Espresso Enthusiasts

[ijohn.8.80]

I have small "rare earth" magnets in a removable part in my grinder. Are they Neodymium on a tiny scale? Or are there other elements that are called "rare earth" magnets??

They would be neodynium. Well, I'm about 99% sure of that.

We got some tiny 5mm ones for a homeschool experiment here and put them into a wooden lazy-Susan that had become a bit of a clunker. We removed the ball-bearings totally and now, a single spin on a level surface and it keeps going for nearly ten minutes, I kid you not! That's with thirty six pairs inserted, so we had almost complete magnetic repulsive force as it rotates. I pre-drilled the thirty six holes in each part of the lazy-Susan to the same depth to accommodate the magnets and we started with two pairs and kept adding in more and more until you could see the constant floating of the two sections apart from each other and then kept going till we reached thirty six pairs. We had to brace it with a wide metal plate on both sides that also had four magnets attached and a bolt through the centre to keep it level. I could stand on it and the two sides were still as far apart as without me on it. It was a great learning experience with the boys when they were younger.

Sorry for being OT.

Coffee beans.

 

[Shrink]

They would be neodynium. Well, I'm about 99% sure of that.

We got some tiny 5mm ones for a homeschool experiment here and put them into a wooden lazy-Susan that had become a bit of a clunker. We removed the ball-bearings totally and now, a single spin on a level surface and it keeps going for nearly ten minutes, I kid you not! That's with thirty six pairs inserted, so we had almost complete magnetic force. It was a great learning experience with the boys when they were younger.

Sorry for being OT.

Coffee beans.

Thanks...

Nice save on that OT post!!

 

[decafjava]

So to get things back on topic , what do you all think about freezing coffee beans? I know some of you buy fresh beans in small quantities and roast and grind as needed. What about freezing beans ahead of time? I ask because when I was a teenager my Dad went on an extended business trip to Brazil, Mom went with him. They came back with bags and bags of whole (roasted) Brazilian coffee beans. Best I had ever had. They put them in the deep freezer and would grind small amounts as needed. I do the same even with pre-ground coffee once I open the bag-given that I don't drink that much coffee at home it seems to keep the coffee fresher.

 

[Shrink]

So to get things back on topic , what do you all think about freezing coffee beans? I know some of you buy fresh beans in small quantities and roast and grind as needed. What about freezing beans ahead of time? I ask because when I was a teenager my Dad went on an extended business trip to Brazil, Mom went with him. They came back with bags and bags of whole (roasted) Brazilian coffee beans. Best I had ever had. They put them in the deep freezer and would grind small amounts as needed. I do the same even with pre-ground coffee once I open the bag-given that I don't drink that much coffee at home it seems to keep the coffee fresher.

Generally speaking, if freezing can be avoided, it should. A really good storage canister, this as just one example, will keep your beans in good shape for at least a week, or even two.

Refrigeration is a big no-no. Freezing is suggested only if absolutely necessary. What one would do is package small quantities of beans in separate, air tight packages, and freeze them, You can then just take out a couple of days worth of beans for use. Once the frozen beans have been taken out of the freezer, they cannot be returned to the freezer. So, for example, you could divide up 2 pounds of beans into, say, 8 packages, and then use them one at a time. Not a good idea to freeze the whole two pounds together, because when you take the large package out of the freezer to access some beans, you will get some immediate deforesting, and then be returning the beans to the freezer...another no-no!

I hope this is some useful information. I'm sure others may have suggestions, too.

EDIT: Fixed error in link.

 

[Kissaragi]

So to get things back on topic , what do you all think about freezing coffee beans? I know some of you buy fresh beans in small quantities and roast and grind as needed. What about freezing beans ahead of time? I ask because when I was a teenager my Dad went on an extended business trip to Brazil, Mom went with him. They came back with bags and bags of whole (roasted) Brazilian coffee beans. Best I had ever had. They put them in the deep freezer and would grind small amounts as needed. I do the same even with pre-ground coffee once I open the bag-given that I don't drink that much coffee at home it seems to keep the coffee fresher.

