The Best Coffee Grinder For 2023: A Complete Buying Guide

You’ve undoubtedly heard the phrase “if you’re going to do it, do it right.” What constitutes “right” is often arbitrary, though, and depends on the situation.

Let’s specify that here, we’re talking about grinding coffee beans, so what is considered right depends on what brewing method you’re using. The type and performance of your coffee grinder have a lot to do with how your coffee tastes, so choosing the right one is an important step in the brewing process. And luckily for you, we know a lot about these little devices, and we’re going to share our picks for the best coffee grinders on the market with you here.

At a Glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Coffee Grinders

Sure, you can find tons of ground coffee at the grocery store, ready to brew with no effort or waiting. Why not just buy that? Well, it comes down to whether you want just an OK cup of coffee or the best cup of coffee you can brew.

THE BEST ELECTRIC BURR COFFEE GRINDERS

OXO BREW CONICAL BURR GRINDER

With 15 settings (plus micro settings), the OXO Brew Conical burr grinder is a tool fit for everyone, whether you need coarse beans or prefer a finer grind.

The OXO Brew conical burr grinder boasts 40-millimeter stainless steel burrs that create uniform grounds and guarantee maximum flavor extraction. The freshly ground beans fall neatly into the 110-gram container — that’s enough coffee to brew a 12-cup pot. It’s simple to use, thanks to its one-touch start and timer that remembers your previous grind setting. All you have to do is press start, and the OXO Brew grinder does the rest.

BARATZA VIRTUOSO+ CONICAL BURR GRINDER

You know a brand is trustworthy when the Specialty Coffee Association deems it worthy of an award, and that’s why you can rest assured knowing the Baratza Virtuoso+ conical burr grinder will get the job done.

Well, the SCA award is just one reason to have confidence in this grinder. Forty grind settings to grind coffee that’s the perfect particle size for a variety of brewing methods, a digital timer for easy and consistent dosing, and an LED-backlit bin for coffee grounds are the other reasons to love the newer and improved Virtuoso grinder.

BODUM BISTRO STANDARD BURR GRINDER 

The Bodum Bistro Coffee Grinder is a burr grinder that offers multiple different grind settings — 12 to be exact. It has a stainless steel conical burr grinder, as well as a plastic coffee catching container. Made out of sturdy material, the Bodum Bistro is durable, reliable, and is sure to get the job done every time. 

Also, the Bistro comes with a built-in timer, friction clutch, grind guide, and a variety of color options to match your kitchen. All in all, the Bistro is a pretty good bang for your buck and will give you the ability to make a variety of drinks.

CUISINART SUPREME GRIND BURR GRINDER

This model from Cuisinart delivers quite a bang for the buck. It’ll look great sitting pretty on the kitchen counter. Then, when you actually use it and explore its long list of features, the price seems even more reasonable.

Its 18 grind options allow you to grind from 4 to 18 cups of coffee at a time. No matter how much coffee you need or how picky you are with your grinding requirements, this little coffee grinder could be just what you need to make your next cup of coffee taste amazing.

BARATZA VARIO FLAT CERAMIC BURR GRINDER

This professional-grade coffee grinder boasts every feature you could hope to have when it’s time to grind coffee beans. It has 230 different grind settings, as well as digital timers that can be set to grind a precise amount of coffee.

The 54-millimeter ceramic flat burrs guarantee an impeccably even grind. Whether you’re buying a grinder for commercial use, or you just take your at-home brew very seriously, this machine will not fail to impress.

SBOLY CONICAL BURR COFFEE GRINDER

This conical burr coffee grinder from Sboly makes our list of best coffee grinders primarily because it’s easy to use. Just touch one button and get precisely ground coffee from this stainless steel machine every morning.

Though there’s only one button, there are plenty of settings to choose from to meet all of your brewing needs. Between 19 different grind settings and 12 grind amount options, you’ll have just the right size and amount of coffee for any occasion, whether you’re brewing for one or a crowd. This grinder is easy to clean, too, as it comes with a cleaning brush and a removable upper conical burr.

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BARATZA ENCORE CONICAL BURR COFFEE GRINDER

The Baratza Encore has a reputation for being the entry-level grinder for coffee aficionados. It boasts 40 different grind settings.

