Coffee Beans - What's your favourite?

user_name_d

Hey - I'm a lucky new owner of a Delonghi Icona espresso machine but a long time coffee drinker

Have always had an interest in coffee but after getting the new machine I want to learn more and get to know as much as I can.
After reading some great stuff here I don't see anything on what beans/ground coffee people buy. (Have I missed it ?) I have always pretty much bought lavazza coffee and I love the smokey taste of it. This is the only coffee you seem to be able to get in supermarkets too - so need to move further than there!!

But what do others buy and/or recommend? What flavours or type of grind do people go for?

Would love to experiment - so open to suggestions!

Gran Hermano

http://www.hasbean.co.uk/products/The-New-Espresso-Starter-Pack.html

The above is as good a place as any to start.

PPC

I fully agree with Gran Hermano, that pack should be a good start to figuring out what else you might like.

If you don't already have one, consider buying a grinder and grinding your own beans, it'll make the coffee much much nicer.

user_name_d

Cheers for the reply - that looks like an interesting pack alright. Probably the best way to get an intro to variety.

Was looking in to getting a grinder to grind them myself also. Is it true the finer the grind the better it is for espresso?

PPC

To a certain extent, go too fine and your machine won't be able to push water through.

Have a read of http://theotherblackstuff.ie/machines/baratza-grinders/
They might be what your looking for.

user_name_d

cheers for that. I was thinking about just going for one of the smaller grinders- think I saw them in Brown Thomas for about 40 quid.

something along these lines:
http://www.amazon.com/Krups-203-42-Touch-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B00004SPEU

But after reading the article you sent on - it looks like this will only be good for brewed coffee..

Maybe I should start saving!

PPC

Its not even good enough for brewed coffee.

If your looking to spend money in that range, consider getting a http://www.coffeeangel.com/en/products-page/hario/hario-skerton-hand-grinder/
I had the smaller model when i started out. Takes about 2 minutes to grind 14g of coffee. It'll make you appreciate a powered grinder when you get one

user_name_d

Was pretty sure they were dodgy bit of kit really..

Have ordered the starter kit from has bean as ground coffee for Espresso and think once pay day arrives in Jan I will look at a grinder...

Cheers for the help.

nesbitt

Tried a few and so far Java Republic Mocha Cento (already ground for plunger/french press) is deadly.... Give roast date as well as sell by date on bag. My local Dunnes stock these. Easy, and very good result.:)

This is nicer than the whole beans which were lovely till I ground them in the Krupps grinder I bought at the weekend.... Really wish I had not forked out for that now and just waited till I could afford half decent burr grinder. Kinda bitter result I'm afraid even at max course setting.:o

user_name_d

Cheers nesbitt- will look out for it next time I'm in dunnes.

I got my espresso starter pack from hasbean today and firstly must say how impressed I am by price for quantity- just over 25 euro for over a KG of coffee- well worth it and it's freshly roasted and ground- so very good! So would recommend checking that out..

Wondering as I am not going to be getting to most of the coffee in the next few weeks - is it ok to store in dry cupboard as they are sealed or should I find room in my fridge/freezer(its fairly packed as I'm in a house-share). Any recommendations?

Have tried the jailbreak and pretty impressed- not too different from lavazza.. So nice easy start for me.
http://www.hasbean.co.uk/products/Jailbreak-Espresso-Blend.html

Looking forward to trying the others...

jezzag

If you've got an espresso machine you need a burr grinder to get consistency in the grind. This is pretty well regarded: http://www.happydonkey.co.uk/hd0866-iberital-mc2-auto.html

I have one and have only one complaint - it takes a while to "dial it in" which means you cannot easily adjust it, say, if you wanted to grind some beans for a stovetop or cafetiere. But that's its strength, its highly adjustable so you can get the grind "just right" every time.

In terms of beans, I can't fault Cork Coffee Roasters (http://www.corkcoffee.com/) for the quality of their beans. Recommend particularly their Guatamalan.

However, their mail order service can be a bit ropey, don't wait until you're almost out before you place an order, it can take a good week or so to arrive - but its worth it.