Reply #23: ok I sell Lattes for a living here is espresso 101---- [View All]

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espresso is a very delicate animal. You must use fresh roasted beans (use with in 14 days of roasting) and use the fresh beans within 10 minutes of grinding.

Starbucks never has fresh beans, ask any SB employee and they will tell you they get coffee deliveries once a month (on average) so it is impossible to get a good shot of espresso at SB. The proof of fresh coffee is the "creama" that floats on top of the shot. It looks like a guiness-- 1/3 dark brown (not black) and 2/3 of carmel colored cream on top. You never see creama at SB's. they suck pretty much-- we call them the "Walmart of Gourmet Coffee"

on edit--- if you want good coffee look in the phone book and find a local roaster and visit them-- you will find "coffee nirvana"

http://www.heinebroscoffee.com/drinks.htm