Hello,

Does anyone have favorite blends or SO's that work particularly well on lever machines? Have you tried this (these) on both a lever and a pump and have a preference? If you have one (or many) that you can suggest, please give the coffee name/roaster, basket, machine, dose, and timing information if possible. (I suppose I'm really asking what blends, if any, are favored by whatever it is levers do differently?)

Thanks!

My two long running favorite SO's on the lever are Yemen and Ethiopian Sidamo. I buy my beans from Sweet Maria's and roast them with my Whirly Pop. Ponte Vecchio Lusso, double basket distributed and leveled flat, flow rate at the edge between flowing and dripping.

I have had other machines with pumps which have produced some glorious shots, but I have been satisfied with the lever.

Some of my favorite beans already roasted are done by Sweet Maria's, also. They mainly sell green beans, but every week they usually roast one for espresso.

Beans do need time to age to develop flavor. I find most of my beans start tasting their best at day 3 or 4. Fresh is best, and I think a must for satisfaction with a lever. If I buy already roasted, I like to buy from a roaster who thinks it important enough to provide the roast date. Then you know how truly fresh the beans are.

Yes, Yemen seems especially delicious as SO out of my Cremina. For me, Ismaeli worked best, just hasn't been much good Ismaeli in a while. a 2 bean blend I roasted was a Saanani/Java. Roasted separately, @ a "light" full city...no oil, just at 2nd. Sort of a Mokha Java, I guess. Lots of crema, bittersweet chocolate and spice, not much fruit, of course, but nice as espresso-ristretto. I bet a really good El Salvador at 20% would make it all sing!
Hmmmmmmmm.

Any other suggestions? Especially for the misguided (me) who don't home roast?

Thanks for the posts!

Dan...I forgot the part about you not home roasting. if your taste runs to fruity, try Metropolis Roaster's "Redline", or Chris Coffee's "Black pearl." PT's Belle is got more caramel and cocoa essence, as does Counter Cultures "Toscano"...there are dosens more other posters can chime in with.
Why not call one of the big time internet Roasters (we have several here as sponsors), tell them your taste preferences, and they'll surely have something right up your alley. Make sure you have some 1 way valve bags or canning type jars to keep the coffee fresh. $15-17 a # shipped needs to be protected!
BTW, check out the "Marketplace" Forum here. I believe several roasters have either very cheap or FREE shipping this month. Now would be the time.

IMAWriter wrote:or Chris Coffee's "Black pearl." PT's Belle is got more caramel and cocoa essence

Funny you should mention those... the HB contest prizes had me choosing between those two. I ended up with PT's Bella Vita.

I do of course frequent the Marketplace forum, especially since it led me to last year's Counter Culture Finca Mauritania Pulp Natural Espresso and Ethiopian Biloya Espresso.

I'll have to try Redline and Chris' Black Pearl soon. I had some Toscano on the Gaggia Espresso over the Thanksgiving break, but it ran out too soon to bring back to my Ponte Vecchio.

Thanks!