Coffee Beans - your recommendations.
Discussion
Well I will have a bean to cup machine on its way to me for Friday and need to get some beans to try out. Any recommendations? The machine can do most types of coffee from what I can tell so will be a mix of espresso americano and cappaccino.
I'll guess there are some WWW options for sourcing cheaper than the high street?
Over to you guys.
I'll guess there are some WWW options for sourcing cheaper than the high street?
Over to you guys.
I've never had a bad cup, or a bad delivery from hasbean.co.uk. I've recommended them to multiple friends, purchased from the same estate as Monmouth at 3 times the price. Flatmate says order and freeze: I hate frozen coffee so decide for yourself.
They will give you beans in a good sealed packet, like I say as good as Monmouth- see their site! It's where I get my coffee
I've ordered from them for a while but have no connection, watch their videos if you want more!
Warning, might become obsessed with this site...
They will give you beans in a good sealed packet, like I say as good as Monmouth- see their site! It's where I get my coffee
I've ordered from them for a while but have no connection, watch their videos if you want more!
Warning, might become obsessed with this site...
Edited by AT on Thursday 14th July 03:00
Edited by AT on Thursday 14th July 03:02
As ^^^ he says, it does become obsessive.
My favourite is to go to Whittards and buy them unground. I buy a 50:50 split java and mocha beans. The java on its own is just rocket juice, but the mocha makes it more rounded and calms it down a bit. It's still strong coffee, but that's what I like.
I got a £20 electric grinder for my birthday 17 years ago and it still works perfectly.
My favourite is to go to Whittards and buy them unground. I buy a 50:50 split java and mocha beans. The java on its own is just rocket juice, but the mocha makes it more rounded and calms it down a bit. It's still strong coffee, but that's what I like.
I got a £20 electric grinder for my birthday 17 years ago and it still works perfectly.
I buy the fairtrade from James Aimer, £55 for 6 kgs, excellent service and make a nice well balanced espresso...
http://www.jamesaimer.co.uk/Shop.asp
Ben
http://www.jamesaimer.co.uk/Shop.asp
Ben
http://www.discountcoffeeroasters.co.uk/coffee-bea...
Can highly recommend Italian Passion & Sumatra Mandheling from their range.
Can highly recommend Italian Passion & Sumatra Mandheling from their range.
I can't taste any difference between fridge and freezer, although afficianados will always say freezer.
The beans grind better when in the fridge though; they're too gritty from the freezer.
Regardless of where, airtight container is mandatory - mainly coz everything else tastes of coffee.
The beans grind better when in the fridge though; they're too gritty from the freezer.
Regardless of where, airtight container is mandatory - mainly coz everything else tastes of coffee.
LooneyTunes said:
Another vote for HasBean - especially the Malawi Geisha microlots - but be warned, cheap HasBean are not - last bag came in at ~£7.50 delivered.
Their subscriptions are worthwhile if you want to try different varieties.
I get by beans from hasbean too. Their subscriptions are worthwhile if you want to try different varieties.
I've worked out that I use 11p worth of coffee for each espresso(yes I know its sad) Don't think that's expensive. Microlot coffee will always be a more expensive option.Everyone else is recommending Hasbean, but try this for an alternative: Square Mile Coffee Roasters.
Square Mile is run by James Hoffman, who was World Barista Champion a couple of years ago and generally regarded as one of the industry’s finest. They offer a fantastic ‘subscription’ service, whereby you sign up for a number of months and they send you a different batch of really interesting beans for the duration. Brilliant idea.
Square Mile is run by James Hoffman, who was World Barista Champion a couple of years ago and generally regarded as one of the industry’s finest. They offer a fantastic ‘subscription’ service, whereby you sign up for a number of months and they send you a different batch of really interesting beans for the duration. Brilliant idea.
alfa pint said:
I can't taste any difference between fridge and freezer, although afficianados will always say freezer.
The beans grind better when in the fridge though; they're too gritty from the freezer.
Regardless of where, airtight container is mandatory - mainly coz everything else tastes of coffee.
I find that only buying enough for near term consumption it is the best option! A bag only lasts me about a week so no noticeable degradation in that time (especially if you're buying from somewhere that roasts to order) if it is kept airtight.The beans grind better when in the fridge though; they're too gritty from the freezer.
Regardless of where, airtight container is mandatory - mainly coz everything else tastes of coffee.
What makes a huge difference to the whole experience is having a decent grinder - proper burr efforts are well worth the investment - and only putting enough in the hopper for each grind.
Came across a market stall for this lot in Windsor this morning: http://www.jaccscoffee.co.uk/
Lots of different fun flavours, as well as the serious stuff.
Lots of different fun flavours, as well as the serious stuff.
another for from me for http://www.hasbean.co.uk/
Had the starter pack twice and its great, i like a bit of variety.
Had the starter pack twice and its great, i like a bit of variety.
www.bellabarista.com
Buy Izzo Verdi. 1kg bag around £12?
My ex employers.
Great coffee 50/50 arabica robusta.
Very very good.
Needs nine bar group head pressure for a great shot.
Buy Izzo Verdi. 1kg bag around £12?
My ex employers.
Great coffee 50/50 arabica robusta.
Very very good.
Needs nine bar group head pressure for a great shot.
Importantly- never ever store coffee beans in the fridge or freezer unless you are going to climb in there with your grinder, espresso machine and cup and drink it inside there. Water is coffee's biggest enemy! When taking coffee in and out of F or F condensation (water) builds up on it and immediately it starts to deteriorate rapidly. Try to only grind as you need it and either in bean or ground form store only at room temp in an airtight container not in any direct light.
HTH
HTH
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