Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

So I’ve got an aeropress, a clever dripper and a melitta molino coffee grinder. I tend to use pre ground with my clever dripper at work but I have my grinder set up after much taste testing just right for my aeropress.

I’m looking to step up my coffee game so wondering what the next step was?

Anyone got any recommendations? I guess a budget of £200 but not sure on what?
 
Can anyone recommend some good beans? Got my first coffee machine last week and have been steadily getting better. Was just using some cheapo Aldi beans for £3 a bag as I didn't want to get something fancy and ruin it. Feel quite comfortable making flat whites now so I'd like to try nicer beans

Was going to use one of the roasters in Bristol that I've liked their coffee before but wasn't sure if there was some hidden gem of a website I've been missing
 
Junglist said:
Can anyone recommend some good beans? Got my first coffee machine last week and have been steadily getting better. Was just using some cheapo Aldi beans for £3 a bag as I didn't want to get something fancy and ruin it. Feel quite comfortable making flat whites now so I'd like to try nicer beans

Was going to use one of the roasters in Bristol that I've liked their coffee before but wasn't sure if there was some hidden gem of a website I've been missing
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Off the shelf i think Union is the best one by far, you can get it from Sainsbury's or Waitrose.

Online there are many others, it's all a minefield in a way because it depends on what flavour you like, how light or dark you like your roast.
 
Raymond Lin said:
Off the shelf i think Union is the best one by far, you can get it from Sainsbury's or Waitrose.

Online there are many others, it's all a minefield in a way because it depends on what flavour you like, how light or dark you like your roast.
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Ace, I'll give that a go! I'm really loving having almost coffee shop quality level available at home quickly. It wasn't a hugely expensive coffee machine compared to some of the others but I can already tell in a few months it will have paid for itself
 
Junglist said:
Ace, I'll give that a go! I'm really loving having almost coffee shop quality level available at home quickly. It wasn't a hugely expensive coffee machine compared to some of the others but I can already tell in a few months it will have paid for itself
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Start with the Revelation blend, which is their espresso blend. While you are going through that you can research on more single origin estates and roasters that you like the sound of online.
 
joelk2 said:
Anyone got any recommendations? I guess a budget of £200 but not sure on what?
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To dabble in espresso you could go with a De'Longhi Dedica, Or perhaps something used, but that would take up your budget. You could get espresso grind pre-ground from a roaster, or use a pressurised basket with hand ground or mass market pre-ground.

You would almost definitely want to upgrade pretty fast though. Based on a very quick web search a Dedica and Iberital MC2 grinder (assuming new) could be had for around £320.
 
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Junglist said:
Was going to use one of the roasters in Bristol that I've liked their coffee before but wasn't sure if there was some hidden gem of a website I've been missing
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I'm all for supporting local roasters so grab some of their beans if you like it, there are a huge number of recommendations in the thread as well but part of the joy of coffee is trying all the different flavours. Try lots of different beans, work out what you like from the flavour profiles and then keep trying

I tend to recommend these beans to people to get started:

https://www.origincoffee.co.uk/products/san-fermin
https://shop.squaremilecoffee.com/products/red-brick

Or in terms of roasters i'd go with Origin and Square Mile (from above) or try:

https://ravecoffee.co.uk/
https://www.hasbean.co.uk/
https://www.blackcatcoffee.co.uk/
https://www.steampunkcoffee.co.uk/
https://workshopcoffee.com/
 
Raymond Lin said:
Expert in K-Pop!
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I'm sure there is one, just no-one is willing to admit it publicly...

More coffee stuff - this time proper geekie:

DSLCf3Om.jpg


The MaraX has a serial port that outputs temperature data - serial to usb cable to monitor the temp and a reed switch to monitor the pump activity :)
 
Keep getting pestered with people asking me what I want for christmas, anyone here got a subscription to any of the coffee roasters? I have only ever had coffee from Rave and I like it so thinking of picking up a 6mth sub to them and seeing what I get or perhaps there is a better deal out there?
Currently have, Signature Blend and Italian Job from RAVE. I haven't opened Italian Job yet though as I was waiting till I finished the other bag, is that a common thing or do you guys have a couple on the go and just choose at the time?

I have only ever used pre grind (ready for the aeropress) or I could potentially go for the coffee beans and get a handgrinder as well, any recommendations on that front also welcomed!
 
Junglist said:
Thanks both @Raymond Lin and @Siliconslave

Is there anything which can't be found out on this forum :p
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Union Revalation is on sale at £11 for 700g at the moment in sainsburys. Typically you are looking at like £11 for a 350g in Squaremile or on average £7 for 250g online. So its pretty good value atm, my bag was roasted earlier this month.
 
Biz.Kid09 said:
Keep getting pestered with people asking me what I want for christmas, anyone here got a subscription to any of the coffee roasters? I have only ever had coffee from Rave and I like it so thinking of picking up a 6mth sub to them and seeing what I get or perhaps there is a better deal out there?
Currently have, Signature Blend and Italian Job from RAVE. I haven't opened Italian Job yet though as I was waiting till I finished the other bag, is that a common thing or do you guys have a couple on the go and just choose at the time?

I have only ever used pre grind (ready for the aeropress) or I could potentially go for the coffee beans and get a handgrinder as well, any recommendations on that front also welcomed!
Click to expand...

I really like the hasbean stuff, they're also local to me too. Pretty sure they're cheaper than rave too?
 
builder22 said:
glad I watched that...any of the grinders there would have been a disappointment...the ‘static issue’ isn’t something I was aware of and would be annoying to say the least
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Even the Niche (the white one in the background in the corner) of the video, has some static, very very little but present. A drop of water will help. Obviously you can't do that with a grinder's hopper full of beans and only works on a single dosing method.
 
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