Thread: Coffee reviews

I am working on some blind testing on Home-Barista.com

Favorite Espresso Blends 2014 - Reviews • Home-Barista.com

There is also a 2013 and 2012 reviews although being an agricultural product blends and flavor profiles change from year to year, even month to month. I roast most of my own coffee, got another 40 pounds of greens in transit right now actually.

This is also a nice thread to watch.

What is wow'ing you? - Coffees • Home-Barista.com

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

A guy I know uses a converted pop corn popper to roast. I don't remember the details but he got started with it reading coffee forums and buying from Sweet Maria's. Been roasting for years now, and once in awhile I get a jar or two of mocha java from him. Thought about doing the same but haven't taken the plunge yet. With the price of coffee going sky high, like everything else except wages, I just might go for it.

I'm that guy! Sweet Maria's green coffee beans. Initially, I bought some of everything; but over the years I mostly concentrated on Central- and South-American beans which had proved to be "chocolate bombs" (along with non-citrusy but fruity components) -- of these, I'd buy 10lbs or 20lbs. A few years ago I began buying Sweet Maria's experiments in coffee blending (green beans, not roasted) -- Mokha Kadir, Espresso Profundo, French Roast, El Competidor -- some return, others are one-time offerings. Anyway, I hadn't drunk a mug of instant coffee since 2005, and then bingo! Just last week I fixed a mug (stuff I use to flavor unflavored whey protein powder shakes) of instant coffee. Effing AWFUL!!

I do admit to buying already-roasted, whole-bean bags of Eight O'Clock coffee (original flavor) -- but that's for when I feel "unworthy". You know the feeling... you have those days, too... don't deny it.

Home roasting with a West Bend Poppery popcorn popper (gently modified) is somewhat of an art, with an easy learning curve. If you're thinking of home roasting green coffee beans, this is a good way to start: the initial cost is around $50, and around there for the beans, too. HINT: Save those large peanut butter jars (yes, do wash 'em out well) -- they're great for storing already-roasted coffee. And you'll need a burr grinder, 'cuz those whirlybird machines that just cut 'em up, wily-nily, are not acceptable -- the roasted beans need to be ground, not cut. Period. You can find a wide assortment of vintage coffee grinders on eBay. Read up on it, and ask questions, then go for it.

Originally Posted by JBHoren

And you'll need a burr grinder, 'cuz those whirlybird machines that just cut 'em up, wily-nily, are not acceptable -- the roasted beans need to be ground, not cut. Period. You can find a wide assortment of vintage coffee grinders on eBay. Read up on it, and ask questions, then go for it.

Look up zassenhaus they make the real deal in grinders

Originally Posted by nodakjohns

Look up zassenhaus they make the real deal in grinders

They aren't what they used to be. The first one I bought a few years ago literally fell apart after a few uses and the replacement does a crummy job.

I use a mini mazzer as my coffee grinder and a LaMarzocco GS3 to brew the coffee. I roast my beans in an Ambex gas drum roaster. I have a hard time finding good coffee when I go out.

There is a coffee shop called Common Grounds just south of you in Kenosha (on the lake). I'm not sure what coffee they serve but it's amazing.

Originally Posted by kless001

There is a coffee shop called Common Grounds just south of you in Kenosha (on the lake). I'm not sure what coffee they serve but it's amazing.

I am going to have to try that now.

SRP us feeding too many of my addictions

Last time I was in there was an old (Underwood?) typewriter on a desk in the corner. It caught my eye because I have a 1920's Royal. Plenty of local artwork for sale on the walls, view of the lake, selection, and magazines.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

They aren't what they used to be. The first one I bought a few years ago literally fell apart after a few uses and the replacement does a crummy job.

Grinder design has come a long way since the old style, not that they were all bad and the good ones were very good. Look for the grind adjustment inside the grinder and above the drawer for the better quality.

Here is a good read and a unadulterated product plug for some of the folks that for years, really helped the home espresso movement:
OE Coffee Grinder Project
and:
A search with more information:
https://www.google.com/search?q=Lido+three+grinder&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&client=firefox-beta&channel=sb
Not cheap but second to none for a hand grinder. Hard to find the Buy button but do a search for it in the box at the top.

Good idea to join Home Barista to get a lot of useful knowledge about coffee.
Home-Barista.com • Forums

As with any forum, look for the folks like Cannonfodder that have the large post count for the better advice.

~Richard
Disclosure: I worked for a few years with OE for outside product design and some parts supply.

Wilson's coffee in Racine is pretty good. Their espresso roast is ok.

I bought a lot of coffee from Sweet Maria's back when he first started. Used the West Bend Poppery 2. Don't roast any more.

If you remember Over the Cup I was one of the mods.