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Does anyone have any experience with the Handy Brew Coffee Dripper Machine from Sweet Maria's? I've been drinking instant coffee for the past few months and I'm really ready for an upgrade. I've also been looking at the Aero Press, but I'm scared I'll knock the whole thing over while using the syringe and spill coffee all over myself. That and I'm looking for a cup of coffee, not espresso.
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# ? Sep 22, 2012 07:50 |
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# ? May 16, 2024 17:29 |
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Bioshuffle posted:Does anyone have any experience with the Handy Brew Coffee Dripper Machine from Sweet Maria's? I've been drinking instant coffee for the past few months and I'm really ready for an upgrade. It looks a lot like the ingenuTEA I use for... well, tea, only more functionally suited for coffee. I imagine it'll produce something like a french press, loose grinds/sludge and all. Some cups may not work nicely with it, if they are particularly large at the top, as the bottom looks smaller than the Clever Coffee Dripper. No personal experience with this specific thing though.
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# ? Sep 22, 2012 10:29 |
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Arnold of Soissons posted:Ok blade grinders are obviously terrible, but wtf is wrong with an electric kettle or a press? Sorry, I meant that the electric and blade were horrible, while the press was OK. I thought that electrics were bad because there's absolutely no way to control the temperature of the water? At the very least I know I could just boil and wait for it to cool, but then it becomes a pretty annoying process where I have to boil it, pour it into another vessel because I can't measure it in the kettle due to its design, then wait for it to cool a little, then pour it in.
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# ? Sep 22, 2012 19:48 |
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Bioshuffle posted:I've also been looking at the Aero Press, but I'm scared I'll knock the whole thing over while using the syringe and spill coffee all over myself. That and I'm looking for a cup of coffee, not espresso. Besides, if you follow any of the guides on Brew Methods for using an Aeropress, you're going to be making yourself nothing but single cups of coffee that might need an ounce or two of hot water/cream/whatever if you think it tastes too strong. As a step up from instant, totally get that coffee dripper; I'd love to get my hands on one myself, it looks like it'd produce an oiler version of the results you'd get from a Clever dripper. An Aeropress is kind of fiddlier and might be way too frustrating for you to use as your "daily driver," despite how fun it is to use once you're more used to coffee being a hobby rather than just a thing you drink.
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# ? Sep 22, 2012 20:09 |
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Couple questions: - I've read various guides, some say use 30 lbs. of pressure when tamping, some say 5 lbs. Which is more accurate? - Do you level the coffee across the top of the portafilter, then tamp it, or tamp the excessive mound of coffee, then shave off the excess to make it level?
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# ? Sep 22, 2012 20:59 |
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swagger like us posted:This has been said 50 times, even on this very page, and I added a whole section on extraction, and moved the "grinders" subsection into it. If anyone wants to double check that I put everything in there or if I forgot something, just let me know and I'll add it.
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# ? Sep 22, 2012 22:06 |
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GrAviTy84 posted:I added a whole section on extraction, and moved the "grinders" subsection into it. If anyone wants to double check that I put everything in there or if I forgot something, just let me know and I'll add it. You should fix your BBcode and the link to the clever dripper is broken.
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# ? Sep 22, 2012 22:37 |
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Boris Galerkin posted:You should fix your BBcode and the link to the clever dripper is broken. derp. Thanks, fixed.
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# ? Sep 22, 2012 22:43 |
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Bumming Your Scene posted:Couple questions: As for the dose in the portafilter, level it off flat before tamping. You can adjust the grind from there, but if you're not leveling off (or weighing) then you can't be consistent. Leveling off also helps with the flavor because you're making sure you can avoid channeling, which is when the water from the machine travels through some sections of the coffee puck at a different speed to other sections, which makes some of the shot over extract and some under extract. Pulling in serviceable espresso shots is pretty easy; pulling amazing ones takes so much practice
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# ? Sep 22, 2012 22:55 |
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Thanks for the advice! I went ahead and ordered the coffee dripper. Does anyone have any experience with double walled insulated glass mugs? I was looking at the Bodum but they seem really fragile judging from the reviews. There are a few alternatives, like the Serafino mug or Sun's Tea. Are these mostly a gimmick item?
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# ? Sep 22, 2012 23:19 |
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Whalley posted:Leveling off also helps with the flavor because you're making sure you can avoid channeling, which is when the water from the machine travels through some sections of the coffee puck at a different speed to other sections, which makes some of the shot over extract and some under extract. Naked/bottomless portafilter is pretty cool.
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# ? Sep 22, 2012 23:46 |
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dema posted:Naked/bottomless portafilter is pretty cool.
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# ? Sep 23, 2012 05:02 |
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Whalley posted:
THIS. Espresso can be such a meh bitch sometimes but when she's good......
