What Type of Coffee?

Buying coffees as whole beans and grinding them just before brewing is by far the best alternative for espresso/cappuccino drinkers who are serious about quality. Buying whole-bean coffees and having them ground at the store is probably the second best alternative. Whole-bean coffees offer almost infinitely more choice for espresso brewing, and produce (in most cases) a fresher, richer, more fragrant beverage.

Since tastes are individual, experimenting with different blends is recommended. A true espresso is made from darkly roasted (and not burnt), finely ground coffee beans. As important as the coffee bean chosen, it’s important to experiment to find the ideal grind (much finer than drip coffee makers). It’s also important to use a good filtered water (no chlorine) with low mineral content. Espresso coffee is usually a blend of several different types of coffee beans from different countries. Look for beans that are dark, but do not glisten with surface oils. The oils are an indication that the beans have been over roasted and will produce a bitter espresso, as is the case with many French or Italian roasted beans. Properly made espresso has maximum flavor extracted from the bean, while much of the caffeine and excess acids are left behind.