ccolton Senior Member Joined: 23 Jan 2012 Posts: 132 Location: Wilmington DE Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Bezzera BZ07 Grinder: Le 'lit PL53
Posted Tue Mar 6, 2012, 6:27am Subject: When buying coffee for espresso, does the coffee have to say "espresso blend?"
Hi all,
Thanks for all the information! I am heading up to see Jim and company at 1st line to pick up 3 pounds of his medium roast and 3 pounds of his mid morning roast - both big favorites here. I just wish he had a decaf!
I am also planning to order 5 pounds from Redbird - I think decaf - but was wondering if anyone had ordered 5 lbs but had the decaf and regular split out in bags; e.g., 2 lbs regular and 3 lbs decaf? I expect that this would mean paying the full price plus shipping but was curious if anyone had asked.
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 Mar 6, 2012, 7:47am Subject: When buying coffee for espresso, does the coffee have to say "espresso blend?"
Chris,
I regularly order both the Red Bird Espresso and the Decaf Espresso from Jeff, but I do order them separately, as one-pound bags. My usual order from Jeff is a total of five or six 1-pound bags, 2 each of the reg. and decaf espresso, and a pound or two of an S.O. coffee. When you order in one-pound bags, your order does NOT include shipping. Shipping via USPS Priority mail is $10 for 5-6 pounds, so figure it's an extra $2/lb. If I had a deep (chest) freezer, I'd be ordering a five-pound bag of each, but I don't have the capacity to store 10 pounds at time . . .
ccolton Senior Member Joined: 23 Jan 2012 Posts: 132 Location: Wilmington DE Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Bezzera BZ07 Grinder: Le 'lit PL53
Posted Tue Mar 6, 2012, 7:54am Subject: When buying coffee for espresso, does the coffee have to say "espresso blend?"
Hi Jason,
Thank you for the quick reply! I figured as much but wanted to be sure.
And what you describe as your order preference is probably worth the extra $2/lb. Time permitting, I am going to order today and will let you know what I decide.
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 Mar 6, 2012, 8:13am Subject: When buying coffee for espresso, does the coffee have to say "espresso blend?"
Red Bird Espresso is $11.99/lb. in one-pound bags, so I'm paying $13.99/lb. delivered. For me, a) that is still much lower than many other roasters*, and b) the quality of Red Bird still outshines (to my taste) many other, more expensive roasters out there.
Cheers, Jason
* Just as a reference, here are five popular coffees often discussed for espresso:
ccolton Senior Member Joined: 23 Jan 2012 Posts: 132 Location: Wilmington DE Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Bezzera BZ07 Grinder: Le 'lit PL53
Posted Tue Mar 6, 2012, 10:33am Subject: When buying coffee for espresso, does the coffee have to say "espresso blend?"
Hi Jason,
As usual, a very thoughtful and helpful response - Thank you.
I have tried CC's decaf Rustico and love it and Black Cat, which is in the freezer bought at a local store within 10 days of roast, which was okay but that could all be me. I have not tried the others. Of course, I have had Red Bird, thanks to you and drGary! Good analysis on the coffees and I agree, for the money, Red Bird is a great buy. Let's not tell him that he can sell it at a higher price and compete with the others!
I would be curious about you take on 1st line's coffees. Have you ever tried either. Granted, I am still new at this, but I really like both.
ccolton Senior Member Joined: 23 Jan 2012 Posts: 132 Location: Wilmington DE Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Bezzera BZ07 Grinder: Le 'lit PL53
Posted Wed Mar 7, 2012, 9:27am Subject: When buying coffee for espresso, does the coffee have to say "espresso blend?"
Hi Jason,
I just ordered Redbird coffee. Jeff sent me an email and said he would include a 1 lb. bag of Red Bird espresso with my 5 lb. bag of decaf espresso and reverse shipping charges: what a great deal!
Great coffee with incredible service - how can you beat that?
Chris, are you referring to the coffees labeled "1st-Cup"?
I knew 1st-Line sold a number of different brands of coffee (Miscela d'Oro, Lavazza, Illy, Bristot Caffe, etc.) from Italy. I didn't know they roasted their own in-house*; I just assumed that someone else was roasting "1st-Cup" for them, and that it is was simply a "private label". (I can't find any descriptions of "1st-Cup" on their website.)
In general, I prefer fresh-roasted coffee -- roasted to order, and with the bags labeled with the date of roast -- such as those from "the list." I try to only use roasters which ship via USPS Priority Mail, and typically place my order Friday through Sunday. That way, the coffee will be roasted on Monday or Tuesday and I'll get it no later than Thursday or Friday (meaning 2-3 days post-roast). I've had too many bad experiences with ordering from roasters that use UPS/FedEx Ground, and from coast-to-coast (since I'm in California), it can take as long as a week to get to me. Indeed, one order took 10 days. If it's not shipped Priority Mail, I won't buy it.
Cheers, Jason
* I know that Chris' Coffee Service roasts their own coffee as well as carrying several Italian brands (see here), but I never knew 1st-Line did.
ccolton Senior Member Joined: 23 Jan 2012 Posts: 132 Location: Wilmington DE Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Bezzera BZ07 Grinder: Le 'lit PL53
Posted Thu Mar 8, 2012, 9:50am Subject: When buying coffee for espresso, does the coffee have to say "espresso blend?"
Hi Jason,
Thank you for your reply.
Yes, I was refering to 1st cup at 1st line. Jim offers two in-house fresh-roasted coffees - like all of the other roasters from whom I have purchased coffee, he roasts in small batches and sends out quickly. I have tried them both and really like them. Guests at our house have also liked his coffee. And the price is good!
Posted Thu Mar 8, 2012, 10:46am Subject: Re: does the coffee have to say "espresso blend?"
Hi Jason,
We do roast two blends right now. 1st-Cup Medium (more for drip and straight espresso) and 1st-Cup Mid-Morning (more for cappas and lattes). At this time, we only ship UPS, and this may change in the future.
I know there are folks who like to have their beans within 2-3 days of roast, but if you are making espresso, I have seen it better to allow the beans to degas for 5-7 days for a superior flavor profile. However, this all comes down to the flavor profile that one likes.
Sincerely, Jim Piccinich Business Partner 1st-line Equipment, LLC www.1st-line.com
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