The Shades Where to Coffee Thread!!!

[Devil's Woman]

Okay Shades, it really all depends on whether you want to roast your own coffee or buy pre-roasted coffees. Also would you like to learn how to roast your very own coffee or is that too big of a leap right off the bat? Most coffees that are pre-roasted are roasted way too much and you really do not get the full taste of the different coffees you are trying to drink. That is the main problem with Star Bucks and coffee houses like it. If you want to really taste the coffee and not just how dark they can roast then you need to find a roaster that is willing to work with you. We have several of those that we know or deal with on a average so you can always try one or all of those. Shades I know I have your addy somewhere but if you can PM me with it again I will send you some Kona to try and see if you think you would like to try more. I will need to know if I need to grind it along with the roasting and lets get you started...


Please anyone and everyone, if you have questions or want to try something or want more information or have any information to impart, please jump right in, ok? This could be great!!!

[Shades]

Thanks Donna. I'll PM you with my addy. I can grind my own, but never even thought about roasting, which is very intriguing. Thanks for your help! Steve

[Jokermann]

Donna and Eric's Kona is outstanding. Had a little last year.

[Devil's Woman]

Steve, your coffee went out on Saturday so depending on the mail it should get there soon. We always 3 day mail it so we don't have to wait 4-5 weeks before the pony express gets there. I hope you like it. Enjoy it even.

[DocLogic77]

Steve...ya gotta try roasting. I am now ruined...been roasting for a few years now. It's like you have never tasted coffee before.

[Shades]

I think I will try roasting as I am really getting into coffee more now than ever. I have always been a big coffee drinker, but never a aficianado. I'm looking forward to trying it Donna and Shawn, do you have your own roaster or do you use someone local? Thanks all. Steve

[DocLogic77]

I think I will try roasting as I am really getting into coffee more now than ever. I have always been a big coffee drinker, but never a aficianado. I'm looking forward to trying it Donna and Shawn, do you have your own roaster or do you use someone local? Thanks all. Steve

I roast my own with the I-roast 2. Small learning curve...you will probably burn the first batch lol. But well worth the effort. Plus it's cheaper to roast your own. Try SweetMarias.com they have all the info you need there. If you have any questions just call.

[TrickNick]

Steve...ya gotta try roasting. I am now ruined...been roasting for a few years now. It's like you have never tasted coffee before.

Agreed. I've been roasting for about 6 months now and have become a pure coffee addict. I had no idea it could be this good. Plus it is just fun to vary different roasts, learn about the different tastes aspects, etc.

[Shades]

Donna, thank you very much for sending me some of your home roasted coffee beans. I had some this morning on a very cold, snowy day here in Louisville and it was outstanding. I am not sure what type of beans they were, but the coffee smelled absolutely fantastic after I ground it up. Very unique smell, almost chocolate or vanilla smell. The coffee was light (maybe the way I made it), but that didn't take away at all from the flavor. Very, very good and true old time coffee taste. I was in a hurry this morning and could only have one cup, but can't wait to try it again when I get home. Thank you and I've already started researching roasting my own. Steve

[Devil's Woman]

Oh Steve, that is a Kona coffee (Hawaiian) coffee. That sweetness you taste is a caramel flavor that is very good. Kona Coffee is our favorite and we drink more of it at home then almost any other coffees. Another great coffee is JBM (Jamaican Blue Mountain). That one is alot more expensive so we don't buy it often. Most of the Island coffees are more flavoriful and sweet. There are alot of different and good tasting coffees out there that you will want to try and each usually requires different roasting times. The Island coffees go lighter then most of the other coffees as you get more and different flavors when you don't roast them quite as long as some of the others will take. Another place to check out is Coffee Bean Corral they are pretty good also. I hope you enjoy your new hobby and please ask all the questions you have or come up with. We all will answer you and help you all we can. ENJOY

[Shades]

Thanks again Donna. I had it again today and I just love the smell of that coffee right out of the grinder and while brewing. I was fantastic and I appreciate you sharing with me. Now, I just have some research to do and thanks for the links. Steve

[SmokenScotch]

Donna, Is your Kona 100% or blended? Last time I had full Kona was when my brother came back from Hawaii. I don't have room to roast and all I can find is blended.

[DocLogic77]

Donna, thank you very much for sending me some of your home roasted coffee beans. I had some this morning on a very cold, snowy day here in Louisville and it was outstanding. I am not sure what type of beans they were, but the coffee smelled absolutely fantastic after I ground it up. Very unique smell, almost chocolate or vanilla smell. The coffee was light (maybe the way I made it), but that didn't take away at all from the flavor. Very, very good and true old time coffee taste. I was in a hurry this morning and could only have one cup, but can't wait to try it again when I get home. Thank you and I've already started researching roasting my own. Steve

The coffee can often taste "lighter" initially because it's not stale. Coffee should not be bitter. If it's bitter it's likely stale...and most you buy in a store will be stale. If you like a fuller coffee...many ethiopian beans are not only quite full bodied but they are extremely tasty.

A few other things to consider. To get the most out of your fresh coffee...a proper grind and coffee maker are essential. A quality burr grinder will go a long way in your ability to control the strength and extract the most amount of flavor from the bean. If you prefer drip coffee...most coffee makers don't heat the water hot enough or lose the heat by the time it hits the coffee. Alot of people like the french press for a nicer cheaper alternative. I prefer drip and roll with the technivorm moccamaster with a rocky rancilio grinder. Little pricey but well worth the premium.

[jdtexan]

I use a Capresso coffee maker and an El Café Tranquilo by Cunill burr grinder. They are not the most expensive but they both preform to high standards and produce a great cup.

[Devil's Woman]

Yeah, SS my Kona is 100% Kona and come straight form a Hawaiian Estate grower. That is really the only way to fly as I always know exactly what I am getting for my money. I hate trying to buy store Kona simply because they are all blended why not try a few places like Planet Coffee which only sells roasted coffees now, and it is the real deal or even Mr. Coffee, or check out a few places like Sweet Maria's that will see pre roasted coffees from time to time. Let me go into my coffee sites and I will come back in and post a few more sites that you guys that need roasted coffees can try out. Be sure to check the prices of each of the sites and make sure it says 100% pure. OK??? Good Luck!

[DocLogic77]

http://www.blackdogcoffee.net/

Brian is good people and has terrific roasts. I used him exclusively until I learned to roast my own.