Greetings,
I've spent the last few months reading everything I can find to prepare me for my upcoming purchase of a new espresso machine and grinder. I really appreciate the wealth of knowledge on here, and I'm getting close to pulling the trigger. So here goes my first post, flame away!

I been a coffee aficionado for the last 25 years, and remember when pump vs. vacuum was the primary consideration for an espresso machine. We've all come a long way since then. I drink two to three cups a day of double shots, more like lungos. My wife likes milk based drinks but usually doesn't bother due to the hassle of getting it to taste right. Right now I have a Saeco machine and grinder that was purchased 7 years ago as a gift. The only way to turn off the grinder is to unplug it, and the espresso machine has started to leak a bit, so it's time to upgrade. Amazingly enough, I can still get a decent shot out of her.

Everything I've read says the grinder is as important, if not more so than the espresso machine. But while I've read that over and over, the skeptic in me says "prove it." I wonder how much of this is just people repeating what they've heard over and over. I haven seen any blind taste test to back up these statements.

I don't want to error on not spending enough on the grinder, but my gut tells me that the Baratza Vario is a fine grinder, and I should be happy, even if I go so far as to pair her with a db machine like the Brewtus IV.

So, before I pull the trigger, can anyone point me to some blind taste test which demonstrate that a better or more expensive grinder would be worthwhile?

Thanks for your time.
Bob

You probably want to take a look at the Titan Grinder Project.

Note that the Vario is considered as providing the same class of grind quality as these. From Baratza Vario Grinder - Second Look:

another_jim wrote:Our plan was to do 4 pairs against the Compak, with 2 pairs of each coffee, and 8 pairs with the Mini, with 4 pairs for each coffee.

But the Vario spanked the Mini three times in a row on the Black Cat, and edged it three times in a row on the Bonko. The Vario tasted silky and buttery, while the Mini tasted angular and edgy. On one Bonko shot, we thought the edgy flavor on the Mini was slightly better, but the mouthfeel edge of the Vario was too much. That was on the final shot, and we knew by then which grinder was which.

So we promoted the Vario to the Titan league, and did six shots against the Compak. Here we had two slight slight wins by the Compak, two by the Vario and two ties. We never could tell which grinder was which. On this day, the Vario played in the Titan league and won.

Ending with:

another_jim wrote:If this result holds up for all the test grinders, and the grinder is reliable, the Vario is the espresso bargain of the year.

I would say that "worth it" is very difficult to nail down, especially with grinders like the Vario or PL53 around. Is it worth it to spend 4-10 times as much on a grinder which is more consistent, and may bring out more flavor in the cup, but will also be a bit more of a hassle to use?

Once I was relatively comfortable with the K10 I did a blind taste test against the PL53, and I could tell the difference immediately and had a definite preference for the K10 shot. I didn't do lots of trials or try difference coffees, the shot was a little more well rounded, laid back, and with a little more body. The biggest difference was in the aftertaste, the PL53 was sharper and a little bitter at the end.

It also seems like the K10 is more consistent and requires much less adjustment, but it's still relatively new, so I'll hold off on making any definitive judgements for now.

Louis wrote:You probably want to take a look at the Titan Grinder Project.

Note that the Vario is considered as providing the same class of grind quality as these. From Baratza Vario Grinder - Second Look:

Thanks for the link. I guess I should have done a little more searching before posting my question, it looks like it's already been covered in detail.

Back when I was working on the titan grinder project I did some blind tasting. I could pick out which shot came from which grinder every time. The machine you pair the grinder with will also make a difference. Some machines tend to being out the brighter notes, like berry, in a coffee while other bring out the deep notes like chocolate. They have a similar effect on the acidity. Grinders will have the same effect. A Mazzer Super Jolly will bring out the deep chocolate and caramel notes in a coffee while something like a Kony will accentuate the brighter flavors.

Besides a taste difference there is also the fact that the dial in is ridiculously easy. Whenever you change coffee on a big conical, the first shot is mostly always ballpark.