Coffee: how do you make/take yours?

[SHAMZ84]

Some serious setups going on here.

How do you choose the beans? Just trial and error?


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[Thebigsmoke]

Defo some trial and error involved at the outset. I'd suggest trying out different specialty roasters in the UK and looking at what they have to offer, paying attention to the flavour descriptors to see if that is something you'd like and trying it out. Some decent roasters have been mentioned on this thread and there are loads more out there. Check out what's in your locality as well - always good to support local roasteries.

Over time you'll have a better idea for what you like and what you don't but it's always worth trying stuff that you wouldn't normally gravitate towards just to experiment. For the last few years I've been getting my main supply of really good coffees through a very good subscription service and now and then if I hear about/come across a particularly interesting coffee I'll pick it up and give it a go.

[potpest]

Whats the recommended heat up time for that machine?

I like some of the stuff Hasbean come out with and have also had a coffee from Goldbox in the last year as part of a monthly sub I'm on which provides a box of three or four bags of coffee from a variety of roasters/origins/roast levels. Helps to me try a variety rather than sticking to what I know and saves me having to actively look for new coffees.

Think the claim is 10 mins but I find it needs a good 30-45 really. I can get a good espresso out after 15 but it's much more stable after it's been on a while.

What's the monthly subscription, sounds interesting!

[simwells]

Nothing too fancy here Rok Manual Espresso maker aeropress or cafetière nothing compared to the rest of you lot!

Coffee normally comes from black bag (I know the owner so SIMEON20 for discount if it’s useful to any of you - I’m a big fan of their double A)


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[Thebigsmoke]

What's the monthly subscription, sounds interesting!

A company called Dog & Hat. Check them out online. Variety of roasters/coffees each month with both filter and espresso options available. Had some amazing coffees through them.

[potpest]

A company called Dog & Hat. Check them out online. Variety of roasters/coffees each month with both filter and espresso options available. Had some amazing coffees through them.

Looks pretty interesting; might give that a try.

How do you find the Niche? Looking to upgrade my grinder soon. I was going to replace it before the machine but my previous was on it's last legs so decided to replace that first.

[Thebigsmoke]

I like it for a number of reasons.

The fact that it's been designed from the outset as a single dosing grinder in the home environment and that it retains very little coffee within the burrs/grind chamber makes it very easy to use straight out of the box without having to adapt it in any way.

It's also easy to change grind settings from one brew method to another which works well for me as I tend to brew according to what I feel like having in the moment so don't have to worry about losing the setting for a coffee I've dialled in for espresso, for example. Within days of it arriving, the niche rendered my dedicated filter grinder redundant and so I ended up moving it on.

It's also very easy to take it apart and clean the burrs and the chamber to get rid of any old grounds that may be sitting in there and going stale. Takes a few minutes to take it all apart, clean it out and replace it all. I do this about once a month just to ensure that I'm getting as much clarity from the new coffees I'm brewing with and just for general maintenance. At most I've found there is about 0.5g to 1g of coffee which is almost negligible but always good practice to clear it out in my view

On to the negatives; the niche uses conical burrs as opposed to flat burrs and it is argued (and mostly accepted) that flat burrs are better suited to provide more clarity of flavours when it comes to grinding lighter roasted coffees, with conical burrs being more suited to medium to darker roasted coffees. As I have a preference for lighter roasted coffees I feel like I am missing out on some of this clarity as brews can tend to appear a bit 'clouded' at times.

There are a lot of rivals coming on to the home grinder market (option o Lagom Mini, Eureka also have a new single dosing grinder which has been released) so I'd recommend comparing them and having a think about what would work for you. Questions like what sort of roasts you prefer, whether you stick to one brew method at home, what your views are on the whole flat/conical debate all will assist in making a decision. Have fun!

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[moteyi]

I'm guessing that being happy with my nespresso and on occasions a cafetiere means that I will have to sit this thread out.

[Thebigsmoke]

Not at all. Prefer things being as inclusive as possible. Can make some delicious brews with a humble cafetiere. Not personally a fan of the coffee that nespresoo capsules produce but Ive yet to try out the specialty coffee pods that can be used with nespresoo machines created by roasters like Colonna and Grind. May be worth checking out?

[ha_banos]

Yeah but what we gonna do about PJ and his Costas...?

[Thebigsmoke]

🤣🤣 Forum exile, surely?

[moteyi]

Not at all. Prefer things being as inclusive as possible. Can make some delicious brews with a humble cafetiere. Not personally a fan of the coffee that nespresoo capsules produce but Ive yet to try out the specialty coffee pods that can be used with nespresoo machines created by roasters like Colonna and Grind. May be worth checking out?

Thanks for the suggestion - just signed up for a subscription to Grind and with their new years discount I got a selection of 30 pods including a tin and delivery for £5.00

[Thebigsmoke]

Nice! Interested to hear your thoughts on how they taste/compare to the original pods.

Cracked open this box of delicious Ethiopian coffee this morning. Thankfully, coffee beans, unlike cigars, are best consumed as fresh as possible.

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[Drewster]

A "Flat White" but made with Chocolate milk instead of standard milk i love these

[Drewster]

Or a Standard Flat White obviously

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