HarborTownBrewing
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Man I have been gone from here for way too long. Looks like this thread has kinda died. Anyone around? Bueller? Bueller?
☕ Coffee ☕: Ingredients, Roasting, Grinding, Brewing, and Tasting
- Thread starter passedpawn
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Not much from me. Been drinking Magnum Exotics Blue Jamaica from Costco for a few years now. Grind my beans every morning with my Baratza Virtuoso and brew in my Bonavita. Good enough to keep me going for cheap.
I check HBT here pretty regularly but just lurk. Still plenty of coffee for me. All the interesting Ethiopian coffee seems to be gone now, though.
Overall, i think it takes more money or a lot more luck to get interesting coffee now vs 5 years ago. Lots of stuff from the usual green coffee suppliers is just OK. Better coffees are getting higher prices.
Overall, i think it takes more money or a lot more luck to get interesting coffee now vs 5 years ago. Lots of stuff from the usual green coffee suppliers is just OK. Better coffees are getting higher prices.
I am still new to this and it has been fun. Trying different styles and roast profiles to see where I can get to where I am consistant
Kinda new to roasting myself. Wondering where’s the best beans for a decent price? I am not necessarily looking for top/premium or anything, just a good everyday morning coffee.
Thanks for any help!
Thanks for any help!
My wife has been getting the beans we use from Coffee Corral. They seem to be in the area of 7 to 8 dollars a pound with an occasional sale. The premium beans are higher, but the ones we have bought have been reasonable.
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You dont have to pay much for good coffee (depends were u are) Dont cheap out either. Were I am the Average for very good coffee is $15/lb, Used to be $11, but prices are going up, and wont be coming down, so I stock up when I can.
Mill City sells good greens, some in the $5-$6/lb. range. They sell by the 10lb bag, however.
https://millcityroasters.com/collections/green-coffee
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I just got back from a fishing vacation in tennessee. My oldest boy brought his expresso maker machine (Breville) up there. I think I'm gonna get one and start making Americanos instead of drip in the mornings. It was SO much better than drip.
Anyone recommend a maker? The one he has was ~$600, but looking around it seems you can spend a LOT more. I really like the following one, looks so cool. But for the money, I'll probably just get the Breville.
https://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/collections/semi-automatic/products/lelit-bianca-espresso-machine
Anyone recommend a maker? The one he has was ~$600, but looking around it seems you can spend a LOT more. I really like the following one, looks so cool. But for the money, I'll probably just get the Breville.
https://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/collections/semi-automatic/products/lelit-bianca-espresso-machine
Many, many options! The Bianca is a nice machine, I’ve used one, and I’d recommend it if your budget and space allows.
For brevilles, I’ve not used any, but the only one that comes highly recommend is the dual boiler. If you’re interested in steaming milk for lattes or other milk drinks, this is the probably the best entry point.
But if you’re just looking for espresso and americano, consider a flair or the cafelat robot. You’ll need a kettle to actually heat the water with those.
Think a bit about how you want to use it and what kind of coffees you want to use and I’d be happy to provide more recommendations.
Also think about budget. Machines can be a couple hundred dollars for a flair or go up to tens of thousands for the highest end Kees or Marzocco machines.
Make sure you include a grinder in the thoughts and budget. Again, this goes from a couple hundred for a nice hand grinder up to thousands for the high end stuff.
Don’t rule out a nespresso if you want inexpensive and the most convenient answer.
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OP
I'd prefer to keep my options open regarding what I will make. And, I'll be making for wife and guests, so a dbl boiler seems like a good idea. I have a decent conical burr grinder, so I'll stick with that for now.
Which grinder do you have?
It’s a heat exchanger (HX), not dual boiler, but check out the Lelit Mara X. Price is in the BDB ballpark, but it has the chrome box e61 looks that many prefer. Typically, HX machines have some disadvantages compared to dual boilers, but the Mara X kinda cleverly works around them.
https://www.chriscoffee.com/products/lelit-mara-x
Older post, but Burman Coffee Trader has a fair range of beans and prices starting ~$5/lb and up.
I'm just getting into roasting my own as well so the past couple posts here have been helpful. I don't drink much coffee as much as I love it, it does not love me back ... but my wife, who used to be a barista before starting her career, well she loves it and makes some excellent coffee and espresso beverages. I got her the breville barista espresso machine a few years ago and just recently a gene café drum roaster. We have a couple pounds under our belt and getting a feel for the roaster. Now looking at ordering our next round of green beans I'll be checking out mill city and burman coffee trader.
