Ponte Vecchio Lusso - advice please?

mycuppa · July 2014

It would be highly inaccurate to assume a "House Blend" coffee is just ordinary. Coffee company house blends, in general, cannot be considered in the same way a licensed liquor outlet (restaurant, cafe, pub, hotel, etc.) serves a "house wine" - cheap, crappy no-label cleanskin, largely forgettable, etc. There is a distinct difference and I wish coffee companies would use some care when using the label "house" as it attracts a typical low-rent" stigma. Most coffee company House Blends are actually some of the best coffee they can put forward at the time. You live and die by your reputation. With coffee - don't assume anything !

Moon · July 2014

Hi mycuppa .. good that you dropped by. 'Standard Issue House Blend' was what was written on the packet .. so I put in it's full title. I agree that a Cafe's 'House Blend' is most important .. and their reputation for providing their customers with 'quality' coffee products depends on it making a very positive first impression when customers are trying out their coffee. Major Tom blend is Ground Control Cafe's 'House Blend' .. which really impressed me the first time I tried it in their Cafe up at the Gold Coast. Major Tom has had a very good run in this thread .. so by creating positive first impressions - it is very important for the marketing of the brand. Personally .. I expect a 'House Blend' to reflect the Company itself .. and I don't see the point in not putting your best foot coffee up front. I make a point when going into a Cafe that roasts its own, and sells beans.. to ask for their House Blend .. to see what they are serving up to their customers .. which you'd think .. would have to be good .. if their doors are still open. I suppose not always though. That Zentfelds up on the Gold Coast was a strange one. I tried a coffee in their Cafe - didn't like it .. then purchased some of their beans .. of a different type .. and didn't like that either. Nice Cafe though .. shame about the coffee. :P

Blackboard's House Blend that I am currently trying out comes from a small Boutique Cafe roasting their own beans. It sells for $15 for 250 grams and is situated in a very upmarket Shopping Centre. I started off with 500g and have about 400g left .. and hoping that I can get more out of these beans than I have managed to achieve so far. I'll be working on it .. as 'ordinary' doesn't quite cut it these days .. and to be fair on the beans .. the focus is clearly on my method of extracting the best result from these babies .. until I run out.

Brett H · July 2014

on 1404557928:

It is official .. ^ your scores are out of /11 from now on. You're running outa space there Have you scored a 9.65/10 or better from your Diadema Junior Extra PID & bling yet?

He'll yes... I've had 9.8+ from my old Diadema Unico Splendor. Not so from Miss Silvia (un-modded). Don't forget too that the grinder for the Pav is a Fiorenzato F5 that's not seen a day of commercial use. If I'm not getting good scores with this sort of investment.... ::) About to go north for a few days... Pav is being packed. Challenge accepted!

Moon · July 2014

on 1404603029:

Pav is being packed.

Handy being portable. How do you go with a grinder .. do you pack a commercial monster?

Ethioian Yirgacheffe - single origin Dose - 16.5g Tamp - Light Single fellini Pour - 30 secs for 15ml Had to go the 2nd fellini to top up to 18ml. Rating - 8.7/10 The flavour was nice .. only there wasn't enough of it. Think I'll have to go a slightly courser grind to free up the pour .. which was a bit thin.

Moon · July 2014

Yirgacheffe & Tiger Mountain Dose - 4.5g Yirg, 12g TM Tamp - light 4 fellinis Pour - 25 secs for 30ml (usually 20ml) Rating - 7/10 As I only had a few Yirg beans left .. I topped up with Tiger Mountain Grind was adjusted slightly courser, and it was a fast pour, hence the 4 fellinis in an attempt to build pressure to slow the pour. Lots of crema .. and decided to let it run a little longer .. ending with a 30ml shot. I thought I might give the 30ml a go .. as I haven't had one for a long time. Didn't like the taste. Adding the extra 10ml adds a yucky diluted coffee taste. although, due to variation in results of late using these beans .. I'm not sure whether my settings and method was as good as they could've bean. If I hadn't bean out .. and hanging for a coffee .. this would have bean a sinker. 7/10 only makes it down my throat when desperate.

Ethiopian Yirgacheffee - so Adjusted grind finer to original pos'n Dose - 16.5g Tamp - Light/medium Triple fellini Pour - 20 secs for 25ml Rating - 9.2/10 The pour was too quick and had to slow the lever from rising too quickly. This coffee was heaps better than the last one. Need to try the grind a little finer.

