Sorry....typo. It is a GS/3 Paddle.

It is a joy to use but its all HB's fault for getting me in trouble.

Thanks...Bob

malachi wrote:Just to be clear - you have a GS3, right?
Not a GS/1.... or do I have to be really jealous?

Back to my foot-in-the-mouth comment. I sat at the Belmont Intelligentsia location a few times in 2000 and enjoyed nice espresso shots before I moved west. And when I return to Chicago I will go back. Point is very well taken that freshness adds many dimensions. I don't know if she purchased the bag in July just never got around to shipping it to us until November but it was well sealed when I opened it. And the stuff has too good a reputation around here for me to just toss the beans.

I wish I still lived in Chicago to experience it fresh!

The freshest I have used has been with a roast date of three weeks prior. I have gone online several times to order directly from Intelligentsia but backed out when the shipping charges were added. I did find an upscale food market here that has Black Cat 12 oz on the shelf for $9.99. This is a great price but I can't seem to coordinate the purchase when it is fresher. I will keep trying.

If it was any better fresher I would probably pee my pants!

Wow. Thousands on equipment and you're unwilling to pay a few bucks for shipping?

It's comments like this that provide nothing to the conversation. Uncalled for!

Bushrod wrote:Wow. Thousands on equipment and you're unwilling to pay a few bucks for shipping?

I apologize for the tone but I still don't understand.

Also, thanks for reminding me about Redline! Haven't had it for ages.

Chert wrote:Back to my foot-in-the-mouth comment. I sat at the Belmont Intelligentsia location a few times in 2000 and enjoyed nice espresso shots before I moved west. And when I return to Chicago I will go back. Point is very well taken that freshness adds many dimensions. I don't know if she purchased the bag in July just never got around to shipping it to us until November but it was well sealed when I opened it. And the stuff has too good a reputation around here for me to just toss the beans.

Well sealed doesn't matter.
It will say on the bag when it was roasted.
If it was more than, oh... let's say 14 days ago, then the best use for it will be in your compost to add acidity.
Seriously.

If the coffee is truly 4 months old, then if you find it merely "hum drum" and not in fact "awful and disgusting" than it is truly a special coffee.

I just attended their Barista Training course last week to which I learned a great deal about their offerings. The trainer confirmed that Black Cat needs at least a week to sit after roasting and then a day to de-gas. I'm waiting on my complimentary bag to sit just a few more days before I can enjoy.

timmins wrote:I just attended their Barista Training course last week to which I learned a great deal about their offerings. The trainer confirmed that Black Cat needs at least a week to sit after roasting and then a day to de-gas. I'm waiting on my complimentary bag to sit just a few more days before I can enjoy.

I've been considering making the trip to Chicago and attending their course. How was it?

Bushrod wrote:I apologize for the tone but I still don't understand.

Also, thanks for reminding me about Redline! Haven't had it for ages.

I understand the comments on shipping costs. Although My Diedrich IR-12 is FINALLY set up after a few years of delays and I'm roasting my own (but not yet officially selling to the public) I was buying beans from a few different sources. One of my favorite roasters - who will remain nameless because they're great folks and do a fantastic job with the beans - charges a set price per pound for shipping, offers no discounts for multiple pounds and won't even use Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes (although they do ship by USPS). They could have shipped me four pounds for what I was paying them to have two pounds shipped and they'd be getting free shipping cartons from the post office to boot.

When I buy beans week in and week out all year long and my cost is jumping by $3 to $5 per pound because of higher shipping costs - it matters to me and it's completely unrelated to how much I spend on espresso gear or other equipment. Just curious - as long as the topic is under discussion.... what do you folks consider to be realistic shipping costs assuming the beans are comparably priced between different vendors and of comparable quality? (albeit different flavor profiles).