What did you get for Christmas?

BlessedSquirrel

BlessedSquirrel

We love you Ukraine
So, what did we all grab for Chrimble?

I treated myself to a new coffee machine. Have been an avid fan of Nespresso for years now, but in March they changed the recipe on their original pods and lowered the quality while quite substantially increasing the cost. I would have been happy to pay the increased cost if the quality had remained as good, but it's just not the same anymore.

So I'd been looking at Sage machines for a while, but was always put off by the price, but then Amazon, in their eternal wisdom, did a 3rd off with the option to pay in installments and it was too good to miss out on! It's a bean to cup, not fully automated, but doesn't take very long to make a true Barista style coffee.

I don't drink alcohol anymore, and tea and coffee have become quite a luxurious addition to my daily life.

I'm in love!

Sage Barista Express

F860C3F3-17C8-460A-88E8-5AC8E000AE79.jpg
 
G

Gavras

Master Poster
Good choice we have same machine.

I can really advise getting a calibrated tamper.

Some good online coffee places that do good roast dates, Costco not too bad either.

the hardest bit I had was getting the Milk just right, solved that and glass coffee cups, set of shapes and sprinkles just adds to it.

it is a great machine for doing very good coffee.

We actually abstained from Christmas presents this Year (for each other) as moving house eventually and both getting new cars next summer. We decided it would be odd buying stuff and at same time binning stuff ready to move lol.


edit: while not fully automated, the Sage gives you far more personal control.
 
BlessedSquirrel

BlessedSquirrel

We love you Ukraine
Gavras said:
Good choice we have same machine.

I can really advise getting a calibrated tamper.

Some good online coffee places that do good roast dates, Costco not too bad either.

the hardest bit I had was getting the Milk just right, solved that and glass coffee cups, set of shapes and sprinkles just adds to it.

it is a great machine for doing very good coffee.

We actually abstained from Christmas presents this Year (for each other) as moving house eventually and both getting new cars next summer. We decided it would be odd buying stuff and at same time binning stuff ready to move lol.


edit: while not fully automated, the Sage gives you far more personal control.
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Oooo, thanks for the tips! Didn’t realise they did a calibrated tamper, is that where it registers the force your compacting with? Very handy!

Yeah, I think I’ve got the espresso down pat now, the pressure seems right and it does have a lovely crema and consistency. The milk will need a bit of practice, that’s a whole skill in it’s own right.

We only did pressies for immediate family this year, and I really splashed out on my parents as I think they’re the ones feeling the lockdown the most both being high risk, must be quite stressful.
 
G

Gavras

Master Poster
SpyderTracks said:
Oooo, thanks for the tips! Didn’t realise they did a calibrated tamper, is that where it registers the force your compacting with? Very handy!

Yeah, I think I’ve got the espresso down pat now, the pressure seems right and it does have a lovely crema and consistency. The milk will need a bit of practice, that’s a whole skill in it’s own right.

We only did pressies for immediate family this year, and I really splashed out on my parents as I think they’re the ones feeling the lockdown the most both being high risk, must be quite stressful.
Click to expand...
This one is pretty good.

Calibrated Coffee Tamper 53mm for Coffee and Espresso: Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Home

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy Calibrated Coffee Tamper 53mm for Coffee and Espresso at Amazon UK.
www.amazon.co.uk

Also getting a good Hot Chocolate from Whittards - https://www.whittard.co.uk/?gclid=E...VTdPtCh0jDQtNEAAYASAAEgJDVfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

coupled with the The Milk Steamer is brilliant.

Sainsburys Dark chocolate makes a good Mocha, couple squares in a double (or single shot, then usual steamed milk on top.
 
Scott

Scott

Behold The Ford Mondeo
Moderator
Biggest gift for me was accepting an offer on my house on Christmas Eve so the big move is officially on :D

I don't think I've bought myself anything this year (awful that I can't actually remember if I did to be honest haha).

