Espresso Enthusiasts

SurferMan said:

I was actually trying to figure that out but don't think they list their blends, I could pry contact them but figured ehhh oh well lets see how it is lol. Mocha Java is almost always some type of blend of African and Indonesia beans, generally Ethiopian and Sumatra/Yeman.

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That surprises me, as most companies list the various beans - and their location, and sometimes, their altitude along with actual bean varietal - that go into a blend either on the packet, or on their website.

Anyway, I shall await your comments as to origin with interest; even more interest will be reserved for your (eventual) tasting notes. Enjoy!

Scepticalscribe said:

Aaaaah. Cue sound of whimper of (muted) desire……

What a beautiful objet d'art - and do, pray tell, let us know how the coffee is when you have made some with it……...

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Ah, you know, I love the Chemex.

When I have a nice cup from the Chemex, I think to myself: "self, that is better than the French Press."

Then, later, when I have a nice cup from the French Press, I think to myself: "self, that is better than the Chemex."

Apparently, I am fickle and easily swayed by whatever shiny bangle is in front of me.

I hope y'all are having a great, wonderful holiday season.

Kurwenal said:

Ah, you know, I love the Chemex.

When I have a nice cup from the Chemex, I think to myself: "self, that is better than the French Press."

Then, later, when I have a nice cup from the French Press, I think to myself: "self, that is better than the Chemex."

Apparently, I am fickle and easily swayed by whatever shiny bangle is in front of me.

I hope y'all are having a great, wonderful holiday season.

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But does one have to choose which 'shiny bangle' one prefers, and stick with that, or, can one select both to enjoy as mood and need suggest?

I love my French Press, but will admit to being tempted sorely by a hand-blown Chemex. Indeed, I will admit to being somewhat intrigued by the soon-to-be-unveiled 'Ottomatic' that they are supposed make available from 2015?

Meanwhile, my warm best wishes for a wonderful holiday season to you all, too.

this morning i was having a (good) cappuccino at a local coffe-shop, where they keep a few coffee-related books.
my attention was caught by this book

I only read a chapter, but it is a very interesting read, which may be appreciated by quite a few coffee-enthusiasts if you need a different christmas present.

it is VERY science-heavy (a lot of chemistry and biochemistry/biophysics, from a quick browse of the rest of the book), but that is what makes it interesting to me, and i suspect a bunch of other coffee-geeks.

thought some of you might appreciate

Don't panic said:

this morning i was having a (good) cappuccino at a local coffe-shop, where they keep a few coffee-related books.
my attention was caught by this book
Image
I only read a chapter, but it is a very interesting read, which may be appreciated by quite a few coffee-enthusiasts if you need a different christmas present.

it is VERY science-heavy (a lot of chemistry and biochemistry/biophysics, from a quick browse of the rest of the book), but that is what makes it interesting to me, and i suspect a bunch of other coffee-geeks.

thought some of you might appreciate

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Oooooooh, interesting!

Don't panic said:

this morning i was having a (good) cappuccino at a local coffe-shop, where they keep a few coffee-related books.
my attention was caught by this book
Image
I only read a chapter, but it is a very interesting read, which may be appreciated by quite a few coffee-enthusiasts if you need a different christmas present.

it is VERY science-heavy (a lot of chemistry and biochemistry/biophysics, from a quick browse of the rest of the book), but that is what makes it interesting to me, and i suspect a bunch of other coffee-geeks.

thought some of you might appreciate

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Nothing beats a bit of arcane, esoteric stuff on coffee, or other interesting foods, spices and so on.

Well, I am the sort that will happily buy (and spend a day lost in) a book with a title like 'The Story of Wine', or nutmeg, or tulips, or anything else which is interesting and unusual…….

So, thank you for this interesting prompt. Much appreciated.

It's about that time again for me to choose another batch of coffee as my Brazilian Silver Bridge batch is coming close to an end.

Does anyone have a recommendation for me and my French Press?

SandboxGeneral said:

It's about that time again for me to choose another batch of coffee as my Brazilian Silver Bridge batch is coming close to an end.

Does anyone have a recommendation for me and my French Press?

