Coffee beans

karatekid · Post by **karatekid** » Tue Jul 11, 2023 5:41 pm

Just ordered a bean to cup machine and was looking for coffee bean recommendations and best place to buy them. I currently have a pod machine. I like most styles of coffee. Also where should i buy the caramel syrup for a latte?

Joe14 · Post by **Joe14** » Tue Jul 11, 2023 5:44 pm

Bean to cup? You’ve hit the big time pal!! I’m still on pods.

Be interested on a review once you get going on the taste difference. The dream is to get a bean to cup machine soon!!! (N a bloody air fryer that everyone keeps banging on about

)

claret2018 · Post by **claret2018** » Tue Jul 11, 2023 5:48 pm

Exchange coffee in clitheroe

Lakester_2023 · Post by **Lakester_2023** » Tue Jul 11, 2023 6:09 pm

Monmouth London. They do mail order. Freshly roasted....hasn't been sat on a shelf for months like yer supermarket stuff. Been using them for years, always great.

ArmchairDetective · Post by **ArmchairDetective** » Tue Jul 11, 2023 6:14 pm

Outpost coffee

gawthorpe_view · Post by **gawthorpe_view** » Tue Jul 11, 2023 6:25 pm

karatekid wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 11, 2023 5:41 pm
Just ordered a bean to cup machine and was looking for coffee bean recommendations and best place to buy them. I currently have a pod machine. I like most styles of coffee. Also where should i buy the caramel syrup for a latte?

I use Monin caramel syrup, £3.25 at Tesco.

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/p ... lsrc=aw.ds

ChrisG · Post by **ChrisG** » Tue Jul 11, 2023 7:10 pm

claret2018 wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 11, 2023 5:48 pm
Exchange coffee in clitheroe

Agree with this, you definitely want something you know is freshly roasted, and Exchange is excellent.

There's a cracking little roastery on our high street here, sometimes the beans are still warm when I buy a bag!

karatekid · Post by **karatekid** » Tue Jul 11, 2023 7:54 pm

claret2018 wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 11, 2023 5:48 pm
Exchange coffee in clitheroe

Just had a quick look on their website but it doesn’t list the availability or prices of their beans. I’ll pop over in the morning for a coffee and some advice. What do you normally buy from them. What strength is best for a latte?

karatekid · Post by **karatekid** » Tue Jul 11, 2023 7:57 pm

gawthorpe_view wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 11, 2023 6:25 pm
I use Monin caramel syrup, £3.25 at Tesco.

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/p ... lsrc=aw.ds

Have you tried the sugar free one. I visited a lavazza coffee shop where I had this for the first time. No difference in taste .

tarkys_ears · Post by **tarkys_ears** » Tue Jul 11, 2023 8:02 pm

Can't go wrong with Taylors of Harrogate stuff.

Beans or ground. It's a great brand.

karatekid · Post by **karatekid** » Tue Jul 11, 2023 8:06 pm

So I’ve found it on the exchange website. Espresso Creama seems to be a good one to choose as a first time barista.

GetIntoEm · Post by **GetIntoEm** » Tue Jul 11, 2023 8:16 pm

If you can go in, do so. You'll get great advice and they will grind them to suit there and then

GetIntoEm · Post by **GetIntoEm** » Tue Jul 11, 2023 8:17 pm

Personally I only drink Jamaican blue mountain

Stevie2112 · Post by **Stevie2112** » Tue Jul 11, 2023 8:22 pm

https://www.thebeanshop.co.uk/collectio ... gK98_D_BwE
Always found this shop very good

Funkydrummer · Post by **Funkydrummer** » Tue Jul 11, 2023 9:06 pm

GetIntoEm wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 11, 2023 8:17 pm
Personally I only drink Jamaican blue mountain

Cracking cuppa.

ColneMonkey · Post by **ColneMonkey** » Tue Jul 11, 2023 9:09 pm

We use Rave Coffee who I can highly recommend. We’ve always found that anything we’ve ordered has been roasted just the day before so is always really fresh.

