Looks like you've done your homework Patrick. From what I've heard, Technivorms are well respected and, unlike most drip makers, maintain the optimal 195 to 205 degree water temp during the brewing process.
The KitchenAid grinder has gotten pretty good press and word has it that the grind can be made fine enough for espresso machines until you get into the higher end consumer or lower end pro-sumer models.
You'll be happy with your equipment. I would agree with the suggestion of getting a thermal carafe to transfer you coffee into after you brew it. Even the best makers tend to "burn" the flavor if they have a heating element under the glass carafe.
Have you found a source for freshly roasted beans yet? :innocent: After the grinder, that is the most important aspect to great coffee.
Just a word about espresso: It is to coffee as port is to wine. It has an intense coffee flavor and can be amazing. As far as the caffeine content, it actually has less than a cup of brewed coffee. Espresso (about 1.5 oz per shot) contains approximately 30 mg of caffeine where the average cup of brewed coffee can contain as much as 300 mg. The difference is that you drink the espresso faster and the caffeine enters your system faster. Another way to look at it is that caffeine is the last compound to be extracted from coffee and it takes about 20 seconds to pull a shot of espresso and about 3 to 4 minutes to brew a pot of coffee. Just some FYI.
Ive really found that I love espresso. Bought an Expobar Pulsar several months ago and have enjoyed a double ristretto shot each day since. My wife has taken to drinking one every morning also and is disappointed if I run out of espresso beans (I roast my own now). If you get into coffee very deep at all, espresso is considered the darkside.
