☕ Coffee ☕: Ingredients, Roasting, Grinding, Brewing, and Tasting
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Ditto this. I often used it as 25-50% of my espresso blends. Haven't roasted in about 2 years now though as I have a good local roaster I like now.
1977Brewer
Free Dan Hess.
That Costa Rica terrazzu is just delightful right at City+. Fruity and nutty, full bodied, big caffeine buzz off of it Friday night. One if the kids I was with on a church retreat this weekend pegged the origin while it was steeping in the press. Quite impressive, unless he's stalking me here.
(Cooper stop stalking me)
(Cooper stop stalking me)
OP
OP
Last week was Guatemala Huehuentenango Turbante (I wonder what that all means). It was good, like all my coffee but not as good as the Brazillian peaberry (which I see was much maligned above, but I liked it).
This week I'm drinking a Tanzanian Peaberry. It's great.
Man I just love the coffee I've been making. I don't know if it's the new mill, brewer, or the beans, but I'm love love loving it.
This week I'm drinking a Tanzanian Peaberry. It's great.
Man I just love the coffee I've been making. I don't know if it's the new mill, brewer, or the beans, but I'm love love loving it.
HarborTownBrewing
Well-Known Member
Moved into the new house, although the renovation isn't...hmmm...quite complete. Oh well.
Hoping to roast a lot this week, as we've been buying some stuff from the grocery store. I will say, the wife picked out a bag from Lavazza (for which I gave her a really really hard time...like, looking back, I rode her too hard) which said "Light Roast". "HA!", I said, "Lavazza doesn't do a light roast." Well, I'll admit it was actually pretty delicious in the drip machine, despite being preground. I believe it was Columbian.
Ordered 10 lbs each of Ethiopia Gedeb Asasa and Kenya Nyeri Ichera, so I should be good for a couple months off those two. That Ethiopian is very highly rated (9.6/10 for Flavor).
Hoping to roast a lot this week, as we've been buying some stuff from the grocery store. I will say, the wife picked out a bag from Lavazza (for which I gave her a really really hard time...like, looking back, I rode her too hard) which said "Light Roast". "HA!", I said, "Lavazza doesn't do a light roast." Well, I'll admit it was actually pretty delicious in the drip machine, despite being preground. I believe it was Columbian.
Ordered 10 lbs each of Ethiopia Gedeb Asasa and Kenya Nyeri Ichera, so I should be good for a couple months off those two. That Ethiopian is very highly rated (9.6/10 for Flavor).
![Craft A Brew - Safale BE-256 Yeast - Fermentis - Belgian Ale Dry Yeast - For Belgian & Strong Ales - Ingredients for Home Brewing - Beer Making Supplies - [3 Pack]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bcKEwQmWL._SL500_.jpg)
Schmoogdaddy
Well-Known Member
I do love it. I have 2 French press and one drip session on it so far. It worked most awesomely.
I only wish it didn't leave so many beans behind in the grinding chamber when I want to change from one coffee type to another. Since I started roasting I haven't drank the same type twice in a row. It's a nice problem to have, though.
I measure prior to grinding, grind till done, of course it defeats the fancy receiving scale your grinder has.
Schmoogdaddy
Well-Known Member
Good future idea, thanks, but for now I'm enjoying the gadgetry of the fancy receiving scale too much.
OP
OP
It sure looks good, doesn't it?
I only tried disassembling once while beans were in there. Yea, I know what you mean there.
I fill it with a pound, which lasts me about 1 week. Then I change to another origin. I guess I'll clean it out after the current bean is exhausted.
OP
OP
He could weigh with that scale. It's always active, so he could just pour beans into the grounds cup until he has the weight he wants, then transfer to the hopper, and hit the button. Not ideal, but that would solve his problem.
BrewinHooligan
Well-Known Member
Roasted 6oz of each of these tonight. I completely missed @passedpawn stating he loved the peaberry but I love a good Brazilian (insert inappropriate joke here) and love peaberry. Will try these on their own using my Melitta pourover then will try a 50/50 blend and go from there.
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1977Brewer
Free Dan Hess.
I'm drinking that peaberry right now. It's one of the more complex beans I've roasted this far. Loving the finish note. So smooth on the palate yet so dry. It's like straight hot black tea. I do prefer a sweeter finish so I may use this blended with some of the Nicaraguan or Costa Ricans I have.
