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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Feeling the need for a good coffee today.
Cafe Nero has to be my favourite (not to be confused with actual Nero our forum Hero)..hey it rhymes!
What's your fave?
Be well and happy good folks  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I was just thinking the same, may take a trip to my mums she does a mean fresh coffee in tthere farm shop. However if we're talking larger coffee shops im quite a fan of costa's espresso  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I currently loving a bean that’s from a micro lot in Brazil. I can’t drink chain shop coffee, they inevitably burn it and it tasted bitter. If I’m out, I’ll try and find a little independent coffee shop. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Feeling the need for a good coffee today.
Cafe Nero has to be my favourite (not to be confused with actual Nero our forum Hero)..hey it rhymes!
What's your fave?
Be well and happy good folks "
Where I live no big chain and I’m hours drive away from a proper coffee shop |
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There is a small cafe a few minute's walk from my flat that serves beautiful coffee. If anyone finds themselves looking for coffee in New Brighton it's called the Sea Shanty and it's lovely!
Sadly it's open weird hours and rarely when I want coffee first thing in the morning, so I end up settling for a costa/starbucks as they are also a short walk away and are open at convenient times. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I quite like Costa from time to time but I prefer independent coffee shops as some can be amazing. Starbucks is alright but it doesn't hit the 'wow' button. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I love my instant decaf in the morning. If I'm feeling adventurous I go for a skinny decaf mocha, starbucks preferred.
OP: pretty sure you can get a discount at Nero with the meercat app. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I currently loving a bean that’s from a micro lot in Brazil. I can’t drink chain shop coffee, they inevitably burn it and it tasted bitter. If I’m out, I’ll try and find a little independent coffee shop. "
Just sharing my experience…
Independent coffee shops are overrated. I’ve had plenty of nasty surprises. I think it’s often how good the barista is that adds to the quality of of the coffee.
We have a chain in London ; Gail’s . Not sure if they’re nationwide yet. Best coffee for me . |
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"Feeling the need for a good coffee today.
Cafe Nero has to be my favourite (not to be confused with actual Nero our forum Hero)..hey it rhymes!
What's your fave?
Be well and happy good folks "
Cafe Nero also  costa have upped their game lately too I now require a nice coffee 
Anyone do a delivery service to my bed?! 
Mrs x |
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At home I've got Lavazza Intenso instant. If I switch the machine on it's normally Lavazza Rosa or Starbucks house blend.
I flip between a mocha frape and a flat white when I'm out. Predominantly Starbucks but whichever is closest to be honest.
The machine at work has Lavazza Crema beans which isn't bad |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Feeling the need for a good coffee today.
Cafe Nero has to be my favourite (not to be confused with actual Nero our forum Hero)..hey it rhymes!
What's your fave?
Be well and happy good folks
Cafe Nero also costa have upped their game lately too I now require a nice coffee
Anyone do a delivery service to my bed?!
Mrs x"
Milk or cream |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"My favourite is the one I make at home in the cafetière with freshly ground arabica beans. I’ve just finished a pot of actually. Best not brew another!"
lovely I do same
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I currently loving a bean that’s from a micro lot in Brazil. I can’t drink chain shop coffee, they inevitably burn it and it tasted bitter. If I’m out, I’ll try and find a little independent coffee shop.
Just sharing my experience…
Independent coffee shops are overrated. I’ve had plenty of nasty surprises. I think it’s often how good the barista is that adds to the quality of of the coffee.
We have a chain in London ; Gail’s . Not sure if they’re nationwide yet. Best coffee for me ."
Brum has some excellent little independents. You need to search around but the rewards are there in spades if you like coffee. You're 100% right that the barista makes all the difference - one of my favourite places is really bad when one of the baristas is on 
The difference is that chains are built around second wave coffee - dark, bitter, big focus on espresso and latte art and stuff. Nothing wrong with that, if you like it then
Independents tend to be part of the third wave, which emphasises the taste of the coffee - so, lighter roasts and more attention to origin (and seasonality). A good third wave filter should have no bitterness and have interesting flavours, a good third wave latte needs less sweet milk to overpower the bitterness of the espresso.
