I was introduced to coffee around the turn of the Millenium. We drove from Newcastle to Torquay in a rented VW Sharan with only myself driving. I frequently stopped for ‘coffee’ sending the kids in to the motorway services and having absolutely no idea what they were using to come back with 2 large milk based coffees. Once back home, I started to explore. The conclusion I came to was to buy a reconditioned Gaggia Classic from an authorised firm in Yorkshire somewhere. I paired this with tins of Illy! Then a friend suggested that he was also in to coffee and had seen Starbucks I think, selling a burr grinder for £45. I bought one then hunted for beans. An Ebay seller in Wales somewhere sold 1kg bags of his own blend called BellaRoma and it came in a gold bag.

I really had absolutely no idea what I was doing or getting in to! I found a UK forum that was run for the benefit of Hasbean but had some knowledgeable contributors on it. After a short period I sold the Gaggi and bought a cutting edge Fracino Heavenly and paired it with a Cunhill Tranquilo…….those were the days!

So, let us hear your first experiences!

https://www.suddencardiacarrestuk.org/2024/02/thank-goodness-for-madeira-cake/

Gaggia Classic in about 2003 I think. In hindsight not the worst choice of first machine.

Didn’t have a grinder though so bought pre-ground Lavazza!

The design agency I worked in at the time had a Mazzer Mini in the communal kitchen and it seemed to do the trick so not knowing anything about other grinders I just bought one of those! I remember the office also had an enormous four group Gaggia, only one group ever worked but the steam was hilariously powerful.

That was my setup for years until I bought a modified Silvia.

La Marzocco Linea Mini - Mazzer Philos

Ikawa Roaster