Posted Mon Apr 16, 2012, 11:46am Subject: Re: Cheaper than Intelligentsia house blend?
We have a freezer. But does this work? I've seen it mentioned a lot, but usually right next to discussions of the merits of vacuum-packed pre-ground, so I haven't believed it.
I might suggest that it won't be any more detrimental to flavor than buying a lower quality bean will be. Your tastes are your own though, so I second that you try it out to form your own opinion if you're curious - I have great results with mason jars in a regular top-door freezer.
Counter Culture, mind, has plenty of offerings that are not espresso, and my experience with them has been quite good all around. Are you looking for blends exclusively, or are single origins alright?
Blends: I quite enjoyed their Mocha Java blend, very smooth and quaffable. My brother had some of their Farmhouse (which changes seasonally) and liked it, but it may be fairly different today.
Single Origins: Can't go wrong with Aida's El Salvador coffees, from Finca Kilimanjaro or Finca Mauritania (neither are in season quite yet though). It would be worth watching for Africans as well, as while their site doesn't seem to have anything up, I can't imagine they'll take much longer to go out. I've had more than a few good Ethiopians, Burundis, and Kenyans this year already, and I'd expect CC to pick equally tasty lots.
Price, though, that's the rub isn't it? I've always considered Intelly to be good value for the price, though I rarely buy them (their shipping price is awful). I tend to think of it in terms of per cup price, rather than per pound, as a lot of commercial roasters manage to cut costs via larger volume buys of lower quality lots, supply chain optimization, a willingness to sell fairly stale beans, and so on. A pound of coffee should yield around 7.5 L, or over thirty 8 oz. cups, of brewed coffee (based on 60g/L brew ratio), with little grounds waste. That's $0.73 per cup - which you certainly can't get at Starbucks, and may only be able to match at a gas station.
And please, check my math here, I'm a graphic designer after all. 16 oz. = ~450g / 60 = 7.5 L = ~250 fl oz. / 8 = ~30 (a full pound should actually yield more, I rounded down a few times here) $22 / 30 = .73
Cerridwyn Senior Member Joined: 6 Jun 2010 Posts: 395 Location: Inland Empire California Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Mon Apr 16, 2012, 5:58pm Subject: Re: Cheaper than Intelligentsia house blend?
It's all in what people like and are willing to pay for. I use better coffee at home than at work because, simply, most people say that can't tell the difference and don't want to pay for it. Now, they like tier 2 stuff better than store bought, but won't go the extra mile for the tier 3 goodies. And we have a local supplier, no shipping, but it is still more than they want to cough up.
At Aroma Ridge, if you like darker, I used the Yemen that they had a lot, never did blends. Not my thing. If you are on their mailing list, you get discounts or free shipping all the time.
Another thought is there is a guy on eBay, I forget what his name is, he does an Arabian Mocha Matrari that's not bad and you can buy 2 lbs. He is in LA though. Prices are pretty fair, I think it's about 30 with shipping for 2 lbs, which is better than intelli. It's what we use in the Jura at work for the crowd. You can buy it from his website, but then you can only buy 5lbs which is cheaper. But more than you said you wanted.
Freezing works. What I do is slit the bag, put the jar in the bag and put a rubber band around it. That way I know what is in the jar.
Posted Mon Apr 16, 2012, 6:21pm Subject: Re: Cheaper than Intelligentsia house blend?
Cerridwyn Said:
Another thought is there is a guy on eBay, I forget what his name is, he does an Arabian Mocha Matrari that's not bad and you can buy 2 lbs. He is in LA though. Prices are pretty fair, I think it's about 30 with shipping for 2 lbs, which is better than intelli. It's what we use in the Jura at work for the crowd. You can buy it from his website, but then you can only buy 5lbs which is cheaper. But more than you said you wanted.
cypherpunks Senior Member Joined: 15 Apr 2012 Posts: 5 Expertise: Just starting
Posted Tue Apr 17, 2012, 9:57am Subject: Re: Cheaper than Intelligentsia house blend?
](What causes this dangling right bracket? It's definitely not in what I've typed.)
Cerridwyn Said:
Another thought is there is a guy on eBay, I forget what his name is, he does an Arabian Mocha Matrari that's not bad and you can buy 2 lbs. He is in LA though. Prices are pretty fair, I think it's about 30 with shipping for 2 lbs, which is better than intelli. It's what we use in the Jura at work for the crowd.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,671 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Tue Apr 17, 2012, 10:24am Subject: Re: Cheaper than Intelligentsia house blend?
Does a freezer work? Well, I have been doing it for years and have no taste issues when done properly. Perhaps you are a SUPER taster and can taste things I can't but it works for me and I have nothing but compliments on my coffee at home... even the STALE (older than 3 weeks for drip) at work YMMV!
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
Posted Mon Apr 23, 2012, 2:58am Subject: Re: Cheaper than Intelligentsia house blend?
A great choice would be " Blue Smoke" coffee roaster out of Gatlinburg, Tn. They have great coffee and free shipping if you buy two bags. Kevin roasts his coffee a pound at a time and all his blends are delicious.
Gig103 Senior Member Joined: 12 Feb 2012 Posts: 204 Location: Arizona Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Crossland CC1 Grinder: Baratza Vario Drip: French press!
Posted Thu May 31, 2012, 9:33am Subject: Re: Cheaper than Intelligentsia house blend?
I actually like DD whole bean in a drip pot - after all, their roaster has worked hard to make it smooth and acceptable to the masses, as well as hold up with cream.
But going the fresh roasted route doesn't have to cost $22/lb. Most recently I bought a "Woot.com" sale of 4lbs coffee from "1000 Faces" in Georgia. I'm not going to personally recommend it for drip since I'm making espresso, but they had several roast options and are in the southeast. And I saw an advertisement for a brand (sorry my mind went blank) offering a coffee club environment - you got free shipping if you were on a month-by-month shipment.
FWIW, I haven't had issues using a Foodsaver bag and freezing my coffee for a few weeks. The sooner after roast date you freeze it, the better though.
Posted Thu May 31, 2012, 9:53am Subject: Re: Cheaper than Intelligentsia house blend?
Verve has free shipping and is phenomenal. And their House blend is $14 for 12oz. Check that out. I have had nothing but amazing experiences with Verve. Not only is their coffee delicious, fresh, roasted to perfection, and shipped to me free, but any time I've ever had even the smallest issue or question, Jenni Baca has responded to my email promptly with over-the-top accommodations.
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