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
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I use the Illy Express grind and it make delicious coffee. I use both regular and decaf.
715881
My sister has a senseo and I used those pods. Even the regular coffee pods came out nice! I was very surprised at how good the latte/cappucino pods were. Unfortunately my coffee machine is out of commision since there is a leak somewhere and the espresso button sticks. Have to send out to fix :(
1466149
The grocery store should have a special section for espresso... it's a special roast for coffee makers like this. Regular coffee won't fit through the holes as well, and won't taste as good. I put a little sugar in my cup before I pour the cappuccino in.
396327
What kind of coffee are you using. I find that problem with regular coffee but not with espresso beans.
925133
The other two responses you got are correct in the iced coffee, just like iced tea, pour it over Ice. As far as the temp of the coffee, its quite hot out of my machine, others have to cool it off before they drink it. The taste of the coffee if you like a strong coffee flavor, use the Italian Espresso's on 12OZ serving. Perfect cup of coffee. Just follow the strength dots on the box. The box colors for the best coffee, Red, Orange, Yellow. Personal preference of course. Good Luck
2045665
I prefer dark italian or espresso beans, so that is what I use. I use the middle grind setting since I've owned the machine, and that has worked well to produce a nice double shot with great crema. Have not needed to adjust water sizes as they are right for me. Also understand that you can always stop water delivery during the process, so if a setting normally produces too much water for someone's tastes, you can always stop it. I prefer this method, since if there are people that want a weaker coffee, and not espresso, then the right amount of water is delivered for them. All in all its been a very reliable machine to date, and gets used very frequently in my house. It's easy to clean and refill water and beans. As for me, espresso is my thing, and there was a keurig in the kitchen for the other "coffee" drinkers. But that was quickly replaced by this system as the beans are fresh ground, easier to use than the others in my opinion, and if the machine holds up, will be cheaper and better than any kcup system. Even though I used to buy my own coffee and refillable kcup pods. But what a pain that was. This jura is well with it for me.
934170
I use any coffee and grind it fine ( or buy it already ground). As long as you don't grind it too small there is no problem. I usually get a dark, deep roasted espresso like one. I hope this helps.
1362463
I've got a melitta cone. Love it. I've used (and loved) Chemex, as well as some french presses, and auto-drip systems. The chemex is nice, but the filters are expensive. Auto-drip systems just make bad coffee. It's really hard to get the best taste out of your beans with an autodrip system. The Melitta, on the other hand, does just fine. Here's the thing though: You gotta use the correct amount of coffee. The SCCA recommends ~8 grams per 5 ounces of coffee. I found a lifehacker article that recommends 60 grams per liter. The point is, these people who are making weak coffee have simply discovered that the melitta requires you to use more coffee than an auto-drip maker. Oh yeah, edited to add: It works with folgers or other packaged, pre-ground coffees just fine. Why? Because the "dwell time" on the mellitta is very short compared to auto-drip makers, which actually are doing a terrible job (underheating the water and letting it stay in contact with the grounds too long). If you want strong coffee, use more coffee. I think you'll love what you get. Most people, when you say strong coffee, think BITTER coffee, because that's how it's been made. Someone made a second pot with the old grounds mixed in with some new, or it's been evaporating all day on a burner. Really, what you have there is over-brewed, burned coffee. I think that's the type of coffee these folks were looking for, thus making the melitta taste "weak" in comparison.
624927
To be honest I bought mine through Amazon Warehouse as I could not find any "new" machines. I had bought one years ago through Starbucks and loved it (which is still going strong) Anyway I needed another expresso maker and could not find any as good as it at making the perfect shot. I am so glad I found one at the Warehouse for half the price as well!!!! I don't know if they make them now at all, but both of mine are made in Italy.
2134645
I used to have a Brikka (older model), but after I ruined it, I bought a Moka (since it was cheaper and because it got such good reviews). I ended up selling the Moka shortly after because I'd rather drink instant coffee - I just couldn't stand the taste of the Moka. From someone who downgraded from a Brikka to a Moka, it was kind of unacceptable. I think it would definitely be worth a try to upgrade. Let us know what you think! Oh, just fyi, it's cheaper to get the Brikka from the actual Bialetti website (free shipping for the 4-cup) than it is to buy it on Amazon, I have no idea why.
754940
I've used this in the 1 & 3 cup moka express, comes out great. This espresso is worth every dime whether in an automatic machine or a moka.
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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.
1426491
The Italian Roast has kind of a burnt taste. Maybe a darker roast then the French. I have had the French before and liked it better. Had been getting the Poor Man's Blend and really liked it. I am not a real strong coffee drinker.
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Hi Frank:If, cost and value and taste are your concerns, you will get far more for your dollar with the Mr. Coffee Espresso Maker. With this machine you control the flavor and number of shots. I've had many brands and they typically fail after a short time. Hands down this is the best machine yet and I use it everyday. One tip, grind beans yourself as preground is too fine and will likely block filter.Hope my feedback help! Happy brewing.
1624347
Can I use my bricks or does it only grind? Also, this is my first Espresso machine, I know almost nothing about them. Does it come with a good manual? Based on some reviews I read I feel I need to hold a doctorate to operate one. Tell me it aint so.
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...
554859
contact mfg..or replace it with a Moka Pot..there made in Italy..1 too 12 pot size's..or a Vigano 1 cup espresso...I my self went with the Moka Pot..Not sure if amazon has them for sale...Noting I buy a lot from amazon....Amazon is my first choice for on-line shopping..But a friend said the Moka Pot is on e-bay..