Which coffee beans for strong, rich flavour?

[MitchT]

I have a bean-to-cup machine which produces lovely coffee, however, the flavour is nowhere near as strong and rich as I like. If I get a cappuccino from an independent when I'm out somewhere the flavour and richness is amazing. I want to achieve this at home. I'm currently using Lavazza Qualita Rossa at home which, nice as it is, is clearly nowhere near strong enough. Any ideas?

[Lotobear]

I've been buying their Italian blend for around 5 years now and find it to be excellent - I go through a Kilo bag every 3 weeks. They've bumped the price quite a bit of late but it's still less than £15 for a kilo and consistently excellent (I buy through their Ebay shop):

https://hormozi.co.uk/

[oddman]

Somebody on here put me onto Algerian Coffee Stores

Their Velluto Nero and Formula Rossa are Lavazza clones; Velluto Nero being very dark and rich.

I've recently tried their Vietnamese coffee and that is sweet, chocolatey and almost cartoonishly strong. Into 'don't trust a fart' territory.

[Bonefish Blues]

Counting down to the moment someone says 'it's because you've got the wrong machine'

[Freakuk]

I've tried these guys, they have different beans/blends/roasts https://cannonballcoffee.co.uk/

I like them, but the OH isn't that keen so I end up buying Lavazza or such like to keep the peace.

[PistonBroker]

Indie places usually make it clear whose beans they're using, if not their own.

I'd start by seeing if you can get your hands on your favourite place's beans.

I buy my beans from a roaster here in Taunton - https://www.mr-miles.co.uk/product-category/coffee... - but I've found Morrisons 'The Best' Brazilian beans are pretty good in my Jura if I'm caught short.

[kevinon]

oddman said:

Somebody on here put me onto Algerian Coffee Stores

Their Velluto Nero and Formula Rossa are Lavazza clones; Velluto Nero being very dark and rich.

I've recently tried their Vietnamese coffee and that is sweet, chocolatey and almost cartoonishly strong. Into 'don't trust a fart' territory.

great to be reminded of the Algerian Coffee Shop. For whatever reason, in 30 years of living in London I had never popped into their shop - old compton st.

OMG - it is full-on. Lots of assistants, lots of punters, lots of chatter and tasting. I'll be going there next time I need a bag of beans, so your tips above are welcome.

[-Cappo-]

Bonefish Blues said:

Counting down to the moment someone says 'it's because you've got the wrong machine'

Not even slightly wanting to be "that guy", but I've never experienced a domestic B2C machine which produced coffee of a decent strength and richness.

I'm a touch fussy about strong coffee and I only use the brand the OP mentions (Lavazza Qualita Rossa), ground not beans - not because I'm any sort of coffee snob but because it delivers the taste I want.

With the right amount of coffee (for me, one quite heaped scoop per person/mug), a pot from a cafetiere is very good, and espressos from a old basic Gaggia Classic always come out perfect.

[PhilAsia]

kevinon said:

oddman said:

Somebody on here put me onto Algerian Coffee Stores

Their Velluto Nero and Formula Rossa are Lavazza clones; Velluto Nero being very dark and rich.

I've recently tried their Vietnamese coffee and that is sweet, chocolatey and almost cartoonishly strong. Into 'don't trust a fart' territory.

great to be reminded of the Algerian Coffee Shop. For whatever reason, in 30 years of living in London I had never popped into their shop - old compton st.

OMG - it is full-on. Lots of assistants, lots of punters, lots of chatter and tasting. I'll be going there next time I need a bag of beans, so your tips above are welcome.

Yep, they looked good enough for me to enquire if Philippines delivery is possible. Raw beans.

[PhilAsia]

Coffee is a journey. Are you Marco Polo, or agoraphobic? You choose...

[Bairn]

Great post at an opportune time. Will give Algerian coffee shop a try!
I have been a loyal customer to coffee bean shop for years, but need to try something different.

[rdjohn]

I accept that I am probably wrong, but I do not believe that the bean variety is anywhere near as important as the roast level.

I drink coffee black and anything that scores itself a near 9, or 10 really works for me - even for decaffeinated. Italians seem to have it just right, the rest of Europe does not stack up and tend to be focussed on the level of added milk.

[Quattr04.]

Take a look at rave coffee, it’s got a quiz on there to tell you which of their beans will be best

I’ve had several and all have been rich and full of flavour where you can actually taste the tasting notes instead of just “coffee”

They do light medium and dark roast.

[Leftfootwonder]

You might need a beard, man bun and lumberjack shirt to try it, but I got some of this as an Xmas present and was thoroughly impressed.

https://thesuppshouse.com/products/skull-crusher-c...

[oddman]

PhilAsia said:

kevinon said:

oddman said:

Somebody on here put me onto Algerian Coffee Stores

Their Velluto Nero and Formula Rossa are Lavazza clones; Velluto Nero being very dark and rich.

I've recently tried their Vietnamese coffee and that is sweet, chocolatey and almost cartoonishly strong. Into 'don't trust a fart' territory.

great to be reminded of the Algerian Coffee Shop. For whatever reason, in 30 years of living in London I had never popped into their shop - old compton st.

OMG - it is full-on. Lots of assistants, lots of punters, lots of chatter and tasting. I'll be going there next time I need a bag of beans, so your tips above are welcome.

Yep, they looked good enough for me to enquire if Philippines delivery is possible. Raw beans.

Interesting my warning that the risk of faecal incontinence seems to be a selling point

[Regbuser]

Recommend Drury Tea and Coffee > https://www.shopdrury.com/drury-roasted-coffee/

If you want a rich dark roast, then:

Espresso Reale / continental
Colombian Alta suprema
Cafe de Paris
After Dinner

Although I prefer slightly lighter:

Costa Rica Tarazzu
Moka d'Or

Source - I used to work for them

[wyson]

I’d be watching James Hoffmans guides to the best expresso machines / set up if you want to replicate that rich taste.

Never mind domestic, I haven’t come across a commercial bean to cup machine that can replicate the taste of a high pressure expresso machine. Those Costa coffee machines in petrol stations give a good indication of the quality you will achieve out of a bean to cup machine. It’s always weaker and less flavourful than an instore barista made coffee on a high pressure expresso machine. I’m assuming they use the same beans.

[BlackTails]

Silveroakcoffee. Try the Black Bag.

Monmouth also do some good espresso beans but their offering is more dynamic.

Expect to pay £25-30 per kilo for beans. It’s a lot, but it’s still a lot cheaper than usually poor coffee bought out.

[wyson]

rdjohn said:

I accept that I am probably wrong, but I do not believe that the bean variety is anywhere near as important as the roast level.

I drink coffee black and anything that scores itself a near 9, or 10 really works for me - even for decaffeinated. Italians seem to have it just right, the rest of Europe does not stack up and tend to be focussed on the level of added milk.

Have you tried robusta? I was into Vietnamese coffees for a while, they prefer robusta beans there. Really different flavour to arabica beans.

[Badda]

Try Chimney Fire Coffee, my local roasters. Very nice and a few varieties.