Silly Commuter Coffee

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  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    edited October 2013
    Since getting the Aeropress I've started trying out black espresso coffee and for the first time beginning to like it.

    What Espresso beans shall I get next? I have been using the HasBean.co.uk Jailbreak Espresso Blend.

    I'd like to get two very contrasting flavours. Online only, can't get to Monmouth for a while.
  • menthel
    menthel Posts: 2,484
    Gah, forgot to bring in new pack of coffee. Am now stuck drinking work slop. Not happy.
    RIP commute...
    Sometimes seen bimbling around on a purple Fratello Disc or black and red Aprire Vincenza.
  • the_fuggler
    the_fuggler Posts: 1,228
    iPete wrote:
    Since getting the Aeropress I've started trying out black espresso coffee and for the first time beginning to like it.

    What Espresso beans shall I get next? I have been using the HasBean.co.uk Jailbreak Espresso Blend.

    I'd like to get two very contrasting flavours. Online only, can't get to Monmouth for a while.

    I tend to buy whatever Hasbean currently has from El Salvador. I've no idea why, but those beans always smell quite chocolatey and then deliver a really interesting drink:

    http://www.hasbean.co.uk/products/el-sa ... ed-bourbon

    I'm also a massive fan of Origin's coffee:

    http://www.origincoffee.co.uk/product/o ... lvador.php

    They are both pretty similar, so it doesn't really meet your brief, but if you paired them with something from Africa, you'd probably get some real contrast.
    FCN 3 / 4
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    Thanks order placed for..

    El Salvador Finca Santa Petrona Washed Red Bourbon
    Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Chelelektu
  • essex-commuter
    essex-commuter Posts: 2,188
    iPete wrote:
    Since getting the Aeropress I've started trying out black espresso coffee and for the first time beginning to like it.

    Yep, I've gone black now too.
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    essex-commuter wrote:
    iPete wrote:
    Since getting the Aeropress I've started trying out black espresso coffee and for the first time beginning to like it.

    Yep, I've gone black now too.

    Apparently you'll never go back.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • twist83
    twist83 Posts: 761
    iPete wrote:
    Thanks order placed for..

    El Salvador Finca Santa Petrona Washed Red Bourbon
    Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Chelelektu

    Yirga is a very love/hate coffee. As filter it has a very fruity/floral taste almost like tea. I love it. When made as a Flat White it is like drinking a creamy cup of Blueberries :)

    You also cannot go wrong with a Finca either. Great coffees.
  • Gussio
    Gussio Posts: 2,452
    iPete wrote:
    Since getting the Aeropress I've started trying out black espresso coffee and for the first time beginning to like it.

    What Espresso beans shall I get next? I have been using the HasBean.co.uk Jailbreak Espresso Blend.

    I'd like to get two very contrasting flavours. Online only, can't get to Monmouth for a while.

    Check out these guys: https://www.pactcoffee.com/ with details on an introductory offer here: http://www.lfgss.com/thread111986.html

    I've been taking deliveries from Pact for 6 weeks or so and have been impressed by their beans, website and customer service. Sounds like an advertisement :)
  • mrfpb
    mrfpb Posts: 4,569
    Gussio, thanks for that. One packet ordered. I'll try a couple before deciding long term.
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    Yirga really is fruity/lemony, likely!

    Thanks, need to try pact, they left a voucher in a Ribble order recently! Who says there's a link with cycling and coffee :lol:
  • tilt
    tilt Posts: 214
    Gussio wrote:
    iPete wrote:
    Since getting the Aeropress I've started trying out black espresso coffee and for the first time beginning to like it.

    What Espresso beans shall I get next? I have been using the HasBean.co.uk Jailbreak Espresso Blend.

    I'd like to get two very contrasting flavours. Online only, can't get to Monmouth for a while.

    Check out these guys: https://www.pactcoffee.com/ with details on an introductory offer here: http://www.lfgss.com/thread111986.html

    I've been taking deliveries from Pact for 6 weeks or so and have been impressed by their beans, website and customer service. Sounds like an advertisement :)

    Definitely worth a go for £1, cheers 8)
  • notsoblue
    notsoblue Posts: 5,756
    +1 for Pact, on my 2nd bag from them. First one was sent out for free because I'd ignored the £1 offer for a few weeks ;)
    FCN 4 PX SL Pro SRAM Red
    FCN 8 Scott Sportster '05
  • YIMan
    YIMan Posts: 576
    I was going to try Pact but I don't want to have to "subscribe". I just want to buy a bag of coffee when I need it, which you can't do.
  • Gussio
    Gussio Posts: 2,452
    Perhaps try the 20 quid Hasbean taster selection? Or get on your bike and ride to the shops when you are out of beans ;)
  • Gussio
    Gussio Posts: 2,452
    If you are in Nottingham, these guys look worth a visit: http://www.stewartscoffees.co.uk/
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    Need to send my citilink courier mate over to monmouth :lol:

    A bit hipster but like wine tasting, does anywhere in London do a coffee equivalent?
  • pangolin
    pangolin Posts: 6,662
    I'm sure Notes used to do cupping but they don't seem to at the moment.

