Can Someone Recommend a Good Espresso Coffe for my Stove Top Espresso Maker?

[romantico]

So, I just ordered a new espresso maker. I have heard how great the espresso tastes and this is the one I've gone with

http://www.amazon.com/Bialetti-Express-3-Cup-Stovetop-Espresso/dp/B0000CF3Q6/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I24JL03MJ5LMD8&colid=2XHSZF0Y2VXZB

My brother really sold me on this but the reviews are amazing. Was curious if someone could recommend a decent coffee to buy for making espresso. My brother said to stay away from Illy but there are plenty out there to choose from. SO far,he has not found one he is wild about. Any suggestions?

[grasswire]

1. how much do you want to pay?

Of course there are many high-end beans from which to choose.

Do you have a coffee grinder? You will get the best flavor if you grind beans fresh for each pot.

If you want to be moderate about your purchase, Newman's Own/Green Mountain makes a turkish roast that is very dark and full and rich. Shouldn't cost more than $12 a pound or so. It's available in many supermarkets.

If you want the latest buzz in specialty coffee, read the trade magazine www.freshcup.com.

I love those stove-top machines.

[DeadEyeDyck]

7. Blue Mountain

[MiddleFingerMom]

2. For taste... this is really rough.. er... I mean "rustico"... but for amphetamine-like effect...

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...I've always LOVED Cafe Bustelo -- in many if not most supermarket coffee sections
in a BRIGHT red and yellow can. About $4-$5 for a 13-oz can.
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Not one to savor... but damned productive (says the slothiest man you know).
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My rhythm guitarist came back from Florida and had bought us all our first stovetop
espesso makers and cans of Cafe Bustelo. We would all bring them to parties and there
would be people pacing the kitchen floor FURIOUSLY saying, "Isthenextonedone-Isthenextonedone?"
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[GoCubsGo]

3. That would be my choice, too.

One of these days, I need to get one of those espresso makers...

[Brother Buzz]

4. marzipanni here again

I'm getting my own computer soon and this won't happen anymore :P :blush:

[marzipanni]

5. As I was posting when I realized DH was logged on...

Café Bustelo also comes in a vacuum foil package that maintains a vacuum and smells good when you open it, unlike a lot of commercial coffees that are packaged in a semi-permeable membrane and lose their ‘)*(‘.

[romantico]

6. THANKS!

Thanks for the recommendations. I really like my espresso strong. A strong European imported coffee(I know it can be pricey) would be great. Thanks again!

[Capn Sunshine]

10. Coffee brothers!

And always right next to it:

Caffe La Llave expresso grind, same price.

[Lex]

8. I have one of those and LOVE it.

Also I recommend the Cafe Bustelo (as described upthread). Most grocery stores carry it.

[snagglepuss]

9. I have a 1 cup and a 3 cup stovetop espresso maker.

For some irrational reason I prefer the one cup pot. As for coffee brands, I think you have to try different ones, though I agree w your bro to avoid Illy - it was totally disappointing, not worth the price at all. I use Barzula Prestige Ground Espresso with a sprinkle of salt.

After a lot of trial and error, I recommend that you resist any temptation to put too much coffee in the pot by pressing it in. Also wipe the rim before you screw the top on because the coffee corrodes the lip of the basket. Also, dismantle and rinse each time you use it otherwise the little holes get permanently clogged. Following these two rules my currrent espresso maker has lasted way longer than others I've owned.

My last suggestion regards the amount of water. Bialetti's instructions say not to fill past the escape valve but instructions, that came with the pot I currently have, says to fill water past the valve. IMO the instructions that call for more water makes a better coffee and filling past the valve has never resulted in any explosion.


Ciao.

[K8-EEE]

11. I like good old Cafe Bustello

The kind they have in Cuban restaurants -- not expensive, I just get it at the grocery store.

[Moondog]

12. Another vote for Cafe Bustelo

I grew up in Miami and developed a taste for it there. I've traveled a lot since then, and have tried a lot of espressos in a lot of places, but I keep coming back to Cafe Bustelo. Just like it Cuban style, I guess.

[LuckyLib]

13. Another is Medaglia d'Oro -- most grocery stores have it in regular and decaf.

M-m-m-m-m-m!