I’m heathen who finds that Lavazza black (the Arabica one) is as good as anything for a daily cup or several.
I spend too much on beans and am mostly disappointed with all of them.
But if I was forced into a supermarket at gun point then the Union stuff can be okay - from Sainsbury's. At least it has a roast date on.
Subscription: I like Caravan Coffee and have a local roaster but I can't get his light roast beans to taste as good as he can in the shop.
Despite lots of time, effort and money.
Rave offer a nice setup but I think their beans don't really follow their tasting notes that much too me.
Was going to try those donkey beans but I think they're robusta? Not sure how bitter an experience they will be.
Somewhere in the pandemic espresso became a frustrating hobby.
Just got one of those DF64p single dose jobs. Much better than the Sage Oracle's built in grinder but still on a journey £££.
Interesting that you can’t taste the difference between types of coffee, I enjoy it more so than wine tasting, massive variation, but maybe the machine used makes a difference too
we haven’t found any supermarket that comes close to freshly beans
Was going to try those donkey beans but I think they’re robusta?
There are different types. The Colombian is 100% Arabica for example.
I like Darkwoods under milk wood. If you buy a kilo you basically get a bag free, which is decent, but it's still nearly £8 a bag.
Booths is £8 for 2 bags.
Wogan used to be reasonable but after Camerons Misguided Referendum prices are not as cheap and you need to spend £25 to get free delivery. IF you're getting through a couple of kilos a month it may be worthwhile.
Aldi beans are good
I'm old enough to remember that song....
beans are good, beans are good...
Aldi beans are good...
It’s hard to find anything in a supermarket than wasn’t roasted at least a month or two earlier, usually 6 months or more.
So there’s nothing I’ve been able to buy for £4-5 in a supermarket that’s made me not want to spend £7.50 a bag from Hasbean for coffee roasted and shipped the same day.
I use an Aeropress too!
Waitrose Sumatra Mandheling is still my favourite coffee I've had from anywhere. Absolutely lovely done in the stove top or the aeropress.
Darkwoods are allegedly now making one of Fortnum & Mason's house blends.
If true don't expect their own blend prices to come down
They make lovely coffee though
Any strong coffee from Indonesia or around that region is good enough for me. i.e. Java, Sumatra and Papua New Guinea.
Beyond Indonesia it's a hit or miss for me.
For the cafetiere Waitrose House blend
For the espresso machine Lavazza red.
I had a look at Small Batch Coffee here in BTN. 250kg beans - 11.00 GBP
Seems a tad salty - or am I out of touch?
I have a subscription from Rave Coffee for three bags of their Discovery bean of the month with the occasional bag of Monsoon Malabar thrown in. Typically this will last me for home and work however if I'm out I find Aldi/Lidl is a cheap and cheerful backup for a "functional" cup. As mentioned above, I found the Co-op bitter as has been Waitrose own IME. The subscription is pretty user friendly, they will email you prior to roasting to give a three day warning so you can delay delivery which can be for several weeks if required. Similarly, you can expedite the delivery if you're running dry.
My previous subscription was for 4 bags for £20 with Sterling Coffee. The coffee choice was nice and reliable however after 18 months I fancied a change so switched to Rave.
While I'm at, I'll also give a big shout out to Redemption Roasters. Not only do they make tip top coffee but the work they do excellent work to reduce recidivism and stigma associated to offenders being reintroduced into the community too.
I’m obviously aware of the name of the thread, but you should try buying your beans direct from a local roaster - just a couple of times, try them out.
Supermarket beans generally can’t compete with freshly roasted ones, plus you get to support a local business.
We have Happy Donkey here. Mrs BigJohn likes the Costa Rica blend (she has cappuccino) I find that too acidic or citrusy for my taste (espresso) and my choice is their Brazilian blend. It's like their Italian blend but with a teeny bit of Robusta which gives it a really nice rounded edge.
I think the Brazilian is their only one that isn't 100% arabica.
And, yes, that does mean we have to have 2 grinders.
And, yes, that does mean we have to have 2 grinders.
Guessing that single dosing doesn't appeal to you both? I grind different coffee depending on my mood but I'm far enough down the rabbit that i weigh the beans and single dose them...
I forgot about the whole different coffees needing different grind settings, that's cetainly a much larger faff.
@mrmoofo if y9u buy two bags at small batch (I get either of their espresso blends) they are about 7.50 a bag. I do that and put the 2nd bag in the freezer in an airtight container till its needed.
Have to look to the back of the shelf for the most recently roasted.....
Re grinders, you don't have to buy expensive electro grinders, a hario skerton does the trick, and is good hand exercise for your one finger braking
Mentioned these a couple of weeks ago, I really like them. Bought from Sainos
Tried the #5 though and didn't like it. Tried the pre-ground #4 and didn't like that either
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Taylor’s Java Lava for me.
