What type of espresso do you use in your Mukka Express? I've been testing a variety and have yet to settle on one I really like. My favorite, so far, is a locally roasted Kenyan Viennese Roast. I've tried a few espresso roasts that just tend to have a real burnt (and bland) taste. Any suggestions?P.S. I found my Mukka Express at my local HomeGoods for $62.99. Great deal! What type of espresso do you use in your Mukka Express? I've been testing a variety and have yet to settle on one I really like. My favorite, so far, is a locally roasted Kenyan Viennese Roast.... » Read More What type of espresso do you use in your Mukka Express? I've been testing a variety and have yet to settle on one I really like. My favorite, so far, is a locally roasted Kenyan Viennese Roast. I've tried a few espresso roasts that just tend to have a real burnt (and bland) taste. Any suggestions?P.S. I found my Mukka Express at my local HomeGoods for $62.99. Great deal! « Show Less
189344
I use the Illy Express grind and it make delicious coffee. I use both regular and decaf.
2080819
Just stay away from the usual American blends and you'll be fine. I usually use Lavazza Roma or Prima Gusto but I heard Illy is even better. Lavazza Roma is a bit less intense compared to Gusto but its upto your taste requirements.
397118
Espresso might be a little darker...I have cappucino and it is dark enogh. That is all I can suggest
2080817
I use Starbucks' whole Espresso beans and grind them in my Krups coffee grinder. I imagine the type of beans or coffee you use will depend on your flavor preference. I prefer a bold espresso taste, so I use espresso beans, but I have used a milder flavored bean (I think it was a french roast?) and it worked fine.
2233528
Thanks JJLet me know how you like the A10.Now the question is, how are you grinding your beans? I have a Baratza Vario and I am also very happy with it. Occasionally grinds will stick in the basket due to static, but overall pretty rock solid. They have the new Vario that doses by weight; wish I had it. When I use my Chemex or Hario pour overs, I weigh out the beans and water. If you haven't tried a pour over, it's an inexpensive investment which brews excellent coffee.Happy brewing my friend...
1093295
It doesn't technically make espresso, because it can't build that many bars of pressure. It basically makes something sort of between espresso and coffee, so it's kinda like a strong coffee (hence the term 'moka'). I wrote a lengthy review on this product that includes instructions and tips, but here are some highlights: What I have found to be the best way, and also what Bialetti's website recommends, is to grind your coffee a step above espresso grind (so the lower end of fine drip) and then put it on the stove at LOW heat with the lid open. That takes about 11 minutes for me, so I set a timer for ten minutes so I am sure to be back in my kitchen in time (because once it starts brewing, it brews quickly and you want to remove it from the stove in time so the gasket doesn't burn). If it takes more than 13 minutes to brew on low heat, then your grind is likely too fine and it's having trouble building enough pressure to percolate (and it will probably taste a little burnt). If it takes 7-10 minutes on low heat, your grind is not fine enough. Do leave the lid open during brewing, both so you can see when the coffee brews and to avoid it burning. Don't use high heat, because you will very likely burn your coffee and the percolation spout (I call it a coffee volcano) could spew coffee outside of the pot and onto your stove. The handle should not be getting hot during brewing. I like to use an organic medium roast coffee bean. I've brewed some good coffee with dark beans as well, but mokapot coffee is so strong to start with that I find darker roasts are a little to rich for me.
