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.

I have heard excellent things about New Harvest as well, out of Pawtucket, as Jim mentioned.

Their founder (if i recall right...) Mr. Kleinfeldt came to my school in Providence and gave a little presentation about his business and showed pictures from a trip one of his current work in progress farms in central america... I think it may have been guatemala, but I'm foggy as it was several months ago... Either way, he showed some real passion for coffee and certainly had personal relationship with the farms his coffees came from.

Good luck on the search!
Sincerely,
Bill

wfallon wrote:I have heard excellent things about New Harvest as well, out of Pawtucket, as Jim mentioned.

Their founder (if i recall right...) Mr. Kleinfeldt came to my school in Providence and gave a little presentation about his business and showed pictures from a trip one of his current work in progress farms in central america... I think it may have been guatemala, but I'm foggy as it was several months ago... Either way, he showed some real passion for coffee and certainly had personal relationship with the farms his coffees came from.

Good luck on the search!
Sincerely,
Bill

The coffees shown on their website look interesting I just wish they had a storefront as they are only 1/2 hr east of here. I'm roasting most of my own coffee now but I might give their decaf Espresso a shot. I haven't quite given up hope that there is a decaf Espresso out there that tastes good as a straight shot.

Emoto wrote:There is a bit of ground between "dark & oily" and burnt, IMHO. Still not for everyone, though.

The Bel Canto in the Cranston Whole Foods is black as night & covered in oil. If I was roasting that dark in my Hottop I'd have one hand on a fire extinquisher! Try some of the Espresso from Terroir & follow their temp recommendations. It will be quite a bit different from what you are use to as you will be able to taste the flavors of each bean as opposed to just tasting the roast.

JohnB. wrote:The Bel Canto in the Cranston Whole Foods is black as night & covered in oil. If I was roasting that dark in my Hottop I'd have one hand on a fire extinquisher! Try some of the Espresso from Terroir & follow their temp recommendations. It will be quite a bit different from what you are use to as you will be able to taste the flavors of each bean as opposed to just tasting the roast.

I don't have any gauges on my Silvia to know the exact temp, but I am very interested in trying your suggestion. When it comes to finding coffee I might like, I am all ears (or is that "all tastebuds? )

I need to give Terroir a call and figure out when I can get up there. I really just want to buy tiny quantities of things to try, otherwise it is going to go to waste as it will take me too long to use it all.

Emoto wrote:I need to give Terroir a call and figure out when I can get up there. I really just want to buy tiny quantities of things to try, otherwise it is going to go to waste as it will take me too long to use it all.

Their standard packaging is 12 ounces.

Emoto wrote:I need to give Terroir a call and figure out when I can get up there. I really just want to buy tiny quantities of things to try, otherwise it is going to go to waste as it will take me too long to use it all.

One of the best ways (or perhaps the only way) to efficiently try a bunch of their coffees is at one of their Open Houses. You can sign up for their e-mailed newsletter, or call and ask them to notify you when they schedule their next Open House.

SL28ave wrote:One of the best ways (or perhaps the only way) to efficiently try a bunch of their coffees is at one of their Open Houses. You can sign up for their e-mailed newsletter, or call and ask them to notify you when they schedule their next Open House.

Cool. Thanks!

another_jim wrote: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.

I checked out the New Harvest shelf at the Cranston Whole Foods today. No roast dates, not even a sell by date so I passed on it. I've seen Terroir several months old in these stores so I'm not about to roll the dice on an unmarked bag. I may send them an email & suggest some dating or see if I can pick something up at their roastery.

My recommendation of buying coffee, no matter how good the roaster, at a supermarket -- don't.

Supermarkets have procedures based on the type of good; and for them coffee, any coffee, is a good with unlimited shelf life. When I see coffee in the produce or deli sections, where the people know that old stock needs to be replaced, I'll start buying coffee in supermarkets.

another_jim wrote:My recommendation of buying coffee, no matter how good the roaster, at a supermarket -- don't.

Supermarkets have procedures based on the type of good; and for them coffee, any coffee, is a good with unlimited shelf life. When I see coffee in the produce or deli sections, where the people know that old stock needs to be replaced, I'll start buying coffee in supermarkets.

I agree, I've seen Peet's ground coffee on the shelf in our local markets that was over 12 months old. Since N/H is a local roaster I thought there was a better chance of finding something fresh but with no dating I wasn't touching it. I did send them an email so we'll see what they have to say.