On coffee makers though, I love a nice cup of coffee. I like it simple, strong & black with nothing at all in it. I got a Delonghi bean to cup last year (highly recommended one). Not as good as the Sage but definitely a decent drop.

With regards to the pods, I can't see past the Tassimo Kenco Columbian ones. I always found the Tassimo to be the best of the "pod" coffee makers. I don't think they do them any more but years ago there was a Carte Noir Columbian and a Carte Noir Kenyan that Tassimo did. They were some of the best coffees I had ever tried. Typical that you needed 3 of the blighters for a proper mug of coffee mind you.... delicious it was though.
 
BlessedSquirrel

BlessedSquirrel

We love you Ukraine
Scott said:
Biggest gift for me was accepting an offer on my house on Christmas Eve so the big move is officially on :D

I don't think I've bought myself anything this year (awful that I can't actually remember if I did to be honest haha).

On coffee makers though, I love a nice cup of coffee. I like it simple, strong & black with nothing at all in it. I got a Delonghi bean to cup last year (highly recommended one). Not as good as the Sage but definitely a decent drop.

With regards to the pods, I can't see past the Tassimo Kenco Columbian ones. I always found the Tassimo to be the best of the "pod" coffee makers. I don't think they do them any more but years ago there was a Carte Noir Columbian and a Carte Noir Kenyan that Tassimo did. They were some of the best coffees I had ever tried. Typical that you needed 3 of the blighters for a proper mug of coffee mind you.... delicious it was though.
Click to expand...
Congratulations on the house, that’s brilliant news!
 
G

Gavras

Master Poster
Scott said:
Biggest gift for me was accepting an offer on my house on Christmas Eve so the big move is officially on :D

I don't think I've bought myself anything this year (awful that I can't actually remember if I did to be honest haha).

On coffee makers though, I love a nice cup of coffee. I like it simple, strong & black with nothing at all in it. I got a Delonghi bean to cup last year (highly recommended one). Not as good as the Sage but definitely a decent drop.

With regards to the pods, I can't see past the Tassimo Kenco Columbian ones. I always found the Tassimo to be the best of the "pod" coffee makers. I don't think they do them any more but years ago there was a Carte Noir Columbian and a Carte Noir Kenyan that Tassimo did. They were some of the best coffees I had ever tried. Typical that you needed 3 of the blighters for a proper mug of coffee mind you.... delicious it was though.
Click to expand...
Good luck with house move.

We accepted offer on ours in October and had offer accepted on one we want in November... still waiting... arggghh lol.
 
barlew

barlew

Godlike
Gavras said:
Good luck with house move.

We accepted offer on ours in October and had offer accepted on one we want in November... still waiting... arggghh lol.
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I'm in the same bought here. The guys we are buying from dont even know what part of the country they want to move to!

In terms of Christmas presents I bought a very naughty laptop for far too much money.
 
ubuysa

ubuysa

The BSOD Doctor
We don't bother with Christmas presents and we don't send many cards either, what we've done for many years now is donate a few places at Crisis At Christmas each year. It seems a more worthwhile way to spend our money than getting each other stuff we'd probably have bought anyway. Knowing that we've done something (however small) to help a few people who are struggling in life to have some sort of Christmas is actually the best kind of present. I recommend it. :)
 
G

Gavras

Master Poster
Nursemorph said:
As a family (Aunts and Uncles as well as immediate family), we all agreed not to buy presents (except for children) and to donate the money that would have been spent to charity....am still deciding who to give my money to but it will likely be a local food bank or maybe something mental health related as both areas would have been stretched so anything would help.

Besides, I have my new TV which still feels new so I am happy....just patiently awaiting delivery of the 4k Lord of The Rings Trilogy I ordered...the one thing I have wanted to see in 4k since 4k was first released
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Mental health gets my vote.

an area I feel strongly about and have done for a few decades now.
 
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