I Need An Espresso Education

[floydpink]

Originally Posted by Jenady

To start, I am not a coffee drinker. Over the years I have tried to drink coffee in many forms but just could not develop a taste for it. Then I had an espresso after dinner at a good restaurant. I really enjoyed it. It makes no sense to me either.

Now I am interested in being able to make a small dose of espresso at home. I do not want to go overboard with a big fancy machine. I do want a modest setup that will make small batches of passable espresso.

My biggest problem is total ignorance of what it takes. I spent quite a bit of time searching the subject. I quickly became more confused than I started out.

Is there anything I can do on a small, say $100, budget?

I appreciate any advice.

sadly, no.

A good grinder is an absolute requirement and unfortunately your budget puts you 1/3 of the way there at bare minimum.

The Bialetti would work great and fit well within your budget, but you'd be buying preground coffee.

Fresh ground coffee is the basis of a great espresso shot and the starting point for a machine up to the task of grinding for espresso, in many people's opinion is the Rancillio Rocky. I agree.