[arnieshwartz]

I'm not a coffee connoisseur but I do enjoy the beverage, whether it be freshly brewed or the instant type. I drink mostly black coffee and do enjoy the Nescafe Gold brand. It may be freeze dried, but I find its in-your-face bitterness and dependably strong and robust flavor to my liking.

In my recent trip to Kenya, I came back with some of Dormans Supreme Instant coffee which tastes very different from the coffee I was used to. However, I found that it is a flavour that grows on you.

I have also sampled different flavours of Beanie's instant coffee and actually enjoyed quite a few of them. Most recently, I tried the Moccona Premium Dark Roast and thoroughly enjoyed it! The aroma and the flavour as it rolls off your tongue, it just hits different.

My current one is Davidoff Crema Intense, which tastes like something in between the bitterness of roasted coffee beans and subtle notes of dark chocolate. It is taking some getting used to.

[deathwalkr]

Originally Posted by sumukha

This year coffee seed rates have up. Coffee bean vendor might be justified in your city.
However My suggested ratio is 60:30:10 of Robusta:Arabica:Chicory powder. Get the roasting medium.
If you want to experiment , you can change the ratio too. Its individual choice

Am ok with the rates. Just wanted to know more about what he terms as Plantation and Peaberry. Are they both variants of Arabica?

[sumukha]

This branding is purely done on the basis of gradation. There is no standard procedure for adoption. Plantation gradation is done in Arabica seeds and Peaberry is both from Arabica and Robusta variety. Peaberry is round and a single bean and more flavoured and the plantation is stronger. If you Google, you will get all the details.

In short, there are only 2 varieties of coffee seeds, Arabica and Robusta, the rest of the names floating around are only gradations of these 2 varieties. In India, the following are the gradations done depending upon various parameters Viz size, number of beans, cleanliness etc.

Arabica parchment: AA, A, PB, B, C, BBB
Arabica cherry: AA, A, PB, B, C, BBB

Likewise, the same gradation is done for Robusta parchment and Robusta cherry. Cherry is raw fruit. Parchment is Pulp remove seed. Coffee growing is a very complicated and difficult process, whereas, coffee drinking is very easy and Making coffee is an Art.

Only a grower like me knows how difficult and painful it is to grow.

[gentlemandriver]

Originally Posted by sumukha

...

In short, there are only 2 varieties of coffee seeds, Arabica and Robusta, the rest of the names floating around are only gradations of these 2 varieties...

I disagree, you seem to be forgetting Liberica and Excelsa.

Also in India, the number of beans doesn't matter what matters are the imperfections and flaws such as Quakers, mouldy, broken beans, insect infested.

[Jash2709]

Originally Posted by Jash2709

Guys!

Looking out for an espresso machine. Came across two options:

1. DeLonghi Dedica EC685M

2. Sage/ Breville Bambino

Can’t believe it’s been this long since this question of mine on the thread. Really happy to see the frequent posts here. Here’s what my setup looks after a year and half of getting into brewing coffee




Also, my current favourite is Blue Tokai’s Vienna Roast. Does anyone have recommendations for good dark roasts? Much appreciated

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Jash2709

Looking out for an espresso machine. Came across two options:
1. DeLonghi Dedica EC685M

Originally Posted by Jash2709

Also, my current favourite is Blue Tokai’s Vienna Roast. Does anyone have recommendations for good dark roasts? Much appreciated

I have been using the above Delonghi for last 4+ Years. Got it just at the onset of Covid. It's been my daily companion for a good coffee. Please do maintain the machine with a proper de-scaling reginmen whenever it's required.

As regards to dark roasts, I have no choices. It's the French Roast all the time. I tried Vienna roast (and others too). Nothing gives the strength as compared to a French roast.

The coffee that I order is the Third Wave Coffee online. Works like clock work.

[gentlemandriver]

Originally Posted by Jash2709

Also, my current favourite is Blue Tokai’s Vienna Roast. Does anyone have recommendations for good dark roasts?

Dark Dark Dark by Kapikottai

Also check out kokoro, their zazen is amazing as a cortado even shinzo.

Even KC roasters have some solid espresso roasts -- Christmas microlot melkodige -- Yeast Naturals

Originally Posted by ampere

The coffee that I order is the Third Wave Coffee online. Works like clock work.

