I remember those early mornings getting ready for school with my sister in the cold and dark, but with the comfort of hot chocolate and a warm breakfast cooked by Dad. I still recall the aroma of my dad’s coffee and how curious I was to try it. But, well, let’s say it didn’t quite suit my twelve-year-old taste buds.
Before I left home about four years ago. Mom and Dad wanted to have a small coffee shop at home. So we started to searching for the knowledge about coffee. We used to drive around the northern region of Thailand, exploring the coffee stories from farm to farm and several coffee factories in the mountain. I was still fascinated by its aroma but had no idea why we would need to drink such a bitter liquid.
It wasn’t until I started dating Greg that I began appreciating coffee. Every moring when I woke up at his place in Carins, especially after a heavy rain night, the apartment was filled with the aroma from his coffee machine brewing.
“Would you like some coffee?” He used to say that to me when I dragged myself out of the bedroom. And I couldn’t resist trying it.
He had a De’Longhi Magnifica S, an automatic machine that made great coffee. You can just put your favourite fresh coffee bean, check the water and then press a shot or two of espresso. Just easy like that! There is also a manual milk frother that you can make such a rich foam for cappuccino or flat white.
I first tried his favourite, espresso, but it was probably a big jump for me. So instead, I started my coffee journey with Mocha and worked my way up to cappuccino, and now I can’t imagine my mornings without a cup of long black. Nice progress.
Now that I am addicted to coffee. Going to a cafe is a treat for me, but it can get expensive. I am not a coffee expert, but I think having a decent coffee machine at home is a great idea.
Sadly after five years, the little De’Longhi Magnifica S was demanding to retire. We considered fixing it, but it would cost us about $300-400. So we had to say goodbye and look for a new coffee machine. There are so many choices out there with different price ranges. As I said, I am neither an expert nor very picky with my coffee. So I would be happy with anything easy to use, automatic, and have a milk frother cause I still love to have a Mocha or cappuccino on a cold winter day.
We spent a lot of time choosing the right machine but ended up thinking to get the same De’Longhi Magnifica S. It took us a whole day going to so many shops to find a good deal because they either didn’t have it in stock or didn’t have attractive offers. It was frustrating, but when I was about to give up, Greg found an exciting machine with a good deal and it was Smeg.
They are releasing a new model with a built-in milk frother, BCC02WHMUK Bean to Cup Coffee Machine, so it was a push-off sale of the old model that comes with a separate milk frother. I wasn’t keen on it, but Greg was sold on the stylish design and the idea of making hot chocolate from the separate milk frother.
After a few days of having the Smeg, I must say I’m in love with it! The separate milk frother, the MFF01BLEU Milk Frother, is a game-changer actually. I never thought I could make such smooth, creamy, beautiful foam at home. Unlike the built-in milk frother where you have to hold the jar at a specific angle to get nice foam, with this separate milk frother you just choose the right mode and press a button. And it serves the most beautiful foam I can ever make at home! I can do a hot foam for cappuccino, yummy and creamy hot chocolate or even nice foamy cold milk. Of course, now I would have to go backward on my coffee progression, having hot chocolate and Mocha a bit more often.
So, whether you’re a coffee lover or just getting into it, I hope my experience inspires you to try new things and find the perfect coffee machine for you. Who knows, it may just become a new morning ritual that brings you warmth and comfort.
Cheers to finding your perfect cup of joe!