☕ Coffee ☕: Ingredients, Roasting, Grinding, Brewing, and Tasting

[TallDan]

I have got to ask, what is that? I’m so lost in all this coffee talk these last few posts but I’m very intrigued.

Lyn Weber HG-1 Hand Grinder.
https://lynweber.com/products/hg-1/

...and now it's time for someone to point out the logical inconsistency I've displayed in my last two posts.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

Wow. I'm just sitting over here with my Gaggia Classic I casually use and simultaneously curse at 1-5 times a month...don't mind me!

 

[passedpawn]

...and now it's time for someone to point out the logical inconsistency I've displayed in my last two posts.

... well? Why 2 grinders??

 

[jimyson]

Nice grinder @TallDan!

 

[TallDan]

... well? Why 2 grinders??

That's not the logical inconsistency i was referring to, but...

Three grinders, if you include the rocky. My thought here is that I have three tiers of espresso grinders represented. We'll call them entry level with the rocky, high end with the vario, ultra high end with the HG-1. They're also quite different: 40mm flat steel burrs in the rocky, 54mm flat ceramic burrs with the vario, and the 83mm conical steel burrs with the HG-1. I plan to be well caffeinated this weekend (and likely, the next few weekends) making some comparisons.

If the HG-1 turns out to not provide better espresso, or only marginally better espresso than the vario, I'll sell it. I bought it used, so other than shipping (which wasn't cheap) I should be able to recoup most of my cost. If it really is that much better, i'll decide if i can live with the work involved in cranking it by hand or move up to something at that same level, but with a motor.

The vario is a refurb from baratza, and without spending too much money, i can get the steel burr set for it and use it for non-espresso grinding if I don't keep it for espresso, or like the HG-1, without losing too much, resell it.

I'm not sure how long it will take me to settle on what I do or don't like, so I haven't given myself any deadline on this. I may just enjoy the experimentation.

In the meantime, three shots pulled with the HG-1: First way too fine, choked Miss Silvia completely. Second, way too coarse, foamy spray everywhere. Third still too coarse, but getting closer. Decided that part of my problem might be using coffee with <24hr rest and decided to wait until tomorrow to try more. Better roast more tonight though, I certainly used more than half of that batch today.

 

[TallDan]

Oh, the logical inconsistency I was referring to was: in one post I was questioning the value of a manual espresso machine at a price of a few hundred dollars, then in the very next post, showed off my manual grinder that cost much more.

 

[TallDan]

I saw this posted on Burmans. According to them this coffee is from a single farmer on 30 acres in yirgacheffe near banko. He sends it out for processing. This comes from an area that is known for blueberry and seems the part. Sounds intriguing. I dont know how to feel about the single farmer thing. I think I am going to get some when I get paid. Says 8.36 on page but 7.36 on list?

https://burmancoffee.com/product/co...al-yirgacheffe-gr-1-gedeb-gotiti-top-lot-167/

Initial impression is that this one is a winner.

 

[applescrap]

Wow, that is pretty. Something about the hand crank just seems so primal and cool. The other day I was thinking about those big hand grinders I have seen. Haha, I smiled at the logical inconsistency. I like your thinking about trying them out.

 

[applescrap]

Had to give it a try. Am I the only one who thinks about shipping vs quantity? Thought about only getting 3 pounds for now. The math if correct says that I save 1.6 for 5 pounds vs 4 and 3 for 5 vs 3. I find myself buying 15 dollars more coffee to save 3. My buddy will order 3 pounds here and 4 there. I dont like to, but man daycare, aftercare, and kindergarten are killing me. Oh and apparently we have a credit card issue. Going to have to refi to deal with some of this as we have now a joint account. Nevertheless, its not the best timing for the scrappy. So figured I would only get 4 and not 5. Also hate to get to much of a coffee before I try it. Got some jasmine tea for swmbo and earl grey for fil.

 

[Inkleg]

@TallDan Thanks for that bit of info on the Vario referb units at Baratza. I have one on the way.
My Virtuoso that I’ve had for years just started acting up. I see that they have parts for all their grinders. I’ll probably go through it and give it to my son.

