Max is back for a short conversation on lever machines and whether there is still a point to them. I admit I'm slightly fascinated by the Profitec Pro 800, but can they still compete with the electronic pressure profiling of other modern machines?

I bought the Lagom P64 in January, and today I'm going to explain what led me to this grinder when there's so many other good one's on the market. But, there's one big problem. I still haven't received it! If you're in the UK and want to try some of my favourite coffees who support this network: Use code 'BT10' to get 10% discount of every coffee order from these great independent roasters below. Peaberry Coffee https://peaberrycoffee.co.uk/?ref=pa41xj49gv Carvetii Coffee https://www.carvetiicoffee.co.uk/?ref=1PIclLUVJrYE0s Enter to win free beans each month from these roasters - UK RESIDENTS ONLY! Register at www.bartalks.net/giveaway. No purchase necessary.

LELIT has been acquired by Breville for $113m and I believe this is significant. This week, we'll explain what I think Breville's plan is, what this, along with their earlier purchase of Baratza grinders, will mean in terms of the product line up.

Do not listen to this if your credit card is within reach. Today, I'm talking about three espresso machines that I'd love to own, if money was no object.

Max is back on the show to talk about 3 coffee events coming up over the next month. I'm attending all of them so if you're going, let me know and we'll meet up.

This is the video I've been putting off making for months. I've decided to come clean and show you some embarrassing things I do when making espresso. There might also be some useful tips. If you're in the UK and want to try some of my favourite coffees who support this network: Use code 'BT10' to get 10% discount of every coffee order from these great independent roasters below. Peaberry Coffee https://peaberrycoffee.co.uk/?ref=pa41xj49gv Carvetii Coffee https://www.carvetiicoffee.co.uk/?ref=1PIclLUVJrYE0s Enter to win free beans each month from these roasters - UK RESIDENTS ONLY! Register at www.bartalks.net/giveaway. No purchase necessary.

I love this grinder, with a couple of exceptions. I've run over 4,000 shots through this baby. My review differs a little from others I've seen out there. But now I'm buying a new grinder. Let me explain. If you're in the UK and want to try some of my favourite coffees who support this network: Use code 'BT10' to get 10% discount of every coffee order from these great independent roasters below. Peaberry Coffee https://peaberrycoffee.co.uk/?ref=pa41xj49gv Carvetii Coffee https://www.carvetiicoffee.co.uk/?ref=1PIclLUVJrYE0s Enter to win free beans each month from these roasters - UK RESIDENTS ONLY! Register at www.bartalks.net/giveaway. No purchase necessary.

A break from our normal show, this week we're looking at great chocolate that coffee lovers will appreciate, as will that special person in your life as we lead into Valentines day.

Italy just applied to UNESCO to give the 'Italian Espresso' cultural heritage status. But what makes an Italian Espresso? Let's talk about it.

The Linea Mini makes just as good coffee as it ever did. The problem La Marzocco has, is that the world has moved on and there's so many more great options for the price. For some, the Linea Mini will still be the right choice, but that group is shrinking, and a new phone app and colour, just isn't going to be enough to win over our hard-earned cash. Could La Marzocco consider making a clearer separation between a home user machine and leaving the commercially certified version for the GS3? Enter to win free beans each month on our giveaway - UK RESIDENTS ONLY PLEASE https://bartalks.net/giveaway/ If you want 10% off one of my favourite roasters in the UK use our affiliate link below. Bookmark it, because it's 10% off every order! https://peaberrycoffee.co.uk/discount...