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Well, just now I am awaiting a consignment from Intelligentsia which contains a few coffees I have never tried before. Indeed, I am not even certain that it will arrive before Christmas - but will let you all know when it does.

And no, I am not daring to order a Chemex until the post Christmas rush has subsided - a beautiful piece of glassware delivered in smithereens would be a horror too awful and heart-breaking to have to contemplate.

This morning, I heated some hot milk (organic, and full) to go with a French Press pot for 'Los Delirios' from Nicaragua, and made a version of a latte, which was quite delicious.

Scepticalscribe said:

Nothing beats a bit of arcane, esoteric stuff on coffee, or other interesting foods, spices and so on.

Well, I am the sort that will happily buy (and spend a day lost in) a book with a title like 'The Story of Wine', or nutmeg, or tulips, or anything else which is interesting and unusual…….

So, thank you for this interesting prompt. Much appreciated.

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this might belong to the other thread, but did you ever read Salt: a world history by Mark Kurlansky? a surprisingly good read. i know you'd love it

as far as the Espresso book above, i should make clear that the format is that of a collection of scientific papers on different aspects of espresso making (science and technology), which each thematic chapter by a different set of authors. One is entirely devoted to the art (and technical/scientific consequences) of grinding, which i am sure at least one contributor to this thread will find enticing

so it is not a 'story' of coffee

SandboxGeneral said:

It's about that time again for me to choose another batch of coffee as my Brazilian Silver Bridge batch is coming close to an end.

Does anyone have a recommendation for me and my French Press?

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This week I've actually been pressing SM's Liquid Amber with pretty nice results.

Don't panic said:

this might belong to the other thread, but did you ever read Salt: a world history by Mark Kurlansky? a surprisingly good read. i know you'd love it

as far as the Espresso book above, i should make clear that the format is that of a collection of scientific papers on different aspects of espresso making (science and technology), which each thematic chapter by a different set of authors. One is entirely devoted to the art (and technical/scientific consequences) of grinding, which i am sure at least one contributor to this thread will find enticing

so it is not a 'story' of coffee

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Thanks a lot for this.

I have read 'Salt' by Mark Kurlansky and agree completely with you; it is an absolutely fascinating read.

Have you read (and this is not a competition - merely shared delight at finding someone who shares a taste for stuff that tickles the mind) Mark Kurlansky's book called 'Cod' (yes, the fish). This is an outstanding book, absolutely fascinating, extremely well written, and full of historical insights, mental connections and vignettes I had never thought of (there is a very interesting section on the history of refrigeration and how the industry and profession of fishing was affected by this, not to mention fish stocks.)

Over a decade ago, a former student recommended it to me - and I found it absolutely brilliant, and yes, that is when I read 'Salt', too..

In a slight overlap (between codfish, and the Basque region, as the Basque region made a fortune in the Middle Ages while fishing for cod; Kurlansky argues that they may have tripped over Newfoundland a while before Columbus & Co encountered what was later named the Americas further south, and decided that it would not be in their best interests to mention this discovery as others might seek to deprive them of their lucrative sources of fishing) the same Mark Kurlansky also wrote an excellent book on the history of the Basques - I forget the exact title, but it was a gripping and really interesting read.

Scepticalscribe said:

Thanks a lot for this.

I have read 'Salt' by Mark Kurlansky and agree completely with you; it is an absolutely fascinating read. Have you read (and this is not a competition - merely shared delight at finding someone who shares a taste for stuff that tickles the mind) Mark Kurlansky's book called 'Cod' (yes, the fish). The is an outstanding book, absolutely fascinating, extremely well written, and full of historical insights, mental connections and vignettes I had never thought of (there is a very interesting section on the history of refrigeration and how the industry and profession of fishing was affected by this, not tom mention fish stocks.)

Over a decade ago, a former student recommended it to me - and I found it absolutely brilliant, and yes, that is when I read 'Salt', too..

In a slight overlap (between codfish, and the Basque region, as the Basque region made a fortune in the Middle Ages while fishing for cod; Kurlansky argues that they may have tripped over Newfoundland a while before Columbus & Co encountered what was later named the Americas further south, and decided that it would not be in their best interests to mention this discovery as others might seek to deprive them of their lucrative sources of fishing) the same Mark Kurlansky also wrote an excellent book on the history of the Basques - I forget the exact title, but it was a gripping and really interesting read.

