Espresso Enthusiasts

[Shrink]

Roasting at home to save money is like buying a boat to save on fish cost, or homebrewing beer to save on beer costs. You may be ahead of the game on the ingredient costs, but by the time you factor in the equipment and the labor you've killed your savings for years to come! It's best to not even try to justify it and just keep doing what you're doing...

Totally agree! As I mentioned in my post, once you factor in the roaster it takes a LONG time for it to pay for itself...if it ever really does. My only justification (such as it is) for the expense is the fantastic coffee it allows me to produce!

And anybody who pitches home roasting based on saving money is either trying to sell you a roaster...or pathologically self delusional!

 

[Kurwenal]

Save money from home roasting?

/scratches head

I never thought about that. For good reason.

I could drink boxed wine, too, but I choose not to. Not saying there is anything wrong with drinking boxed wine (in moderation, I suppose).

 

[mobilehaathi]

More than just satisfy! You can buy pre- roasted beans of equal quality, but none better.

This is my machine. As you can see, they ain't giving them away...and mine is among the less expensive...you can certainly pay a lot more. My machine has a bit of a steep learning curve...but once you get it down, it's a good machine.

If, at any point, you take the plunge, I'll be more than happy to help in any way you wish to flatten that learning curve a bit. Also, as it is with most machines, it produces smoke, and must be vented outside in some way. I can help with suggestion about that, too.

Hmmmm, venting smoke would be a problem. I live in the ground floor of my apartment building, and I suspect my neighbors wouldn't be too fond of me after a short while. However, this is on my radar! I think I must buy some of their roasted beans though, they are roasting tomorrow so hopefully I can nab a pound or two in the morning.

 

[Kurwenal]

Hmmmm, venting smoke would be a problem. I live in the ground floor of my apartment building, and I suspect my neighbors wouldn't be too fond of me after a short while. However, this is on my radar! I think I must buy some of their roasted beans though, they are roasting tomorrow so hopefully I can nab a pound or two in the morning.

You can roast outside (unless it's cold, in which case many roasters will never get enough heat going) or under the hood over your stove (this works with many but not all roasters, depending on how and where they vent).

SF? You probably live within walking distance of 10 outstanding coffee places.

 

[mobilehaathi]

SF? You probably live within walking distance of 10 outstanding coffee places.

Not false! But, it isn't just about availability. What better way to learn about and utterly lose oneself in coffee than to start roasting? I doubt I'd be successfully growing my own beans, so roasting seems to be the ultimate achievement in coffee mania...

Still though, that seems to be a few years off for me.

 

[Kurwenal]

Not false! But, it isn't just about availability. What better way to learn about and utterly lose oneself in coffee than to start roasting? I doubt I'd be successfully growing my own beans, so roasting seems to be the ultimate achievement in coffee mania...

Still though, that seems to be a few years off for me.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I am a fervent disciple in the Church of Shrink. I sit in the front pew at least twice a week. I would never try to dissuade anyone from roasting their own. You are absolutely right; it is a wonderful and rewarding way to appreciate this addiction.

I was just being jealous of living in a good coffee area, like the Bay Area, which seems to have good roasters every few blocks or so. I travel there for work fairly often. I was wandering around the South Bay over the summer and ran into this little shop called Dana Street Roasting or something like that, in Mountain View I believe. Just your "average" little shop with coffee that blew my doors off.

ETA: here.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Oh, don't get me wrong, I am a fervent disciple in the Church of Shrink. I sit in the front pew at least twice a week. I would never try to dissuade anyone from roasting their own. You are absolutely right; it is a wonderful and rewarding way to appreciate this addiction.

I was just being jealous of living in a good coffee area, like the Bay Area, which seems to have good roasters every few blocks or so. I travel there for work fairly often. I was wandering around the South Bay over the summer and ran into this little shop called Dana Street Roasting or something like that, in Mountain View I believe. Just your "average" little shop with coffee that blew my doors off.

ETA: here.

Excellent tip! I'll make a point to visit this weekend.

 

[musicjunky]

Speaking of San Francisco roasters, where should I go for my next pound of beans? I went with a Philz blend last week, and I am disappointed by how it didn't bloom when brewing; didn't seem to be freshly roasted as some other roasters'. Would like to try a single-origin next time.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Speaking of San Francisco roasters, where should I go for my next pound of beans? I went with a Philz blend last week, and I am disappointed by how it didn't bloom when brewing; didn't seem to be freshly roasted as some other roasters'. Would like to try a single-origin next time.