Coffee snobbery is dumb but when you go to a coffee shop try to set your expectations to what they do there - and tell the barista what you like then ask what they recommend. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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My only other contribution to this thread is that Costa make the most sour, murky espresso I've ever tasted and I can only drink it when it's drowned in milk. I don't understand how they get it quite so uniquely wrong |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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You had me at coffee
There’s something wonderful when my lips are welcomed with something wet and tasty.
My favourite is Costa if I’m out or discovering independent coffee shops is scene better. They’re sometimes quirky and I like that.
At home. Fresh beans, and a strong roast with a French press at the moment. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Currently have my caramel latte with extra hot in hand!
I do need to buy a half decent coffee machine though, I have no idea where to start though"
Strong recommendation: start with an Aeropress. It's cheap and it's good. Get ground coffee for it, as fresh as you can - Union works, a local coffee shop (that does coffee you like) would be better.
If you want to upgrade from that, get a decent grinder. Lots of reviews online - burrs not blades, manual will be better value for money. Fresh ground beans will be the best upgrade for flavour. Once you've found a bean you like, stick to it - swapping beans means you'll have to re-learn the best grind size, and that means bad coffee until you've found it.
If you want something a bit fancy, look at a V60 - again, cheap, but there's a knack to it (it's pretty hard to get the Aeropress wrong, whereas it's pretty hard to get a V60 right! Worth it though).
Stay away from home espresso unless you want a new, hyper-expensive, time-consuming hobby. My wife loves milky coffee so she uses an Aeropress and a milk frother - or goes to see the professionals |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I currently loving a bean that’s from a micro lot in Brazil. I can’t drink chain shop coffee, they inevitably burn it and it tasted bitter. If I’m out, I’ll try and find a little independent coffee shop.
Just sharing my experience…
Independent coffee shops are overrated. I’ve had plenty of nasty surprises. I think it’s often how good the barista is that adds to the quality of of the coffee.
We have a chain in London ; Gail’s . Not sure if they’re nationwide yet. Best coffee for me .
Brum has some excellent little independents. You need to search around but the rewards are there in spades if you like coffee. You're 100% right that the barista makes all the difference - one of my favourite places is really bad when one of the baristas is on
The difference is that chains are built around second wave coffee - dark, bitter, big focus on espresso and latte art and stuff. Nothing wrong with that, if you like it then
Independents tend to be part of the third wave, which emphasises the taste of the coffee - so, lighter roasts and more attention to origin (and seasonality). A good third wave filter should have no bitterness and have interesting flavours, a good third wave latte needs less sweet milk to overpower the bitterness of the espresso.
Coffee snobbery is dumb but when you go to a coffee shop try to set your expectations to what they do there - and tell the barista what you like then ask what they recommend."
Clearly you know your coffee. I would slightly challenge your thoughts on chain . As we both agreed barista make the difference. My local Starbucks , yes I know they’re crap coffee. One barista makes the best flat white . He’s a little legend. If I don’t see him through the window, I pass by , and. It stop in.
I heard great things about Brum. I watched a YouTuber visit various places and it looks like a trip to brum id make alone off then back of that YouTuber haha . |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Clearly you know your coffee. I would slightly challenge your thoughts on chain . As we both agreed barista make the difference. My local Starbucks , yes I know they’re crap coffee. One barista makes the best flat white . He’s a little legend. If I don’t see him through the window, I pass by , and. It stop in.
I heard great things about Brum. I watched a YouTuber visit various places and it looks like a trip to brum id make alone off then back of that YouTuber haha ."
Yeh, so, I don't really think Starbucks makes crap coffee. I think they make kinda crap espresso - it's a machine, they press a button - but the barista will make all the difference with foaming the milk and pouring the drink. On a Starbucks latte that's, what, 90% of the drink? So yeh, big difference!