Brett H · July 2014

on 1404626720:

Handy being portable. How do you go with a grinder .. do you pack a commercial monster?

And we're back... No. Usually I pack the Rocky doser less which is mess-free with a dosing-funnel but this time mr lux with his missing lid and 189dB of serenity-shattering splendour came along for the ride. Performed exactly as one would expect too... Brilliant! Coffee of choice was Bali Shinzan. I'm about to break your scale... My ratings will have to start being out of 1000. Upon return home a box from MyCuppa was waiting and the roaster's choice once dialed in (Columbian) broke the ratings. My wife said it's the best coffee she's ever had anywhere and demanded another. This never happens because if you ask her she doesn't drink coffee or wine. That is despite the fact that she'll have a coffee every few days and a half glass of wine a few times a year. SHE WANTED SECONDS!!!! I thought it was good but only in the high 9.8's. Milk was Cooroy Unhomoginised and very nicely textured if I do say so myself. 92degC on the PID. More to follow with proper ratings not just extrapolations. SCALE BROKEN MOONY!!!

C-man · July 2014

yep, that Colombian is a cracker.....

Moon · July 2014

Rwanda - so Roast date - 5th June (5 weeks) Dose - 16.5g Tamp - Light Single fellini Pour - 20 secs for 15ml 2nd exraction to top up to 20ml Rating - 8.8/10 (B+)

Rwanda Grind - slightly finer Dose - 16.5g Tamp - light Pour - 25 secs for 17ml 2nd extraction to top up to 20ml Rating - 8.9/10 (B+) These 2 coffees were nice .. only lacking any X-factor to make it into the 9s.

Thinking about my next batch of beans. Have made enquiries to Elvin at Sixty West about some more of 'The Chief' and 'Fair Trade Organic' mycuppa's Roasters Choice/Columbian sounds tempting. :-|

Brett H · July 2014

on 1404965291:

yep, that Colombian is a cracker.....

More this morning... I'm refusing to rate it... It went too fast :coffee2:

Brett H · July 2014

on 1404994674:

mycuppa's Roasters Choice/Columbian sounds tempting. :-|

Ahh but you mightn't get the Columbian. It's 'Roaster's Choice!' I love this as a concept for the customer as well as the retailer! Any of muCuppa's Roasters choice that I've had have been extraordinary! I just don't understand how he can keep his prices that low... Seriously!

Moon · July 2014

on 1405032833:

Ahh but you mightn't get the Columbian. I just don't understand how he can keep his prices that low... Seriously!

OK .. better to just order the 'Columbian' then .. yeah? No risk 8) It's not like production/labour costs are high (green).. I reckon mycuppa are charging what coffee beans should cost.. $23 kilo (roasted)

mycuppa · July 2014

on 1405053262:

It's not like production/labour costs are high (green).. I reckon mycuppa are charging what coffee beans should cost.. $23 kilo (roasted)

I think it would be a mistake.......even foolish, for those who are not involved with working in the industry to speculate on what is a fair or reasonable price to charge for coffee.

Brett H · July 2014

on 1405053262:

OK .. better to just order the 'Columbian' then .. yeah? No risk 8) It's not like production/labour costs are high (green).. I reckon mycuppa are charging what coffee beans should cost.. $23 kilo (roasted)

I reckon this is another of your tongue in cheek unless you not telling us something... like you're a zillionaire in disguise and a couple of million bucks worth of plant and another couple of million in product is chicken-feed. Moony... are you.... Clive Palmer in disguise?? If you call me Madam and leave the room I'll be so shocked!

Brett H · July 2014

on 1405053262:

OK .. better to just order the 'Columbian' then .. yeah? No risk 8) It's not like production/labour costs are high (green).. I reckon mycuppa are charging what coffee beans should cost.. $23 kilo (roasted)

I reckon this is another of your tongue in cheek unless you not telling us something... like you're a zillionaire in disguise and a couple of million bucks worth of plant and another couple of million in product is chicken-feed. Moony... are you.... Clive Palmer in disguise?? If you call me Madam and leave the room I'll be so shocked!

Moon · July 2014

on 1405071020:

I think it would be a mistake.......even foolish, for those who are not involved with working in the industry to speculate on what is a fair or reasonable price to charge for coffee.

???

Moon · July 2014

on 1405078713:

I reckon this is another of your tongue in cheek....

???

