Coffee Suggestions

[mouscacha]

I can't believe I've passed this forum so many times!

Believing I can broaden my horizons I need suggestions in coffee past Starbucks. Not to say that starbucks is the root of all evil, but I just don't know much else. I've tried Jamaican Blue Mountain and most kona types (I live in Hawaii), but haven't ventured farther than that. Anyone have suggestions? I currently utilize a french press for all coffee made, and grind via a conical burr grinder. I believe I have the right tools, just don't have the knowledge on ingredients. Help?

 

[baquah]

I'm pretty keen on Kenyan AA, and Ethiopian Harrar, had a good Tanzanian recently , or the Yemeni varieties. Check Sweet Maria's for lots of good info.

 

[California Cajun]

I can't believe I've passed this forum so many times!

Believing I can broaden my horizons I need suggestions in coffee past Starbucks. Not to say that starbucks is the root of all evil, but I just don't know much else. I've tried Jamaican Blue Mountain and most kona types (I live in Hawaii), but haven't ventured farther than that. Anyone have suggestions? I currently utilize a french press for all coffee made, and grind via a conical burr grinder. I believe I have the right tools, just don't have the knowledge on ingredients. Help?

This is what I like: http://mellojoy.com/.

 

[proxymoron]

Rumor has it that (Ethiopian) Yirgacheffe is the mother of all coffees... and it's pretty darn tasty to boot.

 

[mouscacha]

Am I correct to assume sweet Marias carries only roast your own? I'm so tempted to buy one of those machines.

 

[Scotto]

SM does a limited number of roasted coffees, but they are really a supplier for green beans and equipment.

Hunt around for local roasters, or there are lots of good internet sources.

 

[thebikingengineer]

I've been enjoying a locally roasted Nicaragua, but I get a pretty good selection at my local roaster/coffee shop. Search around for one, or if you've got a bit of extra cash maybe take up home roasting.

 

[mouscacha]

Search around for one, or if you've got a bit of extra cash maybe take up home roasting.

I was doing research on home roasting. Seems a lot of people are using the Gene Cafe model. Any other models you guys recommend?

 

[Newfie]

I can certainly vouch for a Behmor 1600.

http://www.behmor.com/

Mouscacha, just out of curiosity, have you ever tried playing with the grind and brew times with your Press?

I found you can get such a wide variety of flavours out of the same beans, by a slightly finer or coarser grind and adjusting the time a little.

I'll also vouch for SMs green beans.

 

[mouscacha]

Interesting. Until recently, I've brewed it exactly the same way everytime. I recently was told to put the coffee into the press, pour in the water, and stir ever so slowly. Steep, press, and pour. Didn't taste any different to me =P

Can you recommend a good brew time and grind? Right now, I'm using a VERY coarse grind to end up with as little particles coming through the filter and steeping at 2 minutes.

I'd also like to try the sticky coffee making material. Pour in enough water to saturate coffee, stir, pour in more, stir, pour in remaining, stir, steep, press, and pour. Did I get that right?

 

[fleshdunce]

I believe with a french press you will always get sediment even with the best grind. I could be wrong though from what I understand thats true. French press is my preferred method so I just don't drink that very last bit to avoid the sediment.

As for coffee I've found that I really love all the Indonesian coffee's I've had. They tend to be very low in acidity, a bit more heavy, and almost have a sort of earthy taste to it.

I usually order my beans from http://coffeebeandirect.com/ It is a small roaster, that happens to be in NJ where I live, though they only do online orders. They keep the beans green though and promise to roast them within 24 hours of shipping. I usually get the delivery within 1-2 business days.

I'd suggest this site only if you drink a lotta coffee though since you have to order at least 5lbs to get a good deal. Though I believe it is a good pricepoint per pound of coffee.

 

[renoles]

If you want a really good commercial coffee then +1 to Mello Joy and check out Community Coffee's Cafe Special.

Peet's Major Dickason's is one of my favorites too.

Another +1 to checking out local roasters - there are hidden gems all over. Locally I buy from Try-Me Coffee...great family run operation and good people.

 

[dwestenk]

One variety I like is Pulcal from the Guatemalan Antigua region. Hubbard & Cravens (where I get it in Indianapolis) describes it: " It has dark, bitterweet chocolate, syrupy body and depth, as well as complexity and earthy richness."

 

[echelon3]

You have one the best growers and roasters in the genuine Kona business one days mail away.
Check out Bob and Cea at http://www.smithfarms.com/

 

[mouscacha]

Thank you, echelon. You are right of the 100% genuine kona. It's gotten to be very interesting what some are saying is 100% kona now-a-days.

 

[echelon3]

As you probably know, (but perhaps others that are reading don't), the Big Producers managed to prevent the farmers from setting laws as to what could be called "Kona".
As it stands, a blend of 90% Vietnamese and 10% Kona can be sold as Kona.
I really hope that the farmers are able to put together some sort of realistic legislation to protect the Kona "appellation".
In the meantime, SmithFarms...

If you tell us a little more about what you liked about your coffee, we may be better able to point you in a direction that you'll enjoy traveling.

 

[mouscacha]

You are very right, echelon3. My father-in-law actually helped operate one of the kona coffee farms and said the same thing you did. Too bad he went back to taking care of the fish farm...

So I just bought an expensive bag of honolulucoffeecompany "extra fancy" roast. Reason why? I want to compare this to a bag of smithfarms roast. This should be interesting as I wasn't impressed with honolulucoffeecompany "kona" coffee. Their peaberry was not bad, but the extra fancy was a little less flavorful. It had a nice bitterness, but no smooth rich flavor I'm used to when drinking kona. I'll keep you updated when I get the 1lb bag in.

Thanks for the heads up on smithfarms, echelon!

 

[echelon3]

You're welcome, keep us updated.

 

[Jasonian]

You have one the best growers and roasters in the genuine Kona business one days mail away.
Check out Bob and Cea at http://www.smithfarms.com/

+1 for Smithfarms.

 

[mouscacha]

Thanks for the confirmation on the farm. It's so hard to choose a farm as everyone on the big island has a farm. Or so I've been told.