Quite some time ago, I was eagerly anticipating the arrival of a new, exciting device. I had to wait for it to go over the ocean, through customs, through all the processes and waiting, of all the International Shipping rigamarole. But after weeks and weeks of waiting (mostly at customs), it finally arrived on my doorstep. The Picopresso.
Oh boy! New caffeine delivery systems are ALWAYS appreciated. So, I got into it immediately. Very well designed, and just adorable. This thing is going to be the new “traveler” to destinations unknown (vacation), or just to bring over to a buddy’s house who is hard up for appropriate coffee apparatus.
I went through the multitude of steps to get the Pico to work. Lots of instruction needed (surprising), and a multitude of steps that seemed like a lot of work for just an espresso. But hey! sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
Seriously, there were like 21 steps or so within the instructions. Um…really? I’m just makin’ a coffee here. Come on! I went through multiple pounds of coffee just to get the technique down, following the instructions to the letter.
Most of the time? It was waaaaay too much to do and then the inevitable always happens. You get done with an espresso? You need another espresso. Overall I liked the device, but I wasn’t going to make it my “go-to” travel coffee maker.
I liked all the thought put into the Pico, the metal parts that previous models did not have, and just its incredible compactness. I made a video about the whole thing. But spoiler…I was just kinda “meh, I’m putting this away for now.” Fast forward muuuuch later, and it was time for a vacation. One MUST bring a coffee device on every vacation. Are you going to be held captive by hotel room cheeseball Mr. Coffee drip coffee horribleness?
No. No you will not. You’re better than that. Oh? the coffee downstairs at your “Continental Breakfast”? You’re better off drinking the water from the soil of the plant in your room.
So it was time for a vacation, and the choice of what to bring is always difficult. Moka Pot? Handpresso? Aeropress? Between those three there is no bad choice. But I reached for the Picopresso to give it another chance. Rolling the dice? Playing with fire? Insert cliche gambling phrase here. So I packed it away into my luggage and was hoping I made the right decision.
And you know what? The Picopresso. Upon further reflection…it’s pretty good after all. Huh. Go figure.
Well…gosh. What was the problem upon using it when first received? Tamping too hard? Espresso grind too fine and tamping too hard? (An acceptable error with a machine that has the power to push the appropriate bar pressure, but not a handheld portable). I have no concise idea. Perhaps it was the strict following of instructions to the letter? It’s very possible that not following them was the key.
I probably eliminated a few steps on vacation (I don’t even know where the instructions are…maybe the recycling?) and not only was the process much more streamlined, but it was way WAY more efficient, and thus faster.
Which is good when you’re jonesing for an espresso. Am I right? (Yes)