The general consensus is that freezing is pretty pointless. One of the big things that fresh coffee loses is co2 and home freezing does nothing to stop it.

Theres just no replacement for fresh roasted beans, less than 2 weeks old at most. With all the internet roasters theres just no reason not to buy fresh.

 

[S.B.G]

I have a nice travel cup made or sold by Starbucks which I really like. It has a rubber, non-slip bottom and the lid is also designed well so as not to dribble or spill out when drinking from it.

However, the inner lining is aluminum. I can instantly taste the difference in my coffee and lattes when I pour them into it and drink them. It's plainly obvious to me that the alumiumn has a negative effect on the taste of my drinks and I don't like it.

I really like the taste of the drinks in my glass Bodum cups as well as my other ceramic cups.

Are there any travel cups similar to what I describe of my current one, though with a different inner lining so as such not to affect the taste of the drinks? Are there any that have a glass or ceramic lining?

 

[Rossatron]

So to get things back on topic , what do you all think about freezing coffee beans? I know some of you buy fresh beans in small quantities and roast and grind as needed. What about freezing beans ahead of time? I ask because when I was a teenager my Dad went on an extended business trip to Brazil, Mom went with him. They came back with bags and bags of whole (roasted) Brazilian coffee beans. Best I had ever had. They put them in the deep freezer and would grind small amounts as needed. I do the same even with pre-ground coffee once I open the bag-given that I don't drink that much coffee at home it seems to keep the coffee fresher.

Waste of time, IMO. Freezing and defrosting beans doesn't do them much good. In fact, the whole process probably damages the taste and the aroma. If you want to use beans, just buy small portions. Say, a week's worth.

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I have a nice travel cup made or sold by Starbucks which I really like. It has a rubber, non-slip bottom and the lid is also designed well so as not to dribble or spill out when drinking from it.

However, the inner lining is aluminum. I can instantly taste the difference in my coffee and lattes when I pour them into it and drink them. It's plainly obvious to me that the alumiumn has a negative effect on the taste of my drinks and I don't like it.

I really like the taste of the drinks in my glass Bodum cups as well as my other ceramic cups.

Are there any travel cups similar to what I describe of my current one, though with a different inner lining so as such not to affect the taste of the drinks? Are there any that have a glass or ceramic lining?

I don't think so, as it would be heavier than aluminum. There are some good plastic options, but they won't keep your drink warm for as long as the aluminum ones

 

[Shrink]

I have a nice travel cup made or sold by Starbucks which I really like. It has a rubber, non-slip bottom and the lid is also designed well so as not to dribble or spill out when drinking from it.

However, the inner lining is aluminum. I can instantly taste the difference in my coffee and lattes when I pour them into it and drink them. It's plainly obvious to me that the alumiumn has a negative effect on the taste of my drinks and I don't like it.

I really like the taste of the drinks in my glass Bodum cups as well as my other ceramic cups.

Are there any travel cups similar to what I describe of my current one, though with a different inner lining so as such not to affect the taste of the drinks? Are there any that have a glass or ceramic lining?

It's my understanding (I can't source this) that anything other than glass or ceramic has a tendency to effect the taste of coffee. I found a non-metal, ceramic travel mug...give it a look.

 

[S.B.G]

It's my understanding (I can't source this) that anything other than glass or ceramic has a tendency to effect the taste of coffee. I found a non-metal, ceramic travel mug...give it a look.

Well I don't need a source for it because my taste buds provide the source. I instantly can taste the difference when it's not in glass. Plastic might be worse than aluminum or stainless steel.

I looked at what you linked to and it's only a single thin wall and its capacity was smaller than I would like. However it did lead me to this,

Sun's Tea (TM) 18oz Ultra Clear Double-Wall Glass Travel Mug with Flip-on Drinkhole Lid (made of real borosilicate glass)

It looks like its for tea, but should serve the purpose for what I want and a few reviews mentioned that they use it for coffee. I'll keep looking around and will consider this one.

 

[Kissaragi]

Well I don't need a source for it because my taste buds provide the source. I instantly can taste the difference when it's not in glass. Plastic might be worse than aluminum or stainless steel.

