What to ask for at the roaster?

[jrd1955]

Ok, I'm convinced. Fresh (home) roasted is the way to go. But I want to give it a try and I don't yet own the equipment. There's a local shop that has a roaster, and a selection of beans. Now, what I need to figure out is this...

What do I ask for?

First, what kind of bean should I ask for?

Second, what kind of roast?

I prefer a very dark roast. I don't think I've ever had one I thought was too dark. And I positively dislike the light roasts.

So what do I say? How do I specify the bean and the roast, and what do you folks recommend?

BTW, I have an Expobar Control and a Rocky, so I think with the right bean/blend and roast, I can really get close to nirvana.

Thanks for your time and expertise. Priceless!

Jim

[malachi]

I'm afraid you'll have to provide more data.

Right now, about all I could say would be that you ask for their darkest roast espresso blend.

If you would be willing to provide some information about your roaster (who they are, what they offer, what kind of roaster they are using) as well as what sort of flavour you're looking for and the sort of drinks you like to consume then we could provide more input.

To be totally blunt, if you're a big dark roast fan (and the darker the better) than varietals and blends are pretty much irrelevant.

[jrd1955]

It's a local coffee shop that roasts for their own use as well as for other local shops.

I gave them a call, and got a wealth of information.

They have an air roaster that has been extensively modified. The owner is a bit of a fanatic -- a good thing. They have different stock combinations of beans/roasts, and will also do "custom" stuff.

For the record, I can't be bothered with milk drinks, and just like a few nice (fairly short) shots of espresso every day. I like a fairly rich flavor.

I had somehow imagined that ordering might be a little more complex than apparently it is. I think the thing to do is try a few combinations and see what I like.

Thanks.

Jim

PS I seem to remember reading (Cooks Illustrated?) that roast is one of the most important factors in determining the "quality" of the taste of a shot of espresso (more important even than variety, assuming a minimum quality of bean).

Jim

[malachi]

Don't believe everything you read.

Roast degree is actually one of the least important factors going into quality of your shot unless you're talking about "quality" of roast (i.e. the roaster didn't screw up roasting it).
Age, producer, varietal, origin... far more important than degree of roast. Quality of roast - yes. A poorly roasted coffee is going to result in bad shots.
Degree of roast is just a personal preference issue unless you get outside of the "optimal" range for a bean.
For me - I like to taste coffee not roast so I prefer lighter roasted beans.
Some people prefer to taste the roast and like darker roasted beans.

[jrd1955]

Ok. Thanks for straightening me out. I guess personal taste is the final arbiter. I'll just have to try a few things.

Heck, I don't think I can say I've ever really had a "great" coffee in this country (I'm in NC in the US) and so maybe I'm only tasting roast. I might be pleasantly surprised by a great bean!

Jim

[HB]

Heck, I don't think I can say I've ever really had a "great" coffee in this country (I'm in NC in the US)...

Counter Culture Coffee is one of the site's sponsors and is located in Durham, NC. Their Toscano blend is one of my favorites. If you live near Apex, you should check out Pheasant Creek Coffee. Geoff's place is an oasis in a desert of otherwise mediocre coffee. I organized weekly get-togethers there and at Counter Culture's espresso lab. Contact me if you would like to join us.

[malachi]

Counter Culture are very good roasters.

[another_jim]

If you're relatively new with the machine, start with the Toscano; it's a very tasty blend and it changes taste under different drawing conditions, rather than going from drinkable to undrinkable.

They also sell the Rwanda Karaba, which I find an excellent single origin coffee for espresso.

[jrd1955]

I live in Charlotte, but will be traveling to Durham next week. I will try them out. Thanks.

Jim