not a good idea. So I’ve since been trying out beans from other local roasters. Roaster X is really nice. But just bought a pound of Rocket’s Classic Espresso at Coffee Vein from Mike Trevino (really nice guy). Gonna give it a try.

By: Larry

Larry — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 04:34:06 +0000

Maybe that’s the answer to the mysterious bubbles. They had a “hardness” to them unlike what you would expect from an airpot. After more than 15 minutes they were still there. Maybe the airpot was rinsed in water that contained oils or grease from another kitchen utensil?

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 16:37:36 +0000

..bubbles look like you got the end of the pot — more air coming out than brew. Not sure…

..be bold

By: Blabber Heads»Blog Archive » Good Monday Morning, Bloggers.

Blabber Heads»Blog Archive » Good Monday Morning, Bloggers. — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 21:14:31 +0000

[...] Arizona Coffee posted some photos of their trips to coffee shops around Tucson. I dunno… you may not find that as interesting as I do. LOL Chris had some problems at Espresso Art – they mocked him. Their website is equally unimpressive… Where are the tales of their brewing techniques and all the stories about how they have their virgin beans imported fresh and all of that? There’s nothing there. [...]

By: larry

larry — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 19:52:54 +0000

Very weird those bubbles, that happened to be a photo Chris took of the cup I was served. Not the usual airpot bubbles, at first I thought it was soap residue that wasn’t rinsed off. But no soapy flavor was detected by the three of us who were brave enough to try it. It remains a mystery.

By: Peggy

Peggy — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 19:33:31 +0000

I was just gonna ask if that coffee came from an aero press or something? Odd.

By: Jason

Jason — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 21:53:18 +0000

I worked on the Aurelia a few times — along with others — and really love it. I agree, Jason, that there is alot of great stuff out there. I feel very comfortable on the Aurelia because of it’s ergonomics..

..be bold

By: Jason Haeger

Jason Haeger — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 06:57:35 +0000

Those bubbles look like the result of coffee dispensed from an air-pot.

The simonelli isn’t just a NS, it’s the Aurelia. It’s the ONLY NS I’d consider worth seriously looking at, and even then, there’s some stiff competition.

By: MikeFTrevino

MikeFTrevino — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 20:01:23 +0000

Please don’t judge the Vein by the picture of our three group macine with only one portafilter locked in. We were in the middle of cleaning it to use Larry’s PF Thermometer. It’s still a great picture Chris, I was looking at it and thought people are gonna think we leave the PFs out of the group.
I see Jason like Simonelli.
The Laranzato’s ok, but the boiler runs a little cool as Larry helped us find out, even at 1.45 boiler pressure. Jim and Martha wanted a better machine and know that the Laranzato has it’s limitations, but, well, it wasn’t in the budget. I’m pulling some of the most awesome shots on this machine, it’s just alot of work.
I am liking the the simplicity and price point of the Synesso lately.

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 19:07:47 +0000

I am excited to see that 6th street is using a Simonelli Machine!

..be bold