An Espresso Addiction
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After many years without an espresso machine, I adopted this pre-owned Rancilio Silvia. It came from a coffee service in Seffner, and had been used in a small local cafe. As they told the original buyer, it wouldn't keep up with the volume once the customers knew they could make good espresso. It is a later second-generation model, and I've since added the 3rd generation steam knob (not shown). With a bit of learning and a lot of attention to the process, this machine makes incredible shots!
You can't have good coffee of any type without fresh coffee and a good grinder. Below you'll see my Baratza "Vario" grinder and also a Kitchenaid Pro-Line Burr Grinder. The Vario is new on the market and not only has ceramic burrs, it can adjust for any type of coffee from French Press to Drip, to Espresso, while still having a full range of grinds for espresso, which no other grinder on the market has. I'd probably sell the Kitchenaid grinder if it didn't make using a different coffee for the drip or press machines very easy. You'll see the red dosing funnel from Orphan Espresso sitting on the scale. The funnel is a great addition to keep the grounds from flying out of the portafilter when it gets full.
As for the coffee itself, we use two brands from local roasters. The best we've found is CCM from Tampa. They are a major importer and roaster who sells from their factory or can ship it to your door. Simply awesome and the freshest you can get as it will probably be hours out of the roaster when you get it.

The other coffee we have been using is from Mazarro's Italian Market in St Pete. They have a huge commercial roaster on-site, and produce some great coffee. My only complaint is that the beans are in big self-serve hoppers and there is no way to know how fresh the beans you are dispensing really are.

That said, if you are buying beans in the grocery store, you are probably getting stale product. Same for buying at Starbuck's or similar retail outlets. Do some reseach and buy your roasted beans locally, or have them shipped to you from a reputable roaster that guarantees freshness.
We also make drip and French Press coffee as well. Our drip machine is a Bunn Thermal Carafe unit. Many people including me have learned that any drip coffee maker with a hotplate and glass carafe will surely ruin your brew. Get a thermal carafe unit and be happy forever. The coffee stays hot for hours usually, much longer than it ever takes to drink it.

Our French Press device is just a standard Bodum offering, nothing special, and that's the magic. A cheap french press can make the best coffee for almost no investment!
If you are interested in learning more about Coffee of all types, try CoffeeGeek.com and HomeBarista.com for good info and useful forums.

Email me at Dean_Palmer@jabil.com if you find errors, bullshit, or have questions.