Some advice on buying a espresso machine. Spend the extra cash and make sure your machine has a power pump, in other words, make sure it's pushing the water through the filter with a great deal of pressure. If it's not, and it's a drip machine, you're not making espresso, you're making coffee.
I'm absolutely anti-Starbucks, these are people who brag about over roasting thier coffee beans, they burn their coffee beans intentionally. Then somehow managed to convince the average American that this is good.
Typically certain beans grown from certain countries or regions have characteristics which while aren't necessarily ideal in and of themselves for a great cup of coffee, work very well in blends. For example, I'm not a fan of Hawaiian Kona, in and of itself, but I consider it's smoothness a great asset to a blend.
I'm a bit biased, being that I'm an ex-owner, but for some great coffees and gift baskets, check out the succession of my old business.
http://hillofbeanscoffee.com/