New to the coffee world

jmsremax · 03-11-2010, 09:54 AM

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.

D_A · 03-11-2010, 10:29 AM

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

LasciviousXXX · 03-11-2010, 11:18 AM

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

03-11-2010, 11:19 AM

I would also highly recommend UncleBeanz

03-11-2010, 11:53 AM

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,

kenstogie · 03-11-2010, 11:18 AM

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

kenstogie · 03-11-2010, 01:26 PM

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.

jmsremax · 03-11-2010, 03:36 PM

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

jaydub13 · 03-11-2010, 03:42 PM

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.

KenyanSandBoa · 03-18-2010, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resipsa

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,

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaydub13

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.

+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.

jmsremax · 03-18-2010, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenyanSandBoa

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.

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

KenyanSandBoa · 03-18-2010, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmsremax

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

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

kenstogie · 03-11-2010, 06:58 PM

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"

jaydub13 · 03-11-2010, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenstogie

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"

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.

jmsremax · 03-11-2010, 09:20 PM

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!

jaydub13 · 03-12-2010, 02:01 AM

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.

baldanders · 03-12-2010, 03:55 AM

Red barn is great another great one is Flat Black

http://flatblackcoffeecompany.com/

jmsremax · 03-12-2010, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baldanders

Red barn is great another great one is Flat Black

http://flatblackcoffeecompany.com/

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

Once it gets warmer I will try Red Barn too.

novasurf · 03-12-2010, 10:02 PM

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

03-12-2010, 10:31 PM

I have not been dissapointed these roasts:

http://www.cafebritt.com/home

peace!

03-11-2010, 09:54 AM	#1
jmsremax Yet another Masshole Join Date: Nov 2009 First Name: Jon Location: MA Posts: 1,245 Trading: (19)	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. __________________ Stock/Finance banter

03-11-2010, 10:29 AM	#2
D_A Dave's not here Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: David Location: NC Posts: 272 Trading: (7)	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.

03-11-2010, 11:18 AM	#3
LasciviousXXX Team of 11...Always Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Týr Location: New Orleans Posts: 4,579 Trading: (8)	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

03-11-2010, 11:19 AM	#4
ChicagoWhiteSox Guest Posts: n/a	Re: New to the coffee world I would also highly recommend UncleBeanz

03-11-2010, 11:53 AM	#5
Resipsa Guest Posts: n/a	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,

03-11-2010, 11:18 AM	#6
kenstogie following the whiterabbit Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 1,325 Trading: (3)	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 __________________ I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

03-11-2010, 01:26 PM	#7
kenstogie following the whiterabbit Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 1,325 Trading: (3)	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. __________________ I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

03-11-2010, 03:36 PM	#8
jmsremax Yet another Masshole Join Date: Nov 2009 First Name: Jon Location: MA Posts: 1,245 Trading: (19)	Re: New to the coffee world thanks for the tips everyone. I will check out these sites. __________________ Stock/Finance banter

03-11-2010, 03:42 PM	#9
jaydub13 aka Little Pickle Join Date: Feb 2010 First Name: Jason Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 227 Trading: (5)	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.

03-11-2010, 06:58 PM	#13
kenstogie following the whiterabbit Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 1,325 Trading: (3)	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" __________________ I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

03-11-2010, 09:20 PM	#15
jmsremax Yet another Masshole Join Date: Nov 2009 First Name: Jon Location: MA Posts: 1,245 Trading: (19)	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! __________________ Stock/Finance banter

03-12-2010, 02:01 AM	#16
jaydub13 aka Little Pickle Join Date: Feb 2010 First Name: Jason Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 227 Trading: (5)	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.

03-12-2010, 03:55 AM	#17
baldanders Still Watching My Back Join Date: Nov 2009 First Name: Jim Location: Quincy,Ma Posts: 146 Trading: (4)	Re: New to the coffee world Red barn is great another great one is Flat Black http://flatblackcoffeecompany.com/ __________________ "If I paid ten dollars for a cigar, first I'd make love to it, then I'd smoke it." George Burns

03-12-2010, 10:02 PM	#19
novasurf The Roastmaster General Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 262 Trading: (2)	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 __________________ UB on FB here

03-12-2010, 10:31 PM	#20
Mpython24 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: New to the coffee world I have not been dissapointed these roasts: http://www.cafebritt.com/home peace!