Life is too short for bad coffee - The Off Topic thread

pajor · 28-06-2016 9:54am

You walk into a normal supermarket to buy coffee, for a normal filter machine. What do you buy? Lavazza? Segafredo? Douwe Egberts?

My gf and myself wouldn't be big coffee drinkers at home, despite the fact she is Dutch. All we have atm is a bag of Aldi Red roast. I thought it was weird first how the Dutch drink coffee (times and stuff) but I've slowly come to like it.

Also.. a website I really like.
http://en.ilovecoffee.jp/

J_E · 28-06-2016 11:01am

pajor wrote: »

You walk into a normal supermarket to buy coffee, for a normal filter machine. What do you buy? Lavazza? Segafredo? Douwe Egberts?

My gf and myself wouldn't be big coffee drinkers at home, despite the fact she is Dutch. All we have atm is a bag of Aldi Red roast. I thought it was weird first how the Dutch drink coffee (times and stuff) but I've slowly come to like it.

Also.. a website I really like.
http://en.ilovecoffee.jp/

Are you talking beans or preground? I'm not big into getting supermarket coffee (although some brands like M&S and Tesco do have roast dates if you look under barcode), but if you're around a city or somewhere with a good cafe, getting them to grind a batch for you fresh will make a world of difference in taste as well as supporting a local business.

flangemeistro · 28-06-2016 11:37am

pajor wrote: »

I thought it was weird first how the Dutch drink coffee (times and stuff) but I've slowly come to like it.

Sorry I haven't heard of the "weird" coffee drinking rituals of the Dutch, could you enlighten me please.

I'm fairly normal I think, every weekday I have a double shot cappuccino at 8am, 3:30pm and again at 11pm.

pajor · 28-06-2016 12:11pm

flangemeistro wrote: »

Sorry I haven't heard of the "weird" coffee drinking rituals of the Dutch, could you enlighten me please.

I'm fairly normal I think, every weekday I have a double shot cappuccino at 8am, 3:30pm and again at 11pm.

Well never mind that then. :pac: 10am and 8pm is 'koffie tijd' - coffee time. I could never drink coffee at 8pm before. Would leave me wired all evening. But that must just be me then.

One other thing is putting very warm milk in coffee. We go to my gf's grandparents on Sunday mornings for coffee. They put a pan of milk on the cooker and just leave it there all morning. When all the milk is used up, my gf's aunt likes to actually eat the milk skin stuck to the pan. Makes my stomach turn thinking about it.

I do mean preground. I just don't have the money to be spending on expensive coffee atm unfortunately. Have had a pack of Colombian own blend from this place before and it was amazing. Though I did send a pack of it and a Costan Rican blend to my mum for her birthday recently.

J_E · 28-06-2016 9:11pm

There are too many third-wave cafes in Dublin with a boring white/birch/scandinavian aesthetic! I wish places would be a bit more bold with their style choices, even if the coffee is great. It's just a tired look at this stage, Irish cafes should try create their own aesthetic. The same goes for the food choices, the open counter food presentation just seems strange and unhygenic, stuff surely gets stale faster.

Bawnmore · 05-07-2016 3:54pm

Shot in the dark - looking to upgrade grinder to pair with a Gaggia Classic. Would prefer to keep under 200 (a good bit under if possible) and definitely open to 2nd hand. Would I be best to keep an eye on Adverts/Donedeal or is there anything worth considering new that'd be on the lower scale? Or alternatively, am I crazy to think it's possible?

adrian522 · 05-07-2016 3:57pm

Keep an eye on adverts etc for sure. What are you using currently?

Bawnmore · 05-07-2016 4:04pm

adrian522 wrote: »

Keep an eye on adverts etc for sure. What are you using currently?

For my sins, a Delonghi KG79 that I've modified to grind fine enough for espresso. It's been my faithful temp grinder for quite a while now and it's got me to here, but I'm losing interest fast at not being able to improve shots past where I am now.

adrian522 · 05-07-2016 4:14pm

Probably better value to be had second hand, but a good one will still be hard to find as you will want to see it in action before purchasing.

