Context
During my experience with coffee, every so often I get some improvements from some changes, but for me nothing made more dramatic changes than changing the grinder. I tried: Sage BE, DF64 with SSP HU, Niche, Mazzer Major, Mahlkonig E80 Supreme (it has the 807Lab Sweet burrs).
Status quo
Even tho it was the cheapest grinder of all, the best espresso I’ve got so far was the one from MM. It is balanced, it has fabulous body, with complex and intense flavours.
What next?
So currently I am enjoying this setup but the question is what to try next? Going to the same vertical, the only espresso I tried that beats my MM is done with Mythos 2 (at a coffee shop I frequent). I found this shot to have slightly thinner body (not as creamy as my MM) but the flavours were more complex and more intense - a very aromatic cup. Tbh it could be that MM has that thick body that can mask other subtle notes.
Unfortunately Mythos 2 is difficult for me to find (at a decent price), and the very next alternative would be a used Mythos 1. Would you recommend this move? Do you think this makes sense as an upgrade?
Alternatives
Other (quite different) options I am considering, not necessarily as an upgrade but more to explore different realms:
Hand grinder, particularly C40 (a lot of ppl praise it)
EK43 (yeah, I know..) or other 98mm flat burr grinder, just on the premise “the bigger, the better” and to explore if they can provide more aromatic shots.
The machine
I know there is also the option to upgrade the machine, but on the paper at least, I just fail to see what a different machine can bring on the table. I own a Silvia Pro (DB, PID) which has dimmer mod and I can vary the flow from 100% to 0%. Maybe not as repeatable as Decent or a spring lever but it is there and I use it.
Beans
I’ve got my best cups from medium roasts. Very light roasts were almost always a failure for me (some were too sour, some had too much fermentation notes) but maybe if I get the right grinder for them, who knows?
Brew
Although not the primary focus, I am also increasingly more into V60 lately and a grinder that could also help with that (thinking of c40, ek43?) would be advantageous.
Budget
Depends on some “complicated” factors, but the budget is max 2K. So no new P100, new EK43, Flat MAX, and other rare gems. Those are reserved as the last resort if nothing else can do it.
So what do you think, what grinder do you recommend me to try? Would you recommend try upgrading something else than the grinder?
Cheers