Moon · July 2014

on 1404085267:

I am curious that you have not blended the MM with anything. You may be pleasantly surprised at the flavours you get in the cup. That MM might be average on its own, but could really shine in a blend.

on 1404094397:

What he said! :coffee2:

By popular request Ethiopian Yirgacheffe and Monsoon Malobar (MM) *Blended the Yirg and MM in a 50/50 mix Roast date - 5th June (5 weeks) by Brett Dose - 16.5g Tamp - Light Double fellini Pour - 20 secs for 20ml Rating - 9.05/10 Nice coffee. Blending the 2 poured better and definitely produced a better result than either bean individually. Cheers for the heads-up :thumb: .. and of course --> huge thanks to Brett (includes the Big Clive reference) :P And no .. I'm not a zillionaire .. just a bloke with an eye out for good value for $ .. and not getting ripped. :'(

C-man · July 2014

MM normally used at 10-20% in a blend cheers!

Moon · July 2014

on 1405148384:

MM normally used at 10-20% in a blend - cheers!

Cheers C. Just finishing off the last of some beans.. that are getting on a bit .. so not worth trying to get the best out of them at this stage.

Indian Tiger Mountain - so Roasted - 19th June (25 days) Dose - 16.5g Tamp - Light Double fellini Pour - 25 secs for 20ml Rating - 9.25/10 More of a flat white this time .. and a very nice coffee. * Will be ordering some more 'The Chief' blend from Sixty West shortly

Moon · July 2014

Bean having a few of 'Blackboards' blend from the Gold Coast .. blending them with some of Brett's Monsoon Malobar (MM) so - as the Blackboard are a bit too mild on their own. 12g Blackboard .. and 6g MM = 18g Tamp - Light Pour - 30 secs for around 15ml + 2nd extraction to top up. First tried going 30ml and then a couple of 20ml Result - Ample crema and a much more flavorsome coffee - each rating around 8.9/10 (B+) MM single origin beans have definitely bean useful in a blend .. as others had suggested in earlier posts.

Moon · July 2014

Excellent timing for the SixtyWest beans to arrive. 500g of 'The Chief' and 250g of 'Fair Trade Organic' My Sister thought the SixtyWest (old) beans were sensational .. compared to her usual Coffex 'Super Bar' Lol .. no surprise there. The Chief - blend First is to get the grind right Roasted - 11th July (7 days) Dose - 17g Tamp - Light Double fellini Pour - 20 secs for 18ml Went a 2nd extraction to top up - 22ml Rating - 9.1/10 Slightly under-dosed .. will try 17.5g next time. Good amount of crema. Nice coffee .. especially for the maiden cuppa.

Moon · July 2014

The Chief - blend .. by SixtyWest Roast date - 11th July Grind - slighly coarser Dose - 18.1g Tamp - Light Single fellini Pour - 25 secs for 17ml 2nd extraction for a few secs to top up to 20ml Rating - 9.2/10 Very nice latte .. and getting better. Might have to sneak in a 'Fair Trade Organic' a bit later. Last time .. the range of all 5 SixtyWest blends responded well to the same grind setting. I will see if the same dose and tamp as 'The Chief' I just had .. also applies?

Fair Trade Organic blend - by SixtyWest Dose - 16.5g Tamp - Light Double fellini Pour - 30 secs for 17ml 2nd extraction to top up to 20ml Rating - 8.8/10 Not bad .. but didn't quite cut the mustard .. I'm working on it .. first try n all.

Moon · July 2014

The Chief Dose - 18.1g Tamp - Light Double fellini Pour - 25 secs for 17ml 2nd exraction to top up to 22ml Rating - 9.05/10 (A-) Nice .. only I'm spoilt these days. Anything under a 9.2/10 needs work.

Moon · July 2014

Have dropped back from the dizzy heights of those 9.5/10 coffees. :'( Thought the pour has bean a bit thin of late .. so I took of the shower screen using a narrow screwdriver .. to check. The screen itself wasn't too bad .. only there was quite a layer of coffee gunk under the group-head to clean off. I'll have to check this a bit more regularly. it's a wonder there was any coffee coming through at all. The Chief - by SixtyWest Dose - 18.1g Tamp - Light+ Double fellini Pour - 20 secs for 17ml 2nd ext to top up to 20ml Rating - 8.8/10 (B+) Probably better than I'm rating - only coming off those other high ratings .. they are definitely lacking.

