TLW Senior Member Joined: 20 Jul 2012 Posts: 8 Location: Las Vegas Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Thu Jan 24, 2013, 9:57am Subject: Re: Store bought beans; Which way am I better off?
Smiths/Kroger has Pete's coffee beans. I have had good luck with them. I have even made espresso with them from time to time with very good results. I find that Pete's are roasted very well for my taste. The roast date is on the bag. I almost always use beans from a local roaster here in Las Vegas that has wonderful beans. Colorado River Coffee Roasters. Good luck and Happy Brewing.
Posted Thu Jan 24, 2013, 10:01am Subject: Re: Store bought beans; Which way am I better off?
nolken Said:
... So, would i be better off with the press and the baratza (neither of which i have used yet. i don't know if i should return it, hence the question) or should i just continuing on the cheap pre-ground coffee with a drip maker. basically am i wasting my money now since i can't afford the really good coffee, and it'll be a while before i can afford it. (keeping in mind i'm on a student's budget).
You will get better flavor from a fresh-ground whole bean, than from a pre-ground pack. Especially if you use a hotter water temp as would be common for french press. The only way to know if it's worth it to you is to try it :-) I'd recommend comparing a bag of whole-bean against your pre-ground and see if one is better-- even if it means you might return the Baratza very slightly used.
Posted Fri Jan 25, 2013, 12:40pm Subject: Re: Store bought beans; Which way am I better off?
nolken, have you tried this roaster online, click herewww.coffeeAM.com? They are located in Georgia, and their pricing is $.75 per oz on average plus shippng; 1lb bags. Check them out. I've been purchasing whole beans for drip (use a Bonavita and Clever Coffee Dripper) from them for approx 6 months; no complaints. For espresso, I use Red Bird... can't be beat IMHO! Pete
Skylar Senior Member Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 48 Location: New Jersey Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: lelit espresso Grinder: lelit grinder Vac Pot: B. D. Electric Drip: chemex Roaster: wok roast and popper, heat...
Posted Fri Jan 25, 2013, 1:41pm Subject: Re: Store bought beans; Which way am I better off?
I have been using red bird as espresso and drip in the winter when it is too cold to properly roast my own. My record indicate three successive 5 lb purchases in Jan Feb and Mar of 2012. Obviously I liked it.
When it became to difficult to roast I went back to another order this month. I know you are considering a press method and the coffee is fine for that. I regret that you cannot try it as a properly ground and extracted espresso. The blend, to my taste, is far superior to my memory of last winters coffee to the point that I would consider it to be the best straight shot that I have ever had anywhere. Period. Of course that is a very personal opinion.
I encourage you to glom some space in a friendly freezer, order a five pounder and enjoy.
Cerridwyn Senior Member Joined: 6 Jun 2010 Posts: 395 Location: Inland Empire California Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Fri Jan 25, 2013, 9:36pm Subject: Re: Store bought beans; Which way am I better off?
One place that actually does decent even on coffeereview sometimes is Archer Farms from Target. It's not roaster fresh, but they do sell two tiers and are cup of excellence sponsors even though even that coffee isn't as fresh as it should be.
They have several things available in whole bean, not just their fancy line which comes in a tin not a bag. Look for the single origin not the blend.
Try the Caribou Starlight - very interesting blend with great fruity notes and wonderful aroma.
Also, don't be afraid to try Eight o Clock 100% Colombia (whole bean, of course). It's a pretty consistent product, and while not terribly complex or anything, it's a very good value. I think it averages about $0.50/oz or so around here, maybe less. I've found the turnover in the store (prolly cause of the price) is pretty good, and you can generally get it at shelf stable (won't be top notch peak flavor, but will definitely be drinkable) flavor at 6-9 weeks post roast.
You can also think of blending a more expensive coffee with EoC - this can be surprisingly good, if you're on a budget.
Because of the amount of coffee I go through when experimenting, I use EoC 100% quite a bit. It's ubiquitous, stable, consistent product. When I'm testing out a new grinder, for example, I might go through 2lb of coffee, or if I'm running an 18-run experiment you might go through 500g of coffee - it would be a shame to use something >$1/oz, and roasting batches consistently have the risk of variation when your roaster is limited to about 1/2-1lb of yield at a time.
------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------- Le café doit être noir comme le diable, chaud comme l'enfer, pur comme un ange, et doux comme l'amour.
"There is no right answer with coffee. There is only the elixir in your cup at the moment you partake."
"...I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meagre and unsatisfactory kind;..." - Lord Kelvin RECIPES thread => http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/coffee/machines/585708
It's several years old. Another note: I've also tried EoC original blend, and the difference between EoC original blend and the 100% Colombia is intuitively obvious to the most casual taster, equipped with rudimentary knowledge of coffee tastes. The original blend isn't maxwell house bad, but really weird off-tastes like pencil shavings, even a hint of pine pitch at times. I'd recommend sticking with the 100% Colombian.
------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------- Le café doit être noir comme le diable, chaud comme l'enfer, pur comme un ange, et doux comme l'amour.
"There is no right answer with coffee. There is only the elixir in your cup at the moment you partake."
"...I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meagre and unsatisfactory kind;..." - Lord Kelvin RECIPES thread => http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/coffee/machines/585708
Posted Tue Jan 29, 2013, 9:17pm Subject: Re: Store bought beans; Which way am I better off?
I noticed that *$ is selling what they call blond coffee. I think the reality is that it isn't blond but at least it isn't charcoal brickets. I have had some of that stuff out of a Keurig and it is drinkable. I think Peet's is also offering a lighter roast to compete. If you have no really good roasters within your budget nearby you might try one of the lighter roasted offerings from *$ or Peet's.
CMIN Senior Member Joined: 14 Jun 2012 Posts: 512 Location: South FL Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Crossland CC1 Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Posted Tue Jan 29, 2013, 10:24pm Subject: Re: Store bought beans; Which way am I better off?
PJK Said:
I noticed that *$ is selling what they call blond coffee. I think the reality is that it isn't blond but at least it isn't charcoal brickets. I have had some of that stuff out of a Keurig and it is drinkable. I think Peet's is also offering a lighter roast to compete. If you have no really good roasters within your budget nearby you might try one of the lighter roasted offerings from *$ or Peet's.
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