# Ninebar

> Ninebar is a guided finder for high-end espresso equipment. Answer five questions (budget, drink style, experience, counter space, grinding preference) and it composes a complete setup — espresso machine, grinder, and 2-3 accessories — with a running total, honest trade-offs, and direct checkout links. It also offers a browsable catalog with category/price/feature filters and a side-by-side spec comparison for machines.

Espresso is pulled at nine bars of pressure; Ninebar applies the same standard to buying advice.

## What's in the catalog

- Espresso machines: dual boiler, semi-automatic (single boiler and heat exchanger), spring/direct lever, and manual/portable presses — roughly $189 to $3,200.
- Grinders: flat burr (58-83mm), conical burr electric, and espresso-capable hand grinders.
- Accessories: precision tampers (flat, ripple, calibrated), WDT and distribution tools, 0.1g espresso scales, milk pitchers, bottomless portafilters and precision baskets, bench tools.
- Beans: classic Italian blends, light-roast single origins, decaf, and a monthly single-origin subscription.

## Key pages

- [Home / Finder / Catalog](https://espresso-finder.pages.dev/): single-page app; the finder, catalog, buying guide, and FAQ all live here.
- [Search API](https://espresso-finder.pages.dev/api/search?query=dual+boiler): JSON product search mirroring the Shopify Global Catalog API (params: query, min_price, max_price, categories, limit).

## Buying advice highlights (from the on-page guide)

- Budget split rule: ~55-60% machine, 25-30% grinder, 10-15% scale/tamper/distribution.
- Dual boiler under $1,500: require dual PID, a brew boiler ≥0.4L, and check width — the compromises live in boiler volume, warm-up, and footprint.
- Flat burrs favor clarity and light roasts; conical burrs favor body, sweetness, and traditional milk-drink blends.
- Hand grinders with dual-bearing shafts and 38mm+ conical burrs are genuinely espresso-capable and stretch starter budgets furthest.
- Accessory impact order: 0.1g scale, WDT tool, precision basket, well-fitting tamper; bottomless portafilter as diagnostic.

## Notes

- This is a prototype: catalog data is mocked in the shape of the Shopify Global Catalog API (UniversalProduct schema); brands are invented; checkout links are illustrative.