We check the Ousia Espresso Grinder, a home made gadget that mixes precision, sturdiness, and craftsmanship.
BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT
Cowl photograph courtesy of Vasileia Fanarioti
For espresso fanatics, a grinder is greater than only a software; it’s a key element within the pursuit of the right cup. As we speak, we’re diving into the Ousia Espresso Grinder, a premium, hand-crafted gadget that guarantees each precision and longevity.
With its stainless-steel building 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 improvement, to create this grinder.
So how does it carry out? Let’s discover.
First Impressions
Unboxing the Ousia Espresso Grinder looks 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 stable 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 sleek, 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 additionally serves as a sturdy storage resolution when it’s not in use.
Construct High quality and Design
The Ousia Espresso Grinder contains a full-metal physique, constructed from chrome 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 comfy to carry and simple to make use of. The low heart of gravity and well-proportioned deal with size be certain that grinding will not be solely environment friendly but additionally easy. In contrast to many different grinders that use plastic or ceramic elements, the Ousia sticks to steel and wooden, making it a sturdy, long-lasting software.
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 score 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 are usually not coated—an intentional selection, because the producers consider coatings can cut back the burrs’ sharpness over time.
Grind adjustment is one other space the place the Ousia excels. The grinder presents 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 unimaginable stage of management over their grind measurement. The axle’s stable 10mm diameter is paired with high-grade ball bearings, permitting for easy and steady grinding.
Grinding Expertise
Utilizing the Ousia Espresso Grinder is a pleasure, whether or not you’re brewing a fast espresso or getting ready a gradual chilly brew. To set it up, you merely connect the deal with to the drive hub and alter 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 easy 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 comfy. 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 recommended 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.
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, based mostly on a mean use of 100 grams of espresso per day. This can be 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 scrub the burrs. The producer advises towards utilizing any moist cleansing strategies to protect the steel elements. By way of guarantee, the Ousia comes with a beneficiant five-year protection, providing peace of thoughts for long-term homeowners.
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 building, coupled with the oak deal with knob, makes it not solely lovely but additionally extremely practical. The burrs’ precision and the 300+ grind settings present an unparalleled stage of management.
The grinder is at present priced at 445 euros, and whereas its weight and value 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 concentrate on 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 folks about baristas and their work.
Subscribe and Extra!
Out now: It’s the August + September 2024 difficulty of Barista Journal! Learn it at no cost with our digital version. And for greater than three years’ price of points, go to our digital version archives right here.
You possibly can order a tough copy of the journal via our on-line retailer right here, or begin a subscription for one yr or two.
