Do you know something that is not apparent in the thread?
Anyway, for a very nice blend that is in your budget, I would give RedBird a try. I buy it in 5 pound lots, divide it into about 6 zip top bags then deep freeze until need. I have very nice results for the entire month it takes me to use the 5 pounds.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
Am a long time (>20 years) semi-pro home barista and for the last 15 years or so have been using espresso beans from Porto Rico Importing.
Organic Fair Trade Espresso from Porto Rico and the length of time that the crema stayed on top of the cup was shorter by a factor of 2-3 times for the Black Cat.
it is apparent that people care more about the 10 post rule than the 5 post rule. LOL!
"You can write down how to make the perfect cup of coffee. But to make it really good, you have to play something fictional, you have to dress up, you have to think, This is the most important thing."
OLIVER1 Senior Member Joined: 27 Dec 2011 Posts: 26 Location: GREER, SC Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia Grinder: Rancilio Rocky
Posted Tue Dec 27, 2011, 8:47am Subject: Re: BLACK CAT CLASSIC ESPRESSO
Actually all I was doing was stating a fact of what I am using but if that is promoting I will cease and desist. Kinda useless to belong to a coffee forum without saying what kind of machine one is using as well as what kind of coffee.
As a newbie, what kind of posts should I be making? You're input will be appreciated.
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,100 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Tue Dec 27, 2011, 9:13am Subject: Re: BLACK CAT CLASSIC ESPRESSO
Jack ("Oliver"), just ignore Michael ("Bitches_Brew") . . . I don't know what the agenda is, either, but it's not the way we, as a group, normally treat first-time posters.
As others have said, Black Cat -- and Intelligensia, in general -- is a well-known and highly successful coffee and roaster, but it's not for everyone. Then again, no specific coffee will please everyone all of the time. (I, too, am not a big fan, but that's my palate, my taste buds.)
You may decide you want to stick with the beans you've been using, or you may decide to check out this List of Our Favorite Roasters for other possibilities.
"You can write down how to make the perfect cup of coffee. But to make it really good, you have to play something fictional, you have to dress up, you have to think, This is the most important thing."
Posted Tue Dec 27, 2011, 9:21am Subject: Re: BLACK CAT CLASSIC ESPRESSO
A friendly note to anyone regarding posts on CoffeeGeek, if you think any post is in error or violation of site rules (viewable at the bottom of every forum page), then please email any moderator with your concerns so that the moderating team may discuss and address any questions or issues any member has.
Otherwise, remember we're all friends here, at different espresso making levels and after all it is the Holiday season (so please play nice)!
Your participation is welcomed, and I see nothing wrong with what you have posted so far. That's my opinion, both as a member and as a forum moderator here.
It is not considered SPAM or promoting to ask questions and make sincere comparisons of different products. When others ask you about the coffee you're comparing that is soliciting a response, so there is no violation of the probation rule. And when you say you are "relatively happy" with a certain coffee then I'd hardly consider that promotion, especially when your point is that you value the quantity for price.
Posted Tue Dec 27, 2011, 9:28am Subject: Re: BLACK CAT CLASSIC ESPRESSO
Ok guys, that's enough. Please get back on topic or this discussion will go away.
I interpret this post as a user trying a new blend (Black Cat) and seeking advice or comments on their experience against their usual blend of choice. If they can't identify the blends in use then others will never be able to comment.
I do NOT see any strong endorsements or critiques of either, simply observations, and again they have to name the blends so that others know what they're talking about.
I'll yield my opinion however if the Moderating Team and/or Mark Prince feel differently about my opinion.
But frankly I hate to see two Senior and long term members who should be above this sort of back and forth detract from a rather new user seeking some help.
OLIVER1 Senior Member Joined: 27 Dec 2011 Posts: 26 Location: GREER, SC Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia Grinder: Rancilio Rocky
Posted Tue Dec 27, 2011, 9:42am Subject: Re: BLACK CAT CLASSIC ESPRESSO
Tim Eggers and JonR10, thanks for the vote of confidence. You hit the nail on the head, and I am not selling anything, just simply stating what I am, and have been, using. Was looking for suggestions on beans to try.
Interestingly, there were a lot of thoughtful replies (in fact I am going to pick up some Toscano this afternoon that was recommended by joatmon).
In your opinion, would different blends (ground the same way) taste different on different machines?
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 