I have recently purchased a Bialetti 6cup Moka Express Pot and their hand grinder and a frother.
The idea is to use it in the van using Gas, 230V hotplate or even campfire heat sources.
With the purchase we got some Merlo Expresso blend beans and preground . We have also tried some Harris very strong 100% Arabica preground expresso.
Although quite good in both cappuccino and long black they just didn't have enough fragrance or taste for our liking.
We usually drink Lavazza Intenso instant.
Can you please suggest a brand of coffee Bean that you enjoy.
ps. At this stage we don't want to go to the expense of a quality high end coffee machine if we can avoid it.
Whenarewethere said
04:19 PM Aug 9, 2021
Toby's Estate beans from Harris Farm near us is $11.99 the Broadway is very nice, our favourite of the half dozen types on the shelf. Actually you will probably find you need a bit less for a cup. We sometimes thin it out with about a third decaf to reduce caffeine. Look for the youngest roasting date on the back as sometimes there is the odd old date on the self.
Personal taste preference is a very broad, almost unlimited, question - especially when it comes to coffee...! Just keep tasting and trying but in dedicated Coffee Shops .....not just Cafes etc.. until you find a bean that you like.
I find that small roasters are often not consistent with their product.
No matter what coffee bean you chose the only way to maximise the "taste" is to use fresh roasted whole beans and grind them before use - the grinder is the only way to control the "shot" time .
And do not forget ...."You have not had enough coffee until you can thread a sewing machine .....while it is still running....!"
KB
dabbler said
05:05 PM Aug 9, 2021
Investigate https://coffeesnobs.com.au/
Santa said
05:57 PM Aug 9, 2021
Cupie wrote:
I have recently purchased a Bialetti 6cup Moka Express Pot and their hand grinder and a frother.
The idea is to use it in the van using Gas, 230V hotplate or even campfire heat sources.
With the purchase we got some Merlo Expresso blend beans and preground . We have also tried some Harris very strong 100% Arabica preground expresso.
Although quite good in both cappuccino and long black they just didn't have enough fragrance or taste for our liking.
We usually drink Lavazza Intenso instant.
Can you please suggest a brand of coffee Bean that you enjoy.
ps. At this stage we don't want to go to the expense of a quality high end coffee machine if we can avoid it.
Hi Cupie,
Suggest you place a trial order with this roaster https://beanbay.coffeesnobs.com.au/ beans are always freshly roasted (very important) they ship promptly and are reputable.
You have a grinder, also important, so will be able to grind beans as you need them.
Harris, Lavazza, Vittoria etc are supermarket brands and are well past their best when you buy them.
I've heard some reasonable reports about Aldi beans, however I've tried them and not impressed.
All quality beans are marked with a roast date, any older than 3 weeks is pretty well past its best.
As a matter of interest I'm a member of CoffeeSnobs and have been buying green beans from them for over 12 years.
Good coffee is an important part of life, good luck with your quest.
Whenarewethere said
05:59 PM Aug 9, 2021
Coffee is a personal taste. The best cup of coffee we had was in a tobacconist in France. We weren't there for the smokes!
Cupie said
11:31 AM Aug 10, 2021
Thanks for all the replies & advice.
I will join Coffeesnobs to improve my knowledge & choose one of their freshly roasted options (perhaps not the $147.50/kg Jamacian beans though).
Given the importance of freshly roasted beans I will also investigate any roasters near me and certainly look for coffee specialist shops in my area.
In the meantime, I will continue to practice with the beans that I already have in the fridge (I read somewhere long ago that that's the place to store them).
Once again .. Thanks
Whenarewethere said
11:43 AM Aug 10, 2021
I have tried some coffee beans around the $80+ mark. I think you really need to know what you are doing to get the most out of them, & I'm far from an expert.
Get your water temperature right... even for instant coffee... heaven forbid!
https://www.home-barista.com/forums/
Santa said
12:39 PM Aug 10, 2021
Quite a variety of excellent roasted beans available on Coffee Snobs for under $40 kg, no need to pay $80 kg.
If you do join Cupie don't be afraid to ask questions, plenty of members only too happy to assist.
Radar said
12:44 PM Aug 10, 2021
Cupie wrote:
Thanks for all the replies & advice.
