Espresso Enthusiasts

[D.T.]

Excellent.

How do you find the Chemex? Or, rather, how different do you find the coffee it makes from the coffee that, say, a French Press makes? Which do you prefer?

And which do you prefer - the large Chemex or a your smaller model? I have it in mind to buy a Chemex at some stage fairly soon.

And re the Hario grinder, is this a manual grinder, or is it powered by some other force? Which, in turn, begs the question of how identified the grind setting you needed to dial in? Does it have numbers on the rings?

We love the smaller Chemex, the issue is, it's only good for about 14oz or so. Even though there's a little more room in the lower/carafe area, it would actually contact the filter.

The larger, has plenty of room for, heck, I'd say maybe 40-44oz? I got the same style, the "classic" with the wood/leather handle around the neck section. I'd also say if you get really into controlling the water delivery, the larger filter area also allows you to easily pour outside in, middle out, there's just more grind surface area. I'd suggest the 6-cup (second to smallest) is a good balance between capacity, physical size, etc.

I just love it. I think there's definitely something to the filters (though maybe not more so vs. any high quality filter/drip system). I'm a big fan of the press methods too.

I find the Chemex produces a (and pardon my choice of words, just kind of free-wheeling where) more smooth coffee, still complex, a slightly more buttery/creamy front, a nice finish with just the right hint of hops/bitter kind of flavor (very dependent on the bean). A french press tastes a little more earthy/peaty, and I find it can really compound (for the better/worse, depending...) the finish.

I think it's the nature of a more filtered, less contact with the water method (Chemex), vs. a method that allows more oils, sediment through.

The Hario is a little manual fellow, here's a pic (my actual grinder ):

Full manual The dial is under the grinder exit, and it's not marked, but has a positive click left-right, so I suppose once you get a reference location, adjustment will be easier.

Many beans had to sacrifice themselves for me to dial it in (first attempt made some magically fine espresso grind )

 

[Scepticalscribe]

We love the smaller Chemex, the issue is, it's only good for about 14oz or so. Even though there's a little more room in the lower/carafe area, it would actually contact the filter.

The larger, has plenty of room for, heck, I'd say maybe 40-44oz? I got the same style, the "classic" with the wood/leather handle around the neck section. I'd also say if you get really into controlling the water delivery, the larger filter area also allows you to easily pour outside in, middle out, there's just more grind surface area. I'd suggest the 6-cup (second to smallest) is a good balance between capacity, physical size, etc.

I just love it. I think there's definitely something to the filters (though maybe not more so vs. any high quality filter/drip system). I'm a big fan of the press methods too.

I find the Chemex produces a (and pardon my choice of words, just kind of free-wheeling where) more smooth coffee, still complex, a slightly more buttery/creamy front, a nice finish with just the right hint of hops/bitter kind of flavor (very dependent on the bean). A french press tastes a little more earthy/peaty, and I find it can really compound (for the better/worse, depending...) the finish.

I think it's the nature of a more filtered, less contact with the water method (Chemex), vs. a method that allows more oils, sediment through.

The Hario is a little manual fellow, here's a pic (my actual grinder ):

Image

Full manual The dial is under the grinder exit, and it's not marked, but has a positive click left-right, so I suppose once you get a reference location, adjustment will be easier.

Many beans had to sacrifice themselves for me to dial it in (first attempt made some magically fine espresso grind )

Ah, that scenario sounds very, very familiar.

Some time ago, I ordered a OE Lido 2 - a fantastic thing, (US hand made, - as a European I must admit that some of the stuff coming from the States is exceedingly well made with a real pride taken in crafting products of a very high quality), but, while I am grinding my beans most days, I still haven't quite cracked dialling the settings with any real degree of accuracy.

Thank you for the detailed and thoughtful post.

Given that I have been a coffee fanatic since childhood (yes, sad but true), and have been well known - in my teenage and, later, student days, for making and serving excellent French press style coffee - at a time when most of my peers consumed nothing but ghastly instant coffee, it will come as something of a surprise when I write that I only actually encountered coffee in a Chemex over the course of the past year.

I must say that I was extraordinarily impressed, and would echo your remarks about the smoothness, and creamy finish with coffee produced by the Chemex. It seemed to produce a very 'clean' tasting form of coffee, too.

In fact, I was so impressed that I have been pondering purchasing a Chemex, but haven't yet gotten around to it. If I do so, (well, to be honest, when I do so), the six cup Chemex pot sounds as though it would hit the right - as in sweet - spot for me. Thanks for the suggestion and recommendation.

