Wanted to get some suggestions for a rock solid coffee, or any coffee that offers a good taste to value ratio for an at home espresso machine. I used to quite like the Organic Grinds from ALDI but they've disappeared from stores near me in Melbourne. In need of a decent replacement that isn't $40 a kilo.
Hoping some people with much better knowledge of coffee than me can help out with some suggestions. Basically I'm looking for the Eneloops of coffee. What is the OzBargain coffee of choice?
It's something I'd never really considered, but given that green beans last for ages (3 years?) I'm starting to rethink this. #PREPLIFE
This is the same reason i got into it. Just finished my second 2.5kg bag of green beans and had it for over 1.5 years.
It's a fun little hobby, though i still buy roasted as i cbf'd sometimes. You don't need a full blown roaster for small batches, i just use a popcorn maker. You get to play with the roast depth and get different flavours from the same coffee. The first few batches will likely taste like dirt but once you dial it in, it's fantastic.
Same here with the popcorn maker, only roast enough for a week or two to keep it fresh. So fun and easy, aside from forgetting about it and losing a handful to charcoal.
People act like roasting is some arcane alchemy, hardly!
Totally agree. Green beans are about $12-15 a kg, compared to $50-60 for roasted beans. Not a bad return for 20 minutes work. My household goes through about 10kg a year, so my $500 roaster paid for itself the first year. Plus you get freshly roasted beans instead of that supermarket crap.
What roaster do you use?
I use the Icoffee Roaster, it's a little brown cubical roaster from Korea. I think it was $450 new, but it seems to be hard to find now. It's main benefits are that it has a glass top so you can see the bean colour as they roast and it generates no smoke so you can use it indoors. The drawback is that they only do 150-250 grams at a time (which takes 20 minutes), so you may need to do several batches to get a fortnight's supply.
I actually have two of them. I bought my first a decade ago, but after a couple of years other users reported their roasters were overheating and dying. The importer admitted there was a flaw in the manufacturing of earlier units and offered the new model at a big discount to those who owned the old model. I bought the new model, but my old one has kept working.
If you are looking for recommendations, have a look at the Coffeesnobs forums.
Just make sure you roast outside or in a well-ventilated place. Check out this website if interested: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/flavorings/processing.html
I buy Harris coffee beans from Coles. It’s a big 1kg bag of the dark roast Expresso. I wait till it is on sale. It tastes better if you freshly grind the beans yourself. Woolworths and Coles are $17 for 1kg. Coles. Otherwise, if I wat a quick cheap coffee I got to Coles Express. $2 for a regular coffee
I've been impressed by 7-11 and hungry jacks out on the road.
HJ is still doing free coffee for health care workers. Normally it is $2
do you guys never go to a good cafe for coffees and always go the cheap 1 or 2 dollar option when out?
Hahaha yes!! I love your comment! I was a Sales Rep for a long time. When you drink coffee all the time on the road and a cafe coffee is so hit or miss you do what you got to do to get that caffeine hit. I went to Coles Express for the consistant taste. It’s always the same. They use to do buy 5 get one free. They got rid of the cards a few years ago.
Try the dark roast Lazzio from Aldi. I use the whole beans at work in an auto espresso machine, and the ground beans in a french press at home and really like it.
I enjoy the Lazzio medium roast. For the price it's very hard to beat ($6.99 for 500gm).
Definitely right up there in terms of bang for buck!
Yeah, it's also cos you know it's going to be good, accessible and just around the corner. I just got sick of bulk online orders, fishing for deals and not knowing what I'd get.
Local roaster is my preferred source, my go to is elementary in Adelaide.
I used to enjoy Manna beans special but somewhere along they've updated the jamocha blend and it was never the same. The unicorn blend is mediocre in comparison. They've lost me when they would swap some people's orders in the 2kg but never mine.
P&R if they have 50% off code (all gone now from what I can see), best bang for buck for boutique I feel.
If I'm feeling to save money I'll go aldi medium/single origin, otherwise once in a while I splurge on some boutique from single o / two cracks / five senses (ethiopians nom nom)
Locally I go with either Cosmorex, London Street Roasters or ONA.
Ordering interstate… Manna Beans for sure!
I've tried the Aldi beans too, which were good for the price.
Aldi Lazzio coffee (Red/Grey Bag). Best bang for buck!! Tried dozens of overpriced 'artisan' stuff and not worth the $$$ imo.
More importantly get a decent machine/grinder.
(PS: If you like highly acidic coffee, then try one of the other lazzio blends)
Moconna, blend 43 or campos
Madamimadam beans. Recently panic purchased 1kg of them from a local cafe when Dan Andrews was going to shut down everything non-essential.. and has been the best bean we've had so far. Have tried numerous different roasters since buying a benchtop machine and grinder, and this has been the best.
