tags: espresso-summer
double dutch
There is something deeply satisfying about drinking coffee while traveling. Whether I am flying, driving, or in a new city a bit of caffeine calms my nerves and gives me a burst of energy. This morning, I went to Double Dutch Espresso in Harlem.
I ordered a double shot espresso (of course lol) and two bagels with cream cheese. The espresso was presently drinkable—slightly bitter but not too bad. I would go back and order espresso from this cafe.
It was the type of shot that pairs well with milk and sugar. Cream and sweetness hide the unpleasant bitter notes, and dilute the strong coffee flavors. If I wasn’t purposefully seeking out espresso this month, then my normal order in a new city would be a cortado.
my turn
Later in the day I went to visit some friends in Brooklyn, and because I had been talking about my espresso summer project earlier they wanted to see me put my money were my mouth is and pull a shot. Turns out they have an espresso machine with a bean grinder attachment.
We munched on sushi that my girlfriend picked up from a corner store while I tried to become acquainted with the machine. Now, I’m not good at pulling espresso shots. I would make a terrible barista. To pull one drinkable shot I need to make at least five vile ones first. Even when I am visiting my parents (who have an espresso machine) and I’m making espresso drinks every other day, I still need one or two practice pulls to make something I want to drink.
Anyways, here I am filling up my friend’s compost bag with steamy damp coffee grounds from four failed double shots. Not wanting to throw out all of their coffee beans, I stopped on the fifth double shot. Unfortunately for me, the espresso had an unpleasant bitterness throughout. Would not recommend :)