 

[Br3w4u]

Had to give it a try. Am I the only one who thinks about shipping vs quantity? Thought about only getting 3 pounds for now. The math if correct says that I save 1.6 for 5 pounds vs 4 and 3 for 5 vs 3. I find myself buying 15 dollars more coffee to save 3. My buddy will order 3 pounds here and 4 there. I dont like to, but man daycare, aftercare, and kindergarten are killing me. Oh and apparently we have a credit card issue. Going to have to refi to deal with some of this as we have now a joint account. Nevertheless, its not the best timing for the scrappy. So figured I would only get 4 and not 5. Also hate to get to much of a coffee before I try it. Got some jasmine tea for swmbo and earl grey for fil.View attachment 614872

I do the same thing. I just wanted a few pounds of Ethiopian the other day but couldn’t justify shipping just 3 pounds so I added a few other things. Burman had some Brazilian on sale for $4 and it is surprisingly good. I also got some PNG pea berry because it was one of those half pound samples they get you with at the checkout, gets me every time! Haven’t tried a pea berry yet so I’m looking forward to that one. I got some Iron goddess of mercy oolong also. That’s one of my favorite teas. Good luck with your financial issues man, sorry to hear it.

 

[applescrap]

@TallDan Thanks for that bit of info on the Vario referb units at Baratza. I have one on the way.
My Virtuoso that I’ve had for years just started acting up. I see that they have parts for all their grinders. I’ll probably go through it and give it to my son.

cool, good dad.[emoji2]

 

[applescrap]

I do the same thing. I just wanted a few pounds of Ethiopian the other day but couldn’t justify shipping just 3 pounds so I added a few other things. Burman had some Brazilian on sale for $4 and it is surprisingly good. I also got some PNG pea berry because it was one of those half pound samples they get you with at the checkout, gets me every time! Haven’t tried a pea berry yet so I’m looking forward to that one. I got some Iron goddess of mercy oolong also. That’s one of my favorite teas. Good luck with your financial issues man, sorry to hear it.

Haha, thanks! Yeah I think once we get this refi done the money we will be saving on credit card debt excetera, will help us move forward. It's my fault and to go off topic a little here, sorry, it's because I wasn't living with an abundance mindset. Dr Covey talks about the difference between a scarcity and abundance mindset. As an athlete an abundance mindset doesn't work. I want to win and I want the other person to lose. It's a great mindset for wrestling but not so much for a harmonious marriage. Growing up in poverty, it's hard to have an abundance mindset.

So my wife and I have always made the same. So we just keep everything separate. Well I have started to make more and I wanted to have more of an abundance mindset so we joined all accounts. This has been great for our marriage but it also means I am living with less so together we can have more. I share this because it has really opened my eyes to how important it is to having an abundance mindset. Not being abundant enough lead us into credit card debt and less wealth overall. Sharing everything and fixing the debt will help lead us on a path to better finances.

ot, yep, thats what I am talking about. I find myself saying the same.

 

[TallDan]

@TallDan Thanks for that bit of info on the Vario referb units at Baratza. I have one on the way.
My Virtuoso that I’ve had for years just started acting up. I see that they have parts for all their grinders. I’ll probably go through it and give it to my son.

I think @HarborTownBrewing or someone else here pointed it out a while ago. A lot of refurb programs are barely worth the price difference, but $500 new vs $300 refurb? That's worth it!

 

[Br3w4u]

Haha, thanks! Yeah I think once we get this refi done the money we will be saving on credit card debt excetera, will help us move forward. It's my fault and to go off topic a little here, sorry, it's because I wasn't living with an abundance mindset. Dr Covey talks about the difference between a scarcity and abundance mindset. As an athlete an abundance mindset doesn't work. I want to win and I want the other person to lose. It's a great mindset for wrestling but not so much for a harmonious marriage. Growing up in poverty, it's hard to have an abundance mindset.

So my wife and I have always made the same. So we just keep everything separate. Well I have started to make more and I wanted to have more of an abundance mindset so we joined all accounts. This has been great for our marriage but it also means I am living with less so together we can have more. I share this because it has really opened my eyes to how important it is to having an abundance mindset. Not being abundant enough lead us into credit card debt and less wealth overall. Sharing everything and fixing the debt will help lead us on a path to better finances.

ot, yep, thats what I am talking about. I find myself saying the same.

My wife and I have always flip flopped on one making more than the other and sometimes one making nothing at all. We have always had joint accounts. I think it is the best thing to do. We have friends that have separate accounts and the husband blows all of his money while the wife is trying to compensate for his over spending and she is very unhappy with that situation. Have you ever heard of Dave Ramsey? Check out his podcast. It might help you guys.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

Yeah, especially with the Encore the refurb is only like $30 less than a brand new one.

The nice thing is there is hardly any depreciation on these grinders. I picked up my Vario used for $275 shipped and I could sell it for that and more (especially with the extra burrs).

Focusing on low depreciating equipment helps justifies the hobby a bit more. Same thing for me with guitars - I can find a good deal on a guitar and sell it a year later for $20 less than I paid for it. I use it for a year and spend less money than a Wednesday happy hour with my buddy.

 

[TallDan]

Yeah, especially with the Encore the refurb is only like $30 less than a brand new one.

