Lighthouse Roasters Espresso (Roasters Blend), the new champ!

Thanks Dr. Evil! your the man.. you cared enough to send this out from Seattle.





Much like a super fresh version of Starbucks, slightly lighter roast. Perfect blend of smooth and spice, no mushroom fungi aftertaste. Simply, perfect. IF I had to say it, this one finally beats Starbucks on taste.

BBQ Showdown Results

Grum's Kobe Flank Steak
Check McPork Butt
Corey's Rib
Wade's Korean Beef Flank Steak








The cook off was astounding. The competition was tough. Take a look at the food.

Winner: Grum - flank (kobe)
Second: Corey - rib
Third: Wade - Korea beef - flank
Last: Check - Pork Butt

Lesson learned, if you are competing do not host. My butt needed 12hrs and only got six at a higher than desired 275F.. :(

Corey's ribs were finally the holy grail he's been trying for.

Wade's beef was a huge surprise, the dark horse

Grum's presentation and professionalism gave us something to behold; and the Kobe flank was great.

All star BBQ showdown

The first ever Dearborn All Star BBQ showdown will take place at Dan's this Saturday (8/19/06).

Grum - Kobe flank
Jeff - Pork But
Corey - Shrimp on Barbie
Wade - Korean Beef

Should be a blast, look for updates and pics after Saturday.

Gimme Coffee Leftist Blend

What can i say, its the most Starbucks like blend I've ever tried. Its like *$ light roast. Very similar in behaviour, down to the thin red extration flows and the balanced, highly drinkable taste.

not as exotic as the others (or even starbucks) but a lighter roast version with mellow notes may be the most drinkable espresso i've ever had.

Adrian and Corey (two frends of mine) have tried every blend in this challenege, both agree Gimme Leftist blend has the best drinkability factor.

Stumptown Roasters.. yummy.

Wow, this is as close to Starbuks i've found so far. Its a lot fresher, and a lighter roast but it clearly beats out all others i've tried so far. its black cat like but w/o the spice. just an even keel pull. I'll update again when i pull a nice ristretto tomorrow morning.

Its the most expensive coffee i've ever purchased! $20 bucks shipped to my house in Michigan, all the way from Portland. Still, its $13.50 / lb and that's three bucks more than the others.

Its missing that 'Malabar' musroom musty taste i found in Dolce and to a lesser extent Paradise.. I'm not to into that.

Paradise Roasters - very very very good

I can't seem to get the updates done with the numerical rating system so its done.

The next challenger for Starbucks was Paradise Roasters - what a surprise.

Everyone loved it - i mean loved it. I even loved it.

Its got a slight bit of Malabar - just enough according to most (too much IMO).

Very drinkable, almost equalled the flavor of starbucks on straight shots - can't relly tell if its better for milk drinks or not, Vita sure did kill for milk drinks.

On to Stumptown Hairbender - is it me or is $14 for a pound of beans a bit much?

Dolce and Vita vs. Starbucks Bold

Dolce and Vita, both did well in testing against *$, primariliy because they have such exoitc and different flavor.

Starbucks still reigned supereme even thought the test shot was a dark 1.0oz ristretto. its difficult to pull shots with Docle this fresh, shots come out 100% crema and way to fast.



I'm re-running a three way challenge with BC, Dolce, and *$ on Tuesday to confirm. Full results will be posted.

Vita made a splendid cappuccino, it will not be reviewed because its intended for milk drinks.

Roasted beans shipped from Seattle Vivace.

Round one in the books - SB trumps Black Cat with ease

Here are the results. The big surprise? After tasting the perfect crema and spice of the cat, aint no way my two friends change their minds, the cat was the bomb.. until we tried the right temp *$ (95C steady state on the brewt). Then it was, wow. i can't believe it. i never though starbukcs was that good. Surprises all around (except me).

Pic of beans, *$ is the darker roast on right.


Name: -Drinkability- -Flavor- -Mouthfeel-One word description - (total)

Starbucks Bold Espresso
Tony V 10 10 8 Taste (28)
Corey S 8 9 8 Good (25)
Jeff C 10 10 9 Deep (29)
-AVG: 27.33

Black Cat by Intelligentsia
Tony V 9 9 8 Smooth (26)
Corey S 8 7 8 Smooth (23)
Jeff C 8 7 8 Pungent (23)
-AVG: 24

Updates to Starbucks vs. The Best Espresso

Here is the list.

Coffee Emergency - pay pal only - avoided.
Ecco Cafe - phone order only - will wait.
Vivace - ordered 1/2 lb of Dolce and 1/2 lb of Vita.
Paradise
Stumptown
Gimme
Cuvee Coffee
Caffe Fresco
West Coast Roasting
Rocket Coffee Roasters

Starts today!

SB vs. Black Cat

Tomorrow 5/18/06, SB vs. Dolce and Vita.

PIC of the heat treat station

Kiln, Salt pot, OMEGA PID, Omega SSR..

Coffee monkey got me started again!

All right.. he's on a quest for the best espresso shot.. Made me realize i need to explore lower temps! thanks CM.

Tried the lower temp (94C) yesterday on the cat. The first shot - very good, different taste, more sour fruit. Second shot, even better.. more notes of chocolate.

Still, i would love to get the flavor the LM gave me in their shop - tasted like chocolate espresso. Maybe i'll go 1 degree cooler today.

FYI, i'm about to post my PID / kinfe / gun heat treating pics!