What does this year have in store for the espresso lover? This is what I think we can look forward to. Win free beans with our monthly giveaway. UK residents only, no purchase necessary - this is just a bit of fun. Register on our website https://bartalks.net/giveaway If you want 10% off one of my favourite roasters in the UK use our affiliate link below. Bookmark it, because it's 10% off every order! Or, use the code BT10 at checkout on the peaberrycoffee.co.uk website. https://peaberrycoffee.co.uk/?ref=pa41xj49gv

This year Mazzer has launched some of the most exciting grinders of any company, such as their lust-worthy ZM Plus. But the biggest surprise was the release of a hand grinder and not just a copy of existing designs, but a thoughtful, ground-up re-thinking of what a hand grinder should be. We announce the winner of this months kilo of beans - the super-amazing Peaberry Burundi Masenga. Peaberry coffee has kindly given us a special coupon code where you can get 10% off all coffee. Use code BT-DEC or head over to https://bartalks.net and click on the Ad in the right sidebar to get the code automatically applied. Bartalks earns a commission on any purchases. We're grateful to Peaberry and to you! If you want to read my written opinion of the Mazzer Omega grinder. https://bartalks.net/new-mazzer-omega-is-a-premium-and-innovative-hand-grinder/

You asked me to explain why I didn't want the Mahlkonig X54, so this week, I go through the list of reasons why it's not the right fit for me. This is NOT a review! For some people the positives will outweigh the negatives of this machine. But there are some issues that have been mentioned in reviews, and there are also some things I don't like, which I've not seen mentioned anywhere.   Enter our free prize draw and win 1KG of FREE beans - UK residents only please. https://bartalks.net/giveaway

If you've been wondering about puck screens, so have we! I've tried one and give my thoughts. .Max and I probably aren't going to agree on this. For a chance to win the free Kilo of Beans (UK Residents only). Head over to https://bartalks.net/giveaway It's free, no purchase necessary and we don't share your data.

I don’t know why this machine has not had the attention, I believe it deserves. Right now it’s so cheap that it might make a better starter machine than the Gaggia Classic Pro, or small office espresso machine. All that and this weeks news plus a new giveaway announced! Go here to register to win a kilo of the amazing Burundi Mesanga coffee from Peaberry Roasters https://bartalks.net/giveaway/ 

In today's show - what happened at the coffee shop innovation expo, and our favourite announcements from Host Milano 2021

If you’re still using the basket that came with your espresso machine, the last thing on your upgrade list might be the basket. How much difference can it realistically make? Or is it just a bunch of hogwash. We’ve done the research and tried a few. This is what we think. To enter our competition to win a free 1kg bag of the fantastic La Perla Negra Coffee Beans, go to https://bartalks.net/giveaway. No purchase is necessary. UK RESIDENTS ONLY

How do you know when to change the temperature on your PID, and a short dive into the process with different group heads. To enter our competition to win a free 1kg bag of the fantastic La Perla Negra Coffee Beans, go to https://bartalks.net/giveaway. No purchase is necessary. UK RESIDENTS ONLY

The Nuova Simonelli Oscar II can now be bought at the same price as a Gaggia Classic Pro, but it’s a smart modern HX machine with unbeatable steam power. There must be something wrong with it? Max and I both had one (OK, I had Max’s for a bit), let’s talk about this machine. To enter our competition to win a free 1kg bag of the fantastic La Perla Negra Coffee Beans, go to https://bartalks.net/giveaway. No purchase is necessary. UK RESIDENTS ONLY

A lot of people are getting into making coffee at home, but not sure where to start in buying quality beans. What does quality even mean, and are speciality beans really better than the ones you can buy in the supermarket? We chat about this and give some tips along the way to help you get started.

Not everyone has thousands to blow, and if you're just getting started, you might be wondering if there's a way to get into espresso drinks without blowing your budget. If we had just £350 ($500) this is what we would buy. We're giving away a Peak Water Filter, Motta tamper and a distribution tool for free this month. No purchase necessary - https://bartalks.net/giveaway to enter. Each month is a new giveaway.