Good to know!!
Look for varieties that are characterized as "warm" or "rounded," as they will have less acidic bite. As opposed to "bright" coffees.
Experiment with roast levels, too.
Thanks, I got a variety pack when I bought the roaster and that kinda gave us a starting point of the ones we preferred... but good to know for my next order.
I went back and read a few of the earlier posts on this page. It got me thinking about my process. I do a simple pour over by using hot water from the Kerig and a cone filter. I would love to get something a bit more advanced than that and be able to really fine tune my coffee. I would love to keep it under 500 bucks if possible. Also, I have been reading on burr grinders and am interested in that as well. I have a Cuisinart grinder that just has a spinning arm that crushes the beans and as I am reading it is not the best way to grind coffee. Any input on budget friendly items would be most appreciated.
Right there with you, some of the places selling green beans also sell these items... I saw an electric water kettle on burnman coffee trader for like 40 bucks, heats to 200f I believe. As for grinders, my wife uses the same one you do and I'm looking to upgrade her maybe as an anniversary gift, burr type for sure but haven't made the selection yet, burnman had one for 200 so if you get that and the kettle your looking under 250. But again I don't have experience with these, just what I've been looking at.
The fellow ode has a great reputation as a grinder for pour over/drip. They used to have refurbished units for a substantial discount, but even the new one at $345 looks good.
They are not suitable for espresso, but I assume that’s not what you’re looking for.
They are not suitable for espresso, but I assume that’s not what you’re looking for.
Oh and for pour over, a plastic hario v60 and a gooseneck kettle can be purchased for not much money at all and is a pretty standard setup used everywhere up to high end coffee shops. I have a ceramic one, because I like the feel better, but many people prefer the plastic one because it’s less of a heat sink and harder to break.
My daily workhorse of a coffee maker is the Bonavita which I don’t believe breaks the bank.
I did buy a used Baratza Encore grinder from a fellow member here years ago and it’s running strong. Even Baratza has provided me some parts for free over the years and provide great support. Another item I feel doesn’t break the bank.
I do have other accessories like French Presses, aero press, espresso machine & others but they are rarely used.
I did buy a used Baratza Encore grinder from a fellow member here years ago and it’s running strong. Even Baratza has provided me some parts for free over the years and provide great support. Another item I feel doesn’t break the bank.
I do have other accessories like French Presses, aero press, espresso machine & others but they are rarely used.
If the acid from coffee is a problem roasting a little darker helps. It is more of preference to me but I find getting closer to 2nd crack greatly reduces the acidity.
I normally drink auto drip coffee from a machine but sometimes use a "clever dripper" from sweet maria's for a single cup. Works like a cross between a french press and pour over, can let it steep a little and dont have grinds in the cup if you use a paper filter.
I was looking at some coffees from a Roast Master’s email.
I really enjoy roasting coffee and drinking it, but $30+/pound seems a bit steep to me.
I seem to find most people rarely splurge on such a purchase because beans a fraction of the price tend to be just as good. Any thoughts or comments on this from others? Has anyone purchased this bean before in previous years?
I really enjoy roasting coffee and drinking it, but $30+/pound seems a bit steep to me.
I seem to find most people rarely splurge on such a purchase because beans a fraction of the price tend to be just as good. Any thoughts or comments on this from others? Has anyone purchased this bean before in previous years?
One thing I learned, Kona is not worth the Price, it tastes good but not for that price. $15/lb about average I buy but due to shortages now prices have gone up 25% about.
Never been disappointed by these people;
https://greencoffeeco.com/
https://buycoffeecanada.com/
Never been disappointed by these people;
https://greencoffeeco.com/
https://buycoffeecanada.com/
I don’t think I’ve had that particular bean before, and definitely not from that crop. I’ve paid that much for other coffees though. Whether or not they’re “worth it” is very subjective.
I like some of the more unique coffees maybe one every few months as a treat/something different. I got a few pounds of Jamaica Blue Mountain several years ago for a high price, and it was worth the experiment, but not something that was unique and interesting enough to me to buy more.
Coffee from Aida Batlle at $18/lb has been well worth it in my book. So have some other highly rated lots that I’ve paid $20+/lb for.
Try a couple as a splurge or a birthday gift to yourself or something. That’s the only way you’ll find out if it’s worth it to you. I occasionally do the same with roasted coffee from places like September or Dak. Prices seem crazy, but it’s like treating myself to an occasional expensive bottle of wine.