BrewinHooligan
Well-Known Member
Tried the peaberry yesterday, was very good and very full bodied. Tried the Guatemalan today and was pretty blown away. One of the most complex coffees I have ever tasted with awesome flavors. Will be ordering a bunch more of the Guatemalan. Originally thought I would blend the two together but I don't think I want to know.
nice to hear @brewinhooligan! I just got a 8lb sampler of guats yesterday from sweet marias (and one Colombian)...probably gonna roast 1/2lb tomorrow on the behmor, really pumped!!
the level of quality looks really promising!
the level of quality looks really promising!
OP
OP
That's funny, I got very sweet chocolate with it. Big, bold cocoa roastiness.
I wonder about our palates, from one person to the next, and how they might be very different.
Some days the same bean tastes different, although I make the coffee exactly the same way each time. So, I also wonder about my own palate changing day to day.
HarborTownBrewing
Well-Known Member
I had given about 13 lbs of coffee out for Xmas to family this past year, and I will be the first to tell you - it was a truly delicious blend. Well I was thinking about it when I was with some family this past weekend and realized no one said anything about it. I saw where there was still some left over at my in-laws (not surprising, since they aren't huge coffee drinkers, but it has been 2 months now), and I know my parents are reluctant to drink it because they are saving it for something special (URG! you will have few special occasions in life to warrant drinking a coffee, I say, so just drink the stuff).
It has me thinking though, I'm tired of taking the time and giving out coffee for people only for them not to really say anything about it. A few of them have converted to customers, but the vast majority don't say anything after the fact. That's how it works though - give out a bunch of samples and see if it converts to a sale. Just wish people were a little more gracious sometimes ;/
In more exciting news, I roasted a Burundi last week and tried it this morning - it really wasn't great when it was hot, but as it cooled it became pretty dang good. Reminds me of a dark cherry - a little bitter up front, but a really pleasant sweetness as an aftertaste. I have come to a point where I really only want Kenyan/Ethiopian coffees and their bright citrus flavor and acidity, but this was a nice change of pace.
It has me thinking though, I'm tired of taking the time and giving out coffee for people only for them not to really say anything about it. A few of them have converted to customers, but the vast majority don't say anything after the fact. That's how it works though - give out a bunch of samples and see if it converts to a sale. Just wish people were a little more gracious sometimes ;/
In more exciting news, I roasted a Burundi last week and tried it this morning - it really wasn't great when it was hot, but as it cooled it became pretty dang good. Reminds me of a dark cherry - a little bitter up front, but a really pleasant sweetness as an aftertaste. I have come to a point where I really only want Kenyan/Ethiopian coffees and their bright citrus flavor and acidity, but this was a nice change of pace.
HarborTownBrewing
Well-Known Member
I got an Ethiopian, and it was absolutely the best smelling green coffee I've ever smelled. I roasted it two different ways to figure out what I liked best, and one of them is a winner (by far one of the best 5 coffees I've ever roasted, if not the best).
Problem is, the winner was a mistake roast. I started the roast and forgot to put the Chaff Tray in the Behmor until about 2 min before 1C began, only realizing this once I found the temps were 20 degrees higher than normal for the stage of roast I was in. So, I dropped the temp a good amount, put the tray back in, and carried on. Took lots of notes so I could replicate it in case I liked it a lot, and I like it a lot. But it's not going to be an easy one to replicate.
Funny how mistakes can give you the best product sometimes.
Problem is, the winner was a mistake roast. I started the roast and forgot to put the Chaff Tray in the Behmor until about 2 min before 1C began, only realizing this once I found the temps were 20 degrees higher than normal for the stage of roast I was in. So, I dropped the temp a good amount, put the tray back in, and carried on. Took lots of notes so I could replicate it in case I liked it a lot, and I like it a lot. But it's not going to be an easy one to replicate.
Funny how mistakes can give you the best product sometimes.
Finally, after wanting this brewer for 6 YEARS it came in the mail today!
I was shocked how small it was, especially since it's the "larger" model (185). Stats list its capacity as 26oz of brewed coffee but I'm not sure I believe that. I brew 24oz batches every morning so I'll have to let you guys know how it performs tomorrow.