More good news: the motor keeps the beans cool during extended grind times. Yes, this is more expensive than many basic grinders. But, you get what you pay for: settings used by the pros. 

CAPRESSO INFINITY CONICAL BURR GRINDER

This Capresso Infinity grinder has 16 different settings, allowing you to play with variety. For example, for a French press, we recommend a coarse grind. No problem here.

With this grinder, you can also pulverize those beans if you’re going the espresso route and every size in between. It has a built-in timer and can hold up to eight ounces of beans.

MUELLER ULTRA-GRIND CONICAL BURR GRINDER

Mueller’s conical burr grinder is perfect for the budding barista who wants a high quality, tech-savvy machine. This electric burr grinder boasts a wide range of precision grinding, guaranteeing the best particle size for all types of coffee brewing.

This is a low-noise grinder, so if you often find yourself up and making your daily cup of java before the rest of your household is stirring, you can grind coffee without fear of waking everyone up. Our favorite things about Mueller’s machine are its large capacity — it can grind enough coffee for up to 32 cups — and the brand’s innovative design that prevents residual grounds from being left in the tube.

OXO BREW CONICAL BURR COFFEE GRINDER WITH INTEGRATED SCALE

If you’re familiar with the OXO brand, then you know it means quality, and this conical burr coffee grinder is no exception. It features a built-in scale so you can always use just the right amount of coffee without wasting it. With 38 total settings, you can grind coarse to fine and everything in between.

The high-torque, low-speed motor won’t overheat the beans, and built-in overheating detection offers additional protection and prolongs the grinder’s life. Automatic shutoff guarantees the precise amount of coffee every time.

THE BEST MANUAL BURR COFFEE GRINDERS

With roots stretching back to the first roasted coffee bean, hand-grinding coffee is a long-held tradition. Cowboys of the Old West often smashed coffee beans with the butts of their guns before tossing the grounds into boiling water to make cowboy coffee.

Soldiers in the Union army had to rely on coffee grinders built into the stocks of their rifles for their morning cup of mud.

Thankfully, modern manual coffee grinders make it easy and fun for you to enjoy grinding as a choice, rather than a necessity. And without any weaponry.

KALITA RETRO COFFEE MILL

Kalita welcomes newcomers to hand-ground coffee with this basic ceramic burr grinder with an adjustable grind. This won’t be the last coffee grinder you buy—it’s not as durable or as powerful as its competitors—but it’s a good place to start your hand-grinding journey.

NORPRO MANUAL COFFEE GRINDER

If you’re planning to do most of your coffee grinding at home, this moderately priced, old-school grinder might be right up your alley. It features an adjustable grinder and a storage drawer, as well as some serious old-world charm as countertop décor when not in use.

FORUCHOICE VINTAGE MANUAL COFFEE GRINDER

Modern convenience meets vintage sensibilities in this manual coffee grinder. Designed to balance aesthetics with functionality, Foruchoice’s stainless steel burr grinder has a rugged cast iron exterior with plastic and stainless steel in the actual mechanism. It’s best for light daily use at home rather than heavy-duty or portable grinding.

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PORLEX MINI STAINLESS STEEL MANUAL COFFEE GRINDER

Focused on portability and ease of use, this stainless steel grinder from Japan is the ideal no-nonsense travel companion for coffee lovers. A minimalist marvel, this grinder will handle everything from fine espresso to French press coarse grind and is also compatible with the AeroPress maker for maximum convenience.

KONA MANUAL COFFEE GRINDER WITH CERAMIC BURRS

This hardworking little grinder makes and holds enough ground coffee for two people in one sitting. It’s portable, easy to clean, and has an adjustable ceramic burr grinder with 18 settings, so you can enjoy espresso, pour over, or French press coffee even in the middle of the woods. The mechanism is also strong enough to handle spices, but you might want to buy two to avoid giving your coffee an unintended spice blast!

HERO MANUAL COFFEE GRINDER

If you enjoy a nice conical manual grinder, the Hero will easily become a quick favorite. With wide flexibility when it comes to grinding sizes, it can grind for finer brewing, as well as coarser brewing. One great thing we enjoy about the Hero is that it comes with an extra glass coffee container, as well as a cleaning brush and a non-slip base and top lid. 