I will join Coffeesnobs to improve my knowledge & choose one of their freshly roasted options (perhaps not the $147.50/kg Jamacian beans though).
Given the importance of freshly roasted beans I will also investigate any roasters near me and certainly look for coffee specialist shops in my area.
In the meantime, I will continue to practice with the beans that I already have in the fridge (I read somewhere long ago that that's the place to store them).
Once again .. Thanks
Hi Cupie
I read somewhere just last year during lock down "room temp only" I now am confused.I had practise storing our different arrangements of coffee in the frig, now go in to the frig I can not find the coffee. Where is the coffee.
Whenarewethere said
12:44 PM Aug 10, 2021
Civet bum coffee beans up to $1000kg.
KJB said
12:46 PM Aug 10, 2021
Whenarewethere wrote:
I have tried some coffee beans around the $80+ mark. I think you really need to know what you are doing to get the most out of them, & I'm far from an expert.
Get your water temperature right... even for instant coffee... heaven forbid!
https://www.home-barista.com/forums/
Coffee is very susceptible to heat...boiling water will burn it and it then becomes bitter to taste. Around 90/92 Degrees is a good Temp. (This is the reason so much work goes into building Commercial Espresso machines using Temperature controlled Heat Exchange systems to supply the "coffee head" ) The boiler only supplys Steam (for steaming milk etc.) and Boiling water to make tea etc.. KB
Santa said
02:01 PM Aug 10, 2021
Radar wrote:
Hi Cupie
I read somewhere just last year during lock down "room temp only" I now am confused.I had practise storing our different arrangements of coffee in the frig, now go in to the frig I can not find the coffee. Where is the coffee.
Storing in fridge not a good idea, in and out of fridge can lead to condensation, definitely not good for beans, ideal storage is in one way valve bags in a cool dark cupboard.
It is challenging getting temperature right doing it all by hand in the outback with vastly varying ambient temperatures.
Mike Harding said
02:10 PM Aug 10, 2021
I'd like to know what is wrong with Nescafe Blend 43!? And especially the Safeway 2020 vintage! Answer me that... if you can....
Whenarewethere said
02:17 PM Aug 10, 2021
Once you have ground your own beans, one has been ruined.
I have bought the same beans pre-ground when out of stock. They are not as good. Also you do not want the date of the beans to get too old, or far too young for that matter.
If I have to resort to instant coffee I go for tea.
Santa said
02:20 PM Aug 10, 2021
Absolutely nothing wrong with Blend 43 if it's to your liking, and as a plus think of the money you save.
-- Edited by Santa on Tuesday 10th of August 2021 02:23:39 PM
Are We Lost said
02:20 PM Aug 10, 2021
Blend 43 compared to a good quality freshly ground coffee is like comparing canned peas to fresh peas. Or cask wine to Penfolds Grange (not that I have had it).
Budget tells me I can't afford Grange, but with the low cost of coffee I have not bought instant in years.
Santa said
02:31 PM Aug 10, 2021
Not everyone appreciates the difference between instant coffee and quality roasted beans (or even want to) if instant suits your palate so be it.
Cupie said
03:09 PM Aug 10, 2021
Once again .. thanks ... I'm learning.
It seems like my beans need to come out of the fridge & into those bags.
I can't do anything about the temp of the water in the perculator style brewer that I have although the instructions say that it's better if I use a low heat.
I'll lurk on the Coffeesnobs site for a bit until I get a feel for it .. then I'll certainly start asking all of my dumb questions.
Whenarewethere said
03:16 PM Aug 10, 2021
Are We Lost wrote:
Blend 43 compared to a good quality freshly ground coffee is like comparing canned peas to fresh peas. Or cask wine to Penfolds Grange (not that I have had it).
Budget tells me I can't afford Grange, but with the low cost of coffee I have not bought instant in years.
In other words a processed hamburger
vs
a real one with the lot: beetroot, pineapple, egg, bacon, tomato, lettuce, real cheese, actual beef mince, onion, butter, proper bread roll.
Craig1 said
04:33 PM Aug 10, 2021
Go without if offered anything Nescafe, blend 1 to blend gold included
peter67 said
05:32 PM Aug 10, 2021
Whenarewethere wrote:
It is challenging getting temperature right doing it all by hand in the outback with vastly varying ambient temperatures.
