Freshly roasted coffee beans online

Black Sheep · 05-09-2021 11:23am

I placed a large order with Maher's during the week, just to try them out. I was tempted to try their Jamaican Blue Mountain, more as a one-off than anything else, but everything I've read suggests to me that it is the relative lack of supply that create the higher price, more than anything else.

I've observed that it also seems to be a "go to" recommendation of many Americans who consider themselves into coffee. It kind of reminded me of working in a bar in NY, where I'd meet American whisky fans who were adamant that there was no better whisky than Johnny Walker Blue Label, and it was pretty much all they would consider drinking, all evidence to the contrary that there were other good options out there.

Black Sheep · 07-09-2021 2:47pm

Well, the Mahers order arrived.

I was disappointed to see the roast dates for the four bags I ordered ranged between 3/8 and 16/8. I emailed them and told them so, and said it would put me off in future as other Irish roasters had shipped coffee roasted within a week of the order at most.

In fairness, they came back immediately and said they would ship something else, I’ll be curious to see what will arrive. If it’s a replacement of the order I’m not sure what I would do with all that coffee to be honest.

Anyone think I was wrong to raise it with them? To me my expectations are for a much more recent roast date. A bag I got in Lidl today had a roast date of 13/8 which was more than a week fresher than some of what Mahers shipped.

cnocbui · 07-09-2021 5:42pm

Can I suggest that when the freshly roasted stuff arrives, take out 20g or so of beans and seal them in something airtight, and put the rest in the freezer. In a months time, take the beans out of the freezer and get someone else to make two cups of coffee, one with the frozen beans and one from the 20g stored at room temperature, not telling you which is which. If you can taste a difference that turns out to be in favour of the frozen beans, you will know whether you should be fussed or not.

caviardreams · 07-09-2021 7:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117858646#Comment_117858646

I think you are certainly entitled to feed back, and I wouldn't be happy either when I know there are roasters that can get it to you in a couple of days. If they are going to say "we are passionate about the quality and freshness of our beans." on their website then they need to be willing to back that up imo or be more transparent that roast dates will be in the 1-4 week range or whatever.

mad m · 07-09-2021 9:29pm

Was the roast dates on the Jamaican Blue Mountain blend over a month?

Black Sheep · 08-09-2021 8:58am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117860628#Comment_117860628

I didn't order the Jamaican Blue Mountain in the end, I just wasn't convinced it was worth it.

I will probably do it eventually, or try a cup somewhere if I saw it.

ballyharpat · 08-09-2021 5:47pm

I was buying from Mahers for a few months, then they got last with the roast dates and I didn't want the stale stuff they sent me, they sent out fresh stuff and I gave away the other stuff, they did it again, I just asked them for a refund and haven't gone back since-it's a pity, the prices were ok and the service was good, but I want as fresh beans as possible, whether it's in my head or not, it doesn't matter, I'm buying them, and I have the expectation of fresh-the same thing happened with Killarney roasters. I stopped buying from them as well.

Black Sheep · 09-09-2021 2:05pm

The replacement coffee Maher's shipped me arrived yesterday morning, seems to have been expedited. It's the same range of coffees I chose, except the roast dates on these bags are all within the last week or so.

This is what I would have hoped for first time around, so certainly can't fault them here. I'm now with something of a surplus of coffee in the house.

Would I order again from them? Their pricing is good, and the customer service was good in this instance, but perhaps it's necessary to stipulate you're looking for recently roasted beans if ordering, to avoid any dissapointment.

Mr. CooL ICE · 09-09-2021 2:16pm

For over a year, I've had a subscription with Ariosa. At €30 per kilo, it's not the cheapest, but I like it so have just stuck with it. Wouldn't mind seeing what's out there.

The nicest coffee beans I've ever bought have been from Dunne and Crescenzi but a quick look at their website suggests they don't sell online. Can't remember the origin/blend. Anybody have this before and can recommend somewhere similar for online order?

mad m · 09-09-2021 4:16pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117867988#Comment_117867988

What beans did you get there Black Sheep? I’d take a bag of the aul stale stuff if you are giving it away😁

Black Sheep · 09-09-2021 4:31pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117868812#Comment_117868812

Ah, that's what I've been doing... Firing out coffee to friends and acquaintances all day :)

blondeonblonde · 18-09-2021 9:44pm

Anyone else seen increases in their coffee prices? My go to coffee at Dreambeans has gone from 32.80 for 5 x 250g bags to over €39. I had seen that there were issues with bean production on Brazil but hadn't expected it to hit prices so soon!

caviardreams · 19-09-2021 8:12am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117909440#Comment_117909440

I'm mainly buying from WCC these days and their prices are the same as ever, but I feel it is coming across the board very soon as you say. With a 20% hike you would really feel it.