LHS MANUAL COFFEE GRINDER 

We enjoy the LHS for a multitude of reasons. Made with stainless steel and ceramic burrs, the LHS is highly effective for grinding coffee. With its highly portable design, you can take it with you to the office, or on the road during your next adventure. It has four adjustable levels, with the knob in the middle allowing you to change in between grind settings. It’s easy to fill, and it’s easy to disassemble, clean, and reassemble. 

HARIO SKERTON CERAMIC COFFEE MILL

Easy to use, carry, and clean, this modest marvel is our favorite basic manual coffee grinder. Its ceramic burr grinder and dual lids make it easy to grind and store coffee on the go. It’s as at home in your suitcase as it is your kitchen cabinet. We think it’s the perfect entry-level manual coffee grinder for the aspiring coffee connoisseur.

No matter which type of coffee grinder you choose, you’re on your way to more flavorful and enjoyable coffee that’s made extra special by the addition of your time, labor, and love.

Just remember, how you grind your beans affects how good your brewed coffee is, so respect the beans, grind responsibly, and enjoy your next caffeinated creation.

BEST BURR GRINDERS FOR COLD BREW

When it comes to cold brew, getting a coarse grind is key. While the type of grind you would use for a French press will certainly work, we’re looking for something extra coarse for our avid cold brewers.

Related: Read our Full Guide to the Best Grinder For Cold Brew

CAPRESSO INFINITY

We mentioned earlier that the Capresso Infinity works well for a French Press. Thanks to the 16 settings though, the lower pair of the 4 coarse settings on this electric grinder actually work well for cold brew, too! 

It has steel conical burrs and storage space on the top for unground beans and on the bottom for the fresh grounds. Also, if you’re concerned about heat transfer, there is a pulse function to help you slow things down even more. 

Another plus is that it is rather quiet, especially for an automatic grinder. Additionally, it is priced at a pretty comfortable mid-range spot. So if you’re looking for a grinder that can cover you from cold brew to Greek coffee without breaking the bank, this is the one for you. 

JAVAPRESSE MANUAL COFFEE GRINDER

If electric isn’t your style, this manual coffee bean grinder from Javapresse might just be what you need. The dual plated ceramic burr grinder has 18 different click settings for you to choose from. So you can rest assured that you can go from the extra coarse grind for cold brew to the ultra-fine grind needed for Turkish coffee.

What’s more is this grinder is super light and portable. So your wanderlust has you backpacking more than sitting at home, this manual grinder is probably perfect for you!

On that note, not only is the hand crank removable for the sake of portability, but it is also about 90 percent quieter than most electric grinders. Gone are the days of your family or roommates complaining about your coffee habits waking them up in the morning. 

BEST COMMERCIAL COFFEE GRINDER

There are a few key things to look for in a high-capacity, commercial coffee grinder: a large burr grinder to minimize heat transfer, a step-less grind dial to maximize precision, and an airtight hopper to maintain freshness. One of the top options that covers all these bases and more is the Mazzer Robur S. 

The Robur is a commercial coffee grinder that’s specifically intended for high-volume environments and is one of the larger models in the Mazzer line-up. The hopper has a 1.6-kilogram bean capacity. Additionally, the 71-millimeter diameter of the burr grinder is plenty large enough to make sure your beans are staying cool, even if the machine runs all day.

The Robur S is one of the best high-tech grinding machines on the market, boasting a total and partial dose counter, manual grinding mode, daily grinding statistics, a 19-language control panel, and more.

Once you get used to the innovative tech, this machine will produce some of the highest quality, consistent grinds you’ll find.

Related: Read our guide to the best commercial coffee grinders. 

BEST COFFEE GRINDER FOR FRENCH PRESS COFFEE

If you’ve been a Roasty reader for long, you know how we feel about French press coffee — we love it! Sure, you can use pre-ground coffee, but grinding your own beans guarantees a fresher, better-tasting cup of java.

If you’re grinding coffee to use in a French press, you’ll need to set your grind settings to medium or coarse for the best results. We recommend using a burr coffee grinder, too, for a consistent grind and maximum flavor distribution.