Did they just blow their chance with their first prosumer model? We think they did, and we’re going to discuss. Enter to win this months giveaway - a fantastic Peak Water filter, no purchase necessary, at: https://bartalks.net/giveaway

In 2019 ECM showed off a new machine at a trade show. The Puristika is a small footprint single boiler machine with no steam wand. But, it has some features that make it an appealing choice for people like me - not least of which is the manual pressure twiddly knob. Grab yourself the chance to win an amazing Peak Coffee Water filter (UK Only) no purchase is necessary. Sign up using the link below. https://bartalks.net/giveaway/

Let’s talk about thermal stability between the two, and what practical difference it makes if any to brewing espresso. The discussion gets quite technical at times, so if you don't like going deep, this might not be the right video for you. Grab yourself the chance to win an amazing Peak Coffee Water filter (UK Only) no purchase is necessary. Sign up using the link below. https://bartalks.net/giveaway/

Starbucks doesn't sell coffee. Even their 'coffee' contains hardly any coffee - just ask CEO Kevin Johnson - that's what he said on a Bloomberg interview in response to why an increase in Arabica prices won't affect them. The company sells sugar drinks packed with fast and addictive calories. If you want to argue their coffee is good, make a video of yourself casually sipping one of their espresso’s without the milk and sugar, and see if you can keep that smile on your face. The company is so successful that it now buys 3% of the world's coffee. They are innovators and we agree with some of the ESG work. I also commend some of the brave political positions they take. But their drinks, often aimed at impressionable TikTokers, need to come with a health warning. We discuss! We announce the winner of the July, Kilo of Beans giveaway, and announce our new giveaway - this month grab yourself the chance to win an amazing Peak Coffee Water filter (UK Only) no purchase necessary. Sign up using the link below. https://bartalks.net/giveaway/

This week we're chatting with a Bean Talk viewer Sergey from Tel Aviv about his Rocket R NINE ONE. Sergey upgraded from his previous Rocket R58 and first tried the CREM ONE before returning it for the new Rocket. This month we're giving away a brand new Peak Water filter kit - UK Mainland only. It's free, no purchase is necessary, just register at https://bartalks.net/giveaway/

We talk about our ideas on how espresso machine manufacturers can improve their designs. Listening to Bean Talk is like having coffee with a friend FREE COFFEE GIVEAWAY FOR UK RESIDENTS Enter your email or follow us on Instagram for a chance to win 1KG of this month's beans - The wonderful Ethiopian Farm to Home Coffee. Register for free and get a chance to win every month here: https://bartalks.net/giveaway/ Follow us on Instagram @the_bartalks and @farmtohomecoffee 00:02:18 Nespresso sued over patent 00:03:22 Farm to Home Coffee Giveaway 00:05:59 News - Uganda Coffee Export Record 00:06:48 News - Brazil's Crop Failure 00:09:55 The Ideas

Does bean size matter, and why are supermarket coffee beans so much cheaper than speciality coffee beans? We spill the beans. Enter our free kilo of beans giveaway here (UK residents only): https://bartalks.net/giveaway/ Thanks for Farm to Home Coffee for the beans this month - follow them on Instagram at @farmtohomecoffee and bartalks at @the_bartalks 00:00:11 Introduction 00:09:40 Farm to Home Coffee Giveaway 00:18:24 Coffee Grades 00:23:47Size of the bean 00:26:58 Defects in beans

Bean Talk is like having coffee with a friend and talking about making great coffee. FREE COFFEE GIVEAWAY FOR UK RESIDENTS Enter your email or follow us on Instagram for a chance to win 1KG of this month's beans - The wonderful Ethiopian Farm to Home Coffee. Register for free and get a chance to win every month here: https://bartalks.net/giveaway/ Follow us on Instagram @the_bartalks and @farmtohomecoffee This week, we are preparing to plumb in our Rocket R58 Espresso machine, and have quite a bit of preparation to do. Nick & Max talk about the coffees they're drinking: Farm to Home Coffee - Tanzanian - https://shortcut.bartalks.net/4-BA Peaberry Coffee - Finca El Marador - https://shortcut.bartalks.net/4-B9 Anvil Coffee - #3 - https://shortcut.bartalks.net/4-BB