I like it, others hate it, tastes vary.
Knock were doing returned aergrinds last month but sold out now. I got one, can't see any imperfection. Give them a fb like you get notified when avail. I paid 125 i think.
're stove tops, I just upgraded from a bialetti to Alessi pulcina, much better quality, really does make a difference.
Some fab tips on supermarket beans thanks.
Just enjoying Tesco own brand pre-ground Italian blend made in my Aeropress.
Absolutely lovely.
Just saying. 🙂👍
I find this one pretty decent. Sainsbury's again
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You can get nice coffee beans from proper roastery for the price not much above supermarket prices, especially if you go for 1kg bags:
https://whiterosecoffeeroasters.co.uk/
I've been a happy customer for over a year now.
They seem pretty good value. Have tried local roasted stuff a few times and although they talk a good game I haven’t found any I like much.
Those who say they can tell more difference than wines have a different palate or perhaps a more active imagination than me!
Having said that I drink mostly lattes and cappuccinos which I’m guessing is the coffee equivalent of heresy.
Another vote for local roaster: https://jamesgourmetcoffee.com/
- averages about £6 a bag. Peter the guy who runs it is an absolute coffee nerd. Really interesting bloke, has travelled the world in search of different beans etc.
I get four different bags a month, I'll tweak the grinder on my Sage to get it to 25-30 seconds but don't do anything else. Sure you might get one 'bad' coffee switching to a new bean but I'm too lazy to care.
One thing I like about James is they don't over-roast. Coffee I drink from cafe's etc even when made with decent machines often seem to be over-roasted/over heated. Ugh.
Having said that I drink mostly lattes and cappuccinos which I’m guessing is the coffee equivalent of heresy.
I made a mate a latte the other day using the frother thing on the machine. Apparently my coffee art reminded him of a deformed rabbit 🙂 But it looked so good I had one myself and as a die hard double espresso man, quite a departure. Wouldn't want it every day but defo a nice change.
Also I make decaf in a caffetierve most days after lunch so I'm probably in same same heretic group 🙂
Somewhere in the pandemic espresso became a frustrating hobby.
Just got one of those DF64p single dose jobs. Much better than the Sage Oracle’s built in grinder but still on a journey £££.
@rone, the P on that grinder denotes a grinder aimed at Pourover doesn't it? There is an e-version, but it's still flat burr and largely better at pourover, in that you'll get more clarity, less bosy from a bean. I say this not having used the grinder just going off 'what the internet says' which is obviously all fact!
I had a look at Small Batch Coffee here in BTN. 250kg beans – 11.00 GBP
That easily buys me a 1kg of beans from Costco which suits me just fine!
the P on that grinder denotes a grinder aimed at Pourover doesn’t it?
Not according to MiiCoffee
MiiCoffee DF64P Premium single dose coffee grinder is designed for espresso only. It has less range in the grind size adjustment, which is designed to allow for more fine tuning of the grind size.
The 'e' version is electronically timed, not single dose.
Interesting that you can’t taste the difference between types of coffee, I enjoy it more so than wine tasting, massive variation, but maybe the machine used makes a difference too
we haven’t found any supermarket that comes close to freshly beans
Oh I can tell the difference when it's all done well just not from a home barista POV. Cos I'm clearly rubbish at it.
@toby1 - it's an espresso only range grinder.
Their machines are badged up differently across the world.
Think this is Premium version of the old one with upgrades.
Still expensive despite being Chinese imports. All my coffee seems to taste too bitter for me. The Sage oracle was one of the worst investments I ever made. It helped in the pandemic but by God it's not consistent. For 1500 and all the reviews I expected better - hence the move to a separate single dose grinder.
I have to make sure the ratio is just shy of 1:2 to not be bitter.
It's a constant battle.
My only tip is fresh coffee is good but I get best results from a 5-10 day window after receiving it.
Otherwise too much gas.
@cyclingdiogenes
Thank you for that link to white rose - lucky dip subscription taken out.
@rone if you haven't come across it, this helped me when getting to a 'better' (all relative I appreciate) shot at home.
I have a Niche, a flair and wdt tool, plus scales, a temp control goose-neck kettle, so coffee is a ritual at my house. Friends often laugh at it, but they do love the coffee I make, my wife has declared most outside coffee ruined for her as it's better here now.
If you are are decaf drinker, give Decadent Decaf's new light roast beans a go, I really like them.
I've not spotted light roast decaf beans ever, I believe the roasting process also helps with the decaf process as it further removes the trace amounts left after the main process is done.
This morning I asked the barista for her mildest roast; she told me my hair looks a bit scruffy today.
Thanks @toby1 - I will take a look.
My problem is aiming for this 'magic' 25-30 sec winodw. My coffee seams to taste better at 20-22 seconds. Lol.
I nearly got a niche but this DF65P came up as available.
What's your espresso machine?
