19 March 2008

This might be the difference between sanity and insanity.

Cair (no blog to link to, I'm afraid) mentioned the Bialetti Cappuccino Maker in the comments on my coffeemaker post.

She (or he?) deserves some kind of prize.

I am a lover of the latte, but I have never been willing to deal with the expense and fussiness of owning a home espresso maker. But when I saw the Bialetti, I knew that my prayers had been answered.

I happened to have a few Crate & Barrel gift certificates hanging around from when John and I got married, and so today at lunch I zipped over to the closest store and made my dreams come true.

Of course, I had some doubts that perhaps the machine could not live up to the hype. I had nothing to worry about. I followed the instructions and made three fake lattes (no milk) to season the machine. Then I made a real latte.

I'm drinking it now.

It's really, really good.

The house is already stocked with regular and decaf espresso. Anyone want to come over for a latte?

19 comments:

IdleMindOfBeth said...

Delurking to tell you how excited I am for you - that you found, and followed thru on - this lovely way to be kind to yourself.

mmmmmmmmmmm latte! Enjoy it!

10 lbs of awesome in a 5 lb bag said...

How hard is it to use? And how about flavored lattes? (I admit it, my Starbucks order is embarrassingly long...)

Ehme said...

How funny! I read all the comments regarding your coffee pot and I have not stopped thinking about that gadget since. I think I might be getting a new present!

BethanyWD said...

Gosh, I have one of those and I LOVE it. Way to treat yourself - sometimes, the small things make all the difference.

Anonymous said...

Great choice! The best of both worlds coffee wise.

mlg said...

Clearly you also understand that there is nothing better than a well timed, perfectly made cup of coffee. So many people don't understand this truth I have known for so long.

My big secret? sometimes at night I think, "If I go to sleep now when I wake up it will be coffee time!" (for those who are giving me a tsk tsk.. I quit smoking, don't drink more than occasionally, never do drugs, lost 90lbs on weight watchers... please, let me have my coffee)

Rachel said...

That sounds amazing. I am jealous.

Anonymous said...

You should be getting a commission from them!

Rev Dr Mom said...

Ahh, I have a different Bialetti--one that doesn't have the milk part built in--and a frother, and I never thought to mention those. Glad someone did.

K said...

Oh, I wish I had heard about this before my birthday. Sounds heavenly.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I'm so glad you like it! I drink regular coffee black, and don't like to drink milk much, but I can easily get my daily calcium needs with the help of this little device.

My one word of advice - keep the little black steaming device thing AWAY from the garbage disposal. They are not friends.

Cair (sorry, no blog, and yes a she)

Snickollet said...

10 lbs.--

It's very, very easy to use. And I don't see any reason you couldn't add a shot of syrup (or sugar or whatever) to the milk. Not sure if it would affect the frothing, but I think it would work fine.

-snick

Mama Nabi said...

Oooh. I am so glad you got yourself something to brighten up your morning. Mmmm, latte... does it do soy lattes as well? (asks a lactose intolerant latte lover...)

Snickollet said...

MN--

I don't see why you couldn't use soy milk. Seems like it would work out just fine. It's soooooo gooooooood . . .

-snick

Anonymous said...

What do you use for the grounds? I am not ready for an expresso machines and am curious what brand/flavor of caffeinated you use for this.

Glad you are treating yourself, it sounds well deserved!

Snickollet said...

Wax Poetic--

C&B had a promotion going whereby I got some free Bialetti espresso when I bought the machine. So that was what I used this morning and it was very good.

FYI, last night I used Trader Joe's Decaf Italian Roast, ground on the finest setting in their in-store grinder. That was awesome, too.

-snick

katszeye said...

Good for you! I have been eyeing that machine for years. You may just have inspired me to finally get one. Hope you continue to enjoy it.

Ami

Anonymous said...

I use mine with soy milk, I am drinking it as I write this, I love it!!

Julia said...

If the offer still stands....
And I won't hold it against you that you picked a machine other than my beloved Tassimo. I was slacking on my reading when you did, so I have no-one to blame but myself. :)