Coffee - Page 4

slowsnake · 05-10-2021, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .:4:.

The best way to get a deal on coffees is simple,. Find a place you like, get social with 1 or more of the staff. You know find out one of their interests. Even if its not something that interests you, still every other time ask hows their interest. So become more of a person then just a customer.
So its reverse customer service. It doesn't always work, but when it does you either get a higher quality service or discounts, like a large for the price of a small etc. Worst case you get greeted by name which is nice compared to a hi what would you like?.

You wouldn't have a " brown nose " by any chance!

.:4:. · 05-10-2021, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowsnake

You wouldn't have a " brown nose " by any chance!

Nah, i could sell salt to a snail, so i charm my way into deals.

prydey · 05-10-2021, 04:02 PM

I pay $46/kg for my beans (from merlo in Brisbane).

1kg of beans will make around 100 drinks, give or take (assuming around 20g for a double shot, most are less).

Factoring in the price of milk it's about $0.70/drink (200ml per drink).

There is a substantial mark up on coffee bought ready made. A $2k set up might sound expensive but if you drink a lot of coffee you'll pay it off in no time.

Plus it tastes better when you make your own.

**FTE217** · 05-10-2021, 04:11 PM

yer but when on the road which is often you can't make your own

Agree though obviously having the coffee machine at home makes for a price competitive cuppa.
Pods in bulk for me, no more grinding for I find the pod coffee taste quality is just as good nowadays.

**Ross 1** · 05-10-2021, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordomatic

Already that price here in Canberra, I get a small double flat white. Went to Ona in Fyshwick. Small coffee, $5.20, extra shot, $1.50 and as I don't like the blend they use now I opted for their "original blend", $1.50 extra.

I am a coffee snob, but I literally said no thanks and walked out.

Coffee is my drug, but I won't pay over $5 for one......... yet

12 years ago it was $3.50 for a small double flat white, now it's generally $4.70ish, i'm ok with that.

Prices are slowly creeping up in Wellington cafes, I like the coffees from my machine so I don't buy too many but my favourite is a coffee cart at the side of the road. One of the best coffees in town and still $5nz for a reg. flat white with an extra shot.

**Ross 1** · 05-10-2021, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

I pay $46/kg for my beans (from merlo in Brisbane).

1kg of beans will make around 100 drinks, give or take (assuming around 20g for a double shot, most are less).

Factoring in the price of milk it's about $0.70/drink (200ml per drink).

There is a substantial mark up on coffee bought ready made. A $2k set up might sound expensive but if you drink a lot of coffee you'll pay it off in no time.

Plus it tastes better when you make your own.

We did the math as well and it works out at 80c NZ per coffee for us, but we drink a lot of coffee, so as you say a $2k machine is worth it. Our last machine and our current one were both $2k and they have counters on them, the last machine made 17k coffees in its lifetime, approx. 7 coffees a day for 7 years.

.:4:. · 05-10-2021, 04:40 PM

A few years back i installed the electricals for 2 coffee machines at a place on king st in sydney called the mecca. So its on king street but under the grace hotel thats on york st. Anyrate. 3 phase machines, the machines were the bees knees at 60k each. This place sold a proper coffee and had a solid client base. They were open early on saturdays but that was for the cycling groups who met up there pre cycle. So im not entirely sure if it was the super expensive and awesome machines made better coffee, or if the staff were just good at making coffees and the machines were just a flex.

roKWiz · 05-10-2021, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .:4:.

The best way to get a deal on coffees is simple,. Find a place you like, get social with 1 or more of the staff. You know find out one of their interests. Even if its not something that interests you, still every other time ask hows their interest. So become more of a person then just a customer.
So its reverse customer service. It doesn't always work, but when it does you either get a higher quality service or discounts, like a large for the price of a small etc. Worst case you get greeted by name which is nice compared to a hi what would you like?.

Can not say, I've ever bought coffee based on the price in a cafe. I'm happy to pay for a great coffee and will always tip but they will certainly know if we don't like it. The fact you mention large and small suggests you are not a coffee snob.
On complaining about coffee, I like the customers who buy coffee (or a meal) drink all of it, then complain they weren't happy about with it. You don't like it, don't drink it and tell them.

roKWiz · 05-10-2021, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross 1

Prices are slowly creeping up in Wellington cafes.

