Coffee Appreciation

Good to hear you enjoying the coffee, that Nicaraguan is hard to beat. Wait until you try some fresher roasts, but it's not going to be MissionCW again.

Can't wait to try all the coffee out there. Thanks for sorting me out!

No problem. There will be more once I start roasting again.

http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/06/make-better-pourover-coffee-how-pourover-works-temperature-timing.html

Lerryn's in Peckham are hiring a barista: http://london.coffeejobsboard.com/jobs/view/barista-96/

One of SO MANY new coffee (/cake/cocktail/cycle/gallery/community) shops in the area.

So lets talk French Press / Cafetiere.

I need one to sort out department coffee at work (give it time and maybe a bean-to-cup machine might happen) so I need a 8 cup version. Is there a prefered brand or are they much the same?

Where to go around Brixton / Herne Hill other than federation, ideally somewhere selling beans too? There's a place in Herne Hill station but that's only operating on weekday mornings for now I've been told.

The service in Federation seems very up and down; last time I went in there the barista was super friendly and chatty, time before that it was a different guy who was one of the rudest most unpleasant coffee types I've met.

I need a 8 cup version. Is there a prefered brand or are they much the same?

They are much the same.

But for that size, I find the ones that have some strength in the holder for the glass is helpful... makes it feel more rugged and capable.

The Bodum Eileen is very nice:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bodum-1-0-Eileen-Coffee-Maker/dp/B004JHXZ02/

For work, I actually prefer full metal things. Removes all fear of breakage, just less delicate all round.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/ProCook-Double-Stainless-Steel-Cafetiere/dp/B0026OLAN4

I use that very same ProCook model. It's fantastic. Not only to protect from breakages - also looks decent when presenting (very easy to polish up). But most importantly of all it retains heat. Glass models go cold in minutes. If I'm drinking the litre on my own this thing stays hot for a couple of hours (not that I ever need that long).

I just bought an aeropress as gift for my brother. Can anyone reccomend some good coffee to go with it? A couple of little bags would be ideal.

Depends where you are in the country/what you have accessible to buy in local coffee shops. I'm in Brighton these days and Small Batch is a reliable local. They do online sales too. For aeropress I like:
http://smallbatchcoffee.co.uk/shop/coffee/kenya-kii-peaberry
http://smallbatchcoffee.co.uk/shop/coffee?product_id=102
and
http://smallbatchcoffee.co.uk/shop/coffee?product_id=94

My other local, Ground, have recently started getting a few bags in from 'James'. I tried one recently and it was delicious:
http://jamesgourmetcoffee.com/product/ethiopian-suke-quto-private-estate-coffee-guji-sidamo-filter-roast/

Blockquote Where to go around Brixton / Herne Hill other than federation, ideally somewhere selling beans too? There's a place in Herne Hill station but that's only operating on weekday mornings for now I've been told.
The service in Federation seems very up and down; last time I went in there the barista was super friendly and chatty, time before that it was a different guy who was one of the rudest most unpleasant coffee types I've met.

I have experienced that too. I like the alchemy beans they sell though - the elixir espresso is lovely and reasonably priced.

In Herne Hill there is a new place serving Volcano coffee in the little yard by the hardwear store in the pedestrianised bit. I've not been but its probably your best bet - everywhere else is pretty awful, except the lido cafe, who use Allpress beans.

Nowhere in HH sells decent beans though. A constant first world thorn in my side.

^ Ha, that's become my new third world problem too, along with there being no WholeFoods market nearby, like in Stoke Newington. The lack of good coffee in HH is quite surprising given the types who live around here.

The place that's open in the train station (can't remember their name) in the mornings sell beans I think. They also have a stall at the Sunday market.

Volcano cafe and a roastery isn't miles away in Tulse Hill.
I sort of remember some place in Dulwich Village using Climpsons some time ago, but can't recall the name.
I'm guessing you all ride bikes. Why not ride over to your favourite place and buy their beans?

Also, mega props to mrbean2cup online shop. Ordered a replacement crema bung thingy (for gaggia portafilters) yesterday lunchtime, and it turned up today.

The guy on the phone helped me identify what part it was too. Great service.

I buy pretty much all my beans from climpsons anyway, as I work a 2 min walk from the café. They give me stuff when I buy lots. I like that.
Current regular buys: The Fields, and Climpsons Estate. Both excellent.

However I recently bought some Nude beans (from Condor of all places!) and was impressed.

@Velocio I REALLY like this. So much functionality.

Now back to coffee.

Daily Goods have just opened up on Camberwell Church St, they sell Workshop. Not too far from HH?

I've bought some The Barn Berlin Costa Rica beans called Lola (or Lulu or something, they're packed away) for a week of aeropress and GS1 fun. Apparently this is going to be good. They roast quite light. Impressed they were roasted 4th arrived in takk mcr shop yesterday. I'll report back.

p.s. got a TBB enamel camping mug with them too, looks ace will be used

I just bought the barn kochere. Tomorrow morning should be grand.

Yeah I had choice of Lola and Kochere I think (that's the El Salvador one no?). Enjoy!

Everytime I drink my new coffee I feel like Agent Cooper.

Speaking of which: I'm doing a Twin Peaks party in Brighton this month and obviously offering coffee, cherry pie etc. Does anyone have any experience with coffee urns - better yet does anyone have access to one?

can I join?