Coffee & Denim

August 16, 2012 By Nick Joelson 3 Comments

Things I Can’t Live Without: The Italian Stove Top Coffee Maker

The Italian Stove Top Espresso Maker

They’re messy, complicated and time consuming, but boy do they make a great cup of coffee!

For some years now, the Italian stove top espresso maker has been the cornerstone to my day. It is the first thing I go to when I wake up. I love fresh coffee and try to avoid instant at all costs. I know some people may find the whole process lengthy and messy, and I’d have to agree, but like cooking up a bag of heroin is to a junky, making fresh coffee has become one of my life’s most essential rituals.

I love espresso and normally only ever order them when out and about. The only time I don’t is if a decent “Flat White” is available which is usually from an independent Australian owned coffee house. My favorites include both the Milk Bar and Flat White in Soho and Federation Coffee in Brixton Village. I try to avoid the big franchise versions like the plague as they tend to be a version of latte which is a big no no for me. Save those for the yummy mummies!

I used to use a cafetiere (or the french press as it is sometimes known) at home, but found the devices only suitable for an americano style brew. As I like coffee to be black, sweet, thick and sticky, the french press is just not suitable. If you try to make an espresso with one, the chances are you’ll add too much coffee for the machine to handle and end up with a spray of scalding hot, granulated water all over your hands, kitchen ceiling and the cat.

Buy this Bodum 1928 Chambord cafetiere from Amazon

It saddens me to say that my curren stove top coffee pot is on its way out. The rubber band that creates the seal has eroded so badly that half the water spews out the side when it begins to boil. I must say while the extra noises add to whole early morning coffee experience, its getting so dysfunctional that hardly any coffee gets made and the electric hob has globs of charred, evaporated coffee all over it. Even the cleaner, who speaks no English whatsoever pointed to the device, saying “Broken?” as she began her weekly clean up.

Buy the Bialetti Moka Express 9 cup Espresso Maker from Amazon

Buying a new one has not proved easy. I went into John Lewis and while they have many fine espresso machines made by Gaggia, etc., their range of good old fashioned stove tops was poor. It only had one brand in stock, and while it was adequate, was not of the sufficient robustness I was looking for. While I have seen some beautiful designer ones, like the Alessi Pina Espresso Coffee Maker (below) found in Scandium which I think are as sexy as your going to find, they may be more style over substance plus a little expensive. The classic is the Moka pot by Bialetti, it’s what I have already and is a tried and tested design at a decent price. I’ll probably end up with another.

Buy the Alessi Pina Espresso Coffee from Amazon

One last thing, a friend told me about the AeroPress Coffee Maker, made by Aerobie, the people that bought us the flying ring! He swears buy it. I have yet to see or use one but I am open to the idea of it.

Replacement Rubber Rings and Seals for The Moka Expresss

It has been bought to my attention that replacement rings for standard stove tops of varying sizes can be purchased very cheaply here Bialetti:Replacement Rubber Seal for 9 Cup Moka Express

May 30, 2012 By Nick Joelson 2 Comments

A More Traditional Shave – The Double Edge Razor Experience

I stumbled on the double edged razor traditional wet shaving by complete accident about a week ago whilst I was reading a blog elsewhere on men’s fashion. It caught my eye as the guy was talking about using shaving cream and a badger brush with a Mach 3. I had been doing the same since being given some Taylor’s cream and one of their basic badgers brushes by a good friend of mine for a birthday present a few years back. The bit that caught my eye was an edit to the post thanking someone for showing him the error of his ways and then proceeded to link to a beginners guide to double edge razor shaving. Instantly fascinated, I then proceeded to order a Merkur 34 HD and some derby blades.

Well, after the longest week of waiting ever, my new razor arrived yesterday. I was instantly in the bathroom prepping myself for my first real shave, and wow, what a completely different experience! I had watched a few videos by mantic59 on youtube as suggested a traditional shaving forums so had a rough idea of the technique to be used. Aprehension was soon replaced by joy by the solid sound and feel of the razor cutting through my facial hair in the smoothest way.

It’s obvious by reading this that I am a convert to double edged safety shaving but my only question is why on earth did we decide that those nasty cheap plastic razors that initialy replaced the traditional razor were a superior option to this?!!

I have a lot to learn about double edged shaving, but I know awake excited by the thought of shaving each morning, which is a little weird I know. For now, as the newbie advice suggests, I am going to stick to the derby blades, which actually work well for me as I have fairly fine facial hair until I have become more adept at shaving before testing other blades, etc.

May 11, 2012 By Nick Joelson 1 Comment

My Latest Purchase – The Crockett & Jones Pembroke Country Brogue

I had a little extra cash this month and had been after a new pair of brogues for a sometime now. Whilst gathered with my partner’s family one Sunday lunch, her brother mentioned that Crockett and Jones were now one of the last true English shoemakers left, now that Church’s were well and truly an extension of the Prada label. Just one look at Church’s ever growing range of contemporary designs will confirm this. Northampton, once home to many a fine shoemaker is now limited to just a handful of firms sticking to the classic shoe making traditions. Trickers being another example.

I had a quick search and discovered that there was a Crockett and Jones outlet in the Hackett store on Upper Sloane street. This was near me so the next time I was in the area I popped in to see what was on offer. What struck me first was the level of service I received. It was a small standalone boutique style shop within the main store with its own staff. I was greeted and then asked if I had owned a pair of CJ’s before. I felt a little inadequate as a replied in the negative. However, this did not bother him as he asked what I was looking for. To be honest, they all looked amazing. The high quality leather and suede just begged to be sniffed. After a quick scan around the shelves, I grabbed a few pairs I liked the look of.

Among these were the CJ Pembroke and the CJ Westfield, costing £340 and £320 respectively. Trying the Westfields on first, which were a suede, semi-brogue Oxford, I immediately fell in love with. My partner too. However, the suede worried me as it was a wet spring and I needed something that would be more robust and that I would not be worrying about should it rain and get muddy.

The Pembrokes were then slipped into. Although not quite as sleek, these were more of what I was looking for, a tough, durable yet handsome and versatile shoe. They felt so solid and the smell of the country grain leather went begging to be sniffed! They were a tad more expensive than the Westfields but they felt as if they would last forever. In fact, my partners grandfather has a pair of these that are no over 40 years old. In fact, he also owns a pair of CJ’s that are now 70 years old and are currently being worn by his grandson! This is testimony to the build quality and the fact that if treated with care, these shoes offer great value for money.

In the end, although it was a tough choice, as I really loved the style of the suede Oxfords, I opted for the Pembrokes as I wanted something that was all weather and a good all rounder that would work with both jeans or trousers. The suede Westfields will just have to wait…