Actually, anything to do with serious coffee consumption is one rabbit hole after another.
I blush to confess that I have spent some time this afternoon - in between other activities - perusing coffee sites.
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Espresso Enthusiasts
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Actually, anything to do with serious coffee consumption is one rabbit hole after another.
I blush to confess that I have spent some time this afternoon - in between other activities - perusing coffee sites.
it's raining again......I'm having a Hawaiian blend this morning. It's a dark roast
A month or so ago I had a different dark roast blend from the same roaster. I would have bought more of it but it was a small batch that had sold out. They suggested I give this one a try. Tis different, but also excellent.
They've definitely changed my opinion about dark roasts.
A month or so ago I had a different dark roast blend from the same roaster. I would have bought more of it but it was a small batch that had sold out. They suggested I give this one a try. Tis different, but also excellent.
They've definitely changed my opinion about dark roasts.
Amazing 🙄 😮
Gotta give the invention credit, and at the 60's it would be a work of genius. Not so much today.
I rather prefer my machine at 2023, that delivered a delicious XXL Espresso that I'm thoroughly enjoying right now.
Yes, a risk that comes with ordering from small roasters that cultivate relationships with small, local producers.
I, too (just today, when contacting a small roaster I order coffee from regularly) learned that a small batch of coffee (from El Salvador) that I had had my eye on, has sold out.
Well, such is life.
There are other coffees which beg to be bought.
in the case of the dark roast blend from earlier this year, when I couldn't find it on their website I emailed and asked about it. In their reply they said that it was roasted in a very small quantity and mostly goes to people who have one of their coffee subscriptions (mine had been acquired for me by a friend who has a subscription). Local residents get the rest.....oh well.
Today, I'm having coffee from Yemen.....and I noticed that I'm nearing the end of my supply of it
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Well, these things happen.
Nevertheless, I always enjoy the experience of perusing a coffee company's website with a view to placing a fresh order.
Enjoy the remainder of your coffee from Yemen.
Nespresso this past week revealed a mind-blowing new espresso pod flavor, compatible with my recently acquired Vertuo machine:
My favorite, if I can find it. Safeway Select has a similar variant.One of my favorites is Don Francisco’s Kona blend, a medium roast.
I can sometimes find this blend sold at Walmart! But yes it does get sold out of stock often.
The 10% Kona blends are pretty good and represent a great value -- they are much less expensive. But for pure taste satisfaction, you want to look for 100% Kona or Kuauai coffee or any of the other 100% Hawaiian bean localities/varieties. They are truly great coffees. Nevertheless, I have and enjoy these inexpensive Kona blends too because getting coffee from Hawaii certainly is not as easy as a trip to the local super market.
I’m sure the small local Hawaiian Kona coffee brands are authentically best. Problem is, they simply won’t be seen in retail outside Hawaii. It’s not like I’d ever find those at a local Costco or Walmart or Target in California.
If I’m lucky, a Trader Joe’s might showcase it on rare occasion, only to disappear after a few weeks. Trader Joe’s imports a lot of great hard to find things from afar.
Yes, you are right. Some people, however, like to mail order. I've done it in the past. Unfortunately, the price to order in the last year has sky rocketed. I noted a recent price of about $72.00 for a 16 oz. package of 100% Kona coffee from Hawaii -- it's getting ridiculous. It used to be about $30.00. So, yes, it's neither practical nor cost effective these days. The best way of course is to travel there and stock up. You can buy it much cheaper there. But short of doing that, going with the blend makes sense.
Reading these posts with greedy and absorbed fascination.
Unfortunately, I have never seen (let alone tasted) a coffee from Hawaii, and have neither seen nor sampled Kona or Kuauai coffee beans. For that matter, I've never seen Kona blends for sale here in my corner of Europe, but, in truth, I rarely buy blends, preferring single origin coffee.
Around a decade ago, I sometimes used to order coffees from the US, and used a few highly regarded companies - Intelligentsia, I recall, in particular; they had some really interesting and unusual coffees, and I was introduced to coffees that I would never have encountered (or sampled) otherwise - such as some of the excellent coffees they stocked from El Salvador.
However, customs & excise charges (frequently equalling, if not exceeding, the actual cost of the coffee) put an end to that adventure.
Unfortunately, I have never seen (let alone tasted) a coffee from Hawaii, and have neither seen nor sampled Kona or Kuauai coffee beans. For that matter, I've never seen Kona blends for sale here in my corner of Europe, but, in truth, I rarely buy blends, preferring single origin coffee.