 

[mobilehaathi]

We love the smaller Chemex, the issue is, it's only good for about 14oz or so. Even though there's a little more room in the lower/carafe area, it would actually contact the filter.

The larger, has plenty of room for, heck, I'd say maybe 40-44oz? I got the same style, the "classic" with the wood/leather handle around the neck section. I'd also say if you get really into controlling the water delivery, the larger filter area also allows you to easily pour outside in, middle out, there's just more grind surface area. I'd suggest the 6-cup (second to smallest) is a good balance between capacity, physical size, etc.

I just love it. I think there's definitely something to the filters (though maybe not more so vs. any high quality filter/drip system). I'm a big fan of the press methods too.

I find the Chemex produces a (and pardon my choice of words, just kind of free-wheeling where) more smooth coffee, still complex, a slightly more buttery/creamy front, a nice finish with just the right hint of hops/bitter kind of flavor (very dependent on the bean). A french press tastes a little more earthy/peaty, and I find it can really compound (for the better/worse, depending...) the finish.

I think it's the nature of a more filtered, less contact with the water method (Chemex), vs. a method that allows more oils, sediment through.

The Hario is a little manual fellow, here's a pic (my actual grinder ):

Image

Full manual The dial is under the grinder exit, and it's not marked, but has a positive click left-right, so I suppose once you get a reference location, adjustment will be easier.

Many beans had to sacrifice themselves for me to dial it in (first attempt made some magically fine espresso grind )

I have the exact same little grinder plus a small press that love at work. It didn't take me too long to figure a good grind, but yes I too ground some surprisingly fine coffee in the beginning. It's a nice little machine though.

 

[LadyX]

Guys, where is Shrink?? Just noticed last activity was 20 Sept 2014

 

[Scepticalscribe]

As I had not heard back from The Ethiopian Coffee Company, - something such as a confirmatory email giving putative delivery dates - (and, as they had not answered their phone, perfectly understandably, when I called them on Saturday evening), I phoned them just now.

I have just had a most delightful chat with one of the founders of the company, a charming lady, who informed me cheerfully that yes, they did indeed receive my order, and that my coffee is in the post, Royal Mail, First Class since yesterday, and that, moreover, they had debated sending it by courier to me.

She explained the background and the history of the company and how they source their coffee and asked me to keep in touch with them, something which I most certainly shall do. Indeed, she went so far as to suggest that I may have a real treat in store. I look forward to it.

 

[mobilehaathi]

As I had not heard back from The Ethiopian Coffee Company, - something such as a confirmatory email giving putative delivery dates - (and, as they had not answered their phone, perfectly understandably, when I called them on Saturday evening), I phoned them just now.

I have just had a most delightful chat with one of the founders of the company, a charming lady, who informed me cheerfully that yes, they did indeed receive my order, and that my coffee is in the post, Royal Mail, First Class since yesterday, and that, moreover, they had debated sending it by courier to me.

She explained the background and the history of the company and how they source their coffee and asked me to keep in touch with them, something which I most certainly shall do. Indeed, she went so far as to suggest that I may have a real treat in store. I look forward to it.

Good news!

As an aside, for some reason I first read "punitive delivery dates" instead of "putative delivery dates." Hehe, well I'm glad the wait won't be long now.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Good news!

As an aside, for some reason I first read "punitive delivery dates" instead of "putative delivery dates." Hehe, well I'm glad the wait won't be long now.

The coffee from The Ethiopian Coffee Company was roasted late last week - they roast small batches at a time - and are very particular about quality control, putting a lot of effort into building relationships with small producers of high quality coffee.

Hence, they don't produce much, but are adamant that their quality is excellent.

We discussed some of the US companies I have ordered (and received) coffees from, and the names of both Sweet Maria's and Intelligentsia - both well respected in that world - were mentioned (by me). Laughing, - this universe of coffee aficionados must be a fairly small, and rather esoteric one - she informed me that she had encountered individuals from both companies in a small hotel somewhere remote in the Ethiopian highlands and that they 'cross-check' with each other. Most interesting…….

For me, ordering from them, even more than the price of the coffee (which is extraordinarily reasonable) is the fact that I am not spending a veritable fortune on postage.

 

[ardchoille50]

I use a coffee press to make coffee, but I would love to have a nice espresso machine in my kitchen. Gotta have my peppermint mochas!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I use a coffee press to make coffee, but I would love to have a nice espresso machine in my kitchen. Gotta have my peppermint mochas!