Yeah, a little exxxy on the scale of things, but at $39.50 from a nearby cafe, and it being as delicious as it is, I'm happy at that price.
Havent found a blend at Coffee Company in Balaclava I've truly enjoyed… just doesnt hit the spot. I want to - as at $30/kg and fresh its priced right.. but.. eh.
I just ordered the 2kg of Crave so I'm set for a while …
But if I had to resort to a "supermarket" brand to have as spare or just most likely to go on discount I'm a fan of Lavazza. They even have one that is squarely-targeted at those who like the Chocolate flavour profile (me!).
Not a fan of the others there like Grinders, Vittoria, etc.
There was one line I quite liked from Aldi too, but don't remember the name and it's definitely not the two or three that are left there now. Maybe it was that "Organic" one too.
Industry Beans, Code Black and Wide Open Road are my go to places. Great roasters and a solid variety of beans. Free express shipping on all orders via Industry Beans as well.
Manna Beans are also a great choice who occasionally have deals on here.
Dark Roast Lazzio from Aldi is the 'break glass in case of caffeine emergency' option when I don't have any of the above left.
Gonna have to try some of the other suggestions! (Not instant stuff tho :p)
Whatever has a deal on Ozbargin otherwise Urban coffee from Coles
Are the Coles ones any good
Does the job for the cheap stuff
I like to buy freshly roasted beans from Seven Seeds or Five Senses.
Don't mind trying out new beans.
I commented later but Seven Seeds is also my pick.
Five Senses is a good WA option.
Mocconna instant.
I usually buy from Manna Beans when they have the 2 x 480g deal on.
Recently I have bought Duke's coffee when they had a deal on the 1kg bags.
Nescafé International Roast.
Reverence coffee beans, because the cafe I go to uses them, delicious!
I have their single origins at home for pour overs.
Bit pricey compared to the LaVazza stuff you buy in Supermarkets though haha
I often get this Ozbargain deal from Bay Beans (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/421411)or Manna Beans when on special. Both are freshly roasted and great quality.
Wow, so the Bay Beans deal is long-running? Good to know.
Nowadays there are lots of coffee bean deals (more than one can try) … but that was not always the case before the crisis.
This will be handy when there are no deals.
Me too. That bay beans deal is never ending
Highly recommended the Aldi single origins particularly the Colombia (when available) and the Peru.
It's contract roasted by Veneziano in Richmond, and frankly much the same as the $50/kg bags they sell under their own brand.
Can be a bit of a lottery with freshness, check the expiry dates before selecting a bag. They don't print a roast date sadly, so it's a proxy.
Ditto. They change up the origins fairly frequently too, which probably isn't great if you just want to stick to what you know. I enjoy trying something different with each bag though.
My wife loves this coffee. Don't drink the stuff myself but at $12 a kg I'm not complaining…
Any idea what the difference is? If my goal is get a fairly fresh batch, what sort of expiry date should I look for?
7-11 free coffee when locking up fuel price.
There is Grinders on Amazon which is a subscribe and save which is really good and $18 per KG
To alternate I've been buying Manna beans and Crave
Moccona $14 on sale or red can Woolworth
I buy mine from mycuppa.com.au
Usually like medium roasts, and their Ethiopian single origins so good!
I buy $12/kg bags from Coles and Woolworths. Is it the best coffee I've had in my latte? Nope. But it's good enough. When Vittoria or Lavazza Oro is on special for $15/kg I'll grab a bag too.
I like my espresso strong and smooth without a bitter aftertaste.
Tried quite a few highly regarded blends across Australia including from Industry Beans, Proud Mary and Manna. Nothing to write home about imho.
A blend that consistently hits the mark for me is El Capitan from a little award winning barista in suburban Adelaide, Patio:
https://patiocoffee.com.au/shop/el-capitan/
Currently trying out Dukes Espresso Blend due to a special they offered back in March ($25/kilo). Very happy, especially at the price. Will definitely buy again.
The key to a good espresso is fresh beans so avoid supermarket beans, of any brand, like the plague.
I run two grinders,
Aldi single origin beans in one 85% of the time, new beans 15% of the time.
Killer coffee 100% of the time in my other grinder.
When I was living in Oz I used to drink those Robert Timms coffee bags. I thought they were pretty good, but since I've moved I bought an aeropress and have ground coffee now (from ALDI US). Maybe the Robert Timms won't taste so good if I go back?
Hope you're staying safe in that crazy country
Campos Superior blend.
They're a little pricey compared to some cheap alternatives but worth it as I always come back to them after occasionally trying a variety of cheaper beans. I think taste is important, a bit more than price when it comes to coffee.