The Chief Dose - 18.1g Grind - tad finer <1mm Tamp - Light+ Pour - 25 secs for 17ml Did the fellini differently this time Rather than allow the full extraction like I have bean doing .. I allowed the pour to flow for 5 secs then pulled the lever down for a full extraction.. resulting in a 20ml shot Rating - 8.9/10 (B+) Coffees have bean tasting a little strange lately. I went for the Chinese tongue scrape .. ?? - only it didn't improve the flavour this time .. as it has in the past. I've had my PV Lusso since December .. and wondering whether it might need a flush-out with one of those cleaning tablets? I use a pretty good bench top water filter with a quality Doulton cartridge .. so I can't imagine in the relatively short time I've had the machine .. that there would be any Calcium buildup. I might wait until I purchase some more beans to try .. to see if the quality in the cup improves? Those 9.5/10 coffees have definitely spoilt me .. although I'd be fairly happy with achieving at least 9.2s

Next - Fair Trade Organic - SixtyWest

Brett H · July 2014

Hi Moony. Your machine won't need a flush out with descaler like ever if you feed it scale inhibited filtered water. You'd be working with very tainted water to taste it out of the boiler and through the puck. Perhaps clean your grinder (grindz not rice or samosas) and your filter basket but leave a working machine alone and focus on the water, coffee and grind! I'm on camp and have mr pavoni and the same Balinese coffee from my holiday 2 weeks ago. There it rated as high as 9.3 freshly roasted. Alas today's coffee was 8.8 because my grind wasn't fine enough. Still... Better than the Nespresso in the end cabin... That was a 5.2/10 as a flat shite!

Moon · July 2014

on 1406273404:

Hi Moony. Your machine won't need a flush out with descaler like ever if you feed it scale inhibited filtered water. Still... Better than the Nespresso in the end cabin... That was a 5.2/10 as a flat shite!

Cheers Brett .. and kudos for managing to get the Nespresso past your tastebuds and down your throat .. without gagging. That's some mean feat right there. 5.2/10 .. crikey .. no doubt a moment of desperation .. it happens. Yeah .. I was thinking about the grinder .. especially after having used dark roast oily beans .. and whether grinds get stuck internally? I'll have to check out the manual to see how to remove the blades to take a squiz. I may find that I need to give it a clean out on a more regular basis.

Brett H · July 2014

No mate... No disassembly needed! Just some grindz and a vacuum cleaner. Keep it simple, keep it functioning!

Moon · July 2014

on 1406293679:

No mate... No disassembly needed! Just some grindz and a vacuum cleaner. Keep it simple, keep it functioning!

Where did you get your Grindz from? Fair Trade Organic - blend 1st was a sinker .. poured way too fast., and the spent grinds were very loose. I was tempted to tamp harder next time .. but I'm keeping the tamp consistent .. and adjusting the grind, as suggested by other Crema members Adjusted the grind a fair degree finer. (around 7mm) Dose - 16.6g Tamp - Light+ Double fellini Pour - 25 secs for 20ml Rating - 9.15/10 Nice coffee .. and looking forward to tweaking this one to hopefully get it up to a 9.2/10 .. or better.

Brett H · July 2014

Grindz is available from coffeeparts!

mycuppa · July 2014

Brett's suggestions are right on the mark - too many people start performing all sorts of chemical cleaning of their equipment when in reality 98% of the time it's just a technique/coffee extraction issue, or beans. Unless you have run upwards of 100kg of coffee through your home grinder, I doubt there is anything seriously wrong with it that would cause tainting. Of course, that all depends upon how oily the beans are. Remove the bean hopper and a powerful vacuum at both orifices (input and exit) should dislodge the majority of retention (be careful on the exit chute). Or.......remove the top burr carrier of the K3 (remember left-hand thread, turn clockwise) and yes there will be all sorts of debris build up around the burrs - but that's normal on every grinder after a couple of kilos. I am yet to see any major evidence of "oils" on burrs - except a decaf grinder........perhaps because I don't use oily beans - but have seen a lot of compacted retained grinds on various models. We had a cafe client that was experiencing random taints.........(and a lot of terse phone calls) ............turned out to be a massive compacted buildup of rancid coffee in their Mazzers that needed vacuuming.......which of course hadn't been done for 18 months..... :doh:

frame

Howdy, Stranger!

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

Ponte Vecchio Lusso - advice please?

Comments

foot

Policies

Social

frame

Howdy, Stranger!

Howdy, Stranger!

Quick Links

Categories

In this Discussion

Ponte Vecchio Lusso - advice please?

Comments

foot

Policies

Social