Wega007 Senior Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Michigan Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Oct 28, 2007, 1:08pm Subject: Italy (Rome/Florence) woth getting beans
I will be heading to Italy later this yr. It is worth it to buy bean there? if I am getting major brands like Lavazza or illy etc. I am also planning to get a hand coffee mill. Possible to get good ones there? better than Zassenhaus?
Is there any good local place to visit to buy quality beans? (different from what I can get in US) Is this place good? http://www.tazzadorocoffeeshop.com/
The_Mighty_Bean Senior Member Joined: 24 Feb 2006 Posts: 465 Location: Bowie, MD Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: "Beauty" (the gentle and... Grinder: Gi-normous Rossi RR45; 100... Vac Pot: Have my eye on a Yama Drip: French press purist, have a... Roaster: Hairdryer and a wire whisk....
Posted Sun Oct 28, 2007, 1:39pm Subject: Re: Italy (Rome/Florence) woth getting beans
I have procrastinated forever on putting up my detailed review of my trip to Italy. I still don't have time to put the thing up, but Tazza D'Oro had one of the better espressos I tried, and the potential to be noteworthy if the barista is really paying attention and the grinds in the doser haven't sat too long.
My shot was pulled on a 4 group Wega, and the grinder was a Wega as well. It is a realatively strong roast with assertive bitters, but there is a nice chocolate-nut flavor to the shot.
If you are in the mood for a cool sweet snack, follow your espresso with their famous granita. They blend their espresso with shaved ice and cream for a cold, crunchy dessert that delivers an espresso kick along with a flavor reminiscent of Kahlua and cream- for some reason it develops a rum-like quality to it on the aftertaste even though it is nonalcoholic. Very nice. Then go see the Parthenon, it's right around the corner.
By the way, should you proceed a few blocks up and to the right of the Parthenon, you will see the famed Cafe San' Eustacio. Skip their celebrated signature drink. They use some sort of crema enhancer and it's just not particularly interesting or tasty. Just get a regular shot. Their blend is good and doesn't need extra help.
If you are buying beans, try to get fresh-roasted. Read Mark Prince's recent article with comparative tastings of Italian and American blends to get a sense of what to try if you can't find fresh. As far as I know Zassenhaus is the gold standard of hand mills
~the Nostalgic bean (...wants to go back to Italy!!!)
Based on my experience with Lavazza purchased in Italy, I would not consider the major brands again -- only local roasters, when you can know the actual date of roasting. If you like the espresso made in a particular cafe or bar, ask the barista where they buy their beans. I'll be buying beans on my next visit to Italy in June -- just before returning home, for maximum freshness.
Based on my experience with Lavazza purchased in Italy, I would not consider the major brands again -- only local roasters, when you can know the actual date of roasting. If you like the espresso made in a particular cafe or bar, ask the barista where they buy their beans. I'll be buying beans on my next visit to Italy in June -- just before returning home, for maximum freshness.
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