Finally, a thread about coffee!
I would subscribe for sure, mainly to see what roasters are up to. I do however expect to find some overlapping "Tribeca-esc" profiles though. And it is in my opinion not necessarily the fault of the roaster but more that of the consumer. As that is more or less what the soccer mom drinks and what we are used to when we get takeaway coffee.
You can hide anything in frothed or steamed full cream milk
I digress.
For roasters including their coffee in a subscription I think that it must really be daunting to not know how the recipient of this coffee will be preparing it, storing it and consuming it. You may put an expensive tri-region or single origin through a blade grinder (thats you
@Andrew_Smith !) and find that it is too watery and completely write off that roaster. And thats the thing, there is hardly a specialty coffee movement in SA, well not yet. So the coffee source, preparation and consumption knowledge among consumer is still developing and I think that getting a box full of coffee every month with some insane marketing this could change. People would try and produce what they have seen before, maybe atleast get to the point where they can taste the difference between stale and fresh coffee.
Anyways, ill support this initiative. In fact, I still have my business plan, company name, domains, everything for exactly this. I just shut it down because I travel so much.
My two cents on equipment
- Burr grinder or BUST. Blade grinders are inherently inconsistent which results in uneven extraction and a sad coffee experience. The Baratza Encore is a unit many people start out with and keep for years. Conical burr grinders are not that expensive and last a lifetime. have a look at the Rancilio Rocky, Letit, Eureka, Mazzer grinders. It can get pricey though and some have really annoying retention as they are based on commercial models with high use.
- You do not need a commercial espresso machine at home, the power usage is nuts and the preheat is annoying. There are plenty E61 options for consumers these days. Have a look at Rancilio Silvia, Brewtus IV, Letit Bianca, Rocket Evo/R58 (expensive), Profitec 500 (expensive) These all pretty much do the same, some look fancier and may have proprietary pre-infusion type options. It is debateable if you need all that. usually only handlebar moustache people think they do. Should you prefer a grinder + machine in one the Breville lineup is solid. Just refraind from putting very oily beans in there too often as it can ruin the grinder.
- If you like black coffee, or coffee flavored coffee then have a look at the V60 brew method or if thats too much work then a Technivorm Moccamaster is absolutely amazing. hand grinding with a R500 Hario grinder is more than ample for this, or get preground from roaster.
- And probably the best advice anyone can give you. If you buy something coffee related. Use it, exhaust it, dominate it before you buy anything else. It is easy to hoard coffee gadgets
I have a Elektra Sixties T1 Delicioza and a Eureka Mignon grinder for espresso. Then Hario V60 setup and Hario V60 grinder (electric) for pourover. I go through about 1kg coffee a month and do not keep coffee past 21 days from roast, so have 2 trips to roaster or overnight it to my office.