Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

Craig1981 · 10 Mar 2013 at 11:54

whoops. Wrong thread.

thewanted · 10 Mar 2013 at 14:34

thewanted said:
Has anyone bought some beans from Monmouth Coffee in Covent Garden recently?

I'll be in the area on Saturday morning so it would be rude not to pick some up. Just looking for recommendations based on what other people liked from there

So I went to Monmouth yesterday and got 100g of each of these beans:

FINCA SANTA MARIA - El Salvador
FINCA SAN ISIDRO - Costa Rica
FINCA LAS MARGARITAS - Colombia

Just about to pour myself the first cup of Finca Santa Maria. Quite excited

Flibster · 11 Mar 2013 at 12:45

Hamster said:
There are kettles with filters built in and there are kettles which keep your water to a certain temperature (Bonavita do these but they're quite expensive and not sure if availalble in the UK yet) but I've not come across one that has both filter and temperature control. Also Ealing is a hard water area and the filters don't really help much with that so it's probably a good idea to descale your kettle quite often. An alternative is to use bottled water such as the cheap Ashbeck water from Tesco (low TDS).

I want one of these!!
http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Vari...id=1362870200&sr=8-2&keywords=Bonavita+kettle

Coffeehit should be getting them in the country in the next month or so.

bonavitakettle.eu is the site for trade enquiries, but it's coffeehit behind it.

Hamster · 11 Mar 2013 at 17:04

Thanks Flibster. I didn't know coffeehit were behind this.
Let's hope their prices are not just US prices swapping the $ for £!

joffy · 11 Mar 2013 at 19:32

Anyone used this place before? https://www.adamsandrussell.co.uk/
They do 3 bags for £10.

Flibster · 12 Mar 2013 at 01:28

Hamster said:
Thanks Flibster. I didn't know coffeehit were behind this.
Let's hope their prices are not just US prices swapping the $ for £!

I only knew about it because they tweeted about it today.

thewanted · 12 Mar 2013 at 10:29

joffy said:
Anyone used this place before? https://www.adamsandrussell.co.uk/
They do 3 bags for £10.

I haven't but that seems like a good offer! Monmouth charges £35/kg for their beans, which makes it a treat rather than something I'm prepared to buy often.

I'm also keen to hear if anyone has tried the beans from Adams & Russell, especially their "Connoisseur's Choice" range.

Bill101 · 12 Mar 2013 at 10:50

joffy said:
Anyone used this place before? https://www.adamsandrussell.co.uk/
They do 3 bags for £10.

I've bought a couple of bags from them. They have a stall at the local farmer's markets with a large range of beans. I got a Peaberry and a monsoon from them and had no problem with either

joffy · 13 Mar 2013 at 14:19

Can anyone see the customer reviews and rating stars on http://www.hasbean.co.uk/ ??
I recently changed my security apps so dunno if they blocking something or the site is at fault. Tried different browsers.

Hamster · 13 Mar 2013 at 15:57

joffy said:
Can anyone see the customer reviews and rating stars on http://www.hasbean.co.uk/ ??
I recently changed my security apps so dunno if they blocking something or the site is at fault. Tried different browsers.

I've just checked and can't see them either. I think they may be doing something to their site.

joffy · 13 Mar 2013 at 20:53

Hamster said:
I've just checked and can't see them either. I think they may be doing something to their site.

Ah cheers, not just me then

Walter Sobchak · 16 Mar 2013 at 15:42

After being delayed by the snow in France I picked up my lovely Italian machine this morning from the FedEx depot! Her she is, its an Isomac Tea iii

Almost bought the Fracino Cherub but the missus said no chance after she saw the size of it. Fracino do make a smaller machine called the Piccino, but I was put off by it needing to be sent back to Fracino to be descaled. Found the Isomac tea at a good price for sale at Coffeeitalia, they have a bit of an iffy rep for customer service but took the chance anyway.

Off for a play now!

manveruppd · 16 Mar 2013 at 15:57

Currently enjoying Hasbean Sumatra Raja Batak honey processed btw and can heartily recommend it! A dark, full-bodied but really clean roast with only a hint of earthiness, sour cherries on the nose and a strong dark chocolatey taste, but without bitterness (in fact it's got a sweet hazelnut aftertaste).

joffy · 17 Mar 2013 at 10:30

manveruppd said:
Currently enjoying Hasbean Sumatra Raja Batak honey processed btw and can heartily recommend it! A dark, full-bodied but really clean roast with only a hint of earthiness, sour cherries on the nose and a strong dark chocolatey taste, but without bitterness (in fact it's got a sweet hazelnut aftertaste).

Thanks, will try it next

GTanny · 17 Mar 2013 at 16:57

It comining upto payday again and im very nearly out of coffee i enjoy drinking, i have about a quarter bag of old Jabberwocky left and its definatly past its best and a couple of old full bags of Kicker and Blake that i just dont like.

ive just had a quick look at it seems Hasbean no longer have stock of the Oporapa that i enjoyed so much but they do still stock Brazil Fazenda Cachoeria that i also enjoyed so much, with Jailbreak in 3rd place.

what i would like though is to try other suppliers to see what else is available, from the coffee above i drink all with milk and enjoy a coffee that will cut through milk with a chocolate sweet flavour, does anyone have a suggestion for other suppliers and any other possible coffees they would suggest.

i have found a local roaster that has a market stall so i may also give them a visit

Rojin · 17 Mar 2013 at 17:55

I've given up on Hasbean of late, had a run of coffees I really didn't care for. I've tried a few others which have been so so. I'm currently trying the Small Batch Coffee Company on the 3 month sub they do. The first two coffees have been very nice. I drink my coffee black though, so couldn't comment on what it is like with milk.

FeFiDoh · 17 Mar 2013 at 18:07

Rojin I have stuck with small batch for ages really enjoy the stuff I get from them, not tried this new one the Indian Peaberry is it? Sounds good though and they recommend an aeropress with it so fingers crossed.

Rojin · 17 Mar 2013 at 18:10

Yes the Peaberry is the latest, it's very nice. I use an aeropress so very happy

FeFiDoh · 18 Mar 2013 at 17:59

I have 1 cuppa left of the last one which was okay as well then I shall start on the new one.
I really enjoyed their own blend not had that for a while but it was definitely one of the nicest ones I have had from anywhere.

Grimley · 20 Mar 2013 at 20:59

I paid a visit to this place last weekend.

http://www.thewindowcoffee.com/index.html

Very small, got quite cosy as it seats about 6 people! Very nice girl serving the coffee though a double shot was a bit on the strong side for me.