You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

What have you done to me?

Went to keys overnight with the wife.
We stop at our regular coffee shop for some Cuban espresso at Denny's in Key Largo.
First thing wife notices, Rancilio.
Next thing I point out is the Rocky like grinder with doser.
We drank the coffee, and chatted with the folks there as usual.
Their Cuban espresso is so, so good.
However, since I now have a Rancilio Silvia on order, we went on to talk about the coffee itself and grinder.

Well, thanks a whole lot you screwy bastages!!! After our discussion with the folks at the restaurant, now, getting ready to order the Rocky.
Why? Because I came back with a few bags of coffee beans from Pilon Gourmet that I now need to grind.

I hate all of you!!!
Need to log out so I can order my grinder.
I hope you are having a good laugh as you read this.

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

You're grinder set for a long long time and will never regret it,

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

A..HOLES!!!

Got this message:

Thank you for placing your order.

I HATE YOU ALL!!!:r

Rocky with doser on it's way from Seattle Coffee Gear.

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

Patiently awaiting delivery are these two lonely guys.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...o/66dbee99.jpg

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

Pilon and cafe Bustello are both not bad and probably dear to your South Florida heart.

Once you run your first grind of fresh roast, there will be no turning back.

I think Norm over at Unclebeanz will be back up and running by the time your grinder arrives.

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

You know they say misery loves company. Well people who love great coffee do as well. Welcome to amazing coffee. :)

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

Not sure if I said it already but just in case, let me say it again.

I HATE YOU GUYS!!!:r

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

Pete,
Help me out.

I can understand the need for a top notch espresso machine due to need for heat for brew, etc.
I can understand the need for a quality grinder due to consistency of grind and freshness of ground coffee at moment to be brewed.

That said, when speaking to a guy that is nearly 52 and has been drinking Cuban espresso ever since he can remember his first thought or words, who likes a strong brew (remember, Cubans judge their espresso by the ability of a spoon to stand in the cup), what can I expect from these other coffees you allude to?
Remember, compared to Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, etc, our Cuban coffee is STRONG!

Will these coffees from unclebeanz meet that need we Cubans have? What is so different or wonderful that we can expect? For me, Pilon Gourmet is amazingly good coffee. Can't imagine what others can be like but would hope in the end, we get the flavor that I am accustomed to for nearly 52 years.

I am willing to try something new to see. What do you guys recommend from unclebeanz that would satisfy a life long espresso aficionado like me?

BTW,
In case I forgot, I HATE YOU GUYS!!!

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

One word; FRESHNESS.

There was a time that I thought Cafe Bustello out of my Krupps steam driven machine was great Cappucino and Starbucks was worth the money,

Both nearly make me gag now.

Personally, my favorite beans that I didn't roast might be either Stumptown hairbender or Intelligensea Black cat espresso, both of which can be found online.

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

Let me know which one you think I should try given you know what I drink.
I just saw unclebeanz will be back up on the 28th.

One thing I don't have any plans of right now is roasting my own.
Maybe some day but not yet.

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/...k+Cat+Espresso

Black cat espresso is an amazing blend of South and Central America beans.

15 bucks a pound, but so are most good beans.

Once you start roasting, the same beans in green cost a third, you roast em fresh, and pay for the roaster in a short time, but that's another slope to worry about once you get your machine and grinder dialed in.

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

Just saw it.
Quite pricey but I will try anything.
Will order some tomorrow.

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

Unclebeanz, Killerbeans, and all the online retailers are about that price, give or take a few bucks.

The best thing to do is try to find a local roaster near your house.

Here, there are a few and Whole Foods roasts a few times a day and does a great job and there is no shipping when you pick it up yourself.

CCM coffee in Tampa is also a family owned business and has been for years. I beleive they are from Cuba, were recommended to me by Mr Moo.

I buy lots of green beans from them and they also roast and sell that way.

Great prices and normally the beans arrive the next day from Tampa.

http://www.ccmcoffee.com/

Edit:

Wow, just checked roasted beans and there Colombian Supremo is around 6 bucks a pound! That stuff rocks.
Also, my mistake, they are from Spain.

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

Thanks.
Will give CCM a shout tomorrow.