HANDGROUND PRECISION MANUAL COFFEE GRINDER

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Our French press-loving friends should try the Handground Precision Manual Coffee Grinder. This conical burr hand grinder boasts 15 grind settings, so you’ll not only grind the best beans for your French press, but for a drip machine, Chemex, or pour over — whatever your preferred brewing method is.

This grinder is durable and portable, so it’s perfect for avid campers and frequent travelers, and because it’s not an electric grinder, it’s quiet, so you can get all the ground coffee you need in the morning without waking up anyone in your household.

Related: Read our guide to the best coffee grinders for French press. 

BEST COFFEE GRINDER FOR ESPRESSO

If you’re a real espresso enthusiast, you know that to properly cooperate with the high pressure of an espresso machine, your coffee grounds have to be fine — you want a grind so fine, it resembles a powder.

That means you’ll need a tool that’s capable of that level of coffee grinding, maybe something with lots of grind settings so you’ll know without a shadow of a doubt that your coffee beans are fine enough to pull a shot of espresso.

BREVILLE SMART GRINDER PRO

Meet the Smart Grinder Pro. While there are plenty of grinders out there that will get the job done, we recommend the Smart Grinder Pro by Breville. This automatic burr coffee grinder boasts 60 precise grind settings, with grind sizes ranging from fine enough for espresso to coarse enough for your drip coffee maker.

The Smart Grinder Pro is easy to use, and thanks to its Dosing iQ technology, is fully customizable.

Why Grind Your Own Coffee?

In a word, the answer is flavor! Coffee’s flavor comes from the oils in roasted beans, and those oils need to be released evenly for the best-tasting coffee. So you want to extract the flavor from the beans as effectively as possible, and that means starting with the best coffee grinder you can buy.

If you’re a coffee connoisseur like us (of course you are, or you wouldn’t be here), you’ve probably invested heavily in your coffee maker and beans. But you may have overlooked the importance of the grinder, and its role in producing the final flavor you’ll be sipping.

Not only is it an easier way to grind coffee beans, but using a grinder also allows you to alter the consistency of your grinds, depending on your brewing method of choice. French press? Drip? AeroPress? You can fine-tune the grind settings to suit your coffee maker, and alter the flavor by grinding the beans on a finer or coarser setting.

Grind Size

The most important characteristic of your grinder, or even just with brewing coffee in general, the grind size of your coffee plays an extremely important part in the quality of your coffee as a whole. 

Grind size refers to the thickness or thinness of your ground coffee. The finer the grounds, the harder it is for water to filter through them. Usually, finer grounds are used for making espresso, brewing with a Moka pot, and extra-fine coffee is used in some exotic coffees like Turkish coffee.

Likewise, the thicker the grounds, the coarser they’ll be, and the easier it is for water to filter through them. Coarser grounds are used for brewing methods like drip coffee (medium grind), pour-overs (medium-coarse grind), and the French press (coarse grind). Needless to say, being able to control your grind settings is an absolute must.

Consistency Matters

When it comes to your grinder, consistency is key in terms of function and performance. You’ll want to make sure your grinder can grind at a variety of different sizes, whether it’s extra-fine, fine, medium, medium-coarse, or coarse.

Many different brewing methods (French press, pour-over, drip coffee, espresso, Turkish coffee, etc.) require different sizes because the size of the grind will influence how water filters through the grounds. Simply put, the more grind sizes your grinder offers, the more drinks you’ll be able to make. 

When it comes to performance, it’s also crucial that your grinder is consistent with grind size. If your grinder produces a coarse and fine grind size at the same time, it can severely screw up your brewing process.

Larger, coarser grinds and thinner, finer grinds hold and filter water at different capacities and different speeds. So to make sure that the flavor in the grounds is extracted equally and at the same rate, your grinder needs to be consistent.

 

Burr Grinders vs. Blade Grinders

Before you can choose a specific grinder, the first choice you must make is deciding what type of grinder you want. Coffee grinders grind beans in two main ways: with blades, or with burrs.

Of course, you understand how blades work. They cut things up. But is that an effective way to grind coffee? And just what the heck are burrs and how do they work? More importantly, are they better than blades?

Burr Coffee Grinders

With two oscillating, serrated plates (known as burrs) that come together to crush and literally grind the beans rather than cut them, burr grinders produce uniformly sized grounds. And when it comes to coffee grounds, size does matter.