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# ? Sep 23, 2012 15:56 |
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How many grams of coffee are you guys putting in your 3 cup Moka pots? I've tried roughly 14 g to around 21 g (which was way too much, cause pressure kept leaking out somewhere) at a medium coarse grind but can't seem to get it right. The coffee I make with my French press right now is beyond doubt infinitely better than anything that has come out of my Moka pot. e: My Italian friend tells me during final exams some people brew coffee with a Moka pot, and then take the brewed coffee and put it back into the Moka pot with newly ground coffee again and brew it a second time Boris Galerkin fucked around with this message at 23:16 on Sep 23, 2012 |
# ? Sep 23, 2012 22:46 |
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gently caress you guys and your latte art.....I suck at it still. The Vario I bought new in January quit working a few days ago. During mid-grind it just started making a high pitched whine and the burrs stopped. I'm gonna take a shot at opening it up somehow and poking around before I call them. Bummer. Meanwhile, my never fail, noisy, light, static prone, only been properly cleaned once, under $100 Capresso Infinity has been called up from reserve duty.
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# ? Sep 24, 2012 19:45 |
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I use a pourover cup with a paper filter to make coffee and am wondering how fine / coarse should I grind my beans? Normally I buy a small bag of beans each week and get them ground for me and sometimes the clerk will grind them quite coarsely and other times she will grind them fine. Both seem to work but I'm wondering what the best level of grind is? Also, I'm thinking about getting my own grinder and, because I'm a quirky rear end in a top hat, I was looking at this on ebay. It's basically a pepper grinder but is marketed as a coffee grinder. Would something like this work or should I just stick with the standard recommended hand grinder?
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# ? Sep 24, 2012 22:18 |
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cyberia posted:I use a pourover cup with a paper filter to make coffee and am wondering how fine / coarse should I grind my beans? I like mine quite fine but still visibly coarse, if that makes sense. You don't want them to clump together but you don't want it to look like fine gravel. Maybe sand-like is a good description. When you pour water over it, you don't want it to look like river silt, all clay-like, but you also don't want the water to pass through it quickly and unhindered. For grinders, I'm doubtful anyone has experience with that particular one, but know that wobble in the shaft, burr intolerances, and the like will provide an inconsistent grind. If you really want something manual and quirky check this out http://www.sweetmarias.com/sweetmarias/grinders/manual-grinders/zassenhaus-knee-mill.html. This is within the price of electrics such as the Capresso Infinity, though, so, unless your desire to be quirky is super big, you might just want to get an Infinity. The best grinder is the one you will use.
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# ? Sep 24, 2012 22:34 |
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My girlfriend and I are addicted to lattes hot and iced. Coffee Goons: Does there exist a machine for $300-$500 that will make decent espresso and also allow us to froth milk for hot drinks? I am not looking for the best coffee I've ever had in my life, I simply want an adequate replacement for a $10-15/day Starbucks habit. I'm going to go ahead and say that the less we are "hands on" in the process, the better.
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# ? Sep 24, 2012 23:21 |
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bloodysabbath posted:My girlfriend and I are addicted to lattes hot and iced. You can make a serviceable latte with a moka pot and froth milk with a french press, so I say you could have a rig for less than 100, maybe even less than 50. edit: Forgot a grinder, throw a Capresso Infinity or refub Maestro/Encore on top of that and you're around 150 for a good latte. A step up from there would be something like a refurb Saeco Aroma and a Capresso Infinity/Maestro/Encore. That'll put you around $250. Won't pull consistent and awesome shots, but you're just gonna throw a ton of milk on it anyway. Step up from there would be to up the grinder to a virtuoso (+$50 to total cost) If you really want to be hands off you can get a superautomatic. I don't know much about the details but they'll make drinkable lattes. The espresso will likely be awful. Peruse this: http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?cat=57&dir=asc&order=price&q=saeco+aroma That first one (Saeco Odea Giro Plus Refub) has favorable reviews and is only $300. You'll need to steam your own milk though. GrAviTy84 fucked around with this message at 23:32 on Sep 24, 2012 |
# ? Sep 24, 2012 23:25 |
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GrAviTy84 posted:You can make a serviceable latte with a moka pot and froth milk with a french press, so I say you could have a rig for less than 100, maybe even less than 50. Thank you, what an excellent site. http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/saeco-vienna-plus-superautomatic-espresso-machine What are your thoughts on this guy? A bit more expensive and not very sexy looking, but people seem to love it - 40 reviews and not a negative in the bunch. Any red flags on this unit? Will the wand steam milk for hot drinks? If it's good, this thing will literally pay for itself in a month, maybe less if I factor in the treats we always feel compelled to buy at the shops.
