The coffee thread

[SpaceBus]

Good eye! That thing gets a serious workout on weekends, but during the week that Bunn A10 pour-over machine in the background does the heavy lifting. It is a work horse, and still as good as the day it was purchased, I've lost count of how many thousands of pots I have run thru it.

Somewhere back in the history of this forum I think I tried starting a coffee thread, but it didn't take off. I could probably use some new grinder advice, so maybe it's time to start another.

I used to think good beer was expensive... until I got into expresso.

I think a coffee thread could be fun, but it probably won't go far. If you think it's hard to find a good beer, good coffee is even worse. Most people will drink any hot brown water.

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

I think a coffee thread could be fun, but it probably won't go far. If you think it's hard to find a good beer, good coffee is even worse. Most people will drink any hot brown water.

That's why a roast my own beans, grind them and enjoy them. If I can see the bottom of my cup, it cannot be coffee.

 

[SpaceBus]

That's why a roast my own beans, grind them and enjoy them. If I can see the bottom of my cup, it cannot be coffee.

I hand grind beans but I've never roasted my own. I've made my own roasted nuts and such, I imagine the process is similar. I also use a French press every time I make coffee.

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

I hand grind beans but I've never roasted my own. I've made my own roasted nuts and such, I imagine the process is similar. I also use a French press every time I make coffee.

French press is okay. I am an espresso guy.

 

[SpaceBus]

French press is okay. I am an espresso guy.

I like espresso, but I don't like the cost of an espresso machine. Usually my wife and I drink dark roasts. We were getting a locally roasted brand called Counter Culture when we lived in NC, but it wasn't cheap. To date the best coffee I've ever had is a locally run place here in Maine that roasts free trade beans. Every shop in town carries it, and it's not bad at $14/bag.

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

I like espresso, but I don't like the cost of an espresso machine. Usually my wife and I drink dark roasts. We were getting a locally roasted brand called Counter Culture when we lived in NC, but it wasn't cheap. To date the best coffee I've ever had is a locally run place here in Maine that roasts free trade beans. Every shop in town carries it, and it's not bad at $14/bag.

I buy Costa Rica green beans at 8$/lb. My Saeco espresso maker, I bought used for $100. I bought a roaster for $100. The grinder was about $100.
Bought al of it in 2015. $300 are many SB trips, but it paid for itself.

 

[SpaceBus]

I buy Costa Rica green beans at 8$/lb. My Saeco espresso maker, I bought used for $100. I bought a roaster for $100. The grinder was about $100.
Bought al of it in 2015. $300 are many SB trips, but it paid for itself.

Good finds! We rarely get coffee when away from home, and if on vacation we bring our coffee, grinder, and press. Bad coffee is worse than no coffee, sometimes.

 

[begreen]

Since traveling in Colombia we started buying coffee from there thru Juan Valdez. Colombia has a lot of regional coffees. Some are quite good.

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

My set up.

 

[SpaceBus]

Just made a fresh pot!

 

[begreen]

My set up.

Nice setup. We grind our own, but with 3 local roasters we get the beans from them usually.

Why Costa Rican beans? What do you like best about them vs others? Are they as regionally diverse as in other countries? The difference in taste, body and acidity between various coffee growing regions in Colombia surprised us.

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

I have tried beans from Mexico, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Sumatra, Brazil, Guatamala and a few others. The Costa Rica beans have a low acidity and a fruity body. That's how I like my espresso. Sumatra is my second on the list, Mexico third.

 

[begreen]

We have similar tastes. We found the Juan Valdez Organico hits the mark for low acidity with a robust full body. The Finca was also good, but a little more acidic. We are on their mailing list now. They have some good sales occasionally with free shipping.
(broken link removed)
(broken link removed)

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

We have similar tastes. We found the Juan Valdez Organico hits the mark for low acidity with a robust full body. The Finca was also good, but a little more acidic. We are on their mailing list now. They have some good sales occasionally with free shipping.
(broken link removed)
(broken link removed)

We have a local coffee roasting shop where I buy the green beans from. Not cheap at $7-9 per pound but worth it.

 

[Ashful]

Cool! I didn’t realize you actually started the thread! We should throw a link in the beer thread.

Roasting your own is taking it to a whole other level, at least to do it well. I’ve been buying from two local makers, which works fine for me, since they both label their bags with roasted on dates, and I can time the usage to the appropriate 4 - 12 days after roasting. My favorite local roaster, who ships nationally, is La Colombe.

I’m grinding in a Baritza Virtuoso, which is fantastic in all regards, but not so convenient for filling portafilters. If you haven’t tried a true burr grinder, what are you waiting for? I used to try to use one of those cheapo blade grinders, but found that just buying ground was better, before investing in the Virtuoso.

I adore all espresso drinks, but since I have a regular office job and kids to get to school in the morning (and stoves to load!), I mostly only enjoy that on weekends. I’m running a Gaggia classic, bone stock except the frothing wand. My favorite drink is the macchiato, which is a double espresso shot in a 3 oz. espresso cup, topped with steamed milk. Think of it like a hard latte.

During the week, I’m running a Bunn A10, which is a commercial maker small enough for home use. I think they were mostly marketed toward small cafes and restaurants, which wanted a single-pot system, but it works great for home. I highly recommend this machine, if you’re a daily coffee drinker, and want a machine actually capable of hitting optimum extraction temperature without getting into the crazy Italian machinery. It’s not a great machine if you don’t use it daily, as it keeps the water hot, and the boil-off rate is noticeable when you don’t use it for a day.

