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After the old forum software breaking in a way that we were unable to fix, we've migrated the site to a new platform.

Some elements aren't working as we'd hoped - some avatars didn't survive the transition, and we're still having issues with attachments that weren't added as inline images, but we're hoping to have that all sorted out soon.

A festive season bean swap.

UNMUNM
edited November 2011 in Home roasting - All about the culture
I got this idea from a thread over on homeroasters and have tweaked it somewhat.

The festive season of hanukkah, christmas and kwanzaa is fast approaching. To encourage even more sharing within our little coffee community I thought it might be nice if those of us that roast coffee (and anyone else willing to try) shared some of our finished product.

I know many already do share their roasts, but the intent is to expand that and get people swapping with those they might not otherwise think of.

The basic idea (open to alternative suggestions):

Those that want to participate contact me with their details.
Each roasts 4-500 gram of coffee (their choice of bean/blend).
I randomly select  givers and  recipients to make a complete circle.
Every participant gets a name and address to send to.
You send roasted beans out and get a pack from somebody else.

After trying them, you post feedback in the forum with at least one aspect you liked, and one suggestion for what would improve the roast (for your own personal taste).

Anyone interested in this? Even if you don't currently roast, don't worry - that is a minor detail that can be taken care of.

Edited to remove ref to 'home roast' as professional roasters are obviously more than welcome to join in.
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Comments