Congratulations to Andrew McHugh who won our June beans giveaway. This month, you can win a Kilo of very special Ethiopian beans from Farm to Home Coffee. Head over to https://bartalks.net/giveaway/ and throw your name in the hat - no purchase necessary. If you want to check out Farm to Home Coffee's other beans, rush over to https://www.farmtohome.coffee/   1ZPresso JX Pro. I bought this from the nice folks at Sigma Coffee https://sigmacoffee.co.uk/ I've been using it alongside my expensive commercial grinder and now Max makes me take it apart.   01:00:11 Intro 01:00:38 Winner for June's Beans Giveaway 01:05:04 New Giveaway Announced - HometoCoffee 01:13:42 New Bean Givewaway - FarmtoHome 01:18:53 a good decafe capsule coffee 01:24:08 Coffee News 01:28:11 1zpresso JX Pro Hand Grinder 01:58:18 Closing Notes - Plumbing in water      

This week we're talking about: - Starbucks in the news - The coffee max is loving right now - Nick's moving house mistakes - The Osma cold brew machine - We bought a new hand grinder   Last week to enter to win a kilo of beans from Peaberry. The Bilbao Colombian beans are great. No purchase necessary, but you must be in the UK to win. Enter here: https://bartalks.net/giveaway/

Our first live episode of Bean Talk on Saturday streamed to YouTube and Facebook. We'll be live each Saturday from now on. Talking hand grinders, is the Comandante too old, is the only grinder worth getting the 1zpresso JX Pro? What about other less talked about options - we discuss. This month we're giving away a free kilo of peaberry coffee's Bilbao. No purchase necessary, sign up to win it at https://bartalks.net/giveaway/

Our favourite beans so far this year, and some that are a bit of a disappointment. What is good is largely a matter of preference, but this week we tell you what we like and don't like about the coffee's we've tried this year. We're giving away a kilo of Peaberry's Bilbao - no purchase necessary - go to https://bartalks.net/giveaway/ to sign up and automatically get entered each month to win - UK residents only.

We sometimes buy used machines to refurbish or for writing reviews. We've learned a few things along the way and share a little of that knowledge with you today. We also announce our last winner of a free Kilo of beans and introduce this months giveaway. If you're in the UK, you can enter the giveaway. Go to https://bartalks.net/giveaway. No purchase is necessary.

I've owned the Rocket R58 for a couple months now, and I'm sharing my thoughts about living with this espresso machine. Coffee giveaway: https://bartalks.net/giveaway/

We discuss why conical and flat burrs produce different results, why what you think matters, doesn't, and some things you've never thought of, matter a lot. Is that clear? Enter to win free beans, no purchase necessary. This month we're giving away 1 Kilogram of Carvetii's delicious Solitude espresso blend. Sign up at https://bartalks.net/giveaway/

Win 1KG of Carvetii's Solitude Espresso (UK only). Find and like the post on Instagram @the_bartalks, or go to https://bartalks.net/giveaway/ no purchase is necessary. We don't spam. Mere decades after the runaway success of EK43 commercial grinder, Mahlkonig have leapt into action and delivered a grinder for the home market.  

We talk about the LELIT Bianca and the interview with their R&D Manager - Mauro Epis. The company has a focus on delivering a premium experience at an affordable price for the family. The question we had for them, was "How do you do it". In this podcast, we talk about it. FREE DRAW BEANS GIVEAWAY We are giving away a kilo of Carvetii Coffee's amazing Solitude Espresso. No purchase is required - go to https://shortcut.bartalks.net/pc-freedraw to enter

This weeks coffee news roundup, and we share our opinions on the Sage/Breville Barista Touch. I tried one for 2 weeks and the results are in.

The beans are building up to the point I'm going to have to send them to Max in a truck. We talk about that interview with La Marzocco's Product Designer we did last week, a new machine review and more.

We fixed the problem with the water sensor and discuss my experience of the first full week of using the Rocket. This week we also did an unboxing of a Sage/Breville Barista Touch, and had some problems setting it up.

After evaluating many other manufacturers, we bought a Rocket R58. We explain why we chose it, some initial problems getting it working and our overall first impressions.

We don't want to think about it, but we all know it's going to happen sooner or later. When your baby is not feeling well, should you reach out to YouTube and start pulling the case off, or just call in an expert.

