Take a look at Drive: The Ousia Espresso Grinder

By Street Food Spectacle

September 18, 2024

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We check the Ousia Espresso Grinder, a handmade system that mixes precision, sturdiness, and craftsmanship.

BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT

Cowl photograph courtesy of Vasileia Fanarioti

For espresso fans, a grinder is greater than only a software; it’s a key part within the pursuit of the proper cup. Right this moment, we’re diving into the Ousia Espresso Grinder, a premium, hand-crafted system that guarantees each precision and longevity.

With its stainless-steel development and oak detailing, the Ousia stands out not just for its aesthetic attraction however for its engineering prowess. Designed and crafted in Transylvania in small batches, this grinder is the results of a dedication to high quality and precision.

In line with the producer’s web site, it took 10 years of specialty-coffee schooling, from roasting to sensory analysis and understanding the worldwide market, together with 4 years of analysis and growth, to create this grinder.

So how does it carry out? Let’s discover.

The Ousia Espresso Grinder is available in two finishes—Classic Glam (pictured) and Modern Matte. Picture courtesy of Ousia.

First Impressions

Unboxing the Ousia Espresso Grinder appears like the start of a particular expertise. The packaging is minimal however considerate, with the grinder nestled securely inside. The very first thing you’ll discover is its weight—at round 800 grams, it feels strong and well-balanced within the hand. The grinder is available in two finishes: the Modern Matte with its distinctive shark-skin texture for added grip, and the graceful, polished Classic Glam that exudes a traditional magnificence.

Contained in the package deal, you’ll discover the grinder itself, the deal with (which attaches seamlessly), and a light-weight EVA foam journey case. This case not solely protects the grinder throughout journey but in addition serves as a sturdy storage answer when it’s not in use.

The title Ousia represents “essence“ in historical Greek philosophy. Picture courtesy of Vasileia Fanarioti.

Construct High quality and Design

The Ousia Espresso Grinder includes a full-metal physique, constructed from stainless-steel, giving it a strong and sturdy really feel. The oak deal with knob, crafted from Transylvanian oak, provides a contact of pure magnificence to the grinder with out compromising its performance.

One of many grinder’s standout options is its fluid, natural form, which makes it snug to carry and straightforward to make use of. The low heart of gravity and well-proportioned deal with size be certain that grinding isn’t solely environment friendly but in addition easy. In contrast to many different grinders that use plastic or ceramic elements, the Ousia sticks to metallic and wooden, making it a sturdy, long-lasting software.

With its 300+ grind settings, the Ousia Espresso Grinder affords unbelievable management. Picture courtesy of Ousia.

Key Options and Specs

On the coronary heart of the Ousia Espresso Grinder is its set of 47mm conical burrs, crafted from a high-grade metal alloy with a hardness ranking of 63 HRC. These burrs, designed with customized low-fines geometry, are particularly engineered to provide a constant grind, whatever the brewing methodology. What’s extra, the burrs aren’t coated—an intentional alternative, because the producers imagine coatings can cut back the burrs’ sharpness over time.

Grind adjustment is one other space the place the Ousia excels. The grinder affords over 300 distinct grind settings, from the ultra-fine 40-220 microns wanted for ibrik espresso to the coarse 1,200-1,400 microns required for chilly brew. Every micro-step within the adjustment bracket represents simply 10 microns, giving espresso lovers an unbelievable stage of management over their grind measurement. The axle’s strong 10mm diameter is paired with high-grade ball bearings, permitting for clean and steady grinding.

From left to proper exhibits a side-by-side comparability of grind settings for ibrik, espresso, and V60 brewing. Picture courtesy of Vasileia Fanarioti.

Grinding Expertise

Utilizing the Ousia Espresso Grinder is a pleasure, whether or not you’re brewing a fast espresso or making ready a gradual chilly brew. To set it up, you merely connect the deal with to the drive hub and regulate the grind measurement utilizing the textured adjustment wheels. With their shark-skin texture, the wheels present a satisfying grip and are simple to function.

The grinding course of itself is clean and requires little effort, due to the well-balanced design and the ergonomic deal with. Even when grinding for espresso or ibrik espresso, the place a finer grind is required, the deal with’s size and low resistance make the method snug. The grinder’s texture additionally enhances grip, stopping slips or discomfort throughout prolonged use.

I examined the grinder throughout a number of brewing strategies, together with espresso, V60, French press, and ibrik, following the producer’s prompt settings on their web site. In every case, the Ousia delivered a grind measurement that met expectations, translating into wealthy, well-extracted espresso. The burrs’ sharpness ensures that even when adjusting between grind sizes, the output stays uniform and predictable. Notably, the finer settings produced a low-fines grind, minimizing sediment within the cup.

With stainless-steel development and an oak deal with knob, the Ousia Espresso Grinder is designed for each magnificence and performance. Picture courtesy of Ousia.

Sturdiness and Upkeep

One of many key promoting factors of the Ousia Espresso Grinder is its long-term sturdiness. The burrs are anticipated to final round 12 years, primarily based on a median use of 100 grams of espresso per day. It is a testomony to the grinder’s construct high quality and the fabric decisions made throughout manufacturing.

Sustaining the grinder is simple. There’s no have to disassemble it—merely take away the underside espresso container and use a dry brush to wash the burrs. The producer advises towards utilizing any moist cleansing strategies to protect the metallic elements. By way of guarantee, the Ousia comes with a beneficiant five-year protection, providing peace of thoughts for long-term homeowners.

The sturdy foam case makes it an ideal journey companion for espresso lovers on the go. Picture courtesy of Ousia.

Who Is It For?

The Ousia Espresso Grinder is a exceptional piece of apparatus that mixes craftsmanship, precision, and sturdiness in a single modern package deal. Its stainless-steel development, coupled with the oak deal with knob, makes it not solely stunning but in addition extremely useful. The burrs’ precision and the 300+ grind settings present an unparalleled stage of management.

The grinder is presently priced at 445 euros, and whereas its weight and worth could also be prohibitive for some, those that are critical about their espresso will discover the Ousia to be an funding price making. With a lifespan that stretches over a decade, this grinder is constructed to final.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior on-line correspondent for Barista Journal and a contract copywriter and editor with a main give attention to the espresso area of interest. She has additionally been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, offering content material to assist educate individuals about baristas and their work.

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Take a look at Drive: The Ousia Espresso Grinder