Hi guys,

Given the level of intensity that high quality coffee is pursued here, I thought I should ask. Seeking one of those well-kept secrets of a little roaster relatively local to me (SE Mass) who I can buy beans from for espresso.

I searched before making this thread and found the George Howell recommendation and will give that a try, but I wonder if any of you know a good place with a retail outlet for top notch espresso roast beans in SE Mass. Such a place would make a good motorcycle destination on a weekend, to pick up what's fresh. Howell seems to sell his through other shops, so there is the inevitable delay caused by the distribution process, and I hate to pay shipping for something not all that far from me.

Kiskadee (http://www.kiskadeecoffee.com/) is close by, but I have yet to stumble across the bean from them that really lights my fire, although they're pretty good.

I realize this is such a specific question that perhaps no one will have an answer, but would be glad to hear any thoughts you folks have.

Bob

I recently met Gerra Harrigan, a buyer and roaster at New Harvest Coffee in Pawtucket. Based on her, I'd say their coffees are worth a try.

Armeno Roasters - https://www.armeno.com/store/default.aspx - is a bit off the track (they're in central MA) but well worth the trip.

They're in a historically interesting site, the people are very nice and the coffee is always roasting and quite good-


Marshall

Emoto wrote:. . . George Howell recommendation and will give that a try, but I wonder if any of you know a good place with a retail outlet for top notch espresso roast beans in SE Mass.

Bob, you don't say where you are other than SE Mass (which is more or less where I am, too). Give the folks at Terroir a call. I believe you can stop in and pick up coffee from them. They're only an hour from me, but the flat-rate UPS scheme is far more economical than starting my car.

Someone else mentioned Armeno, and I'll point out they're only about 10 minutes off of I-495. I've traded with them since Paul and Kathy started the business in the early 1990s, albeit with decreasing frequency since George Howell has been back in the coffee business in the area (and Armeno isn't what it once was, either).

Wow, thanks for the responses, guys!

Another_Jim, I will check into New Harvest. Looks interesting.

Marshall_S, Armeno looks nice.

Richard, I don't tend to post my town of residence on the web, but am somewhat east of Brockton. That's cool about being able to pick up at Terroir (I assume in Acton). I may try that, although I think I will pop into a Whole Foods and see if the roast date is on the bag, and buy one if it is only a few days ago.

You say Armeno is not what they used to be. Are they going down hill?

Thanks again!

Emoto wrote:. . . somewhat east of Brockton.

The puts Acton at some distance from you.

Emoto wrote:. . . I think I will pop into a Whole Foods and see if the roast date is on the bag, and buy one if it is only a few days ago.

The Whole Foods store in Bellingham has stopped selling any of their coffees, and the stores in Providence are now carrying only some of the GHH Select labels. The Terroir-branded coffees have a roast date, but my recollection (which may be faulty) is that the GHH Select-labeled coffees bear a use-by rather than a roast date.

Emoto wrote:You say Armeno is not what they used to be. Are they going down hill?

Certainly there have been major changes there since they opened some years back, mostly related to and following from the Kalenians selling the business to their employees. Taste being both ephemeral and subjective, I hesitate to say quality has declined; more accurate, I think, is that it is no longer as good a match to my tastes as it once was. But they are certainly an honest group of people with integrity, and I do from time to time buy some coffees from them.

I always check out the coffee section when I visit the Whole Foods store in Cranston & only once have I found any bags of what I would consider "fresh" coffee. Typically the Terrior/GHH is several months old or more. If you find yourself up on the north shore Atomic Cafe is a roaster/cafe worth checking out.
http://www.atomicafe.com/index.html

Richard - Yes, Acton is a hike, but I lke to head up that way from time to time, so I'll put it on the list. Thanks for all the info.

JohnB - Next time I am up north, I'll try to hit Atomic.

I went to Whole Foods in Hingham yesterday to look at the Terroir coffees they had. Nothing with a roast date on the package had a date more recent than 5/12, so I decided to pass on it. Instead, I picked up 4 different Allegro coffees. They were roasted either one or two days prior, and although in bins that were certainly not airtight, I thought it was my best choice. I only bought tiny amounts of each.

Have had one of them so far, as mentioned here: http://www.home-barista.com/coffees/eve ... ml#p126391

I guess if you are a fan of DARK roasts the Bel Canto might be appealing. Everytime I look in that bin at Whole Foods at that black oily blend I cringe! Whatever those beans once tasted like there is nothing left but Char flavor.

There is a bit of ground between "dark & oily" and burnt, IMHO. Still not for everyone, though. I have always liked the darker roasts, but this is the first time in many years that I am making a concerted effort to try a lot of different beans and blends to see what I like best (as well as reading here and other places), so I will stray from the darkest roasts when another choice is either recommended or looks interesting.

I am enjoying the journey of finding great beans and learning how to use them. The only somewhat frustrating thing for me is the slow rate at which I can consume espresso. I suppose I could make one, take a sip, then discard the rest and make a different one, but throwing it away just seems wrong to me.