Well, all the regulars who inhabit these threads will probably advise you that a really good grinder (as in a burr and not an electric blade grinder) is at least as important as the espresso machine.

 

[ardchoille50]

Well, all the regulars who inhabit these threads will probably advise you that a really good grinder (as in a burr and not an electric blade grinder) is at least as important as the espresso machine.

Thank you for that

 

[mobilehaathi]

The coffee from The Ethiopian Coffee Company was roasted late last week - they roast small batches at a time - and are very particular about quality control, putting a lot of effort into building relationships with small producers of high quality coffee.

Hence, they don't produce much, but are adamant that their quality is excellent.

We discussed some of the US companies I have ordered (and received) coffees from, and the names of both Sweet Maria's and Intelligentsia - both well respected in that world - were mentioned (by me). Laughing, - this universe of coffee aficionados must be a fairly small, and rather esoteric one - she informed me that she had encountered individuals from both companies in a small hotel somewhere remote in the Ethiopian highlands and that they 'cross-check' with each other. Most interesting…….

For me, ordering from them, even more than the price of the coffee (which is extraordinarily reasonable) is the fact that I am not spending a veritable fortune on postage.

Well all of that bodes quite well, in my opinion.

----------

I use a coffee press to make coffee, but I would love to have a nice espresso machine in my kitchen. Gotta have my peppermint mochas!

Well, all the regulars who inhabit these threads will probably advise you that a really good grinder (as in a burr and not an electric blade grinder) is at least as important as the espresso machine.

Quite true, the burr grinders ensure an regular grind and an even extraction. Less bitter; more flavor!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Thank you for that

Indeed, you can probably expect to receive advice on the lines of a recommendation that you put a greater emphasis on making sure that you buy a good grinder - as this will have a greater influence on the quality of the coffee you make - than on the purchase of an excellent espresso machine.

My view is that you can do both…...

Well all of that bodes quite well, in my opinion.

----------





Quite true, the burr grinders ensure an regular grind and an even extraction. Less bitter; more flavor!

Always lovely to see the reason why burr grinders are to be preferred explained properly.

In the absence of our mentor, this explanation is only articulated around once per month, instead of every other day, and, as any of us who work (or worked) in education ought to well recall, repetition is one of the keys to successful learning and retention of knowledge.

The Ethiopian Coffee Company explained to me that they had debated sending the coffee by courier to me, but declined to do so on account of the cost, which, apparently, came to £14. I nearly cried (with relief and laughter) and explained that transport costs from the US are usually horribly close to - if not exceeding - three figures. At that price, I will happily welcome a courier.

Anyway, we agreed to discuss this further, but for now, the Royal Mail has been set the task of delivering my coffee to me, and I am sure they will discharge their duty admirably.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well, this morning I opened one of the bags of Ethiopian Coffee that the Ethiopian Coffee Company had delivered when I was away, late last week.

After perusing the four inviting bags, my choice fell on the blended beans, a blend of three different Ethiopian beans, called "Abba Jiffar's Royal Blend".

The packet informs me that the varietal is "Ethiopian Heirloom Cultivar" and the tasting notes supply the following adjectives "tangy sweetness, hints of plum and wild cherry, lovely lush mouth-feel".

While I cannot say that all of that is identified by my own palate, I will say that while this is 'fuller' than my previous experiences of Ethiopian coffee, yet it still has that lovely bright, clean and sweet taste.

In fact, I am drinking a cup as I write…...

 

[S.B.G]

Well, this morning I opened one of the bags of Ethiopian Coffee that the Ethiopian Coffee Company had delivered when I was away, late last week.

After perusing the four inviting bags, my choice fell on the blended beans, a blend of three different Ethiopian beans, called "Abba Jiffar's Royal Blend".

The packet informs me that the varietal is "Ethiopian Heirloom Cultivar" and the tasting notes supply the following adjectives "tangy sweetness, hints of plum and wild cherry, lovely lush mouth-feel".

While I cannot say that all of that is identified by my own palate, I will say that while this is 'fuller' than my previous experiences of Ethiopian coffee, yet it still has that lovely bright, clean and sweet taste.

In fact, I am drinking a cup as I write…...

That sounds very nice! I hope you're enjoying it.

This week's roast is being shipped to me soon from Blue Bottle and according to their website, the description is as follows.