I try to buy a recently roasted 250g bag of whole beans and grind fresh before brewing.
'there's no accounting for taste' - asking a question of taste - is going to get the full range of replies from 'cheapest' to 'most expensive'
but hey - stuck at home - let's argue about what coffee we drink and why … this is something to DO goddamit !
Totally agree, taste is very subjective. The value ratio is important though. I don't care how good a coffee tastes if it's $50 a kg. I'm not that big a coffee snob to not lower myself to something around the $15 mark. Finding the balance of price to taste is the challenge
'suggestions for a rock solid coffee'
oh - had that this morning - the woman found in the cupboard - an ignored jar of Coles Fair Trade instant coffee - I'd only tried it once and then parked it - months later it had shrunk away from the sides into a solid ball-like lump - slightly greenish with mould
she took it out to the worm farm - added water - and it turned into coffee !
a pickup for tired run-down earthworms … now get to work !
Delish!!
Are you going to try making coffee with the worm castings? Or more directly, drink the worm wee?
This could be the kopi luwak of the Great Lockdown!
I sense a business opportunity here!
I normally just get the ~$15/kg Aldi bags. But if I'm feeling like something nice I go to Left Field Coffee Roasters (in WA). Right now this would be my pick: https://www.leftfieldcoffee.com/shop/kams-signature-roast-tr…
At work/home I use the Expressi brand from Aldi.
When I can find any, I use Dallmayr Promodo - https://www.dallmayr.com/deen/coffee/prodomo/
I roast my own in a popcorn machine. 10-15 $/kg for green beans online
I go with aldi 1kg strong, Coles 1kg strong, or baybeans.
Have tried many of the common cafe brands in Melbourne and my favourite would have to be the Beaufort blend from Clement in South Melbourne (it is the small hole in the wall kinda cafe at the market). The cafe is owned by ST. Ali and coffee roasted at Sensory Labs in Port Melbourne.
Axil is another one I don't mind, also the Killerbee blend by Single O is also pretty good.
For Nespresso compatible pods;
Urbanbrew - $42 for 120 pods delivered.
St Ali - Regular discounts making them ~$42 for 60 pods delivered.
St. Ali when its on sale, else Sicilia Coffee (Local) or Aldi Single Origin when I'm lazy
I buy St Ali "Feels Good Organic" for Long Blacks and Dukes Speciality Coffee blend for white coffees!
Another vote from me for the Aldi Lazzio single origin beans in the 1kg ($12.99 I think). Make sure it's the 100% arabica single origin beans. I have had Peru and colombia beans. All very good quality, I think better than one batch I got from a local roaster. Look at expiry to get an idea of freshness; I consistently get good crema from my Rancilio.
Benetti Coffee freshly roasted @ $20 1kg bag pickup Clayton, VIC . Great guys too . Several blends available .
Good value! I'm down that way often. Will give it a shot
St. Ali - “wide awake” blend is fantastic!
We’ve been using it for years in our old espresso machine and our newer jura.
Our close friends use it too, this helps a lot regarding delivery as a spend over $100 gains free delivery.
In general St Ali is not cheap… they do buy one get one free from time to time though - get on their mailing list if you’re keen. Last week I picked up a couple kg of their Italo disco. This is still on sale for the buy one get one free (today 16/4)! Can’t comment on personal experience on this blend to be honest though, still working through the current wide awake bag.
Seven Seeds [Vic] is by far the best coffee I've had and I've tried many many many coffee roasts.
Mecca is my [NSW] pick.
However if you are In the northern part of Melbourne - I recommend Selvetica. It is what I am currently drinking and the this particular single origin is the best I've had from them.
https://www.selvatica.com.au/product-page/selvatica-single-o…
Good tip, like the looks of it.
If you are talking about Selvetica, if you are super local to them you can get free shipping at the moment (You have to be in Coburg North or an adjacent suburb). Just message them on email/social before ordering and they'll give you a code to use.
I'm late to this thread… But the $12 bags of supermarket beans is good stuff.
It had a high turnover so it's fresh… Between 5 days and ,28 days after rotating is the sweet spot.
It's ground with my good grinder so that's the most important…
It responds well to 9 get pressure without having to be ground ridiculously finely (fresh).
But the $12 bags of supermarket beans is good stuff.
It had a high turnover so it's fresh…
In a pre-COVID world. Supermarket beans do not have high turnover and there is quite a lag from roast to supermarket shelf so it really isn't that fresh.
You can look at the expiry date for an approximate roast date (+12 months).
It's usually within the month.
Moccona rich no. 9
I buy it mostly for guests, so whichever "good brand" (that hasn't burnt me before) of instant coffee that is half price.
