Well - i finally plunked down and tried CCC's Toscano blend. I've had my Alexia about a year now, and I've been more or less home roasting that whole time (SM). I LOVE home roasting, and while I acknowledge that it has likely hurt my learning curve in the world of espresso, I don't care. When you get a good shot of a coffee that you roasted yourself - that's a blissful experience.

Still, this morning's Toscano shot was blissful as well. A beautiful, speckled delight. It has set a very, very high bar for my ongoing roasting activities. But in retrospect I think this post is mistitled - it's not so much sad as it is a true challenge.

Yeah, not so much sad as enlightened. CCC Toscano has shown me a higher path.

Any other homeroaster Toscano fans feel the same way?

Not sure if there have been are any home roast versus Toscano posts; but there have been a few great home roast versus good commercial espresso blend threads

How is that new Rustica blend?

Don't know about Rustica but last week I tried both a straight shot and a machiatto of the Aficionado blend and was exceptionally pleased. It was on a visit to Spruce Street Espresso in Philly

http://sprucestespresso.wordpress.com/

Very impressive place. Really nice people, very enthusiastic about coffee and they pay attention to the details. China cups for all in-house drinks.... no drinks larger than 12 oz..... single origin for the non-espresso coffees.... and they are doing all press pot - no drip.