Recession Bustin

dbar

I have been drinking coffee for a while now, got an expresso machine a while back but havnt really tried anything different other than 'french roast' or 'italian roast' from the coffee shop.
With the downturn I want to do a couple of things:
Order some 'starter or newbie' coffee with good value for money, can anyone recommend a coffee, kinda middle of the road strength wise? and a cheap place to buy.
I assume beans are the way to go?
Cheers!

enda1

Do you have a grinder? Cause without one of course beans would not be the way to go

dbar

Yes indeedy, I have a grinder!

Gran Hermano

dbar, which part of the country are you based in?
There's a list of suppliers on the stickies at the top of suppliers, both online and physical shops. I tend to do most of my coffee buying online
and order mainly from these two:
http://www.hasbean.co.uk/
http://www.ristrettocoffee.com/

Hasbean for example has a serious amount to choose from, look at the cupping notes and you'll see if a particular bean is recommended for
espresso or press. They also have a couple of espresso blends.

IsThatSo?

I can vouch for Hasbean, great service and good prices. Postage has gone up recently though. Their premium espresso blend is fab.

I had the same "save money" idea as I used to buy myself a coffee every day. However (and be prepared for this yourself) I got so into the "great home coffee" that I now spend more on beans as I drink 5 a day instead of just the one I used to :pac:

dbar

OK,
Two pkts ordered from has bean, premium expresso and has been expresso, I'll let you know how I get on.
Next,
The expresso machine is groaning, can barely force the water through a half load, can anyone recommend a good (cheap) machine?

Gran Hermano

If the machine is groaning try a slightly coarser grind. Gaggia Uk have reconditioned machines on their site at good prices.

Khannie

IsThatSo? wrote: »

I had the same "save money" idea as I used to buy myself a coffee every day. However (and be prepared for this yourself) I got so into the "great home coffee" that I now spend more on beans as I drink 5 a day instead of just the one I used to :pac:

Coffee is now a fairly hefty weekly expense in our house. It costs more than my broadband.

Gran Hermano

Khannie wrote: »

Coffee is now a fairly hefty weekly expense in our house. It costs more than my broadband.

+1

good thing coffee is a 'need' and not a luxury or 'want'

IsThatSo?

Khannie wrote: »

Coffee is now a fairly hefty weekly expense in our house. It costs more than my broadband.

me too :pac:

Well trained father is sending me up 9 or 10 250g bags next week as he is going on holidays for a fortnight. It should see me through till he gets back. If not expect me to be on here a lot more along with significant spelling errors

dbar

Update - Coffee arrived from hasbean a few days ago - there is no life before good coffee....and thats all I have to say on the matter.