Traditionally the barista would also need to dial in the grind size, redistribute the puck, tamp the puck, and a million other little tiny things that make a difference. In some places they'll just throw it all in and think it'll come out well (spoiler: it doesn't) - but as with Starbucks, the milk can make all the difference (and that is a signature of second wave coffee).
In a third wave coffee shop you're more likely to get a smaller latte, because they're really proud of their espresso and want you to taste it. The espresso itself won't be bitter, and it should have a sweetness to it. But it's different, not better - kinda like the difference between a spirit-forward cocktail (like an old fashioned) and a more traditional cocktail (like a whiskey sour).
(And yeh, "independent" by no means ensures quality. Lots of crap independents out there!) |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I normally brew my own at home using a French Press. Currently drinking a Sholi coffee from Rwanda roasted locally that I recently bought "
I just drink Lidl coffee at home. £2.09 for a jar of Columbian blend.
I always add milk .
I can’t be fussed with the French press and the mess and time it takes to brew. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I normally brew my own at home using a French Press. Currently drinking a Sholi coffee from Rwanda roasted locally that I recently bought
I just drink Lidl coffee at home. £2.09 for a jar of Columbian blend.
I always add milk .
I can’t be fussed with the French press and the mess and time it takes to brew. "
It does take a while but I see it as a labour of love. Been thinking of purchasing a V60 though as the brew time is quite a bit quicker |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Feeling the need for a good coffee today.
Cafe Nero has to be my favourite (not to be confused with actual Nero our forum Hero)..hey it rhymes!
What's your fave?
Be well and happy good folks "
I enjoy Costa, probably too much, yet i love a black Americano. I have lots of free drinks racked up so im a cheap date too.
Apologies to the Starbucks fans but their roasts always taste burnt to me. |
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By *arkus1812Man
over a year ago
Lifes departure lounge NN9 Northamptonshire East not West MidlandsMidlands |
"Bewitch coffee is my ultimate favourite "
With you on that one, I use the Bewitched at Rushden Lakes, also a good one in Wellingborough town centre. |
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When wfh started one of the first things I bought was a sage espresso machine. Over the past few years I've been trying different coffees from different suppliers. Generally prefer coffee from Nicaragua and Berundi, but ultimately it's the farm, not the country.
The act of making that first coffee in the morning is quite cathartic. A warning, coffee making becomes a bit of a time consuming hobby if you're not careful |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Quarter house in Birmingham is amazing. Great atmosphere, looks amazing inside and the food is really good too and not overpriced"
Quarter Horse is ace if you like them try Faculty (Piccadilly Arcade) or The Coffee Bar (Temple Row) if you haven't already. The Coffee Bar made what I think was the best latte I've ever had  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Quarter house in Birmingham is amazing. Great atmosphere, looks amazing inside and the food is really good too and not overpriced
Quarter Horse is ace if you like them try Faculty (Piccadilly Arcade) or The Coffee Bar (Temple Row) if you haven't already. The Coffee Bar made what I think was the best latte I've ever had "
Yorks is a good one too just by new street station. I've walked past the coffee bar so many times but just never been in yet. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Yorks is a good one too just by new street station. I've walked past the coffee bar so many times but just never been in yet. "
Gave York's a few goes but didn't enjoy it. Same with 200 degrees. But it's possible I just had bad luck on the day.
Tilt has really good or really bad coffee, depending on the barista. So I stick to the beer there |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I admit a bias as I worked in the coffee buying business in East Africa (Tanzania) briefly, but I really don't like chain coffee shop coffee at all, and find some (Starbucks, for instance) revolting. Freshly ground Kenyan coffee beans at home for me, which is what we have at the weekends. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Tbf Maccies Coffee is lovely and a damn site cheaper too "
It’s said they sell the most number of coffee in the UK. I’m not a fan of their coffee sadly. Because it is cheap |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Yorks is a good one too just by new street station. I've walked past the coffee bar so many times but just never been in yet.
Gave York's a few goes but didn't enjoy it. Same with 200 degrees. But it's possible I just had bad luck on the day.
