Espresso maker for Christmas?

[mstevens]

Espresso is a preparation method and a grind, but it's definitely not any particular bean or roast.

Kona can make outlandishly good espresso.

Coffee beans don't grow in Italy, so there's really no such thing as Italian beans. There are some pretty good Italian companies blending and roasting for espresso, but American companies may make the best around. It would be really appropriate for them to use American beans. The biggest problem is that some of them (Starbucks, I'm talking to you!) severely over-roast.

[Buckethead]

Kona can make outlandishly good espresso.

While I was at the parent's place over the holidays, that was "all they had." Dad apparently likes Kona beans and Mom, well, Mom just likes coffee. Apparently limiting his intake (Dad has had some heart problems recently) has refined his taste. She just needs the "jolt."

As "easy to use" as my new machine is (there have been times when I had a coffee in my had before I put my glasses on), I'm tempted to find a decent cup commercially and try to reverse engineer something. I'm weird. I'm okay with that.

The biggest problem is that some of them (Starbucks, I'm talking to you!) severely over-roast.

I haven't had anything from them (except a green tea latte) that wasn't burnt to shit.