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indeed, 'Cod' has been on my list for some time, but it is a rather long list, so i am not sure when i'll get to a lot of it.
that said, i'll stop hijacking the espresso thread

Don't panic said:

indeed, 'Cod' has been on my list for some time, but it is a rather long list, so i am not sure when i'll get to a lot of it.
that said, i'll stop hijacking the espresso thread

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The espresso thread wanders wonderfully at times; I'm sure the regular denizens do not mind reference to anything which further furnishes the mind with interesting stuff.

Re 'Cod', I'd strongly recommend that you allow it to jump the queue, or slip it further up the list, - it is that good. I thoroughly enjoyed it - it is that rare pleasure, an exceptionally well written and supremely interesting history book.

As a former student of history (well, I'll be a student of history, one way or another, until I die), and as a former teacher of history, I used to be baffled at how so many professional practitioners (i,.e. professional historians) could take, what to me was a riveting subject, and proceed to slaughter it and murder it with the most turgid of prose………thus, when I come across a book that is both sound history, and a rollicking good read, I'm transported…...

SandboxGeneral said:

It's about that time again for me to choose another batch of coffee as my Brazilian Silver Bridge batch is coming close to an end.

Does anyone have a recommendation for me and my French Press?

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If you haven't tried Silver Bridge's 614 Blend, I'd recommend it. It has been our go to blend over the last month, when we can it in Kroger.

I forget who, but I think someone mentioned http://www.ritualroasters.com at some point in this lovely thread and I bookmarked their website.

As I am still looking around for a new batch to purchase, I decided to click on this page. They're in San Francisco and I just have one thing giving me a moment of pause with them. It's their logo. It has, shall we say, Communist overtones to its design and I wonder about that.



Does anyone know more about them and what they stand for? I'm not seeing anything related on their website.

WoodNUFC said:

If you haven't tried Silver Bridge's 614 Blend, I'd recommend it. It has been our go to blend over the last month, when we can it in Kroger.

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I'll keep that blend in mind too, thanks! I've already tried two of their offerings and I do like them.

By the way, how finely you grind the coffee beans makes a huge difference depending on the coffeemaker.

You want a very coarse grind if you're using a percolator, Bialetti moka pot or a press pot. That way, the grind doesn't end up in the coffee liquid itself. You can get away with a finer grind if you're using a Chemex or a standard drip coffeemaker; you need an even finer ground if you're using a real espresso machine like a Rancilio Silvia. And of course, you have to grind the coffee to a fine powder if you want to make true Turkish-style coffee using an ibrik.

SandboxGeneral said:

I forget who, but I think someone mentioned http://www.ritualroasters.com at some point in this lovely thread and I bookmarked their website.

As I am still looking around for a new batch to purchase, I decided to click on this page. They're in San Francisco and I just have one thing giving me a moment of pause with them. It's their logo. It has, shall we say, Communist overtones to its design and I wonder about that.

View attachment 520497

Does anyone know more about them and what they stand for? I'm not seeing anything related on their website.

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I'm probably the one to have mentioned them. I've had a few nice pour overs at their store front in the Mission. Hey, who says Communists can't roast and brew good coffee?

mobilehaathi said:

I'm probably the one to have mentioned them. I've had a few nice pour overs at their store front in the Mission. Hey, who says Communists can't roast and brew good coffee?

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Well, I do know that Italian communists can roast and brew superlative coffee. Mind you, so can Italian mafiosi, as well as Italian priests and Italian vendors.

Then, again, it might be something to do more with coffee than with communism…...

I bought myself a gift from Blue Bottle today.

SandboxGeneral said:

I bought myself a gift from Blue Bottle today.
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Sounds like quite a treat!

All but ran out of beans today, so I've ordered some more. This time I decided to give Has Bean a try. Ordered two different types...

Big Stevie said:

All but ran out of beans today, so I've ordered some more. This time I decided to give Has Bean a try. Ordered two different types...


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Looking good!

I roasted up some Ethipoiques to about City+ and doing pour over with it the last few days. I'm going to have to make a few batches for espresso soon.