vinyl_eraser Senior Member Joined: 1 Mar 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Calgary Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Tue Mar 1, 2005, 11:43am Subject: Calgary Espresso
I am wondering where the BEST Espresso Whole Bean can be bought in the Calgary area. Doesn't have to be local, but convieneint enough to ship. Preferably something dark.
Posted Tue Mar 1, 2005, 2:17pm Subject: Re: Calgary Espresso
Hi Sam,
Welcome to the Coffeegeek forums! Look at the thread topics here: "Western Canada" , you should then be able to find what you're looking for., the 6th thread down from your one.{;-)
peterthepiper Senior Member Joined: 20 Mar 2004 Posts: 254 Location: Vancouver Expertise: Pro Barista
Grinder: Baratza Virtuoso Drip: Chemex
Posted Tue Mar 1, 2005, 7:54pm Subject: Re: Calgary Espresso
The quick answer to your question is there are three places that I would trust with providing quality roasted whole bean coffee. Based on my experiences, these are them in the order I enjoy them:
Big Mountain Coffee Roasters (right down by MEC, Bonterra and Brewsters) - they roast their own single origin (I think they have one blend) fair trade/organic beans. Very, very good. Try their Papua New Guinea if it's in stock and fresh! As well, their espresso is the best in town, they've got the only naked portafilter in the city, but you may have to ask Wade, the chief barista, if he will use it. I would compare their shots favorably with many top-notch west coast cafes.
Cadence Coffee (in Bowness) - they sell Oso Negro Coffee, which is roasted in Nelson, BC. Quite good stuff, and I would recommend it if you are around that area. Their cafe products aren't so great, but better than most Calgary stuff.
The Planet (4th St and 23rd Ave SW) - their espresso blend is very dark, but reasonable, and it is roasted in town. I have not tried their espresso made in the shop.
vinyl_eraser Senior Member Joined: 1 Mar 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Calgary Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Mar 3, 2005, 1:46pm Subject: Re: Calgary Espresso
I am sensing a bit of irritation from my questions. It is not an obligation to reply to posts, and I can read that Big Mountain has great fair-trade beans, I simply inquiring to other opinions and options.
peterthepiper Senior Member Joined: 20 Mar 2004 Posts: 254 Location: Vancouver Expertise: Pro Barista
Grinder: Baratza Virtuoso Drip: Chemex
Posted Thu Mar 3, 2005, 5:33pm Subject: Re: Calgary Espresso
Sorry... it appears we have misunderstood each other. I am not irritated at all regarding your posts, let me clarify that. I love promoting the good roasters in Calgary. However, the way your post was phrased, I thought you had ignored my comments on FT/Org and beans and had assumed I had only discussed coffee as made by cafes... Again, sorry, but your post was misleading.
Posted Sun Mar 6, 2005, 6:40pm Subject: Re: Calgary Espresso
I just tried Big Mountain Coffee today under PeterthePiper's recommendation. Asked Wade (the owner) to pull a shot w/ the naked pf and he kindly obliged. Spoke with his wife, Georgina (sp? - sorry) at length about the business, as well. Excellent! I think it's the best espresso I've ever had and it was intersting to see the shot pulled with the naked pf for the first time. It literally looked like striped syrup oozing out of the bottom of the basket. Very cool! Thanks for the recomendation PTP! And BIG props to Big Mountain Coffee Roasters!
Oh, I also went to Planet Coffee yesterday and tried a machiatto. Not very good. Yes, their espresso blend is a very dark roast and that's exactly what it tasted like - burnt. Not recommended.
I agree with Peter - I quite enjoy Big Mountain, the Planet and Cadence - although I'm more of an Americano drinker than an espresso drinker and have only had a pure shot at Big Mountain.
What about the Roastery? I never drink coffee there but I have been buying my green beans from them lately. The guy that roasts there seems to know his stuff and has given me a few good tips.
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