Giant Steps
Uganda & Sumatra
A blend of organic coffee that is quite dark and chocolaty. Maybe a bit more one-dimensional than the Bella Donovan, but it is a good dimension. Giant Steps is delightfully fudgy and thick in a French press or drip pot, and stands up to cream quite well. If it were any heavier-bodied, you could pour it on pancakes.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

That sounds very nice! I hope you're enjoying it.

This week's roast is being shipped to me soon from Blue Bottle and according to their website, the description is as follows.

Enjoy.

It seems that the 'Abba Jiffar Royal Blend' is named after an Ethiopian monarch (Haile Selassie's immediate predecessor, if the dates are as I think they are), which is a touch that I rather like.

Anyway, it is excellent coffee. Given the quality, as well as the costs of both coffee and transport, I expect that I shall be a pretty regular customer of The Ethiopian Coffee Company from now on.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Enjoy.

It seems that the 'Abba Jiffar Royal Blend' is named after an Ethiopian monarch (Haile Selassie's immediate predecessor, if the dates are as I think they are), which is a touch that I rather like.

Anyway, it is excellent coffee. Given the quality, as well as the costs of both coffee and transport, I expect that I shall be a pretty regular customer of The Ethiopian Coffee Company from now on.

Good news.

I've roasted up some more of my Konga, and I'm dripping a cup this morning. I should look into refreshing my stock...

 

[WoodNUFC]

The last time I checked in I was about to start roasting my own beans. I have made my way through an eight pound sampler from SM's and found a few beans that I really loved. Unfortunately, they were sold out by the time I went to order larger quantities of those beans. That's the nature of the beast, I suppose.

I've started on my second eight pound sampler--mostly Brazilian and various African beans--and have enjoyed both beans I've roasted (a Brazil and Rwanda). I roasted the Brazilian bean beyond second crack, to one of the darkest roast levels I've attempted and it held up very well.

I'm enjoying roasting at home, especially since it's saving me over $4/12 oz. bag.

 

[SHNXX]

Not for espresso for I bought this fantastic new hand grinder called Lido2 for my overseas apartment.

Although it doesn't seem quite as consistent as my big grinders at home (Malkornig Guatemala and Compak K10 Wbc), it is more than adequate for my needs while in China.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Not for espresso for I bought this fantastic new hand grinder called Lido2 for my overseas apartment.

Although it doesn't seem quite as consistent as my big grinders at home (Malkornig Guatemala and Compak K10 Wbc), it is more than adequate for my needs while in China.

Yes, I have this, too.

Actually, I ordered this while I was working abroad last year. As they manufacture to order, it took them a while to catch up with their backlog.

Anyway, it was shipped to me last autumn, and I started using it a few months ago. I like it a lot - it is very solid and well made, looks good, and works well.

Unfortunately, the rings are not marked off (numerically - or some other way that allows you to recognise, remember and set them in order to be able to note the respective levels of fineness of grind), so that one has to try to work out - by memory - what the settings are.

 

[SHNXX]

Yes, I have this, too.

Actually, I ordered this while I was working abroad last year. As they manufacture to order, it took them a while to catch up with their backlog.

Anyway, it was shipped to me last autumn, and I started using it a few months ago. I like it a lot - it is very solid and well made, looks good, and works well.

Unfortunately, the rings are not marked off (numerically - or some other way that allows you to recognise, remember and set them in order to be able to note the respective levels of fineness of grind), so that one has to try to work out - by memory - what the settings are.

yeah the little faint marking goes away after a short while, which makes it even more difficult.

That's why I always look at this PDF
http://www.oehandgrinders.com/assets/images/OE LIDO 2/LIDO 2 Operation Manual - English Version.pdf

 

[Scepticalscribe]

yeah the little faint marking goes away after a short while, which makes it even more difficult.

That's why I always look at this PDF
http://www.oehandgrinders.com/assets/images/OE LIDO 2/LIDO 2 Operation Manual - English Version.pdf

Thank you very much for this; others have recommend videos - which are perfectly okay for grasping general principles, but not for remembering the 'finer' points of grind calibration.

For me, it is much easier to remember numerical settings -something like '9' for very coarse, such as a Chemex, and say, '2' for an espresso; then, it simply becomes a mere act of memory retrieval, rather than a matter of active concentration.