By adjusting the distance between the burrs, you have plenty of control over the resulting size and consistency of the grinds.

Burr grinders are the grinders of choice for pro baristas, and we highly recommend them. The burr grinder is a foolproof method to achieve the even oil extraction you’re looking for to optimize flavor.

CONICAL VS. FLAT BURR GRINDERS

Little known fact: no two coffee grinders are made the same. Well, at least conical and flat burr grinders aren’t made the same. Though the conical and the flat burr grinder essentially do the same thing, the primary difference between them is the shape of their rings.

For the conical grinder, the beans are fed through two cone-shaped bladed rings, one that’s solid and one that’s hollow. The whole beans are vertically directed through the burrs but slightly bent. On the other hand, the flat burr grinder has two horizontal burrs. One burr faces upward, while the other one faces downward. Coffee beans fall between the burrs, making two 90 degree turns.

BLADE COFFEE GRINDERS

Like a plane’s propeller indiscriminately slicing up the beans (in fact, it’s sometimes called a propeller grinder), the blade inside this type of grinder produces coffee grinds that are less uniform in size than a burr grinder. Imagine a combination of both fine and coarse ground coffee — that’s not exactly ideal for any brewing method, is it?

Because of the inconsistent grind size, you’ll be stuck with irregular brews and the resulting flavor of your coffee will suffer. You’ll end up with a convoluted taste as the bitterness of the fine pieces and the bolder flavors of the larger grounds blend together.

Sure, a blade grinder is probably less expensive than a burr grinder, and it does get the job done more quickly, but when it comes to coffee grinding, speed and a lower price point don’t always lead to the best overall product. In our opinion, blade grinders are simply not worth the money, at least not if you’re after the best quality coffee possible.

We think you’d be better off choosing pre-ground coffee beans over a blade grinder, and for that reason, all the products we recommend below are burr grinders.

Automatic Grinders vs. Manual Grinders

In a world focused on instant gratification, taking the time to do something as simple as grind your own coffee beans might seem like an unnecessary roadblock on the path to your morning cup of joe.

If you want the best flavor in the least amount of time, or you’d just rather squeeze in a couple more minutes of sleep in the morning, look for an automatic coffee grinder. An automatic grinder is available with blades or burrs, and you can find one to fit your budget.

Then again, good things really do come to those who wait, and while using a manual or hand grinder might slow you down a bit, hand-ground beans transform and elevate your coffee with flavor and richness you may not get from an automatic coffee grinder.

BEST COFFEE GRINDER BRANDS

BARATZA

Baratza is a grinders-only brand that is solely focused on producing innovative, top-quality grinders. No wonder two of their machines made it to this list! Their designs come from Seattle, their burrs are from Europe, and their machines are assembled in Taiwan. 

They are also making moves towards more sustainable practices on several fronts from their packaging and refurb options to their active partnerships with the International Women’s Coffee Alliance, CoffeeKids, and more.

BREVILLE

Breville is a well-known brand across pretty much every part of the coffee scene…and kitchen appliances in general. They are known for their sleek, stainless steel designs and their impeccable customer service.

Founded in Australia in 1932, Breville managed to become a globally renowned brand that caters. to 70+ countries. Customers most appreciate their innovative designs, based specifically on customer feedback, guaranteeing thoughtful, intuitive machines. 

CAPRESSO

Hitting an in-between ground from our previous two brands, Capresso offers several lines of coffee and tea specific products. It is marketed and backed by industry leader, JURA inc., but offers significantly more affordable product ranges, making the brand more accessible.

Since their relatively recent founding in 1994, this brand has claimed some industry firsts. One of these impressive innovations was their CoffeeTEAM line of coffeemaker-conical burr grinder combinations. So from a grinder to an espresso machine, you can count on Capresso. 

HARIO

The Hario brand is perhaps most well-known for its beautifully crafted pour-over droppers. However, their craftsmanship also extends to other coffee-producing including grinders, gooseneck kettles, French presses, and more.

The “King of Glass” was founded in 1921 in Tokyo. Since then, they have ex landed their product. range and have continued to rock the coffee world. One of the more notable facets of Hario’s production is its eco-friendly, heatproof glass, which is an exciting addition for conscious coffee connoisseurs. 

