The Eureka Mignon Specialità is one of the most popular mid-range espresso grinders. It's found in many households and performs well overall as an espresso grinder. In this espresso grinder review, we take a look at the Specialità and compare its strengths and weaknesses with 23 other grinders .
Specialist retailer Eureka Specialità
- Germany
: Stoll Espresso , Bohnendealer , Lücke Technik , Die Röster - Switzerland
: deon - Austria
: Bean dealers , The Roasters
Eureka Specialità from above and side. Compact and with a small grind adjustment.
There is a new article about the Eureka Specialità because some users are experiencing problems with the display.
External facts about the Eureka Mignon Specialità
The Eureka Mignon Specialità is small and compact. It doesn't impose itself next to an espresso machine, but rather takes a back seat due to its shallow depth. Much of the Eureka Mignons are well-made, especially the outer body, display, and stand. However, all Mignons (Perfetta, XL, Specialità) have one thing in common: The plastic bean hopper and lid sit rather narrowly on the grinder, and the lid, in particular, is prone to cracking with careless use.
- Grinding discs: Disc grinder, 55 mm diameter
- Weight: 5.6 kg
- Width: 120 mm
- Height: 350 mm
- Depth: 180 mm
- Bean container: 250 gram capacity, plastic
The portafilter mount is adjustable, so it can easily accommodate La Marzocco, ECM, Rocket, or Ascaso portafilters. However, the mount isn't sturdy enough to allow the portafilter to be easily released during the grinding process. Vibration causes the portafilter to shift and can even slip out of the mount. It's definitely a good idea to hold it in place.
The Eureka Mignon Specialità is available from many good specialty retailers. It's best to stop by your local specialty store. The espresso grinder is available online in Germany, for example, from Stoll orCoffee Circle . We've seen it for prices between €450 and €520. In Switzerland, you can find the grinder in Basel at our store , in Bern at Electras , and in Zurich at Kaffeewerkstadt , for example, for around CHF 650.
Core competence: grinding espresso finely and well
The Eureka Mignon Specialità not only delivers espresso-fine coffee grounds, but also boasts good particle distribution. The main peak is good compared to many grinders in the same price range, and the fines content is also in the better mid-range. This makes the Specialità well-suited for brewing delicious espresso in all its forms.
We achieved similar results with both lighter and darker roasts. A blind tasting compared to other espresso grinders in the same price range follows.
While the grinder achieved good results across the various extractions and showed very reproducible results even without adjusting the grinding level (see table above: Test 2: X50=307 microns, fine peak=18.8%, coarse peak=233 and Test 3: X5=309, fine peak=19.5%, coarse peak=234), the results when adjusting and resetting were less convincing.
The Eureka Mignon Specialità's basic settings are quick and easy to adjust. Unfortunately, the repeatability of adjusting and returning to the same grind size isn't so good. This is primarily due to the small grind adjustment dial.
Grinding level adjustment with the Eureka Mignon Specialità
The grind size of the Eureka Specialità is adjusted using the small dial on top of the grinder. It's simple in principle! However, even the smallest adjustments result in significant changes in the grind size. Since the grind size determines the speed at which the espresso flows, this grind size determines the quality.
Nevertheless, with careful turning, the grind can be adjusted well, and the results are generally good, as mentioned above. However, repeating specific recipes and changing the grind occasionally is more difficult. Most espresso grinders in the Specialità price range are not well suited for this. Since many households have different beverage preferences, we will nevertheless examine this criterion.
In our test, we set the espresso to perfection and tried to mark and note the grind setting. Then, we brewed a ristretto and a café crème (T5 and T6). The grind setting was then adjusted back to the same position using the previous visual marking. This is visible in particle distribution curve T7, which deviates more from T4 than desired. Although this grind and subsequent extraction are also within the espresso range, they are no longer at the same grind setting as with T4.