Flair just announced the Flair58 that comes with an electric element to heat the brew head. We discuss and largely disagree on whether this is a great upgrade to the iconic system or a silly idea.

This week we discuss the Rocket Espresso machines, the new PID and the good amount of features you get for your price. The only problem is, you can't get one!

The La Spaziale Vivaldi single group espresso machine is growing on Nick. Like a fungus. But he keeps coming back to the CREM One. Today we introduce the possibility of a Profitec P600 or P700 and what the difference is between that and the ECM alternatives.

We look at the new CREM line up of espresso machines called the CREM One. They look like Cylons from Battlestar Galactica, and Nick likes their top of the range model.

Is this an ugly duckling or a superhero in disguise? Or both. This week we review this dual boiler espresso machine that I guarantee will surprise you - in good and not so good ways.

ECM - The lost episode from Bartalks. We deep dive into the pros and cons of each model as we continue the journey of discovery to determine which machine to buy.

We give our first impressions of making a fresh ground espresso on the Sage/Breville Bambino Plus and then compare it to the cheapest Nespresso machine

Our first time trying flavoured coffee, and it's a suprise! Nick buys a Sage Bambino Plus to review.

Are any of the Breville espresso machines suitable for making fine quality third wave espresso? Max and Nick review a different brand each week until we find a brand and machine that's going to give us everything we are looking for - brew stability, flow control, pre-infusion and more - in a single package.

We talk about the three main ways espresso machines measure temperature and focus on the PID. We'll cover how a PID works, why it may not be so useful on a Heat Exchanger machine, and the importance of a group head design that works with the PID. Max also shows off a custom design he made for his Gaggia Paros.

We wrap up the year with our choice of favourite coffees that we've tried over 2020. We have categories for Dark Roast, Medium Roast, Supermarket, and an award for the most ethical roasters.

Max takes apart - literally, the 1zpresso coffee hand grinder and says why he's thinking of selling all his electric grinders. Nick reviews the Butterfly coffee cup, which is a disposable biodegradable paper cup that doesn't leek, and doesn't need a lid.

How to improve your espresso without spending a fortune. This week on Bean Talk we share tips we've learned over the years.  

We review the Nespresso Vertuo system this week. We're also giving it away to one lucky listner. Just go to the page www.bartalks.net/giveaway to enter for free. We'll even send it anywhere in mainland UK for free.

This week, we return to do part 2 of our annual gift guide. Details for all the gifts listed can be found here: https://bartalks.net/beantalks-coffee-christmas-guide-partii

We name some of our favourite coffee gifts for 2020, making something for every budget.

This week we've drinking Burundi coffee from Artisan roaster - Amoret, based in Notting Hill Gate, London. We also discuss why athletes like coffee so much, and the science behind the performance boost. Recent news stories have indicated that getting habituated to caffeine will reduce the impact of the stimulant before an event. Yet recent scientific research largely debunks that. We discuss it on this week's Bean Talk.  

This week, we launch our YouTube version of the podcast, talk about what coffee we're drinking the equipment that we're using, and how Nick confesses to doing a few pour overs. We touch on the science of terroir and sunshine and a whole lot more.

Do we really need an app on our espresso machines? Does it add a new level of useful interaction, or is it a kind of insanity. We discuss that and more on today's show.

This week, we nervously try Dark Arts Coffee and talk about the importance of grind distribution and if tamping is actually necessary.

This week we discuss Atomo - the coffee that is made without any... coffee! Some boffins from the US think they can solve the coffee crisis by making coffee without using coffee plants.   How does this work? We talk about it on this weeks show.

Carvetii Coffee is a premiere coffee roaster and educator on YouTube. When they offered an opportunity to do a DIY blending of their micro-lot Colombian and Ethiopian beans, we had to give it a go and share the results of our journey with you.

The Gaggia Classic Pro is a popular machine for people who want to modify them. But Gaggia says that it's not necessary. We disagree and talk about the simple job of changing the OPV spring on the Pro.   We have to mention the new Victoria Arduino Eagle One Prima, which has got Max very excited - but how much will he have to pay to get one!  Finally, we talk about the Bean blending challenge with Carvetii Coffee - more on that next week.

