Coffee Appreciation

Currently on a bag of Monmouth Costa Rican Finca Las Lajas (natural). It's a bit fruity, a bit funky, and quite rich. Roast is medium/dark and really good for espresso. It's quite viscous, with lots of crema. Cuts through milk.

ta for the heads up - put this through the machine today. Got a lovely butterscotch backnote in flat whites

Coffee May Lower Suicide Risk.

That explains it

Anybody had any luck getting a Rancilio Silvia repaired/serviced in or around London?

After 3 years of faultless service there was a large bang from mine last night, the water tank lid blew off and steam was flying out of the rubber tubes. The next time I switched it on it wouldn't heat, so I took it apart and reset the thermostat switch. This got it heating again but unfortunately it now just seems to heat continually (light is always on) and steam is produced from all angles rather than water.

Back to the stovetops I go... :(

Bad luck. I'll be watching the thread for responses, just in case...

Was given a Gaggia Cubika a while back which I've enjoyed using, but now I think it needs descaling and probably a new seal somewhere as there is water leaking around the side of what I'll call the water dispensing part (not the bit that holds the coffee). < might give you a clue as to how much I'm into this!

Anyway, with it becoming a faff, I think I might pass on the machine to someone who can deal with it, and get something more simple (and cheap)....looking at the aeropress, seems to be the simplest to me, is there any thing else I should consider for drinking espresso and the occasional cappuccino?

is there any thing else I should consider for drinking espresso and the occasional cappuccino?

a small entry level machine, a bit like the gaggia ;)

Ha, cheers m'dear....but it's old and temperamental, would new seals and a good clean make it less temperamental? Don't like getting bad coffee out of it....the aeropress looks nice and simple, like me, thought we'd go together well.

at 25 notes the aeropress is a must anyway, but you should look into cost of getting the cubika serviced to keep that running too imo - there's a contact on coffeeforums forum would be worth asking there.

Also another bag of Allpress Redchurch. This stuff is just really nice. I can't fault it. Super rich, sweet, easy to pour.

Agreed. Really good in aeropress or as espresso, and good value too; $5 for 250g. the price for some beans (square mile) just takes the piss

Also, any suggestions for good cafes in Brixton other than federation? Will be down there in a bit

Was given a Gaggia Cubika a while back which I've enjoyed using, but now I think it needs descaling and probably a new seal somewhere

You should be descaling fairly often anyway, once a month or two.

You should be descaling fairly often anyway, once a month or two.

Right, well I know what I've been doing wrong then! I've had it a few months and not done this once! No idea what previous owner did to it so is likely to be well overdue! Gonna crack it open and have a good clean and get some descaler...

You should be descaling fairly often anyway, once a month or two.

Even if you're using mineral water?

Recommendations for decent places to buy coffee beans in the Herne Hill / Brixton area?

What are you after? There are a few places that sell Monmouth beans.

Just looking for somewhere that sells a decent espresso bean without a mental price. Monmouth would work - especially if it's in Herne Hill/ Dulwich.

There's Romeo Jones in Dulwich village- I imagine they sell beans as they sell nice coffee, but I've never bought beans from them.

Or (where I have bought Monmouth beans) there is The French Cafe, 38 Forest Hil Road.

The East Dulwich Deli sells beans which are ok- but only really ok.

I have an unopened bag of Monmouth that you'd be welcome to as I have another bag to use before it, and it's getting a bit long in the tooth.

For reals? That's very generous of you - I'm actually going to be coming to past you on the way to dinner in Honour Oak later.

I've convinced Gails to sell me Union beans before in NW6, maybe I should try the same here in future.

I'm WFH today, so pop in whenever.

As I am WFH I will probably be trying to eat everything in the house whilst watching Jeremy Kyle, so prepare yourself for a bit of a distracted look.

Recommendations for decent places to buy coffee beans in the Herne Hill / Brixton area?

volcano are good about roast dates etc but can be a bit spendy

^^ roger that. Probably around 6-6.30. Will text you.

^ thanks, that looks great.

Foolishly trusted my pounds with Ritazza at Southampton Central and AMT at Euston today. Filth. Ritazza slightly more palatable. Wonder if Victoria could've offered a better brew for hurried travellers.

J was happy to get English Breakfast / Blend with soya milk tea at both and enjoyed both.

Conclusion = stick to tea at railway station.

Beans in Kensington that isn't Whole Foods (their Roaster is broken)?

AMT is good for one thing. Froffee

Froffee?