Cuprajake That sounds like it may be a darker roast due to ‘full body’ ?
Anyway, I appreciate the suggestion, but I was looking for a much cheaper test. I’m reading through https://coffeetime.freeflarum.com/d/1128-cheap-beans and I may try some of the A1 beans.
I started with a Bambino and it’s certainly capable of making great coffee. On a weekly basis I would take off the shower screen and give it a good wash in soapy water with washing up liquid and then 15 mins in a Puly Caff solution with my baskets etc. Was my weekly maintenance cycle.
I’d suggest giving the Coffee Compass Mystery blend a go - it’s usually amazing value.
I know some people struggle with coffee after COVID - have you had this recently at all?
dutchy101 I did have Covid over Christmas, but waited to start my coffee journey until after.
The espresso I’ve been pulling up until the last two/three bags has all been nice though (within my skill range) so it would be odd if I’m suddenly being affected now. Can’t rule it out, I guess.
I will start regularly cleaning the shower screen along with everything else. I do use a puck screen, and the shower screen (after inspection) is typically completely clean, but it won’t hurt to add it into my routine. Good suggestion.
What differences did you really notice when you moved ‘up’ from the Bambino ? So far, I’m appreciating how I’d want something that has at least temperature adjustment and a 3-way solenoid valve for better brew control, along with a way to view pressure (and perhaps better control it). Beyond that, I’m happy with the Bambino.
I had Covid back end of Autumn - seriously impacted on my sense of taste so much so, drinking coffee became pointless - didn’t enjoy it at all. Sense of taste started to come back and only fully returned end of January. I wondered if it had gone for good.
Nah, it’s a medium roast, I just know it’s a very consistent roast
Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -
They may have changed it
Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -
mobius What differences did you really notice when you moved ‘up’ from the Bambino ? So far, I’m appreciating how I’d want something that has at least temperature adjustment and a 3-way solenoid valve for better brew control, along with a way to view pressure (and perhaps better control it). Beyond that, I’m happy with the Bambino.
The Bambino is a great machine - perfect for a starter set up. I lucked out with mine. I got an old stock version for £229 in April 2020 which developed a fault. Sage replaced it with a brand new machine which worked fine but the cleaning mode had a fault which meant it soaked my worktop everytime I did a clean. I put up with it for about 9 months then asked them to repair it - they couldn’t do it so I got another brand new machine which I sold for £300 and bought an ACS Minima in black a year ago.
The Minima is perfect for my needs - love having temperature control and I’ve fitted a flow control kit to it too. Love having an E61 group and no lever to have to maintain. It’s got everything I want from a machine and haven’t felt the urge to change it - never say never, but I don’t see the point for my needs. I absolutely love how it looks - I know looks are subjective and the looks of the Minima are marmite, but it’s a work of art to my eyes.
@mobius I’ve always found Blackcat chocolate point blend to be a reasonably priced crowd pleaser (https://www.blackcatcoffee.co.uk/products/chocolate-point-blend).
I prefer a fruity naturally processed Ethiopian, but for something normal it’s pretty good.
I’m reluctant to point the finger as I’ve had a LOT of coffee from Rave which has been fantastic. However I did stop ordering from them recently after a few kilos of blends definitely seemed less enjoyable. Might be down to adjustments in the blend perhaps.
I now subscribe to NewGround Mug Shot which is a single origin Brazilian at around £21 a kilo. Chocolatey med/dark and it’s fantastic as espresso, flat white and brew, as well as good value.
Also is it possible you’re over extracting? A med-dark could taste smoky if overextracted. It can be tempting to run a medium/dark for 30-34 seconds at 1:2 and granted that’s a sweet spot for a lot of those roasts, but I’ve had fantastic results with some darker roasts around 23-35 seconds. Worth a try.
Try Blackcat’s Chocolate Point, Signature Blend and Twilight Blend. The latter is a dark roast, the CP is medium dark and the SB is also medium dark I think. My daughter liked all of them as she prefers medium dark and dark roasts. You can start with their CP, which is easy to dial in as well.
Choc point is darker than the north star Brazil imo
Inger both regularly for the Mrs.
Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -
Also is it possible you’re over extracting? A med-dark could taste smoky if overextracted. It can be tempting to run a medium/dark for 30-34 seconds at 1:2 and granted that’s a sweet spot for a lot of those roasts, but I’ve had fantastic results with some darker roasts around 23-35 seconds. Worth a try.
It’s absolutely possible, and I am trying different approaches (hence my looking for some cheaper beans to really see how these changes can play out). Keeping at a 1:2 (which is my usual spot), I haven’t noticed any different pulling longer or shorter, with respect to the aftertaste, but overextraction could still be the culprit I guess.
More experimentation needed. None of the results are ‘bad’ - just not what I would enjoy. I’m also still correcting my expectations for what to see from a Medium roast vs Dark, etc.
Definitely the North Star brazilian. 7 cashoeiras. it’s super easy to work with and makes excellent coffee. I’m half way into a kilo, it’s the best brazil coffee I’ve had in ages.
It really is
Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -
