Purchased an espresso/capicino maker to give as a Christmas gift. I have never prepared or consumed either drink. What kind of coffee do I buy to give with the machine? Or, is it made with regular drip coffee, and the machine is what makes it into a different drink?

I considered opening the box to read about what to buy, but I don't want to give the gift in a box that has been opened.

-- homestead2 (homestead@monroecty.net), December 03, 2000

Answers

Look in the coffe ailse of your local grocery store the selection is endless.

-- Patty (fodfarms@slic.com), December 03, 2000.

Wher are you located? Costco carries WHOLE beans to grind for espressos, or you could go to Starbucks and get everything you need. When I purchased ours for my husband, I also bought: Whole coffee beans, cool whip in a can, hershey's chocolate (or you could get another flavor), and then you need a grinder to grind the whole beans (to circumvent this, most grocery stores have whole coffee beans that you can grind right there). The chocolate syrup or other flavoring are used to flavor the espresso. I would give a gift certificate to a grocery store attached to the machine, unless you know their preferences. Way too many types and flavors of coffee out there. Good luck

-- Amber in WA (mikeandamberq@hotmail.com), December 03, 2000.

I have one and just use regular fine grind coffee in it. You can buy "espresso grind" -- but I find it far too finely ground. A friend of mine whose family owned an Italian restaurant said they used the same coffee they used in the coffee makers in their espresso machine in the restaurant -- tastes great to me!!!

-- Tracy (trimmer@westzone.com), December 03, 2000.

I use whole bean and grind my own somewhere between fine and espesso grind. You can use regular or drip grind as they operate from forced steam, finer grind just makes a more robust blend. Remember one small cup of espresso packs the caffeine kick of a pot of coffee.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), December 03, 2000.

I use regular coffee in mine and it works just fine. The flavored coffees are great too. And if you want to give whole beans you don't have to worry if your friend has a coffed grinder. I grind mine in the blender and it works out just find.

-- Julie (rjbk@together.net), December 03, 2000.