Morning Coffeebotherers, I bought 4 bags from this lot:
www.cworks.co.uk
The owner is known as Coffee Kev and he is a Youtuber amongst other things in the coffee world. He reviews basic style equipment with his own style. A bit of a Marmite style but I have to admit I sometimes watch his videos if nothing else takes precedence. He often mentions what I now realise is his own roastery so I thought I would try it and bought 4 different blends with exotic, exciting names and descriptions.
The first bag I opened is this one:

It was only roasted 4 days ago so I would normally leave it a few days longer. It is described as a medium dark roast. I realise that is open to interpretation but to my eye it is definitely medium, looking like milk chocolate in colour. I guessed at the grind using my Zero as the Kafatek is perfectly dialled in for my other bean. The shot took 40 seconds but I drank it anyway whilst making adjustment for the next shot. I will pull one more black americano then leave the beans a few more days to see if they develop at all before passing judgement.
I firmly believe that even lesser roasters should be able to put together some exciting blended offerings. I drink blended as opposed to SO. I do think the bean description needs to be accurate and next time I am out of my chair I will photograph the beans to show the colour.I do hope that they develop into an acceptable offering as both the service and price are really good. I think 4 × 250gm bags including postage was £30.99

The second shot was dialled in correctly. Visually, a rich chocolate brown colour. Am looking forwards to Wednesday when I will next try them.

I had an espresso drinking friend over this morning and we tried a variety of beans I had lying around. This cworks blend is now 6 days post roast. I would not go as far as to say (just yet) that the tasting notes were achieved but what a pleasant drink. You know how some coffees you can smell and taste the same thing. This one had little taste but nice mouthfeel, then seconds later a really pleasant aftertaste. I only had one sip but will have another later on!

Right, I had another of these beans this morning. When I first received my ELizabeth I tried to follow the instructions for entering the advanced menu. This consists of holding down 2 buttons then turning the machine on. When you have very small buttons and fingers like sausages simple things do now always work out. If you do not hold down both buttons together whilst turning the machine on, you reset to factory settings, whatever that maybe!
YEs, I think that happened. She has two buttons but each button has a profile that can be altered. Button one is supposed to inject water onto the puck for 2 to 3 seconds then pre-infuse for 6 then pour. Button 2 is2 to 3 seconds to put water onto the puck then a bloom phase lasting 9 or 10 seconds. Button 1 was injecting the water then immediately beginning the pour (a standard shot) and button 2 had a mind of its own! Anyway, by watching DAve’s videos over and over I have managed to programme the buttons correctly (I think!).
SO, using the Niche Zero i made an americano without milk for breakfast. I cannot say I detected the individual components of the tasting notes but it was interesting. Enough to make me buy this bundle just now. I will leave them for nearer to two weeks before opening
https://www.cworks.co.uk/products/big-bold-collection?_pos=6&_fid=efa76d9c0&_ss=c&variant=44215324377325

If anyone is in to blended beans they could do worse than to try a pack from this roaster. HE seems to predominantly do medium or medium dark. I am going to explore his offering over the next few orders. it certainly will not brek the bank!

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