Favorite Blends

[Tex_Thai]

^^^^^^^^^ Thanks Musicphan, I will try that!!!!
I suspect I like a darker roast than you do, but I will never know until I try it.
Since I am using the Gene Cafe and cracks are hard to hear, let alone one that has not happened yet, can you give me a roast level I am going for????
God Bless,
Wayne

[shadow745]

Hi WhyCoffee, I have tried both pre and post blend, and mine is only limited experience, but pre blending was WAY better. The argument remains that different beans need different roast times/profiles to bring out their best, so one should post blend. However, it does not work out that way for me. The flavors of the blend mesh much better, for me by blending the beans first. Try it both ways and let us know what you find.
God Bless,
Wayne
PS my wife prefers her hazelnut to come from a squirt or three of sweet hazelnut flavored syrup into the coffee just as it is being served. YMMV.

From a home roasting perspective I definitely think it's better to pre-roast blend. It would take a lot of time/energy to roast individual single origins to possibly different levels, then try to figure out a good ratio. I buy quality green blends so each coffee will be slightly different at the end of the roast and I end up with great layered flavors for my espresso. Would also mention that of all the true single origins I've tried (green and already roasted) none impressed me as they're too one-dimensional.

Wayne, you mention that cracking sounds can be difficult to really hear well with the GeneCafe. You should try roasting deaf as I lost all hearing around 8 months ago and it was devastating to roast being deaf. Now I focus mostly on appearance, aroma, temperature, etc. I don't mention that to be sarcastic, just to let others know it's quite possible to roast great coffee consistently without being able to hear.

[Tex_Thai]

RESPECT Shadow745 to be able to roast coffee without hearing, well done!!!!! That is pretty much what I am learning to do with the Gene Cafe, though I can hear a little bit.
Glad you are able to manage and be successful in your roasts.
And YES, agreed on blending then roasting, which is all I do.
Enjoy, God Bless,
Wayne

[Tex_Thai]

Ok, Musicphan, I tried your suggestion, roasted to between 1st and 2nd crack and I cannot drink it straight at all, much too sour for me! With LOTS of milk, sweetner and ice the espresso becomes drinkable but only barely. My wife even wants to know what I did to mess up my coffee. Sorry, we are darker roast people as I suspected

[Musicphan]

Ok, Musicphan, I tried your suggestion, roasted to between 1st and 2nd crack and I cannot drink it straight at all, much too sour for me! With LOTS of milk, sweetner and ice the espresso becomes drinkable but only barely. My wife even wants to know what I did to mess up my coffee. Sorry, we are darker roast people as I suspected

No need to be sorry... your tasted buds are your taste buds. Out of curiosity - how are you making the espresso and how much are you using?

[Tex_Thai]

Hi Musicphan, I make a doppio on my Breville Barista Express, well dialed in. Also tried that blend as a double with water to make it a longo or Americano, but no joy, just too sour for me. MIGHT be good with another brew method, probably would make a tasty cold brew. But that is not what I am looking for.
Thanks,
God Bless,
Wayne

[Musicphan]

Hi Musicphan, I make a doppio on my Breville Barista Express, well dialed in. Also tried that blend as a double with water to make it a longo or Americano, but no joy, just too sour for me. MIGHT be good with another brew method, probably would make a tasty cold brew. But that is not what I am looking for.
Thanks,
God Bless,
Wayne

Sounds good... sourness is usually a sign of over extraction (or not using enough coffee) which is why I asked. But if your machine is dialed in its just not your preferred flavor profile.

[Paulin]

produced by my man

[Ailee]

brazilian too