Espresso Enthusiasts

[Macky-Mac]

How does the Hawaiian coffee compare with coffees from Colombia and Ethiopia?

There's more similarity between this Colombian (red bourbon) and this Ethiopian (local heirloom) than there is between them and this Hawaiian coffee (Ka'u region, variety unknown).

There is a great deal of fruit sweetness in the first two, with the Colombian being the sweeter and having a more distinct fruit identity. There's also a nice cocoa nib note present in both it and the Ethiopian. They're both light roasts with a fairly bright acidity, but especially the Colombian.

This Hawaiian is what I think is called a "full city roast", a medium roast, perhaps even slightly on the dark side of medium. It has a great dark chocolate flavor note and also a very pleasant dark cherry note. It's from the Ka'u region and I've found that chocolate and cherry are often elements of coffee flavor from that region. As for acidity, it has more of a medium acidity compared to the Colombian and Ethiopian coffees. It's a very mellow and smooth coffee.

(There's a lot of interesting variety in Hawaiian coffees from the different growing regions, which is something I enjoy exploring)

Do I have a favorite among the three? Oh, Definitely. The Colombian is just amazing

 

[mtbdudex]

What you guys using for manual tamper with correct pressure?

I have the Breville espresso machine on the right, kinda wish I had the one on left, it’s the next one up in Breville lineup with integrated tamper device.

Plus less grind spillage also I think with the integrated tamper one.

I don’t want a super fancy automatic machine, enjoy the manual steps.

Now same store had the DeLonghi, it’s a step up but still manual , I like buttons not the LCD screen auto ones.

 

[Macky-Mac]

one day I was talking with the barista who was making my espresso and while he was putting a lot of muscle into tamping I asked if he'd seen a manual lever tamper (similar to the photo below). He had, and so had the cashier who was nearby.....excitement ensued as they both said they wished their shop had one

 

[Lioness~]

What you guys using for manual tamper with correct pressure?

I have the Breville espresso machine on the right, kinda wish I had the one on left, it’s the next one up in Breville lineup with integrated tamper device.

Plus less grind spillage also I think with the integrated tamper one.


I don’t want a super fancy automatic machine, enjoy the manual steps.

Now same store had the DeLonghi, it’s a step up but still manual , I like buttons not the LCD screen auto ones.

Found small fitting cutting-boards in wood to use in my espresso rituals - to actually use the coffee grounds instead of get it all over the place. I'm very pleased 😊
I had another cutting-board, a bit larger, that gave me the idea. But as I used it to veggies as well, it was not perfect.
This size is great and the cleaning process around the machine are a lot more simple as well.

The white bucket is my knock-box btw 😉
I like that I have a lid on it. So it won’t attract small insects. It's not optimal however.

Here’s an old pic, but those cutting boards are great to keep the grinds on it and then I have a small kitchen-knife to collect the grinds and get into to the portafilter to make espresso from it instead of having it all over the place. Very neat.
So I am very pleased with my setup still. I have a good knock box instead of that plastic now though - and I posted about that too.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Enjoyed a coffee from Thailand today, served with organic hot milk.

 

[mtbdudex]

Here’s an old pic, but those cutting boards are great to keep the grinds on it and then I have a small kitchen-knife to collect the grinds and get into to the portafilter to make espresso from it instead of having it all over the place. Very neat.
So I am very pleased with my setup still. I have a good knock box instead of that plastic now though - and I posted about that too.

Good luck with your choice.

Thx!! I like the cutting board to keep less grinds from getting into the water catcher

 

[Macky-Mac]

Browsing teh InterWebs on my phone and found this --

View attachment 2398445

today I was reminded that there are actually several buttons to be pressed before I find coffee in the mug

 

[mtbdudex]

The last beans from a bag from Caffe Lusso Coffee Roasters in the traditional style of central Italy, the Lionshare Espresso Blend, dry-processed Brazil and Ethiopia Sidama beans, with a dash of washed robusta peaberry. A new bag should be thawed now for a second drink.

View attachment 2398533

artsy picture

 

[DaveFromCampbelltown]

...

I don’t want a super fancy automatic machine, enjoy the manual steps.

Now same store had the DeLonghi, it’s a step up but still manual , I like buttons not the LCD screen auto ones.

Scary.

1. Too many buttons. First thing in the morning, I can cope with a max of two buttons.
2. Too many numbers on the price tag.

