This all comes at a premium, of course, with this being one of the more expensive grinders available. In this instance though, you absolutely get what you pay for. If Italians are discerning about one thing, it’s flavour. They understand there is no point buying your favourite coffee beans, or blend of beans, if you can’t then grind and infuse them to your own particular taste. With the Calibra, Italian coffee brand Melitta have produced a quality grinder that - with 39 settings - ensures you can fine tune your favourite coffee, to your own idea of perfection, on your worktop. Every grinder is different. But the goal is to make espresso in 20 to 30 seconds. To achieve this, you need to find the perfect grind.

The blade design is efficient with 24,000 rotations per minute, and they even provide a handy guide to help you determine how long you should grind to achieve your desired sized grains.The sleek, oval design not only looks stylish, but the shape means that the beans move around much more, meaning the twin blades get to work much more efficiently. In just 25 seconds, you can have your beans ground down to the perfect size for an espresso, and much less for a larger, coarse grind. The next blade grinder comes from celebrity chef James Martin, and it’s a very handy little gadget for people making their first steps into grinding coffee. If extraction is too slow then grind coarser. The best way to find the perfect grind is to invest in a good quality espresso grinder. Should espresso be fine or coarse? The Melitta Calibra, according to the blurb should produce a fine grind for use in my Sage (there's even images of a portafilter on the machine!). On the finest grind setting using a standard portafilter basket the grind is way too coarse and the extraction time way too short. Using the pressurised filter (also known as a double wall filter) the extraction was acceptable and tasted fairly good.

The grinder’s design extends beyond mere aesthetics; it also considers the product’s layout and how the design contributes to its functionality. Meanwhile, the build quality determines the longevity of the grinder. For the Melitta Calibra 1027-01, its sleek, modern aesthetic would complement any kitchen design, and its stainless-steel construction ensures it can withstand continuous use. However, the size might be a bit bulky for some smaller kitchen countertops. This leads to a score of 4.5/5. Functionality and Ease of Use: 4/5 High-End Performance: The grinder performs exceptionally in terms of consistency and precision of grind, putting it in league with other premium coffee grinders. This performance, combined with its price point, gives it a competitive edge in the market.

Integrated digital scale for grinding accurately to the gramme

Consistent Results: With the grinder’s calibration features, users can enjoy consistent results. Whether you prefer your coffee coarse for a French press or finely ground for an espresso, the Melitta Calibra 1027-01 delivers precisely calibrated results every time. At The Coffee Guru, we believe that a comprehensive coffee grinder review should touch upon a range of criteria, each carrying its unique importance in assessing a product’s overall value. Here are our chosen criteria for evaluating this burr grinder and its respective scores: Design and Build Quality: 4.5/5 Brand Reputation: Given Melitta’s long-standing reputation in the coffee industry, investing in the Calibra also means investing in a brand known for its quality and innovation. The added peace of mind that comes with this brand reputation further bolsters the Calibra’s value proposition. Made out of stainless steel, this doesn’t only look great, it’s also incredibly durable – perfect for just throwing in a bag on your way out of the door. This is a grinder that is built to last, and comes at a price that will fit most budgets. Versatility: The grinder’s impressive calibration capabilities, coupled with its multiple grind settings, make it a versatile tool suitable for various brewing methods. This adaptability means that the Melitta Calibra 1027-01 is a great investment for those who enjoy experimenting with different coffee styles.