I wouldn't fancy any of the new grinders in that price range when trying to make espresso unless you want a hand grinder. Coffeeangel used to do the baratza grinders, but now all they seem to have is the entry level "Encore" which is not suitable and the Sage pro which is over budget and I've no experience of it so cant really comment.

The Baratza precisio or virtuoso usually get good reviews, as does the rancillio rocky, if you can find any for that price.

Bawnmore · 05-07-2016 4:22pm

adrian522 wrote: »

Probably better value to be had second hand, but a good one will still be hard to find as you will want to see it in action before purchasing.

I wouldn't fancy any of the new grinders in that price range when trying to make espresso unless you want a hand grinder. Coffeeangel used to do the baratza grinders, but now all they seem to have is the entry level "Encore" which is not suitable and the Sage pro which is over budget and I've no experience of it so cant really comment.

The Baratza precisio or virtuoso usually get good reviews, as does the rancillio rocky, if you can find any for that price.

Cheers Adrian - will keep an eye out so.

donnacha · 05-07-2016 9:09pm

Bawnmore wrote: »

Shot in the dark - looking to upgrade grinder to pair with a Gaggia Classic. Would prefer to keep under 200 (a good bit under if possible) and definitely open to 2nd hand. Would I be best to keep an eye on Adverts/Donedeal or is there anything worth considering new that'd be on the lower scale? Or alternatively, am I crazy to think it's possible?

I know this isn't within your budget but after buying so many grinders myself over the years I still swear that this is one of the best. It is so versatile, simple to dial in and so easy to both clean and replace parts(by ordering from Baratza in the US). With the exchange rate the way it is right now it's worth the investment:
https://www.bellabarista.co.uk/mahlkonig-vario-coffee-grinder.html

I have bought from bellabarista myself previously and rate them highly in terms of the customer service [snipped]

I have previously sold machines and grinders on adverts so if that is all your budget can reach then do keep an eye out but you'd probably be lucky to pick up a second hand Vario for €350.

adrian522 · 05-07-2016 9:23pm

Agree on the vario, bought one in 2010 and it is still going strong and I've no need to upgrade it, though I may need to replace the burrs soon.

Paid 375 for this then and I reckon I'd get a good chunk of that back in the morning if I wanted to sell it. I bought it from coffee angel who I'd recommned dealing with it if they are any way compeititive on price as I'd an issue with mine and was able to drop it back and Karl had the Malkahonig rep take a look at it for me, gave me a bag of beans for the trouble.

J_E · 05-07-2016 9:38pm

On the look for a grinder upgrade too - my poor arms could use a break from the Mini Mill, and the steps are just too far apart for a perfect grind. I'd still use it for filter grind though. Kicking myself I didn't jump for the Silvia/Rocky combo on Adverts before.

mossym · 06-07-2016 7:48am

for a decent value solution, i bought one of these last year and i'm happy with it, never owned the units mentioned above so can't comment how it compares

https://www.amazon.de/Graef-CM800-Kaffeem%C3%BChle-CM-800/dp/B00CS2DAEG/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1467791175&sr=1-1

Bawnmore · 06-07-2016 11:08am

mossym wrote: »

for a decent value solution, i bought one of these last year and i'm happy with it, never owned the units mentioned above so can't comment how it compares

https://www.amazon.de/Graef-CM800-Kaffeem%C3%BChle-CM-800/dp/B00CS2DAEG/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1467791175&sr=1-1

I've been looking at this also as an option based on a thread I saw here (could definitely have been yours).