 

[squawk7000]

When buying some ground coffee this morning my local coffee roaster had a new one for me:
From Burundi from the Nyagishiru washing station. A red bourbon bean, the describe the flavour profile as "Hobnobs, gooseberries, sticky toffee pudding"

nearly an "ooooo lovely" coffee for me, and very pleasant.

 

[Macky-Mac]

Enjoyed a coffee from Thailand today, served with organic hot milk.

what do you have to report about the Thai coffee?

 

[Lioness~]

Testing a new taste of barista syrup, caramel, in my espresso today.
I bought a few new, I like the sweetening and taste of them in the espresso.

 

[quagmire]

What you guys using for manual tamper with correct pressure?

I have the Breville espresso machine on the right, kinda wish I had the one on left, it’s the next one up in Breville lineup with integrated tamper device.

Plus less grind spillage also I think with the integrated tamper one.



I don’t want a super fancy automatic machine, enjoy the manual steps.

Now same store had the DeLonghi, it’s a step up but still manual , I like buttons not the LCD screen auto ones.

While I do love the integrated tamper in my touch impress, a slight annoyance I have is it taking 3-4 times to polish the puck right.

Would still get it, but thought I would provide that feedback.

 

[Alameda]

What you guys using for manual tamper with correct pressure?

I have the Breville espresso machine on the right, kinda wish I had the one on left, it’s the next one up in Breville lineup with integrated tamper device.

I don’t want a super fancy automatic machine, enjoy the manual steps.

Now same store had the DeLonghi, it’s a step up but still manual , I like buttons not the LCD screen auto ones.

I use this tamper:
MHW-3BOMBER 53mm Espresso Coffee Tamper with Three Spring Loaded Calibrated Espresso Tamper 30lbs Espresso Hand Tamper with Sound Feedback T6173T https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C55CFGC...cial_share=cm_sw_r_ud_dp_X7SWZ5FNADVRRKY41R9H

If you have the Breville Barista Express, the next upgrade would be a separate grinder, like a DF54 or a DF64. There’s a YouTube channel called Hoon’s Coffee and he will teach you everything about making perfect espresso with your machine.

 

[svenmany]

What you guys using for manual tamper with correct pressure?

I recently starting using https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMXN6VJN?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1. I like it.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

what do you have to report about the Thai coffee?

Smooth, rich, somewhat sweet, and with a very nice depth of flavour.

Actually, I must say that I quite liked it, and would cheerfully recommend it.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

today I was reminded that there are actually several buttons to be pressed before I find coffee in the mug

Agree with @DaveFromCampbelltown that anything requiring more than two buttons to be pressed first thing in the morning is a challenge to be addressed after (but not before) one has consumed one's first coffee of the day.

 

[Papanate]

Enjoyed a coffee from Thailand today, served with organic hot milk.

How long did you have to wait for it?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

How long did you have to wait for it?

I ordered it from a small coffee shop (and business) that cultivates relationships with - and, thus imports coffee from - small local (and often, environmentally aware) producers (and/or growers) in a number of coffee producing countries.

At any one time, their stock of available coffee tends to be both seasonal, and thus, fairly limited.

In any case, once I had placed my order, delivery (by DHL) took a matter of two or three days.

 

[avro707]

In any case, once I had placed my order, delivery (by DHL) took a matter of two or three days.

And it didn't go cold in two or three days. I think that was what was being said before.

I understood though.

 

[mtbdudex]

Had the starter double-espresso at 6am, Brazil roast from my Tennessee source, switched it up for the 9am with a chai tea latte ..

For some reason with my daily routine this song came to mind .. yea I’m early 60’s age

 

[Macky-Mac]

I've recently returned home from traveling and was delighted to find newly delivered beans waiting for me.

Just in time too since in my coffee cabinet I find 4 packages, each with less than enough beans to make a full mug. I'll have to make them into a "leftovers stew"

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I've recently returned home from traveling and was delighted to find newly delivered beans waiting for me.

Just in time too since in my coffee cabinet I find 4 packages, each with less than enough beans to make a full mug. I'll have to make them into a "leftovers stew"

I know that feeling.

Today, the remains of the coffee from Tanzania (surprisingly good) were consumed, and I am now ready to address the coffee from El Salvador that was delivered recently.

 

[Lioness~]

Double Espresso and some snacks a moment ago.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Enjoying a mug of coffee (served with organic hot milk) from El Salvador.