Might have to drink 20% less coffee now (never!)

mad m · 19-09-2021 10:37am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117909440#Comment_117909440

Did you get the email from them about this, they offered me a voucher code to keep it at normal prices

blondeonblonde · 19-09-2021 10:52am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117910363#Comment_117910363

No I didn't get any code. Might drop them an email to see. It's a fairly sizeable price increase!

mad m · 19-09-2021 11:13am

Sorry I just re-read email. It was a code for 15% off. It expired on the 15th September.

cnocbui · 19-09-2021 11:14am

My continental suppliers doesn't seem to have increased their prices.

'Äthiopien Bio Limu Grade II Arabica Einzelsorte, Bio Kaffee Äthiopien inkl. 7 % MwSt. zzgl. Versandkosten ... einzigartige Charakteristik Nuancen: Orange, Limette, Zuckerrohr - 6,20 €/ 250g '

'Indien Pearl Mountain 27,39 €'

DaveyDave · 19-09-2021 10:30pm

On the topic of roast dates I noticed Bell Lane are roasted over a week before arriving. I guess it's because they ship based on order date whereas Badger & Dodo ship subscriptions on a fixed date? Probably not much difference but I would have thought subscription beans would be fresher than week old beans I could grab off the shelf.

dubstepper · 20-09-2021 2:50pm

Can absolutely recommend the Ponaire Colombian Coffee Single Origin. Nicest coffee I have had in a while.

blondeonblonde · 20-09-2021 4:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117915597#Comment_117915597

Haven't tried Ponaire yet, what set up are you using?

dubstepper · 20-09-2021 5:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117916189#Comment_117916189

I prefer strong milk coffees or plain espresso. It is a rich full taste which is particularly good if you like a strong flat white. I have a sage machine at home which is great.

caviardreams · 23-09-2021 7:21pm

Got a sub from bear market - 1kg comes in 2 x 500g bags which is nice. One bag was one week from roasting, the 2nd bag was 2 weeks from roasting which was a bit disappointing.

Contacted them and they said the roaster says they are best 10-15 days after so that's why they send them with the time lag. Fair enough I guess and explains different dates on the bags too I suppose (e.g. you will not go onto the second one till a week later). Would prefer if they flagged it on their site that it's their practice though as I often buy a week before I might need to use them as I never want to completely run out (imagine!!)

blondeonblonde · 29-09-2021 8:28pm

What's the deal with certain coffees and dialling in?! I just bought a kg of SAM from Cloud picker and it seems to be so unpredictable compared to the Dream beans blend I had been using.

Literally the same exact brew process, same dose, same tamp (using distribution tool) etc but one coffee comes out perfectly and the next one sputters and sprays all over the shop or just trickles out! I had thought that I had my process down to a tee but apparently not!

I'm using a Rancilio Silvia without PID so I can't be exactly sure of temperature but have been using the same temperature surfing method and it's been mostly excellent coffee with the other beans, much more hit and miss with SAM.

What ye reckon, is it down to roast? Type of beans? I would've thought that once you got the grind level right with correct timing then it should be more consistent...

30-09-2021 6:04am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117956038#Comment_117956038

Are you weighing your dose? I've found that makes things perfect. I weigh out 20g to put in my grinder each time.

breeno · 30-09-2021 9:50am

Many users on the site have had issues with SAM over the years. It's a very unpredictable bean for some reason. Some of the other Cloud Picker stuff is lovely but I've seen so many issues with SAM between myself, other users here and a friend of mine as well. It's very strange. Would never buy it again.

FileNotFound · 30-09-2021 6:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117956038#Comment_117956038

Had the exact same, I buy from the roastery as its only down the road and raised this issue with them.

I was told that due to the higher acidity in SAM it can be difficult to dial in unless you have barista level equipment (Guess margins for error are lower in acidic mixes). Now that was just a passing comment from one of their team.

On all cloudpicker roasts (love formation in milky drinks) I tend to have to go 19.5 in an 18g basket to get the 2:1 in 25-30 and get all the flavour I'd expect.

Try formation if you like a cappucino next time - easy dial in and some lovely choc, caramel flavour from it.

blondeonblonde · 30-09-2021 6:35pm

Thanks for that, yeah I usually weigh out 18g in my basket and it seems to be very random as to how it turns out. I find that an 18g dose has much less volume when ground in the basket than other coffees too.

Just been looking at Art of Coffee for a change, any consensus as to which blend is good to go with? Looking at Lounge, Smooth and Fusion. I do remember a lot of love for AOC on here over the past while!

skerry · 30-09-2021 6:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117960249#Comment_117960249

I get the Fusion blend, been my go to for last 6 months. Tried Papua New Guinea blend too last month and liked it

30-09-2021 6:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117960249#Comment_117960249

Yep fusion is my regular too. I buy 2kg at a time for free shipping

FileNotFound · 30-09-2021 6:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117666140#Comment_117666140

Just wondering if you have any recommendations from the site, thinking of getting some for work, low cost but fresh would be nice as a good few people will mill through it.

