Looking for West Coast coffees similar to Counter Culture Toscano

[Tampy]

I have been using Black Cat for the past year. Frankly, I have never been impressed with it. It always seems both bitter and sour to me despite my attempts at temperature and dosing variations. I was starting to think that for my taste buds, espresso was never going to be smooth and tasty. I finally tried something new. I just ordered my first pound of Toscano. It is amazing. The flavor profile is smooth and sweet. I have pulled 7 shots and all of them have been fantastic. Although I admit to being relative newbie, the Toscano is the best shot I have ever had and I need more!

I would love to keep getting Toscano. The only problem is that it takes 7 days to get to me in California from the East Coast. That doesn't leave much in the way of freshness if its ideal window is 10 days after roast.

Can anyone recommend a roast on the West Coast that would give me a similar experience to Toscano?

Thank you in advance!

[cafeIKE]

Check out Supreme Bean

I don't know Toscano for similar reasons.

Blends I enjoy from Supreme are Ring of Fire, Bella Luna, Original Organic and Dolce Terra

[Beezer]

I like Coffee Klatch's Belle Espresso blend very much. They're in San Dimas, so it only takes a couple of days to get a shipment to my home base, which is Fresno.

Barefoot Coffee also has some nice blends. I just got a shipment of Sweetness, Boss, and Element 114 blends. Again, shipping is quite fast at around two days, and they roast on the same day the coffee ships, so it's very fresh.

[edwa]

I too am a fan of Klatch's Belle, but long before that I had a standing weekly order at Supreme Bean. I spent at least a year trying beans from a variety of wonderfully great roasters after upgrading my grinder and espresso machine. And, for me, that was an adventure and a discovery- to find a new favorite. I suppose even that is transitory as each years crop changes the characteristics of the bean. There are quite a few West Coast roasters and I hope you enjoy your "travels" as much as I did. I too was never a big fan of Black Cat, it upset my stomach, but have you tried their Kid O? If you broaden your search for more than something "similar" and let your browser guide you, you may end up with a lot more. Have you tried Stumptown, Ecco, West Coast Roasting (wcrcompany.com). Paradise roasters (not west coast but gets to you quick), Olympia Coffee, Bluebottle Coffee? Check out coffeereview.com for more leads ... and enjoy the journey.

[CSME9]

Try Cafe D Arte in Seattle
Firenze blend or Pariolli Blend are pretty good.

[Mtn Shot]

I have not had the CC Toscano but offer the following thoughts. There are many fine roasters on the West coast and throughout the country. I live in the mountains of Northern California near the Oregon border. I have been purchasing from Ecco Caffe in Santa Rosa, Stumptown in Portland, and Klatch; to name a few. Additionally, I order a lot from George Howell (Terroir) in Massachusetts.

I have found good "luck" in having coffee sent USPS priority mail. I am not a fan of the postal service, but UPS and FedEx are expensive for quick service from the East and ground service takes too long, as you note. I get the coffee in three days for about $6 from anywhere. I find that many roasters will ship it USPS if I ask, but they don't show it on their website. It works for me as the coffee arrives with a few days of gassing-off already passed and the cost is reasonable. There isn't a good roaster within 300 miles of here. Love those fresh beans!

Todd

[zin1953]

Suggestions:

-- The "Dolce" blend from Espresso Vivace Roasteria in Seattle. (Note: through USPS "Priority Mail" I typically get this delivered from Seattle to Berkeley 2-3 days after roasting.)

-- The "Northern Italian Reserve Espresso" from Ecco Caffè in Sonoma County, CA. (Note: same delivery times as Vivace.)

-- The "Espresso Ticino" from Flying Goat Coffee in Healdsburg, CA.

-- The "Sweet Tooth Espresso" from Ritual Roasters in San Francisco.

-- The "Sweetness Espresso" from Barefoot Roasters in Santa Clara, CA.

-- The "Espresso Torro" from West Coast Roasting Co., in Sherman Oaks, CA.