It's challenging to get your head around the fact that people are willing to taste, let alone pay $1000 per kg, for something that came out of a cat's arse but looks more like roo poo. Makes Blend43 (I like Nescafe Mocha sachets) look very attractive and think of all the beer you can buy with the savings.
Possum3 said
05:59 PM Aug 10, 2021
By replacing your morning coffee with green tea you can lose up to 87% of what little joy you have left in your life.
Orlo said
12:47 PM Aug 11, 2021
Cupie wrote:
I have recently purchased a Bialetti 6cup Moka Express Pot and their hand grinder and a frother.
The idea is to use it in the van using Gas, 230V hotplate or even campfire heat sources.
With the purchase we got some Merlo Expresso blend beans and preground . We have also tried some Harris very strong 100% Arabica preground expresso.
Although quite good in both cappuccino and long black they just didn't have enough fragrance or taste for our liking.
We usually drink Lavazza Intenso instant
Can you please suggest a brand of coffee Bean that you enjoy.
ps. At this stage we don't want to go to the expense of a quality high end coffee machine if we can avoid it.
Hi there
We use Aldi coffee beans and Aldi ground coffee. I go for dark roast in both. I use the beans at home in the espresso machine and take the preground travelling for use in the plunger. Give it a go, its not an expensive experiment.
I have read that room temp, dark, is the best place to store both.
I dont like instant but my partner does and makes home mocka one spoon of instant coffee one teaspoon of milo. Not at all to my liking but he likes it. So Id say taste is a very personal thing. Go with what you like.
CheersPaul
Cupie said
01:35 PM Aug 11, 2021
Thanks Paul .. I'll look at the Aldi beans when I next go there to get some Olive Oil & Dish washer tabs. It'll be interesting to see if they have a 'roasted' date. See, I'm getting to be a coffee snob already. LOL
Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan ......
I look forward to my two glasses of Au made, Japanese style Itoen Matcha Green Tea with breakfast. A great start to the day along with a bowl of in season fruit & a single wheatbix with soy milk.
-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 11th of August 2021 01:36:43 PM
Radar said
03:41 PM Aug 11, 2021
Cupie wrote:
I have recently purchased a Bialetti 6cup Moka Express Pot and their hand grinder and a frother.
The idea is to use it in the van using Gas, 230V hotplate or even campfire heat sources.
With the purchase we got some Merlo Expresso blend beans and preground . We have also tried some Harris very strong 100% Arabica preground expresso.
Although quite good in both cappuccino and long black they just didn't have enough fragrance or taste for our liking.
We usually drink Lavazza Intenso instant.
Can you please suggest a brand of coffee Bean that you enjoy.
ps. At this stage we don't want to go to the expense of a quality high end coffee machine if we can avoid it.
Hi Cupie
Early last year I had a reason to be up Clontaff Qld way getting some work done on the caravan, around the corner was one of those snobby coffee shops, I was desperate for a coffee, had some change in I go, the place smelt divine, a very pleasant coffee smell. Most times I drink black coffee but to my annoyance coffee shop fail how I like it, so I just order flat white.
The flat white arrived, the fragrance was great, so looked around for white, I asked for white sugar, no we only use and recommend brown.
Man it was a great cup of coffee, I secretly have been back trice more.
I do some googling try to find the name, its in the industrial area.
Cupie said
05:04 PM Aug 11, 2021
Radar ...
I'll anxiously await the name of that coffee shop.
I thought that it would be a simple matter to google 'Coffee Shops Clontaff'. Buggar me ... a S#@$ load of them, lots with great reviews.
We could wait for a sunny winter's morning (a bit cloudy at the moment) & take a short drive up there for a morning coffee & a picnic lunch on the beach at Suttons beach, home before the afternoon traffic.
I know the area well having lived & worked there for a couple of years in the late 70's.
oldbloke said
06:20 PM Aug 11, 2021
Sooo, love a coffee. I don't drink instant. Use a plunger with ground coffee.
Soo, what's the big deal about freshly ground coffee?
Is it a lot better,?
I'm a coffee idiot so pls be kind. Lol
Santa said
06:42 PM Aug 11, 2021
oldbloke wrote:
Sooo, love a coffee. I don't drink instant. Use a plunger with ground coffee.
Soo, what's the big deal about freshly ground coffee?
Is it a lot better,?
