I know all about Martins site cliffie.No I haven't ordered any from him,but I will eventually.I'm sittin on about 12 different types of geen beans right now.(not literally you sick F_ucks)I have them at my disposal.LOL ....Generally green beans will last up to two years were roasted is freshest within 1 week maybe two.I generally roast 3 or 4 batches and I'm go to go for the week.I'm the only coffee head in the house.When I take it to work I brew it a toss it in a vacuum thermos.

You just said the magic words "lasts up to 2 years". I hate buying a few pounds of roasted beans and they aren't as good just a month or two later. I've already e-mailed Hearthware to ask them if they have any of those cheapo roasters still around. Once again, I say, damn you.

If not just go with the one at www.sweetmarias.com it's only $7 more for the same roaster and the sampler is a great way to get staretd,actually it might even be the improved Gourmet as the ones from H W were on sale beacause some were plagued with a bad circuit boards,although mine is still going strong.They do stand behind them %100 at both HW and SM no guestions asked for 1 year. Anything happens just call them.A buddy of mines HW one went out after about 25 lbs they sent him a new asap and told him to keep the old one for parts.

roast your own beans,grow your own cattle and make your own beef jerky????????.
Hey, now I can use that gallon of PG from the feed store to treat my cattle and maybe even my pregnant goats
Wow the hobbies you can start just by reading this forum

JJ you have me convinced. I'm going to do it real soon. I already make my own bread and rolls(bread machines are great). I don't eat much beef because I try to keep my freezer full of venison. Much less saturated fat there. Leaner with a better taste too. Hmmm, maybe I can raise a pig in the back yard! Free range chickens?

The idea of livestock in the back yard has some real appeal ... in addition to being a source of food, they would get rid of all the unwanted growth (oh, sure the wanted growth goes too, but what the hell) and a few crowing chickens, oinking pigs, mooing cows or bleating sheep and goats could scarcely be worse than the 2 cross-bred dogs over the back fence who bark, growl and fight with one another all day and all night ...

damn, when you think of the benefits of this forum, it really makes the membership dues worthwhile ... in less than one week, 3 newbies are sending me free cigars, I tried Kopi Luwak coffee (or whatever it was) and am about to begin ranching for food, fun and profit ...

do any of you guys roast your own espresso? I love good espresso with cigars and I was thinking of getting a home espresso machine to support my habit. Partly because I can't legally drink single malt with my cigar on my way to work. If any of you do your own espresso how does it compare to illy and other premium brands? Chris

Chris- I'm an espresso junkie, and the best home machine by far is Nespresso (www.nespresso.com). Comes with individual serving caplets varying in 9 different flavors/strengths, with a nice display box available. They also have decaf variation caplets. We bought ours at Williams-Sonoma (Boston area). As good or better than any resturant espresso I've had.

Just say no to espresso by Nestle.

Danno - Thanks, I'm looking at a different one, the Solis. It gets really good reviews and I'm looking for one with out the caplets. Here's the link



http://www.wholelattelove.com/solis/sl90.htm 

I took the plunge today. Sweet Marias called and I heeded. Hopefully I should have a full report next week. After my 400lbs of coffee arrive. I'm a freak.

All I can say to this is "DAMN YOU JIM!!!!".

It was only a matter of time.Bwahahahahahaha!!!

Life was so much simpler without the internet AND I had a lot more extra cash laying around too.
www.coffeewholesalers.com 20lbs assorted beans=$60=$3/pound....LOL

Woops,it went up $5 but there is more variety in the coffees.

2 lb Colombian

2 lb Brazil

2 lb Panama

2 lb Costa Rica

2 lb Mexican

2 lb Guatemala

2 lb Nicaragua

2 lb Sumatra

2 lb Celebes

2 lb Uganda

...And for you espresso lovers.Same deal 20 lbs=$65.





3 lb Espresso Elite

3 lb Emerald Isle Espresso

3 lb Organic Emerald Isle Espresso

3 lb Emerald Mist Espresso

3 lb Decaf Espresso

3 lb Breakfast Blend

2 lb Organic Sumatra Gayoland Robusta

Jim, I hate extending these threads, but I've got a question: When you create your own coffee blend, do you blend the green beans then roast, or do you roast individual bean types then blend? It matters because the answer may dictate which type of roaster I eventually get (larger capacity if mixing green beans, or smaller batches to roast then blend). Thanks.

cwilhelmi --trader joes espresso. grind it for turkish and make it by the quart in a drip coffee pot. heaping teaspoon of coffee per 4 ounces of water.
if it is too week or too strong change the amount of water.
i use decafe and dring 4 quarts a day.

Rick - Thanks, I like to have options, although I think my heart is set on getting an espresso machine. I want to be able make all of the other espresso based drinks as well.

Joe differnt beans roast differntly because of their weight,composition and shape.Also some are better with a light roast were they keep more of the flavors respective of their country of origin,some are better dark rosted.I would roast seperately and blend.I sometimes roast the same beans to three differnt roasts and then blend them,it makes for a very interesting cup of coffee.I haven't read it yet nor do I have it but there is a book,I believe by Kenneth david that most roasters swear by.