tdifraia Senior Member Joined: 13 Dec 2012 Posts: 75 Location: Boston Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: QM67 Grinder: Baratza Vario Drip: Bunn
Posted Sat Mar 16, 2013, 5:36pm Subject: STALE beans???
I am awaiting the arrival of my fresh roast beans, and decided to try out the beans I saw at a local Italian sandwich shop. The beans are from Italy and called "Barbera". There was no roast date and the bag was not vacuumed sealed. It was also sitting on a shelf with many other bags, probably for some time. I pulled a shot and it started out very black, no crema, and after 10 seconds blonded. I redialed and got better results, but there is virtually no crema. The drink is watery and mostly bitter to taste. It goes from black to blonde and has no tiger striping (naked pf). I am new and have always used fresh beans. These beans are imported from italy and are called Barbera Aroma. I am guessing this is the results of stale beans? They taste well ... stale? Is this what you get when you have stale beans? Its barely passable in milk drinks.
Posted Sun Mar 17, 2013, 9:17am Subject: Re: STALE beans???
tdifraia Said:
I am awaiting the arrival of my fresh roast beans, and decided to try out the beans I saw at a local Italian sandwich shop. The beans are from Italy and called "Barbera". There was no roast date and the bag was not vacuumed sealed. It was also sitting on a shelf with many other bags, probably for some time. I pulled a shot and it started out very black, no crema, and after 10 seconds blonded. I redialed and got better results, but there is virtually no crema. The drink is watery and mostly bitter to taste. It goes from black to blonde and has no tiger striping (naked pf). I am new and have always used fresh beans. These beans are imported from italy and are called Barbera Aroma. I am guessing this is the results of stale beans? They taste well ... stale? Is this what you get when you have stale beans? Its barely passable in milk drinks.
"Coffee leads men to trifle away their time, scald their chops, and spend their money, all for a little base, black, thick, nasty, bitter, stinking nauseous puddle water." ~The Women's Petition Against Coffee, 1674
tdifraia Senior Member Joined: 13 Dec 2012 Posts: 75 Location: Boston Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: QM67 Grinder: Baratza Vario Drip: Bunn
Posted Mon Mar 18, 2013, 9:35am Subject: Re: STALE beans???
Well live and learn. I paid $23 for 2 pounds. But I now understand just how important fresh beans are in producing tasty espresso and the symptoms of stale beans. They are just barely passable in milk drinks, but as for strait shots forget it. I also have been grinding them for drip, which really isn't that bad considering. Bot WOW it really made me appreciate fresh beans. I ordered a few pounds of Barrington Gold Blend on Thursday. My wife drinks a pot of drip a day, and said she liked the roast so it wont be a complete waste.
tdifraia Senior Member Joined: 13 Dec 2012 Posts: 75 Location: Boston Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: QM67 Grinder: Baratza Vario Drip: Bunn
Posted Fri Mar 22, 2013, 5:11am Subject: Re: STALE beans???
Yes Boston has a few really good ones. Theres barismo in Arlington, and Atomic Cafe in Salem. Both a few miles from me. There are plenty of Roasters out there so I have no excuses. This was just a purchase I made because of the positive reviews I was getting about this Italian restaurant. Come to find out the food is VG, the coffee not so good. I asked the sweet little Italian woman behind the counter if they were fresh, and she just smiled and shook her head up and down. I should of asked her in Italian, but I did not. I dont think she understood me in english.
Skylar Senior Member Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 46 Location: New Jersey Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: lelit espresso Grinder: lelit grinder Vac Pot: B. D. Electric Drip: chemex Roaster: wok roast and popper, heat...
Posted Sat Mar 23, 2013, 6:29am Subject: Re: STALE beans???
21 miles nnw of Boston is Acton Ma. and Terroir Coffee. I know it is a long jaunt, but George Howell is The Man in a lot of ways, wheather you agree re his feelings about espresso or not. The man who is responsible for The Cup of Excellence is a great roaster.
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