Not quite food... but could someone tell me about proper coffee please?

[EachPeachPearMum]

I have bought DH a coffee machine for his birthday (just prior to christmas)- the type that does espresso, cappucino, and filter coffee.
What I'm not sure about now is what type of coffee I need to get.
I have worked out I need size 4 coffee filters for the filter part...

I looked at cans of Illy espresso in the supermarket, as I understand that's a good one... but there were at least 4 different types, and other than 1 being decaff, I couldn't work out what distinguished the others!

So what do I buy?
I can get to gourmet type shops if necessary- they have beans for grinding at House of Fraser and Selfridges as far as I am aware, but even there, I'm not sure what to ask for- we have only had a cafetiere previously, so I know you can get beans ground in different sizes...

Also, as I'm due DC2 in jan, it would be nice to know what to get in a supermarket, so I don't have to trek into city centre with a newb for refills...

TIA

I'd say it's a matter of taste - what you and your dh like may or may not be what experts in these things deem "the best".

The flavour of coffee is influenced by the type of beans, where they are grown and how they are roasted. Arabica beans (more expensive) are supposed to produce better coffee than robusta beans (cheaper). Anything referred to as a 'blend' will likely be a mixture of the two.

The longer coffee beans are roasted, the stronger and more intense the coffee they make. That's a matter of taste and how potent you like your brew. Most coffees try to give some description of how powerful they are - which one you go for depends on what you like.

As to where they're grown, local factors like soil differences affect the taste of the coffee, which again boils down to taste.

Unless you drink loads of coffee, don't buy huge quantities as it does go stale once ground. Or buy beans and grind your own (a normal kitchen chopper thingy does the trick for small quantities, you don't need an expensive grinder). How about getting a couple of different small packets from your supermarket and seeing if your dh can taste the difference?

Oops, pressed post before I was ready.

Meant to say, that is what a local chap who has just set up a coffee importing business told me when he explained the difference between coffees. Sorry it turned into a bit of an essay.

Tescos do a grading system. The higher numbers would taste a bit bitter if you're not used to strong coffee. 3 is a good one. A bag of ground coffee, number 3. I like costa rican more than colombian. lIke both but costa rican is quite soft.

keep the bag of ground coffee in the freezer. it doesn't lose its flavour in the freezer.

oh. actually, is it one of those coffee machines that takes tiny little capsule things? do they look like a little pot of marmalade//

Oh thank you Roskva and Liffey!

I think he probably likes strong coffee- when we're in france I always have grand creme, but he sticks to espresso, so I shall keep to higher numbers. I had heard arabica was better than robusta, but no idea where!
Cost rican sounds nice.

It isn't a pod one... but it says you can use pods in the espresso part of the machine. I'm going to leave those for once we know how to use it properly though

Do you have a Whittards Of Chelsea near you? They will advise you on the right choice. You can buy beans or they will grind it for you. Fine ground for espresso, medium ground for drip-through, course ground for caffetier.
I reccomend Whittards Santos and Java, which I use for drip-through and espresso/cappuccino.

butterfly thanks- it's good to know there are low-acid types... DH does have various stomach issues, and I was in 2 minds whether a coffee machine was the best thing, but he does love the stuff...

goober I am always a bit nervous of Whittards the only stuff I've had from there seem really gimmicky- flavoured stuff which was horrible.... I take it they do real stuff too? (the others were all gifts to us, but foul)

Good to know what coarseness to ask for though

Never tried the flavoured crap.
Their real blends are good.

if he likes expresso (i do too) sainsbury's do a 2 for £3 on beans (no:5) its perfectly acceptable, grind as you go..

i have small italian expresso pot for stove, dont know about machines, sorry

stay away from gimmicky stuff is my advice

if you are in london there is a bloke who roasts his own in camden, delancey st, up from the cafe, heavenly shop and really lovely coffee you can buy it by weight and try little of everything

A finer grind for espresso but it isn't completely neccesary, which is why teh different varieties.
I woudl get an espresso grind and a filter/all purpose as well.

1 of the Illy tins is beans the other ground. Don't know what make you have but we have a Gaggia and it really only likes the Espresso grind. We use Lavassia? for everyday and Illy ground for high days and holidays.

Thank you for all your suggestions... am going to have a good look tomorrow.