Introduction

Welcome to Metro Espresso. This is a blog about my coffee interests and the coffee shops in the DC area.

What I will be doing in the coming posts and blog is four-fold (sorry for all the folding). First, this blog will review and critique DC-area coffee shops supplemented by pictures, commentary, and reviews about each place. Second, discussing coffee culture. Third, how to make quality coffee ranging from espresso to Turkish coffee using my own experience as examples of what to do and what not to do. Four, pontificating about coffee'ness in general.

What you will not find here is a coffee snob who looks down upon people who drink Starbucks, Folgers, or Maxwell house. As a coffee lover, and all other coffee lovers should, it is our job to tell the world about the wonders of coffee beyond the usual coffee products in a manner that engenders curiosity and a passion for a great cup of joe.



Here is my coffee setup,(from left to right) I have a small Bialetti Moka pot that makes quasi espresso which can be quite scrumptious. Next to it, I have a French Press pot that makes coffee similar to drip, but since it doesn't use a paper filter it keeps all the lovely oils in the coffee making a stronger and better tasting coffee. Next to that, is a Capresso Infinity burr grinder that, you guessed it, grinds whole coffee beans adding to the freshness of the coffee. Buying pre-ground coffee goes staler much quicker than whole bean, making a grinder an integral part to any coffee set up. Finally, the Lello Ariete espresso machine, while not a popular machine, it makes decent espresso for the price compared to other pricier home machines. In front, are all the tools: scoops, tampers, portafilter (the handle-looking thing), brush, and stop watch for timing how long the french press coffee should steep for.

A minor disclaimer(actually not really, more of a disclosure): I am not a coffee expert, but a person who enjoys coffee, who has read up on the subject through a few books, and spent perhaps a bit too many times sniffing coffees at the super market. I have pictures! I appreciate all the feedback, advice, and constructive critiques.

If you have a coffee setup, or had a great cup of coffee somewhere, please tell me at duderino102@gmail.com