Coffee Appreciation

I had a great shot from a ROK(presso) machine the other day, it was not as warm as I'd have liked, the rok dissipates the heat quickly, but as a result it was far from bitter and the aroma was powerful.
I'm definitely getting one soon, I keep saying that I know.

Porlex grinder: not quick, but nice to use, convenient and well made, It produces a lot of fines, I used it with a french press and a stove-top and frankly too much of it comes through the metal filter, so not the most consistent at coarser settings in my limited opinion.
I also worry about the 5pan connection with the handle, it could get worn fairly quickly.

Just had a coffee

bit of research, if you had to source an espresso machine for semi commercial use, large office, think 15-20 staff, what would be most suitable, and which at a pinch of the home machines could you use?

Get one of these second hand. A single group would be better but they don't come up as often. If you can't plumb it in then you can also get a hand fill model.

Just realised the link didn't work. It was too ebay for an Iberital L'anna 2 group, for a BIN price of £600.

I really recommend the Ethiopian Wote Natural if you want to experience a serious fruit flavour. It's good for any brew method in my opinion.

Have ordered some of this as you've been talking it up some much. Should be here in time for the weekend.

Let us know what you think. For me, it's the up with the best natural Yirgacheffe I've had.

Anyone looking for a grinder, Gaggia MD64 (Mazzer Super Jolly Burrs) for collection in Watford:

http://bit.ly/WgqMW1

I ordered some of that Wote natural as well. Nice that they send it all the way to germany for not too much.

I found the opening clause of the blog post a little troubling http://www.hasblog.co.uk/new-coffeeethiopia-yirgacheffe-wote-natural. Hopefully he still was able to make good coffee choices despite being so distracted.

The Wote came today. Starts off likey the strawberry Jirmiwachu but then gets a strong sour taste at the end (which is the blueberry Has Bean describe I think).
Definitely a different coffee and I can see why there is a bit of a qualifier in his post. Will try a bit more over the weekend.

New place serving Hasbean on Holloway rd. Free coffees today.
Stopped for a chat and a flat white this morning, nice guys, will be a change from my normal Monmouth at La Peche Mignon

have been a bit disappointed by the square mile tijuco preto as apart from the odd cup i wasn't getting fantastic results from it and would occassional taste really roasty/burnt. but getting towards the bottom of the bag I thought i'd have a play so I upped the dose fom 18.5g to 20g loosened the grind 4 micro-notches on the grinder and pulled 30g in about 24s and while not spot on it's a completely different coffee. really chocolately finish to it. think i'll have to have another bag to really play about with it when i get through my red brick and this months has bean espresso subscription.

speaking of which the 'back to the future' blend arrived today along with a pair of 3d glasses. the notes on the website look pretty funky and nothing like i'd normally go for. will probably let it rest a couple of days and crack it open.

Did you try the Burundi? I just had another cup and it's a bit disappointing (one dimensional and slightly bitter). Reminds me a little of some Indian coffees I've had.

Has anyone had any problems ordering from madebyknock?

I ordered a tamper from them on 17/02/13 but it hasn't arrived, contacting them via their web form isn't proving to be too successful either.

Edit: after emailing their PayPal address I got a near enough immediate response and a new tamper is already in post

Everythingwentbetterthanexpected.jpg

New place serving Hasbean on Holloway rd. Free coffees today.

Remember it's more about the barista than the beans...

if that was the case someone somewhere would have had a drinkable coffee from starbucks at some point.

if that was the case someone somewhere would have had a drinkable coffee from starbucks at some point.

You say that. Try finding a decenct coffee on the M40!

Remember it's more about the barista than the beans...

if that was the case someone somewhere would have had a drinkable coffee from starbucks at some point.

I found it to be true in my experience when I found a toenail in my coffee at Starbucks.

Nice grinder for someone, ending soon:

http://bit.ly/XvHUnU

Not a great deal of detail in that listing, I presume it is a decent machine?

It's a Cunill. Maybe like the one I sold recently. Great machine.

Went for £105.change

Does anyone know if the KitchenAid grinders are any good?

My madebyknock tamper arrived today, great service and great product, blows the shitty plastic one out the water

I've heard mixed reports, but there's a Mazzer burr mod which you can perform.

If I were buying another grinder, I'd just aim for an ex-commercial unit, unless you find a usable consumer one for a bargain.

I found it to be true in my experience when I found a toenail in my coffee at Starbucks.

Things are improving there then....

HB BTTF blend for March is very nice, and the first that was simple to dial in on the mc2, about 1/4 turn needed from last months blend, if at all.