Posted Thu May 1, 2008, 11:23am Subject: Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm, Fresh Beans
Today I received my bi-weekly order of beans from the local roaster. Got my normal custom blend, which is 1/2 & 1/2 of the following:
EP455 Blend:
100% Colombian Euro Prep Arabica Beans - Dark roast without bitter flavor.
Gold Espresso:
A blend of Brazil, Colombian Supremo, Ethiopian Sidamo, Guatemala and Kenya Arabica Beans - This is a dark roast with a unique rich and pungent flavor.
Many of you say beans should be very VERY fresh, like within days of roasting. I don't know if there's something different with their process, age of green beans, or what, but if I use their beans within 6-7 days of roast, they're gassy as hell, and almost undrinkable. After 7 days, they start to settle down and by 9-10 days, they're almost perfect (at least, to my tastes and machinery set-up).
So, I went home at lunch and sampled the new batch, roast date April 22nd.
Grind timing was perfect with dose (16 grams in 46 seconds)
Grind felt "fluffier" under the tamper (if that makes sense).
Shot started a steady stream 6 seconds from switch with no pre drips
Stream went from dark, to striped swirling mousetail at 12-14 seconds, and blonded at about 24 for a total pull of about 1-3/4 ozs.
Puck inspection showed a hole about 1/16" or bigger alsmost smack-dab in the middle, hence the early blonding, me thinks.
Thick crema, dark red with some flecking.
Excellent mouthfeel, nice flavours (which I have a hard time identifying) typical of this blend.
Long finish, but no bitterness.
Take note, I have never tasted Black Cat, Kid O, or any premium blends you all speak so highly of, so basically, I have nothing to compare to. But I like this stuff, so I'm happy.
THBFKAN (The Home Barista Formerly Known As "Newfie") says:
Your description made it sound great. I home roast and usually try my beans each day after roasting. Most need at least 2-3 days before being passable, with 7-10 days being the optimum peak period for taste, a Monsoon Malabar I did was good from 7-20 days. I try and plan my roasts so that I start them at about day 5-7 and overlap each other so that I always have beans near their best.
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