I gave myself an early christmas present this year or to be completely honest, my wife told me, that I had just done so, when I told her, that I had bought “us” a Mahlkönig Vario coffee grinder.
I have previously written about my love of coffee and my dream of someday getting a proper espresso machine. If you want to make a good espresso, you basically need two items: the espresso machine itself and a grinder. I guess I’m half way now.
What espresso machine should it be then? When I inherit or win in Lotto I would still consider to buy the one group Linea or the GS/3 from La Marzocco in Florence or even better the Cyncra from Synesso in Seattle. As this is not likely to happen, the Vibiemme Domobar Junior in the dual boiler configuration is more within my reach and it has a really nice form factor, well suited for a private kitchen.
One thing I really enjoy is a good cop of coffee and especially if it is served as an espresso, it being a regular espresso, an espresso macchiato or a cafe latte.
Instead of trying to explain how to make a great espresso, please check out sites like CoffeeGeek or Risteriet. If you live around Copenhagen, Risteriet is the place to buy your equipment; those guys have forgot more about coffee that you will most likely ever know.
You can’t make a good espresso without a good grinder. I need a new one and this time I want one for life, so I am seriously considering the Mazzer Mini from Mazzer near Venezia in Italy. According to e.g. CoffeeKid and others it should be the best grinder ever made. It can, of course, be bought at Risteriet.
I would also like a new espresso machine. If money was not an issue I would consider the one group Linea or the GS/3 from La Marzocco in Florence or even better the Cyncra from Synesso in Seattle. Until I win in Lotto I will have to settle for something less fancy like a Vibiemme or an ECM.
A finale note: if you are ever in Århus, do not deny yourself the treat to visit Sigfreds Kaffebar in Ryesgade. They have the best coffee in town. As their bread is almost as good as their coffee Sigfreds have fast become my favorite breakfast place when visiting the city.
Updated: 21.01.2010
After doing some more research into which grinder to buy, I am not so certain about the Mazzer Mini anymore. Not that it is not an incredible grinder that will last a lifetime, but more that I have found an alternative, which should be just as good, even more versatile and at a better price. I am referring to the Baratza Vario. Not only is it extremely capable as an espresso grinder, but you can quickly switch grind settings, grinding for press. I haven’t found a retailer here in Denmark, but you can order it from the UK.
I have always had a passion for good food or rather gourmet food and the cooking of such. Ever since high school, where I was able to seduce my female classmates with dishes like Coniglio alla Provenzale, Osso Buco or if time was scarce Pizza Gorgenzola, I have enjoyed the tranquility of preparing a gourmet meal for my friends and loved ones.
During my time studying economics at the University of Copenhagen, I have spend many evenings producing ‘physical stuff’ after spending the day with more or less abstract subjects within the fields of micro economics or game theory.
I will never reach the level of my good friend Mark – who actually cares if you should use blood oranges for sauce Maltaise or not – and these days, with screaming kids demanding ever increasing amounts of food, it is seldom that I actually have the time to engage in big gourmet productions. Once in a while, we do make time to cook and fill up the freezer with everything from spring rolls over lasagna to pirogues and frikadeller (Danish meat balls).
Bone Appétit.