1227966
I'll update my original post by adding I did purchase another Senseo coffee machine, the same as I had but a different color. Here it is 2012 and I'm still hooked on the froth!My friend bought a Keurig and after I tried it I thought it was just OK, not special like Senseo. When we have guests over I usually make a pot of drip coffee from the very old Melitta pot and funnel type filter that I used for many years. If we run out and someone wants just one cup I'll get them a Senseo Kenya or Kona and watch their eyes widen after the first sip. Glad I bought another Senseo and I hope to get 5 years out of this one. Thanks for all your comments. I'll update my original post by adding I did purchase another Senseo coffee machine, the same as I had but a different color. Here it is 2012 and I'm still hooked on the froth!My friend bought a Keurig and after I tried it I thought it was just OK, not special like Senseo. When we have guests over I usually make a pot of drip coffee from the very old Melitta pot and funnel type filter that I used for many years. If we run out and someone wants just one cup I'll get them a Senseo Kenya or Kona and watch their eyes widen after the first sip. Glad I bought another... » Read More I'll update my original post by adding I did purchase another Senseo coffee machine, the same as I had but a different color. Here it is 2012 and I'm still hooked on the froth!My friend bought a Keurig and after I tried it I thought it was just OK, not special like Senseo. When we have guests over I usually make a pot of drip coffee from the very old Melitta pot and funnel type filter that I used for many years. If we run out and someone wants just one cup I'll get them a Senseo Kenya or Kona and watch their eyes widen after the first sip. Glad I bought another Senseo and I hope to get 5 years out of this one. Thanks for all your comments. « Show Less
1966416
Get a different machine. I bought a $20 stove top unit at IKEA that makes 6 cups of espresso. It's stainless steel and wonderful. My experience with the Espressione was awful too.
773075
Getting closer to expresso. After searching high and low. This is as close as your going to get. Brew the small size at the highest temp your k cup. Enjoy
2242156
I use Latin Style espresso grounds. you can find it preground in the coffe area of any supermarket. I like Pylon and Bustello, depending on whats on sale...
2116338
Bialetti has been making Aluminum for many years. It is the gold standard for making Espresso. But, I have never had a cup from the Aluminum version. Coffee can have a Ph of 4.7 and will eventually corrode Aluminum. I bought the Stainless Venus for easy dishwasher cleaning and beautiful appearance. It is just perfect, eventually it will need a new gasket, and those are easily available. Recipes... add a teaspoon of Vanilla Ice Cream, or Chocolate. Sounds like Latte or Mocha. After all Ice Cream is milk, sugar and foam. This saves all the bubbling fuss of frothing. This is how my Italian Grandmother from Genoa Italy made it! Forty years before StarBucks. Treat yourself to some ILY Espresso beans, ground. That is about as good as coffee can get Ciao! ( sorry, I am only half Italian )
126761
I have never thought that drip coffee was great. However, I have a good experience with my Cuisinart. The "secret" is that I am using a dark rich "italian roast" that I buy at a high end grocery. I have tried a few "boutique" brands and the italian roach is by far the best. I think the reason is that unlike esspresso machines, the temperature in drip machine is not as high. Therefore, I am using richer coffee to compensate.
448403
Mute point, it is dreadful.... but fyi, I am not a fan of Starbucks. I just bought it to see if they had anything going on. I own a coffee roastery and am very particular about my roasts. Starbucks is almost always burnt. They have a loyal base of people who like the burnt taste but it isn't what true specialty coffee is about. Via is no exception...
841072
I use medium setting but it is really the coffee that makes the difference. Perhaps try lighter coffee not espresso. I use mainly Black Cat from Intelligenzia or Illy Mokka that is for this method of making coffee.
85295
It is VERY good. I find Starbucks tasts burnt. The decaf is similar to the regular, but may be a tad more mild.I was using it in my cuisinart espresso machine and it was fantastic. It is not ground fine enough for my rancilio silvia machine... And I am upset because I do like it a lot!
1956088
We only very recently bought this machine and have only used one brand of beans. So far it has been working well. The beans we use are a Cuban blend called Hialeah from a company named Kana Coffee Roasters. We order them online. They were recommended because sometimes there are small pebbles in beans and Kana's beans don't have them. Those pebbles can mess up the machine pretty badly. So whatever beans you decide to get make sure you check them before you put them in your machine. I hope this is of help to you.
910764
It makes only espresso and a slightly diluted version they call lungo. They have another line, I think called virtua, that uses different capsules that makes larger volume drinks.