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

[applescrap]

Haha, I only drink Ethiopian as you all know, maybe a little Kenyan or Burundi here and there. But yeah I need some other coffee too to remind me how good the Ethiopian is. Otherwise the extraordinary can become ordinary. Probably, gosh, dare I say it, Kenyan.

 

[ba-brewer]

The dry process Ethiopian coffee becomes hard to find for periods of time which help thin the over stocks. I almost bought 5lb of the last one Jammin posted but went with only 2 pounds instead as the oldest stuff in my coffee locker is almost a year old.

 

[Sprouthog]

Not from Brazil...but I am very interested in this one...
https://royalcoffee.com/product/cjo1311/

It should be delivered this next Monday...along with a double washed Banko...lol

Hey guys. Been lurking here for awhile. Roasting the past couple of years on a gene cafe which has worked well for me. Purchased my first true espresso machine after TD suggested several. I chose the decent pro which fit my situation best. Great machine and it’s been fun learning how to pull a shot.

Anyway I saw the possible box split for some yummy guat and thought I’d speak up. I’d do up to 5lbs if you’re still splitting.

Thanks and I appreciate the work everyone’s put into this thread.

 

[jammin]

@Sprouthog - welcome aboard. would like to hear more about your experiences with the GeneCafe & Decent Espresso Machine. The DE might be the most flexible, interesting espresso machine produced to date.

I like this one. I'm using it straight up for espresso shots and cappuccinos.

EXACTLY what i was looking for! thanks for the suggestion - i actually wanted it for espresso too

 

[jammin]

interesting Guat posted at Roastermasters. Red Bourbon varietal. Not sure I've ever seen them recommend "keeping the roast to City+, avoid approaching 2nd crack". Not sure if this is good or bad - perhaps the acidity is simply nonexistent?

Guatemala El Socorro y Anexos Red Bourbon

 

[jammin]

I wanted to share a couple quick thoughts on the recent (2019) Banko a lot of us grabbed from the Crown Jewel.

1.) I am not getting hardly any berries from this coffee. After multiple roast attempts, letting it age for 2 weeks, several brew methods/parameters no a drop of Blueberry to be found. This is disappointing as on their flavor cluster, Blueberry was listed in a larger/bolder font than many other descriptors. With a deeper review of the roast notes, I could see that it wasn't cited hardly at all. Not sure where that got lost in translation but if weren't so optimistic I believe my expectations could have been tempered more accurately. I'm ok with this as it's a good lesson learned and Im far from disappointed with this coffee. In fact, I find it quite good.

2.) This coffee cupped blind to me would have shouted washed Yrg. When Royal noted this as being an EXTREMELY clean Natural, they were spot on. With my quicker roasts, Im getting some excellent high floral notes with a very clean, slick & light bodied sweetness. It's a bit of a delicate cup but I can see why they were excited about it. Those floral notes displayed so clearly & cleanly are rare especially when coupled with a white-sugar sweetness/bakers chocolate background.

I hope others weren't let down by the lack of promised berries and were able to enjoy the nuances of this coffee. The preparation on it is top tier with perhaps the exception of the sorting being a little fast & loose (to be expected with such a large lot).


I roasted 2 batches of the latest Ethiopian Natural from SM's today. Here is a shot of the 2nd - I am happy with the curve and looking forward to cupping this coffee soon:

 

[Ruint]

I for one am not disappointed. I found it to be extremely balanced and otherworldly smooth. Flavors of light chocolate, peach, and red berries....not really discernable between strawberry or raspberry. I got the double washed banko today, along with the Guatemala. TD and Sprout hog...you guys still want a 5 lb split each?

 

[TallDan]

I for one am not disappointed. I found it to be extremely balanced and otherworldly smooth. Flavors of light chocolate, peach, and red berries....not really discernable between strawberry or raspberry. I got the double washed banko today, along with the Guatemala. TD and Sprout hog...you guys still want a 5 lb split each?

Yep. If you’re willing to sell and do the shipping.

