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Best Coffee Subscriptions in SA?
- Thread starter zs-kev
- Start date
I have always let things be when it comes to criticism of Quaffee, I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion and Quaffee does not try and be everything to all. But the packaging comment while valid has some logic to it. There is a post on the Quaffee site about it: www.quaffee.com/posts/about-our-coffee-packaging/. Essentially, why should a coffee roaster be forced to use packaging made in China, when that packaging does nothing for the coffee freshness. The Quaffee packaging is locally made, and the post shows how many tests they did before settling on a locally made product. Also, if you want they are happy to use your packaging and give you a little extra for that effort. Sorry to hear that you find the packaging so offensive.
RedViking
Nord of the South
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RedViking
Nord of the South
Personally I don't like the Quaffee packaging.
Edit: See a different opinion on the bags here:
About our coffee packaging – Quaffee
Quaffee coffee-wwki About our coffee packaging.www.quaffee.com
@WGAFA due to my respect for specialty beans and the effort going into sourcing of the beans as well as a general respect for the coffee industry and those behind it in South Africa. I have updated my comment to sound less aggressive. Note in the future I am always open to discussions and debates.
I suggest to also test the storage of the Quaffee beans in a high humidity environment such as KZN coast if not done already.
If I do order from Quaffee again (they are quite pricey, although as I have mentioned in other posts which will serve you good to read as well, top notch beans) , I will try do a test on the freshness of the beans over a period of 30 days, compared to other high quality specialty beans suppliers. Might not be soon though. I understand the argument there shouldn't be a notable difference and I am responsible for storing the beans in a good environment etc. Note that I also order from other suppliers who do use the "valved" packaging and have different results, despites Quaffee's opinion on it.
I also find Quaffee to be quite expensive, which is not a problem of course, but then wondered why they just went for a zip lock bag + the premium fee. Obviously they believe it is the right way to do it compared to many other in the industry. Obviously I am just a self taught home barista with a passion for making coffee and not a scientist.
RedViking
Nord of the South
RedViking
Nord of the South
Guys! Give this a shot! I do question the airtightness of the storage containers, although really awesome. Pulled a light roast this morning and it was just AMAZING! from start to finish. I will see how they do further into month as well.
Looks awesome! Do they tell you who roasts the coffee though? My only thing against that is what if you find a selection you really love, how do you get again in the future if you don’t know who the roaster is?
Looking forward to hearing your feedback on that selection.
The one issue I have, being new to this world of espresso, I am really struggling to dial in, by the time I got a drinkable shot on one of the discover great coffee club beans, I had enough to make 1 more shot, it’s either super sour, sour, bitter or super bitter…I can’t seem to find that sweet spot. So with the mystery box club, they are 100g…don’t think I’m ready for that yet as I doubt I will be able to dial in before I run out.
Waiting for COVID to calm down a bit here in Joburg and then gonna give the beanthere barista course a try…hopefully I will be able to get close to decent shots.
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I still dont drink "pure" espresso only time i did was in France with 0.5 tsp sugar. Had espresso straight from proper coffee houses and would describe it as you did - personally not my thing.
I highly recommend that you go round to the proper coffee houses and ask for a espresso and see how it compares to yours. I was chasing the "perfect" espresso didnt find it so just focused on great coffee
Doesnt bother me happy with a cappucino or americano
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I have to admit that I am not a espresso drinker either, I prefer a flat white, though I still want that coffee to come through the milk. I have made 2 flat whites so far, and both of them the sourness of the espresso has come through, that's why I would like to try and improve the espresso flavour, so that I can improve the flat white.
I do want to go around and try out from different roasters, though COVID is really getting in the way of that....so until things calm down, I am on my own.
RedViking
Nord of the South
@zs-kev I will find out on more info on the beans and how it works if you like the beans. Will let you know what they say.
I set my grind (assuming it is high quality freshly roasted) according to roast. Medium it is usually 6 or 7. Light roast is usually 8 or 9. I am not a fan of dark roasts.
So for this one I could see it is a light to medium roast by looking at the beans as well as written in the little info they gave. 17.3g in. Setting 8 on my breville grinder. 34/35g out after about 35 seconds. This was my first shot. So next shot I know I can bring it down to 28-30 second by making the dose 17 or 17.1g.
So generally it only takes me 2 or 3 shots to get the timing right. Then as I enjoy the coffee I make slight adjustments. I then write on the container 8 / 17.1 / 35. So now next time I pull a shot I am going to try those settings. That way I still enjoy a great shot, but know what adjustment to make the next day or next shot without wasting a good cup.
@Snyper564 I don't really drink a complete espressos, but I do taste it before pouring the milk or whatever drink I am busy making. It shouldn't be overly sour or bitter. This is where you need to make the adjustments And then when I am happy I know it will sweeten a bit with the milk, or bit more acidic taste as americano etc.
If it is sour, generally you then would want to pull a longer shot. Sour, generally, under extracted.
If it is bitter, genially you then want to pull a faster shot. Bitter, generally, over extracted.
That said, there are so many other variations.
RedViking
Nord of the South
This is exactly it. And espresso is pure and strong. So don't confuse that for a negative taste. If it is very sour or very bitter, this is the best way to know you need to work on your shot. The flavours of an espresso can be overwhelming. Some beans work great for milk drinks, other works great for americanos, other great for pour overs. A safe choice is usually a good blend of beans from a couple of selections. Single origins becomes a bit more challenging. To me anyways. I consider myself very inexperienced still.
Thanks!
With the Eureka Mignon, its a bit more difficult as its step less, so I am using the numbers and markers to help me with adjustments, but there is no setting I can just put it in to get close enough....I have to keep messing around with it until I am in that ballpark range.
I feel like it so much more complicated than that! lol! I have gone through hours and hours of YouTube videos, read through home-barista.com's guides, but still dont feel like I am fully understanding how my adjustments are effecting the final result.
The other minor issue I have, is that I am using our regular kitchen scale, which is only accurate to 1g. I do need to get a more accurate scale. Looking at the Falicita Arc.
RedViking
Nord of the South
You have one fancy grinder. Can't help you there. Find the bean you like and stick to it, lol!
Seems like you go big which is awesome. I just have this simple one:
Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store
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I snagged one of these for R2.5k on gumtree 4 years back one of my best buys used pretty much never as it was the guys decaf grinder and no one drank decaf so he sold it. Its built like a tank (+-15kg) and I use it for my beers grain grinding too. Replaced hopper with aeropress funnel as I do one cup at a time and removed "doser" and made a chute so the one cup grinds go straight from grinder to portafilterYou have one fancy grinder. Can't help you there. Find the bean you like and stick to it, lol!
Seems like you go big which is awesome. I just have this simple one:
Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store
South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.www.takealot.com
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Thanks...yea, I think its just gonna take time and experience to get to know it and used to it.
I wouldn't call it going big, as for going big would be getting the Acaia Lunar scale lol! Though I do like to go 'big' as I live under the mantra, you get what you pay for...so I try to go for decent first time round if I can afford it.
Thats awesome man! I could get the single dosing conversion for this grinder, though I am the only one in the house that would actually single dose, its easier to just put everything in the hopper as it makes it easier for everyone else to dose once I set a time on the machine.
RedViking
Nord of the South
And the origin of the divorce can probably be traced back to her willingly drinking instant coffee.
RedViking
Nord of the South
Possibility the owner of https://themysterycoffeeclub.co.za/ will come post here and answer questions @zs-kev . Hope they dont struggle with post count limits or something posting for first.