View Full Version : Espresso beans
Since I got my shiny new Espresso machine over the festive period I've been using Illy beans which give me a nigh on perfect espresso. Nice.
I bought some own brand Costco beans because they were about 1/3 the price of the Illy beans but that turned out to be a false economy as they taste awful! The espresso tastes burnt so they went in the bin.
Today I got some Starbucks espresso beans and they're perhaps slightly worse than the Costco beans! They're jet black in colour and so glossy that it looks like they've been varnished. Hmm, maybe the varnish explains the flavour?
So then BD. What beans do you use? I'm not interested in ones that have been shat out of an animal but I do want a nice espresso.
Flibster
02-02-2009, 20:20
www.hasbean.co.uk - Steve is a great bloke.
Starbucks beans are crap. Really crap.
From Hasbean:
Australian Skyberry - I realaly like this one.
Four Bean Blend
The Breakfast Bomb
Brazil Fazenda Cachoeira Bourbon
Costa Rican El Portillo CoE
Bolivia Machacamarca
But, just order anything that takes your fancy.
Open one, leave the others sealed and stick them in the freezer. Grind only when needed and keep the unground ones in an airtight tub in the fridge, yadda yadda yadda.... Before opening the next, leave to defrost for 6 hours or so.
I do freeze then defrost beans for the filter machine but the espresso machine is a bean to cup machine so I can't be bothered with it for that.
Ta for the link, I shall take a look.
I need to get round to ordering some tbh, I keep pestering Mondo on IRC about hasbean then getting distracted and forgetting to order :p
It is well known that Starbucks over roast/burn their beans, they are not that good, they are however useful to dial in the grinder :p
Flibster
02-02-2009, 22:08
It is well known that Starbucks over roast/burn their beans, they are not that good, they are however useful to dial in the grinder :p
I find them too oily even for that.
Have to clean the grinder after using them to prevent clogging. :(
You are right, it's been so long since i bought a bag from them i forgot that they are more oily than most. I do remember that for the same weight of beans, You get a lot more, probably less water content in the bean.
nice thread. My mum got me an espresso machine for christmas - used it pretty much everyday since.
where'd u guys get a grinder from? i'm still using the standard coffee you pick up off the supermarket shelf.
Flibster
03-02-2009, 02:40
Grinder - I used to have an Iberital MC2 from www.happydonkey.co.uk
Moved up to a Mazzer Mini.
You can get some very good Zassenhaus hand grinder for something like £40. The MC2 is £100ish.
For £60ish there is one from starbucks - rebadged Solis 166 - once modded is pretty good for the price.
Grinder - I used to have an Iberital MC2 from www.happydonkey.co.uk
Moved up to a Mazzer Mini.
frmo Coffeegeek
if you are seeking the best possible grinder for home espresso, the Mazzer Mini simply cannot be beat. This is the bar, the grinder which all other grinders for the home must be judged against, and from now on, the Mazzer Mini will be the standard which this website will use to judge other espresso grinders (the Rocky previously held that lofty position).
:shocked: Me wants !!! LOL
Where did you get yours from and how much?
I used to use Whittard but there's a place on my highstreet that sells beans and grinds them. Good selection. Whittard is fine but when I went in there at the weekend they didn't seem to have much in the way of coffee so maybe they are cutting right back on stuff like that.
HasBeen it is then. Thanks chaps.
Flibster
03-02-2009, 11:16
frmo Coffeegeek
:shocked: Me wants !!! LOL
Where did you get yours from and how much?
www.anothercoffee.co.uk
£450 for the electronic type b version. It's got a switch that you press the portafilter against rather than a button. Also the standard Mini has a doser which is a waste of time for the home user.
It's not cheap...
When MC2 kicks the bucket i will upgrade :)
Flibster
03-02-2009, 11:45
When MC2 kicks the bucket i will upgrade :)
You could be there for some time. ;)
Only reason I upgraded was because my Gaggia Classic failed in a spectacular manner so I needed a new espresso machine - Cue Rancilio Silvia and I thought that the machine could do with a better grinder to go with it. My neighbour bought the MC2 off me as I've got him into espresso.