 

[Sprouthog]

I for one am not disappointed. I found it to be extremely balanced and otherworldly smooth. Flavors of light chocolate, peach, and red berries....not really discernable between strawberry or raspberry. I got the double washed banko today, along with the Guatemala. TD and Sprout hog...you guys still want a 5 lb split each?

Yep. I’d do 5lbs if you can spare it.

 

[Sprouthog]

As mentioned some were interested in the gene cafe roaster and decent espresso machine. Over the next few days, schedule permitting I’ll try to give a brief overview of each device and some opinion based on the use there of

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

I ordered about 20 lbs of Honduras from Legacy Farms. They currently have beans from a neighboring farm which they are helping sell, which I think is really cool.

I had an issue with the shipment, USPS delivered it incorrectly to the wrong address. Long story short, DEA got ahold of it, returned it, and wrote Legacy a not so great letter. All because it got delivered incorrectly by USPS. Anyways, I talked to Ashley, the owner, and he reshipped it to me and wouldn't accept additional payment. When I opened the package he had included some Coffee Cherry Tea and a nice note on a Honduran bill.

I haven't roasted this yet but I'll continue to sing their praises. If you want to buy good coffee, give this farm a try. The quality is fantastic, the prices are very reasonable, and you are buying straight from the farm. Ashley doesn't talk about it much but he does a lot to make sure his employees are paid appropriately and that he does things the "right" way.

Just wanted to share this little story. Hopefully I'll get to roast these in the next week and I'll post my review.

 

[pshankstar]

Wow @HarborTownBrewing that’s a crazy story. It’s nice to hear about their service too and how they take care of their farmers.

 

[Sprouthog]

Gene Cafe

Off axis hot air roaster. Manual two dial control for both time and temperature control. 1/2 pound capacity. Large chaff collector and 3 inch exhaust nozzle. Retail $585. Never pay retail!!!

Purchased Nov 2017 and roasted 80+ batches. 230gr batches seems to be the sweet spot leaving roughly 190gr out. Roasting procedure is as follows preheat chamber, charge chamber, roast to max or desired temp, reduce temp 1 min prior to desired roast, emergency stop, pull chamber, return roaster to cooling mode then force cool beans externally.

This is my first roaster. I wanted something that would be a step up from the counter top roaster, with some technology, some adjustability, not overly complicated and I could use in the house year round.

1/2 pound is a reasonable size for me based on consumption and i can do 2lbs/hr. Machine is not excessively noisy but it is difficult to hear the crack. Glass chamber and experience helps in determining the correct roast. Large exhaust manifold collects chaff and exhaust nozzle can be fitted with flexible tubing and run out the range exhaust. Only a small amount of chaff is left in the chamber. I externally cool beans using air from a small vacuum piped into a small bucket covered with a collider containing the beans. Cooling to room temp takes about 2 minutes.

All in all the machine works for me. Drawbacks based on my experience is batch size when roasting large quantities, dialing in specific characteristics not having quick temperature changes and the moisture loss is 5% high than the recommend norm.

This has been a great learning machine for me and I’d recommend it to anyone wanting a starter machine. I’ve tried many more beans having a home roaster then I would have without one.

Bemore was my second choice mainly due to its open exhaust.

 

[applescrap]

I ordered about 20 lbs of Honduras from Legacy Farms. They currently have beans from a neighboring farm which they are helping sell, which I think is really cool.

I had an issue with the shipment, USPS delivered it incorrectly to the wrong address. Long story short, DEA got ahold of it, returned it, and wrote Legacy a not so great letter. All because it got delivered incorrectly by USPS. Anyways, I talked to Ashley, the owner, and he reshipped it to me and wouldn't accept additional payment. When I opened the package he had included some Coffee Cherry Tea and a nice note on a Honduran bill.

I haven't roasted this yet but I'll continue to sing their praises. If you want to buy good coffee, give this farm a try. The quality is fantastic, the prices are very reasonable, and you are buying straight from the farm. Ashley doesn't talk about it much but he does a lot to make sure his employees are paid appropriately and that he does things the "right" way.