The market is changing in the UK and no doubt elsewhere. The economics of running a coffee shop in city centres has changed and companies are pulling out.   only 40% of the UK workforce has returned to the office, and some companies are planning for their employees to work from home permanently. How will a workforce at home get their daily brew? Nick and Max discuss.

Decaf. Are Decaf coffee's still disgusting and poisonous? We try a couple bags from Clifton Coffee roasters in Bristol and give you our opinion. Nick & Max also go through some of the decaffeination processes, so if you've ever wondered how coffee beans get decaffeinated, this is the podcast you need to hear.

This weeks podcast is a special edition where Nick and Max talk about how to pick a coffee grinder. The difference between flat and conical burrs, and the impact of grind distribution and coffee fines on the flavour. If you've wanted to know more about the mechanics of grinder technology, this is not one to miss.

Nick & Max battle the heat to push out a review of Ethical Addictions dark espresso roast. Nick relays his experience of being the only white man in a jungle, and Max explains the difference between copper and steel boilers.

We review the 200 Degree Coffee Tanzania Igale beans. Max has to go through the Bartalks rigorous hiring process to keep HR happy. Nick has a confession that he now regrets making public.

The Cast Iron Roasters Ethiopian coffee gets a solid review from the team. Nick explains why messing up is human. And then messes up.

In this weeks episode, we talk about how the Luckin coffee fraud was discovered, making your own coffee scales using 3D printing, and our review of the Casa Espresso El Salvador Miramar.

Peaberry Bilbao coffee review. Max is a punk rocker.

In this special edition, we discuss the importance of swearing with style. Nick wonders if it's legal to put your children on eBay. Max tries to save the episode by doing a serious review of the award-winning Butterworth and Sons 4 bean espresso blend.

THIS EPISODE CONTAINS REFERENCES OF A SEXUAL NATURE In this epic episode, Max and Nick explain how you can fake talking Italian, and Nick manages to insult several nations in one podcast. Nick mentions interviews coming up on Bartalks including Philippe Juglar, President of the NGO AVPA, and Lameen from Coffee with Love.  Max has a new coffee machine and talks (super nerdy alert) about programming an Arduino to upgrade the controls. We talk about the famous Japanese Fertility Ceremony that happens each year. (Warning this section contains sexual references) If you want to skip all that and just listen to the review, jump about 39 minutes into the podcast.

This week we (Max) reviews Mill Town Dark Roast. Nick drank it all before remembering to take notes, so Max goes it alone on the review. Max, who renovated espresso machines, explains the differences between double boiler and heat exchange machines.

Another great brew from Brew Up. We can't help going back a few times to the roasters we like. Nick talks about the review he did on the Peak Water filter and it descends into a discussion on Water chemistry.  If you stay to the end of the podcast, Nick reveals he has a surprising and secret talent.

We drink the fabulous espresso blend out of Bean Smitten's Roastery. Max thinks we can replace him with an A.I. Bot, and nobody will notice, and Nick admits to having a problem buying grinders.

Max and Nick tell you what they think of Brown Bear Coffee and Nick talks about the La Marzocco story about racism and why it needs to be dealt with as a process.

Nick & Max talk about coffee pricing, and how farmers get paid. They review the Beanberry Javascript espresso blend.

One of the more controversial beans we tried, but really an excellent choice for people wanting to try something different. Nick and Max talk about the hate and love relationship they had with this bean.

We start our review series with a sweet Brazilian award-winning roast from 47 Degrees.

Confidently described as episode 0.5, nick discovers the podcast software only deals with whole numbers, but we bravely continue in this short podcast to describe our home set up for making espresso. Using sticky tape and springs we bought off eBay, we embark upon our quest to make good espresso without the cost.

Nick and Max are supposed to talk about coffee machine renovation, but instead, Nick confesses he doesn't know how to clean his grinder and Max hates on latte art.