MediumRoastSteam Exactly this and the reason for my post. When you’ve not got much experience (or at least, the way I think about things still being a novice) then you tend to go a lot by what you are told, rather than asking the question ‘what does this actually mean’?

I’ve wondered if a roast profile can affect the bias towards filter or espresso not just ‘roast level’ - but again, this assumes there is a ‘right’/ ‘better’ way to roast for a specific brew method as a standard, which there isn’t (within reason - e.g. dark/ very dark roast as a filter - but the again, there will be someone out there who likes it!).

A lot of this also stems from having no real knowledge of the roasting process. Something else to become more familiar with, purely from the perspective of being more informed when buying beans.

    MediumRoastSteam I take your experience on board. We also understand from experience of buying beans from Roasters. Some examples from my experience of the bags I tried are :

    • Extract coffee descriptions of roast level are often consistent
    • Rave’s, Goats, Compass and Casuals are off the mark and I often find them skewed to the right. The only exception for Casuals is Kenyan
    • Blackcat’s is ok
    • Crankhouse - consistent

    I am enjoying Blackcat’s Costa Rican. I do want to try their Ethiopian. Foundry is on top of my list at the moment. I checked the North Star site last night; I find them very expensive. A lot of their bags are £48 a KG.

        LMSC This is really interesting and helpful. I have not bought enough from one roaster to be able to gauge consistency.

        On the price point - Crankhouse is surely up there with North Star for price?

        • LMSC replied to this.

            PortafilterProcrastinator We have purchased enough from Extract, Compass, Blackcat and Raves. We never had a filter roast from Extract, which we are open to in addition to decaf from both Extract and Raves. We are ok to buy from Blackcat.

            My family likes less fruity and medium dark coffee; one or two bags — Betty — from Extract is good. The Mount Kercini from Compass is also good. I am not sure what I would like to buy as a subscription for them.

            Goats - just had two bags. Good coffee, off description and were without roast dates. It only had the best before dates. They said they were a month old. Offered a refund or a replacement. I didn’t take either. A lot of beehive after a shot was pulled. Won’t buy again for the lack of a roast date and the roast level not consistent.

            Casuals - off the mark. I will only buy Kenyan Mikari from them. I bought a KG each two times so far.

            I think Crankhouse is cheaper than North Star. I only purchased a bag from Crankhouse - Izuba washed. This was a light roast.

            Hope it helps! Thx

              A photo of my Bom Jesus Brazilian natural beans, roasted on my Behmor last week. A bit of scorching on some beans, but not easy to completely avoid. The Niche ground beans would indicate a lighter roast level than just looking at the beans.

              Given where we are with espresso machines this days, which can control all sorts of temperatures, pressures, flows, profiles etc… I don’t think there is a distinction between an espresso roast and a filter roast anymore. Maybe 20 years ago, but not so much now. In my view, of course.

              Who would think that a “juicy banger” would be any good as an espresso 20 years or so ago? Not many, I don’t think.

              • LMSC replied to this.

                @PortafilterProcrastinator Ah… roast level. Got it. I started roasting last April with the aim of mastering dark roasts first I.e. being able to produce a really top notch dark roasted espresso, batch after batch. That took about six months. My intention was to then work My way to medium and then light which I’m now doing. Always learning of course, will be for decades I hope.

                MediumRoastSteam I don’t think there is a distinction between an espresso roast and a filter roast anymore

                Not sure, I agree with this. I have purchased a lot of espresso roasts, which tends be on the darker side, unless the roaster states it is good for both.

                    LMSC - Precisely my point. Buy “filter roasts” therefore and use them to brew espresso. 😀

                    ps: I’m not sure whether the placement of the comma after “Not sure” is strategic or a mistake. :-) - Assumed it was a mistake. If not, disregard my comment above :-)

                        Some coffees look darker than others finished at the same temperature, some look more or less even too (on the outside). What matters most is development. Roast profiles make a huge difference. You’ll probably be surprised to discover the agtron readings of coffees you have been considering light, medium, dark for example. I’ve been roasting for years and always judged by eye but recently got a little agtron reader that promptly told me my medium-dark roasts were actually light-medium and my medium roast was actually “very light”. Assuming the bean is properly roasted and actually possesses the attributes you want e.g “fruity” it can be medium or even dark roasted without negative smoky/carbon flavours and still present obvious fruit notes. Likewise, you can have a light roast that is just acidic rather than fruity if it’s not properly roasted.

                          Rob1 Iv’e a twice fermented Colombian which looks much darker for the true level of roast. I have one roast where the coffee hand’t quite finished 1st crack and it looks like a coffee well past 1st.

                          Contact me

                            14 days later

                            So Coffee Compass roasts are generally thought to be quite dark.

                            I’ve just cracked open a Cherry Cherry Espresso blend and they state it’s a lighter medium / medium roast. Seems pretty good to me

                              PortafilterProcrastinator

                              Still dialing in at the moment - needs quite a fine grind using the VST basket but I must say the extractions have looked absolutely lovely so far albeit a little on the quick side. Enjoyed the coffees, but still not there with the grind.