Do you like coffee? Ever had Graffeo?

So, I first had this coffee in the late-1980's while I was in San Rafael, California.
I absolutely loved it; it probably began my steadfast rule that all coffee
should be very good instead of mediocre.

It was fairly expensive at the time, around $10/pound, but oh my, it was worth it.

I've had it a few times since then, as they do online sales, but it's been
a good while since I last purchased from them until this year past.
I'm pleased to announce that it's just as sumptuous as I remember.

I've been getting Starbucks Breakfast Blend as a daily, which I feel is
a good flavor with minimal bitterness, and it's not crazy-expensive.
I've yet to find it at local stores in whole-bean form, however.

So middle of last year, I was describing Graffeo coffee to my wife.
She suggested I get some, so I purchased two pounds.
Well it's expensive now, at $19.50/pound, with two pounds delivered
coming in at $50!

Unfortunately, my wife is now enamoured by the stuff.
She even half-jokingly suggests we buy more when our funds
are low, but she knows it'd be foolish to drop $30 to $50 on coffee.
In spite of that, I nearly made a purchase just a few minutes ago!

I've nothing to do with Graffeo other than as a very satisfied consumer,
but if you're willing, grab some of the best coffee you're likely to get.
My personal preference is half-and-half: mixed light and dark roast.

Graffeo Coffee Roasting Company

OK, I'm going to give it a try!


I'll pass on my secret blend here for anyone interested.

IMHO most dark coffees are great for dessert with something sweet, black.

For breakfast, that morning joe, I really prefer something with more character but less bitter than a straight dark roast.
I got the idea from a local pastry shop that used to sell it's own "blend" (actually made a local roaster)
It was my wife's favorite coffer bar none, and I loved it too. Sadly they stopped selling it a few years ago, after we'd grown addicted to it.

So I tried to remake something along the same lines from readily available whole beans. What I KNEW from the blend, was that they used a mix including some very dark wet beans,. and some much paler dry beans. The result is you get the complex and bold flavors of the dark Italian roasts, etc. but mellowed considerably by the lighter roast.

Finding ANY light whole beans for sale around here (and even online) can be very tricky. The world seems to think that only dark drinkers want whole beans.

I used to use Gevalia classic beans for the "light", but they have discontinued whole beans!

Now I am relying on Starbucks Veranda "blonde" roast.
The Dark roast I prefer to use are Pete's either "house" or "Major Dickasons"

Mix 2/3 light roast 1/3 dark, and Boom, your good to go.

We've also tried more complex mixes with some medium roasts in there, "Bag Bang" and some of the Starbucks single origins medium roasts, but really haven't found that to add much.

I read an article some long time ago, about how darker roasts actually increase
bitterness and reduce caffiene content. Made sense to me, considering that
high heat will frequently kill off characteristics of nearly any given plant,
if they're not torched. Not to mention the bitterness of burn.

I'm with you, Jake:
The morning intake should be smooth, not a harsh or super-strong dark.
French Roast and similar is too strongly acidic and bitter for my tastes;
such is the reason I like Graffeo and the Breakfast Blend.

If I could find a locally-available whole-bean coffee I like,
I'd certainly be purchasing it over the others, but the local merchants
don't seem to find a reason to offer it. Maybe I should try Schuil's or
Horrock's or Russo's.

There was a VERY Italian grocer near to me when I lived in Dearborn;
most of the package labels were printed in Italian and English languages.
Alcamo's Market is the place.
They didn't offer any particular coffee during my time nearby, though,
but their house-made sandwiches are FANTASTIC!

So yeah, we got some light roast and some dark.
We are absolutely loving the light roast in particular. You aren't kidding about the smell from the freshly ground beans. It's very good stuff!

We haven't tried the dark yet on it's own, but I did do up a blend like the one I mention above, but in this case all Graffeo, 2/3 light + 1/3 dark. We both agreed the light was better on it's own, which was a bit of a surprise!

I love Graffeo coffee beans, yes indeed !

I first encountered the company and name through my nose, must have been sometime in the '90s - I was in San Francisco and was walking down Columbus Ave in North Beach, and this fantastic smell of roasting beans came to me. I tracked it down to Graffeo roasting company, but IIRC the retail shop was not open at the time, so when I got back home I ordered a couple of pounds, and was a regular customer for some time.

In the interim I've purchased their beans off and on, periodically. I go with all-dark, 1 lb. of caf, and 1 lb. of decaf and mix them up at home - it's been awhile though, thanks for reminding me!

I really like the dark-roast Italian style and I think Graffeo nails it.

SkedAddled wrote in post #18998196
So, I first had this coffee in the late-1980's while I was in San Rafael, California.
I absolutely loved it; it probably began my steadfast rule that all coffee
should be very good instead of mediocre.

...

I've been getting Starbucks Breakfast Blend as a daily, which I feel is
a good flavor with minimal bitterness, and it's not crazy-expensive.

I find these two statements to be mutually exclusive. I know nothing of Graffeo. I have tried Starbucks, perhaps in the neighborhood of 10 times in the last 10-15 years. Irrespective of city, blend ordered, time of day, sun/star alignment, everything from Starbucks tastes like the beans were burned in the roasting process.

I do agree with CDS, Pete's Major Dickason's is one of the best coffees I've ever had.

PentaxShooter wrote in post #19003204
I find these two statements to be mutually exclusive. I know nothing of Graffeo. I have tried Starbucks, perhaps in the neighborhood of 10 times in the last 10-15 years. Irrespective of city, blend ordered, time of day, sun/star alignment, everything from Starbucks tastes like the beans were burned in the roasting process.

I do agree with CDS, Pete's Major Dickason's is one of the best coffees I've ever had.

For reference, it's Peet's.

IIRC the Peet's brand started as a breakaway from Starbucks, way back when Starbucks was a local Seattle roaster/coffeehouse. The founders of Peet's landed in the Bay Area.

TustinMike wrote in post #19003308
For reference, it's Peet's.

IIRC the Peet's brand started as a breakaway from Starbucks, way back when Starbucks was a local Seattle roaster/coffeehouse. The founders of Peet's landed in the Bay Area.

Thanks for the correction. I plead ignorance as my wife orders the coffee (and everything else) around here. If this true, I can see why they split. Vastly different products in my estimation.

I havent had Graffeo but will certainly try it soon! I was put on Counter Culture Coffee which is my current go to brand.

TustinMike wrote in post #19003308
For reference, it's Peet's.

IIRC the Peet's brand started as a breakaway from Starbucks, way back when Starbucks was a local Seattle roaster/coffeehouse. The founders of Peet's landed in the Bay Area.

But Peets is waaay better! Many of their options do not destroy the beans in the roasting process. (At least I've never come across any that do)
Regardless of origins, they are doing a much better job across the board.

Well, sounds like I should try Peet's
My local Target carries it in whole-bean.

I only make coffee with purified, filtered, water that has been allowed to breathe for 24 hours. Good coffee is not possible with bad water.

PentaxShooter wrote in post #19003840
I only make coffee with purified, filtered, water that has been allowed to breathe for 24 hours. Good coffee is not possible with bad water.

Carried from the well by virgins.

I am very fortunate to live in an area with superb tap water. In the winter when it is ice cold out of the tap, it is my absolute favorite beverage!