Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

Siliconslave said:
might be worth soaking it in some bi-carb of soda mixed with water for a bit - will generally get rid of most excessive flavours on things...
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Sounds like good advice, I'll take it. These are original Bialetti gaskets as well! And a quick google search revealed there's others who have the same problem, so either it's a defective batch or they must've lowered the quality of the materials they use, replaced rubber with plastic or something. I'd heard that there's a disease that's been wiping out rubber plantations for a couple decades now, guess it's been driving the costs up :(


Flibster said:
I want my next grinder to be one of these after seing one at the UKBC. http://www.versalab.com/server/coffee/grindernew.html
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That does look gorgeous! Is the grinding chamber really open-topped though? How do they stop the grounds from bouncing right out?
Also, do you adjust it from that little knob on the side of the grinding chamber? Looks gradeless, would be handy to have some numbers on there for reference.

Flibster said:
WBC was last June at the Caffe Culture show.

UKBC is normally held around march, the regional heats are normally some weeks earlier. Same as the other championships all over the world.
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Ah, it was the WBCs, yeah, that must be what I remember.
 
manveruppd said:
That does look gorgeous! Is the grinding chamber really open-topped though? How do they stop the grounds from bouncing right out?
Also, do you adjust it from that little knob on the side of the grinding chamber? Looks gradeless, would be handy to have some numbers on there for reference.
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There is some bounce out, but not much from what I saw.
You adjust it by turning the upper brass section that holds the lower burr iirc. The knob on the side is the locking mechanism for it.
 
molinari said:
I looked at all three of these grinders for ages last year before eventually making my mind up. I went for the Eureka Mignon and I'm glad I did as it is a fantastic piece of kit. The Vario looks nice but there were quite a number of people having issues with it and switching to the Mignon and other grinders. I'm sure it's good but I couldn't fault the Mignon; fantastic espresso grind for about £80 less.
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Nice. Reviews for the Mignon are limited but they all seem good. How easy do you find altering the grind coarseness?
 
Got the filters for my V60 today and after making one cup I just had to make another.....then another!! It was the El Chino decaf so I'm not wired! Previously I was brewing it with the Aeropress and thought it was OK, nothing special but the V60 brought it alive.....fruitiness, acidity, stickiness, nice full body and a long lingering aftertaste. Had to be extra careful with the kettle pour as I've not got a Buono. I've been tryin Artazza's V60 method (http://www.vimeo.com/10768384) but with the V60 sitting on top of my drinking mug. I'm very much looking forward to trying some of my other coffees tomorrow.

Anyone care to share their V60 methods? :)
 
I've almost used up my most recent two bags from Has Bean :eek: Any recommendations? I'm on a mission to try things at kinda the opposite ends of the spectrum. Last time I bought the Jailbreak (which I didn't really like!) and the Costa Rica Finca de Licho 2010-2011 which really grew on me.
 
Scam said:
I've almost used up my most recent two bags from Has Bean :eek: Any recommendations? I'm on a mission to try things at kinda the opposite ends of the spectrum. Last time I bought the Jailbreak (which I didn't really like!) and the Costa Rica Finca de Licho 2010-2011 which really grew on me.
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I'm quite liking the Squaremile Winter Espresso at the moment. In fact I'm drinking some now :)

How are you getting on with your Aeropress brew methods? Have you made and noticed any improvements?

Also just noticed that you're from Ealing. Have you had a chance to pop into Cafe Freddo? Excellent coffee and you should be able to pick up some of their Hasbean blend from there.
 
Flibster said:
Chemex. Not a huge fan of fabric filters - not having great experieces with them. Got them for the siphon and the V60 and tend to use the paper filters instead.

If you get a Chemex, remember that the best way to use it is either full or half full, Not just any old amount.

1-3 cup holds 500g
3-6 cup holds 1000g
10 cup holds 1600g

I'd also get the one with the glass handle too. The wood and leather one is great, but it's easier to keep the glass handled one clean. ;)
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I just ordered a 10 cup one as I want to make like 3-4 big mugs of it to take to work, figuring that would be the right size- should i drop it down to the 6-7 cup size one?
 
well after a couple of weeks of drinking proper coffee I can certainly say I am loving the experience at the moment.

