Posted Sun Oct 4, 2009, 6:36am Subject: Barefoot: The Boss
Oh man oh man!
I recently purchased my first real espresso machine (a Livia) and I thought over the past couple weeks I'd been doing okay at pulling some decent shots and making some nice lattes (my drink of choice.) But yesterday I finally got down to the San Jose area and tried Barefoot Coffee Roasters (I'd been using their beans that I purchased at Whole Foods nearby.)
Wow! It was amazing.
The color, the crema, the temp, the presentation (art), but most importantly the taste---I thought I was drinking hot chocolate. (Turns out I later read on their blend's package about tastes of "deep dark chocolate ganache". I was so proud of myself ;)
Anyway, I highly recommended it---not the atmosphere though (am I too old, too uppity, or both, to enjoy the hippie unkempt hair and dirty falling apart atmosphere these days?!)
Regardless the Barista has humbled me and I realized I know nothing about pulling a decent shot from my Livia (at least I assume it's not my Livia's fault!)
Posted Tue Oct 6, 2009, 8:42pm Subject: Re: Barefoot: The Boss
Ive been interested in Barefoots offerings... I just never get around to ordering from them.
I would imagine that the beans you got direct from Barefoot were nice and fresh, and the beans from whole foods probably were not in thier prime. Freshness is key, as your tastebuds have shown you.
I might have to order from Barefoot this coming week.
...Follow Your Bliss... ....And grind finer, tamp lighter....
In the last 6 years of selling Mazzers, we have only experienced one defective grinder.-Jim Piccinich 1st-line Equipment, a Home-Barista Forum Post
Hrmm...does the Palo Alto Whole Foods carry Barefoot Coffee with roast dates? The only coffee with roast dates I've found at the San Mateo WF is Ritual Coffee, so I'd be interested in an alternative source of fresh beans.
Posted Tue Oct 6, 2009, 9:55pm Subject: Re: Barefoot: The Boss
I'm not sure if Palo Alto carries Barefoot, however I bought mine not far away at the Redwood City Whole Foods---with dates and all. (I had to reach to the back obviously to find a fresher roast; two days old if I remember properly.) I didn't buy "The Boss," nor do I recall seeing it there...they had an alternative espresso blend by Barefoot.
Disappointingly, the beans for sale at Barefoot's retail store were already five days old.
I too have been to the San Mateo WFs and bought some Ritual Beans. That seems as far South as Ritual delivers. ...too bad, I'd like to try them again.
There's also Blue Bottle at Fraiche in Palo Alto--which I've never had, nor have I read much about, but seems to be a popular roaster in SF.
Posted Wed Oct 7, 2009, 6:48am Subject: Re: Barefoot: The Boss
Barefoot is fairly picky about who carries their beans and how old they are. A local merchant here in the foothills inquired about selling their beans. They would not allow their beans to be sold if more than 7 days past roast. I don't know about the WF agreement, but I was encouraged to hear this. For my home roast espresso, 7-10 days post roast is just right for resting.
beatstanfurd Senior Member Joined: 12 Jan 2009 Posts: 11 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Nuova Simonelli Mac 2000 V... Grinder: Obel Bregant DSQ NR1400
Posted Wed Oct 7, 2009, 7:41am Subject: Re: Barefoot: The Boss
Cafe Calafia in the T&C across from Paly and Stanford carries Barefoot (they also have a Clover and know how to use it properly.) IIRC, they get a shipment from Barefoot every week. The Whole Foods in Cupertino carries it also and I've had good luck with roast dates there.
Posted Wed Oct 7, 2009, 7:48am Subject: Re: Barefoot: The Boss
beatstanfurd Said:
Cafe Calafia in the T&C across from Paly and Stanford carries Barefoot (they also have a Clover and know how to use it properly.) IIRC, they get a shipment from Barefoot every week. The Whole Foods in Cupertino carries it also and I've had good luck with roast dates there.
Posted Wed Oct 7, 2009, 1:27pm Subject: Re: Barefoot: The Boss
Barefoot is easily the top roaster between SF & Santa Cruz. The Boss and Element have been reformulated recently, the results are very good. Boss has been a pretty stable to-go espresso blend. The new Element is really good this month. Showing a lot berry flavors.
The Daterra Santa Columbia (Brazil) is really good for Americanos & Capps
5 days post roast is not an issue for Barefoot coffees. They really begin to show after a few de-gassing days.
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