Just wanted to share this little story. Hopefully I'll get to roast these in the next week and I'll post my review. View attachment 644669

Cool story. I like people like that and I like people who support businesses like that. Need more people like that in our world.

 

[applescrap]

Gene Cafe

Off axis hot air roaster. Manual two dial control for both time and temperature control. 1/2 pound capacity. Large chaff collector and 3 inch exhaust nozzle. Retail $585. Never pay retail!!!

Purchased Nov 2017 and roasted 80+ batches. 230gr batches seems to be the sweet spot leaving roughly 190gr out. Roasting procedure is as follows preheat chamber, charge chamber, roast to max or desired temp, reduce temp 1 min prior to desired roast, emergency stop, pull chamber, return roaster to cooling mode then force cool beans externally.

This is my first roaster. I wanted something that would be a step up from the counter top roaster, with some technology, some adjustability, not overly complicated and I could use in the house year round.

1/2 pound is a reasonable size for me based on consumption and i can do 2lbs/hr. Machine is not excessively noisy but it is difficult to hear the crack. Glass chamber and experience helps in determining the correct roast. Large exhaust manifold collects chaff and exhaust nozzle can be fitted with flexible tubing and run out the range exhaust. Only a small amount of chaff is left in the chamber. I externally cool beans using air from a small vacuum piped into a small bucket covered with a collider containing the beans. Cooling to room temp takes about 2 minutes.

All in all the machine works for me. Drawbacks based on my experience is batch size when roasting large quantities, dialing in specific characteristics not having quick temperature changes and the moisture loss is 5% high than the recommend norm.

This has been a great learning machine for me and I’d recommend it to anyone wanting a starter machine. I’ve tried many more beans having a home roaster then I would have without one.

Bemore was my second choice mainly due to its open exhaust.

Great review, that roaster looks sweet.

 

[Br3w4u]

Just curious, what is everyone’s favorite coffee bean from legacy farms? I usually get the honey processed lempira but have also had the red bourbon and I am not sure what I want to order next.

 

[shelly_belly]

I've tried them all except for the peaberry. My favorite is the natural Lempira. It has a little more depth of flavor than the red honey Lempira. But I mainly drink espresso. They will let you mix it up in 1 pound increments so you should get some of it all. Just order through the "additional pounds after minimum 6 pound order" link. Your first 6 pounds can be mixed to qualify as the minimum 6 pound order!

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

I got an email last night from Legacy that if you order 6+ lbs you currently get entered in a drawing for some free stuff.

I just ordered some beans from Sweet Marias; they are running 20% off Burundi and Rwanda, and they have a ton of different choices. All in all though, the SM offerings are fairly lacking currently (I didn't look at the African beans though, as I have a surplus). I needed some Colombian or Brazil to use as a base for my bourbon-aged coffee, but they're options are pretty poorly rated and frankly all over the place. No chocolate bombs, which surprised me. The one coffee that looked good was a Guat but it was something like $7.50/lb.

Anyways, ordered 40 lbs from them so I'll be good until around Thanksgiving. I'll probably go back to Roastmasters next time around.

Finally, I tried some of the coffee tea Legacy sent me and it was pretty good. It didn't smell great as a brewed cup so I didn't think it would be that great but it was actually really good. Very smooth, not bitter.

 

[Ruint]

I just ordered a sample of all the differently processed lempira coffee beans. Inspired by your dealings with them HTB. I like doing business with folks like that!

 

[shelly_belly]

At Full city and beyond the Brazil Dry Process Pedra Branca from Sweet Maria delivers lots of chocolate. I roast some to vienna just for chocolate bomb espresso shots!

 

[applescrap]

I got an email last night from Legacy that if you order 6+ lbs you currently get entered in a drawing for some free stuff.

I just ordered some beans from Sweet Marias; they are running 20% off Burundi and Rwanda, and they have a ton of different choices. All in all though, the SM offerings are fairly lacking currently (I didn't look at the African beans though, as I have a surplus). I needed some Colombian or Brazil to use as a base for my bourbon-aged coffee, but they're options are pretty poorly rated and frankly all over the place. No chocolate bombs, which surprised me. The one coffee that looked good was a Guat but it was something like $7.50/lb.