Around a decade ago, I sometimes used to order coffees from the US, and used a few highly regarded companies - Intelligentsia, I recall, in particular; they had some really interesting and unusual coffees, and I was introduced to coffees that I would never have encountered (or sampled) otherwise - such as some of the excellent coffees they stocked from El Salvador.
However, customs & excise charges (frequently equalling, if not exceeding, the actual cost of the coffee) put an end to that adventure.
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Hi Scepticalscribe, I've not bought this particular coffee, but I do buy quite regularly from this shop (Old Compton Street):
algeriancoffeestores.com
HAWAIIAN KONA KAI FARMS
Hawaiian coffee is one of the world’s most sought-after coffees. It is cultivated on the slopes of dormant volcano Hualālai and active volcano Mauna Loa in the North and South Kona districts of the Big Island of Hawaii. This unique location presents ideal coffee growing conditions of perfect...
Hi Scepticalscribe, I've not bought this particular coffee, but I do buy quite regularly from this shop (Old Compton Street):
HAWAIIAN KONA KAI FARMS
Hawaiian coffee is one of the world’s most sought-after coffees. It is cultivated on the slopes of dormant volcano Hualālai and active volcano Mauna Loa in the North and South Kona districts of the Big Island of Hawaii. This unique location presents ideal coffee growing conditions of perfect...
Thanks very much for the recommendation and link; much appreciated. I hadn't known of this company.
Over the years, I have bought quite a lot of coffee from The Ethiopian Coffee Company in London, and have always found them (and their service) excellent.
This is my go-to blend for making espressos and espresso-based drinks.
FORMULA ROSSA
Our house espresso blend. A relatively "new" blend, it has been with us for around twenty years. A blend of Brazilian and African coffees, arabica, and some robusta, naturally processed and washed coffees. An espresso roast, dark but below a high roast with oils just starting to burst through...
algeriancoffeestores.com
I buy the "catering" 2.5Kg bags each time I'm back in the UK.
Very much enjoying an afternoon coffee (Ethiopian, naturally processed) with organic hot milk.
Good to test, but I didn’t had any wow's of Hawaiian beans. Tested and drank quite some when I stayed with a friend in LA and hanged around over there some time.Hi Scepticalscribe, I've not bought this particular coffee, but I do buy quite regularly from this shop (Old Compton Street):
HAWAIIAN KONA KAI FARMS
Hawaiian coffee is one of the world’s most sought-after coffees. It is cultivated on the slopes of dormant volcano Hualālai and active volcano Mauna Loa in the North and South Kona districts of the Big Island of Hawaii. This unique location presents ideal coffee growing conditions of perfect...
She had good equipment as well. Some delicate taste perhaps for those who are drawn to the lighter aroma. I more love the nutty, chocolate etc and fuller taste.
Now I need to go make myself a big delicious BIG espresso to start my day at 17:00 / 5PM 🙃
Have a good day friends 🥰
I'm similar. I think if I used my cafetiere (French press) more, I'd go for lighter coffees and 100% Arabica.
As I drink espressos or lattes all day, I like blends with 20-30% Robusta in them, generally. Or 100% Robusta when making a Vietnamese coffee, although that can't be drunk in the evening otherwise I get jittery and can't sleep
I usually buy the ground version of that blend, and I like that because it's a little bit coarser than the Don Francisco brand. Less grounds in the bottom of the cup.
It's great for my palate and agree that it has a lighter, more bright, profile than many other coffees. Kona coffee is typically a well balanced coffee and is often described as clean, sweet, nutty with a little bit of fruitiness. I love the flavor. There is also very little bitterness, which I do not like. However, the darker roasts are less sweet and fruity -- more full bodied. Some people prefer those roasts. The natural varieties are more nutty and fruity than the washed ones which are a little more acidic, lighter and more balanced.
Kona coffee, from the "Big Island" of Hawaii, is very distinct flavor. And you've got to try it at least once in your life!
Kona is a coffee growing region (and town) along the volcanic mountain slopes of the Big Island, a legendary volcanic island! The presence of the Hawaiian volcanoes is a massive factor to the rich fertile soil on the Big Island. And hence, fantastic coffee can be cultivated there.
Even today.... Mount Mauna Loa is an active volcano, last eruption in 2022. And yes, reckless tourists die every couple of years trying to get too close to the active lava-spewing crater. You don't hear of deaths because they fell into the lava. They die typically from smoke inhalation, toxic fumes, etc.
P.S. -- I find Kona coffee (e.g. the Don Francisco blend) to be somewhat on the acidic side, which is still fine by me, the flavor is still very enjoyable.
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I love the discussion on the Kona coffees of Hawaii.