Small samples of espresso blends...

by **wayneo** on Tue Aug 04, 2009 5:04 pm

Hi All,
Is there offered anywhere a small amount of different beans to sample?
So that one could get an idea what one likes and is available?

by **ddr** on Wed Aug 05, 2009 6:13 pm

Hi Wayne,
There are some online places that sell beans from multiple roasters, but I have never seen any company which sold small quantities. I am thinking that it may not be cost effective for them to stock a bunch of small bags of something that goes stale so quickly.

I would take a look at this thread (assuming that "Baltimore, Hon" is Baltimore, MD):

Fresh Coffee in Maryland?

and visit some of the places mentioned.

Take Care,
Dan

by **edwa** on Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:24 pm

Paradise Roasters has wonderful espresso blends and are sold in 12 oz bags. Now you may say that's not small enough, but by the time you dial in your grinder and a few other variables you may just have enough beans to really get a handle on not just the upfront tastes but also the more subtle ones too. Unfortunately, no matter how much caffeine I consume it doesn't seem to slow my diminishing memory :mrgreen:

BUT I seem to remember that there were other roasters offering a 12 oz bag.

by HB on Wed Aug 05, 2009 9:16 pm

Intelligentsia sells 1/2 pound bags. There is an extra cost per-pound due to the extra packaging (e.g., two 1/2 pound bags would be $17.00 vs. $16.00 for a one pound bag).

http://users.rcn.com/erics/ · by **erics** on Wed Aug 05, 2009 9:28 pm

In the Washington DC metro area, the Whole Foods about 1 mile off of exit 55B of Route 66 does in-house roasting and has about 25 beans to choose from. How many are good for espresso is "up for grabs" but a visit to this particular Whole Foods will be amazing - arrive around 1:00 pm M-F.

In addition, Qualia Coffee at 3917 Georgia Ave in DC roasts in-house and you may be able to finangle a sampler set. In any event, it is a nice, small-scale cafe.

by **Bluegrod** on Wed Aug 05, 2009 9:41 pm

Espresso Vivace also sells their two blends Dolce and Vita in half pound bags and both are excellent.

http://www.espressovivace.com/intro.html

by **Philg** on Wed Aug 05, 2009 10:44 pm

Last time I looked Counter Culture Coffee had a good deal on three 12 oz bags of their espresso blends. As someone said, by the time you dial in, it's not that much coffee - I like to buy as much as I can store in the freezer (more coffee per shipping charge) They have a great variety of beans beside espresso, and (I think) fixed shipping, so if you need some drip / press whatever too...

Good luck.

by **espressme** on Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:24 am

The Barista and the older Estro Profi series of machines are good home machines and may teach you well. A good grinder is needed to fully enjoy the best in coffees.

You may be better off just ordering from one of the sponsors here. I would phone the company in the mid afternoon their time and tell them what machine you have and ask for suggestions as to the best beans to use. Also, If your machine has the pressurized portafilter buy a non-pressurized.
Cheers
-Richard

by **wayneo** on Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:39 am

Dan,
Thanks for the excellent info and link!
Yea, hon is a Balawmer thing...

by **Marshall** on Fri Aug 07, 2009 1:22 pm

wayneo wrote:Hi All,
Is there offered anywhere a small amount of different beans to sample?
So that one could get an idea what one likes and is available?

Please keep in mind that anything less than half a pound will probably be a waste of time and money, because you will need almost that much to adjust the grind, dose and temperature properly for a new coffee, especially if you are a newbie.


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