The New Smithy Blog

Had to move the Blog? Finally set up a blog to have AOL decide it wasn't going to host blogs anymore so deleted them all, thanks alot very helpful!!!

So here we are the new home for The Smithy Blog, not always useful, not always relevant, just one mans ramblings.

COFFEE

So if anybody used to read my last blog may know my current hate is coffee, or more the lack of good coffee. After 6 years loyal service my home Gaggia packed in victim to limescale, after looking at many expensive home models I finally bought myself a second hand industrial ex shop unit. After the troubles of plumbing it in and getting it working I am finally making good consistant quality coffee, and if I say myself it's the best I have had (I know self praise is no praise)

Now my pet hate at the moment is so called coffee shops trying to sell me a cappucino for a few quid that is crap, I will gladly pay good money for quality but I will no longer pay for sub standard espresso. Making a real espresso is an art, a skill that has to be learned, a true shop should have a barista and only he or she should use the machine, not some saturday person with no training. Last week was out for a day, doing some photography and called into Leyburn to a coffee shop there, now all seemed clean and tidy and I could see the proper machine behind the counter, so thought It would be ok to order a cappucino. Now I should have seen the signs, the young girl behind the conter too busy chatting to her friend across the shop about some lads or something, we was told there was no food after 3pm. But foolishly I risked it and I must say it ranks as probablly the worst I have had. On first look it seemed ok raised to my lips for the first sip, to have the skin burnt off, it was the hotttest drink I have ever had, I think she made the milk in the kettle, I could not get my first taste for at least 10 minutes to find a watery bland drink, top this off with a stale scone and the dullest cookie ( I know i'm getting picky now) but I paid good money.

I think I will be investing in a travel espresso machine for the boot of the car.

Still the top for decent drinks in The Yorkshire Dales besides myself is 'Bean Loved' in Skipton. A father & Son team who take it serious. Both seem fully trained and commited, only they use the machine, friendly service even regognise you when you come in, give a bit of chat. Clean, coffee could be a bit more flavorsome for my liking, but always consistant.