The nice thing is there is hardly any depreciation on these grinders. I picked up my Vario used for $275 shipped and I could sell it for that and more (especially with the extra burrs).

Focusing on low depreciating equipment helps justifies the hobby a bit more. Same thing for me with guitars - I can find a good deal on a guitar and sell it a year later for $20 less than I paid for it. I use it for a year and spend less money than a Wednesday happy hour with my buddy.

That's exactly what I saw, and how i often look at things. Used varios sell on ebay and h-b for the same price as the refurbs from baratza. I'd rather get the refurb from the manufacturer, and it totally worked for justifying my grinder purchases to myself last week.

I could draw a parallel to cars, but I'll spare the thread that tangent. The vario is out for delivery today!

 

[Inkleg]

That's exactly what I saw, and how i often look at things. Used varios sell on ebay and h-b for the same price as the refurbs from baratza. I'd rather get the refurb from the manufacturer, and it totally worked for justifying my grinder purchases to myself last week.

Plus it still comes with a one year warranty same as a new one.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

I could draw a parallel to cars, but I'll spare the thread that tangent.

Ouch. Sore subject. Trying to pick up a used pickup for the carpentry work I do on the side but not everyone in the house understands the value of a second vehicle. They also don't understand how creative you have to be to get plywood, hardwood, and rough sawn cedar into a small SUV.

/\/\/\
The downside to living in a city with public transit. You can't easily justify a second vehicle.

 

[MaxStout]

Ouch. Sore subject. Trying to pick up a used pickup for the carpentry work I do on the side but not everyone in the house understands the value of a second vehicle. They also don't understand how creative you have to be to get plywood, hardwood, and rough sawn cedar into a small SUV.

/\/\/\
The downside to living in a city with public transit. You can't easily justify a second vehicle.

Get a small utility trailer for hauling lumber.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

Get a small utility trailer for hauling lumber.

Yeahhh, those don't last long parked on the streets in Chicago.

 

[TallDan]

Ouch. Sore subject. Trying to pick up a used pickup for the carpentry work I do on the side but not everyone in the house understands the value of a second vehicle. They also don't understand how creative you have to be to get plywood, hardwood, and rough sawn cedar into a small SUV.

/\/\/\
The downside to living in a city with public transit. You can't easily justify a second vehicle.

I live in the same county as you and have three cars for two drivers. Does that help convince the wife?

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

I live in the same county as you and have three cars for two drivers. Does that help convince the wife?

Lol! Aaaaand I'm guessing you have a driveway. I have a sidewalk hahaha.

Speaking of roasting, Saturday I roasted a Kenya Kiambu Japem AA from SM's. Tasted it today and it's really delightful. Not a blueberry bomb but has blueberry notes and a sort of red-fruit juice flavor with a nice body to it. Excited to give it a few more days rest. It's been a while since I've roasted a Kenyan for SO and this is very pleasant.

 

[jimyson]

I got a second roast in tonight after doing the daily Uganda Bugisu. This is an Ethiopia Halo Bariti bean from @TallDan. I’m looking forward to trying this new bean.

 

[applescrap]

I think @HarborTownBrewing or someone else here pointed it out a while ago. A lot of refurb programs are barely worth the price difference, but $500 new vs $300 refurb? That's worth it!

Dang it, why oh why did I look at that, its almost a no brainer. Lots of you have had baratza conicals, can you help compare? Thanks!

 

[TallDan]

Dang it, why oh why did I look at that, its almost a no brainer. How does it grind?

Mine was delivered today, but I haven't tried it yet. Probably won't really get to trying it out until this weekend. I did grind for my chemex with the HG-1 today though.

 

[applescrap]

Mine was delivered today, but I haven't tried it yet. Probably won't really get to trying it out until this weekend. I did grind for my chemex with the HG-1 today though.

How do you like it?

 

[jimyson]

What are you all doing for puck prep? I’ve been having pretty good results with a slightly finer grind, wdt, and using the distribution tool only. What are your preferences?

I need to dial this one in a slight bit but tasty nonetheless.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

I try to get a good distribution of coffee in the portafilter; I've read that knocking the portafilter (for distribution purposes) tends to encourage the smaller grinds to settle to the bottom which can affect extraction. I think it's the smaller ones that settle, at least. I usually over fill a bit, then use my finger to even out the top.

I struggle with the moving target that is grind size + tamp pressure + aging coffee = extraction time. I used to mostly have too quick of extractions (under 20 sec) but with the Vario now I'm usually 30 seconds or choked. I just don't do it enough to get a feel for all those parts of the equation.

 

[TrickyDick]

HotTop 2K+ with USB/ Artisan control capability

Gently used, and fully cleaned! Original box and docs.
1k shipped firm to lower 48
TD