I looked at what you linked to and it's only a single thin wall and its capacity was smaller than I would like. However it did lead me to this,

Sun's Tea (TM) 18oz Ultra Clear Double-Wall Glass Travel Mug with Flip-on Drinkhole Lid (made of real borosilicate glass)

It looks like its for tea, but should serve the purpose for what I want and a few reviews mentioned that they use it for coffee. I'll keep looking around and will consider this one.

Have you looked for stainless steel ones? Should be a massive improvement over aluminium and they seem quite readily available in different sizes and styles. That glass one looks lovely but id break it within 10 mins of getting it lol.

 

[S.B.G]

Have you looked for stainless steel ones? Should be a massive improvement over aluminium and they seem quite readily available in different sizes and styles. That glass one looks lovely but id break it within 10 mins of getting it lol.

I do have another one that is stainless, but I can still taste the difference, and the difference isn't a delightful one.

I'm rather careful with my things, so glass isn't a problem for me.

 

[Kissaragi]

Some espresso porn from a kees van der westen speedster.

http://vimeo.com/10252790

 

[Shrink]

Some espresso porn from a kees van der westen speedster.

http://vimeo.com/10252790

OK, you got me really...er...excited!

I have to go....make an espresso!

BTW: Those cups are Sweet Marias cups with the Espresso Monkey Blend logo...

It's one of my 2 or 3 favorite green bean blends form Sweet Marias.

 

[S.B.G]

I just ordered this Takeya Double Wall Glass Tea/Coffee Tumbler Black for my latté's and coffee to go. It should arrive on Tuesday.

This should keep my drinks tasting proper.

 

[Shrink]

I just ordered this Takeya Double Wall Glass Tea/Coffee Tumbler Black for my latté's and coffee to go. It should arrive on Tuesday.

This should keep my drinks tasting proper.

Image

Looks cool. Let us know how well it works for you.

 

[S.B.G]

Looks cool. Let us know how well it works for you.

I most certainly will.

I've so far tried regular drip coffee from Tim Hortons, Dunkin' Donuts and now Panera Bread. It's difficult to taste a difference in them as they are all very similar. I don't know what to look for to get a distinctly different and good tasting coffee. They all taste good, but I want to find different flavors to try out.

 

[Kissaragi]

I most certainly will.

I've so far tried regular drip coffee from Tim Hortons, Dunkin' Donuts and now Panera Bread. It's difficult to taste a difference in them as they are all very similar. I don't know what to look for to get a distinctly different and good tasting coffee. They all taste good, but I want to find different flavors to try out.

Your going to struggle to get distinct flavours without a decent grinder and fresher coffee to be honest.

 

[S.B.G]

Your going to struggle to get distinct flavours without a decent grinder and fresher coffee to be honest.

That's what I was afraid of.

Actually with the Tim Horton's coffee I did grind my own using their grinder in the store. Does that count?

 

[Kissaragi]

That's what I was afraid of.

Actually with the Tim Horton's coffee I did grind my own using their grinder in the store. Does that count?

Well its slightly better than it being pre ground in the bag already!

You can get a nice general "coffee" flavour with what your doing, but your going to be fighting a losing battle looking for individual flavours of beans.

If money is an issue and you dont mind the exercise, a $30-40 hand grinder can do a very good job of grinding. If your willing to put the ebay time in then you can get a decent old hand grinder for under $10.

 

[S.B.G]

Well its slightly better than it being pre ground in the bag already!

You can get a nice general "coffee" flavour with what your doing, but your going to be fighting a losing battle looking for individual flavours of beans.

If money is an issue and you dont mind the exercise, a $30-40 hand grinder can do a very good job of grinding. If your willing to put the ebay time in then you can get a decent old hand grinder for under $10.

That's what I was thinking - how much difference could there be in a normal coffee bean without adding things to it? My only other thought was that perhaps beans grown in different parts of the world would have a noticeable taste difference. This coffee from Panera Bread says it's Columbian coffee and I wasn't sure if I'd had that before.

The more I think about a grinder the less-inclined I am to get one. When I'm making espresso, I make it to be used in a latté which largely covers it's more subtle taste and I never actually drink it straight. Then if, and only if, I get the slightest taste difference in a drip coffee via grinding, I don't think a grinder is going to be worthwhile for me.

