Coffee Appreciation

I'm really hoping that Climpsons get the Doi Chang Thai stuff back in. Probably the best coffee I've ever put through a filter.

^ I could get it for you with no problem :)
Doi Chaang Natural is pretty damn good.

Gimmie!!

Returning to The Baron this morning was a bit of a shock. Not sure how much I like it anymore - too much oil/ bitterness, too robust and too dark a roast, sort of disagrees with me.
At the moment I prefer something lighter with more acidity and natural sweetness.

I'm the same with The Baron just now; it's just a bit too dark for me, and it's lacking in subtlety. That said, Italian espresso lovers will probably live it.

I found the Winter Blend to be really well balanced and also naturally sweet. You can taste the Rwandan coming through which adds a good amount of nice acidity. Maybe I've just been lucky.

Incidentally, the Rwandan that they sell on its own is also great for espresso.

I was slightly disappointed with the Climpson Estate at home recently as when they poured me one in the shop it blew me away; serious licorice and toffee flavours. I'm brewing with an Expobar HX machine. Maybe I need to adjust the temperature some time.

My MadeByKnock Hausgrind arrived today, pulled about 6 shots dialling it in (haven't got the grind perfect yet but I got bored).

Build quality and feel in the hand is amazing, grinds 14g of beans in 50 seconds so much quicker than my old Porlex mini.

(only iPhone photos for now)

I'm the same with The Baron just now; it's just a bit too dark for me, and it's lacking in subtlety. That said, Italian espresso lovers will probably live it.

I found the Winter Blend to be really well balanced and also naturally sweet. You can taste the Rwandan coming through which adds a good amount of nice acidity. Maybe I've just been lucky.

Incidentally, the Rwandan that they sell on its own is also great for espresso.

I was slightly disappointed with the Climpson Estate at home recently as when they poured me one in the shop it blew me away; serious licorice and toffee flavours. I'm brewing with an Expobar HX machine. Maybe I need to adjust the temperature some time.

Do you think they've changed the Baron blend? I definitely don't remember it being quite so Italian..

Re: the winter - I've only had it once before and that was the first week they had it in. I was really into the autumn espresso and found the winter a bit bland by comparison.
I've got a bag of winter at home - I might pour out the 250g of Baron I filled the hopper with this morning and give it a whirl tomorrow.

From what I know the idea of a Baron is to be used in bigger milky drinks, and was always darkest blend Climpsons offered. Beans did change every now and then, but then they always do, as crops and seasons change.

^^^ Mercy, I wonder what percentage of the cost that packaging represents.

Do you think they've changed the Baron blend? I definitely don't remember it being quite so Italian..

Re: the winter - I've only had it once before and that was the first week they had it in. I was really into the autumn espresso and found the winter a bit bland by comparison.

I can remember preferring The Baron in the past. I do have it with milk, and it's just a bit meh for me just now.

I have some Maresca beans from Sicily just now also, and they are dark, but not bitter like the Baron is. They pour like treacle, and taste a bit like salted caramel.

I was pouring the Winter Blend as 18g and just a typical 30g odd brew for 25-30s odd. I drank it usually as a flat white.

250g a week?! That's a lot of coffee to be getting through.
You think?

I guess it's different when one 'works from home'. <<< my excuse :)

36g a day seems reasonable to me.

That would pretty exactly be three moka pots where I'm at.

From what I know the idea of a Baron is to be used in bigger milky drinks, and was always darkest blend Climpsons offered. Beans did change every now and then, but then they always do, as crops and seasons change.

This is what I thought.

Also I don't think climpsons do the deterra espresso any more (which I found the darkest, and borderline harsh to drink) so maybe they've tweaked the blend. Either way its all gone pear shaped now you've left Pepe :D

I can remember preferring The Baron in the past. I do have it with milk, and it's just a bit meh for me just now.

I have some Maresca beans from Sicily just now also, and they are dark, but not bitter like the Baron is. They pour like treacle, and taste a bit like salted caramel.

I was pouring the Winter Blend as 18g and just a typical 30g odd brew for 25-30s odd. I drank it usually as a flat white.

Gave it a whirl this morning. Huge improvement and really really easy to get dialed in too. Some of the best looking espresso i've made in ages. I take it all back... Though I maintain its not as chocolate-y or nutty as the autumn and doesn't have the sweetness of red brick. Will grab some of the Rwandan today too.

36g a day seems reasonable to me.

+1 .. I always think we go through a lot of coffee but there are 2x of us drinking 2x per day.

My MadeByKnock Hausgrind arrived today, pulled about 6 shots dialling it in (haven't got the grind perfect yet but I got bored).

Build quality and feel in the hand is amazing, grinds 14g of beans in 50 seconds so much quicker than my old Porlex mini.

(only iPhone photos for now)

Will you be selling that Porlex?

I need an espresso starter kit - grinder / ground coffee jar / 57mm tamper / measuring spoon / milk jug / temperature gauge / espresso cups.

Not sure where is best to look bar eBay

My MadeByKnock Hausgrind arrived today, pulled about 6 shots dialling it in (haven't got the grind perfect yet but I got bored).

Build quality and feel in the hand is amazing, grinds 14g of beans in 50 seconds so much quicker than my old Porlex mini.

Dibs your old Porlex mini. Would you like to sell? how much?

Fucksticks...I mean claim

I need an espresso starter kit - grinder / ground coffee jar / 57mm tamper / measuring spoon / milk jug / temperature gauge / espresso cups.

Not sure where is best to look bar eBay

For new
http://www.creamsupplies.co.uk/
http://www.coffeehit.co.uk/

The Porlex isn't for sale sorry but I do have a 58mm MadeByKnock Heft tamper (black steel and walnut handle) I could part with.

RE coffee usage I haven't ever tried to figure it out. I just did though.

pourover days* (week days) 46 gr (for 2 400ml cups per day)
espresso days (weekends) 39 gr (for 3 smallish** 'double' shots per day)

So about 300 grams per week which sounds about right, except I usually buy 250 grams per week. I must get outside coffee more than I think.

At any rate, I guess I could get the hasbean subscription too but I kind of like giving the coffee roaster outside of my work my custom. Also shipping from the UK to the DE is for some reason crazy.

• I am using the 'golden ratio' of these days which is 5.7 grams coffee / 100 ml water. I round up though.
  
  

** small but delicious shots that is the Caravel trademark. It is good for the same coffee I use for pourover which is cool. You can taste similar flavors as pourover just more intense.

I liked the square mile subscription since it was only a bag a month. Unfortunately I didn't really enjoy all of the coffee that much.

The Porlex isn't for sale sorry but I do have a 58mm MadeByKnock Heft tamper (black steel and walnut handle) I could part with.
How much would you want for this?

Mazzer SJ in London (Limehouse I think) which may sell quite cheap:

http://bit.ly/1dBfd4D

Put the Passion Fruit Roasters Seasonal Decaf thru the porlex mini (3 clicks) & gaggia classic for J earlier, she said it was good, better than thru aeropress (plus milk in both cases).

Miss Mouse - I'll let you know about the tamper soon, having problems finding it after tidying it away.

Fernandez & Wells near Golden Square can do one - shite coffee and crap attitude, given it more than one go and it's the same every time