Lets talk about COFFEE

[guccihomme]

Gentlemen, what's a good $20/lbs coffee that has sweetness from the roast but isn't highly acidic or powerful. Is sweetness related to darkness of roast? I've picked French for sweetness. Italian roast turns bitter. I have an acidic stomach which may be why I don't gel with some who love ultra strong coffee.

 

[concealed]

Gentlemen, what's a good $20/lbs coffee that has sweetness from the roast but isn't highly acidic or powerful. Is sweetness related to darkness of roast? I've picked French for sweetness. Italian roast turns bitter. I have an acidic stomach which may be why I don't gel with some who love ultra strong coffee.

If you are near the city just go check out Intelligentsia, Wormhole, Gaslight, Bow Truss, Dark Matter, or Asado.

 

[patrickBOOTH]



Gentlemen, what's a good $20/lbs coffee that has sweetness from the roast but isn't highly acidic or powerful. Is sweetness related to darkness of roast? I've picked French for sweetness. Italian roast turns bitter. I have an acidic stomach which may be why I don't gel with some who love ultra strong coffee.

It depends on a few factors, sweetness could be from roast, but it could be terroir as well. African coffees have a sweetness to them, and generally medium acidity. Beans grown in Indonesia have very little amounts of acidity and are generally earthier, but with the right roast can have a sweetness coming from the caramelized sugars.

I have an overly acidic stomach as well, but I like strong coffee. Again, it depends on what your definition of strong is. Lighter roasts have more acidity and caffeine than darker roasts in general. I prefer medium to dark roasts for both their taste and effect on my stomach.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Here's a look at this Counter Culture Baroida from Papua New Guinea. It is very light, especially for a coffee from this region. It has good qualities for sure, but imo would be better if it was roasted to Full City, even City+. This isn't even City, probably a bit before it.

 

[guccihomme]

^ I've never had coffee that light in roast. It looks lighter than a breakfast light roast. I'm interested in sweetness sans additives. My rule was darker roasts are sweater, minus the acidic brews. I thought acidity may indicate cheaper beans.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Acidity has to do with where the beans are from and level of roast. Acidity diminishes with darker roasts. Also, Latin American beans are generally the brightest in terms of acidity.

 

[guccihomme]



Acidity has to do with where the beans are from and level of roast. Acidity diminishes with darker roasts. Also, Latin American beans are generally the brightest in terms of acidity.

Thanks! I will try an African bean roasted to medium. I will avoid Latin America. I'm not into highly earthy fragrance. I like a sweet smell. I like caffeine. I hate acidity.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

You'd probably like Peet's African coffees as they are the darkest Africans I have come across (the beans not the people). Try the hip third wave places too, you might like them, but I find little variety between many of them these days.

 

[A Y]

I think an Indonesian coffee may suit guccihomme too. Peet's has their Sumatra Batak on sale right now. I enjoyed it the last time they offered that coffee. Stuff from the Toarco farm in that area is also excellent, and is offered by several roasters.

OmniscientCause, go with a manual grinder. The powered ones are pretty noisy. Any of the ones you name will be fine, though none are great at coarse sizes, except for the OE. I don't think that's particularly important given the kind of brewing coarse grinding normally goes with.

I have the Porlex and the Hario Mini, but be careful when you clean either, as the ceramic burrs are pretty fragile and will break if they drop out of the grinder. (Ask me how I know.)

 

[Ace_Face]



Somebody mentioned their Handybrew was clogging up. I just experienced this. I didn't change anything that I do, but the coffee I used was the lightest roast I have used in it thus far and it was definitely struggling to filter. Maybe because lighter beans are harder than has something to do with it? I suspect I am going to try to grind a bit coarser.

At any rate this Baroida is very good on the Handybrew, much better than standard drip at Everyman. They don't get much love, but I love Indo coffees.

I just emailed the guys at Sweet Maria's about returning mine and exchanging for a Bonavita immersion cone. Can't stand the clogging and messy cleanup with the Handybrew.

 

[Despos]

The Bonavita is a no brainer. Not very fussy about grind size. Not demanding of your pouring technique.consistent brew

 

[Ace_Face]



The Bonavita is a no brainer. Not very fussy about grind size. Not demanding of your pouring technique.consistent brew

Yeah, I like my Clever, but not crazy about the coffee being brewed on hot plastic. Plus, the thing leaks the more you use it.

 

[Despos]

Bonavita is ceramic but you probably new that

 

[Ace_Face]

Yep, that's why I'm getting one instead of another Clever.

 

[Despos]

There is a sweet Maria's YouTube video comparing the bonavita, hario and clever, I think.

They preferred the bonavita