I often get asked to recommend a quality espresso machine that won’t break the average budget. So, I thought I’d share my experiences with one machine, in particular, that performs well and has an affordable price tag to boot.

The Gaggia New Baby semi-automatic espresso machine, in black, has a few things going for it that sets it apart from the rest. It is made of a nice, glossy ABS Plastic, with a polished stainless-steel faceplate and a stainless steel drip grate. The New Baby also has an easy-to-use interface, thanks to push-button controls. But, the design of the brewing system is really the highlight of this machine. 

The New Baby has almost all of the same internal components as the famed Gaggia Classic. Let me break this down…First, as a given, all Gaggia semi-automatic machines come with full, commercial-sized 58mm portafitlers, made of chrome-plated brass. In this instance, the New Baby also features a chrome-plated brass brew group and heating elements that are embedded into the boiler and are not in the water. Isolating the heating elements this way helps preserve boiler performance, in the long run. Best of all, the Gaggia New Baby has a three-way solenoid valve. The valve empties directly into the drip tray and relieves the portafilter of excess water pressure. This, in turn, prevents the pressure from being built up in the portafilter, when you remove the handle—drying out the spent ground and making it easier to knock out the puck.  More importantly, the three-way valve helps to prevent water leaks in brew group; which means better steam pressure and increased machine longevity. 

The three-way valve is usually found on high-end commercial machines. Luckily, for the consumer, Gaggia has included this feature in the New Baby. The three-way valve, along with an affordable price tag, is why the Gaggia New Baby gets my vote for “Best Value on a Budget.”

Do you have a question about the New Baby or any other Gaggia machine? Leave me a message; I’m a happy to assist.

Todd
Diagnostics

As a third-year owner of a Gaggia MDF Coffee Grinder, I'd like to share a few of my not-so-secret tips for using this machine.

Since this machine has 34 settings, I'll save you quite a bit of time (and coffee) and say that the best grind setting for espresso is going to be right around a number 6. Of course, there are going to be variables to this setting, based on the type of coffee or espresso machine being used; but a 6 would be a good starting point. You'll be able to adjust up or down a number or two from there. The first time I used the MDF I started at the halfway point, around an 18, and then adjusted down one setting at a time from there. After a well-spent hour of my life, I can now share my experience with you in hopes that you'll have a quicker and easier time dialing in your MDF.

I also know from personal experience that this grinder can actually grind too fine, basically turning your coffee puck in to cement in your portafilter. Quick word of wisdom: Don't run your espresso machine for more then 10 or 15 seconds if there is no water coming out of the portafilter, as you run the risk of ruining your pump...not that I've ever done this before or anything.

I use my MDF once a week to grind a pound of coffee for my drip coffeemaker. As most people know, drip coffee requires a courser grind than espresso. In this instance, I find that a 15 grind setting on the MDF works best.  Most might consider the resulting grind to be too fine for drip coffee; but I feel I get a nice, rich, full-bodied extraction out of my drip coffeemaker with this grind setting. 

In a nutshell, the best grind is going to be whatever suites your palate; so practice, taste test, and enjoy! Do you have a Gaggia MDF at home? If you do, share your favorite grind settings with us.

Darren
Sales Manager

Coffee, freezer. Freezer, coffee. The question of whether or not these two should meet has been a topic of contention for many coffee consumers. Say you stocked up of your favorite coffee, what's the best way to safeguard your stash?

Everybody agrees that storing beans and pre-ground coffee alike in airtight containers, such as the Yohki Glass Jar or the Vacu Vin Vacuum Coffee and Tea Saver, is critical to preserving flavor and aroma. The National Coffee Association of the United States also recommends storing coffee in a dark, cool location. They advocate steering clear of over-oven cabinets or shelves that are exposed to a lot of sunlight. But there are two distinct camps when it comes to the idea of giving your beans the deep freeze.

Freezer detractors, including most of Whole Latte Love's Facebook fans, advocate steering clear of the icebox. The environment is just too harsh for the delicate beans, resulting in flavor and aroma breakdown, according to coffee purists. That's not even the worst-case scenario. Have you ever had the unfortunate experience of tasting an ice cube that has been sitting in the freezer for a while? Disgusting, isn't it. Items left in the freezer tend absorb surrounding smells like a sponge. One mistake and fish flavored coffee could be in your future!

