Retirement Living and Coffee

bcspark

I am now domiciled in a aged care community where I have been granted permission to continue my roasting hobby.After eight months of fresh roasting aromas permeating the village I was approached to do a coffee  morning tea . This took place on last Wednesday with an expected 20 coffees to be made . My Strega, Robur and all my coffee gear are housed in and on a SS mobile bench. We decided to wheel my coffee centre to the community centre where all could see the action. Six day pre roasted Gambella was my choice. A carer was allotted to help me and she was experienced in frothing thank God. All was set up by 9.15 for the 10 am event but coffee was asked for as the Strega warmed up. By 10.45 Carmel and I had made 45 to 50 coffees . Totally exhausted but very excited by being able to give some pleasure to my fellow residents but more importantly to in my way say thanks to all the carers, nursers, Chef and kitchen staff,gardeners,maintenance and office girls.By the way the Gambella was divine and the Strega amazed me .There are more mornings asked for.

Kevohere

Well done bcspark  :exclaim: :exclaim: :thumb: What a fantastic way to continue the passion of the bean and maintaining one's fitness working a lever.  :coffee2: It's comforting to know that when I should make the move to an aged care community, that my beloved Strega can accompany me.  :P Not sure if they will accommodate the 1kg JYC though without some sweet talking and offering 'coffee mornings' as you have. I could always revert back to the Bemhor I suppose.  ;D What are you roasting with mate and where do you roast? I think perhaps not in your room/unit?

Dry_bean.

Great story BCspark. Certainly is a win/win situation, you get to maintain your interest/hobby and your fellow residents enjoy the fruits of your knowledge/labour. Sounds like there was no shortage of support, I'm not at all surprised a repeat performance has been requested. Well done, keep up the good work. :thumb:

bcspark

My unit has a rear patio at ground level which opens onto a path and gardens at the rear of a shopping centre. In this area I have a lockable metal cabinet ,a specially designed ventilated cubhoard for storage of my greens . My modified KKHG unit is opposite where I roast and the bean cooler ,data logger and tablet are mounted. All is open air and well ventilated and my neighbours enjoy the fragrence of roasting. The area could handle a 2kg bench roaster easily.

Dry_bean.

As a matter of interest BC! whats your coffee drink of choice?

bcspark

Dry Bean  My coffee drinks of choice are triple restreto and occasionally a triple machiato. Love my coffee straight up.

bcspark

DB I have considered a larger drum roaster but at my age cannot justify the purchase . I notice your reference to the Behmor as I have been considering this as a alternative any advice on the roasters suitablility. In my stable as a back up are the corretto and baby FZR the latter is for my small specialty roasts      bcspark

bcspark

My apology to Kevohere as I answered to your post but did not include you in this discussion ,please take this as done . Now you know why the aged home.  bcspark

Dry_bean.

on 1424995357:

DB I have considered a larger drum roaster but at my age cannot justify the purchase . I notice your reference to the Behmor as I have been considering this as a alternative any advice on the roasters suitablility.

Yep, understand where your coming from, I'm not many years behind you I use a Coretto and roast approx 750 grams every 10 days. Not sure about the Behmor, have never used, nor even seen one other than in photo's, notice in the specs it only roasts about 425 grams, certainly not big enough for my requirements. I notice in another forum I frequent there are many request for help relating to the Behmor.

bcspark

on 1424996151:

Yep, understand where your coming from, I'm not many years behind you I use a Coretto and roast approx 750 grams every 10 days. Not sure about the Behmor, have never used, nor even seen one other than in photo's, notice in the specs it only roasts about 425 grams, certainly not big enough for my requirements. I notice in another forum I frequent there are many request for help relating to the Behmor.

Dont get me wrong I love my modded KKTO it roasts up to 1kg on any profile i decide to use .Heat and air control gives me great choices of timed profiles

Dry_bean.

Think I'd stick with the KKTO BC, from all reports they do a good job.

