Hi all, I apologize if this has been asked before but I tried searching and the resource page and couldn't find anything.

I'm having the hardest time finding a local roaster. I currently live in Norwalk, CT and will soon be moving about 1 hour north to Naugatuck, CT. I have found a couple of roasters around Norwalk but it has been terrible beans. The only good place I can find is Coffee Labs Roasters in Tarrytown, NY. Nice espresso blend but is really too far away to get freshly roasted beans from all the time. Pretty expensive too, on par with ordering online.

So basically does anyone know of decent roasters around Norwalk or Naugatuck, CT? Or at least a reasonable way to source one besides googling? (tried for hours multiple occasions). I order from intelligentsia occasionally but honestly it's too expensive and a hassle to make the order and wait for shipping times.

EDIT: for both drip and espresso

I'll recommend Jojo's Coffee and Tea. They have two cafes: one in Hartford (where Bill roasts) and one in New Haven. I really enjoy their espresso but haven't tried their drip (it must be good though). I often stop by there to talk shop with the owners. If you are curious about seeing a Dalla Corte commercial three group machine in service at a real cafe, stop by the New Haven shop and pick up a bag of the espresso blend (or anything else available - there are usually 2-3 types of beans on display). They are very particular about the age of the beans, aiming for 10 days post-roast (if I recall correctly) as the start of the optimal age window for the espresso.

Link: http://www.cafejojo.com/

EDIT: I forgot to mention that I'll agree with you there. Coffee labs is DAMN good.

Awesome! Thank you so much!

New haven is still kind of far but closer than Tarrytown, at least from Naugatuck lol

Mainly interested in espresso blend for the silvia. So the espresso blend from Coffee labs is very good? I was wondering that because I was getting better results with their beans versus black cat (overall bad results though). Wasn't sure if it was just my imagination. Trying to eliminate good beans as a variable as that will make things a lot easier. Do you happen to know how much a bag of roasted espresso blend costs in store at Jojo's?

I believe it's $10 for a 12oz bag (I usually get 6oz for $5). Whenever I have their beans I'm constantly chasing after the flavor profile that I get from the espresso pulled at the cafe, but I'm never quite there (though close, sometimes) as neither my Gaggia nor my Ponte Vecchio can match the temperature or pressure set on their Dalla Corte (and neither can my shot-pulling skill match theirs).

I think a big step for me was the addition of a scale to my setup (and now I feel lost whenever I try to pull a shot without one). See if you can get your temperature surfed to a good spot on the Silvia and try to match the recommended dosing for the coffee you try (for example, the last time I checked Coffee Labs was using double baskets and Jojo's uses double baskets on the LM Linea in Hartford and triple baskets on the Dalla Corte; I'm using the basket type as an approximation of the dose-when I used a triple basket with Jojo's espresso, I got bitter garbage shots that *looked* fantastic).

As far as eliminating good beans as a variable - Black Cat, Coffee Labs, or Jojo's espresso blends are great beans, as long as you use them while they're fresh. At Jojo's they'll definitely tell you an optimal window (and other good places should too) as long as you ask.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Another New Haven area option: http://www.willoughbyscoffee.com/

JohnB. wrote:Another New Haven area option

The last time I had Willoughby's espresso in one of their cafes I was very disappointed, but I haven't tried their beans at home. I would expect it to be possible to get good results as their website seems to indicate that they know what they're doing (at least in terms of their roasting).

When you factor in the cost of fuel & your time I would think that ordering online from one of the many roasters in the eastern U.S. might be a better option.

JohnB. wrote:When you factor in the cost of fuel & your time I would think that ordering online from one of the many roasters in the eastern U.S. might be a better option.

Possibly, but from where?

Intelligentsia is $14 per pound and $8.21 for lowest cost shipping to me for 1 pound, just checked.

You can order online from http://terroircoffee.com/ in Acton,MA (or take a 2 hours drive NE)
They got a flat rate $5 for S&H (I think up-to 5 bags of coffee) with UPS which will be an overnight service to CT

They are one of the US top roasters (and a favorite of mine)
I got very good results with my Silvia using Ademe-Bedane, Sidamo,Ethiopia & Daterra, North (Brazil)
However you will need to learn how to temp-surf or get yourself a PID

/gabi

Terroir is an excellent choice, Atomic Cafe in Mass has some nice espresso choices, Gimme Coffee in N.Y. is running a free shipping deal this month. If you've got a good freezer you might consider the 2lb/5lb options that many roasters offer. Intelli almost always has a 10% coupon code running so do a Google search before placing an order as this will offset the shipping cost on a bulk order.

http://www.gimmecoffee.com/

http://www.shopatomicafe.com/shop/catalog/browse
(Their Daterra Farm Reserve is pretty tasty & can be bought in 12oz, 2lb or 5 lb bags)