...are there any recommended local roasters? I went to an expensive Deli in Didsbury recently (admittedly a well run place) as I recalled seeing coffee beans beans behind the counter.
I went in to ask if they had fresh beans for sale and was immediately led to the tinned Illy in the back (with a nice margin to boot).
I'm aware that they're are many good roasters out there in internetland, but it would be nice to strike up a link with local suppliers.
I'm also aware of Roberts and Co (ironically once had a place in Manchester?) and will take a trip up to Lancashire, hopefully this weekend. Is that my best bet at the moment? The city is into double figures for each of the main coffee co's, but sadly very little on the independent variety (the suburbs fare better in that respect).
I recently got hold of a gaggia classic (2nd hand but have descaled, puri cleaned it till it's sparkling). At the moment I only have a Krups blade grinder to keep me going, and with that only supermarket beans. But even this is far superior to pre ground coffee..I had one earlier (it was the only decaff we had in the house)...absolutely awful. The supermarket beans were pretty sour as an espresso but pretty nice as a cappuccino (and bettered the moka I've been brewing coffee with for years).
I'm being sent a Ascaso I mini in a week or two, so would like some quality beans for that time. Would I be right in saying I should look outside of the darker, oilier beans and more towards the other, medium roast varieties? With blade ground, 'fresh' (supermarket) beans, I must admit the coffee when brewed properly with the moka can be pretty good (almost had that thick, buttery 'mouthfeel') so I'm looking forward to a burr ground, freshly roasted and gaggia classic brewed coffee in a few weeks. I once considered pre ground, sainsburys (et al) coffee as sophisticated...! How wrong I was.
Thanks all.