Posted Sat Jan 26, 2013, 2:57pm Subject: Re: Looking for a few excellent espresso roasts to try.
Two recommendations for espresso roasts:
Six Bean Espresso from CoffeeBeanDirect.com - we use this here, one part of this to two parts Sumatra Mandheling, but it is an excellent espresso blend all by itself and many people really like it. We now buy it green and roast it ourselves here.
Barrington Gold from BarringtonCoffee.com - it's pricey, IMHO, but, boy, is it delicious. We discovered it when we were at Tanglewood, MA one summer - as we left town, we picked up an iced latte for the road, and were so impressed with the espresso in it, even in an iced latte, that we called the shop, tracked down the coffee and the roaster, and started mail-ordering it. Ultimately, though, I find $17 per pound plus shipping more than I want to spend on coffee I drink every day so we haven't ordered it in a while. You can't buy this green, only roasted. The company was featured in the book, "American Artisanal," if things like that appeal to you - we found out about the coffee before we learned of the mention in the book.
Chanty Senior Member Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Milwaukee, WI Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Vario, had an MDF Vac Pot: none Drip: none Roaster: I buy beans from many...
Posted Sun Feb 3, 2013, 8:33pm Subject: Re: Looking for a few excellent espresso roasts to try.
S, I ended up ordering the Barrington Gold espresso beans. You are right. Pretty pricey at $24 (1 lb. including shipping), but my Vario &Gaggia Classic were very happy with this blend/bean. No dialing in the grind problems, and really enjoyed the flavor. Lots of crema also. Alas, at $24 a pound (yes, with shipping)--I won't be able to get it regularly.
Chanty Senior Member Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Milwaukee, WI Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Vario, had an MDF Vac Pot: none Drip: none Roaster: I buy beans from many...
Posted Tue Feb 5, 2013, 12:33pm Subject: Re: Looking for a few excellent espresso roasts to try.
I get a little nervous buying beans at places like Whole Latte Love, stores (that are not the roaster's place). My reasoning is you never know how long they have had the beans. Normally a pound lasts me 1-1 1/2 weeks, and if beans are sitting around--even that long somewhere & by the time they ship it to me--stale, stale and more stale. That's why I can't buy Barrington Gold or even some of the others I love--constantly because I would end up spending (with shipping) about $100 a month on beans. Budget would choke like beans ground too fine!
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,320 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Wed Feb 6, 2013, 12:44pm Subject: Re: Looking for a few excellent espresso roasts to try.
That is why I buy 5 lbs and freeze in small batches. I do have a freezer that is bulk storage and it doesn't defrost itself. Better for long term storage of any food stuff.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
Chanty Senior Member Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Milwaukee, WI Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Vario, had an MDF Vac Pot: none Drip: none Roaster: I buy beans from many...
Posted Wed Feb 6, 2013, 1:01pm Subject: Re: Looking for a few excellent espresso roasts to try.
I never had luck with freezing beans. That process always ruined the flavor, etc. of the beans. I can 1. Get a part time job to feed my coffee "fix", 2. Ask for gifts (for birthdays, holidays) that entail the gift giver to send me coffee from my fav roaster. 3. Give up eating to feed my "fix". Just kidding (a little bit)
Chanty Senior Member Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Milwaukee, WI Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Vario, had an MDF Vac Pot: none Drip: none Roaster: I buy beans from many...
Posted Wed Feb 6, 2013, 1:11pm Subject: Re: Looking for a few excellent espresso roasts to try.
I froze it in the unopened bag (that you have to cut open to open) inside a freezer ziplock bag. That's how a number of "geeks" told me to do it. I think you are going to find advocates for freezing and those that are really against it. Can you simplify how YOU do it? I will read the lengthly stuff you attached when I have a little more time.
CMIN Senior Member Joined: 14 Jun 2012 Posts: 511 Location: South FL Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Crossland CC1 Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Posted Wed Feb 6, 2013, 1:18pm Subject: Re: Looking for a few excellent espresso roasts to try.
Chanty Said:
I froze it in the unopened bag (that you have to cut open to open) inside a freezer ziplock bag. That's how a number of "geeks" told me to do it. I think you are going to find advocates for freezing and those that are really against it. Can you simplify how YOU do it? I will read the lengthly stuff you attached when I have a little more time.
Doesn't work, tried that before (coffee bag in zip). I use ball canning jars (have to be canning as they seal) with a zip bag of beans in each, so each time I use one up can keep squeezing air out of the bag then put back into the jar. Only way freezing worked for me. Can tell a slight difference towards the end but waaaaaaay beyter then storing beans (even same way) in cabinets.
Chanty Senior Member Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Milwaukee, WI Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Vario, had an MDF Vac Pot: none Drip: none Roaster: I buy beans from many...
Posted Wed Feb 6, 2013, 1:29pm Subject: Re: Looking for a few excellent espresso roasts to try.
Thanks for that info. Right now I order 1 pound, 2 at the most. I have air tight coffee canisters (one-metal, one-glass with a metal top.) You can hear the swoosh sound of air going out when closing. Never had a problem with these. But will check yours out when/if I decide to order more than a couple pounds.
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