Clover’s not gone, say hello to Clover VerticaTM

The Clover Vertica is a single-cup coffee brewing machine from Starbucks that brews coffee on demand. It’s designed to be sustainable, reducing waste and water use.

Features:

Grinds and brews: The Clover Vertica can grind and brew a cup of coffee in under a minute
Vacuum-press technology: Uses vacuum-press technology to brew coffee
Precise water temperature and brew length control: Can brew coffee to the specific roast and blend specification for each bean
Iced coffee setting: Can brew iced coffee using whole bean iced coffee

Benefits:

Helps Starbucks meet its goal of cutting water, waste, and carbon by 50% by 2030
Produces fresh, premium coffee with pronounced flavors

Starbucks began deploying the Clover Vertica in U.S. stores in 2022 with plans to deploy the Clover Vertica to all company-operated U.S. stores by the end of September 2025

If you’ve had Starbucks Vertica, leave a comment below about your experience.

@starbucksnews

Take a peek behind the scenes at the Clover Vertica™, the single cup, on-demand brewer, making fresh, premium coffee with much less waste, improving the experiences of our partners (employees), our customers, and the environment. #starbuckscoffee #coffeemachine #coffeetiktok

♬ original sound – Starbucks News & Stories

What is a Superautomatic Espresso Machine

Learn about Superautomatic Espresso Machines

A superautomatic espresso machine is an espresso machine that is like having a robot barista in your kitchen. It’s an espresso machine that automates a lot of the things it takes to make an espresso drink.

Superautomatic Espresso Machines feature:

BUILT-IN COFFEE GRINDERS

No need to hassle with an expensive espresso grinder, the coffee drink is made from fresh ground coffee

PUSH-BUTTON DRINK SELECTORS

Easily make cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos whenever you like.

CUSTOMIZABLE COFFEE DRINK BREWING

Like a little more creama, lighter foam, etc? Customize your drink how you like it, save the setting for later.

Gaggia New Classic Home Espresso Machine

Gaggia New Classic Home Barista Espresso Machine

A contradiction in terms? Maybe not, while the Gaggia New Classic has been around for decades, there are some new developments to report; the main one is that manufacturing has returned to Italy from China. Not to besmirch Chinese manufacturing though. For example: do you really want a Burgundy Wine from Texas? Just saying. Quality is improved by the people who have a passion for the products versus the cheapest place to manufacture them. In Italy espresso is king.

While still the same, the Gaggia New Classic holds true to it’s basic minimalist form and look, updated are some of the less attractive features. You get a professional looking home barista espresso machine for the best value.

So what is new?

SOLENOID VALVE

Is back. The 3-ways solenoid valve ensures a constant control on water pressure inside the filter-holder.

MORE METAL, LESS PLASTIC

Improvements the to overall quality and durability, plastic has been reduced and replaced with metal parts.

LARGER BOILER

Not a thermocoil or thermoblock, but a normal-sized anodised aluminium tank replaced the smaller stainless steal boiler.

METAL SPLITTER

Previous models had a plastic splitter on the portafilter.

ALL METAL GROUP HEAD

Previous model had some plastic to help seal the portafilter to the group head.

PRO STEAM WAND

After noticing how people were modding by adding a Rancillo steam wand, Gaggia upgraded to a pro steam wand.

NEW ROCKER BUTTONS INTERFACE

A new intuitive interface with dedicated indicator lights for on/off, espresso and steam for a total control of the functions

NEW BODYWORK DETAILS

A renovated stainless steel bodywork shape to make the water level visible, a new drip tray to improve stability, and an iconic filter-holder with the signature Gaggia “G”.

15 BAR PUMP

The perfect pressure to make an Italian espresso with a layer of authentic “crema naturale”

PROFESSIONAL GROUP AND FILTER HOLDER

The same size, style and weight of the professional machines, the chromed brass group and filter holder are designed to guaranteee optimal coffee temperature throughout the entire brewing process and an improved in-cup quality.

A few things to keep in mind. Any espresso machine works best with a good quality grinder (that can grind very fine), they can set you back at least $200, and more like $400 and up. If you don’t have such a grinder, the pressurized basket will get by with pre-ground espresso. Some reviewers say you can’t get a real fine milk froth, but from what I’ve seen, the steam wand gets pretty close to cafe-quality froth. Latte art seems to work pretty well. You can also upgrade to a bottomless partafilter, as well as some mods to improve the milk froth, but any mods will void the warrantee.

PRICE

Stainless steel case is $452 on Amazon

For the customer who wants as close to cafe quality espresso drinks, you can’t really go wrong with this machine at this price point. The Classic comes in other colors that are $499.00

Check out this video comparing the older model to the New Classic

How to Make Moka Pot Espresso

Brewing Espresso Coffee with a Moka Pot

Inventeted by Luigi De Ponti for Alfonso Bialetti in 1933. The Moka pot is very popular in Europe, Latin America and somewhat less in the US. The Moka pot is a simple espresso technique that done right, while not as good as an espresso you’ll find in a café, the results will please you. It’s the same basic principle; presurized water forced through ground coffee. Moka pots are generally available in 1 cup, 3, cup, 6 cup, 9 cup and 12 cup pots. If you mostly make coffee for yourself the 1 cup should suffice, 2 people; a 3 or 6 cup pot. Shop here for Moka pots.

The Moka Pot Brewing Technique:

Grind your fresh-roasted beans, do not use an espresso grind, but a setting between what you’d use for pour-over coffee and espresso, to fine and the brew will over extract and be bitter. To course and it will be flat.
Heat water in a kettle to boiling and pour into the bottom portion of the the pot.
Fill the funnel with coffee and place in the pot.
Screw the top portion onto the base tightly and place on your burner.
After a few moments the coffee with come out of the center stem.
Once all the coffee has come out, stir the coffee layers to even out and pour into your cup.
If you have a Milk Frother you can make a Latte, Café Mocha, or Cuppachino.
Enjoy!

Other Moka Pot information sources and online tutorials:

A YouTube video by ChefSteps: Make Great Coffee with a Moka Pot

Blue Bottle Moka Pot Preperation Guide

Bialetti

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