I started out using Lavazza Super Crema. Several years ago I swapped to Maromas Orphea. It's got strong chocolate notes and not at all oily. It's a medium espresso roast. It makes a very good latte.

Over the years I've tried other Lavazza roasts, Illy, Cafe Vergnana and other Italian beans. I keep coming back to Maromas.

Thank yall very much for the suggestions!

KSBogey said:

---

I just got the Breville Barista Express this past wknd for my bday - does anyone have suggestions on good quality beans? So many options out there, would love to hear what yall have been happy with!

Thank you!!

---

Have you signed up for the free beans through beanz? Also get 25% off going forward....

I'm going to give that a try for a bit.

These shots looked so good the other morning I took a pic. We've used shot glasses that I bought at the libbey glass company store in Shreveport years ago. We were down to just two and finally found some on Amazon. The line on the old pair is long gone but thought it was kinda cool with the fresh line.

Mathguy64 said:

---

I started out using Lavazza Super Crema. Several years ago I swapped to Maromas Orphea. It's got strong chocolate notes and not at all oily. It's a medium espresso roast. It makes a very good latte.

Over the years I've tried other Lavazza roasts, Illy, Cafe Vergnana and other Italian beans. I keep coming back to Maromas.

---

Yup. I still like the Lavazza line of coffee.

Mr. Frodo said:

---

These shots looked so good the other morning I took a pic. We've used shot glasses that I bought at the libbey glass company store in Shreveport years ago. We were down to just two and finally found some on Amazon. The line on the old pair is long gone but thought it was kinda cool with the fresh line.

---

Yum. Time in seconds to get there?

Not entirely sure. Every time I dial it in I shoot for the 20-25 seconds that I believe is recommended.

Mr. Frodo said:

---

Not entirely sure. Every time I dial it in I shoot for the 20-25 seconds that I believe is recommended.

---

I'm right around 25 sec after prefusion.

Did espresso martinis this afternoon.

Looks great. I miss it sometimes.

I had an espresso machine and did all the stuff. Got tired of the effort, cleaning and mess. Nespresso probably isn't as good, but every morning I drink one while my coffee is brewing.

Hard to beat 20 seconds (if that) and no mess. Costs more, but again, you are sacrificing money and a little quality for speed and ease.

htxag09 said:

---

Did espresso martinis this afternoon.

---

That is the one my GF got me for Christmas. It has been out of commission for a minute due to receiving a wrong part and I threw the old one away thinking GF had already tested it.

We got a Breville Barita Express and it does not work properly. It won't grind beans when you push the 'automatic' button. It grinds only when we push and hold the manual button.

On our second call to technical service they couldn't fix it either. Fortunately, we're getting it replaced this week.

That said it does make great coffee

Good grinders are more expensive than I would have imagined.

Does anyone have recommendations for a solid grind to coffee machine? I don't need the espresso functions, but I am trying to find something to replace a Ninja coffee maker so that I can pour in my beans. I really dislike the extra step of getting out my grinder each week or so. Ideally I would like something capable of both a single serve cup of coffee and a small pot. Iced coffee options would be a plus as well.

So far I haven't found a ton of great options that are less than $500 so I may try my luck with a better grinder and Aeropress.

austinag1997 said:

---

This took a lot of dialing in. Dose grinder and espresso machine. Flow control helps.

---

How are you liking your Eureka Libra? Just got a Breville Bambino and have been using my K-Ultra hand grinder for both espresso and pour over. Looking to get a dedicated electric espresso grinder and all my research has pointed me to the Libra. The grind by weight feature seems looks great.

This is what I have. Have had it for a number of years and has worked well. From my experience, you really need to make a minimum of 5 cups on the dial (really is about the equivalent of 2.5 actual mugs of coffee) for it to work well. It does take some work with descaling and you have to clean out the grind shoot every couple weeks, but I like it and have had good success with it. Had a Cuisinart Grind and Brew previously that was way more hit or miss. This one is definitely better although you will still have some brews where it tastes weak. Also you need to use it at least every couple days, otherwise the beans from the previous grind that are stuck in the chute definitely taste a little old and get mixed in with the fresh grind. When I have been out of town for a week or so, I generally run an "clean out pot" just to get old remnants out of the chute so everything in my actual batch is fresh.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VGGVQCI?tag=foodandwine-onsite-prod-20&ascsubtag=6544018%7Cn68a3becf3cc64230919903402b0ed61619%7CB00VGGVQCI%7C1773172380222%7C%7Cr322687157879131k

plarmigan said:

---

austinag1997 said:

---

This took a lot of dialing in. Dose grinder and espresso machine. Flow control helps.

---

How are you liking your Eureka Libra? Just got a Breville Bambino and have been using my K-Ultra hand grinder for both espresso and pour over. Looking to get a dedicated electric espresso grinder and all my research has pointed me to the Libra. The grind by weight feature seems looks great.

---

Now that it is dialed in I really like it. It took me some time to get it working correctly. Legitimately took as long to dial in as the espresso machine. Dose grinders are awesome.

HouseDivided06 said:

---

This is what I have. Have had it for a number of years and has worked well. From my experience, you really need to make a minimum of 5 cups on the dial (really is about the equivalent of 2.5 actual mugs of coffee) for it to work well. It does take some work with descaling and you have to clean out the grind shoot every couple weeks, but I like it and have had good success with it. Had a Cuisinart Grind and Brew previously that was way more hit or miss. This one is definitely better although you will still have some brews where it tastes weak. Also you need to use it at least every couple days, otherwise the beans from the previous grind that are stuck in the chute definitely taste a little old and get mixed in with the fresh grind. When I have been out of town for a week or so, I generally run an "clean out pot" just to get old remnants out of the chute so everything in my actual batch is fresh.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VGGVQCI?tag=foodandwine-onsite-prod-20&ascsubtag=6544018%7Cn68a3becf3cc64230919903402b0ed61619%7CB00VGGVQCI%7C1773172380222%7C%7Cr322687157879131k

---

Thanks. I had seen this one come up fairly often in my search. I actually had one come up on my FB Marketplace feed, new in box for $200 OBO. So I may just have to try and get a deal on that one and give it a shot.

Do you ever attempt cold brew on it?

I randomly also just came across the Ratio Four machine that looks pretty interesting. Simple and good for a solo coffee drinker.

https://ratiocoffee.com/products/ratio-four?utm_source=shop_app&list_generator=link_to_storefront&context=product&user_id=89911740

Quote:

---

Not wanting to spend $1,000+ but want a decent machine that doesn't break the bank. What beginner machines should I look into? Any brands to gravitate towards or stay way from? Same with specific machine features.

---

Sorry, way late to this thread. I, like most who dove deep into home barista, started with a Rancilio Silvia. Sub $1k and you can PID it yourself. Tank of a single boiler. Only downside will be throughput, but if it's just for you, it'll rip shots and capps.

This is from 3 homes ago, but the only photo of our current machine: Lucca M58. It's 12 years old now and seen 15k+ espresso pulls. I do it mainly for routine. I just like the mechanics and it's now a prominent feature of our kitchen.

Also, love, love, love the HG-1 grinder.



We still but 5lb bulk from Red Bird espresso. A find circa 2010 on homebarista.com. Used to be the best value out there, but has decreased under new ownership. Still, it's what we're dialed for and a great product. 5lb and split into vac bags > freeze. Lasts us a month and change.

Nice machine!

Thanks! You too!