Noob needs some practice coffee...

[rferoni]

Ola,

I recently purchased my first machine ever, an Anita. I've been dinking around with my home roasted coffee(some blends from SM.) What I really need to do is buy about 5 lbs. of something already roasted by a well known roasting company so I can really learn how to use the machine, and how different variables with the machine(temp, pressure etc) effect the coffee.

If there is a blend out there that is forgiving and tastes good at different temps, pressure it would be something I think would help me to learn.

I can see I need to take a good whole day when nobody is around so I can just play. Though I don't know what a decent espresso tastes like, I think I have pulled one or two shots that would pass as drinkable. I got the even beading in the Naked PF and some killer looking striping but my shots tend to blonde early.

So, what is the perfect noob blend?

Ron

[HB]

Here are some previous suggestions: 1, 2, 3, 4. To avoid accusations of playing favorites, I'll recap one from each of the sponsors:

• Coffee Klatch Roasting - Belle
• Counter Culture Coffee - Toscano
• Ecco Caffe - Ecco Reserve (*)
• Intelligentsia Coffee Roasters - Black Cat
• Paradise Roasters - Classico
• PT's Coffee - Bella

(*) I've not pulled all that much Ecco Reserve, so I cannot say for certain it's a "forgiving" blend. There's something to be said for starting with a well-known blend so you can ask questions. Loitering about the forums for a couple days and searching should give you a pretty good idea of the most popular espresso blends.

[RegulatorJohnson]

espresso, a minute to learn, a lifetime to master.

Five pounds will get you on the path.

Jon

[cannonfodder]

I would break the bag down to 5 one pound batches and drop a couple or three in the freezer to prolong their freshness. Or you could simply ask them to package the coffee in 5 one pound bags instead of the normal 5 pound bulk bag. Just remember that freezing slows (but does not stop) the degassing and staling process, so you will need to pull you freezer stash out a couple days before you need it.

[rferoni]

5lbs. Black Cat and 1lb. house blend is on the way!

I plan on pulling a TON of shots when it gets here. I just want to play with Anita and see how well she will let me get to know her!

Dave, I will take your advice and freeze a few lbs. I will vac pack first, then freeze.

So, what temps does black cat like?

ron

[cannonfodder]

at our stores and here at the roasting works, we dose ~18g (double basket) and run the machines at 199.5. I don't know if this directly translates to home machines or not. I aim for 26-27 seconds for 1.75 ounces.

From the master himself.