Comparing the data from espresso measurements 2, 3, 4, and 5, the following conclusion can be drawn: The Eureka Mignon Specialità excels at reproducing its own results from one shot to the next. It sets very high standards here. Therefore, once you've set an espresso, you only need to make minor adjustments, for example, as the coffee ages. The grinder is less well-suited for quickly switching from one coffee to another and returning to a previously memorized recipe.
Not a strength of the grinder: the portafilter suspension.
Dead space, speed and performance
With just 2.7 grams of coffee, the Eureka Specialità has a small dead space , making it one of the best espresso grinders in this category . This is a significant factor, because old coffee that gets stuck somewhere in the grinder and comes out during a subsequent grinding process can have a significant impact on the flavor, depending on the quantity. At 2.7 grams, this dead space is exemplary in the Specialità.
In terms of speed, the Specialità ranks mid-range. It's not quite as slow as a Niche Zero or Mazzer Electronic , but slower than, say, the ECM S64 . The Specialità grinds 21.3 grams in 10 seconds.
A truly positive feature is the low noise level . We measured 78.9 decibels. Grinders that remained below the 80 dB threshold were rated as "quiet." For comparison, a Lelit PL72 reached a whopping 86.4 dB using our measurement method.
To assess grinder performance under load, we performed six extractions at 30-second intervals and measured the ground coffee temperature at the exit each time. The Eureka Specialità achieved an average temperature of 37.2°C, with an increase of 1.1°C over the extractions. This puts it on the higher side, like many grinders with flatter and smaller burrs. We did not detect any sensory changes due to the heat, but we do not recommend using the grinder in the frequency range.
Eureka Mignon Specialità
Single dosing, consistent grinding quantity and ease of use
The Eureka Specialità's dosage settings are intuitive and really easy to use. Using the touchscreen display, you can set the grind size for 1 or 2 doses using the plus and minus buttons. This makes it easy to adjust the dosage. We really liked this aspect of the grinder's usability.
The overly sensitive grind control is a drawback. The grind dial is simply too small, the adjustment steps are too large , and finding the right grind isn't as easy as it could be.
The grinder's consistency is also good. Once the target amount is set, the mill grinds the desired amount with good reliability . In our case, we calculated a standard deviation of 0.11 grams over 10 extractions. Very good!
The grinder repeated this good performance in the "single dosing" test. For this, we dosed 18 grams into the previously filled bean hopper. At the same time, we vacuumed the grinder and then began the test. The 18 grams were added, ground, and the output was measured. Many grinders "eat" beans in the process. Surprisingly, this is actually the norm. The Eureka Mignon Specialità dispensed the entered amount every time with a maximum deviation of 0.1 grams. This makes the grinder, in principle, very suitable for "single dosing" use.
However, it should be noted that using a single-dosing grinder only makes sense if you can also quickly and precisely set different recipes. Since this isn't one of the grinder's core capabilities, the most popular use of single dosing is limited . However, if you like to pour in and grind fresh coffee and don't want to store it in the bean hopper (which you really shouldn't), the grinder can still be used this way.
Conclusion on the Eureka Mignon Specialità
Considering all the factors, it's clear that the Eureka Mignon Specialità is a truly excellent grinder for getting started in the world of espresso. It does have some weaknesses when it comes to setting up different recipes and grind sizes. However, other grinders fall short in this regard, and for many home baristas, this isn't an important criterion. We also hear time and again in our courses that people primarily work with a favorite blend at home, or use up a whole pack of espresso before switching beans. And the Specialità is very well suited for this.
The consistency, minimal dead space, and comparatively low noise level make the grinder a reliable partner in everyday life . It makes it easier for many people to get started with preparing delicious espresso. This is one reason why the Specialità is also used as an espresso grinder in our coffee academies in Switzerland and Germany.
Learn more about coffee: our courses
If you want to learn more about coffee, we look forward to welcoming you in Basel or on the Lower Rhine , for example in our Home Barista courses .
If you'd prefer to learn more from home, our online Home Barista Course is the perfect option. In over 30 videos, barista pro Michel Aeschbacher explains the most important tips for setting up and maintaining an espresso machine.
