Coffee beans

Mark · 14 April 2018 08:51

I’ve just got a bean to cup machine, and been trying some of the local supermarket bags of coffee beans, some are ok ish at about €10/kg, some not. Just wondering if anyone can recommend a good coffee bean (I like mine strong, rich and black) and where to get it and approx cost. Always willing to experiment

David_GAY · 14 April 2018 13:01

We like the Bio own brand from Super U. It has a good flavour and is not over roasted.

james · 14 April 2018 13:34

What machine did you get Mark?

Are you serious about your coffee? Then read on Shopping

[image] I’ve always preferred coffee to tea and as such my kitchen is littered with innumerable bits of coffee making paraphernalia in various states of disrepair. From your classic stove top Italian Moka pot and the simple French press or Cafetiere, to those incredibly wasteful and expensive to run capsule machines heavily promoted by Clooney. I’ve had them all, I’ve tried with varying and rarely consistent results to make the perfect morning espresso with the minimum of fuss. In fact, I love coffee so much I even made a video with my Pavoni Europicolla! On occasion I would jubilantly sit in my dressing gown cupping the perfect little caffeine hit topped with a most satisfying golden-tan crema, the signature of success. The majority of those occasions, however, I would end up with a dark and burnt unsavoury hot beverage akin to a cup of Bovril without the taste. With these deeply dissatisfying experiences firmly under the cord of my gown I went in search of excellence. As any coff…

Mark · 14 April 2018 15:29

I got a Delonghi ECAM 29.510 - normally use it on the “long” setting, but if I want an extra hit I add a double espresso.

Just been looking on Amazon (still can’t find that button James) at Meo, 3kg for 27 euros

Highlander · 14 April 2018 21:57

My problem is trying to get decent decaff beans - supermarket decaff beans are almost non existent (in the UK too) and the local coffee supplier only keeps one decaff variety, which is too mild and often not in stock.

We invariably resort to bulk buying from a couple of good specialist roasters in Cumbria/Scotland

David_GAY · 15 April 2018 06:21

Decaff coffee seems to me to be a beverage lacking the point of coffee.

james · 15 April 2018 07:03

Great machine! What button, Amazon?

Mark · 15 April 2018 07:25

It’s a great machine, I just need to find the right/perfect coffee. Some of the ones I’ve tried are OK (Some have been crap too😨), but just lacking that “je ne sais quoi”

Yep, the Amazon link that gets you a (small) commission.

james · 15 April 2018 07:30

I’ll get that up in the menu bar somewhere, thanks!

james · 15 April 2018 09:38

We get this Mark, it’s about six euros a kg from Intermarché

Mark · 15 April 2018 12:59

That’s a good price, I’ll try it next time I go to intermarche- thanks.

james · 15 April 2018 13:54

I’ve just checked online and it is actually under 5!

Corona · 17 April 2018 10:14

They certainly are, until they play up. working out the cost of the machine divided by the number of cups puts me off buying another. Really good coffee when it worked.

Anything else come close? wandering off topic a little.

Daga · 17 April 2018 20:33

I buy this one. Easy to find in SuperU or Geant Casino.

They have 3 different grains:
Honduras,
Brazil,
Colombia.
I like Séléction Honduras or Brésil (Colombia not so much).
It cost me 8 or 9 euro. (and in SuperU I received offers that I can buy this coffee once again 1 -2 cheaper, but not always.)

(in terms of coffee machine - I have Melitta Caffeo solo & milk and in my subjective opinion is better than DeLonghi:) However, the best coffee machines are from Jura -but expensive.

Mark · 17 April 2018 21:08

I will give them a go if I can find it locally, don’t have SuperU or Geant here. I know the Brazilian is a “lighter” brew, but don’t really know much about the Columbian or Honduras.
I agree about the Jura machines, very good but très cher. Maybe next time…