The $5 steamer basket trick I almost didn't try

I was pretty skeptical when a guy in a coffee forum said to use a cheap bamboo steamer basket over my espresso cup to catch the heat. Seemed like one of those gimmicks that wouldn't do a thing. But I had a basket sitting in the kitchen from making dumplings so I gave it a shot last Sunday. I just put it upside down over the cup after pulling the shot and let it sit for about 20 seconds. To my surprise the crema stayed thick and the cup actually felt hotter than usual when I picked it up. I've been doing it for two weeks now and I notice a real difference in how the espresso holds its warmth. Has anyone else tried this or found a different way to keep their shots hot without buying expensive gear?

2 comments

2 Comments

grayb641mo ago

How long does the heat actually stay in the cup though?

bettyhunt1mo ago

My buddy Mike left his coffee in one for two hours and it was still warm, @grayb64.