    There is this which might be of interest? http://coffeesmiths.co.uk/home-barista/coffee-school/

    I've just moved offices and now work next to here, which is great! http://www.taylor-st.com/
    - Genesis Croix de Fer
    - Dolan Tuono
  • YIMan
    YIMan Posts: 576
    Gussio wrote:
    If you are in Nottingham, these guys look worth a visit: http://www.stewartscoffees.co.uk/

    Great...will give them a try, thanks.
  • tilt
    tilt Posts: 214
    Had two deliveries from Pact now (went for the £1 offer and now on a once a week schedule) and been very happy with them - nice to just get a different bag through the letterbox each week without even thinking about it! So far had their espresso blend and the Finca San Antonio and enjoyed them both, the Finca in particular.
  • bigmonka
    bigmonka Posts: 361
    I'm looking to get a new espresso machine to replace a super cheapy one I was given by someone who upgraded.
    I'm going to use the Tesco 'clubcard boost' system to buy it with my tesco vouchers, but that limits the choice to these 4:
    http://www.tesco.com/direct/delonghi-icona-pump-15-bar-espresso-maker-black/207-2664.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=207-2664
    http://www.tesco.com/direct/gaggia-3-cubika-plus-coffee-machine-silver/211-2612.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=211-2612
    http://www.tesco.com/direct/gaggia-ri832701-grangaggia/778-8849.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=778-8849
    http://www.tesco.com/direct/philips-saeco-hd832388-poemia-espres/362-6712.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=362-6712

    They all seem to have some good points and some bad points though, with no clear winner - particularly between the first two, the second two seem not to have many reviews online.

    Can anyone please help!! :?
  • tilt
    tilt Posts: 214
    Presumably you have a max budget, as Tesco do better machines than those (e.g. Gaggia Classic)?
  • bigmonka
    bigmonka Posts: 361
    Yeah sorry, max budget is about £170 (I have so share the vouchers with my wife who wants a carpet cleaner! lol). But the better ones like the Classic are out of budget unfortunately.
  • godders1
    godders1 Posts: 750
    Two things I'd be looking at:

    Does it come with an unpressurised PF basket or if not is the PF a standard size (because then you can easily source unpressurised baskets anyway)? A lot of cheap machines (and even some pricier ones) come with pressurised baskets these days which make it easy to make an "OK" espresso (even using stale pre-ground supermarket coffee) but pretty much impossible to make really good espresso.

    Does it have a proper steam wand (or if not can you easily fit a proper wand)? Panarello's are good for making "froth" but they make it impossible to make good microfoam.

    I'm assuming you want to make the best coffee you can, if you value ease of use and you're not obsessional about quality then pressurised baskets and panarello steam wands might be for you.
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    On a similar subject, electric burr grinders, talk to me!

    The hand grinder needs to be reserved for travel, gets boring. Budget unknown, let's say 150.

    The Bodum Bistro Grinder looks ok?
  • godders1
    godders1 Posts: 750
    For espresso? Not many up to the job at that price point unfortunately, Iberital MC2 is good but fugly. Not familiar with the Bodum but read plenty of reviews before spending your cash, most cheaper burr grinders won't give you the fineness and or consistency for good espresso.
  • godders1
    godders1 Posts: 750
    Just noticed there's a new 'noir' version of the MC2 that doesn't look so bad!

    http://www.happydonkey.co.uk/hd0867-mc2 ... ition.html

    (note price is ex VAT)
  • adam0bmx0
    adam0bmx0 Posts: 263
    Went to this on Saturday:

    http://www.spinlcf.cc

    Was a cool little event, hardly any bikes, more coffee orientated, tickets were booked on-line for 1.75 rather than the fiver each on the door, wouldn't of wanted to pay that for it tbh.

    Had a great coffee from Union, ok one from Caravan.
    If the bar ain't bending, you're just pretending
  • notsoblue
    notsoblue Posts: 5,756
    iPete wrote:
    The Bodum Bistro Grinder looks ok?
    I've got this one. I really like it, makes a great grind for my siphon brewer.
    FCN 4 PX SL Pro SRAM Red
    FCN 8 Scott Sportster '05
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    Good enough for aeropress then?

    It's just a bit frustrating, Monmouth (to my surprise, they are a bit good aren't they?) made me several free espresso to taste! but I can't get all the flavour out at home (and my arms get bored of doing 3-4 cups!). Perhaps it is also because I'm using an Aeropress?

    The Sage from Heston look good, hopefully more than a celebrity chef branding and has 25 grind sizes. On the flip side I can probably get the Bodum at a great price. Need to get my google on..

    http://www.johnlewis.com/sage-by-heston ... er/p797304
  • Gussio
    Gussio Posts: 2,452
    I have one of these, and it is fantastic (especially at this price): http://www.coffeeomega.co.uk/Baratza%20Virtuoso%20Coffee%20Grinder

    Never used this website, I bought mine from a shop on the kings road which no longer exists.

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