Koffee_Kosmo

Hey Barry how you going You actually sound by your ramblings, that you have all your faculties about you and coffee is your lubricant For the members - bcspark and I have met on several occasions talking and roasting up a storm with a little casual machine talk in between

Brett H

This is a fantastic thread to read BC and it warms my heart to read it.  That's a fair chunk of coffee you've had to crank out on a domestic lever! Great to hear that the Strega did you proud. It all sounds like a win-win for your new home.  Kudos mate!

bcspark

Hi KK. Paul a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then but still have fond memories of our meetings at Bezzera with Chris.Will have to try to meet up again .  Barry (bcspark)

bcspark

OK fellow Cremas, another coffee morning is coming up for us oldies . As all coffees made last time were milk based I need some advice on what bean to roast for this event .I am asking for help because I do not ,cannot, use dairy so my palate does not consider milk based drinks. Last time I roasted a Ethiopian Gambella but need another option to make the morning another success . Thanks all bcspark 

Brett H

on 1426272548:

OK fellow Cremas, another coffee morning is coming up for us oldies . As all coffees made last time were milk based I need some advice on what bean to roast for this event .I am asking for help because I do not ,cannot, use dairy so my palate does not consider milk based drinks. Last time I roasted a Ethiopian Gambella but need another option to make the morning another success . Thanks all bcspark

I would definitely put Rwanda Inzovu on the menu.  Roasted to jus on 2nd crack it's really stunning and great with and without milk.

bcspark

Lot of water passed under the bridge since last coffee morning.Our aged care facility has changed hands ,for the better, so the new owners have asked for another event.Being that I am now a bit older and knowing what the response from staff and residents will be I have asked my eldest, Stephen, to join me with his Bezzera Gea so as to lighten my load on the Strega.Coffee for the day will be Ethiopia Biftu Gesha seven days post roast,3kg green, Looking forward to this day on the 18th November.

Kevohere

on 1445454755:

Coffee for the day will be Ethiopia Biftu Gesha seven days post roast,3kg green, Looking forward to this day on the 18th November.

And I bet there a lot of residents there doing the same!  :thumb:  :thumb:

Brett H

on 1445465137:

And I bet there a lot of residents there doing the same!  :thumb:  :thumb:

And staff!!  :thumb:

bcspark

Long time dead,I love coffee,roasting and most important people

Kevohere

on 1445491005:

Long time dead,I love coffee,roasting and most important people

Umm, I'm thinking/hoping you meant "long time deed"? 

bcspark

The date is set 18th instant 9.30 am the next event.My eldest son is joining me to help pull the coffees.Have roasted 2.5 kg of Ethiopian Biftu Gesha for the day in the KKHG . Another full on morning as our aged care facility has changed hands and we are now Freedom Aged Care Rochedale.Change for the best I hope.

Dry_bean.

on 1447267510:

The date is set 18th instant 9.30 am the next event.My eldest son is joining me to help pull the coffees.Have roasted 2.5 kg of Ethiopian Biftu Gesha for the day in the KKHG . Another full on morning as our aged care facility has changed hands and we are now Freedom Aged Care Rochedale.Change for the best I hope.

Good luck with your morning BC, great initiative, trust every thing goes smoothly for you. :thumb:

askthecoffeeguy

Sounds like a great coffee to kick the day off with and a fantastic service for those lucmy enough to be on the receiving end!

bcspark

Well done and dusted.Eldest son took over and pulled shots on both Bezzeras,Strega and Gea to satisfy many coffee lovers. The bean of the day was Ethiopian Biftu Gesha roasted for espresso at seven post roast ,what a ripper? Age has caught up so for me to do same again I would need a two group volumetric machine ???

Brett H

Terrific stuff mate!  That's what retirement should be... Indulging your hobbies!

askthecoffeeguy

I've often thought about buying another Rancilio Epoca and banding the two together on a single platform with a collective shell to create an effective and easily transportable two group - might still do it when we move to Queensland!