I'm a coffee idiot so pls be kind. Lol
Evening Oldbloke, it's very much a personal thing, I believe freshly roasted beans ground just prior to brewing are vastly superior in flavour to supermarket or stale beans, others simply cant see what the fuss is about.
If you have a grinder buy some freshly roasted beans from a reputable supplier and run a comparison, you have nothing to lose and may well be pleasantly surprised.
Not an idiot, if you don't ask you will never know.
I have recently purchased a Bialetti 6cup Moka Express Pot and their hand grinder and a frother.
The idea is to use it in the van using Gas, 230V hotplate or even campfire heat sources.
With the purchase we got some Merlo Expresso blend beans and preground . We have also tried some Harris very strong 100% Arabica preground expresso.
Although quite good in both cappuccino and long black they just didn't have enough fragrance or taste for our liking.
We usually drink Lavazza Intenso instant.
Can you please suggest a brand of coffee Bean that you enjoy.
ps. At this stage we don't want to go to the expense of a quality high end coffee machine if we can avoid it.
Toby's Estate beans from Harris Farm near us is $11.99 the Broadway is very nice, our favourite of the half dozen types on the shelf. Actually you will probably find you need a bit less for a cup. We sometimes thin it out with about a third decaf to reduce caffeine. Look for the youngest roasting date on the back as sometimes there is the odd old date on the self.
Personal taste preference is a very broad, almost unlimited, question - especially when it comes to coffee...! Just keep tasting and trying but in dedicated Coffee Shops .....not just Cafes etc.. until you find a bean that you like.
I find that small roasters are often not consistent with their product.
No matter what coffee bean you chose the only way to maximise the "taste" is to use fresh roasted whole beans and grind them before use - the grinder is the only way to control the "shot" time .
And do not forget ...."You have not had enough coffee until you can thread a sewing machine .....while it is still running....!"
KB
Hi Cupie,
Suggest you place a trial order with this roaster https://beanbay.coffeesnobs.com.au/ beans are always freshly roasted (very important) they ship promptly and are reputable.
You have a grinder, also important, so will be able to grind beans as you need them.
Harris, Lavazza, Vittoria etc are supermarket brands and are well past their best when you buy them.
I've heard some reasonable reports about Aldi beans, however I've tried them and not impressed.
All quality beans are marked with a roast date, any older than 3 weeks is pretty well past its best.
As a matter of interest I'm a member of CoffeeSnobs and have been buying green beans from them for over 12 years.
Good coffee is an important part of life, good luck with your quest.
Coffee is a personal taste. The best cup of coffee we had was in a tobacconist in France. We weren't there for the smokes!
Thanks for all the replies & advice.
I will join Coffeesnobs to improve my knowledge & choose one of their freshly roasted options (perhaps not the $147.50/kg Jamacian beans though).
Given the importance of freshly roasted beans I will also investigate any roasters near me and certainly look for coffee specialist shops in my area.
In the meantime, I will continue to practice with the beans that I already have in the fridge (I read somewhere long ago that that's the place to store them).
Once again .. Thanks
I have tried some coffee beans around the $80+ mark. I think you really need to know what you are doing to get the most out of them, & I'm far from an expert.
Get your water temperature right... even for instant coffee... heaven forbid!
https://www.home-barista.com/forums/
Quite a variety of excellent roasted beans available on Coffee Snobs for under $40 kg, no need to pay $80 kg.
If you do join Cupie don't be afraid to ask questions, plenty of members only too happy to assist.
Hi Cupie
I read somewhere just last year during lock down "room temp only" I now am confused.I had practise storing our different arrangements of coffee in the frig, now go in to the frig I can not find the coffee. Where is the coffee.
Civet bum coffee beans up to $1000kg.
Coffee is very susceptible to heat...boiling water will burn it and it then becomes bitter to taste. Around 90/92 Degrees is a good Temp. (This is the reason so much work goes into building Commercial Espresso machines using Temperature controlled Heat Exchange systems to supply the "coffee head" ) The boiler only supplys Steam (for steaming milk etc.) and Boiling water to make tea etc.. KB
Storing in fridge not a good idea, in and out of fridge can lead to condensation, definitely not good for beans, ideal storage is in one way valve bags in a cool dark cupboard.