Anyway, thank you so much for drawing my attention to this - and, more importantly, linking it for me. I think I shall even print this out. Otherwise, I shall run the risk of running around muttering (right=fine, left=coarse)…..while attempting to prepare my morning cup of coffee.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

This morning saw me opening the second of the four coffees I received recently from The Ethiopian Coffee Company, an excellent, enthusiastic and professional lot I had the honour of chatting to by phone.

Today's coffee was the 'Sidamo 1 Kebado' (an 'Ethiopian Heirloom' style coffee). The company's tasting notes use nouns such as 'lush, intense, rich, [and] hearty', and make reference to the 'deep flavour profile' which they describe as 'spicy cherry syrup, sweet citrus and dark chocolate'.

They are not wrong. While I often dismiss such notes as hyperbolic blurb, and sometimes, snigger at the excessively enthusiastic vocabulary used, in this instance, they are absolutely right. This is one superb coffee, clean, bright, yet rich and complex and sweet. Lovely.

 

[D.T.]

So we're taking one of our many trips to Universal and decided to take some supplies to make good coffee this time around

The small Chemex (the behemoth will stay at home), Hario grinder (pictured ~20 posts above), a bag of beans ... I just needed a way to heat water. I didn't want to use the gross room coffee maker (Keurig) water and the rooms at the Royal Pacific don't have microwaves. Something small enough where our kit won't take up that much room.

A post a made several pages back about a "coffee travel kit" (from a technical writer I follow) mentioned a 1 Liter Proctor Silex electric kettle so I scored one (through the magic of Amazon it was delivered on Sunday).

I figured we'd just use it for trips, or maybe upstairs, but it's _excellent_ and will probably be my new go to for heating water. I looked at kettles that use a base, but this is totally self contained, the power plug (basically a PC style cord) goes directly into the kettle, it's light, with the chilled, filtered water from the fridge, over a liter (~36oz) boils in about 7-8 minutes (need to actually time it), simply fill, flip the lighted switch and it automatically turns off when the water boils - it's also got a perfect sized spout so water flow is easy to control.

I even scored an open box, so it was only $11.99 vs. $14.99

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IWOJS9A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Scepticalscribe]

So we're taking one of our many trips to Universal and decided to take some supplies to make good coffee this time around

The small Chemex (the behemoth will stay at home), Hario grinder (pictured ~20 posts above), a bag of beans ... I just needed a way to heat water. I didn't want to use the gross room coffee maker (Keurig) water and the rooms at the Royal Pacific don't have microwaves. Something small enough where our kit won't take up that much room.

A post a made several pages back about a "coffee travel kit" (from a technical writer I follow) mentioned a 1 Liter Proctor Silex electric kettle so I scored one (through the magic of Amazon it was delivered on Sunday).

I figured we'd just use it for trips, or maybe upstairs, but it's _excellent_ and will probably be my new go to for heating water. I looked at kettles that use a base, but this is totally self contained, the power plug (basically a PC style cord) goes directly into the kettle, it's light, with the chilled, filtered water from the fridge, over a liter (~36oz) boils in about 7-8 minutes (need to actually time it), simply fill, flip the lighted switch and it automatically turns off when the water boils - it's also got a perfect sized spout so water flow is easy to control.

I even scored an open box, so it was only $11.99 vs. $14.99

Image

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IWOJS9A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A small Chemex, a portable Hario hand grinder, and a kettle that has already proven its worth - what more could you ask for in a well stocked and properly prepared coffee traveller's kit? I'm impressed and that sounds like something I could avail of myself at some stage.

Enjoy the trip, and enjoy the coffee. And don't for get to pack the Chemex filters before you leave home…...

 

[D.T.]

A small Chemex, a portable Hario hand grinder, and a kettle that has already proven its worth - what more could you ask for in a well stocked and properly prepared coffee traveller's kit? I'm impressed and that sounds like something I could avail of myself at some stage.

Enjoy the trip, and enjoy the coffee. And don't for get to pack the Chemex filters before you leave home…...

My wife suggested I take a batch of my pre-folded-by-me small filters and stick them in the glove box [of the family car]. That seems pretty prudent, since I'm sure in the packing chaos I'll forget them, and a Chemex without Chemex filters is a worthless piece of glass.

Speaking of: the factory pre-folded are the way to go, unless (as a reviewer on Amazon pointed out), "You're fond of doing origami in the morning"

I can't agree more: the folded ones are quicker to use (if only by a few seconds), but they also store more easily. The box is about the size of a large box of tea, or traditional filters. When they're unfolded, the box it like a giant flat package that doesn't really fit well into a pantry or cabinet.