Coffee Beans! What Why and Where!

AndyRoo on 05/03/2021 - 00:24

Hi all!

So I just purchased a decent Breville espresso machine and a high end grinder to hopefully make some decent coffee. All my research has led me to this point and now I am looking at getting my hands on some good beans…

So having never owned one of these coffee machines before I want to know what makes a good bean. Is there that much of a significant difference between supermarket beans (Vittoria or Lavazza) vs all these 10,000 other companies selling their for 4 times the price. And finally, where should I be looking to buy them from. I find there are literally thousands of companies trying to make a killing off their coffee beans, just want to know if I spend the money I'm going to get something decent.

Thanks in advance!

Food & Grocery Coffee Coffee Beans

Comments

  • Peter Enis on 05/03/2021 - 00:46
    +11

    Personally I would start out with some cheaper beans like the ones from Aldi, or the Coles Urban Coffee Culture, and then progress from there. You will go through quite a few beans initially until you dial in the settings right (grind, amount, how hard you tamp, length of pour, etc).

    • rocketpoweredmice on 05/03/2021 - 02:42
      +6

      +1 for the Aldi beans as a great place to start
      Reasons:
      - They're pretty consistent flavour and quality, and there's enough variety within the standard and single origin varietys to help you learn what you like/don't like.
      - When you're learning, cheap enough to be experimenting with (you won't feel bad throwing shots down the drain)
      - They are roasted in Melbourne and stock turns over fast, so the beans are usually relatively fresh and consistent (compared to some of the other supermarket stuff that's been roasted overseas and shipped here)

      In terms of the higher-end/upmarket stuff, I would argue there's no point trying them until you're comfortable you can make a coffee you're happy with, with something like the Aldi stuff.
      Bad technique will give you bad coffee, no matter how expensive the beans

      Also suggest James Hoffmann as a youtube channel is worth a watch
      https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMb0O2CdPBNi-QqPk5T3gsQ

      • mjwills on 05/03/2021 - 08:24
        +2

        For the Aldi beans, check the expiry / roast date. The roast date will be next to the expiry date, but in reverse order (so 00021010 would be 1st Jan 2000). Find the most recent date.

        • rocketpoweredmice on 05/03/2021 - 16:11

          Thanks!
          Haha I feel stupid for not having worked that out

        • Martop on 23/07/2023 - 16:51

          Was in need for coffee urgently, have some memories blend coming from @limebluecoffee which will hopefully be delivered by Friday but needed a bag until then, for the price of a medium bean I thought I'd give this a go.

          Quick google search lead me to your post however on the bags I could only see 230624 which leads me to believe it was roasted on the 24th of June 2023. The best before date was 24th September 2024.

          Just had my first using a niche zero through a Lelit Bianca V3. Just finished a bag of fresh Campos Chapel St this morning at 36ml in 30 seconds from 18g in double basket. Didn't change the grind setting and managed to get 36ml in 27seconds.

          Overall It's not that bad for the price, I'd say rather good for the price, I've had worse from so called boutique roasters for triple the price.

          I'd buy it again in an emergency like today.

      • AndyRoo on 05/03/2021 - 15:33

        Watching these videos now ;)

    • plastic spoon on 05/03/2021 - 02:46
      +1

      Once you have some success dialling-in all your settings, buy beans from your favourite cafes and talk to the baristas. There are so many good small roasters around, you'll just want to try them all.

      Also keep an eye on the roast date. As beans age they release CO2 trapped in the bean and it greatly effects the extraction. Beans generally taste best from 2-4 weeks after roasting. If you use them too soon they create heaps of crema and don't extract so well. After about a month they start going a bit stale and you'll find they extract really quickly but don't have the flavour. Supermarket beans might not have a roast date printed and could be really old.

    • Mr Haj on 05/03/2021 - 08:47

      Yes I love the Aldi beans from Brazil, Honduras or Peru. Their standard Lazzio coffee beans aren't as good from memory. Coles Urban Coffee Culture is also great. I wouldn't bother buying the premium stuff as it's always more expensive, even when it's half price. Maybe worth purchasing to try, but I don't think it tastes any better.

