Coffee beans, recommendations please?

[Patch1875]

I've just upgraded from Nespresso to a bean to cup machine, after a bit of practice with some cheapish beans I'm going to invest in something better and fresher. Luckily there are some highly regarded independent roasters here in Edinburgh.

[carreauchompeur]

IrateNinja said:

I just get my coffee from local roasters in Bristol (either Extract or Wogan). They have a decent choice, so I can pick and choose.

Wogan are great, keep forgetting to pop in when I'm up there. Love the Riposo beans, for strong espresso they take some beating.

[anonymous-user]

Friend of mine is setting up his roasting company in Paris at the moment. I will get the details off him. His coffee is spectacular.

[kellyon]

you should try Yirgachefe

[toon10]

Having had my bean to cup machine for a while, I've not tried any decent stuff. My mate has the same machine and his coffee's are amazing compared to my supermarket rubbish. As I'm a novice, I've gone for a selection pack from smokey barn. I'll let you know my thoughts...

[SHutchinson]

toon10 said:

Having had my bean to cup machine for a while, I've not tried any decent stuff. My mate has the same machine and his coffee's are amazing compared to my supermarket rubbish. As I'm a novice, I've gone for a selection pack from smokey barn. I'll let you know my thoughts...

I bought that the other day. They're all pretty nice but seem to be really lightly roasted, I like a dark roast so plan on buying the beans green and having a go at roasting them myself.

[Connectors]

These have been my current fave for over a year, very smooth, non acidic and the closest I can get to being in Italy. https://www.happydonkey.co.uk/coffee-beans/italian...

[shakotan]

Connectors said:

These have been my current fave for over a year, very smooth, non acidic and the closest I can get to being in Italy. https://www.happydonkey.co.uk/coffee-beans/italian...

In contrast to your chosen website, I use www.grumpymule.co.uk

No, seriously!

[curlyks2]

Get my coffee from Coffee Real. Most of it available as beans or ground for different applications. Good tasting notes.

[PistonBroker]

I had a phenomenal coffee from these guys the other week;

https://www.braziercoffeeroasters.co.uk/

[Connectors]

shakotan said:

In contrast to your chosen website, I use www.grumpymule.co.uk

No, seriously!

Brilliant. Is there a history there?

[giblet]

As a long term Aeropress user (with a Porlex hand grinder) I have tried quite a few of the usual websites already mentioned like Pact, Smokey Barn, Hasbean as well as brick and mortar stores like Whittards, Fortnum & Mason etc.

Just had some Jamaican Blue Mountain, a friend gave me a sample of his recent order and it's quite possibly the best stuff I have had. I first tried it as a shot of espresso in a cafe in Valencia last year and it was amazing. Bit pricey at £14 for 100g but it's worth it!

[SHutchinson]

giblet said:

As a long term Aeropress user (with a Porlex hand grinder) I have tried quite a few of the usual websites already mentioned like Pact, Smokey Barn, Hasbean as well as brick and mortar stores like Whittards, Fortnum & Mason etc.

Just had some Jamaican Blue Mountain, a friend gave me a sample of his recent order and it's quite possibly the best stuff I have had. I first tried it as a shot of espresso in a cafe in Valencia last year and it was amazing. Bit pricey at £14 for 100g but it's worth it!

I've just finished a tub of that, I thought it was a bit bland. My missus was a bit disappointed that I didn't rave about it as she bought me it as a present.

Maybe I've got less refined tastes.

[giblet]

SHutchinson said:

I've just finished a tub of that, I thought it was a bit bland. My missus was a bit disappointed that I didn't rave about it as she bought me it as a present.

Maybe I've got less refined tastes.

Trust me, I don't have refined tastes. What equipment did you use to make it?

[SHutchinson]

giblet said:

SHutchinson said:

I've just finished a tub of that, I thought it was a bit bland. My missus was a bit disappointed that I didn't rave about it as she bought me it as a present.

Maybe I've got less refined tastes.

Trust me, I don't have refined tastes. What equipment did you use to make it?

I've got a De'Longhi bean to cup machine but I ground some and used an aeropress as a test when I wasn't finding it as rich as I was expecting it to be.

[vsonix]

Aldi does some premium range beans in brown paper packaging that are actually surprisingly good for the money, and I say this as someone who has worked in the premium coffee biz.

[giblet]

SHutchinson said:

I've got a De'Longhi bean to cup machine but I ground some and used an aeropress as a test when I wasn't finding it as rich as I was expecting it to be.

Might have been the beans then? I guess it depends on the supplier and roast date.

[Nimby]

I'm growing my own.
We helped ourselves to a handful of green arabica beans on a tour of a coffee plantation in Costa Rica a few years ago. Most of them germinated and we have several rather attractive bushes growing indoors in pots. No actual beans yet but they take 5 or 6 years to mature.

[Nimby]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Ours are indoors! They seem happy enough.
(We know they were Arabica beans because it's illegal to grow Robusta in Costa Rica).

Edited by Nimby on Friday 10th March 14:45

[Blown2CV]

Another for Pact. So easy and constant variety.