The best ground coffee?

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

Not a coffee expert but want to buy a gift for a couple close to me who love proper coffee.

What's the best I can get them? Any specific brands /aromas?

They use one of those little stove top machines with the spouts which pour into little espresso cups.

Whereabouts are you?

If central London is doable, I can recommend the Monmouth St Coffee House (Monmouth St, between Covent Garden and Shaftsbury Avenue). They do lots of coffees and will do exactly the right grind for you.

Personally, I like a nice Guatemala dark roast - chocolately and rich. If you go to a specialist shop, one of the assistants should be able to advise.

Sadly too far from London. May have to Google coffee specialist shops near me.

Do they own a coffee grinder - manual or electric?

I wouldn’t honestly buy ground coffee for a coffee lover - it loses flavour as soon as the packet is opened. Coffee lovers like to grind beans for each serving!

There are plenty of online shops. I like Hasbean - fun, informative website, good variety of beans and quick, efficient delivery.

HR Higgins do great coffee and you can mail order.
https://www.hrhiggins.co.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAiArJjvBRACEiwA-Wiqq0j-iypFOIv14V7EOuUXBsjVziCqi7h7RMvXMipCiw5k1JQwlzSVvRoCWfsQAvD_BwE

Oh I don't know if they have a grinder

Peak Bean do some great coffee. My dh is very picky and he really likes their stuff

Hmm ...

If they don’t have one they need one. Bog standard electric grinders can be had from any largish supermarket - they’re better than nothing. A bigger/better one would cost a lot more.

And a hand grinder is best of all.

But perhaps your friends have a big bean to cup machine?

I use my Nutribullet to grind coffee beans - its does a fab job.

If you're midlands based I can recommend a great independent coffee place. DM otherwise I think I could be outed!

If your into coffee you use a grinder. Can you ask which beans they use as their coffee is so nice?.

Failing that you’ll have to break in mission impossible style and ransack the kitchen.

For me the off the shelf ones are Illy and Lavazza

Well there's your answer - buy them a coffee grinder. I wouldn't mind an electric one myself.