For the freshest coffee, we continue to recommend starting with whole beans and grinding them fresh for each pot. Or, if you prefer, you can take whole bean coffee to your local retail store and ask them to have a custom grind. Drip machines perform best whether they are general-purpose grinds offered in pre-ground coffee, or specialized for flat-bottom or conical filters. All Starbucks stores can grind coffee to this specification. Espresso machines are grind sensitive and require a very fine grind, 30-35 seconds in a blade grinder. Slow and fast shots are often caused by too fine or too coarse ground, frozen or refrigerated espresso beans, and compacted coffee that is too hard or not firm enough.