Pretty sure Coffee Snobs ship in these bags, most reputable roasters use them, they are also available for purchase and are reusable https://beanbay.coffeesnobs.com.au/ViewProduct.aspx/1654-500g-coffee-bags-matte-black-(lots-of-10)
It is challenging getting temperature right doing it all by hand in the outback with vastly varying ambient temperatures.
I'd like to know what is wrong with Nescafe Blend 43!? And especially the Safeway 2020 vintage! Answer me that... if you can....
Once you have ground your own beans, one has been ruined.
I have bought the same beans pre-ground when out of stock. They are not as good. Also you do not want the date of the beans to get too old, or far too young for that matter.
If I have to resort to instant coffee I go for tea.
Absolutely nothing wrong with Blend 43 if it's to your liking, and as a plus think of the money you save.
-- Edited by Santa on Tuesday 10th of August 2021 02:23:39 PM
Budget tells me I can't afford Grange, but with the low cost of coffee I have not bought instant in years.
Not everyone appreciates the difference between instant coffee and quality roasted beans (or even want to) if instant suits your palate so be it.
Once again .. thanks ... I'm learning.
It seems like my beans need to come out of the fridge & into those bags.
I can't do anything about the temp of the water in the perculator style brewer that I have although the instructions say that it's better if I use a low heat.
I'll lurk on the Coffeesnobs site for a bit until I get a feel for it .. then I'll certainly start asking all of my dumb questions.
In other words a processed hamburger
vs
a real one with the lot: beetroot, pineapple, egg, bacon, tomato, lettuce, real cheese, actual beef mince, onion, butter, proper bread roll.
It's challenging to get your head around the fact that people are willing to taste, let alone pay $1000 per kg, for something that came out of a cat's arse but looks more like roo poo. Makes Blend43 (I like Nescafe Mocha sachets) look very attractive and think of all the beer you can buy with the savings.
Hi there
We use Aldi coffee beans and Aldi ground coffee. I go for dark roast in both. I use the beans at home in the espresso machine and take the preground travelling for use in the plunger. Give it a go, its not an expensive experiment.
I have read that room temp, dark, is the best place to store both.
I dont like instant but my partner does and makes home mocka one spoon of instant coffee one teaspoon of milo. Not at all to my liking but he likes it. So Id say taste is a very personal thing. Go with what you like.
CheersPaul
Thanks Paul .. I'll look at the Aldi beans when I next go there to get some Olive Oil & Dish washer tabs. It'll be interesting to see if they have a 'roasted' date. See, I'm getting to be a coffee snob already. LOL
Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan ......
I look forward to my two glasses of Au made, Japanese style Itoen Matcha Green Tea with breakfast. A great start to the day along with a bowl of in season fruit & a single wheatbix with soy milk.
-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 11th of August 2021 01:36:43 PM
Hi Cupie
Early last year I had a reason to be up Clontaff Qld way getting some work done on the caravan, around the corner was one of those snobby coffee shops, I was desperate for a coffee, had some change in I go, the place smelt divine, a very pleasant coffee smell. Most times I drink black coffee but to my annoyance coffee shop fail how I like it, so I just order flat white.
The flat white arrived, the fragrance was great, so looked around for white, I asked for white sugar, no we only use and recommend brown.
Man it was a great cup of coffee, I secretly have been back trice more.
I do some googling try to find the name, its in the industrial area.
Radar ...
I'll anxiously await the name of that coffee shop.
I thought that it would be a simple matter to google 'Coffee Shops Clontaff'. Buggar me ... a S#@$ load of them, lots with great reviews.
We could wait for a sunny winter's morning (a bit cloudy at the moment) & take a short drive up there for a morning coffee & a picnic lunch on the beach at Suttons beach, home before the afternoon traffic.
I know the area well having lived & worked there for a couple of years in the late 70's.
Soo, what's the big deal about freshly ground coffee?
Is it a lot better,?
I'm a coffee idiot so pls be kind. Lol
Evening Oldbloke, it's very much a personal thing, I believe freshly roasted beans ground just prior to brewing are vastly superior in flavour to supermarket or stale beans, others simply cant see what the fuss is about.
If you have a grinder buy some freshly roasted beans from a reputable supplier and run a comparison, you have nothing to lose and may well be pleasantly surprised.
Not an idiot, if you don't ask you will never know.