I enjoy Ritual and Blue Bottle, with Blue Bottle slightly preferred IMO.

 

[Kurwenal]

Good morning.

Had to be to work early today, so I went the coffee shop route.

ETA: well, for some reason Flickr won't show my picture, so just imagine a picture of a really nice latte with some art and I'll figure it out later.

 

[S.B.G]

Good morning.

Had to be to work early today, so I went the coffee shop route.

Image

ETA: well, for some reason Flickr won't show my picture, so just imagine a picture of a really nice latte with some art and I'll figure it out later.

I think it's because you have the photo set to 'private'.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Well, anyone in/around Potrero Hill in SF would do well to check out Front. I had a very fine Yrgacheffe drip today from them.

Apologies for the smudged lens and rotated picture!

 

[Shrink]

Well, anyone in/around Potrero Hill in SF would do well to check out Front. I had a very fine Yrgacheffe drip today from them.

Apologies for the smudged lens and rotated picture!

Doesn't the coffee kind of fall out of the cup in that place.

Sorry...cheap joke...no class, here!

 

[mobilehaathi]

Doesn't the coffee kind of fall out of the cup in that place.

Sorry...cheap joke...no class, here!

Gotta drink fast!

Edit: BTW, I totally missed the boat on the 10/31 roasting of Sweet Maria's beans. Curses!

 

[Shrink]

Gotta drink fast!

Edit: BTW, I totally missed the boat on the 10/31 roasting of Sweet Maria's beans. Curses!

I assume that you get their email newsletter. If you don't and you want me to give you a PM heads up, just let me know.

 

[mobilehaathi]

I assume that you get their email newsletter. If you don't and you want me to give you a PM heads up, just let me know.

Ohh, I just saw they're in Oakland too! At least I won't have to worry about it taking forever to get them once I successfully place an order.

Let me sign up for the newsletter right now...

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Yes, I missed that, too, and would most certainly like to sign up for their newsletter, too. Actually, a PM would be welcomed.

Coffee lovers will appreciate this: Today, a few parcels arrived at my home, one of which was from the Intelligentsia coffee company. The aroma from the parcel was beyond divine, the sort of heavenly scent that one wishes to have wafting towards one hourly, not daily.

Now, fellow connoisseurs, I face a cruel dilemma: Which do I open first, and savour? The 'Organic Los Delirios Nicaragua' (and what a wonderful moniker which has been bestowed upon this coffee.) The 'Los InMortales El Salvador'? (Another fantastic name that allows for salivating anticipation). The deceptively named 'House Blend', or the 'Black Cat Classic Espresso'? I await your considered responses.......

 

[Shrink]

Yes, I missed that, too, and would most certainly like to sign up for their newsletter, too. Actually, a PM would be welcomed.

Coffee lovers will appreciate this: Today, a few parcels arrived at my home, one of which was from the Intelligentsia coffee company. The aroma from the parcel was beyond divine, the sort of heavenly scent that one wishes to have wafting towards one hourly, not daily.

Now, fellow connoisseurs, I face a cruel dilemma: Which do I open first, and savour? The 'Organic Los Delirios Nicaragua' (and what a wonderful moniker which has been bestowed upon this coffee.) The 'Los InMortales El Salvador'? (Another fantastic name that allows for salivating anticipation). The deceptively named 'House Blend', or the 'Black Cat Classic Espresso'? I await your considered responses.......

Since I have no idea the content of the blend, or if they are SO beans, and I'm not sure if you are making espresso or not... and this is, quite clearly, a crucial decision not to be taken lightly, I decided to employ a highly scientific method to help you in your selection.

I closed my eye and stabbed my finger at the screen...and the closest one was the El Salvador.

Go for it!

 

[mobilehaathi]

Yes, I missed that, too, and would most certainly like to sign up for their newsletter, too. Actually, a PM would be welcomed.

Coffee lovers will appreciate this: Today, a few parcels arrived at my home, one of which was from the Intelligentsia coffee company. The aroma from the parcel was beyond divine, the sort of heavenly scent that one wishes to have wafting towards one hourly, not daily.