Loved Cuba street.

prydey · 05-10-2021, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .:4:.

A few years back i installed the electricals for 2 coffee machines at a place on king st in sydney called the mecca. So its on king street but under the grace hotel thats on york st. Anyrate. 3 phase machines, the machines were the bees knees at 60k each. This place sold a proper coffee and had a solid client base. They were open early on saturdays but that was for the cycling groups who met up there pre cycle. So im not entirely sure if it was the super expensive and awesome machines made better coffee, or if the staff were just good at making coffees and the machines were just a flex.

The machines won't be the reason. Commercial machines are expensive because they need to be reliable and pump out coffee after coffee while maintaining temperature etc.

Good coffee is more about the grinder and the guy at the controls. The grinder is actually more important than the machine and the guy at the helm needs to understand what makes good coffee good. A lot of baristas wouldn't know the first thing about good coffee.

Unfortunately the bulk of the industry is about quantity over quality and many of the consumers don't care. They'd rather a coffee 2 minutes quicker than wait for something decent.

**Ross 1** · 05-10-2021, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Loved Cuba street.

Cuba St is still pretty cool and still has a lot of great cafes and coffee stops, great way to spend a Saturday morning.

roKWiz · 05-10-2021, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross 1

Cuba St is still pretty cool and still has a lot of great cafes and coffee stops, great way to spend a Saturday morning.

Sure is. Unfortunately I heard the technical bookshop there closed a while ago.
Never been to another one like it.

**Ross 1** · 05-10-2021, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Sure is. Unfortunately I heard the technical bookshop there closed a while ago.
Never been to another one like it.

It has but you can still find some gems at this place https://www.artybees.co.nz/tarn-e-wy...use-architects
Cool clothes and multiple tattoo shops tempt me back as well.

roKWiz · 05-10-2021, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

The machines won't be the reason. Commercial machines are expensive because they need to be reliable and pump out coffee after coffee while maintaining temperature etc.

Good coffee is more about the grinder and the guy at the controls. The grinder is actually more important than the machine and the guy at the helm needs to understand what makes good coffee good. A lot of baristas wouldn't know the first thing about good coffee.

There's one boss of a coffee place around here who loves to overheat the milk (maybe doesn't effect normal milk) when I see him at the counter I back away until I see one of his younger crew get behind the counter.
When he overheats the soymilk it kind of curdles, then he wants to present it in a glass, the whole thing is a mess, all separated not unlike a 70s lava lamp.
He's a nice Italian bloke and the food is excellent but he has no idea how to make coffee.

prydey · 05-10-2021, 05:37 PM

Like most things, there is an important theory element behind the practical outworking of a job.

It's easy to train someone how to operate a piece of equipment, regardless of industry but until they know the reasons behind why you do something, they will only ever be an operator rather than a tradesperson.

AMB · 05-10-2021, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roKWiz

...a nice Italian bloke and the food is excellent but he has no idea how to make coffee.

You mean he doesnt know how to make latte. Being the boss, I'd be surprised if he cant make a half decent coffee.

prydey · 05-10-2021, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMB

You mean he doesnt know how to make latte. Being the boss, I'd be surprised if he cant make a half decent coffee.

Refer back to post #14...

If it involves using coffee, then it's a type of coffee drink.

AMB · 05-10-2021, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

Refer back to post #14...

If it involves using coffee, then it's a type of coffee drink.

He's not getting the milk right. Should have said doesnt know how to froth the milk.

blueoval · 05-10-2021, 08:07 PM

My mate owns https://staygrounded.com.au in Perth and I get my beans from him sent to SA (mates rates). Still ends up cheaper to do that than buying some of the local bags and I dont have to leave home to do it.

I drink 3-4 coffees a day so it adds up. If I bought coffee from a cafe that gets quite expensive.

I completely recommend his beans btw.

Yellow_Festiva · 05-10-2021, 08:26 PM

In terms of instant coffee I have found the Coles branded organic one for $4 to be up there with the big brands. Looks more like Moccona then Nescafe.

Worth a punt for anyone that uses instant.

I used to have a machine but after several moves I have no clue which box it's in or which garage that box is stored in.

My morning routine is a pouch of Nescafe (Strong) Cappuccino (I think it's much better than the Moccona equivalent) then another spoon of instant in my soup bowl sized mug of some 600ml.

