Next. What coffee beans

[crossy67]

Following on from my B2C machines thread.

I understand coffee is a very personal taste but what do people consider to be a good bean. I really enjoy a good espresso with a little sugar but really would need a bean for normal coffee. What sort of budget should I be setting realistically, I don't want to spend a fortune as I will be giving it away for breakfasts but want something that will stand above just a pre-ground filter coffee.

I have been using Lavazza Matteno for every day, another more expensive Lavazza for friends but have started using Malongo fair trade (that's available here pre-ground for about 12€/KG) after drinking it at a friends. Our water here is very hard if it makes a difference.

What are your recommendations?

[Bonefish Blues]

We use these, which are remarkable for the money: https://www.happydonkey.co.uk/250g-sumatra-mocha-c... part of a small range, always arrive super-fresh.

(I preferred their Classic Italian, but not to Mrs BFB's taste, so we ended up with one we both really like)

[IS200RJR]

We use these beans at the office http://www.shopdrury.com/product.asp?strParents=10...

However my good wife bought me a selection from whittards tried this one first http://www.whittard.co.uk/coffee/type/coffee-beans...

And iv got these to try:

http://www.whittard.co.uk/coffee/type/coffee-beans...

http://www.whittard.co.uk/coffee/type/coffee-beans...

http://www.whittard.co.uk/coffee/type/coffee-beans...

[dhalv]

Check out Monmouth for beans, truly delicious, the Sitio Santa Mariana from Brazil is my favoutite:

http://www.monmouthcoffee.co.uk/

[crossy67]

Bonefish Blues said:

https://www.happydonkey.co.uk/250g-sumatra-mocha-c...

I've just ordered a Kilo of these to start me off. Not going to get them until next Wednesday. How much do those beans from Monmouth work out per kilo. Remeber, they're mostly not for me;)

[dhalv]

For you I would go for the Monmouth, I think it is quite a bit more expensive than most, £30-40/kg

I also hear really good things about Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, but that is even more expensive than the Monmouth

[cqueen]

I have an offer on at the moment. Costa Rica Zarcero, sounds similar to what you're after and £3 for a 250g bag. Bargain. See my profile for web details

[Watcha]

For all your coffee needs.

Freshly roasted and delivered to your doorstep.

www.hasbean.co.uk

[Whoozit]

IS200RJR said:

And iv got these to try:

http://www.whittard.co.uk/coffee/type/coffee-beans...

We buy this by the kilo, ground. It's not cheap. But it makes fantastic mouth filling, smooth, low acid filter coffee and moka pot.

[Major Fallout]

Is there anywhere that sells a taster pack of different coffee?

Something like the extremes of taste, because I have no idea what I like yet.

I don't know the difference between light and dark roast or the different regions.

[crossy67]

I'm having the same experience as you. I have some from Happy Donkey which seem to be nice now I have set up the machine. I still have loads to learn but have had a bad head for the last two days, I think too many espresso's. I also have some Ille beans that are good. Our local Auchan sell coffee beans for 5€/kilo, I have to try them, even if it's just for pots for our guests.

[Bonefish Blues]

http://www.kopi.co.uk/single_origin_coffee

Others do similar plans. Glad you like the Happy Donkey.

[Russ T Bolt]

cqueen said:

I have an offer on at the moment. Costa Rica Zarcero, sounds similar to what you're after and £3 for a 250g bag. Bargain. See my profile for web details

Just ordered some to see what it's like (along with a selection of other beans), thanks for the heads up.

[Don]

Great thread, thanks! We've just bought a DeLonghi B2C machine. To get started I bought some Lavazza beans which, frankly, are nice but something of a disappointment. Too much Caffeine and not enough flavour.

I'm looking for something that won't give me palpitations but will really deliver on rich, full, tasty flavour. Might send the Mrs to Monmouth in Covent Garden when she's next in town.

[giblet]

Major Fallout said:

Is there anywhere that sells a taster pack of different coffee?

Something like the extremes of taste, because I have no idea what I like yet.

I don't know the difference between light and dark roast or the different regions.

Any luck finding somewhere that offered taster packs? Something like 5x50g packs of different stuff would be ideal.

Bonefish Blues said:

http://www.kopi.co.uk/single_origin_coffee

Others do similar plans. Glad you like the Happy Donkey.

I like the look of that.

[Coneyhurst Blue]

Support a PH'er !

http://www.smokeybarn.co.uk/

Great coffee - great service.

[JustinP1]

Don said:

Great thread, thanks! We've just bought a DeLonghi B2C machine. To get started I bought some Lavazza beans which, frankly, are nice but something of a disappointment. Too much Caffeine and not enough flavour.

I'm looking for something that won't give me palpitations but will really deliver on rich, full, tasty flavour. Might send the Mrs to Monmouth in Covent Garden when she's next in town.

Google Arabica and Robusta.

That's the main difference between flavours. Cheaper more 'robust' coffee has Robusta in it. That's a bit bitter and has the 'coffee smell' which people like.


Funnily enough, I find Amazon the most convenient. You can get the Taylor's of Harrogate speciality coffee commercial sized 500g bags in boxes of 4 at the price that normal stuff is in Asda.

Also, I happen to know that Taylor's produce Asda's 'Extra Special' range.

[Blown2CV]

joined ths thread and thought to myself, ah good idea i'll go make a coffee with that new bag of monsoon malabar beans. 1Kg bag, pretty big. Had the more questionable idea of opening the bag by hand rather than snipping the top. Can you guess what happened next?

[Bonefish Blues]

How many beans are there in a kilo - I assume you've counted them all by now

[Blown2CV]

Bonefish Blues said:

How many beans are there in a kilo - I assume you've counted them all by now

many, many.