I have a Whole Foods in Boca.
Didn't know they roasted their own.

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

Whole Foods by me has a huge roaster and several bins with beans roasted that day. I'd imagine your does too.

The staff is great and will always recommend stuff.

I don't have a Trader Joes here, but hear they do the same.

A quick search revelaed a Cuban Coffe roaster very close to your house....
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl...42184011632758

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

Wow.
That is literally down the street from my old office location.
Thanks.

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

Pete,
That place you found near me is neat.
Just went on their site.
$9 a pound for two of the three espresso blends.
One is a special one at $19 a pound.
Will probably go by there tomorrow to check it out but won't buy any until I get my grinder.

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

Pete,
These are nice folks.
Just spoke to them.
The location near me is the main plant but he said to stop by and he will take care of me.
When I introduced myself and notices his accent, we went off in Cuban Spanish.
He told me he will give me samples of all their stuff to try.
Looking to head over there in a while, around lunch time.

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

Glad to hear, but not surprised.

Coffee folks seem to be a lot like cigar folks; eager to share and exceedingly kind.:tu

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

Well,
Just called Seattle Coffee Gear and changed my order to the sooner shipping option as now can't wait.
Going downhill fast here.
Should be here in 3 to 5 days.

Picked up some coffee from Kana that Pete posted the link to.
Super great folks.
Got a few blends to try out.
As soon as UPS shows up tomorrow with my Silvia, we shall be brewing.

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

this all reminds me of myself. Hopefully a tatoo like this doesn't wind up on your ass like it did mine..

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...uckslogono.gif

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

Question:
What setting should I start with for my Rocky when I receive it on Monday?

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

Carlos,

Your grinder will have a "zero" point. This is the number or line on the dial where you can hear the distict sound of the burrs slightly touching each other, usually a high pitch and worrisome sound for a new grinder owner.


On a "stepped" grinder like yours, or one that has clicks indicating higher or lower adjustments, you'll find a number that works, although it can vary slightly from bean to bean etc.

Although a Rocky owner would know best, I'd start somewhere around 5 and go from there.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

NEVER EVER ADJUST SETTINGS WITHOUT THE GRINDER RUNNING>

a bean can get caught between the top and bottom burrs and frreze up your machine and fry the motor.

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

So.....to find the zero point, unit must be on?
While on, adjust until I hear that sound you describe and then click back from that setting to around 5-8 from all I have read for espresso.
Correct?
Should be here in an hour or two as already on the UPS truck to be delivered to me.

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

always when on, or you may adjust the setting smaller, wedging a bean inbetween the burrs and causing the motor to be strained or not allowing movement at all, making "bad things" happen, Carlos.

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

Yeah, sounds like bad things for sure.
I can see how that can happen and glad I heard of it first before I did it myself.
Logic would tell you to instead adjust when off yet that is the thing NOT to do.

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

I have a feeling your grinder was tested before shipping out, so don't freak out if it has coffee grinds in it.

Try 5 on your machine and go from there when determining the best setting. You would be clicking forward though.

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

Glad you mentioned that.
Just got it and thought it was "used". :r

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

Well, thanks to this forum, my collection continues to grow.
In a very less than expected time:
Rancilio Silvia
Rocky Doser Grinder
Coffee Bean Vac
Espresso Gear Tamper
Urnex Cafiza

On order and in the mail:
Stainless Steel Knockbox
Counter and grinder brushes
Dezcal Descaler

Just ordered today and yet to ship:
Bottomless Portafilter with 3 shot basket

As the thread is so appropriately titled:
You Lousy Bastages!!!!!!!!!!

Man I am so screwed.

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

I don't see any roasting equipment, you ain't screwed yet, boyo.

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

I'll bet anyone who wants some action, that this time next year Carlos is debating different roasters and is wondering if popcorn machines are worth the hassle.

Following this, we will certianly see a thread telling us how right we were and how much better fresh roasted coffee is compared to commercial.

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

Carlos would never be a po'boy trailuh trayash popper/SCCO/Franken roaster like me. Complete Behmor or Hottop roaster for him. He's high class, ya know.

Re: You Lousy Bastages!!!
 

If I didn't know any better, I would take you up on the bet.:r

Not high class, just anal about toys.;)