HANDGROUND 

HandGround is a new brand that is dedicated to one thing: making one, incredible coffee grinder. That’s right the grinder we featured here is essentially their only product. They are a community-focused brand that actively takes feedback from their customers to improve upon their design to make it the best it can be for you.

Thus, Team HandGround describes themselves as “a community of enthusiasts, engineers, and designers working to develop innovative coffee equipment.” They got their start on Kickstarter and their grinder has been a cult favorite ever since. 

KRUPS

Here is another familiar name across the coffee community. KRUPS is responsible for making a variety of kitchen and coffee appliances including filter coffee makers, super automatics, and coffee grinders. The German company was founded in 1846 and has been considered an expert in coffee and food preparation since then. 

Their product design tends towards a sleek black and silver aesthetic and their company touts impeccable attention to detail. They are partnered with Groupe SEB for their manufacturing. 

OXO

OXO is a brand that specializes in simplifying and improving the functionality of everyday, household products. By constantly striving to make every appliance and tool they make a little bit better for their customers for the past 25 years, they’ve managed to create a brand that anyone can appreciate.

They got their start with a potato peeler, but don’t discount their coffee products. Their automatic burr grinders offer simple, intuitive interfaces so that no confusion or tinkering stands between you and your favorite beverage. 

PORLEX

This is another company that is focused solely on the grind. This Japanese company was founded in 1978, and their ceramic burr grinders have kept up with (and often set) the bar for grinders in the specialty coffee scene. 

Not only are Porlex Grinders designed in Japan, but they are also manufactured there. From their conception in Osaka to their fabrication in Kagoshima, this brand holds its grinders to some pretty exacting standards. The natural result is some pretty top-notch products.

JAVAPRESSE

A cult favorite with an inspiring story, JavaPresse is certain to leave you impressed. They sell coffee blends, a grinder, a pour over dripper, and a French press. The brand is dedicated to changing the face of the coffee industry to one that is more transparent and ethical. 

As for their product range, you can expect high-quality tools with a professional, clean aesthetic. Their grinder has thousands of people buzzing about it because, honestly it’s the bee’s knees, especially if you are a cold-brew fanatic. 

VINTAGE COFFEE GRINDERS

DO THEY WORK WELL?

It depends. You can buy a vintage-style grinder that is newly manufactured that’ll function just as well as your modern-looking ones. On the other hand, if you’re buying a true vintage how well it will work comes down to the condition it’s in and how much work you put into restoring it.

As a general rule, vintage grinders are going to be a bit less versatile than your souped-up, 12 setting modern ones. However, many of them do have more than one grind setting, so it may work for you perfectly fine. It simply depends on what you expect it to do. 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING

If you are looking to buy a true vintage or antique coffee grinder there are a plethora of different places you can go looking. You can try Etsy shops or online collectible markets if you’re hoping to do your shopping at home. But if you are willing to go out, you can also rifle through offerings from garage or estate sales, flea markets, or antique shops.

Regardless of where you’re looking, there are a few things you should be looking for:

• Missing parts: Screws, catcher drawer, handle, grind setting mechanism, etc. Some things are replaceable, others not so much. So make sure to be thorough in your part-check. 
• Burr condition: One of the most important parts of burr grinders is, of course, the burrs. So check them to make sure they aren’t excessively dull or chipped at all. 
• Mold or rust: Many vintage grinders have wooden components, which may have molded over time. Additionally, some metal parts could have rusted if they were exposed to water. So check the ground catcher drawer to make sure no rust dust is falling into it. 

OUR VINTAGE GRINDER PICK

Between the beechwood with a hand-applied antique patina and stainless steel grinding mechanism with a lifetime guarantee, it’s hard to say no to the Peugeot Antique Coffee Mill. The design gives a decided nod to the original that was produced in 1840, opting to modernize only the grinding components. 

The grind settings can be changed by adjusting the knob under the handle, and overall this grinder does especially well with French-style coffee. In summation, while the price may be a bit steep for some, this grinder will likely outlive you. Plus you won’t be embarrassed to keep it out on your counter.

If you are looking for something a bit more affordable, you can trade in some of that durability and longevity for a lower price point. The Norpro Manual Coffee Grinder listed earlier is another well-loved option in this category for about a fifth of the price.

Happy Caffeinating!