A Coffee for Beginners

changepartners

Since buying a Moka pot and making real coffee at home Ive more or only used the standard Illly espresso. Is this a decent coffee?

Also can anyone recommend a very good coffee or one or two I can use for a reference point?

Thanks

Jezek

You should aim to use coffee that has been freshly roasted (and Ideally freshly ground). This is never gonna be from a supermarket .

If you live in Dublin, Karl in Coffee Angel will sell you some excellent coffee ( as well as a grinder if you're interested). Vice (in the Twisted Pepper), Kaph, Joe coffee, 3FE (they roast their own), Roasted Brown, all have freshly roasted coffee.

If you prefer to order online, try coffeemojo.ie, the coffee is excellent.

As far as specific coffees, maybe ask at the shop or if online read the description and go by which one appeals more. If in a shop you can say you are using a moka pot and this might help them reccommend you a coffee. Generally cocoa, caramel, nut and spice notes are nice in the moka pot.

M.J.M.C

I use this in my moka pot and love it, about 5 euro for a bag

James_R

Start by reading this and do try and avoid buying anything that's already ground or beans that have a roasted date older than one month:

http://jlaine.net/2012/01/16/introduction-to-great-coffee/

M.J.M.C

This is also a great tutorial on how to use the moka pot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRdCic2f7PI

simonsays1

If you live in Dublin, Karl in Coffee Angel will sell you some excellent coffee ( as well as a grinder if you're interested).


Hi there, is this a hand grinder you're talking about by any chance?

Lately, I've been doing research on-line but the amount of options is simply daunting.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Sorry to hog your post OP

Gran Hermano

simonsays1 wrote: »

If you live in Dublin, Karl in Coffee Angel will sell you some excellent coffee ( as well as a grinder if you're interested).


Hi there, is this a hand grinder you're talking about by any chance?

Lately, I've been doing research on-line but the amount of options is simply daunting.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Sorry to hog your post OP

Hand grinder? Look at Porlex or Hario, they're the two most commonly recommended brands.

simonsays1

Thanking you!

James_R

Or if you can stretch your budget:

http://www.madebyknock.com/handgrind-grinders.html

Gran Hermano

James_R wrote: »

Or if you can stretch your budget:

http://www.madebyknock.com/handgrind-grinders.html

Cheers, was on mobile and knew their was another new manufacturer that Donnacha had mentioned in the past.

Planet X

James_R wrote: »

Or if you can stretch your budget:

http://www.madebyknock.com/handgrind-grinders.html

That's some sexy beast alright!

M.J.M.C

Yeah if you go into coffee angel, they'll gladly grind the beans there on the spot for you also

James_R

M.J.M.C wrote: »

Yeah if you go into coffee angel, they'll gladly grind the beans there on the spot for you also

And they'll be as good as past their sell by date in how many minutes?;)

M.J.M.C

James_R wrote: »

And they'll be as good as past their sell by date in how many minutes?;)

3/4 ??
3 or 4 minutes is enough time to get home and brew a coffee right?

Seriously though, surely this is worth doing before investing in a grinder so you can taste the difference between this and shop bought ground coffee no? This is my thinking...genuine question

Jezek

M.J.M.C wrote: »

3/4 ??
3 or 4 minutes is enough time to get home and brew a coffee right?

Seriously though, surely this is worth doing before investing in a grinder so you can taste the difference between this and shop bought ground coffee no? This is my thinking...genuine question

There will still be a massive difference! So yes, definitely worth it to convince someone that better coffee is better.

James_R

M.J.M.C wrote: »

3/4 ??
3 or 4 minutes is enough time to get home and brew a coffee right?

Seriously though, surely this is worth doing before investing in a grinder so you can taste the difference between this and shop bought ground coffee no? This is my thinking...genuine question

Oh yeah, get a taste for the good stuff, get hooked, start buying equipment!

changepartners

James_R wrote: »

Oh yeah, get a taste for the good stuff, get hooked, start buying equipment!

A trip to town is on the cards for next week so!

SamAK

I personally find illy a delicious coffee, if a little expensive!

I've shopped around, bought loads of different blends from different world regions and have noticed that they all have different characteristics. Like those Lavazza Italian espresso blends, they can be very dark and a bit too 'heavy' for me....

Basically, i've found that the definition of 'fine coffee' can be subjective. Like wine connoisseurs really..it's all a matter of personal experience.

I've developed a love for Ethiopian Sidamo, and a lot of South American coffee really float my boat. I had a Colombian 'Musicas' recently that was stunning. Not too light, not too dark....with elements of chocolate and as smooth as velvet. Lip-smacking good.

Stuff that you'll get in Tesco can be ok, like the standard Bewleys range. Good all rounder but nothing amazing. It's mass produced and can be a good few weeks old by the time it gets into your mocha pot.

I've recently started ordering from Davenport coffee in Galway. They're a 'small batch' coffee roaster and I found their Double roasted Ethiopian Barnyard Boogie to be bloody gorgeous. http://davenportcoffee.com/products/

Of course, buying in bean form is essential really. I've only recently got myself a grinder and have definitely noticed the difference. Fresher, fuller flavour. Takes a bit longer in the morning but in my view worth the wait!

changepartners

How long do fresh beans keep?

Krusty_Clown

changepartners wrote: »

How long do fresh beans keep?

Jezek

SamAK wrote: »

I personally find illy a delicious coffee, if a little expensive!

I've shopped around, bought loads of different blends from different world regions and have noticed that they all have different characteristics. Like those Lavazza Italian espresso blends, they can be very dark and a bit too 'heavy' for me....

Basically, i've found that the definition of 'fine coffee' can be subjective. Like wine connoisseurs really..it's all a matter of personal experience.

I've developed a love for Ethiopian Sidamo, and a lot of South American coffee really float my boat. I had a Colombian 'Musicas' recently that was stunning. Not too light, not too dark....with elements of chocolate and as smooth as velvet. Lip-smacking good.

Stuff that you'll get in Tesco can be ok, like the standard Bewleys range. Good all rounder but nothing amazing. It's mass produced and can be a good few weeks old by the time it gets into your mocha pot.

I've recently started ordering from Davenport coffee in Galway. They're a 'small batch' coffee roaster and I found their Double roasted Ethiopian Barnyard Boogie to be bloody gorgeous. http://davenportcoffee.com/products/

Of course, buying in bean form is essential really. I've only recently got myself a grinder and have definitely noticed the difference. Fresher, fuller flavour. Takes a bit longer in the morning but in my view worth the wait!

Double Roasting! A very interesting concept. How do you find it affects the brew? Would it not make it more difficult to extract evenly?