[antidisestablishment]

I use a older Krup's machine. It's decent and wasn't too expensive, but it's no longer made. Many connoisseurs would say a good machine will cost $100s. DeLongi makes makes a great starter machine:

As to coffee, for starters, most any blend will do. It depends on you tastes. I like Italian roast and some espresso blends. My preferred coffee is from a local shop here in Tampa, but you can use whatever blend you like. For a real Italian espresso try Lavazza.

The main thing is to grind the beans fresh--espresso concentrates the flavor and even "fresh" ground coffee tastes stale quickly.

[Liz]

Lavazza....now I know you’re a coffee expert.

Happens to be my fave.

A nearby store actually has a Lavazza coffee machine (home versions cost a thousand dollars).

Makes the best cappuccinos in the world.

[Jane Long]

We recently had Hot Chocolate, at a famous chocolatier in Brooklyn, that was cayenne infused. DELISH!!!