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Regional: United States West
Santa Cruz Espresso Update

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Discussions > Regional > US West > Santa Cruz...

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GaryH
Senior Member

Joined: 24 Oct 2003
Posts: 2,526
Location: San Jose California
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Isomac Zaffiro
Grinder: Macap M4 Doserless
Vac Pot: none
Drip: yes
Roaster: none

Posted Wed Dec 5, 2007, 3:18pm Subject: Re: Santa Cruz Espresso Update

The Verve Streetlevel espresso blend works very well in a cappa. They gave me these Kenya Mutitu Peaberry (Nyeri) auction lot beans, and Ethiopia Lekempti Oromia Co-op Natural coffee beans. Many thanks. I'll pull some shots with them tomorrow. (Click for larger image)

GaryH
Senior Member

Posted Fri Dec 7, 2007, 11:47am Subject: Re: Santa Cruz Espresso Update

I used the Verve Kenya Mutitu peaberry to pull some shots at home. I varied the brew temperature from 195F to 200F. I had a hard time getting some fruit flavor out of it (beans are roasted quite dark). It did have a wondeful after-taste. (Click for larger image)

GaryH
Senior Member

Posted Fri Dec 7, 2007, 11:48am Subject: Re: Santa Cruz Espresso Update

Main flavor I got from the Ethiopia Lekempti Oromia was a very nice spicy flavor. I'm guessing these beans are a part of the Streetlevel blend that is used to pull ristrettos at Verve. (Click for larger image)

mcuff
Senior Member

Joined: 7 Jun 2006
Posts: 135
Location: SF Bay Area
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Andrea Premium
Grinder: Baratza Vario, Hario Skerton
Vac Pot: Santos
Drip: Aeropress, Plunger, Clever
Roaster: Yea, still getting there...

Posted Mon Dec 10, 2007, 5:23pm Subject: Re: Santa Cruz Espresso Update

Hello Gary, Once again, thanks for another great photo essay. Sounds like you tried quite a few shots at Verve. I was wondering if you had an opinion on where Verve fits among the Bay Area's top shops. Product in the cup, and consistency being the two key elements, how are they stacking up to Barefoot, Bellano, Emocha, Lulu's, etc? Also sounds like you picked up several Single Origin beans. Did the roast level tend toward the medium or dark side. If they were dark roasted, any oil? Thanks, and good luck to Verve. I look forward to a visit. -Michael

GaryH
Senior Member

Posted Tue Dec 11, 2007, 2:18am
Subject: Re: Santa Cruz Espresso Update

mcuff Said:

I was wondering if you had an opinion on where Verve fits among the Bay Area's top shops. Product in the cup, and consistency being the two key elements, how are they stacking up to Barefoot, Bellano, Emocha, Lulu's, etc?

Also sounds like you picked up several Single Origin beans. Did the roast level tend toward the medium or dark side. If they were dark roasted, any oil?

Posted December 10, 2007 link

I've only been to Verve once so I don't know about consistency. I really like chocolate flavor and the three Streetlevel espresso shots were very good. The after-taste lasted 12 hours! Verve is definately worth a visit.

Last week after I visited Verve I drove the scenic route past the Santa Cruz lighthouse and stopped by Lulus where I had this Lighthouse espresso which was very bright. Great shot. Very different flavor profile from the Verve shot so can't really compare. All depends upon what you like in an espresso.

(Click for larger image)

GaryH
Senior Member

Posted Tue Dec 11, 2007, 2:25am Subject: Re: Santa Cruz Espresso Update

The two different SO beans I got at Verve were roasted dark but there was no oil on the beans. Last week I had an awesome Rwanda SO shot at Barefoot. Again a very different flavor profile but that is what makes tasting different espressos at various coffee houses so interesting. I bought a pound of Rwanda beans and pulled nice sweet and fruity SO shots with it at home. (Click for larger image)

GaryH
Senior Member

Posted Tue Dec 11, 2007, 2:30am Subject: Re: Santa Cruz Espresso Update

I also bought these El Salvador La Montana COE #1 beans at Barefoot (I keep two shots worth in small bags in the freezer). Last week I pulled a shot with it and it was so amazingly tasty I didn't want to swallow the ristretto. I wanted the taste to last forever. (Click for larger image)

GaryH
Senior Member

Posted Tue Dec 11, 2007, 2:33am Subject: Re: Santa Cruz Espresso Update

Last Sunday I got these Guatemala COE beans at Barefoot. Very nice tangy fruity shots. It's great to pull shots with all the many different beans available nowadays. (Click for larger image)

mobleyfan
Senior Member

Joined: 17 Jul 2003
Posts: 143
Location: East Bay
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Silvia
Grinder: Mazzer Mini
Vac Pot: Bodum Santos
Drip: Clever Coffee Dripper
Roaster: Behmor

Posted Fri Dec 14, 2007, 9:21am Subject: Re: Santa Cruz Espresso Update

I made it to Verve last weekend and this place is the genuine article. The shot I had was excellent with a really rich mouthfeel. My wife had a capp which was also delish and served with leafy latte art. I took some Streetlevel home and in a separate incident my sister bought some for me as well so I've been pulling shots with it all week. While this is not the best espresso blend I've had, I've found that it's really easy to work with. I've been consistently getting good to excellent shots, and some closely approached the quality of what I was served there. I was also surprised to see so many new businesses in that area from 10 years ago. FYI, the Cliff Cafe across the street used to be a great breakfast joint and probably still is. In any event, I say Verve is right up there with the best espresso spots of the Bay Area. -Sam

jimru
Senior Member

Joined: 13 Aug 2005
Posts: 25
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Andreja Premium
Grinder: Mazzer Super Jolly
Roaster: iRoast

Posted Fri Dec 14, 2007, 9:37pm Subject: Re: Santa Cruz Espresso Update

Well I've managed to make it to Verve every day this week...the consistency is definitely there! Yesterday I had a GREAT SO Yirg...best I've ever had...today, the boys are working on a new espresso blend...very interesting...they are masters at finding each espresso's "happy spot"... I also had a GREAT classico at LuLu's this week....it's so great to finally have quality espresso choices in SC...thanks LuLu's and Verve you guys rock!

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