What's your Favorite Bean? (Coffee)

[LowThudd]

Great suggestions all. This will give me some trying and buying to do.

On another note, anyone else like a bit of fresh grated nutmeg on their espresso/cappucino?

[spolic]

No, but I've had a lemon twist in a double shot.

[LowThudd]

Yes you can - though it's rough on the wallet about $40 a pound.

yep http://www.carrabassettcoffee.com/blue%20mountain.htm

[LowThudd]

Trying to find a decent burr grinder for @$100. Any suggestions? So far I am looking a Bodum Bistro burr grinder. I have also seen a Philips Saeco that looks interesting for cheap, but I cannot find any reviews: http://saeco.factoryoutletstore.com/details/59961/saeco-ca6804.html?category_id=36444

I know the Saeco name is sound, but from past experience when Philips buys out a company, the products are just never as good.

[LowThudd]

My wife and I have been roasting coffee in our shop with some pretty good results. So I'm going to say GreenBluff Coffee Company Tanzania Full City Roast.  Other than that Kauai Cofffee Company Blue Mt. Peaberry.

Any instructions you could provide would be greatly appreciated. I have been considering trying home roasting. Possibly getting a sample pack from here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/230967029942?var=530138927375&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[spolic]

We use a old hot air popcorn popper.  It has to have the heating vents in the side.


I can't remember the temp that you bring it to right off hand. But I can tell you that to slow the speed of the roast we plug the popper into 125 ft of extension cord.  Something that we had to play around with to get it right.

What we use:
Old pop corn popper
candy thermometer / long probe
timer
colander for cooling
125' for cord.

We did try to roast in a cast iron pan on an electric stove top and it was to hard to regulate the heat.

[Slide Panda]

Morning edition (NPR) has been doing segments on Coffee the last couple days. One can listen on-line if you care to.

[LMT]

Home roaster with better results then the popcorn method:

http://www.sweetmarias.com/sweetmarias/coffee-roasters/drum-roasters/behmor.html

[spolic]

Yeah, we know that there are better ways to roast beans (the seat of a 1189) but as we are just 'getting our feet wet' we went for the less expensive way. We've been getting some pretty good results.

[LowThudd]

Having a gas stove, and an iron pan, I think I'll have to try that method first. I have never had a popcorn machine, and would probably end up buying the wrong type.

Thanks for the info. Definately food for thought,

Anyone ever try Kopi Luwak(AKA Civet excrement coffee lol)?  Expensive stuff, but I have been hearing about it with curious ears for years. Probably best not to use the espresso machine for that.

[zooom]

Home roaster with better results then the popcorn method:

http://www.sweetmarias.com/sweetmarias/coffee-roasters/drum-roasters/behmor.html

that thing looks like a toaster oven with a perforated drum mounted on a rotisserie

[spolic]

Having a gas stove, and an iron pan, I think I'll have to try that method first. I have never had a popcorn machine, and would probably end up buying the wrong type.

Do a small batch, you dont want a load of bad coffee. Also let it sit for at least 12hrs before you use it.

[LMT]

Not bashing the popcorn popper method, or the pan on the stove. I have tried both. Condos don't have the best ventilation! The drum roasters do. They are more consistent too. Hard to repeat results with other methods. 

The key is to use good beans and only roast 1/4 pound at a time.

YOMV

[LowThudd]

Not bashing the popcorn popper method, or the pan on the stove. I have tried both. Condos don't have the best ventilation! The drum roasters do. They are more consistent too. Hard to repeat results with other methods.  

The key is to use good beans and only roast 1/4 pound at a time.

YOMV

I too am in a townhouse, so ventilation is an issue. I guess I could get out a propane burner and do it outside. That might be the best idea.

How much smoke are we talking about? I grill up a nice big steak every once in a while, always sets off the smoke detector unless I run the AC at the same time.

I do have a convection oven, with a rotisserie. I wonder how tough it would be to fab up a drum like that. Hmm.

[LowThudd]

WHoo! I think I found something!

I was looking around at the Galloping Gormet/Stir Crazy design and found this: http://www.everythingkitchens.com/west-bend-popcorn-popper-nut-roaster-82386.html?gclid=CKPU5Pzz6LYCFWNxQgodnTcAiA

Price is right, and it might work well.

Edit: Never mind, I read some reviews. lol