I'll second the thought. I've been to the warehouse a couple times and talked with Julian, one of the brothers who own the place if I remember correctly. I've been extremely happy with particularly the Guatemalan and Sumatra Mandheling I got there. Definitely a good place to go.
Posted Wed Sep 8, 2004, 7:23am Subject: Re: Help with Cuban roasts
Is CCM open to the public? Can I just drive up one weekend? I live over in pinellas county and would like to drop by one day and look around/buy some coffee. Or is it strictly mail order unless you are in the business.
Charlie Senior Member Joined: 28 Dec 2001 Posts: 14 Location: Central Florida Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Saeco Maestro Grinder: Mazzer Mini Drip: Bodum French press Roaster: Fresh Roast +
Posted Wed Sep 8, 2004, 8:09am Subject: Re: Help with Cuban roasts
The warehouse is where they run their business from and roast. When they are there though they will sell green beans to customers. I'd call first though because I think they are only open during the week, and they may close mid-afternoon (can't remember for sure).
If you're in the area, I'd definitely suggest going by. Julian is a great guy, and I just found the place interesting. The first time I went there, he gave me a tour of the place to boot.
scubadoo97 Senior Member Joined: 24 Jun 2003 Posts: 671 Location: Florida Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Solis SL70 Grinder: Mazzer Mini & Solis Maestro... Vac Pot: got one of those too Drip: Aeropress, Clarity, FP,... Roaster: SC/TO
Posted Thu Sep 9, 2004, 4:19pm Subject: Re: Help with Cuban roasts
Nice to see all the Tampa Bay people here. I have not been to the store but have visited the website and their coffee is quite good. On the Pinellas side you can check out New Harmony Coffee and Tea on Drew st in Clearwater. They have a store front coffee bar but I think their main business is selling commercial roasters/grinders and specialty coffee beans. CCM has a lot of history that is very cool. Part of the old Tampa scene.
Posted Sun Sep 12, 2004, 1:20pm Subject: Re: Help with Cuban roasts
Sam Said:
I've been hooked on the stuff for a long time, usually either Bustelo or Pilon beans, which are unfortunately only to be found in stores whole-bean but sealed lord knows how long ago. I've tried a lot of local roasts, mostly medium espresso blends, but haven't found anything to match the kick of Cuban espresso. I grew up in Miami and moved up to New England, so I'm trying to find any good way to get that same style I had back home, but fresh. Any ideas or suggestions on where to poke around for similar beans? Thanks so much!
Just noticed this thread...I'm originally from Miami...Cuban coffee is totally Robusto bean, loads of sugar...2 teaspons per demitasse cup!...hence the "kick"....Bustello is Robusto for sure, probably Medaglia D'oro(sp), which is also used in Miami...never seen fresh ground, always canned.... Arabica bean, no matter how darkly roasted gives you the "taste"...or the kick...in fact, I've heard the darker you roast an Arabica bean, the less caffeine is left...not sure about that one....
Posted Sun Sep 12, 2004, 3:26pm Subject: Re: Help with Cuban roasts
Hmm. I'll run over to the local roaster and see if I can nab a bag of robusto beans. Would it be worth it to roast a batch to mix in with my other blends (any idea how much robusto I should use? I'm rather new at this, mostly trying SM's monkey and liquid amber.) What about trying a shot of pure rubsto just to see what it's like? Or will I regret that for a few hours afterwards...?
Charlie Senior Member Joined: 28 Dec 2001 Posts: 14 Location: Central Florida Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Saeco Maestro Grinder: Mazzer Mini Drip: Bodum French press Roaster: Fresh Roast +
Posted Sun Sep 12, 2004, 5:22pm Subject: Re: Help with Cuban roasts
<warning>I've been roasting for a couple years but am not an expert by any means. </warning>
In general it seems a little robusta can fill in a blend, but I've never liked anything more than 10-15% robusta. Usually don't use it at all. I bought 2 pounds almost a year ago and still have a couple ounces left in the bag.
Sorry, but that's just not true. My favorite Cuban coffee is 100% arabica, grown on Mt. Turquino. There are a good number of farms growing very nice arabica coffees in Cuba ... they just don't export it to the States.
Sierra Maestra: Rugged mountain range, SE Cuba, rising abruptly from the coast. Consisting of connecting ranges with local names, the Sierra Maestra is the highest system of Cuba. It is rich in minerals, especially copper, manganese, chromium, and iron. Pico Turquino (6,560 ft/1,999 m) is the highest point. In the 1950s Fidel Castro had his base of operations in the mountains.
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