Favorite espresso blend? - Page 2

[jgriff]

You're right about the threadjack - I hadn't realized. Sorry about that. One last thing, though . . . try to adjust your grinder so you get the same shot volume produced in around 25 seconds. Good luck!

[edwa]

To get back on track ...

Has anybody got Paradise Roasters' "Espresso Havana" on their favorite list? I opened a 7 oz sampler the other day and have really been enjoying its taste as a shot. It's also good with milk but it loses a little of that smokiness to my taste buds.

Paradise Roasters say its a heavy bodied espresso on their website but to my neophyte taste I thought it was more of a medium body - a touch lighter than say Olympia Roasting's "Big Truck" (another fav) and certainly lighter than a Black Cat. BUT, I'm just going by the tip of MY tastebuds and will be the first to admit I don't know what I'm talking about. However, I do have a strong desire to learn more. So, constructive feedback to this thought is welcomed.

Edit: 10 minutes later.
Ya know, I just remembered that when I got the sampler it was on the third day after roasting and I immediately froze it as I had quite a few other beans. It was in the freezer for about 2 weeks so maybe that took off some of the body?

Ed

[julioale]

My vote is for Black Cat. Today I tried the Tres Santos El Portal from Intelligentsia roasted this Monday. It's sweet, nice fruit flavors and a good crema, delicious. BTW, Intelligentsia has a great costumer service. They make a mistake with the shipping and didn't doubt to duplicate the order and send it thru UPS w/out charge.

Ale

[woodchuck]

One thing to try would be CCC Toscano with a bit of fruit say a Harrar or Ethiopian. I have been drinking some Toscano with a smidgen of Paradise Roasters Ethiopian Biloya. Oh wow, wild berries on top of chocolate lava cake!

Cheers

Ian

[zin1953]

I, too, worry about internet shipping over long distances. Coffee, like wine, can be damaged by the heat of summer shipments . . .

My favorite of late is Flying Goat Espresso Tincino . . .

[carrie kennedy]

Hi Philee,
If I had my way I would drink CC Toscano, but shipping is as much as the coffee, and I live in Hood River, OR and can get Hair Bender at a local shop.
You should check out shipping to you. Intelli's Black Cat was a bit much for me, seemed sharp and too caffeinated. We are wanting a change, however and are going to pursue some others mentioned to you. Lots of choices out of Seattle and Portland. Good luck!
Carrie

[CSME9]

Cafe Fresco Ambrosia and Cafe Darte Firenze are nice blends..

WS

[Beezer]

I'm partial to Coffee Klatch's Belle Espresso and Organic Espresso. Very thick and sweet, especially when pulled as a ristretto shot. Like liquid chocolate. Yum!

Strangely, when I tried their Competition Blend that Heather Perry just used to win the USBC title, I didn't like it as much. It starts out with a kind of wine-like flavor and then has a berry finish, if that makes any sense. I found it a bit too sweet and fruity for my tastes, though it seems to mellow with age.

[Niko]

My favorite commercial roast is Hairbender.

My personal favorite is a top secret blend I make where I roast 3 beans together and two more separate to keep the blend even.
...oops! I said too much already.

[laservet]

My current favorites are Tesora and Espresso Milano from Williamsburg Coffee and Tea (need to call for the Tesora, not on their web site). They're right down the street from me and I pick it up as it comes out of the roaster.

http://wcoffee.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/Traditional_Gourmet_Coffee.html

[jffhn]

My favorite blends include Sweet Maria's Moka Kadir, SM Monkey Blend, Coffee Emergency Tribal Medicine, CE CBX. These two roasters produce a very high quality and consistent product. I also like Paradise Roasters blends on occasion, but they become monolithic to my palate when served up regularly. My journey started with Black Cat but the quality control doesn't match up to the others mentioned (KidO seems to be in better shape).

[Spresso_Bean]

Pro roasts I've tried so far:

Intelligentsia Black Cat
Intelligentsia Kid-O
Machristay Black Pearl
SM Moka Kadir

Out of these, my favorite is probably Kid-O and it has a nice smooth taste to it but not overpowering. They're all really great coffees but Kid-O stood out to me as a straight espresso. I didn't care for it as much in milk drinks, though.

[Chert]

This is a nice thread to which I will refer before I next mail order coffee; something like once a year.

When I can get Kalani Organic Espresso fresh at Whole Foods in Seattle I find it quite nice. Another one I tried not so long ago was Millars' Lucia, which they bill as wood fire roasted. I try to stay away from mail ordering coffee, but fortunately the road takes me near some fine roasters. For my taste Stumptown and Victrola Roasters aren't the hit, but Blue Gardenia Coffeehouse and Bakery in Portland makes a nice Espresso Loma I think they call it. I wish Hines Market Cafe was still up and roasting in Seattle. For a dark roast espresso, Garuda Blend from Peet's.

Flint