About this video

• Video Title: Mazzer Philos vs. Zerno Z1 – welche Single Dosing Mühle macht den besseren Espresso?
• Channel: Vettore | the coffee lovers
• Speakers: Philip (implied throughout the transcript)
• Duration: 00:18:54

Overview

This video compares the Mazzer Philos and Zerno Z1 single-dosing coffee grinders, focusing on their performance in producing espresso. The presenter discusses previous issues with the Mazzer Philos regarding consistency and shares an updated version. The video also covers the aesthetics, user experience, and taste profiles produced by each grinder, with a particular emphasis on how they handle a specific coffee from Parma.

Key takeaways

• Mazzer Philos Consistency Update: The presenter addresses past issues with the Mazzer Philos's inconsistent grind and reports that the current version tested seems to have resolved this problem, producing repeatable shots.
• Grinder Comparison: Both the Mazzer Philos and Zerno Z1 are 64mm burr grinders with vertical burrs and are designed for single dosing. Despite their similarities, they produce different results.
• Zerno Z1 Features: The Zerno Z1 is highlighted for its ease of swapping burrs, making it a platform for testing different burr sets. It also features a well-designed, heavy catch cup that fits perfectly into a portafilter, minimizing retention.
• Mazzer Philos Espresso Quality: The Mazzer Philos, especially with darker roasts, produces a rich, chocolatey, and complex espresso with subtle nutty notes, considered by the presenter to be a superior extraction for certain beans.
• User Experience Differences: While both grinders are generally user-friendly, the Mazzer Philos's dosing cup and slide mechanism are noted as being a bit more cumbersome compared to the Zerno's. The Zerno Z1's grind adjustment is described as more precise and akin to a scalpel.
• Availability and Price: The Zerno Z1 is difficult to obtain, with long wait times and added costs for international shipping and import duties, making it a more expensive option. The Mazzer Philos is manufactured in Europe.

Based on the video, the presenter found that the Mazzer Philos, particularly with darker roasts like the "Caffe Armeno" from Parma, produced a more complex and nuanced espresso with a "tick more dimension" and "a bit more depth" compared to the Zerno Z1.

While the Zerno Z1 with its specific burrs (233M) produced a creamy and chocolatey coffee, the Mazzer Philos was described as bringing out more out of the coffee, offering a richer experience with subtle nutty notes in the aftertaste. The presenter preferred the taste from the Mazzer Philos when using darker roasts.