Coffee Appreciation

We tried a variety of beans from hasbean in the office, but I always found the brew to be rather weak in the bean-to-cup machine we have.

We went back to http://www.coffeebeanshop.co.uk/ who have been sending some nice stuff over.

I've been caning Jimmy's iced coffee all day... yummy. Got ma fridge stocked innit.

got the aeropress today, didn't have time to go to monmouth so got some Tesco Finest Java something or other.

oh my, it makes good coffee. piece of piss to clean too

Any recommendations for coffee within walking distance of old bond st?

http://www.reissonline.com/blog/haunt-hunt-sensory-lab-london/

Looks like an indentikit replica of Prufrock - same cups, same siphon and heat source, same grinder, same work surface - only thing different is that Prufrock only stocks Square Mile and doesn't give you little wooden trays :)

Shall check it out - for the tray alone.

there's even some media tosspot using his macbookpro in the window.

13"? :)

On the subject of square mile - someone gave me a bag of this recently:

Blow me, it's good.

Looks like an indentikit replica of Prufrock - same cups, same siphon and heat source, same grinder, same work surface - only thing different is that Prufrock only stocks Square Mile and doesn't give you little wooden trays :)

Shall check it out - for the tray alone.

Shame how in the quest for individuality the small independents have started to look like a chain of their own. Plus ca change...

interesting isn't it.

Surprised by the identikit criticism; pretty sure the same could be said for the vast majority of new 'third wave' cafes in London...Sensory Lab is an offshoot of St. Ali, and by the sounds of it has a heavy focus on tastings and working with different roasteries. I'm personally pretty excited to see what they offer – if it shares any of the service values of it's sister St. Ali, I'm all for it.

There's a place on/near Redchurch St that roasts it's own coffee (you can see the roaster though the window). Nr Aubin & Wills. I forget the name. Don't bother going, coffee not that great and the staff are poorly trained.

Surprised by the identikit criticism; pretty sure the same could be said for the vast majority of new 'third wave' cafes in London...Sensory Lab is an offshoot of St. Ali, and by the sounds of it has a heavy focus on tastings and working with different roasteries. I'm personally pretty excited to see what they offer – if it shares any of the service values of it's sister St. Ali, I'm all for it.

Wasn't a criticism on my part by any means - just an observation.

These sorts of places are still promoting and producing and educating about excellent coffees.

So as far as I'm concerned they're bloody great, regardless of what china they use or whether they have a water ionizer.

Incidentally, there's a cupping at Prufrock on Saturday lunchtime if anyone's interested.

Surprised by the identikit criticism; pretty sure the same could be said for the vast majority of new 'third wave' cafes in London...Sensory Lab is an offshoot of St. Ali, and by the sounds of it has a heavy focus on tastings and working with different roasteries. I'm personally pretty excited to see what they offer – if it shares any of the service values of it's sister St. Ali, I'm all for it.

I didn't mean to knock the place, certainly not in isolation, more a comment on the vast majority as you've noticed yourself. I've got no problem with the important aspects [of anywhere] - quality of drinks and service, just that the whole experience has become a bit predictable.

Wasn't a criticism on my part by any means - just an observation.

These sorts of places are still promoting and producing and educating about excellent coffees.

So as far as I'm concerned they're bloody great, regardless of what china they use or whether they have a water ionizer.

Incidentally, there's a cupping at Prufrock on Saturday lunchtime if anyone's interested.

yes!

Can has details?

Will find out and confirm, but to the best of my knowledge it's just a case of turning up!

Excellent! Hopefully enthusiastic coffee-engers with minimal cupping* experience will be welcome. Will supply own nerdy attitude.

*hmmm

Coffee heads, I've set up a coffee morning outside the howl at the moon freehouse on hoxton street serving Square Mile piccolos, flat whites, lattes espressos... between 7.30 and 10 a.m. through an elektra hl1 espresso machine

I am spoon and this is HOWL AT THE SPOON

Aeropress puck - solid

Looks like you're a giant holding up a freshly baked human sized chocolate cake.

(I so need an aeropress to keep me from spending £10/day a Monmouth. And make giant perspective photos, natch)

three days and you've made back the cost of the Aeropress and the coffee!

I knowwwwww........

I have been using it once a day, when I get in from work. Not sure if it's a purists method but I am enjoying the drink.

using the "upside down method", one scoop of coffee (currently just some Tesco Finest caper - hopefully will have time to get to Monmouth tomorrow), wet the filter in the cap and warm the mug, fill the Aeropress to the top with water that's about 1 to 2 min off the boil, stir, wait 30 secs, place cap and filter on, invert over the mug, press for about 10 secs, 1 spoon of brown sugar, very nice.

Just had a shot of kicker espresso from Dose (finally!). Really tasty, definitely the sweetest espresso i've had and could really taste the lemons.

On another note, I'm out for the prufrock cupping tomorrow because it turns out I'm riding to essex...