Thanks Ultach - I'll be sure to try your recommended Asda's blend. I've recently been dubious that any supermarket can provide a fresh roasted bag of beans - especially after trying the dried up Ikea beans (not very nice at all!)
Thanks to all that have provided me with recommendations.
I was kindly given £20 of Whittards vouchers so am currently savouring their Colombian beans. For those that are interested - after speaking to the lady in the shop it appears their beans can be sold from between 2-6 weeks after roasting. These beans are certainly better than the Ikeas bag, but not the best I've tasted.
I think next on my list will be a bag of Asda's Extra Special.
...then coffeebeanshop (looking forward to that!)
...and then once I've really got my tastebuds really working I'll try the odd bag from Hasbean (with a hope that someone in the family buys me their 12month subscription for Christmas:) )
Once again - thanks to everyone. Great suggestions and given me a good route into the world of coffee beans.
Hey Harvin1975, I've tried all sorts of coffee beans for home use. So far my favorites are Square Mile and Monmouth's Espresso blends.
They are both very different which makes things all the more interesting. Monmouth is very versatile for home use and loveley in French Press too (although their mail order is almost non existent, last time I checked you could call up for delivery). They do seem to be updating their website so maybe they will have an online shop.
Square Mile's is fantastic as espresso also their online ordering, service and delivery has been superb.
I am waiting on my first order form hasbean at the moment (Has Bean Premium Espresso Blend, Has Bean Espresso Blend and Cup Of Excellence Espresso Blend 2009) can't wait!
michaelbenis Senior Member Joined: 21 Mar 2009 Posts: 35 Location: Brighton Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Nov 1, 2009, 3:09am Subject: Re: Coffee beans recommendation
Another recommendation, a company who have a slightly different take on things from any of those posted so far, of whom my favourite is HasBean (NO bullshit) and James (also straightforward) is Londinium Espresso at http://londiniumespresso.com
They are different in that they concentrate only on espresso, so they beans they select and the way they roast them is for espresso, not filter, press etc. And again, espresso, not Americano, cappuccino etc. That's very important for some single origins which can show much less in the way of acidity during traditional cupping than they will reveal in espresso preparation.
Then the other thing that's different about them, is that they do single origins only and roast pretty light.
Lastly, they will bespoke roast even for small orders. You want something 3 degrees F hotter or cooler ? They will do that for you to match your own individual preferences.
They also have some very nice beans..... and are another bullshit-free roaster.
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