  • mycuppamycuppa
    Great idea Ewan. I'm in.
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  • Koffee_KosmoKoffee_Kosmo
    Yes count me in please  8) KK
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  • borat123borat123
    Ok, count me in too. I can't keep all this Malabar goodness just for myself....  :D Or how about a little tester bottle of cold brew concentrate?  ???
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  • MusclesMuscles
    I'm in, I'm happy to have my roasts critiqued
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  • mycuppamycuppa
    on 1320478671:
    Anyone interested in this? Even if you don't currently roast, don't worry - that is a minor detail that can be taken care of. Edited to remove ref to 'home roast' as professional roasters are obviously more than welcome to join in.
    I'd say most of you are far more professional (and serious about producing great coffee) than some of the dudes I've seen roasting (or I should say "browning") on a full-time basis. C'mon, let's all have a go, what a great idea to help people improve their standard.
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  • RichardMRichardM
    Count me in. I'll try and keep an eye on the thread, but just make sure we all get PM'ed the address and I'll definitely see it. Guess we'll all have to give you our addresses anyway.
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  • UNMUNM
    Well, I think we already have enough people interested that this can work. Will give it a week to get some more names, then kick things off. I'd like it to be anonymous, but in reality that is a bit hard if using auspost satchels. Apart from anything else, if you got onw from, say, Newcastle it wouldn't take a genius to work it out. I'm thinking included beans (or liquid concentrate) should be a mystery to the recipient and limited info supplied. Maybe just 'roasted on', short/long rest recommended, good for syphon, that kind of thing. Some of us might be surprised when we find out what beans we enjoyed or didnt. Also, is 500g good, or should it be less? Maybe allow people to send two samples if they prefer? I'm aware those with unmodded poppers might struggle to come up with an even roast of that size. I don't want it to be a chore for anyone, just a bit of fun. Also, kwanzaa seems like a good theme - african/american beans would be a good choice. Not mandatory, just appropriate. Jeff, just read your post - not just about improving, although I hope someone can provide (respectful) feedback on mine. Sharing our beans and discussing likes and dislikes should be good too. Is everyone ok about me (or another volunteer) collecting addresses, or better to share just between sender/recipient?
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  • WotBWotB
    I'm game.  Count me in.  Hope you guys like filter.
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  • shape_shiftershape_shifter
    I'm in as long as no one expects blends  :D oh the only thing is that we really don't like MM so I wouldn't want someones fantastic roast wasted on us.
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  • Brett HBrett H
    Count me in!
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  • RoninRonin
    Sounds like a great idea. I'm always up for coffee things  ;D count me in
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  • TangoTango
    I'd be keen to do it but probably won't be able to join in until December as I haven't got the time to roast during November - is this too late?? Perhaps 4 x 250g might be a better option??  I know even on a Behmor, coming up with 500g bags of roasted can be difficult!
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  • shape_shiftershape_shifter
    4 x 250g, that'll take me forever  :D I might end up doing 2 lots instead of just one, being that I only roast 100g at a time, as in if we're looking to 500g being the amount, I'll do two beans to make up the 500g.
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  • UNMUNM
    Last chance to sign up for this. Will be posting final list of participants on Sunday.
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  • UNMUNM
    Ok. So far we have: AngerManagement Borat123 Brett H Koffee Kosmo Muscles Mycuppa RichardM Ronin Shape_shifter Tango UNM WotB I think I have AM's details already by PM. Can the rest of you PM me an address you can receive beans and anything I need to pass to the person roasting for you (such as 'Monsoon Malabar is horrid' or 'decaf only'  :laugh:)? If I've missed anyone, let me know asap. Guidelines: I'll randomly (using a pack of cards) select who roasts for who and tell each of you who to send beans to. You will only find out who roasted beans and sent them to you when they arrive in the mail. I suggest an Australia post satchel as the most economical means to ship for most. Roast one or, if you prefer, two batches of beans. Minimum of 150gm in a pack (so people have enough to dial in grind/dose). Total shipment between 150 and 500gm, depending on your roasters capability. If you want, you can include suggestions with the beans on what you THINK may work well like - 'great for straight espresso', 'needs extra fine grind', 'suits syphon' or similar. Don't be surprised if the recipient does something completely different though. It may be more fun not to disclose what exactly is in the pack until later that way you truly get a blind tasting. Any other suggestions?
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  • shape_shiftershape_shifter
    UNM I think that completely blind is brilliant, well besides the person that gives me MM, then I'll be out for blood :rofl: People will have preconceived ideas about what a bean should be like, going in blind may completely surprise them - or not! :)
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  • WotBWotB
    So you won't mind a syphon of MM :P
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  • shape_shiftershape_shifter
    Seriously Crem I've been thinking, if that's what I get, that's what I get, why should I spoil someones roast by saying I won't have it, I'm sure to find a use for it, coffee ice cream, if we don't like drinking it, never know we might be surprised by a different sort of roasting technique to what we've had before :D
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  • Brett HBrett H
    on 1321241581:
    Any one who gets SS should do up some MM  :stir SS, the much maligned MM is one of my fav beans  ;)
    Me too!  I love it! And with all of this m reinforcement irrespective of positive or negitive what's the bet SS ends up with 5ks of lightly roasted MM!  :D
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  • RichardMRichardM
    Right. Details sent to UNM. Now to just wait for my assignment :D
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  • Brett HBrett H
    on 1321761131:
    Right. Details sent to UNM. Now to just wait for my assignment :D
    Me too me too... but if the message self destructs in 10 seconds my wife will be seriously p!ssed... this is her iPad!
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  • UNMUNM
    Just waiting on the last two address confirmations, then will let everyone know who/where to send the  beans to.
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  • RichardMRichardM
    Woo. Got my assignment. Will have it posted this week.
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  • Koffee_KosmoKoffee_Kosmo
    on 1321873724:
    Woo. Got my assignment. Will have it posted this week.
    Me also & probably all other participants Now decision time on what bean to choose  KK
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  • UNMUNM
    Ok, I THINK I contacted everyone with addresses and didn't arrange for everyone to send free beans to me ::) :angel: If you got told two recipients, or didn't get a message, let me know. And thanks are due to Homeroasters.org for the original idea (suitably 'enhanced' by my good self of course...)
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  • Brett HBrett H
    All good here... hopefully roast tomorrow arvo.  What a great project!
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  • Koffee_KosmoKoffee_Kosmo
    Each roasts 4-500 gram of coffee (their choice of bean/blend). I randomly select  givers and  recipients to make a complete circle. Every participant gets a name and address to send to. You send roasted beans out and get a pack from somebody else. After trying them, you post feedback in the forum with at least one aspect you liked, and one suggestion for what would improve the roast (for your own personal taste). Smaller amounts from popper roasters
    OK I just quoted the rules What details do we add with the roasted beans e.g. Bean name roasted to ?level? ect Do we tell the recipients the senders details along with the beans? Whats the go KK
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  • TangoTango
    I guess it's a minimum of 500 g then!?
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  • WotBWotB
    Only meant to send 500g.  Can do multiple beans but as stated, bags at least 150g.
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  • UNMUNM
    Rules were updated to say between roughly 250 and 500gm (or if not should have been). People with poppers may find it hard to roast that much as an even roast. 500gm is max that fits in an auspost satchel. I'd suggest you don't roast more than two beans/blends. It's not supposed to be hard work, nor are we trying to get someone to act as unpaid taster for all our really way out there experiments Also, not everyone can get roasting straight away, so some will get beans earlier than others. Don't sweat if your beans don't arrive for a while, or you can't get roasting this week. What info you include with the beans is up to you. You may want to keep the bean identity a secret, or may want to tell them it is 500gm of La Candelilla Geisha.  There may even be one or two people that don't know who they are roasting for given some of the delivery names and screen names are not always obvious matches. All part of the fun. If you know a bean tastes like filth when brewed as espresso, but excellent as french press, you should probably mention it, but then maybe your recipient would think differently.
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