It's a meal in itself

AMB · 05-10-2021, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMB

He's not getting the milk right. Should have said doesnt know how to froth the milk.

Having said that, I've heard cheaper brands of soymilk are not good for frothing for some reason, so maybe that's part of the problem.
Last few bags I've got has been "Grinders" brand. They have a few blends, I just go with the blends that sound the strongest and 100% arabica. I have been pretty happy with it. I'm tempted to try something more "upmarket", which to me means above $30/kg, just to see if there is a significant difference. Any suggestions?
I've been watching market conditions for quite a while now, most analysts are predicting a period of high inflation, so beans and everything else is likely to start rising in the next 12 months.

slowsnake · 05-10-2021, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTE217

yer but when on the road which is often you can't make your own

Agree though obviously having the coffee machine at home makes for a price competitive cuppa.
Pods in bulk for me, no more grinding for I find the pod coffee taste quality is just as good nowadays.

Nothing wrong with a plunger and No 4 Harris Black, better than most off the track servo's!

blueoval · 05-10-2021, 09:06 PM

at risk of sounding like a coffee snob, I liken instant coffee to dirty dish water. But will drink it if there is nothing better to get my caffeine fix.

AMB · 05-10-2021, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueoval

at risk of sounding like a coffee snob, I liken instant coffee to dirty dish water. But will drink it if there is nothing better to get my caffeine fix.

I can drink 2 heaped teaspoons of nescafe if nothing else available. Yeah weak instant, even nescafe, does taste like dirty dish water.

PooDog · 05-10-2021, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTE217

yer but when on the road which is often you can't make your own

Agree though obviously having the coffee machine at home makes for a price competitive cuppa.
Pods in bulk for me, no more grinding for I find the pod coffee taste quality is just as good nowadays.

Agree trouble is I like a strong coffee and it's a mission to find a good pod ....quite like the Podista double shot , Jeds extreme and the Robert Harris Italian can get them on special at supermarkets in NZ for 50c each which is quite economical

I've got into this bad habit of every time I go out I've gotta take a coffee and like you say pods are quick and easy no mess , just every now and then dismantle the milk container and chuck all the bits in the dishwasher....easy as

slowsnake · 05-10-2021, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

Like most things, there is an important theory element behind the practical outworking of a job.

It's easy to train someone how to operate a piece of equipment, regardless of industry but until they know the reasons behind why you do something, they will only ever be an operator rather than a tradesperson.

I thing the word " barista" is a truer word to use for a dude who makes coffee, certainly not a tradesman!
In fact the coffee roaster is an artisan, he is the reason for the taste or flavour, the barista is not even a craftsman!

prydey · 05-10-2021, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMB

. I'm tempted to try something more "upmarket", which to me means above $30/kg, just to see if there is a significant difference. Any suggestions?

I don't generally recommend a particular blend as everyone has different tastes and what one person thinks is strong, or nice, the next person doesn't.

All I recommend is buying from a roaster who at least uses roast on dates. Anything more than 4 weeks old, leave it on the shelf. Many smaller places actually roast to order too so it's always fresh when you get it. Always best to order before you've finished your last lot. Most beans need a few days to de gas post roast before they're at their best.

Fresh beans is the key for consistency in flavour and how it behaves in the grinder and machine.

As mentioned earlier, I use Merlo.

**DFB FGXR6** · 05-10-2021, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTE217

yer but when on the road which is often you can't make your own
Agree though obviously having the coffee machine at home makes for a price competitive cuppa.
Pods in bulk for me, no more grinding for I find the pod coffee taste quality is just as good nowadays.

Just to spend some more of your money FTE, I present you with this........

https://sydneytools.com.au/product/m...SABEgJy9PD_BwE

blueoval · 05-10-2021, 09:39 PM

most tradies I know have dual cabs with deep cycle batteries and inverters setup with Aldi pod machines. Usually due to them using their utes as weekend campers. Surprised I havent seen more guys doing the same.

**DFB FGXR6** · 05-10-2021, 09:40 PM

I was gifted a barista course a couple of years ago at Market Lane Coffee in Melbourne.

https://marketlane.com.au/pages/bari...urse-melbourne

When you break it all down, there is a lot more to a good coffee than you will imagine. I have to admit, I was a bit intimidated standing behind a professional grade machine and steamer. Was a lot of fun it certainly helped me when I returned to my little machine at home.