Finally a good coffee (bean) in some supermarkets.

[monkey66]

hmmm ...will be interesting but maybe not to everyone's pallet. I like my cigars to taste like cigars and coffee to taste like coffee.

The Indian coffee's tend to be very earthy (almost musty) and tend to be used as components in blends as opposed to single origin ...still it's all part of the coffee journey and Hasbean are on their game at the moment judging by the quality of their recent roasts.

Give it a go and let us know...

NB - been really enjoying their current incarnation of what was called their Premium Espresso Blend, now called Jailbreak.

http://www.hasbean.co.uk/products/Jailbreak-Espresso-Blend.html

[Big_T_UK]

OOO, read the description of this coffee, should we try some?

http://www.hasbean.co.uk/products/Indian-Peaberry-Bold-2010%252d2011.html

[Big_T_UK]

I have been meaning to add to this thread for a few days but have not gotten around to it.

After my initial post about the Machu Pichu beans that made a great filter coffee, good stove top coffee and even a not too shabby espresso, there was mention on here of an online retailer who had single origin Cuban beans on offer that a previous poster rated highly. I ordered a couple of bags of the beans after reading on the retailers site that these particular beans lend themselves very well to making espresso. I find it rare to have a good single origin bean that really makes a good espresso, it tends to be a mix of beans that are sold as an “espresso” blend or similar that really works for me. If I can find a single origin bean for a great espresso then I am a happy bunny.

I tried these beans as an espresso, they made one of the most sumptuous looking coffees I have pulled myself. It had a stunning cr?me that settled in the same way as a well poured pint of Guinness. The coffee appeared a rich dark, dark brown and smelt very tempting. With my first sip I was very pleasantly surprised. The texture is rich, creamy and smooth and fills the mouth. The flavour is smooth. Initially I thought I had hit the jackpot and this was a great espresso coffee but I quickly realised it lacked body. There is flavour, just not much flavour. It has a pleasingly sweet hint to it but there is no “coffee” body to it. It was very short on the palette. Initially stunning but with no real finish. I must try it repeatedly to ensure that I am not mistaken so I will come back to this, for all two of you that are bothered, LOL.

If makes a good espresso, not great. It is not light, it is rich, but in a strange way I cannot really put into words. Rich but with little real flavour to it, a dichotomy maybe.

Just my two cents.

[St. Ultimate]

ROFL!

excellent post, thanks for the info! I'll be sure to give it a try.

[Big_T_UK]

You are off to Gib, cigars are insanely cheap there so will make my (UK sourced) offerings seem bloody expensive as swap items! A 2001 Hoyo Churchill must be twenty or just over in the UK, oh dear.

[Pipe Dude]

I'm off to Spain and Gibraltar tomorrow for 2 weeks, so I'll sort something out when I get back if you're still interested.

[Pipe Dude]

I don't know what HdM Churchills from '01 are worth. I'll PM you.

[Big_T_UK]

This is why I hate trading for stuff, it always feels a minefield of potential rudeness or offence.

Anyway, how many had you in mind?

[Pipe Dude]

That'd do. How many?

[Big_T_UK]

I have some of my beloved HdM Churchill from '01?

[Pipe Dude]

Any Boli, RASS, Party SD4, PLPC, HdM 2 or 1, RyJ Church/ Short Church. Anything really except Fonseca and ERDM Choix Supreme.

[Big_T_UK]

Hmm, what do you smoke?

[Pipe Dude]

What model out of interest?

This one (but mine's the UK version, bought at John Lewis):

http://www.kitchendresser.net/krups-...nium-582-p.asp

I'm open to Cuban cigar offers.

[moidoid]

[Big_T_UK]

From memory they are not cheap and smell good, so sure they are not shit, just not sure if they are my "thing". I mainly drink espresso but who knows if I will like it until I try!