In theory, coffee can be frozen. Almost anything can go into the freezer; but like fresh fruit vs. frozen strawberries, in a perfect world, most of us would go with the former. If push comes to shove and you must venture into the frozen abyss, you can minimize the damage by keeping your coffee in an airtight container and away from the door, where temperature variations are the greatest. Whatever you do, only freeze once! Don't freeze, thaw, and then refreeze; that's just coffee flavor and aroma suicide. And, for Pete's sake, stay away from the fridge! Refrigerator temps are not cold enough for water to freeze; the damp atmosphere is about as bad as it gets for coffee beans.

Have you had a freezer experience gone wrong; or have you been successfully freezing your beans? Post your thoughts; we'd love to hear them!

Make sure the luck of the Irish is with you this March by heeding our seven coffee dos and don'ts!

Don't Let them catch you with your finger in the coffee or littering with Earth-unfriendly disposable stir sticks.
Do Stir in style! Elegant stainless steel stirrers such, as these engraved stirrers from Illy, won't litter the landfills or burn your fingers.

Don't Resort to instant coffee on the road, yuck!
Do Pack a Handpresso. #11 of the "Top 100 Things that are Getting Better," according to Oprah; the Handpresso will keep you brewing on the go. Go with the Handpresso Wild for pods and the Handpresso DomePod for ground coffee.

Don't Swear off coffee because of a sensitive stomach.
Do Treat your tummy to gentle java, like Whole Latte Love Malabar Gold or Maromas Orphea, which have lower acidity levels.

Don't Let your beans go bad.
Do Store them in airtight containers like these Bodum Yohki Glass Jars with Stainless Steel Lids or the Vacu Vin Vacuum Coffee and Tea Saver to keep from losing precious flavor and aroma. Your favorite coffee will stay fresh much longer with a little TLC.

Don't Run out of steam.
Do Check out what's under the hood, when you're buying an espresso machine. Double boilers will allow you go straight from brewing to steaming with no downtime. Make sure your machine has enough oomph, especially if you like your lattes! One of my favorites is the Gaggia Baby Twin Espresso Machine.

Don't Spend all your time in front of an espresso machine.
Do Consider a super automatic model, if you're the type that likes to entertain. One-touch controls, the machine will do all the heavy lifting while you're free to be the life of the party. A bonus for latte and macchiato drinkers...integrated milk solutions, like Gaggia's Milk Island.

Don't Let a good machine go bad.
Do Use pre-filtered water to cut down on scale buildup and remember to stick to a regular cleaning/maintenance schedule; your machine will thank you for it!

Have an espresso no-no that we missed? Share it here!

-Tho
Writing Department

I can't help but notice, it's been a while since my last  tech blog. In fact, I'm pretty sure the last time I wrote something, my shiny new iPhone G3 was only a glimmer of a possibility rather than the shiny distraction I may or may not have with me at all times. Many people attest that their most important brewing tool is their frothing pitcher, or a bottomless portafilter. I'm a little nerdier than that...I have to say it's my iPhone.

I'm crazy, you say? Crazy for technology, I say! Where else can I time my shot, practice grinding and tamping, or even locate a great cafe, all in one place?  I'll say it— for anything coffee, there's an app for that.

It seems, all sorts of companies are getting on the app bandwagon. Lots of these apps are free, and the rest won't cost more than $0.99 to download. The app that started it all for me was the Espresso Drinks app. You may have seen the espresso drinks chart poster before— this version is strictly mobile. All you do is tap on the drink you want (from espresso to caffé mocha, there are 9 basic drinks to choose from). The chart will flip over to reveal a larger, detailed drink icon with approximated ingredient amounts labeled "espresso", "steamed milk", etc. If you're a coffee novice with any version of the iPhone, this is definitely the app to get you started.

Even if you're more of a one-touch coffee maker user, there's an app for you. Fans of  Nespresso single serve espresso machines will appreciate the Nespresso Stock Checker. Keep track of your Nespresso capsules, and always be ready to brew.

What's your favorite iPhone espresso or tea app? Let me know, and maybe I'll review it next time!

Rachel
Web Department