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# ? Sep 24, 2012 23:56 |
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I feel like a moka pot is going to produce just as good lattes then some $400 automatic. Latte's are basically coffee flavoured steamed milk drinks, so go for cheapest route and get a moka pot and a steam wand.
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# ? Sep 25, 2012 01:31 |
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Keyser S0ze posted:gently caress you guys and your latte art.....I suck at it still. Isn't that still under warranty? They'll send you one ASAP if it is, before you send yours in.
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# ? Sep 25, 2012 01:33 |
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Boris Galerkin posted:How many grams of coffee are you guys putting in your 3 cup Moka pots? I've tried roughly 14 g to around 21 g (which was way too much, cause pressure kept leaking out somewhere) at a medium coarse grind but can't seem to get it right. The coffee I make with my French press right now is beyond doubt infinitely better than anything that has come out of my Moka pot. As I understand it you get the best results from a moka pot by filling the little basket thing (without packing/tamping), thus getting the most pressure. Or something. (I'm assuming the 3 cup has a smaller basket than my 6 cup.) Really though I've only had mine for a few days and was hoping someone more knowledgeable had some tips/tricks. I think I have the grind down, something medium or coarser, I just wish I could get it to grind more consistently. drat grit in the bottom of the cup. (It's a Maestro... or I guess Solis actually.) I should probably try cleaning the thing first I guess. Worst case I can apparently replace the burrs for about $24. edit: getting a bit of grounds / sludge with some pre-ground coffee though, so who knows. Polygynous fucked around with this message at 13:32 on Sep 25, 2012 |
# ? Sep 25, 2012 02:00 |
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swagger like us posted:I feel like a moka pot is going to produce just as good lattes then some $400 automatic. Latte's are basically coffee flavoured steamed milk drinks, so go for cheapest route and get a moka pot and a steam wand. I agree with this, but there is something to be said about convenience. They will have to decide if grinding, tamping, cleanup, etc. are worth $250. As far as which is better, bloodysabbath, I don't know. The one you linked based on reviews looks good, but in practice, is it worth 100bux more than the other. The cheaper one looks like it has a better interface, to me, and it also looks marginally prettier.
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# ? Sep 25, 2012 02:13 |
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nm posted:Isn't that still under warranty? They'll send you one ASAP if it is, before you send yours in. Oh for sure it is. I finally got around to checking out the Baratza Support site and they have a category for what I'm pretty sure is my issue: "You have a stripped belt and pulley. Take a look at the guide below." I sent them an email and asked for replacement parts. Worst case is it's $8 for the parts.
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# ? Sep 25, 2012 04:28 |
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Any mypressi twist users out there? I feel dumb asking this, but I don't know what to think anymore! http://imgur.com/QptJj So which line do I fill the water to for a double shot? A double is 2 fl oz, correct? If I pour in 2 fl oz when it is resting at its natural angle, it fills exactly to the lower red dot. This surprised me, as the manual says something vague about filling to the second mark for a double (the higher red dot?), which I've measured to be about 3 fl oz. Maybe it needs more than 2 fl oz water to make a 2 fl oz shot? So right now when making shots (I always make doubles) I don't know where to fill it to. I love this thing, just had it serviced, but I have a lot of trouble getting good shots out of it. When I get a good tasting shot, invariably it is when it is barely pushing the shot through, and I am lucky to get 1/2 fl oz. This all makes me wonder about the physics (not my strong point in school). If there is more or less water filling the volume in the chamber where the compression happens, how does that affect the amount of pressure being created? Why not just fill water to the brim, for example? If anyone has any mypressi tips, please let me know. I have read about it for hours, and I still futz around with grind, amounts, and tamp pressure every time, and I am no where nearer to finding a sweet spot.
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# ? Sep 26, 2012 22:23 |
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How long does coffee stay "good" after it's been brewed? I want to buy some kind of thermos or something so that I can make a cup of coffee and take it with me to work in the mornings, but I'd want to drink it a few hours after it's been brewed (since I leave for work right after I finish drinking my morning coffee).
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# ? Sep 26, 2012 23:59 |
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Boris Galerkin posted:How long does coffee stay "good" after it's been brewed? I want to buy some kind of thermos or something so that I can make a cup of coffee and take it with me to work in the mornings, but I'd want to drink it a few hours after it's been brewed (since I leave for work right after I finish drinking my morning coffee). In a sealed thermos is fine. It's when it's left on a heating plate or cooled and reheated that it loses flavor.
