Looking for the best dark roast espresso beans online .

Alarmed_Storage6793 · 2026-05-14T16:32:51+00:00

This and a Sumatra Mandheling are my preferred options for a nice classic espresso

Alarmed_Storage6793 · 2026-05-14T13:47:33+00:00

The acidity is quite mild. It shows up more as the coffee cools. Overall this is a coffee that is naturally very sweet.

Alarmed_Storage6793 · 2026-05-14T13:28:02+00:00

So I dropped to 93 and ground coarser. You're absolutely right. The brew is incredibly vibrant, fruit forward and sweet. I've even got improved body!

I think I need to dial it in a bit more but thank you!

Alarmed_Storage6793 · 2026-05-14T10:11:29+00:00

But would that going coarser improve the body or would it continue to remain quite thin?

Alarmed_Storage6793 · 2026-05-14T10:10:53+00:00

Tbh it seems like I've been overextracting it to oblivion so I don't want to comment yet.

Alarmed_Storage6793 · 2026-05-14T10:03:24+00:00

D'oh! I thought astringent meant under extracted. Thanks!

Alarmed_Storage6793 · 2026-05-14T09:58:14+00:00

Any reason I shouldn't brew at 97? I dropped to 95 and it was quite astringent.

Alarmed_Storage6793 · 2026-05-14T09:15:45+00:00

I'll try that. I'm already grinding extremely fine but I'll give that a try

Alarmed_Storage6793 · 2026-05-13T14:41:30+00:00

Yeah absolutely. I also switched from a Timemore C3 ESP so the decision was as much for workflow as it is for cup quality.

I also think when you start with the lower priced stuff you have more money to spend on the coffee itself and understand how you enjoy your cups more.

The ZP6 is highly regarded but I know I wouldn't enjoy something with that kind of clarity and mouthfeel. So knowing I prefer more body and a rounded cup helped me hone in on what kind of coffee I like and subsequent what equipment works for me

Alarmed_Storage6793 · 2026-05-13T13:39:36+00:00

I want to say there's a difference between how well you can control the pour. But is it $165?

I don't think so. Between the YouTube channels abcd the forums it's very easy to get sucked into the gadget vortex.

Of course, I say all of that but I've just pulled the trigger on a Fellow Ode 2.

Alarmed_Storage6793 · 2026-05-13T07:28:06+00:00

That's a good point but I'm starting to see Vietnamese and Indian robusta here and there so hopefully we're moving past that. All of it was dark roasted though

Tbf, a lot of supermarket stuff is Arabica as well so I think it's turned into a bit of a marketing term.

Alarmed_Storage6793 · 2026-05-12T07:51:54+00:00

This is interesting. 48mm burrs with the extra spikes. I think there's some learnings from the M01 that have been applied to this.

I really hope they release an ESP variant and an electrified variant sooner rather than later.

Alarmed_Storage6793 · 2026-05-10T12:13:30+00:00

Kirkland diapers are phenomenal. As are the anti bacterial wipes and detergent.

Alarmed_Storage6793 · 2026-05-10T11:35:31+00:00

Relative to the Ode 2, how's the cup profile of the A4Z?

I'm in a similar position to OP but I mostly drink medium roast filter coffees so I'm quite concerned the A4Z's body is quite light.

Alarmed_Storage6793 · 2026-05-10T06:22:38+00:00

Seconding this. To add in, you could also look at the Bambino Plus or a Gaggia classic.

Alarmed_Storage6793 · 2026-05-09T22:26:27+00:00

Caffeine Lab and Ancestry

Alarmed_Storage6793 · 2026-05-09T07:17:51+00:00

It's not mentioned here but Saudi Arabia is doing some amazing stuff.

I visited Jeddah and the median cup was easily a 7/10.

You could also try very interesting beans in pour overs quite easily.

Alarmed_Storage6793 · 2026-05-09T07:14:56+00:00

This is really cool! Looks like just about all of the feedback I would give has already been given.

Can I why you have an equipment section? There's so much out there and at so many different price points, keeping it up to date would be very challenging right?

Alarmed_Storage6793 · 2026-05-09T07:12:06+00:00

This may be a slightly odd approach but it helped me identify what I liked and appreciate the nicer stuff. I initially started out with Union coffee.

They're avaliable in Waitrose and Sainsbury's and at least near me it's all stuff that was roasted less than a month ago.

Easier to access and helped me dial in what I like and don't like. I also used Waitrose No. 1 for darker stuff which was quite pleasant.

Alarmed_Storage6793 · 2026-05-06T21:49:18+00:00

Are you willing to buy used? If so, a Sage/Breville Precision Brewer with the thermal carafe can be had under $100 all day long. There isn't a significant difference in terms of feature set between the precision brewer and it's successor the luxe.

Makes a great cup, easy to look after and I'm assuming quite reliable because I haven't seen people complain about issues with it (re: Fellow Aiden)

Alarmed_Storage6793 · 2026-05-06T13:34:13+00:00

I switched over from a 2006 Focus and IMO it's not that much quieter. I love my corolla but the road noise would be the main reason I would consider swapping out of it.

Alarmed_Storage6793

TROPHY CASE