bbbradk's Full Review: Saeco Aroma Espresso Machine
I got lucky about a year back and won a Saeco Aroma Espresso Machine from a contest put on by a local radio station.
I would never pay the kind of money that this unit costs in stores just for a fancy coffee machine, I mean I checked up on it, and this unit retails for about $300.00.
I had never been an espresso drinker before this, other than having shots of it poured into a latte, or having it as part of dessert, but I was very excited to get into the whole coffee culture.
Instead of going to Starbucks and using their silly language, I was going to be my own barista.
I guess before I got all cocky, I should have read the instructions and perhaps had a test run or something, because the first cup I ever tried making resulted in wet hot coffee grounds being sprayed all over the place.
You see, the instructions included kind of take for granted that you have used one of these machines before (and I suppose they are usually right, the price of this unit doesn't make it much of a starter model)
The instructions were printed in 7 different languages, and the English version was quite vague about just how to make this machine work.
I ended up searching online for more instructions, this is when I realized that the basket that the coffee grounds are put into was to not only be placed under the water jet, but it was to be turned until it formed a tight seal (thus the previously mentioned spraying coffee grounds).
I was ready to go, I filled the large water compartment in the back of the unit, then I turned the unit on and waited for it to warm up.
After about ten minutes the light came on, letting me know I was ready to brew (the light comes on when the unit heats enough water)
this time, the basket was filled with coffee and FIRMLY in place.
I positioned two small cups, one under each of the spouts directly beneath the basket and flicked the switch.
After some grinding sounds, a slow trickle of brown gold trickled out of each of the spouts, I had success!!!
I added some sugar and drank the two small cups, wow was the taste ever strong!!!
I decided that rather than the regular espresso, I may be better off trying to make my own latte, as this unit does have a milk steamer attachment.
So I emptied the coffee basket, rinsed it out and prepared to start anew.
I was much more at ease now that I had brewed a successful cup, and doing it all again was simple.
I had no idea how the steamer was supposed to work, so I just played with it a while until I understood it.
On the right side of the machine, there is an on/off switch with a knob directly below it.
The switch is to turn on the steamer, the knob is to control its power.
After making a huge mess by turning up the power way too high and nearly burning myself with the steam I had a hang of it.
I filled a coffee mug about half way with skim milk, then put the steaming rod right into it, and for that moment I really felt like a barista, because my machine was making that hissing sound that you always hear at Starbucks.
Once the milk was frothed right to the top of the mug, I poured the two shots of espresso I had just brewed into the top of the froth, added a bit of sugar, and I was in heaven, it was delicious, and I had made it myself!
I immediately started making a mental list of all of the other delicious drinks I could froth to make taste better, but quickly realized that I'd likely end up breaking the machine so I didn't.
That was a long night, six shots of espresso sure keeps you awake late.
Since then I've learned that moderation is the key, and I regularly make my own latte's.
Being that I've never made espresso on any other machine I have nothing to compare this one to, but I can say that after the initial attempt this machine has never given me a problem, and I would recommend it to anyone looking to spend some money on a good espresso machine.
Here is what Saeco says on their website about this unit.
The Aroma is a marriage between Saeco’s legacy of Swiss quality and Italian styling, giving your countertop an espresso machine with performance and good looks. The Aroma features a powerful 15-bar pump, a pod adaptable pressurized portafilter, a cup warming surface, an 85-ounce removable water tank, and a steam and hot water wand with an exclusive Pannarello milk frothing device.
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