The only down side is that the Gaggia and Bunn each pull about 10 amps, so I need to run another a circuit to the coffee counter. Do consider this, if you’re planning on setting up some new machinery. The Baratza grinder only pulls 1A.

I also enjoy French press, but since that used to be my weekend morning fun, I really haven’t made much time for it since buying the Gaggia.

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

Cool! I didn’t realize you actually started the thread! We should throw a link in the beer thread.



The only down side is that the Gaggia and Bunn each pull about 10 amps, so I need to run another a circuit to the coffee counter. Do consider this, if you’re planning on setting up some new machinery. The Baratza grinder only pulls 1A.

I also enjoy French press, but since that used to be my weekend morning fun, I really haven’t made much time for it since buying the Gaggia.

My roaster roasts about a standard peanut butter jar size of beans. Lasts me 3 days or so. Roasting takes 10 minutes for a dark roast. I do it outdoors as it will kick all smoke detectors on. I have a bur grinder from Capresso. The only thing I bought extra for the espresso machine is a heavy duty unpressurized portafilter.

 

[Ashful]

My roaster roasts about a standard peanut butter jar size of beans. Lasts me 3 days or so. Roasting takes 10 minutes for a dark roast. I do it outdoors as it will kick all smoke detectors on. I have a bur grinder from Capresso. The only thing I bought extra for the espresso machine is a heavy duty unpressurized portafilter.

Nice! Unpressurized is where it’s at! I went with the Gaggia because damn near every “how to” video I watched on packing unpressurized portafilters, and really anything else expresso, seemed to use that machine. It came with two pressurized portafilters, but they’re still in the sealed shipping bag, and will probably stay there. [emoji851]

How long do you let your beans sit after roasting?

Ever try one of those portafilter funnels, or does your grinder have a portafilter holder?

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

Nice! Unpressurized is where it’s at! I went with the Gaggia because damn near every “how to” video I watched on packing unpressurized portafilters, and really anything else expresso, seemed to use that machine. It came with two pressurized portafilters, but they’re still in the sealed shipping bag, and will probably stay there. [emoji851]

How long do you let your beans sit after roasting?

Ever try one of those portafilter funnels, or does your grinder have a portafilter holder?

My espresso machine has an active heating plate on top; I keep one double wall glass and my portafilter on there, so they are always warm. Roasted beans start to get (slightly) stale after 4-5 days, so I roast for 3-4 days worth of beans.

 

[SpaceBus]

If I could find a good source for unroasted beans I would consider it. Unfortunately I don't have a good covered outdoor spot to roast them in anyway. After reading these responses I'll have to keep an eye out for a good deal on an unpasteurized espresso machine. At least the local roasting company keeps everyone stocked up and nothing stays on the shelf for long.

Before my wife and I lived together, I didn't even drink coffee. Many years in the army gave coffee a bad taste. Most soldiers drink the strongest folgers brew that will still pour and leave the carafe on the hot plate all day. They just keep adding to the coffee usually. Of course this means the "coffee" is little more than caffeinated mud water. My wife showed me coffee could actually taste good!

 

[Ashful]

My espresso machine has an active heating plate on top; I keep one double wall glass and my portafilter on there, so they are always warm. Roasted beans start to get (slightly) stale after 4-5 days, so I roast for 3-4 days worth of beans.

Interesting. I really have no opinion on this, since I don’t roast my own, but most hobbyist roasters seem to let them sit at least 4 days after roasting, claiming peak timing is 4 - 10 days. It might be worth a try since you have the means to do it.

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

Interesting. I really have no opinion on this, since I don’t roast my own, but most hobbyist roasters seem to let them sit at least 4 days after roasting, claiming peak timing is 4 - 10 days. It might be worth a try since you have the means to do it.

Tried it, check here www.coffeegeek.com

 

[Ashful]

Tried it, check here www.coffeegeek.com

That just linked to the home page. Did you mean to link a specific thread?

Like I said, I have no opinion on the matter, just repeating what I’ve seen many others write. I’ll probably stick with buying roasted beans for now, since we have two good local roasters, and I have enough hobbies!

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

That just linked to the home page. Did you mean to link a specific thread?

Like I said, I have no opinion on the matter, just repeating what I’ve seen many others write. I’ll probably stick with buying roasted beans for now, since we have two good local roasters, and I have enough hobbies!

Sent the link because that website covers all aspects of coffee making, including roasting.

 

[Ashful]

Sent the link because that website covers all aspects of coffee making, including roasting.

Oh, I'm familiar with the site! In fact, that's where I read some of the advice on how long to leave the beans after roasting, before use.

http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/espresso/questions/544104

As always, tastes vary, there is no right/wrong. Do what works for you! I was just pointing out that most aren't calling their beans "stale" 4 - 5 days after roasting, that's when they're just getting ready to use, by most accounts I've read. Moreover, I'm defending my habit of buying roasted beans, and using them on that time scale.

 

[begreen]

We have had the same Braun burr grinder bought in the 1980s. We've used it daily since that time. 34 yrs of service and it just keeps going. The only issue is that eventually the burrs wear down and now replacements are hard to find. Last year I bought a spare from eBay with low usage. They made a winner with this one.