u/PositionImmediate895

I thought I did brilliantly, but Duolingo seems to disagree

Can anyone suggest a relatively simple set up to get coffee similar to what you find in an Italian bar like in Rome or Milan? Let me describe it: it's like 15-20 ml (so more of a ristretto), it's most definitely using arabica/robusta mix (I don't think they'd use artisanal 100% arabica beans for a 1.20 euro shot, and certainly not 18 grams of it). I think the portafilter should be non pressurised. The last thing I need is that 18g in - 36 g out in under 30s stuff with a scale and a timer. If that's you - great, you do you. I was looking at a Gaggia Classic - I guess a downside is that it takes like 20 minutes to heat up in the morning. Maybe Breville/Sage Bambino? I've used a basic Delonghi with a pressurised portafilter for years, but the end product is nowhere near the coffee you find in Italian bars. Thanks in advance.

The classic aluminium one is 6 tazze and the induction is 4 tazze. I was in Rome last week and our AirBnB had a moka pot, and I remembered how fun and cool they are. I have been using moka pots on and off for almost 20 years. I went to a Bialetti boutique at Termini station and bought an induction plate adapter + plus some Bialetti ground coffee for the ones I already own (they gave me to try this coffee with a hint of lemon, - I liked it so I bought a pack of that too). When I was back I realised I need something for my aunt as a souvenir, so I bought her the 4 cup induction plus a pack of classic ground coffee (in my opinion coffee from the 4 cup version tastes best) back home. And since I already have the paper Bialetti bag from the boutique, I'm just going to put them in there and be like "here's your souvenir from Rome" 😅. And I also snagged the 6 cup version just for myself, specifically to make Tiramisu. Just as well, they are actually cheaper here than the Bialetti boutiques, plus I only had a carry on.

I just came back from Rome (my 7th time). I do occasionally read stories here about these African scammers who put a bracelet on your hand and demand money. I personally was never approached by any of these people on any of my trips. But this time we went with my mother, sister and cousin. At the Pantheon, this lady came up to my mom, tried to engage with her and my mother who speaks very little English responded to her, I was kinda scared 😀. The lady asked if we were from Poland, said a few Polish words, my mom told her we're fron Lithuania. Anyways, the lady gave 3 bracelets to my mother, sister and cousin each. I told my mother off for engaging with her, because I was worried she will follow us around. She didn't, she just wished us a nice day and that's it. So I don't know what to make of this interaction, it was very different from the experience other people on Reddit seem to have had.