There is a lot of information on how you make your espresso or coffee, what machine you use etc. How about a good discussion on your favorite coffee beans, i am most interested in those for espresso as that is what I drink the most. I really like Intelligentsia and I have a local house that roasts their own. It would be cool to find single source beans from Kona or Jamaica Blue Mountain roasted for espresso.
What say you?
George
We use Lavazza Bar for espressos and Lavazza Crema e Gusto for cappucino and lattes.
The usual suspects:
Intelligentsia Black Cat
Stumptown Hairbender
Klatch Belle
Blue Bottle Hayes Valley
Counter Culture Apollo
Vivace Dolce
Zoka Paladino
Paradise Neuvo
Victrola Streamline
Terroir Daterra
Metropolis Red Line
Olympia Coffee Big Truck
Velton’s Bonsai
Over the last week, I’ve been pulling shots from Coava’s Honduran produced by Benjamin Miranda. http://coava.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage/products/honduras-benjamin-miranda
Absolutely stunning macchiatos! (available locally at Milstead & Co. in Fremont) Stylistic preferences differ; but ultimately, if it doesn’t have a roast date that I can consult, I won’t touch it.
Local roaster for me; Conservatory for Coffee in Culver City.
Jorge - who’s our local roaster? Near you?
I need to pimp for a new startup roaster in LA founded by three guys who split off from Intelligentsia, including the 2010 World Barrista Champ. Check out their site here–some of their beans are moving into retail now.
Nice, Ken! I’ll keep my eyes open or drop a post if they start on-line sales. (and their website reminded of another favorite - Ritual)
George,
I’d disagree about using Kona or Jamaica Blue Mountain for espresso. Those beans are prized for subtlety (hence the lighter roasts) and that would be lost in roasting for espresso.
I’m also a big Intellengentsia fan though. 
Anything from Terroir is at the top of the list. I have tried just about everything talked about on the wine boards and a few others from the coffee boards and I always come back to George’s stuff.
http://www.terroircoffee.com/
If you really want a single origin try the Yirgacheffe, it is to die for. It looks like there are a number of them available now.
Stumptown Hairbender is my current #2 as I can go over to their place on 28th & Bway to pick up a bag at my leisure vs. planning out a $75 coffee order.
Vivace (both blends) and Black Cat were both disappointing to me.
I’m sure there is more variety if you’re in the Northwest. At some point, however, you get tired of paying a premium to ship across country to the northeast when Terroir is in your back yard, shipping is fixed on 3lbs or more, and the coffee is so so good.
I like Illy. I am too busy anymore to grind my own.
It is called Four Beans in Batavia. Looks like a regular old Coffee shop but when you walk in there is a giant roaster in the middle. He roasts different stuff almost everyday. Unfortunately since 99% of the suburbanites out here know nothing beyond Starbucks or maybe Caribou he is not doing well financially.
George
Cory - You are probably right on the Blue Mountain. I think Kona might work.
George
IMHO, Kona beans (and JBM too) are very overrated. I wouldn’t spend the dosh on the beans even roasted according to “spec”, let alone on an espresso roast. I think you should consider yourself lucky that we have Intellegentsia so accessible. If you ever get up to Milwaukee, you might check out Alterra too. I think they roast some VERY good beans.
That said, if you are going to look for a roaster who will make a Kona espresso roast, just be sure you’re getting 100% Kona beans and not a blend. Legally, a coffee merchant can mix 10% Kona beans with 90% low quality (cheap) coffee and call it “Kona Blend”.
Good luck.
Sean - Thank you for the recommendation. I ordered some of Coava’s Honduran. I’ll let you know how it goes.
George
The most consistently balanced and delicious beans I have used since starting to brew my own 35 years ago is Steve’s Blend at The Coffee and Tea Exchange here in Chicago. This has been in their lineup since forever, and I just tried it about a year ago, and I am hooked.
Their on-line store is now up and running. Thanks for the tip, Ken!
Had some of this shipped in. It really is phenomenal. Much better/richer/more complex than the Black Cat.
Thanks for the rec.
George
Blue Bottle Sidamo for me; when they don’t have it in stock I can live with a few others that they carry, but there’s really no comparison. Rich, round, velvety with some chocolate overtones.
But assuming that you have beans that meet up to a certain minimum level of quality, freshness is what is most important.
Awesome - glad you like it!
Just noted that Tougo (here in Seattle) is serving Handsome Coffee.
I was just about to mention it. Am drinking the San Vicente this week and it is gorgeous as a drip coffee. The Ruthagati is unreal–got some in their beta program. Have had the espresso made for me, but since I don’t have a proper espresso machine at home I can’t speak to how well it works with home brewing equipment. That said, the machiatto that was made for me was incredible.