Aiming lower: Trader Joe's Italian Roast

[elfs]

Since we're broke trying to save money in the current economic crisis, as I went shopping yesterday for dinner I bought some cheap coffee. Trader Joe's Italian Roast, which at $8.65/lb is less expensive than the $10.50/lb I pay for any of the brands at QFC, or even the (gasp) $16/lb I would spend these days for Dead Man's Reach. (When I get a job, though, I am so buying myself some DMR, though.)

Trader Joe's Italian Roast is an unremarkable coffee. It's more bitter, closer to the historical coffees you might remember when your father drank it, but definitely better than that; it's smoother and more forgiving, and when you first pour the beans out they're dark and oily and just they way they should be. It's like heirloom coffee, in a way.

The taste is slightly bitter and has a high palette, very little nose with some chestnut in it, and a very strong chocolate aftertaste that is nice. It's not great coffee-- the opening notes are somewhat astringent, but that fades very quickly-- but it'll do.

On the other hand, it has a lot of caffeine. I mean, make the "Elf jittery with one cup" lot. I don't know whether this recommends it to you, or not, but there you have it.

Comments

[ladyerin.livejournal.com]

On the other hand, it has a lot of caffeine. I mean, make the "Elf jittery with one cup" lot. I don't know whether this recommends it to you, or not, but there you have it.

*contemplates the cost saving measures of being able to brew a half pot of coffee vs. a whole pot*

All that Jitters is Golden.
~E

[lucky-otter.livejournal.com]

Sounds like the sort of coffee that benefits from sugar and milk. I find that with some good coffees, I enjoy them black, at least when they're fresh. Stale coffee is always bad. With cheaper coffees, I want to mask the usually stronge astringent tastes, which milk and sugar do nicely.

[featheredfrog.livejournal.com]

I used to like their SF Bay product. Dark, bitter, but deep.

[maellenkleth]

; wonders out loud where Elf was going to find Ravens' Brew in/around Seattle? We have been buying the Sanctuary Blend whole-bean (the one that's roasted by Orthodox monks over on Vashon Island) at our quasi-local Thriftway, up atop Ballinger Hill.

Himself thinks it's damn good coffee, but I cannot recall how spendy it is, though. Sorry 'bout that :(

[elfs.livejournal.com]

There's a Whole Foods on Denny Way, and if you're very lucky you'll be in there the same day that comes in a Raven's Brew pallet. It goes that fast.

[kistha.livejournal.com]

I assume you know this, but just in case I'm wrong, they do sell and ship on-line.

http://www.ravensbrew.com/NewFiles/coffees.html

Good luck on the job front.

[heofmanynames.livejournal.com]

Love the icon!!
Will look for the Raven's Brew when next @ WF.

(PS - give Big John a call...)

[lemur123.livejournal.com]

Check out green coffee beans. They last much longer than roasted beans without losing flavour, so you can stock up in bulk and possibly save (depends on your local supply situation; you may end up paying more to get green beans shipped in). I roast small batches on a cookie sheet to exactly the degree I like, and the chocolate and earth flavours are just amazing. By adjusting the darkness, you can adjust the caffeine as well.

CAUTION: Espresso tastes weird with freshly-ground beans, I hear, apparently since they give off carbon dioxide for the first week or so after roasting. I haven't noticed any issues with drip coffee, though.

[heofmanynames.livejournal.com]

TJ's coffees are interesting, inexpensive, and better than okay - but not great (all of which you picked up).

The 100% Kauai'i is among the best IMO (along w/ the Tarrazu & the Peaberry). The Kauai'i is the first bean in *decades* to give me a serious noticeable buzz (so be warned!)

Have recently discovered that an old hot-air corn-popper can sub as a coffee roaster (got one almost-new from a friend who was moving), so green beans become more of an option: check out this one!

http://www.sweetmarias.com/index.htm