Ever Senior Member Joined: 23 Dec 2012 Posts: 10 Location: San Francisco Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: EC155 Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Posted Sun Feb 17, 2013, 7:05pm Subject: Espresso - third wave too fruity?
Edit: should be in "Espresso-General Discussion"
Long story short, I think I've decided that I fully appreciate the light-roast, terroir-focused roast characterized by third wave roasters, but that I simply prefer espresso that's less fruity and more caramel'y.
I've enjoyed espresso from all the major new roasters in San Francisco, and while I crave the stuff, I'm simply finding it too dang floral, too dang fruity!
I'm wondering if I can get recommendations for roasters who make respectable darker roasts - and is "darker" the word I'm even looking for? To explain, I've been drinking and preparing my own espresso for a little over two years now, so in regards to flavor I was raised on the "theories" of third wave - that it shows off the terroir, that everything prior to it was "overroasted," and so forth. That said, there's just got to be someone who makes "respectable" roasts that are sophisticated in their own right and that have characteristics of chocolate, caramel...coffee! I'm basically looking for the big Zinfandel of espresso - but of craft espresso, if that makes sense.
Does what I'm looking for exist? If so, is it made locally here in SF so I can get it within a week or two of roasting?
Cerridwyn Senior Member Joined: 6 Jun 2010 Posts: 395 Location: Inland Empire California Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Sun Feb 17, 2013, 7:31pm Subject: Re: Espresso - third wave too fruity?
You have a lot of places to choose from up there. SO I have a suggestion. Pick the friendliest place you have been in that you like the coffee, if not the espresso. Go in when it is not too crowded and talk up the Barista who's working the espresso machine. You might be surprised that he'll actually tell you.
But up there, have you been to Phills? They do some dark roasting. And they do a lot of blends. Probably the cusp of third wave but not there and that might be what you are looking for.
steven_meyer Senior Member Joined: 19 Jul 2003 Posts: 456 Location: San Bruno, ca Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Alex Duetto 3.0, ECM Giotto... Grinder: mahlkonig vario, Mazzer Mini
Posted Sun Feb 17, 2013, 7:56pm Subject: Re: Espresso - third wave too fruity?
I'd recommend the Hayes Valley blend from Blue Bottle. Don't overlook the internet.I order from Redbird. I get my order three days from the day it is roasted and at a lower price than anything I can get here.
Posted Wed Feb 27, 2013, 3:15pm Subject: Re: Espresso - third wave too fruity?
I call and talk or e-mail alot of the roastmasters to find exactly what they offer and tell them what I'm looking for and ask their opinion, most of them are nice enough and if not too busy, are happy to make suggestions. I think they are thrilled to see another person so enthusiastic about coffee.
I don't think Intelly Black Cat is "comfort" espresso anymore, was really bright/tangy/sour to me, and others as well. I bought it twice and was the same each time, actually I bought it based on all the people who used to say it was deep and chocolately but apparently awhile ago they changed the blend. I thought I just couldn't pull a shot of it but I adjusted temp and dose so many times and was the same weird tangy flavor.
CC is good though.
But yeh not sure what's up with the raving demand for sour/tarty/bright coffee's, some you can't even tell the difference between normal shot and sour uner-extraction. I'll take deep, nutty/chocolate type beans and SO any day vs sipping on a lemon lol.
IMAWriter Senior Member Joined: 4 Jul 2002 Posts: 5,462 Location: Brentwood, TN Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Nothing at the moment Grinder: Vario-W,Preciso-Esatto/KyM... Vac Pot: Adcraft SS, Yama 8 cup Drip: Brazen.Chemex, Hario, Clever... Roaster: Behmor 1600, CO/UFO combo
Posted Fri Mar 1, 2013, 8:40pm Subject: Re: Espresso - third wave too fruity?
steven_meyer Said:
I'd recommend the Hayes Valley blend from Blue Bottle. Don't overlook the internet.I order from Redbird. I get my order three days from the day it is roasted and at a lower price than anything I can get here.
Not had the famous Blue Bottle, but +1 on the Redbird espresso from Red Bird Coffee. It seems to fit the profile the OP wishes, as does Jon's Toscano, and another CC blend, Aficionado, at least the last time I ordered it. And, of course Klatch's Belle espresso.
EWDIT: The above said, I had the MOST delicious light roasted espresso shot ever at a fairly new 3rd wave cafe in East Nashville called Barista Parlor. The shot tasted like strawberries, yet maintained a fine balance with normal coffee essences. Of course, having your shot pulled on a MONSTER espresso machine doesn't hurt. (A Slayer)
sgnoobie Senior Member Joined: 22 Jun 2011 Posts: 28 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Expertise: I live coffee
Grinder: HMMS Drip: v60 02 Roaster: Blue Bottle, Ritual,...
Posted Thu Mar 14, 2013, 8:16pm Subject: Re: Espresso - third wave too fruity?
Cerridwyn Said:
You have a lot of places to choose from up there. SO I have a suggestion. Pick the friendliest place you have been in that you like the coffee, if not the espresso. Go in when it is not too crowded and talk up the Barista who's working the espresso machine. You might be surprised that he'll actually tell you.
But up there, have you been to Phills? They do some dark roasting. And they do a lot of blends. Probably the cusp of third wave but not there and that might be what you are looking for.
Philz doesn't really do Espresso coffee, but you're right on the dark roasting - they do some serious dark and oily blends. But I always get too many fruity flavors from their coffee.....Haven't tried everything though.
+1 on the BB Hayes Espresso - it's probably what the OP is looking for.
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