We prefer a dark roast, strong flavour, so if you’re the same try their Italian Job or Moka Java - although we’ve tried loads more of them and not found many we don’t like, with the exception of their Fudge blend which doesn’t taste like fudge (I was gutted!) and has a strange floral aftertaste!

https://ravecoffee.co.uk/

brexit · Post by **brexit** » Tue Jul 11, 2023 9:26 pm

Happy belly coffee beans from Amazon most underrated beans on the planet
I use them in my wilfa svart and even the french agree it is the best tasting coffee thy have ever had.

gawthorpe_view · Post by **gawthorpe_view** » Tue Jul 11, 2023 9:26 pm

karatekid wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 11, 2023 7:57 pm
Have you tried the sugar free one. I visited a lavazza coffee shop where I had this for the first time. No difference in taste .

I've not tried the sugar free version.
I only have one brew a day so it's a usually humdinger, very strong with caramel and honey, you can't beat a sugar and caffeine rush first thing in the morning!

karatekid · Post by **karatekid** » Tue Jul 11, 2023 9:34 pm

GetIntoEm wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 11, 2023 8:17 pm
Personally I only drink Jamaican blue mountain

Just checked that out and it's quite expensive. Must be good.

Tribesmen · Post by **Tribesmen** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 6:41 am

If you love coffee then forget milk sugar or anything else added .

Java is my fav blend .

CharlieinNewMexico · Post by **CharlieinNewMexico** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 7:00 am

brexit wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 11, 2023 9:26 pm
Happy belly coffee beans from Amazon most underrated beans on the planet
I use them in my wilfa svart and even the french agree it is the best tasting coffee thy have ever had.

Happy Belly is Amazon’s own brand. I use them for a lot of staples. Obviously it’s outsourced but they hit the sweet spot between quality and price on most items.

Hipper · Post by **Hipper** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 7:48 am

Get a cat:

https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable ... kopi-luwak

Lakester_2023 · Post by **Lakester_2023** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 7:51 am

If you love coffee then forget milk sugar or anything else added .

Agree

CoolClaret · Post by **CoolClaret** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 7:56 am

Anyone tried Kona that Hawaiian brand?

Meant to be really good

Culmclaret · Post by **Culmclaret** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 8:25 am

The Coffee Bean Shop based in Ashford. Freshly roasted and arrives the next day if you order before 3.00pm. A good range of single estate coffees from around the world with some real specialist coffees such as Kopi Luwak which has been partially digested by a civet!

Rammy1968 · Post by **Rammy1968** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 8:26 am

I use Pact coffee not had a bad one off them

claretonthecoast1882 · Post by **claretonthecoast1882** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 8:28 am

Another vote for Rave

The Italian Job & Strong AF Blend are good

karatekid · Post by **karatekid** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 8:29 am

Does the AF in Strong AF blend stand for what I think it it does?

Trampslike · Post by **Trampslike** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 8:33 am

I've been getting my coffee beans from Mancoco in Manchester. They do have a shop but I just order online. They are very quick and efficient, the order arrives within 3/4 days.

claretonthecoast1882 · Post by **claretonthecoast1882** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 8:34 am

karatekid wrote: ↑
Wed Jul 12, 2023 8:29 am
Does the AF in Strong AF blend stand for what I think it it does?

https://ravecoffee.co.uk/products/stron ... 1435200680

It's decent

karatekid · Post by **karatekid** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 8:38 am

As I said in the OP I currently have a pod machine. Is bean to cup better flavour and strength wise. My pod machine only gives a small cup even when using cappuccino pods so hopefully I can expect a full cup with my new one. Got to be better for the environment too with less plastic waste.

claretonthecoast1882 · Post by **claretonthecoast1882** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 8:39 am

I can't remember the last time I used the pod machine, as you say its a small measure and bland I found.

karatekid · Post by **karatekid** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 8:40 am

claretonthecoast1882 wrote: ↑
Wed Jul 12, 2023 8:34 am
https://ravecoffee.co.uk/products/stron ... 1435200680

It's decent

That does sound very good. Got to love a bit of spice.