Tilt has really good or really bad coffee, depending on the barista. So I stick to the beer there "
Yeah 200 degress can be hit and miss. Ah im a fan of tilt their beers are good to. Sounds like we might have crossed paths goin to these places lol |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Yorks is a good one too just by new street station. I've walked past the coffee bar so many times but just never been in yet.
Gave York's a few goes but didn't enjoy it. Same with 200 degrees. But it's possible I just had bad luck on the day.
Tilt has really good or really bad coffee, depending on the barista. So I stick to the beer there
Yeah 200 degress can be hit and miss. Ah im a fan of tilt their beers are good to. Sounds like we might have crossed paths goin to these places lol"
I was in York last December, on a mini birthday weekend. We enjoyed 2 bakeries : Little Arras and Flori Bakery . Their coffee was decent, small cups but the baked goodies was so tasty . |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Quarter house in Birmingham is amazing. Great atmosphere, looks amazing inside and the food is really good too and not overpriced
Quarter Horse is ace if you like them try Faculty (Piccadilly Arcade) or The Coffee Bar (Temple Row) if you haven't already. The Coffee Bar made what I think was the best latte I've ever had "
I haven’t been to either of them but will add them to the list. I just like the laid back atmosphere in quarter house |
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"I currently loving a bean that’s from a micro lot in Brazil. I can’t drink chain shop coffee, they inevitably burn it and it tasted bitter. If I’m out, I’ll try and find a little independent coffee shop.
Just sharing my experience…
Independent coffee shops are overrated. I’ve had plenty of nasty surprises. I think it’s often how good the barista is that adds to the quality of of the coffee.
We have a chain in London ; Gail’s . Not sure if they’re nationwide yet. Best coffee for me .
Brum has some excellent little independents. You need to search around but the rewards are there in spades if you like coffee. You're 100% right that the barista makes all the difference - one of my favourite places is really bad when one of the baristas is on
The difference is that chains are built around second wave coffee - dark, bitter, big focus on espresso and latte art and stuff. Nothing wrong with that, if you like it then
Independents tend to be part of the third wave, which emphasises the taste of the coffee - so, lighter roasts and more attention to origin (and seasonality). A good third wave filter should have no bitterness and have interesting flavours, a good third wave latte needs less sweet milk to overpower the bitterness of the espresso.
Coffee snobbery is dumb but when you go to a coffee shop try to set your expectations to what they do there - and tell the barista what you like then ask what they recommend."
I'm slightly aroused by this talk of good independents in Birmingham. There was a good one I used to go to in JQ which I have forgotten the name of which was always a good brew. |
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By *G LanaTV/TS
over a year ago
Gosport |
I must repent for I have become a coffee snob.
I like to take green beans, ideally monsooned malabar, and roast them about 3 days before brewing. These are then ground, in a burr grinder before being brewed to a lungo in an espresso hand lever press. And then I normally ruin, at least in most peoples minds, all this work by adding milk and hot water to make a lovely coffee. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"
Apologies to the Starbucks fans but their roasts always taste burnt to me. "
It’s worth knowing, Starbucks created their coffee to be d*unk with lots of milk and sugar. If you go off piste it won’t taste as they expected it to be sold. And you’ll be disappointed. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I must repent for I have become a coffee snob.
I like to take green beans, ideally monsooned malabar, and roast them about 3 days before brewing. These are then ground, in a burr grinder before being brewed to a lungo in an espresso hand lever press. And then I normally ruin, at least in most peoples minds, all this work by adding milk and hot water to make a lovely coffee."
The snob in me sees you’re not in our club by adding milk . |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"For me, I prefer a carefully handcrafted Flat White from my eponymous coffee shop, "Caffé Nero". "
Happy you made an appearance.
Equally happy that it's also your fave |
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"For me, I prefer a carefully handcrafted Flat White from my eponymous coffee shop, "Caffé Nero".
Happy you made an appearance.
Equally happy that it's also your fave "
•
Terribly sorry, I was grinding some coffee beans. |
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I adore the smell and abhor the taste of coffee