New to the coffee world
 

Hey guys....I am getting more into coffee since working full time. I enjoyed DD throughout college and never wanted to try Starbucks but a coworker (in fact another BOTL here Jim: KenyanSandBoa) had me try it and I have never gone back to DD. With that said, what brands of coffee are equally strong/flavorful as Starbucks? Sure, I could buy some of their bags, but I wouldn't mind trying some other styles and brands.

Re: New to the coffee world
 

My suggestion would be to find a local roaster or an online retailer of freshly roasted coffee such as UncleBeanz.

Re: New to the coffee world
 

I use www.BeachTownRoasters.com One of our BOTL's from California owns the place. I would also recommend www.UncleBeanz.com as well as www.KillerBeans.com

That should start you off on the right foot and get you away from that Starbucks stuff :tu

Re: New to the coffee world
 

First Get a french Press (video on how to use) and a grinder. Then buy some whole bean grind it, brew it, try it w/o any sugar or cream. After that if you really want to go all out roast some green beans ;)

Re: New to the coffee world
 

I would also highly recommend UncleBeanz:2

Re: New to the coffee world
 

I concur with those who say to find a local roaster, or a well respcted online vendor who knows their stuff. Unclebeanz on the east coast, maybe Intelligentsia in the Midwest and stumptown or sweetmarias on the left coast.

Stay away from charbucks or any other roaster that burns the beans. I understand some people like starbucks, and to those people I
say drink what you like, like what you drink. But their coffee is neither "strong" nor "flavorful", unless you consider "burnt" to be a flavor, :D

Re: New to the coffee world
 

I have heard many a good thing about Unclebeanz but have never ordered from there I have ordered from sweetmarias.com and they have some great stuff and service is great too.

Re: New to the coffee world
 

thanks for the tips everyone. I will check out these sites. :tu

Re: New to the coffee world
 

Having worked at Starbuxx, lemme tell you, it only gets better from there. Ken is dead on about the french press, as well as grinding your own beans. The less time between grind and brew, the more flavor your coffee will have. I recommend getting a burr grinder, rather than a blade grinder(you will get more even grounds that way, thus better and more consistant coffee). We have a very good local roaster here in CA, called Kean, and I love their coffee. Intelligentsia is another great roaster, located in Chicago and LA. And if you can get your hands on anything from Peets, I highly recommend that as well.

Re: New to the coffee world
 

Although Starbucks definitely has better coffee than most like DD and convenience stores, i find they are inconsistent and over heated, hence the nickname "Charbucks"

Re: New to the coffee world
 

Agreed, hence the "it only gets better from there." The only ones that I like from starbucks are the limited batch ones, and even then, I would much rather have something that got a medium roast, rather than coffee-charcoal.

Re: New to the coffee world
 

Sweet! You guys know of any local brewers in Boston? Until I can get my hands on the good stuff I was wondering if there was a local spot that is better. You guys rock!

:ss

Re: New to the coffee world
 

In Boston? According to Yelp!, Red Barn Coffee Co is supposed to be fantastic, and crema cafe in harvard square is supposed to be pretty amazing as well. Just PM me.

Re: New to the coffee world
 

Red barn is great another great one is Flat Black

http://flatblackcoffeecompany.com/

Re: New to the coffee world
 

This isn't too far from me I might give this a try today. :tu

Once it gets warmer I will try Red Barn too.

Re: New to the coffee world
 

Thank you for the recs, fellas. A good suggestion is to get to know your local roaster. Build from there. Good luck! UB

Re: New to the coffee world
 

I have not been dissapointed these roasts:

http://www.cafebritt.com/home

peace!

Re: New to the coffee world
 

I've definitely noticed that about some of the Starbucks coffees. I think it was the Gold Coast that I tried and all I could taste was "burnt"...didn't like it at all. I've had luck with their Asia/Pacific blends like Komodo Dragon the Anniversary Blend, but I do avoid some of their extra bold coffees because they taste more extra burnt to me.

+1 for the french press and burr grinder.

One more recommendation, don't waste your time with a built in burr grinder/brewer like Cuisinart makes becuase let me tell you...it is a pain in the ass to clean and fill if it's under a cabinet.

Re: New to the coffee world
 

uhh...thanks for the tip. You could have just walked to my desk and told me. ;)



:r

Re: New to the coffee world
 

That would involve me getting out of my chair...:td

Re: New to the coffee world
 

i've always wondered... is the blue mountain coffee really worth the $$$?

Re: New to the coffee world
 

also what's the best way to clean the burr grinder? sometimes the coffee oil builds up... and i have to run rice through it (that's what the cuisineart people told me to do) to get it going again

Re: New to the coffee world
 

What kind of grinder do you have? How often do you clean your grinder? I have never had my burr grinder quit working because of the oils. How dark is the roast you use?

Re: New to the coffee world
 

Where could i pick up a Burr grinder for a good price?

Re: New to the coffee world
 

Hello,

I use
http://www.coolhunting.com/images/ki...grinderred.jpg

we use it quite a bit... we make a full pot every morning.

usually its a starbucks french roast (the costco one)

Re: New to the coffee world
 

Depending on what sort of grinding you do, you can get a Cuisinart from Amazon for around $40.

http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-DBM-.../dp/B00018RRRK

Re: New to the coffee world
 

I thought someone said stay away from Cuisinart grinders....I could be wrong though.

Re: New to the coffee world
 

If you do a search there is some great information on burr grinders. :)

Re: New to the coffee world
 

Starbucks can be over roasted and that brings most of the oil out of the bean. Try looking for a local roaster, they dont have burnt coffee. :)

Re: New to the coffee world
 

They're definitely not the best grinders out there, but if you're looking to get one for cheap it's not bad. I have seen these as low as $30 at some places.

Re: New to the coffee world
 

:tpd:
I think sitting to long makes them all oily too or so I seem to remember reading.
You could learn to roast your own, too
many different methods, popcorn popper, stovetop etc.

Re: New to the coffee world
 

Yes the longer they sit the oiler they can get. But I have still never seen my beans get as oily as Starbuck. I am a home roaster.

Re: New to the coffee world
 

It's pretty good. Check out Unclebeanz; I've picked up a bag from him a couple of times, and been very happy about it. I can't speak for anyone else but me though; taste is subjective.

:tu
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Re: New to the coffee world
 

so nothing better then rice to clean it? when it becomes too oily.. nothing comes out of it...

Re: New to the coffee world
 

Check Sweet marias. They may have another option.