      • AndyRoo on 05/03/2021 - 18:47

        Hmmm I just brought the medium Dark and the Columbia. Seen the Honduras but never heard of it so left it lol. Maybe should have got some. The medium Dark so far is pretty good.

    • Ghost47 on 05/03/2021 - 10:41

      I don’t have a grinder but I highly recommend the ALDI Lazzio ground coffee too. It’s amazing value for the price.

    • Lucille Bluth on 23/12/2022 - 09:55

      Thanks, very old comment but much appreciated!

  • pinchies on 05/03/2021 - 01:02
    +1

    Buy some supermarket Vittoria too — that way you'll know what bad coffee tastes like too! :-P
    +1 for starting with aldi beans.

  • AndyRoo on 05/03/2021 - 06:07

    Looks like I'm going to aldi this morning lol. Lucky I asked here. Would never have thought to go to aldi

    • CheapandUsed on 05/03/2021 - 08:48
      +4

      I rate the Honduras single origin from Aldi, but when it has been asked before everyone seems to have a different preferred option, fortunately they are cheap enough to experiment and you will likely blow through 1kg in your first couple of weeks practicing.

    • b0omp3z on 05/03/2021 - 09:20

      I echo the aldi beans suggestion. Took me about 6 months during Melbourne's lockdown to perfect the grind/press/water process. I then moved on to Costco's single origin beans, and when Coles had a 50% off special on all their boutique beans I got one of everything to try out.

  • doctordv8 on 05/03/2021 - 08:18

    You mean Coffee Seeds….no such thing as a Coffee Bean.

    Just for your Friday useless info list

  • EightImmortals on 05/03/2021 - 08:35
    +3

    The ones we keep going back to are the beans from CoffeeSnobs Beanbay (https://beanbay.coffeesnobs.com.au/ ) an Aussie mob that's been going for years. Lately though we've been buying their green beans and roasting them ourselves with the Kaffelogic Nano 7. Works out heaps cheaper, tastes awesome and the green beans store for couple of years.

    • conan2000 on 05/03/2021 - 09:50

      Definitely. I have used these guys for years now. I tend to buy green beans in bulk $300-400 and it lasts for ages and I always know the beans are freshly roasted. I just do them in the oven, takes a bit of trial and error to learn (and make sure you open all the windows/have a good extractor fan). No need for a specialist roasting machine. Average price I pay is $10-12 per Kg.

      If you're buying from shops I have found the Aldi medium roast are decent quality considering they are about the same price as the green beans I buy. I don't think it's worth the premium paying $40+ per kilo (especially not if you drink as much coffee as my partner and I do)!

  • tulip99 on 05/03/2021 - 08:49
    -1

    Gloria Jean beans from Woolies, $20 for 1kg. I've tried a lot of exxy online "freshly roasted" beans in the last 2 years and a lot of them have either been duds or nice but nothing special. The Gloria Jean beans are better than a lot of others I've bought.

  • freestyle18 on 05/03/2021 - 09:26
    +1

    What's your setup? If your setup is decent, buying from any fresh roaster will do wonders but you'll only benefit more once you've practiced a bit of "dialing in". Plus every bean has different settings. I used to drink aldi but now I get a fresh batch every 3 weeks from melbourne roasters.

    • AndyRoo on 05/03/2021 - 09:28

      Low end for most, but top end for me. I got the Breville the infuser (pretty much a barrista without the grinder) and the smart grinder pro.

      • freestyle18 on 05/03/2021 - 10:01

        Here's my take on coffee prices (per kg) (non supermarket shit)

        < $40 (great deal)
        $40-50 (okay price)
        $50+ (premium)

    • Therage on 05/03/2021 - 09:33

      Same, used Aldi beans for a few years then one day just got sick of them. Forgot how nice it is to try different beans. Currently using some Airjo beans and are really good. OP enjoy it and try lots of different varieies.

  • theHMASfriendship on 05/03/2021 - 09:48

    I buy mine from industry beans, 500g at a time (lasts me 3-4 weeks), which comes in 2x250g bags for $30. They make a great covfefe.