Do what you must. Everything is good as long as you enjoy coffee. But just FYI, Third Wave is mostly commercial. They don't put too much focus on roasting beans, and their beans aren't usually roasted well. They are basically the Indian Starbucks, haha. I would recommend trying out some speciality roasters. There is a slight price difference, but it is very worth it.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by gentlemandriver

Do what you must. Everything is good as long as you enjoy coffee. But just FYI, Third Wave is mostly commercial. They don't put too much focus on roasting beans, and their beans aren't usually roasted well. They are basically the Indian Starbucks, haha. I would recommend trying out some speciality roasters. There is a slight price difference, but it is very worth it.

Absolutely I agree with you. Third wave is commercial. I tried Starbucks, blue tokai as well. But came back to TWCR.

Like you said, it's definitely possible there are others who make it better. I just want something which gets me a regular source. I use it regularly every day. Hence the need to have it consistent on both supply and taste.

[gentlemandriver]

Originally Posted by ampere

Absolutely I agree with you. Third wave is commercial. I tried Starbucks, blue tokai as well. But came back to TWCR.

Like you said, it's definitely possible there are others who make it better. I just want something which gets me a regular source. I use it regularly every day. Hence the need to have it consistent on both supply and taste.

Totally understand , TWCR is of course much cheaper and gets the job done.

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by gentlemandriver

Dark Dark Dark by Kapikottai

They are basically the Indian Starbucks. There is a slight price difference, but it is very worth it.

I usually use French Press and stick with Starbucks. My Son says they do a bad job in roasting, but for some reason, I don't like what he uses. It's supposed to be a speciality roaster—Phil & Sebastian and some others.

I have tried some other stuff like Blue Tokai etc. But didn't like. What would you recommend for a change? I like dark roast, usually Italian or Sumatra from Starbucks.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by gentlemandriver

Totally understand , TWCR is of course much cheaper and gets the job done.

My first stage of ordering from Blue Tokai. Did not go well. They did not have a dark roast on the list. Will try again. I checked the pricing. Both TWCR and Blue Tokai are similar in price (and commercial). I like the taste of both. Blue Tokai better. But yet to find a stable subscription for their supply. From a cafe point of view, if there is a Blue Tokai vs TWCR, I would any day take Blue Tokai.

Originally Posted by Turbanator

I usually use French Press and stick with Starbucks. My Son says they do a bad job in roasting, but for some reason, I don't like what he uses. It's supposed to be a speciality roaster—Phil & Sebastian and some others.

For an espresso, the best is a dark roast. Usually in my opinion if are looking at French Press and/or Pour over, dark roasts are not the ones. You should try something lighter. I think thats why you may have not liked Blue Tokai and others.

[gentlemandriver]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

I usually use French Press and stick with Starbucks.

Starbucks does do a very bad job at roasting, they roast on the sun haha. I feel you could get the same stuff for a very cheap price from local roasters.

There is a process called cupping which is used to test/examine coffee which basically brings out the raw characteristics of coffee. French press is a little similar to that; plain raw immersion. FP will bring out the attributes of the coffee and usually gives a good body.

My personal experience FP does well with Medium-Dark but can also do well with light roasts. Since you like dark stuff, I recommend Dark Dark Dark from Kapikottai and Curveball also from Kapikottai. Curveball is a very fruity coffee whereas Dark Dark Dark is mellow and chocolatey like your typical dark roast. I feel like comparing these two would help you understand your taste preferences better. You could get these as a sampler pack I think. The sampler pack requires you to pick three coffees so for the third pack I would recommend any medium+ or medium-light natural process coffee from their catalogue.


Also, one more thing to keep in mind while brewing with French press to eliminate user error is to grind coffee fresh if you have access to a proper burr grinder. Focus on how hot your water is with some thermometer or even by just timing it. Dark -- Cooler temp Light -- Hotter temp. Focus on immersion time. Also, plunge a little slowly.

Originally Posted by ampere

My first stage of ordering from Blue Tokai. Did not go well.

BT has shifted its focus from roasting to cafes these days so quality and production has dropped IMO. But yeah BT is MUCH better. If I remember correctly they do have a subscription service on their website.

[ValarMorghulis]

To the coffee connoisseurs of this thread, do we have any good decaf brands here in India or Bengaluru?

[gentlemandriver]

Originally Posted by ValarMorghulis

To the coffee connoisseurs of this thread, do we have any good decaf brands here in India or Bengaluru?

I believe KC roasters have some decaf in their collection.

[itwasntme]

Gents, at the risk of getting flamed , am looki for a Nespresso-compatible coffee machine here in BLR.

Any ideas please? Not looking for anything else!