Which kind of espresso coffee should I use?.

QUESTION:

Hello. I have a Saeco Vienna De Luxe. I am trying to get a nice cream espresso coffee. My question is, what type of brand espresso coffee works well for my machine?

Also what grind setting should I put it on?

Thanks.

ANSWER:

With regard to the coffee you should buy, the first step is to buy whole beans, not ground. But it sounds like you're doing that already.

As for the crema on your espresso, that comes not from your choice of coffee beans, but the way in which it is prepared by your machine. (That said, the color of the crema can give you some insights into the kind of beans in your blend.)

When it comes to choosing an espresso blend of beans, follow your taste buds and have fun. You have hundreds of choices. Espresso blends differ from regular coffee blends in so far as the roast master and blender will be looking for combinations of beans that give you a full, rich and varied flavor and aroma.

Now for the preparation. One way to get a good crema is to make sure that you grind the coffee very fine. I'm not familiar with the grind settings on your machine, but the finer the grind, the better the chances of a good crema.

Also, use your machine's "Opti-Dose" setting to make sure you are using the maximum amount of ground coffee per shot.

A fine grind and a full dose should help you get the crema you want.

Let me know if it works!

Editor's Note: We have more information on our espresso machines page.