I have a breville dual boiler that is pretty fussy about the beans.
Ive found grinders work really well in it and have the best flavour of a bunch of supermaket stocked options and can normally get them onsale for ~$20. If im feeling really adventurous they do a premium blend which is double the price but so so delicious
Not really a bargain, rather a full-blown price for premium coffee beans, but like Tarantino in Pulp Fiction, I pay good price for good coffee I can actually taste. I have been a BIG FAN of a Melbourne family business Coffeesnobs - their Espresso Wow and CoffeeSnobs GOLD blends are just marvelous. As a bonus, at times they actually do have fun with green beans, and do fancy things with them, like age them in Jack Daniel's oak barrels, before roasting etc.
Aldi capsules FTW
People say they are crap because they can't possibly be as good as their $500 coffee machine that takes 10 minutes to make a coffee and clean up the mess…. But they are
I've had them before and they are only slightly above nespresso pods in my opinion. Not really a good coffee but pods are more about saving on mess and time and not taste.
Pods are good in that you can get a better than instant coffee in your house, but they just can’t compare to freshly roasted beans, ground on demand and pulled on a proper machine.
I started with pod machines and eventually bit the bullet after doing a barista course and never being happy with the pod coffee.
What espresso machine do you have now?
ALDI pods. Milano. Machines are "Ozbargain" cheap and pods on offer cheap. Not "proper" but fast and taste fine.
Pablo and rusty porter street blend if/when feeling flash AND they're freshly roasted.
ALDI dark roast beans or ground as a daily driver in an aeropress.
Remember, if you only accept perfect coffee, you'll spend 99% of the time unhappy. Drink the "average" coffee, and enjoy the ones that are absolutely spot on for what they are.
Above all. Stay caffeinated!!
Equipment is a sunbeam small espresso machine. No blender (yet - am in the market for one) and I have tried the aldi ground coffee (which I found too coarse a grind) - and today I bought Grinders and it was quite good.
Forgot to mention that the first one I tried was illy ground coffee which was also pretty good.
If the small espresso has a pressurised basket grind size shouldn't be an issue and coarse works better as it's not repaint on grind/pick for the pressure/crema. It's really only on prosumuer and above unpressurized baskets that grind becomes key, basic ones are in pretty forgiving. ALDI do single origin beans for $13/kg as well, could be worth a go once you have a grinder.
well its the cheapest machine I could buy - wasn't sure I'd be into making it myself (turns out I am)… already planning an upgrade which the wife isn't happy about. With the aldi ground beans, the water just flows through and no matter how hard I damp that sucker, it doesn't really seem to get any flavour out of it. With Illy and also the Grinder ones, it is a pretty big difference. They are both noticeably finer than the aldi coffee.
Get a small $60-70 burr hand grinder and play around with whole beans. You'll see a difference.
Even my hand grinder/coffee set up requires constant fine tuning on coffee. Between different brands/roasts and even after the coffee has aged a bit and required a gram or two less coffee to fill the same basket as it did when it was a few weeks fresher.
Nescafe blend 43
I would suggest searching for "coffee roaster" on google maps and see if there are any near you (to ensure freshness), then check out their website and see which one has the most reasonable price (they can range from $30 to $50+ per kilo).
Personally, I have found out that my favorite coffee shop near my old workplace uses a roaster that is located in the next suburb to me, after going there for a while, I have even managed to convince them to sell me the "private blend" of that coffee shop to me.
Fat Poppy's Hollywood blend at half price hits the spot for me. I actually managed to taste some blueberry in it. There aren't a lotta coffees that do what the label says.
Small Batch and Five Senses are probably on top for me tastewise.
7/11 instant coffee for a $ is always great for me :)
Caffè aurora italian style is the only coffe I drink. I moved 5
Years ago from Europe to Australia and when I lived in the Uk I always got my coffee from Italy. Once I babe relocated here I tried all different sorts, but the only decent is Aurora. Even Lavazza and Kimbo here taste different
I really like Lavazza Oro. Always tastes great and guests always comment how nice it is when I make a coffee with it. All round winner I reckon.
I always buy it on special at Coles or woollies. Can get a 1kg bag for $20, sometimes $15.
Can't beat Aurora!
Redbrick in Canberra. They also do free delivery.
Nescafe blend 43 is the go
Trung Nguyên Legend
I used to buy green beans for $15/kilo and roast them in my back yard with a heat gun, a metal pot and a wooden spoon. I like my roast dark and oily and started a small fire one day.
Now I just buy aldi's lazzio dark roast coffee beans after reading an article on coffeesnobs that it was a best choice when compared to other super market beans. And my favourite beer is the double ipa Pirate Life 8.80% AV.