Coffee beans

[mxdi]

I am just recently getting into coffee (proper coffee)

So I have my machine, not top notch, but that will come later.
I have my grinder
I have some Tesco's beans which was a good start, but now they have gone.

Now I would like to experiment with the best coffee's
I am assuming its the most expensive stuff in the supermarket... Illey and Lavazza.

Are these the best? If not what is? Is it the brand that matters or the type of beans?

At work we use Tchibo, but that is not to my taste. So would like something not too bitter, yet strong.

[minimax]

sorry mxdi, I opened this thread thinking it was about calling people w@nkers..i'll be going now :doffshatandshufflesaway:

[Ferg]

Yeah. Don't forget to 'Magic' the beans.

[bga]

get yourself down to your nearest delicatessen. they usually have beans in stock and can advise.

[Iria]

Illy with its proper expresso cups. Only seen it ground though. Go to a proper coffee shop and experiment with the different types they'll have there. Java is good coffee to go for too.

[mxdi]

Iria said:

Illy with its proper expresso cups. Only seen it ground though. Go to a proper coffee shop and experiment with the different types they'll have there. Java is good coffee to go for too.

They sell the Illy beans in our local Tesco, its only a small Tesco at that.

[markmullen]

Go to a coffee specialist and ask their advice depending on what your taste is.

I used to use a place at Tower Hill, under the bridge, not sure if it is still there but the guys could advise you on what to buy and even blend the beans to your spec.

[groomi]

Try and find one of those small shops usually found in craft villiages or next to canals who sell 'boatmans' coffee beans. All kinds of diferent flavours such as butterscotch etc.

Not conventional but

[wedge girl]

Whenever you get an opportunity to pop over to France, I would recommend you pop into any of the their excellent coffee shops, where the beans are roasted on the premises, they are much cheaper and a better flavour than those you can buy in the UK.

Failing that, Genuine Jamaican Blue Mountain.

Also, if I do buy beans in the UK I try to buy Fair Trade ones.

[Alicatt]

I like a mixture of vanilla and hazelnut beans for a change. The girlfriend got me hooked on them over in Canada, I get them sent over from Costco near Toronto. Also like the Tim Hortons' ground coffee which reminds me I have to get a new tin of it sent over.

[wedg1e]

I like my coffee like my women: hot, black and sweet

And if it has less than a '5' on the packet, it's girls' coffee. I like to taste what I'm drinking. Besides, these middle-of-the-night online dogfights need sharpness and precision with one's Spitfire. I haven't got either, but maybe if I drink enough coffee....

As usual, sod-all of any use to add to the thread...

[Alicatt]

wedge girl said:

Also, if I do buy beans in the UK I try to buy Fair Trade ones.

The Café Direct beans are quite good, great value for your money.

[wedge girl]

Just remembered, these people do an annual membership for £35 and send you a different coffee each month, might help you decide what you do and don't like.

www.strongandsweet.co.uk/indexcoffee.htm

[gopher]

If you are just starting out then find yourself a local Whitards or Taylors. They have a reasonable selection, usually quite fresh and if you are lucky someone who knows coffe.

Tell them what you like and they can suggest some beans.

my preference if for a medium to strong roast - The whitards breakfast is a not bad blend (50\50 pure columbian and Mocha) and I will buy this, although I'm happy with a pure columbian. For a smooth kick you can't go wrong with a Java and Santos.

just try (Whitards will supply in 125g amounts which is great if you just want to try) and enjoy.

Cheers

Paul

>> Edited by gopher on Saturday 12th February 20:40

[mxdi]

Thank you George, was considering the £50 annual coffee supply from www.thebeanshop.com but that £35 looks just as good

[LongQ]

Lavazza Red is a great coffee to have as a base everyday drink and then try others for comparison.

Be sure to keep anything already ground in the fridge unless you are likely to use it up very quickly.

[jessica]

Whittards are ok for beans to grind.
just go and smell a few,
keep them or indeed your ground coffee in the freezer it stays fresh longer.

Tescos do a good range of finest coffees.
There sumatran and (whaterver) I FORGOT SORRY
is rather good.

I cannot cope without,my proper coffee.

Best bet is to find a local independant coffee shop

[toppstuff]

I work with a couple of Italians, and real coffee snobs.

They say that Illy is the best " posh" coffee and guarantees a really good espresso.

But both have a fondness for Lavazza. Its rougher, and not as cultured apparently , but they think it gives a superior "kick" even though it is not as good as Illy.

Me? I can't tell the difference...

[ErnestM]

Best in the world, Starbucks' Columbian Narino whole bean...



Done in this machine:


built in grinder. Fill water. Fill beans. Press button. Enjoy!

www.cuisinart.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi/en/item.cgi?item_id=DGB-300


ErnestM

PS: Keep your whole beans in the fridge after you open them. They last longer and taste fresher

[bor]

I would suggest using pre-ground Illy to set a baseline. Illy beans are consistently high quality and their grinding proccess is also difficult to beat. In fact, my gut feeling is that if you are not using a semi-commercial burr grinder, it's not worth grinding your own beans (no proof of this though).

Whatever else you try/grind, then you will at least have something of known quality to compare it to.

We have just picked up 6 cans of Illy, but 125g rather than 250g. Ground coffee begins to deteriorate immediately after the seal is broken and the coffee exposed to air, so that if it is not used up within 7 days it tastes noticably worse.

I also switch between Lavazza and Illy for the same reason given by Toppstuff's italians, although I wouldn't have been brave enough to admit it !