I like some of the more unique coffees maybe one every few months as a treat/something different. I got a few pounds of Jamaica Blue Mountain several years ago for a high price, and it was worth the experiment, but not something that was unique and interesting enough to me to buy more.
Coffee from Aida Batlle at $18/lb has been well worth it in my book. So have some other highly rated lots that I’ve paid $20+/lb for.
Try a couple as a splurge or a birthday gift to yourself or something. That’s the only way you’ll find out if it’s worth it to you. I occasionally do the same with roasted coffee from places like September or Dak. Prices seem crazy, but it’s like treating myself to an occasional expensive bottle of wine.
I've never tried that one, so unfortunately, cannot comment specifically.
With my method of roasting and my not-so-particular taste buds I hit the point of diminishing returns at around $8 or $9 a pound. I roast to make my morning pressed coffee, or *gasp!* load it into a reusable K-cup.
Same kind of story with wine. If you serve me a bottle that cost more than about $25, I won't know the difference. Pearls before swine.
I'm a cultural infidel who buys 3 Buck Chuck.
Beer and whisk(e)y, OTOH...
Anyhow I wanted to share this and I look forward to reporting back some of my experience and notes/thoughts on it. Cheers!
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My coffee has been in the 7 to 9 dollar a pound range simply because I don't think my tastes are all that refined to justify such a big purchase. Plus, my roasting abilities are still very raw, so I could see my screwing up big with something like that. My wife seems to be happy with what I am doing, and she will occasionally find a bean on Coffee Bean Corral for sale prices around 5 bucks a pound. Love to hear what you think about the beans you bought.
I agree I normally like to keep my bean cost under $10 per pound. I like that Royal Coffee shares their roasting profile so I can duplicate it with my bullet roaster, roast it my way and then compare them.
I feel like I continue to learn and no matter what I’m doing it’s always better than store bought coffee.
I just picked up 10 lbs. of Papua New Guinea Wahgi Valley Kunjin (washed), for $4.95/lb. from Mill City. Haven't roasted any yet, but if it turns out well, that's a bargain.
They had some Chiapas Mexico coffee that I really enjoyed, but no longer have it. It was around $5-$6/lb., IIRC. Wish I had bought more at the time. I asked their sales mgr. and he said they get it a few times a year when it's in season, so I'll keep an eye out for that.
They had some Chiapas Mexico coffee that I really enjoyed, but no longer have it. It was around $5-$6/lb., IIRC. Wish I had bought more at the time. I asked their sales mgr. and he said they get it a few times a year when it's in season, so I'll keep an eye out for that.
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9# of this arabica bean roasted last night. Drinking it now and it's wonderful. I think I nailed the roast profile perfectly on my italian LeGhetto roasting apparatus.
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I buy all my beans from Sweet Maria’s, they always have a wide selection to choose from, seldom pay more than 8.00 /lb. My go tos are Kenya, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Colombia. I roast with a Behmor, would love to move up to an Aillio Bullet to roast more consistent. But I do a pretty good job with the Behmor
I saw this post on Reddit today and thought I would share it here. I think it’s a bit of fear showing but I don’t think it will make a difference (Although I’m no expert).
I don’t plan on buying anymore coffee for a while but it was interesting to see people concerned about buying beans next year.
Although I do need some things for my bullet so I might buy some beans too if there’s something that catches my eye at Sweet Maria’s.
I don’t plan on buying anymore coffee for a while but it was interesting to see people concerned about buying beans next year.
Although I do need some things for my bullet so I might buy some beans too if there’s something that catches my eye at Sweet Maria’s.
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I saw this post on Reddit today and thought I would share it here. I think it’s a bit of fear showing but I don’t think it will make a difference (Although I’m no expert).
I don’t plan on buying anymore coffee for a while but it was interesting to see people concerned about buying beans next year.
Although I do need some things for my bullet so I might buy some beans too if there’s something that catches my eye at Sweet Maria’s.
Guess I'll order a few 10# bags from Mill City. I keep my greens bagged, in 5 gallon buckets with Gamma lids.
mashpaddled
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I really like the coffee that comes out of the wahgi valley. They showcase a lot of island type character with soft floral character at lighter roasts but they are very affordable (as you see) because there isn't a lot of hype out of PNG and especially not that processing area. I always liked it a bit more out of my air roaster (FR700) than my drum roaster (bullet) but great coffee either way.
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