I used to use Whittard but there's a place on my highstreet that sells beans and grinds them. Good selection. Whittard is fine but when I went in there at the weekend they didn't seem to have much in the way of coffee so maybe they are cutting right back on stuff like that.
They went into administration didn't they? So I imagine that'd have something to do with it, I doubt they'll be getting much fresh stock in.
It seems that the Australian Skyberry is no longer available. I've treated myself to 3 x 250g bags of beans.
They went into administration didn't they? So I imagine that'd have something to do with it, I doubt they'll be getting much fresh stock in.
That's what I was thinking. If they are continuing trading I can't see them keeping on many of the less profitable lines like the expensive Blue Mountain beans which they probably waste a lot of.
Flibster
03-02-2009, 21:59
It seems that the Australian Skyberry is no longer available. I've treated myself to 3 x 250g bags of beans.
What did you get instead?
Just checked and it seems that they are sold out of it. Damn. I really wanted some more Australian Skyberry.
I ordered myself:
Brazil Pre-Blended Espresso Perfetio 2008-2009 Crop
Has Bean Four Bean Blend
Brazil Fazenda Cachoeira Canario 2008-2009
I can't see that lot lasting long so no doubt I'll be ordering more in the not too distant future.
Flibster
03-02-2009, 22:16
Four Bean Blend is a good one. Can't remember if I've tried the other 2.
It seems that the Australian Skyberry is no longer available.
Damn, that is one fruity bean ! I was going to order some more in the next batch order.
I've seen so many people mention the Australian Skyberry that I was a bit disappointed when I couldn't order any. I've dropped Steve an email to ask if they'll be stocking it again in future.
I reckon they won't get any for a few months, depending when the harvest are. It is the height of Australia's summer at the moment so it could be when that's over before they harvest and then sold.
I had a reply from Steve saying that he expects to have some within a few weeks \o/
Excellent !
Lets hope this year's crop is as good as the last.
My order has arrived. Without even opening the jiffy bag there was a scrummy smell of coffee. I'm looking forward to getting home and trying them out. Which one to try first though?
I've just had a cup of the four bean blend. Not overly keen to be honest, it's quite spicy and acidic.
I don't think i've had that, i tend to stay away from blends, tried the espresso blend once and it wasn't my thing. Could always blend my own anyway as i tend to buy 3 to 4 bags of different beans each time. I also think that the beans they use (anyone, not just hasbean) are not as good as single estate beans, hence they blend it together, if it's great beans on its own then it won't be used as a blend.
That's my theory anyway.
The whisky drinker in me normally keeps me away from blended things but I figured I'd give this one a try as it was one of their big sellers.
It is also one of the cheapest too. :)
Ahhh, so it is. Maybe that explains a few things :)
My final verdict on the 3 bags I ordered last month are:
Brazil Pre-Blended Espresso Perfetio 2008-2009 Crop - Ok, nothing special. Flavour doesn't stand up too well in a latté. Would probably not order again as there are so many others to try.
Has Bean Four Bean Blend - Not for me. Spicy, acidic and not one I'll order again.
Brazil Fazenda Cachoeira Canario 2008-2009 - Yummy! Great for espresso and americano but gets lost in latté. Would definitely order again.
The next batch I ordered was 250g each of Yemen Mokha Matrar & Nicaragua Limoncillo. The order arrived this morning. So far I've had an espresso and americano made with the Yemen Mokha Matrar and I prefer it to the Brazil Fazenda Cachoeira Canario in americano. Next up will be a latté.
On a side note, I just noticed that the Australia Skyberry is back in stock so I'll probably order some of that before it sells out again.
To keep track of what I want to try I've created a wishlist so I'll have to remember to keep adding to it.
TinkerBell
13-03-2009, 15:38
The order arrived this morning.
Bugger!!!!!
Bugger!!!!!
I'll be sure to save some for you :)
TinkerBell
13-03-2009, 15:44
I'll be sure to save some for you :)
:huh: I thought you knew me! I won't be needing any of it.
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