    Free express postage and they always have been roasted the previous day.

  • MaximusPrime on 05/03/2021 - 09:54

    I use Campos coffee beans, $48 for 1kg from woolies. They are never on sale.

  • GG57 on 05/03/2021 - 10:02

    Everyone's tastes are different.
    Just try a lot of different beans until you find what you like; buy small bags and try something different every time.

    Not all roasts are best suited to your machine, so focus on espresso.

    I don't know where you are located, but if you can find some cupping sessions near you they may help you develop an appreciation for different beans, roasts, etc., (if you are interested).
    https://marketlane.com.au/journal/what-we-talk-about

  • seraphim2017 on 05/03/2021 - 10:13

    Lazzio for day to day, a small bag of Pablo & Rusty Porter House beans as a personal treat every now and then as they're my current large scale producer favourite.

    Give your local roasters a god once you've got the hang of extraction and dialed in your grinder to your preference as well, they often roast weekly so you'l get a sweet spot for use. Above all, as James Hoffman says, enjoy the mediocre coffees on the strive for the perfect brew!

    Personally, I rate the Aldi beans above the urban coffee culture as a cost effective everyday bean but some people get so hung up they ruin their experience in the struggle for perfection. Enjoy learning and enjoy the coffees you make on the way to getting it right for your tastes!

  • Fergy1987 on 05/03/2021 - 10:35

    Five Senses - you're welcome

  • dylanando on 05/03/2021 - 10:47

    Airjo sumatra are my top, Insanely smooth.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 05/03/2021 - 10:53
    -1

    It is hard to tell you what to buy my advice is try a few see what works for you….

    If you're a hard core coffee drinker like me you can taste the difference between good and poor quality beans BUT id dare say for most people the cheap Aldi beans would do the job

  • coffeeinmyveins on 05/03/2021 - 11:11

    Coffee is a subjective thing. Whilst there is objectivity (supermarket coffee is shit, I would say even Aldi, although the consensus in this thread seems to be that it's ok).

    Try different types and see what you like. Campos do a few decent ones you can just order online.

    And look up how to make coffee, ratios (2:1 for dry ground in vs liquid out) and timing as well. You can have the best coffee bean on earth, but if you don't use it properly it'll taste worse than instant.

  • carlJack on 05/03/2021 - 11:43

    Which grinder did you buy? and please dont buy supermarket beans. Buy fresh from local roasters. Try different type of beans.

    edit: Smart grinder pro is not really a high end grinder

    • AndyRoo on 05/03/2021 - 15:32

      For me it's very high end. Lol

  • crashloaded on 05/03/2021 - 17:13

    I've recently changed to getting my beans from direct coffee when they post on here. The great thing is they do 1kg prices but ship in 250g bags so it stays fresh.

  • AndyRoo on 05/03/2021 - 18:26
    +1

    Been messing around with aldi medium Dark for half the day. I'm high as a kite on caffeine but I think I got it dialled in well now. ;)

  • johnnygolden on 06/03/2021 - 00:21

    With practice and experimentation, you should be able to make espresso that rivals that of good cafes with your setup. But you'll need to do two things. The first is to buy fresh beans from a good roaster - not supermarket beans. I recommend buying from a local cafe you like, you can expect to pay $13-15 per 250g, often with a discount if you buy 500g or 1kg. The other key is to use the single wall filter basket that came with your machine, not the pressurised double wall basket. The single wall is less forgiving with stale beans but is a must to extract decent shots from fresh beans. (This is based on my experience over several years using a Smart Grinder Pro and a few Breville machines.)

    • AndyRoo on 06/03/2021 - 00:28

      Yeah been using the large single wall. Haven't touched the others. Will have a play and get it as good as I can with these aldi beans then I'll try and find somewhere to buy some fresh. I live semi rural so no cafes around here that roast so online would be my option.

  • spersephone on 06/03/2021 - 14:52

    We are lucky enough to have access to a roaster that sells 1kg of coffee for $20. We have another roaster who sells 1kg for $45. Still reasonable value. We don't bother with supermarket coffee, it might be cheaper, but it's definitely not going to be as good as buying direct from a roaster.

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