Recently I decided to try a new coffee and purchased 2 pounds of Blue State Coffee off a friend's recommendation. It was easily the best home brewed coffee I have ever had.....It easily beats all other brands readily available at the supermarket
At something like $15 a pound, it is a splurge but I liked it so much that I tried to emulate it with another highly rated, but cheaper brand, Cafe Du Monde. I found it to be quite different from the great coffee I remember from the 80's. It seems Cafe Du Monde has intensified their roasting process, and all I taste is over toasted coffee.
Anybody have any other suggestions?
TIA BBI!
Cafe Britt dark roast - ( New Window )
Jersey Shore Coffee Roasters - ( New Window )
I am a massive coffee nerd. If anyone is interested in truly high quality coffee, let me know where they are located and I can recommend some quality roasters/coffee shops to try quality coffee.
Long Island coffee revolution. - ( New Window )
Not sure your brewing method, but for ease sake and best results I find French press to be the best, I own a stainless steel one that I swear by. A good grinder is critical as well. But don't let things like water quality and brewing methods go overlooked because they are equally as important as the quality of the roast and beans your brewing.
The same goes for espresso, you can have a nice machine and whatever, but it's all about getting the right grind, espresso is a little fineky. I can't afford a nice machine or espresso grinder right now, but I get by with a cheap one.
If your really into it stick with single origins for the cleanest and most distinct flavor profiles. I enjoy every type of roast, but I've learned which beans I like darker/ lighter than others, which characteristics come out from roasting certain types longer/shorter than others. I typically like a good blend for lighter roasts, Costa Rican is one of the best beans that's hard to fuck up at any roast level. For darker roasts I think Kenya AA and Ethiopian are my favorite. I don't usually enjoy black coffee, but those two I can drink black all day. Anyways that's my two cents.
Not sure your brewing method, but for ease sake and best results I find French press to be the best, I own a stainless steel one that I swear by. A good grinder is critical as well. But don't let things like water quality and brewing methods go overlooked because they are equally as important as the quality of the roast and beans your brewing.
The same goes for espresso, you can have a nice machine and whatever, but it's all about getting the right grind, espresso is a little fineky. I can't afford a nice machine or espresso grinder right now, but I get by with a cheap one.
If your really into it stick with single origins for the cleanest and most distinct flavor profiles. I enjoy every type of roast, but I've learned which beans I like darker/ lighter than others, which characteristics come out from roasting certain types longer/shorter than others. I typically like a good blend for lighter roasts, Costa Rican is one of the best beans that's hard to fuck up at any roast level. For darker roasts I think Kenya AA and Ethiopian are my favorite. I don't usually enjoy black coffee, but those two I can drink black all day. Anyways that's my two cents.
If you aren't drinking coffee black, you aren't really drinking coffee though.
I have a behmor and nothing roasting your own.
Dark roasts are far from terrible. You seem to prefer lighter roasts, that's fine, but that doesn't mean that darker roasts are terrible. If a dark roast is bitter, it's likely due to the beans being overdone.
I've been home-roasting my beans for almost a decade, and I typically go for a darker roast. I agree with beatrix, single origin beans are most consistent, and Costa Rican are consistently good. I have a Bodum grinder that I use right before brewing, and I brew using a Technivorm Moccamaster, although I will french press on occasion.
Any good beans for cold brew? (I'm based in Chicago if someone wants to recommend a good local roaster)
+1000000 - Specifically, Jamaican Blue Mountain Style if you like a light roast with a little sweetness. It's not the real thing, but an excellent facsimile at a fraction of the cost. And besides - who knows where most of the "certified" Jamaican stuff comes from? Trader Joe's had a really nice one for about $25/lb. for a while, but I think it has been discontinued.
We live a block away from Zabar's, so I'm in there several times a week.
$10/lb. in-store, $13 on-line unless you subscribe to their auto-order service. - ( New Window )
This weekend I also picked up some Organic Mexican French Roast, which was a nice change of pace. $9.99.
If you can get your hands on some Jamaican Blue Mountain, it's about as good as coffee gets. But it's also very expensive. could run you as much as $100 for a pound.
Mystic Monk Coffee (Montana?)
Black Rifle Coffee
Douwe Egbert Coffee (Dutch)
Whatever CraftCoffee.com sends me
I do pour over or french press and use a burr grinder.
to me a very light roast is fruity.
roast the same coffee darker and different qualities come out.
sometimes i will combine a light and dark roast of the same bean
i have found after roasting it is good to let the coffee sit for a day or two.
I do enjoy JBM, it is pricey but as a treat once in a while it is special.
It is very hard to find but try to get a bag of St. Helenas......that os special.