[cmeisenzahl]

We recently started grinding our own beans and love it. I've checked out BocaJava and Peet's. What else should I consider?

Thanks!

[paul w]

Depends where you are - there's all kinds of small, local roasters around.

I currently buy my beans from Gorilla Coffee .

Of course they're a block from my apartment here in Brooklyn.

[scaught]

Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea, Inc. - Home has some good stuff

[Mrjinglesusa]

Without a doubt - Killer Beans. You'll never find more aromatic, oily beans anywhere.

Coffee - Gourmet Whole Beans - Coffee to Die For

[BadKosh]

Whole foods has some good beans, but finding a specialty roaster is best. ($$$$$$$$$)

[macforray]

I used to own a small coffee shop and I purchased some of my product from these folks:

Gourmet Coffee, Wholesale by Kaldi Gourmet Coffee Roasters

Also, don't be afraid to buy "green" beans and roast them yourself in small batches in your oven. That way, once you find that perfect bean and roast, you will have your very own signature brew.

[k squared]

I'll second Intelligentisa. Fantastic coffee and I much prefer their Direct Trade program over Fair Trade.

[RAILhead]

The Roasterie - Home - 110% recommended!
Terroir Select Coffees

[MacosNerd]

I guess my tastes are rather pedestrian

[JohnPlantada]

Originally Posted by MacosNerd 

I guess my tastes are rather pedestrian

dunkin donuts = #1

There's only one (that I know of) in san antonio and it's about 30 min from my house....

[natnabour]

I'm so glad no one's said Starbucks - they have the worst coffee ever.

cmeisenzahl, there was a poll taken in Los Angeles where offices voted on their favorite coffees....Peet's won.

[V12]

i second gorilla coffee, its near me in brooklyn too, not quite around the corner but a 5 minute drive, im guessing you're from prospect park paul w? i have an apartment in carrol gardens. Also check out this local place damico coffee (court st. for those of you in downtown bklyn) i think they have a website - damicofoods.com

additionally, whole foods has an italian dark roast thats bold but still super smooth. I also think mud blend coffee from the village in NYC (themudtruck.com) is good too.

As far as espresso i use this blend that moka d'oro specially makes for this italian cafe, of whom i know the owners of.

[MacosNerd]

I don't like starbucks too much but I give one thing over some (or most) Dunkin Donuts these days.

Fresh products. A lot of the DDs in Boston have stale muffins. I had a starbucks muffin one day and was floored at how good and fresh it was. I've given up getting anything to eat at any DD in boston. Its just bad it even looks bad, the color looks odd.

by the same token, the dunkin donuts that is down the road from my house has fresh/warm muffins. I don't get why some seem to make their own stuff and others seems to buy day old stale bakery goods.

With all of the competition heating up, starbucks, McDonalds bringing their own gourmet coffee why have stale bakery goods
[/rant]

[memento]

thanks! I was going to post a thread like this! We have a local roaster who has some great stuff. Coffee their sumatra is one of my favorites.

[ghporter]

Gevalia REALLY good coffees and a whole lot more.

[memento]

I forgot about gevalia. They surprised me. much better than I expected.

[shifuimam]

I love me some Starbucks.

I worked there for three years, and it's really the best coffee I've had. I know that people are coffee snobs for or against Starbucks, but I love it. A lot. I can't drink anything else because I enjoy the taste of Starbucks so much now.

Sorry to disappoint.

[paul w]

If you're happy why should that disappoint.

Rather, I would consider why others prefer other coffee roasters. Freshness and quality of roast is a big factor. Coffee is a fragile thing ultimately, and variances in preparation can really affect flavor.

[Arty50]

I love Pete's but my favorite is Alpen Sierra. It's a small roaster/coffee shop in South Lake Tahoe. Their coffee is incredible.

[turtle777]

For lattes:
I buy whole beans and grind them for my espresso machine. I've tried all kinds of different products and roasts, but so far, I like Starbucks French Roast the best.

For espresso:
Illy's


For coffee:
German coffee from Aldi or Tim Hortons.

-t

[shifuimam]

Originally Posted by paul w 

If you're happy why should that disappoint.

Rather, I would consider why others prefer other coffee roasters. Freshness and quality of roast is a big factor. Coffee is a fragile thing ultimately, and variances in preparation can really affect flavor.

I'd wonder how many people who say they hate Starbucks have only ever tried their lighter roasts/blends. Breakfast Blend tastes like Folgers. Verona and Sumatra, on the other hand, are freakin awesome. Dark, not too bitter, strong...mmmmm.

[osiris]

Originally Posted by natnabour 

I'm so glad no one's said Starbucks - they have the worst coffee ever.

cmeisenzahl, there was a poll taken in Los Angeles where offices voted on their favorite coffees....Peet's won.

speak for yourself. I've had Jamaican Blue Mountain freshly roasted for me in Jamaica on a daily basis, and the only coffee that comes close to that is freshly ground Starbuck's French Roast.

Peet's taste like burnt soil imo.

[Kenneth]

I don't think Starbucks beans are the worst. BTW, anyone tried Tully's coffee? I guess not many people heard of Tully's.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Kenneth 

I don't think Starbucks beans are the worst. BTW, anyone tried Tully's coffee? I guess not many people heard of Tully's.

I had it once when visiting Seattle. Was good, but didn't make a lasting impression.

-t

[xi_hyperon]

Originally Posted by shifuimam 

I'd wonder how many people who say they hate Starbucks have only ever tried their lighter roasts/blends. Breakfast Blend tastes like Folgers. Verona and Sumatra, on the other hand, are freakin awesome. Dark, not too bitter, strong...mmmmm.

I've tried the Verona before, and thought it wasn't bad at all.

[osiris]

The SB dark Italian Espresso is wonderful with 30% French Roast mixed in. Definately gogo juice.