With that said I think I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and buy pre-ground or grind it at the store if a machine is available.

 

[Kissaragi]

That's what I was thinking - how much difference could there be in a normal coffee bean without adding things to it? My only other thought was that perhaps beans grown in different parts of the world would have a noticeable taste difference. This coffee from Panera Bread says it's Columbian coffee and I wasn't sure if I'd had that before.

Quite a massive difference actually, from really lemony sharp coffees to almost sickly sweet. Its not just the country, its also the variety, how its grown, the "terroir", how its processed, stored, roasted, etc. Theres an insane amount of variables before the coffee ever touches a grinder.

As long as your happy with what your doing then thats the most important thing .

 

[S.B.G]

Quite a massive difference actually, from really lemony sharp coffees to almost sickly sweet. Its not just the country, its also the variety, how its grown, the "terroir", how its processed, stored, roasted, etc. Theres an insane amount of variables before the coffee ever touches a grinder.

As long as your happy with what your doing then thats the most important thing .

I guess I'm confused now between this and your earlier statement about fighting a losing battle in looking for a different flavored coffee.

 

[Shrink]

I guess I'm confused now between this and your earlier statement about fighting a losing battle in looking for a different flavored coffee.

I think there may be some confusion caused by the word "flavored". Generally, when you go into Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts, flavored means they add flavorings like vanilla, or chocolate, or strawberry, or some other stuff.

Different single origin beans, or blends, have very different flavors in the coffee itself. As Kissaragi points out, different coffee beans, from different parts of the world, and different farms in the same country, and even different areas of trees on the same farm, produces beans of vastly differing tastes. Also as he noted, different methods of extracting the beans from the coffee cherry, aging, roasting, storing...all effect the taste of the beans. Beans from one farm in, say Ethiopia, harvested from one field of trees, processed using the wet process, aged for one period of time will taste completely different from beans from the same farm, but a different field of trees, extracted from the cherry by the dry method, aged for a different amount of time, roasted to a different darkness. Now imagine all the different countries where coffee is grown (something like 13 or more), the different farms, the different fields of trees on the farms...well, you get the idea of the infinite varieties of flavor, or tastes, there are in coffee beans. And we haven't even discussed the variability you get when you discuss blends of beans.

So "flavoring" usually means an added flavoring syrup, often to cover up the taste of bad coffee. "Flavor" really refers to the inherent quailty of the bean.

 

[S.B.G]

So "flavoring" usually means an added flavoring syrup, often to cover up the taste of bad coffee. "Flavor" really refers to the inherent quailty of the bean.

I think that is the point I was looking for. I'm not seeking a coffee with added flavors - just a coffee straight from the farm, obviously processed for resale.

The three bags of coffee I've tried so far all taste identical and I wondered if there were other brands/blends (no added flavors) available to try that would give me a noticeable difference in taste.

I hope I am making my thoughts & concerns clear enough.

 

[Shrink]

I think that is the point I was looking for. I'm not seeking a coffee with added flavors - just a coffee straight from the farm, obviously processed for resale.

The three bags of coffee I've tried so far all taste identical and I wondered if there were other brands/blends (no added flavors) available to try that would give me a noticeable difference in taste.

I hope I am making my thoughts & concerns clear enough.

You can find many different kinds of coffees by searching different gourrmet coffee sites. But here's your problem...you're going to have difficulty finding a good variety of coffee of different flavors that are pre-ground (sorry). Good coffees, from different sources, providing a variety of taste experiences, are not going to be found pre-ground because as hard as it it to maintain freshness and flavor in whole beans, once you grind them they start to go stale in a matter of minutes and it is almost impossible to preserve in packaging for any period of time.

If you can find a good coffee shop somewhere nearby, then you can get what you hope is coffee that hasn't been sitting around in the open air, and have it freshly ground, Properly stored, that freshly ground coffee all be good for about a week or so.

But you can still look around and see if you can find some interesting varieties online. It's the pre-ground part that is going to be the limiting factor.