Would love a Vario, but I think it's probably a bit down the line - can totally see why it would be worth investing in, but we've a new baba in the house which means investments are being kept to a minimum

mossym · 06-07-2016 11:23am

not mine i'd say, don't think i ever posted about it, think it's Muahahaha who has been talking it up

Bawnmore · 06-07-2016 11:44am

mossym wrote: »

not mine i'd say, don't think i ever posted about it, think it's Muahahaha who has been talking it up

Cheers - did you buy from Amazon? I'm trying to find out what shipping would be to Ireland - have contacted the seller, so may just need to be patient!

mossym · 06-07-2016 11:47am

yup, Amazon DE. total cost 144 euros to ireland

J_E · 07-07-2016 11:59am

Looks like today is sour shots day

can I blame the humidity?

08-07-2016 8:11am

Really liked the ponaire Nicaraguan. Just opened the Ethiopian and not too impressed.

I've 500gr to get through

flangemeistro · 08-07-2016 9:43am

Merrick Gorgeous Gynecologist wrote: »

Really liked the ponaire Nicaraguan. Just opened the Ethiopian and not too impressed.

I've 500gr to get through

I got the European espresso and I think it was Nicaraguan and I couldn't even finish them.
I found them completely underwhelming and bland.
I ran straight back to badger & Dodo and 3FE.

08-07-2016 10:08am

flangemeistro wrote: »

I got the European espresso and I think it was Nicaraguan and I couldn't even finish them.
I found them completely underwhelming and bland.
I ran straight back to badger & Dodo and 3FE.

Went into 3fe last year for a coffee and didn't like it. Will try b&d

caviardreams · 08-07-2016 10:11am

flangemeistro wrote: »

I got the European espresso and I think it was Nicaraguan and I couldn't even finish them.
I found them completely underwhelming and bland.
I ran straight back to badger & Dodo and 3FE.

I do like the European espresso - but these things are probably subjective (or I have no taste

)

Might try a few from badger & dodo - anyone recommend anything? Am definitely going for the jam jar espresso. Dellivery seems very reasonable at €3.50

J_E · 08-07-2016 12:17pm

Merrick Gorgeous Gynecologist wrote: »

Really liked the ponaire Nicaraguan. Just opened the Ethiopian and not too impressed.

I've 500gr to get through

Seconded on the Nicaraguan and their Bobolink, getting this really nice praline flavour out of it.

I have the Ethiopian but as they suggest, it only works well as a filter coffee. Couldn't get anything out of it as espresso but it had pleasant flavours through an Aeropress.

Got European as well, it was my first time getting 250g bags from them and I was a little disappointed that it didn't have the roast date, only the month. I get the feeling Nicaraguan was the freshest of them from the crunch of the beans. I'd say I'll buy a kilo of either the Nicaraguan or Bobolink, enjoying both of those.

adrian522 · 08-07-2016 1:07pm

Just ordered from bailies, delivery is £4.50 for Ireland but free for UK. Seems to be a bit of disincentive for people in the Republic. Went with Parcel Motel, but I'd prefer if they could offer a better rate for us, even if it was just surface mail

caviardreams · 08-07-2016 3:19pm

Bailies used to do 2 bags with free delivery to Ireland I think - is that gone?

Might go with them again now that sterling has fallen though.

adrian522 · 08-07-2016 3:21pm

Seems to be gone yes.

Krusty_Clown · 09-07-2016 9:13am

adrian522 wrote: »

Seems to be gone yes.

It's still free shipping on their starter packs (or at least it is on their single origin starter pack). The site mentions 'Free UK delivery', but once you get to the shipping method page, standard delivery is free.

Speciality Starter Pack - Free UK Delivery
Whole Roasted Beans
1 £13.99 GBP
Cost summary
Description Price
Subtotal £13.99 GBP
Shipping Free
Total GBP £13.99 GBP

caviardreams · 09-07-2016 5:13pm

Just ordered 2 x 250g bags from Bailies and didn't get charged for shipping to Ireland - happy days!

09-07-2016 5:17pm

caviardreams wrote: »

Just ordered 2 x 250g bags from Bailies and didn't get charged for shipping to Ireland - happy days!

What did you order.?

Life is too short for bad coffee - The Off Topic thread

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