I'm definitely excited to brew on it though! The little lady and I roasted 2 batches of DP Ethiopian last night so I have plenty of fresh beans to try it out with
PS - I think @trickydick has this brewer already? Any tips for success are appreciated
I was shocked how small it was, especially since it's the "larger" model (185). Stats list its capacity as 26oz of brewed coffee but I'm not sure I believe that. I brew 24oz batches every morning so I'll have to let you guys know how it performs tomorrow.
I'm definitely excited to brew on it though! The little lady and I roasted 2 batches of DP Ethiopian last night so I have plenty of fresh beans to try it out with
PS - I think @trickydick has this brewer already? Any tips for success are appreciated
OP
OP
I've got The 185 jammin. Great pour over. Takes a while drain, especially the last bit. I have the matching Kalita gooseneck which is really nice, too.
I can't remember my bean/water weights. Haven't used it since Christmas.
I can't remember my bean/water weights. Haven't used it since Christmas.
^awesome. I just brewed a 12oz cup b/c couldn't resist. Even when rinsing the filter I noticed it drew down slow. The brew went well. Coffee tasted brighter than the press pot i made this morning (no surprise). I have a feeling this brewer is gonna be for solo use only though.
So you have this one? I have srs kettle envy now
So you have this one? I have srs kettle envy now
OP
OP
^awesome. I just brewed a 12oz cup b/c couldn't resist. Even when rinsing the filter I noticed it drew down slow. The brew went well. Coffee tasted brighter than the press pot i made this morning (no surprise). I have a feeling this brewer is gonna be for solo use only though.
So you have this one? I have srs kettle envy now
No. I did consider that one, but I got the tea kettle instead. I can't remember why, but his is the one that I have. I think the reviews were good on this one. You can see how the design matches the pourover cup.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X12JDC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
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OP
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BTW, I loved the 185 pourover, but I work from home and drink coffee all day and it was just too much time for me waiting. But you've got me thinking about it now, I think I'll pull it out and get it wet again this weekend.
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I now use the OXO 9-cup brewer.
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Yeah I can't do auto brewers. Against my religion
Haha, I get it. I tried to make it work, but I just drink too much coffee I guess. The OXO "simulates" pourovers by staggering the water additions.
I loved watching the froth build on top of the 185. So awesome. I know you'll like it too.
^drinking too much coffee is a good problem to have
Yep, I have the same setup though my kettle is the Bonavita.
What I found was the same; that the last bit takes a long time to drain.
What I also discovered was that the grinds tend to ride up the sides into the flutes of the filter. If you try to rinse them, it make the slow drain at the end even worse. I've not perfected using the brewer, but I would make the following recommendations:
1) don't try to brew a large amount, I think with less grounds in the basket will be less problematic.
2) don't try to rinse the fluted (folds) part of the filter if coffee grinds stick into that area.
3) what worked best for me was to pour all of the water into basket fairly rapidly (rather than small additions over a longer period of time) high enough to get good saturation of the grounds and let it do what it does. This seemed to produce the best cup for my palate and minimized the slow drain issue, and I had no more water to tempt me to rinse the flutes.
Share your thoughts on this too. I think a non-fluted filter would work better... the filters have large flutes.
TD
What I found was the same; that the last bit takes a long time to drain.
What I also discovered was that the grinds tend to ride up the sides into the flutes of the filter. If you try to rinse them, it make the slow drain at the end even worse. I've not perfected using the brewer, but I would make the following recommendations:
1) don't try to brew a large amount, I think with less grounds in the basket will be less problematic.
2) don't try to rinse the fluted (folds) part of the filter if coffee grinds stick into that area.
3) what worked best for me was to pour all of the water into basket fairly rapidly (rather than small additions over a longer period of time) high enough to get good saturation of the grounds and let it do what it does. This seemed to produce the best cup for my palate and minimized the slow drain issue, and I had no more water to tempt me to rinse the flutes.
Share your thoughts on this too. I think a non-fluted filter would work better... the filters have large flutes.
TD
HarborTownBrewing
Well-Known Member
Speaking of kettles, I would LOVE to have this one from Stagg. It's only 1 Liter though, and I don't know if it'd be enough.
I'm in the market for a kettle right now, as my Krups is leaking everywhere when I boil water. I am thinking of the Bonavita with temp display, but I'm struggling with spending $120 for the 1.7L model.
I'm in the market for a kettle right now, as my Krups is leaking everywhere when I boil water. I am thinking of the Bonavita with temp display, but I'm struggling with spending $120 for the 1.7L model.
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