Most likely French press.

Thanks

01-10-2021 8:05am

Art of coffee has 20% off all weekend to celebrate international coffee day!

cnocbui · 01-10-2021 11:26am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117960287#Comment_117960287

Well my top contender - and the reason I went with them in the first place - would be their Indian - Pearl Mountain. But in the last order, the Aethiopien and Mexicano were also very nice. Basically, I haven't had a dud from them, so you probably can't go wrong.

A caveat would be that I only do espresso so don't know if using a french press would yield comparable results.

mad m · 01-10-2021 4:30pm

I ordered 1kg of Fusion, plus trying a new 250g bag. Within a couple of hours it’s already shipped!

caviardreams · 01-10-2021 6:33pm

10% off Soma today for Intl coffee day too:

INTERNATIONAL-COFFEE-DAY-2021

Squidgy Black · 05-10-2021 1:11pm

Ordered from Cloud Picker last week, arrived today, but the roast dates were the two weeks ago which is a bit disappointing.

Just wondering is it just me being a nitpicky shíte or what would people generally accept as an ‘acceptable’ window between roast date and getting your hands on it from a roaster?

newport2 · 05-10-2021 1:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117979078#Comment_117979078

Not sure what the right answer is, but I usually order from Ariosa Coffee (Sumatra is my favourite of theirs) and I receive it two days after roasting

05-10-2021 1:24pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117979078#Comment_117979078

2 weeks is fine because generally it's better to leave sit for a week after roasting

Squidgy Black · 05-10-2021 3:42pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117979136#Comment_117979136

Horses for courses I guess but usually I’d crack open a bag anywhere after two days post roast especially for filter and never found a massive difference with a longer rest.

But on the other hand when I order more than one bag it makes it a pain in the arse when the roast date is a while ago when it gets delivered because it could be up to a month post roast before I open the bag.

Not a massive issue and would expect it when buying from a cafe, but usually would think roasters would be fresher.

Hodors Appletart · 06-10-2021 8:51am

did you contact them to ask

06-10-2021 10:04am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117979962#Comment_117979962

Does fresh coffee really matter for filter? Would you even taste the difference between 1 week and 8 weeks?

colly10 · 06-10-2021 11:44am

Could anyone recommend a coffee that’s strong in latte? The latte I make is closer to flat white in the amount of milk I use but still find most to be a bit lighter than i’d like.

Something stronger allows me to add more milk having more coffee 😊

Not a fan of dark roasts

The Gardener · 06-10-2021 6:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117982857#Comment_117982857

I've being using "Slumberjack" Italian espresso beans for the last few weeks as a base for flat whites, not bad IMO. Available in Lidl, ground or whole bean.

SouthWesterly · 06-10-2021 7:20pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117985148#Comment_117985148

Using it in my b2c and making an Americano. It's my go to coffee now while shopping

colly10 · 06-10-2021 7:50pm

Thanks, but the thread’s for online. There’s no way of knowing how fresh supermarket beans are, it could be months from the time their roasted till the time you get to use them. Is the above a medium roast?

The Gardener · 06-10-2021 9:31pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117985450#Comment_117985450

Point taken, just thought you were looking for a decent latte. It's a medium roast if you're interested.

Raoul · 07-10-2021 12:01am

What about the wilfa grinder? I think they are pretty highly rated and not overly expensive

Black Sheep · 07-10-2021 1:24pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117986365#Comment_117986365

I have one, good for the price in my opinion. My wife makes espresso with a Sage, I grind for drip filters, and it's able to do an acceptable job on both.

I had a Baratza encore previously and the Wilfa does a much better job of actually getting the ground coffee into the removable box, the ergonomics are better I guess, and there's a smart shut off if too much is being ground.

The Gardener · 07-10-2021 7:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117982857#Comment_117982857

Following on from my suggestion yesterday and considering you're not a fan of "supermarket" coffee, I tried Ponaire's European Blend last year based on some reviews posted earlier in this thread. Basically I was having the same problem as yourself and was looking for something stronger. While not as strong as my original suggestion it might be more suitable for you.

colly10 · 07-10-2021 11:14pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117989855#Comment_117989855

Thanks, i’ll give both a try

caviardreams · 12-10-2021 10:45am

Consistently great coffee from WCC I find: On their new Guatamalan Finca El Duranzo at the moment - white honey processed and really sweet:

https://www.westcorkcoffee.ie/shop/white%20honey

Freshly roasted coffee beans online

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