Coffee Appreciation

Whoops! Fixed

Thinking about a couple of changes to see if I can improve my coffee. I mainly make filter, pour over, clever dripper (occasionally aeropress) and use a Wilf svart and Britta water filter. Feel I'm not getting all the flavour out of my coffee.

Considering Fellow Ode Gen 2 and for water trying out Third Wave water or alike, or perhaps a different filter e.g.Peak or BWT. Thoughts? Any one own an Ode gen 2?

I would hold off on the Peak Water as the filters seen to be out of stock everywhere at the moment. I'm wondering if something is wrong with the company rather than just re-stock issues. I've also found the filters a bit hit and miss in the last year or so and have been thinking it's time to change to something else.

Anyone got a cafelat robot they're thinking about getting rid of?

Also aware perhaps few people might get rid of them...

Cold dead hands over here

I'm weighing up a second hand gaggia classic or new cafelat robot as a first espresso machine - both seem to be similarly priced with the robot being perhaps 50-60£ more expensive... - any thoughts?

If you're happy without milk-based coffees, then my money would be on the Robot.

The fixed volume of water and manual pressure will make dialling in a bit more tricky also.

On the flip-side cleaning and maintenance will be a much smaller job, not sure if it'll make much of a difference for you, but a silent coffee machine is also a big plus for me.

Thanks that's useful ! Yep was leaning towards the robot and don't really mind a bit of dialing in but keen to increase longevity and simplicity for maintenance/cleaning etc

This sounds great (and reasonably priced), but probably too pricy for someone not sure if they want to fall down the espresso rabbit hole.

Clean down for the robot is super easy, just rinse and wipe everything down.

Also not parting with mine.

Same situation as you literally and pre ordered an ODE Gen 2 which should arrive this week ☺

Going back to that article that was justifying use of coffee pods over other methods for environmental reasons. I wrote:

They are only justifying the use of pods on the grounds (inorite, lol) that there is only 10-12g of coffee in a pod. Less than any of the other methods.

I happened to check on the box of pods in the office and the Tesco Finest* pods contain 5.4g of coffee. Yes, just five point four grams. The machine recommends 25g pull for ristretto, 40g for espresso and 110g for lungo. No wonder it tastes like shit. I'm going to cut a new pod open in a bit and have a look at what's inside. It's in the name of science - I'll make sure I do it in an actual lab and stuff.

I apologise for the most basic patronising comment here but I have a similar setup and make similar coffee - Wilfa Svart, Brita water filter, Sage Precision Brewer/Clever Dripper/Aeropress - and I find grinding finer than seems "right" really makes a difference. Again, I apologise if you've been through this process already.

No worries, quite possible I'm not doing things right. I often make brews in the 3-4 mins range though so I'm thinking any finer and might be over extracted

pods contain 5.4g of coffee.

woah!

Here we go then. A Tesco Finest* number 6 (level of roast) pod. You might assume that by claiming it's their Finest* range, that it would be the finest that they could offer. I think in this case, the fact that they put an asterisk after Finest suggests some kind disclaimer is involved somewhere on the packaging. Or an Autoshite-esque ironic use of the asterisk. Whatever, the beverage you get from these is pretty poor by any measure and I'm surprised supermarkets aren't embarrassed to put products like this on the shelf.

Anyway, shaking the unopened pod sounds like a fair bit of air space and dry-sounding grounds inside. Cutting it open revealed very little air space, but quite the grounds were definitely very dry. The initial aroma from the grounds was actually quite pleasant, but it quickly changed to an acrid smell, an aroma that is present in the brewed coffee it makes. Cheap-smelling coffee. I was quite surprised at the range of sizes in the grounds (which obviously doesn't come across very well in the picture). I thought it would be finer and more consistent than this. I'd describe the grind size as finer end of pour-over/drip.

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Where did you order it from? Just had a look and the websites I could find say mid-Feb delivery!

I’m assuming by “pre ordered”, it was ordered a while ago!

This is some enjoyable, no nonsense tasty shit.

We haven't had reccos for a while! I've got a kilo of this I'm absolutely loving.

https://www.darkartscoffee.co.uk/collections/new/products/listen-to-bathory-mexico-1

If we are doing recommendations then this Ethiopian halo berti is amazing.

Did you listen to them?

I did!

I've had a few natural processed Mexican beans from Dark Arts and other roasters too and I think they might be my favourite combo, so if you see some at a roaster you use or if you try some, let me know.

Outpost just emailed over a 15% discount code: STAYSTRONG15

I'm all stocked up with coffee at the moment but if anyone's in need of a top up, valid until 31st Jan.