Anyways, ordered 40 lbs from them so I'll be good until around Thanksgiving. I'll probably go back to Roastmasters next time around.

Finally, I tried some of the coffee tea Legacy sent me and it was pretty good. It didn't smell great as a brewed cup so I didn't think it would be that great but it was actually really good. Very smooth, not bitter.

Probably have a good chance of having your name drawn too.

 

[jammin]

Two new Kenyan offerings at Roastmasters today. One AA & one AB. I think I’m gonna order a couple pounds of each. I love how AB’s roast but that descriptor “tart” hooked me on the AA. I LOVE super acidic Kenyans - lots of room for roast development & let’s be honest, hella punchy on the tongue.
https://www.roastmasters.com/new.html

 

[Ruint]

Two new Kenyan offerings at Roastmasters today. One AA & one AB. I think I’m gonna order a couple pounds of each. I love how AB’s roast but that descriptor “tart” hooked me on the AA. I LOVE super acidic Kenyans - lots of room for roast development & let’s be honest, hella punchy on the tongue.
https://www.roastmasters.com/new.html

They sound like some tasty contenders @jammin. I have been looking for some exemplary "nutty" coffees as of late. I have so many fruit forward ones currently, I am unbalanced! It would be nice to see a blueberry forward one though. Seems like most lots have been strawberry'ish favored.

 

[applescrap]

Two new Kenyan offerings at Roastmasters today. One AA & one AB. I think I’m gonna order a couple pounds of each. I love how AB’s roast but that descriptor “tart” hooked me on the AA. I LOVE super acidic Kenyans - lots of room for roast development & let’s be honest, hella punchy on the tongue.
https://www.roastmasters.com/new.html

I like that AA too. Ok, ok, I give I am turning a leaf on Kenyan. You were right jammin. Didnt take long. Not saying I will like it but i am craving it. I bought kugamoini before and commented here about it. Iirc it was a bodhi sale and was a good sale 30 percent off. It was ok iirc. I wonder if I can find my comments either way I am leaning aa.

 

[applescrap]

They sound like some tasty contenders @jammin. I have been looking for some exemplary "nutty" coffees as of late. I have so many fruit forward ones currently, I am unbalanced! It would be nice to see a blueberry forward one though. Seems like most lots have been strawberry'ish favored.

I am not sure nutty is a term I use to describe a quality Kenyan. Tart, tangy, lemony, acidic, funky, exotic, wild, unique, skunky, bright have been my experiences, ymmv.

 

[Ruint]

LoL!!! @applescrap! I didn't say those were the coffees I was getting to give me those!

Just that I was currently looking for them....sorry if it was implied that, that was the case.

 

[applescrap]

LoL!!! @applescrap! I didn't say those were the coffees I was getting to give me those!

Just that I was currently looking for them....sorry if it was implied that, that was the case.

I guess I got a little nutty

 

[Ruint]

So, today after roasting a few pounds, I finally got off my haunches and set about building a secondary cooling box. I have had too many glitches with my screen/scrolling when doing back to back roasts instead of having a fresh start with the new next batch. Inconvenient things like yellow set, or first crack marked identically to the last roast. If the beans are left to cool in the stock basket/cooler until they are cool, then the machine has cooled down to a point that takes 10 or 15 minutes to warm back up to charge level.

 

[Ruint]

It isn't a show stopper by any means...all scrap pieces of wood I had laying around, and a couple of cooling fans salvaged from some computer equipment. They are orientated to both blow outwards, and positioned opposite one another. I am going to have to roast tomorrow, just to see if they work as well as they did tonight's test. Maybe devise a plan for catching the chaff....

 

[applescrap]

Roasted the banko. Pulled a minute past 1c. Better there than 30 or 40 seconds. Red fruit coming through in background lightly that I didnt recall in first few roasts? Rich and syrupy with chocolate and caramel overtones. Pouring nice. One day after roast.