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# ? Sep 27, 2012 01:15 |
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I have this thermos and it's pretty amazing. It seriously keeps coffee hot for up to 12 hours or so, and it stays warm-ish even after that. Only bummer is the biggest size is 17 ounces and I know some coffee fanatics drink more than that in a day, but I tend to make really strong coffee so 12 is plenty for me.
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# ? Sep 27, 2012 02:43 |
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Kaluza-Klein posted:A double is 2 fl oz, correct? Just fill the top chamber. 2 fl oz of water will not produce 2 fl oz of espresso, because coffee absorbs and retains water. The standard figure for espresso is about 1.2 grams per gram of coffee. There is no reason to use less water in the top chamber. End the shot by releasing the trigger.
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# ? Sep 27, 2012 05:48 |
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Is a Starbucks Barista coffee/espresso machine any good? Asking because someone just put a nearly new one on Craigslist for $120 and would be willing to drive it to where I work (so I don't have to drive and go get it). I'm thinking of pouncing on it, because I'd like to start getting into espresso, but I would rather save my money for something better if it sucks or something. Link to CL Listing
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# ? Sep 27, 2012 14:49 |
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Bob_McBob posted:Just fill the top chamber. 2 fl oz of water will not produce 2 fl oz of espresso, because coffee absorbs and retains water. The standard figure for espresso is about 1.2 grams per gram of coffee. There is no reason to use less water in the top chamber. End the shot by releasing the trigger. That is good to know, thank you! Any thoughts on this grinder for espresso? http://raleigh.craigslist.org/app/3293557528.html I am still dealing with a Hario hand grinder.
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# ? Sep 27, 2012 15:09 |
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30 Goddamned Dicks posted:Is a Starbucks Barista coffee/espresso machine any good? Asking because someone just put a nearly new one on Craigslist for $120 and would be willing to drive it to where I work (so I don't have to drive and go get it). I'm thinking of pouncing on it, because I'd like to start getting into espresso, but I would rather save my money for something better if it sucks or something. For $120 you won't find much that's better. If I remember correctly, it's actually not a half bad entry level unit, though it was way overpriced new. Do you already have a decent grinder?
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# ? Sep 27, 2012 15:15 |
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30 Goddamned Dicks posted:Is a Starbucks Barista coffee/espresso machine any good? Asking because someone just put a nearly new one on Craigslist for $120 and would be willing to drive it to where I work (so I don't have to drive and go get it). I'm thinking of pouncing on it, because I'd like to start getting into espresso, but I would rather save my money for something better if it sucks or something. I'm pretty sure its just a re-branded saeco aroma, which is a decently reviewed 200 dollar machine. 120 bucks sounds like an OK deal on a barely used one.
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# ? Sep 27, 2012 15:16 |
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rockcity posted:For $120 you won't find much that's better. If I remember correctly, it's actually not a half bad entry level unit, though it was way overpriced new. Do you already have a decent grinder? Sweet, and yeah, I do. Thanks!
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# ? Sep 27, 2012 15:26 |
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Keyser S0ze posted:The Vario I bought new in January quit working a few days ago. During mid-grind it just started making a high pitched whine and the burrs stopped. I'm gonna take a shot at opening it up somehow and poking around before I call them. Bummer. Keyser S0ze posted:I finally got around to checking out the Baratza Support site and they have a category for what I'm pretty sure is my issue: I submitted a ticket with Baratza last week asking for just the belt/pulley for the Vario and never heard anything back but today there is a box with a refurb unit in it and return shipping slip. Is this normal? They must be having problems with these belts/pulleys and are just saying "gently caress it send a refurb instead of the parts." I was actually thinking of just swapping the belt/pulley since my existing machine was much newer than the refurb (per the serial numbers) and the refurb has wonky sliders that were falling off. I would be okay paying $8 a year for replacement belt/pulleys, but whatever...thanks Baratza and please don't go bankrupt or anything. EDIT: I swapped the belt/pulley with the newer versions in the refurb. The replacement pulley is metal instead of the plastic version on the original and was really quite worn after only six months of use. Keyser_Soze fucked around with this message at 05:08 on Sep 28, 2012 |
# ? Sep 28, 2012 02:25 |
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Starbucks seems to be pimping a new system for making lattes at home. http://www.starbucksstore.com/verismo/verismo,default,sc.html
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# ? Sep 28, 2012 16:21 |
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wildlele posted:Starbucks seems to be pimping a new system for making lattes at home. I'm surprised that none of the other pod machine companies seem to have thought of this, though.
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# ? Sep 28, 2012 16:30 |
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Tassimo has had the same thing for several years. It's really not anything new.
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# ? Sep 28, 2012 19:15 |
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# ? May 16, 2024 17:29 |
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wildlele posted:Starbucks seems to be pimping a new system for making lattes at home.
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# ? Sep 29, 2012 02:21 |