-- Any of the various espresso blends (read the descriptions, and take your pick) from Coffee Klatch Roasting in San Dimas, CA.

(Please take note, the above suggestions are arranged -- coincidentally -- in north-to-south geographic order. Make of that what you will . . . )

Cheers,
Jason

[Tampy]

Thank you all for the great suggestions!

[malachi]

What brew temp are you using for your Black Cat?

The closest I can think of to Toscano is probably the Palladino from Zoka.

A lot of the other coffees mentioned are both good and produced on the west coast - but are not truly similar to the Toscano. In addition, a few of the coffees mentioned are quite hard to work with.

[zin1953]

Hmmm . . . never had a good shot while visiting Zoka. Probably should give the Paladino a try, though.

Yes, Vivace's coffees are demanding, but worth it (IMHO).

[cafeIKE]

OTOH, give 'em a miss.

[Marshall]

The "Espresso Torro" from West Coast Roasting Co., in Sherman Oaks, CA.

Actually, West Coast Roasting is in Venice, CA. I mention this nit for two reasons. First, I live in Sherman Oaks. So, I immediately looked them up, hoping to drop by.

Second, the "Sherman Oaks" misunderstanding obviously comes from the owners' website homage to Dick Healy, who formerly owned The Coffee Roaster here. Dick was my first coffee mentor, too. He guided me through my early home espresso journeys and introduced me to La Minita, Gayo Mountain and many other fine producers. Dick moved to Manhattan a few years ago, but we still keep in touch from time to time. Dick, by the way, was the mentor to many of the artisan roasters in L.A.

[zin1953]

My bad . . . Venice, it is!

[poison]

Actually, West Coast Roasting is in Venice, CA. I mention this nit for two reasons. First, I live in Sherman Oaks. So, I immediately looked them up, hoping to drop by.

Second, the "Sherman Oaks" misunderstanding obviously comes from the owners' website homage to Dick Healy, who formerly owned The Coffee Roaster here. Dick was my first coffee mentor, too. He guided me through my early home espresso journeys and introduced me to La Minita, Gayo Mountain and many other fine producers. Dick moved to Manhattan a few years ago, but we still keep in touch from time to time. Dick, by the way, was the mentor to many of the artisan roasters in L.A.

Hi there! There's really no place to drop by, Marshall...yet. I hope to be in a Farmers Market very soon, but it'd be West LA, not the valley...yet.

Dick mentored LA in the ways of good coffee. It's no joke; I don't think anyone else had quite as deep and lasting an impact as Dick. He spawned at least 4 existing roasters, apprenticed several others, and, several years ago when the Zagat had a 'cafe' issue, The Coffee Roaster pulled a perfect score of 28. Groundworks is far bigger, but I don't think they even come close.

I was in there before opening 3-4 days a week, for a year and a half before he sold it. I might still be roasting there, but Dana kicked me out.

[Tampy]

Thanks again for all of the responses.

Chris, I have tried Black Cat from 198 to 203f and it all tastes both sour and bitter to me. I have also adjusted the dose from 15g to 21g. Nothing seemed to work for me. I tried it on my Mother-in-law and she about gagged and spit it out for each shot. I think I ruined her on espresso. I thought I was crazy and a terrible barista until I tried the Toscano. I don't think I pulled a sink shot and I have already finished the pound I ordered over the weekend!

On a side note, I inquired if Counter Culture could mail it USPS. They indicated they can't as of now but will be looking into that as an option in the future. Unfortunately, UPS simply takes too long to the west coast. Although tempting, I can't justify $20+ for overnight shipping!

For now, I am going to try Palladino from Zoka. Also, I ordered a pound of ECCO Reserve. It arrived within 2 days and is very good. Its profile doesn't work for me like the Toscano but I did like it. For me, it was head and shoulders above the Black Cat. Maybe it is just my taste buds. Regardless, the Toscano opened a new chapter for me...

[mgwolf]

Even though it's not close geographically, Paradise Roasters ships quickly and has really nice blends. They ship same day it's roasted.