dfk41 totally agree with you, I did the same, in my case I quit espresso a while ago and focused on brew but after trying several roasters, some of them quite expensive I decided to go back to the basis, I sold stuff I didn’t use and in the end I just kept a Mazzer Super Jolly, a Fellow Ode and I mostly use the French press and the mokka. After many years trying recipes and watching videos and being in several groups I realized all these years I actually only wanted a good cup of coffee, which is what it matters at the end of the day. I also realized you DON’T have to spend a lot for getting a good cup of coffee. I have friends very much into this hobby, mixting waters and stuff and complicated recipes and they told me they cannot achieve a good cup of coffee with the mokka…no comments 😉

    In all the years I’ve drunk coffee, I’ve never experienced flavour profiles that follow the wine aesthetic of plum, vanilla, etc, etc (insert other Oz Clarke hyperbole).

    What I’ve found are profiles that are more general like floral, acidic, etc that I can get my head round. It means there’s less that I can be disappointed by as long as I can taste the generic high level tasting notes. I also find when I’m roasting myself, that I stick to the high level notes as well.

    I’ve stopped my dog and hat, last 3 bags out of 4. Filter roast has had grape and chocolate notes 🤢

    Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

    I am currently drinking a bag of this

    https://tynemouthcoffee.com/products/tynemouth-espresso

    It is a cheap blend, absolutely fine in milk but a little unrefined as americano. If anyone likes ‘cowboy coffee’ then it is good value, as is their decaf. You can get a 25% discount meaning the same coffee @£15 for 500 gms plus postage becomes £11.25 including postage for a recurring subscription. Take a punt and cancel it if you do not like it!

    https://www.suddencardiacarrestuk.org/2024/02/thank-goodness-for-madeira-cake/

    I am obviously behind the times! I am sure Coffee Compass used to have a Roasted On date on their attractive personalised labelling. The 4 bags I have just received now no longer have this but do have a single label on the rear offering a batch number combined with a best before date. Two of the bags are unreadable though. This is a shame as they were always one of my favourite roasters. I suppose it is a sign of the success of an expanding operation.

    https://www.suddencardiacarrestuk.org/2024/02/thank-goodness-for-madeira-cake/

    Fyi my order delivered at the start of July had a roasted on date.

    Well, I contacted Richard at Coffee Compass and it turns out one of the 4 bags I received, he could tell me with certainty was roasted on July 25th. That is brilliant because it means I can tuck in! I would normally leave them a bit longer of course. Java Jampit used to be my go to bean. It has a hint of smokiness similar to monsooned malabar. So, my brother was round and I christened him then had a cappa followed by an americano…..sheer bliss!

    https://www.suddencardiacarrestuk.org/2024/02/thank-goodness-for-madeira-cake/

    Think I will try some beans from Coffee Compass. You who are buying from them do you have any certain recommendations?

      Tjyven I live in Spain so I only buy locally but less than before, I am not so much into spending a lot in coffee, I decided it’s just not worth it