I missed the point? Where did you mention that you used the same coffee
in other machines? You won't get much crema from stale coffee. If the
other machines had crema enhancer disks in the portafilter the aerated
bubbles you see are not real crema, just aerated bubbles. Crema is
created by the emulsification of oils and other compounds in the coffee.
This is done with fresh coffee, freshly ground under the heat and
pressure in a properly adjusted espresso machine. You don't get that
from a crema enhancer that just sprays the coffee through a small hole,
aerating it and creating bubbles.

R "surely I'm still missing the point." TF

Charles Turner wrote:
> Thanks, but I think you've missed the point; the SAME coffee produces a
> good crema in other machines, but not in the Cubika I've got.
>
> Regards,
>
>
> Charles
>
>
>
> "Moka Java" > wrote in message
> ...
>> You obviously don't understand the concept of fresh coffee. The mass
>> coffee sellers would have you believe that coffee is "fresh" for a
>> year or more. Coffee is much like baked goods, freshly baked is the
>> best, they flavor and aroma goes and eventually the product is rancid
>> and no longer fresh for health department purposes. Freshly roasted
>> coffee give off gas (CO2) and volatile oils and aromatics. It is the
>> volatile oils that emulsify with water and other compounds in the
>> coffee to make crema. Once the coffee has lost these volatile oils it
>> is stale for for brewing purposes. Depending on a number of factors
>> including the type of beans, the degree of roast and storage
>> conditions coffee is "fresh" for 1 to 3 weeks. I'm using the term
>> "fresh" for espresso purposes. It will make crema and a decent
>> tasting shot.
>>
>> Canned coffee is usually staled before putting in the can or the can
>> would explode from the de-gassing coffee. Once the coffee is ground
>> the volatile oils dissipate rapidly -- 10 minutes can make a
>> noticeable difference in your espresso shot.
>>
>> Your best bet is to find a local roaster and buy beans that were
>> roasted on the day of purchase.
>>
>> R "do you know when your beans were roasted" TF
>>
>> Charles Turner wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> It's not the coffee. I freshly grind it and I've tried lots of
>>> different types.
>>>
>>> If I try the pre-ground espresso it is too fine.
>>>
>>> I've even tried Gaggia's own ground coffee and still hardly any crema!
>>>
>>> Charles
>>>