Have tried a couple of different beans so far.
Two weeks ago: Brazil Fazenda Sao Judas Tadeu Pulped Natural 2011
Last Week: Nicaragua Santa Maura Pacamara 2010-2011
This Week: Ethiopia Ogawa Natural

Now out of the three I have tried so far I am loving the Ethiopia Ogawa Natural. You can really taste the blueberry flavours come through as Steve describes and is the first coffee where I have actually tasted what had been described on hasbean. Although I have tasted some of the flavours from the other two they seemed to be relatively week compared to this one.

I'm not sure if it is a case that the other two don't really suit the french press where as this one seems to work well with it.

I'm still experimenting with grind size and quantities at the moment but I think I have found a happy medium for my tastes.

I think maybe I will try this next week Bolivia Finca Loayza 2011
 
spot the difference:

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:) Hand turned home made handles
 
davetherave2 said:
well after a couple of weeks of drinking proper coffee I can certainly say I am loving the experience at the moment.

Have tried a couple of different beans so far.
Two weeks ago: Brazil Fazenda Sao Judas Tadeu Pulped Natural 2011
Last Week: Nicaragua Santa Maura Pacamara 2010-2011
This Week: Ethiopia Ogawa Natural

Now out of the three I have tried so far I am loving the Ethiopia Ogawa Natural. You can really taste the blueberry flavours come through as Steve describes and is the first coffee where I have actually tasted what had been described on hasbean. Although I have tasted some of the flavours from the other two they seemed to be relatively week compared to this one.

I'm not sure if it is a case that the other two don't really suit the french press where as this one seems to work well with it.

I'm still experimenting with grind size and quantities at the moment but I think I have found a happy medium for my tastes.

I think maybe I will try this next week Bolivia Finca Loayza 2011
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Try the Machacarmarca, it is seriously seriously good coffee.
 
Hi guys,

I'm looking to get my first grinder but don't really want to spend more than £30-£40 to begin with.

Would the PORLEX CERAMIC BURR GRINDER from Hasbean be a good choice or does anyone have a better recommendation for this price range?

Thanks,
Paul.
 
paul_31 said:
Hi guys,

I'm looking to get my first grinder but don't really want to spend more than £30-£40 to begin with.

Would the PORLEX CERAMIC BURR GRINDER from Hasbean be a good choice or does anyone have a better recommendation for this price range?

Thanks,
Paul.
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Absolutely :)

I love mine and use it for all my filter and french press grinding. Takes very little time/effort compared with my last hand grinder.
 
Had my first order from Hasbean arrive yesterday - Jailbreak Espresso Blend! I don't yet have my own grinder so ordered pre-ground for filter to use in my stove-top. The pack arrived yesterday and had a label on the back stating it was freshly roast and ground the day before.

I'm very new to this and don't really know what I'm talking about but after the first couple of pots I've made all I can say is WOW! I have had my stove-top for about a month and previously only used supermarket bought ground coffee and this difference with this Hasbean blend is amazing.

So far I've made a couple of pots and tried this in both a latte and americano. I won't try to explain the flavours as I wouldn't know where to start but I am very impressed, the taste is great and comparison to what I have tried before is incredible.

Next month I'm hoping to get my first grinder and then will be trying out some more Hasbean beans and home grinding them.

Off to make another pot......
 
Youstolemyname said:
Try the Machacarmarca, it is seriously seriously good coffee.
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Well decided to change my mind and got this instead and glad I did.

It is a lovely coffee and I have to say the flavour comes alive as it cools down you can certainly taste the toffee and caramel undertones as the temperature leaves it and that instant caffeine kick is delightful.

I've also found that in a french press I am using less of this compared to the Ethiopia Ogawa Natural.

I personally find that the flavours are a little to over powering with the usual amount that I would put in my french press.

One thing I have noticed with this bean is that if it is left in the french press for more than say 3-4 minutes my usual sort of brewing time it gets that instant harsh bitter taste of being over brewed.

Are there any reccommendations on how long it should be brewed for I am assuming that a more suitable time may be 2-3 minutes.

Again I guess this comes down to the trial and error aspect of looking for that perfect cup.


Paul_31 said:
Hi guys,

I'm looking to get my first grinder but don't really want to spend more than £30-£40 to begin with.

Would the PORLEX CERAMIC BURR GRINDER from Hasbean be a good choice or does anyone have a better recommendation for this price range?

Thanks,
Paul.
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As a pretty new member to proper coffee I have found the Porlex a wonderful little grinder. I have nothing to compare it too but it sure is nicely constructed and works really well and gives a pretty consistent grind.

A friend of mine got one for grinding up chillies.
 
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