My neighbor keeps using tap water in his espresso machine and I can't watch anymore

So last week I was over at my neighbor Dave's place (he lives two doors down, nice guy but a bit stubborn) and he was pulling shots on his Gaggia Classic. He gets this sour, thin espresso every time and blames the beans. I asked what water he uses and he just points at the sink. Tap water. From a well area with hard water. I told him about scale buildup and off flavors but he said 'it's fine.' It's not fine. His shots taste like a lemon battery. I brought over some of my filtered water and even he admitted it tasted better. Why do people think water doesn't matter? Has anyone else successfully talked a friend into switching or do I just let him drink bad coffee forever?

2 comments

2 Comments

ellis.susan1d ago

My buddy Greg used to do the same thing with his Silvia, insisted tap was fine because he'd 'always done it that way.' Then six months in his machine started sounding like a rockshaker and the steam wand barely dribbled. I get that you want to save him from bad coffee and a busted machine, but some people need to wreck their own gear before they learn. Maybe just let him figure it out the hard way, especially if he's the kind who doubles down when you push. You already showed him the difference and he admitted your shots tasted better, that's a win even if he doesn't switch yet.

the_elizabeth1d ago

Totally this though. Some folks have to burn their own hand on the stove before they believe it's hot. You can show them all the proof in the world and they'll still find a reason to ignore it. That tiny win of him admitting your shots tasted better is probably the most you're gonna get out of him right now. Let his machine develop that weird rattle and his steam wand start coughing. He'll either switch to bottled or get really good at descaling the hard way.