MarkGreen · Post by **MarkGreen** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 8:43 am

I'd be interested to know what brand bean to cup machines people have

karatekid · Post by **karatekid** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 8:55 am

I’ve just ordered a delonghi. Mid range and it’s a reconditioned one of their eBay site so saved a few quid with that. First one so didn’t want to go mad.

claretonthecoast1882 · Post by **claretonthecoast1882** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 8:55 am

MarkGreen wrote: ↑
Wed Jul 12, 2023 8:43 am
I'd be interested to know what brand bean to cup machines people have

We have this Delonghi one

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DeLonghi-Speci ... B09J8L46FP

ChrisG · Post by **ChrisG** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 9:01 am

claretonthecoast1882 wrote: ↑
Wed Jul 12, 2023 8:55 am
We have this Delonghi one

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DeLonghi-Speci ... B09J8L46FP

I've got same one, it's superb.

Does need to be descaled fairly regularly, but I think that's just our water.

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 9:03 am

Are these machines overhyped or do they make a decent cup of coffee,getting quite bored with instant coffee and how bland they are,it all tastes the same..bland.

ŽižkovClaret · Post by **ŽižkovClaret** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 9:06 am

We have bean to cup machines in the office, and I have a basic Nespresso at home

karatekid · Post by **karatekid** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 9:07 am

De'Longhi Magnifica Start Automatic Coffee Machine ECAM220.22.GB in Grey/ Black

Refurbished. £169.99 with free delivery on delonghi ebay shop.

Boss Hogg · Post by **Boss Hogg** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 9:07 am

Not overhyped at all. They make decent coffee. I don’t drink instant.

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 9:09 am

Boss Hogg wrote: ↑
Wed Jul 12, 2023 9:07 am
Not overhyped at all. They make decent coffee. I don’t drink instant.

I don't blame you instant coffee is gash...and belongs on the "Overated things" thread

Jjjack · Post by **Jjjack** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 9:47 am

claret2018 wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 11, 2023 5:48 pm
Exchange coffee in clitheroe

I've just had some Blue Sumatran from there, was very nice, strong brew.

Tribesmen · Post by **Tribesmen** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 10:57 am

We bought a Samsung about 16 years ago a beast of a machine , now a few repairs over the years but it would cost around €2450 to replace it .

Lakester_2023 · Post by **Lakester_2023** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 11:12 am

Agree that instant / soluble coffee is gash. To each his own, though.

However, if you're gonna bez caramel syrup in your freshly roasted / ground / brewed coffee, might as well stick with soluble.

For what it's worth, I would highly recommend a Bialetti Moka Pot or an Aeropress - neither is espresso [I'll not get into that] but both produce consistently excellent coffee for an outlay of about £30.

karatekid · Post by **karatekid** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 1:00 pm

Took some UTC advice and just need the machine now. Friday delivery apparently.

Darthlaw · Post by **Darthlaw** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 1:05 pm

Just make sure you look after the beans before they turn.

Most larger brands are packed in nitrogen once they are roasted as (unlike tea which is dried out) coffee beans begin to decompose once they hit oxygen. For that reason, don't leave old beans in your machine as that's what gives the bitter taste.

I'd say exchange in Clitheroe are probably the best around, however I'm lucky enough to have ultra fresh stuff sent to me from Douwe Egberts factory in the Netherlands thanks to being in the trade.

karatekid · Post by **karatekid** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 1:12 pm

Yeah I’ve ordered a container made for this purpose.

SherbornePhil · Post by **SherbornePhil** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 10:44 pm

I have a Sage Barista Express - makes very good bean to cup coffee. Not cheap but …

WiscoClaret · Post by **WiscoClaret** » Thu Jul 13, 2023 5:57 am

Hello- American Claret here…

Background:
My wife studied and worked in specialty coffee for 9.5 years.

I’d recommend picking up coffee from: Just Between Friends coffee shop. They have a rotating selection of roasters and coffee that are very high quality. You can branch out from there.

I’d start with some African coffees that are lovely if you’re looking for an adventure OR. A South or Central American coffee for a more well rounded cup.

Cheers and enjoy the journey.