Now, fellow connoisseurs, I face a cruel dilemma: Which do I open first, and savour? The 'Organic Los Delirios Nicaragua' (and what a wonderful moniker which has been bestowed upon this coffee.) The 'Los InMortales El Salvador'? (Another fantastic name that allows for salivating anticipation). The deceptively named 'House Blend', or the 'Black Cat Classic Espresso'? I await your considered responses.......

For the sake of not causing a dilemma, I, too, say go for the El Salvador!

How will you prepare it?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Since I have no idea the content of the blend, or if they are SO beans, and I'm not sure if you are making espresso or not... and this is, quite clearly, a crucial decision not to be taken lightly, I decided to employ a highly scientific method to help you in your selection.

I closed my eye and stabbed my finger at the screen...and the closest one was the El Salvador.

Go for it!

For the sake of not causing a dilemma, I, too, say go for the El Salvador!

How will you prepare it?

Okay, following a majority decision, reached by consensus, after long and informed debate, I shall abide by the advice proffered and shall try the El Salvador one first tomorrow morning.

Now, my sole remaining internal (but not fierce) debate is whether I shall sample it in my French press, or, as espresso in my Bialetti moka espresso pot........? Decisions, decisions, decisions.....

 

[Shrink]

Okay, following a majority decision, reached by consensus, after long and informed debate, I shall abide by the advice proffered and shall try the El Salvador one first tomorrow morning.

Now, my sole remaining internal (but not fierce) debate is whether I shall sample it in my French press, or, as espresso in my Bialetti moka espresso pot........? Decisions, decisions, decisions.....

As a totally unbiased, disinterested observer, with absolutely no preferences or biases, I would go for the ESPRESSO!

Totally objective judgement...of course.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Okay, following a majority decision, reached by consensus, after long and informed debate, I shall abide by the advice proffered and shall try the El Salvador one first tomorrow morning.

Now, my sole remaining internal (but not fierce) debate is whether I shall sample it in my French press, or, as espresso in my Bialetti moka espresso pot........? Decisions, decisions, decisions.....

Well I just happened to press myself a cup right now on coffee break...

Edit: Uhoh! Dilemma!

 

[S.B.G]

Yes, I missed that, too, and would most certainly like to sign up for their newsletter, too. Actually, a PM would be welcomed.

Coffee lovers will appreciate this: Today, a few parcels arrived at my home, one of which was from the Intelligentsia coffee company. The aroma from the parcel was beyond divine, the sort of heavenly scent that one wishes to have wafting towards one hourly, not daily.

Now, fellow connoisseurs, I face a cruel dilemma: Which do I open first, and savour? The 'Organic Los Delirios Nicaragua' (and what a wonderful moniker which has been bestowed upon this coffee.) The 'Los InMortales El Salvador'? (Another fantastic name that allows for salivating anticipation). The deceptively named 'House Blend', or the 'Black Cat Classic Espresso'? I await your considered responses.......

I may have missed out on the voting here, but if it's not too late, I say go for the Black Cat Espresso. Only because my wonderful cat, Puma, is a black cat!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I may have missed out on the voting here, but if it's not too late, I say go for the Black Cat Espresso. Only because my wonderful cat, Puma, is a black cat!

Ah, an alternative view, presented with a well reasoned argument. In that case, I most certainly will have to reconsider; the aroma (of coffee) from those packets are an exquisitely refined voluptuous assault on the olfactory senses.

 

[tbayrgs]

Below is my set-up...

Just stumbled across this thread and I have to say, I couldn't be happier (or in more trouble)--my two favorite hobbies, tech and coffee, all in one place. My wife used to groan when she'd see me with another tech gadget, until she started seeing coffee making gear starting to accumulate in her kitchen and how much it can cost (she thought coffee would be my inexpensive hobby ).

Anyways, your setup quickly caught my eye, beautiful stuff. My apologies if it's already in a previous post but just found the thread and haven't had a chance to read though it in its entirely yet. What kind of grinder is that? Seems very similar to a Versalab M3, yet manually driven, if I'm not mistaken. And your espresso machine, possible an Expobar? (sorry, couldn't make out the details in the photo).

I cut my teeth learning espresso on an Expobar Pulser and Rancillo Rocky for quite a few years but saved my pennies and upgraded last year to a Rocket Cellini Evoluzione and a Mahlkonig ProM.

Anyways, just wanted to chime in with a quickie intro. Look forward to reading through the thread. Cheers.