Coffee machine

[Skip GT]

The pod things work out expensive, as you pay per cup. Also, as the pod fit is patented, you are at the manufacturer's mercy for pod price increases and flavours etc. Keep that in mind when buying.

I also have a Nespresso. I see see Checkers stock 3-4 different flavours of the pods which are Nespresso compatible at half the price.

[Oxter]

Pretty strict - one month from roast is for sure stale, unless it has been frozen. Actually it's known as the rule of 15's - 15 months from harvest for green beans, 15 days from roasting and 15 minutes from grinding - but the last one is more like 5 minutes in my opinion before you can notice taste changes.

 

could you please elaborate on the freezing part? Do you place it in zip lock bags and what do you do when you defrost it? how long can you keep it in the freezer?

[LukeV-2]

Mmmm, okay. Interesting, that's what I thought as well. I'm surprised to see a roastery selling their beans in Picknpay, still on shelf months after roast date, surely that's brand damaging?

 

I've spoken with some coffee professionals and they claim that in an airtight bag coffee beans can last 3 months easily. Pre-ground is an absolute sell-out though.

[Brian Fantana]

Pretty strict - one month from roast is for sure stale, unless it has been frozen. Actually it's known as the rule of 15's - 15 months from harvest for green beans, 15 days from roasting and 15 minutes from grinding - but the last one is more like 5 minutes in my opinion before you can notice taste changes.

 

In my limited experience, I can also say that things go South from two weeks past roast date, but I assume storage plays an important part.

 

I have also found that coffee is vey Intense for a day or two after roasting. Friday after work, I popped in at Masterton's and the one type of bean I bought was scooped from the roaster into the bag. I had two doubles when I got home at about 18:00. Could only sleep by about 03:00 am (I am usually not affected by a double or two in the evening).

[iteachcoffee]

I have some green beans that I roast, how long can these beans keep?

green beans are at their best from 3-4 days after roasting till 3 weeks. They fall off sharply after around 4 weeks. They go flat and woody. Green beans themselves last up to a year depending on storage. Vacuum packed is best. (for gree, not roasted. Store roasted in a cool dark place, in an airtight container. No, not the fridge or freezer)

[V12man]

could you please elaborate on the freezing part? Do you place it in zip lock bags and what do you do when you defrost it? how long can you keep it in the freezer?

I usually divide bags into about 4 - 7 days worth and put them in ziplocks - then they go in the freezer until the day before use, then I just take them out 1 at a time and leave them around an hour before use. The big BUT here is that you should use a freezer that does not have an auto defrost cycle - that seems to shorten the life considerably - but in a proper deep freeze then 3 - 6 months is doable - although the life does get shorter towards the end - I don't generally keep beans more than about 6 weeks in the freezer.

[iteachcoffee]

I've spoken with some coffee professionals and they claim that in an airtight bag coffee beans can last 3 months easily. Pre-ground is an absolute sell-out though.

it remains a compromise. Buy small quantities often. Weekly or bi-weekly

[iteachcoffee]

I usually divide bags into about 4 - 7 days worth and put them in ziplocks - then they go in the freezer until the day before use, then I just take them out 1 at a time and leave them around an hour before use. The big BUT here is that you should use a freezer that does not have an auto defrost cycle - that seems to shorten the life considerably - but in a proper deep freeze then 3 - 6 months is doable - although the life does get shorter towards the end - I don't generally keep beans more than about 6 weeks in the freezer.

dont remove from the freezer and use. Let them get to room temperature before opening. Dont let them suck moisture to them. Seriously, don't bother. Buy less more often, and fresh. ultimately better and less hassle

[DIPSLICK]

Ok every now and then I pop in here, but I don't read the thread, page for page

 

So here is my question,,,,,a good coffee machine, not at a houses price, but it doesn't have to be cheap as checkers, BUT A MONKEY (me) must be able to make great coffee

 

Suggestions, literally walk in buy walk out make great coffee ,,,, if not into a shop, a model I can look for second hand

[V12man]

I've spoken with some coffee professionals and they claim that in an airtight bag coffee beans can last 3 months easily. Pre-ground is an absolute sell-out though.

Marketing speak.... the taste does change - and they lose crema significantly after 2 weeks - kind of depends on what taste you like...... some people like very dark roasts, and they do last longer than lighter roasts (imho) - I am not a dark roast fan at all - prefer the Scandinavian school of roasting....

[V12man]

dont remove from the freezer and use. Let them get to room temperature before opening. Dont let them suck moisture to them. Seriously, don't bother. Buy less more often, and fresh. ultimately better and less hassle

I don't open the packet till defrosted... Despite living within 5 minutes of several roasters, I often import beans, and they don't like to ship small quantities.... and I don't like to pay the courier fees...

[cadenceblur]

I tend to agree with this approach, one wonders about the merits of all these coffee selection packs going around. In a normal household, one would never get through all that coffee "in time" I bought one of these batches from Discover Great Coffee, don't think I'll do so again. Only one bag had the roasting date indicated, which I think is poor for an initiative heavily promoted by The Coffee Magazine. Seeing beans in a retailer 6 months old is also disappointing.

[Dirty Sanchez]

Dankie bruin beer.

Stokstywes eiers!

[V12man]

Ok every now and then I pop in here, but I don't read the thread, page for page

 

So here is my question,,,,,a good coffee machine, not at a houses price, but it doesn't have to be cheap as checkers, BUT A MONKEY (me) must be able to make great coffee

 

Suggestions, literally walk in buy walk out make great coffee ,,,, if not into a shop, a model I can look for second hand

Buy a Super auto - won't be top class, but will be a) quick, b) easy and c) more than good enough with a little tweaking - then if it grabs your interest, go play on Mr Potgieters new toy and see if it still keeps you interested... Despite having a few machines at home, my wife won't use them as they are too much hassle, so she sticks to the super auto in the kitchen.... and she is happy with that, unless I am making it for her.... in which case she gets fussy sometimes, especially if her friends are around...

[Dirty Sanchez]

Ok every now and then I pop in here, but I don't read the thread, page for page

 

So here is my question,,,,,a good coffee machine, not at a houses price, but it doesn't have to be cheap as checkers, BUT A MONKEY (me) must be able to make great coffee

 

Suggestions, literally walk in buy walk out make great coffee ,,,, if not into a shop, a model I can look for second hand

Maybe start with a good grinder + an Aeropress.

 

Always remember to use fresh beans & grind on demand.

[DIPSLICK]

Super auto, is that all I ask for