More coffee

[ksmith]

In relation to this post of a few days ago.

Bought a bag of Eight O'Clock Italian Roast the other day. It's not available everywhere, but it's very easy to spot since it is packaged in a hideous purple bag. Grape jelly purple, as in 'I didn't know Welch's made coffee."

I bought a bag, figured if it was way too strong, I could mix it with the Colombian and use it up that way. Turns out that by itself, it isn't bad. Reminds me of Starbuck's Breakfast Blend, which I like. Maybe a little stronger. If I can find it, I will get it again.

And hey, Eight O'Clock has a website. Looks like the Dark Roast, which came in a dark cream-colored bag, is no longer made. The Dark Italian Roast is described as 'a dark Seattle roast,' which tells me that if you're looking for something that tastes Starbucky/Caribou, this brew is for you. I have also tried the French Roast, which seems to be weaker on the scale, and is described as European cafe coffee. I should give it another chance.

They also make this stuff called Bokar, which is packaged in a black bag and can be used to make espresso. I have not seen that one anywhere, and would probably not try it. Might be stronger than I prefer. I like the occasional cup of espresso, but I don't have a way to make it properly.

Comments

[neutronjockey.livejournal.com]

I consider Breakfast Blend (Starbucks) to be a fairly mild coffee. Tasty IMO, but mild. Now, if you want some srsness behind your bean...check out Illy (http://www.illyusa.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TopCategoriesDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10051). They nitrogen load their canisters --- the inert gas doesn't promote decay post-roast. Mmmmm home delivered.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Oh boy--another website...

[neutronjockey.livejournal.com]

How many more would you like? You're asking the right person for coffee links. 8D

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

If someone describes a coffee blend as "Starbucky", I'll probably avoid it. Their stuff tastes charred to me. If I want charcoal in my morning mug, I can get it cheaper elsewhere . . .

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Some of their blends taste and smell downright skunky to me--I talked to a food chemist once who said that Starbucks overroasts just about everything. I'm referring to strength more than taste. Stronger coffee, to me, has almost a thickness that weaker brew doesn't.

And like neutronjockey said, the SB Breakfast Blend is considered mild. They haven't roasted it beyond all recognition.

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

I don't know if I've ever tasted "Breakfast Blend" -- my exposure is whatever basic coffee the shop had brewing, sans admixtures and furrin names. A lot of their fancier concoctions should be classified as desserts.

[(Anonymous)]

(1) If you really do like Eight o'Clock, you'll find refills at... Mallwort. Really.

(2) I grew up in Seattle and disavow Starbucks as the epitome of the coffee actual residents prefer. It's not so much that it's overroasted as that it's brewed too quickly; getting the great flavors from a complex dark roast requires a couple minutes at 80C, not a few seconds of steam. Unfortunately, an automatic-drip coffeemaker is often the worst of both worlds: Too hot, not enough time.

(3) Properly brewed (Turkish-style), Intelligentsia coffees are pretty darned good. Since it's an Evanston-based roastery, you should be able to find it up there...