Originally Posted by martin_j001
I'm a coffee addict too. I need to get a much better espresso maker though, and a better burr grinder. The one I currently have isn't too easy to clean, and gets coffee grinds all over the damn place. French presses rule, and they're cheap!! The best way to make coffee.... Can anyone reccomend a good bean for making espresso with? I've tried the Starbuck's Espresso Roast, as well as the Gevalia (hey, I got a free drip coffee maker, it was worth it
) Espresso Roast. Any recommendations?
Coffee for espresso should be freshly roasted, within two weeks for best results. The degree of roast will matter as much or more than the type of beans used. I prefer lighter roasts for espresso which are basically beans roasted to the point when oil first appears on the surface or slightly before. For french press I prefer darker roasts. There are specialty roasters which roast just before shipping. Some Costco stores have roasters right in the store and they roast almost on a daily basis. My favorite single origin beans are those from Africa (Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, etc.), although I'm also fond of Sumatra and some South American beans. My least favorite for espresso are low altitude coffees like Kona, Jamacian, and other various island coffees.