Although I'm not a connoisseur, I like the better quality coffee (in general, I like less harsh and strong flavor/aroma). Buying coffee can get pricey, even though I usually grind and brew my own (single cup at a time). Does anyone have insights or recommendations? Is ground coffee cheaper than beans? 

12 minutes ago, SometimezaGreatNotion said:

Is ground coffee cheaper than beans? 

No coffee is usually sold by weight

 

If your ok with grinding your own your better off as long as you have a burr not blade grinder

 

If a blade then buy beans & let sellers below grind for you but buy in smaller amounts so still fresh when you use it.

 

As for price yes it has gone up but if you buy Thai beans not too bad

 

Try places like Cotton Tree, Ma Chill, or Fieow

 

They all sell & Cotton tree & Fieow roast beans

 

 

 

Thx - any recommendations for purchasing burr grinder? (CM or Bangkok)

I have been buying my beans from Alti Coffee for the last year... They have three roasts light medium and dark - great flavorful dark beans that the roast weekly at their Hang Dong location (You can also order online from their website)... 500g for 200 baht....

 

Alti Coffee

 

343/1 ม.5 ต.หางดง อ.หางดง Chiang Mai 50230

089 635 4490

https://g.co/kgs/XjG31v

16 minutes ago, SometimezaGreatNotion said:

Thx - any recommendations for purchasing burr grinder? (CM or Bangkok)

Hillkoff has a selection of grinders - But I was just in there yesterday and they look to be downsizing?... lots of empty space?... The other location where they do repairs might have more stock too...

 

Here is the grinder I have... Great little grinder that can easily grind espresso grind...

https://shop.bluekoff.com/ProductList.aspx?cat=114&iscoffee=Y

 

This it a small place tucked away along the Ping River just north of the city... I don’t care for their coffee and it has mainly a selection of VERY expensive machine (with the accepting of the grinder I showed above) but I recommend everyone to go just to see a high tech espresso machine in action!...

 

My Setup...

7 minutes ago, sfokevin said:

Hillkoff has a selection of grinders -

I will check it out. Thanks!

Duang Dee coffee have beans or ground. You can buy direct from them at their place near the moat just off Manee Nopparat Rd.

I like Lanna coffee as it is very strong.  A large table spoon makes a 4 cup pot.

But, here it is like asking what is the best wine in Napa.  There are so many coffee farms and shops it is really a personal choice.

Drive up in the mountains near Mae Rim and there are probably 25 different local coffee shops/farms. Many, will let you taste for free.

I usually have them grind it in the shop. Stays fresh for the few weeks it lasts.

1 hour ago, cmsally said:

Duang Dee coffee have beans or ground. You can buy direct from them at their place near the moat just off Manee Nopparat Rd.

We have ben buying their "Extra smooth"variety for a few years.Took us a few weeks to actually find them.

Heading east along the top right cnr of the moat its the last small soi,they are the last shop at the end of the soi on the left . 1/2 kg ground is 180 baht from memory,top taste

2 hours ago, cmsally said:

Duang Dee coffee have beans or ground. You can buy direct from them at their place near the moat just off Manee Nopparat Rd.

I’ve seen it at the Tops supermarket in Airport Plaza too..

Ahh Good luck. hah. Truthfully I recommend buying a S load outside of Thailand and bringing into the country. The brands people have mentioned above I have tried, and tried repeatedly. They are ok. But that is it, just Ok. And yes buying whole bean does give one a better deal, plus longer storage if vacuum sealed, which might be the real bargain.

Escaping the hot season/smoke in Bali

 

 

Heading back from Rain City

 

Make it so

I bought beans from Duang Dee for 9 years then switched to Moccano dark roast. Now I get Hillkoff French roast. I buy 4 kg. at a time as it's an odd location especially when you exit the place! The Hillkoff is the smoothest and best tasting IMO. Duang Dee is really a medium roast and I prefer a much darker roast. The Hillkoff is the best I've had (at a reasonable cost). There is one I really like but it is 350 Baht for 200 grams.

I drank Duang Dee for ten years and I gave a month to Hillikoff. And they are ok. Economically speaking. I'm not going to pay the 550 or 600 Baht for 250 grams at starbucks thailand, guess I am still a cheapskate. that said that starbucks coffee all complain about, beats Hillokoff hands down. Its not even close.

 

I know Brit who brings in 15 to 20 kilos - basically one of his stowed bags, its his coffee bag. Customs doesn't care. Another addict uses illy and moka pots exclusively, but very expensive. Sooner or later, if you re a coffee addict, that is the way to go.

best of luck on whatever you decide. Just know there are other options.

2 hours ago, LomSak27 said:

Escaping the hot season/smoke in Bali

 

 

I used to live in Bali & found it somewhat humorous that you might be served Nescafe if first time visitor to family as show of respect. Some of the best coffee on planet from Indonesia, eh?

My personal favourite is French roast.  Beans are preferable, to be ground at home, because the freshness tends to be locked inside until they are ground.  Also, the shelf-life of beans is much greater (longer) than pre-ground coffee.

 

I always buy Arabica coffee, for the best, more subtle, flavours, than Robusta.  Most of the coffee grown in Vietnam (and possibly from Thailand, also, although I am not aware) is Robusta, a cheaper variant which is most-often used in the large, commercial brands. 

6 hours ago, sfokevin said:

Hillkoff has a selection of grinders - But I was just in there yesterday and they look to be downsizing?... lots of empty space?... The other location where they do repairs might have more stock too...

 

Here is the grinder I have... Great little grinder that can easily grind espresso grind...

https://shop.bluekoff.com/ProductList.aspx?cat=114&iscoffee=Y

 

This it a small place tucked away along the Ping River just north of the city... I don’t care for their coffee and it has mainly a selection of VERY expensive machine (with the accepting of the grinder I showed above) but I recommend everyone to go just to see a high tech espresso machine in action!...

 

My Setup...

 

 

nice gaggia. see you added a pid  i once rebuilt 2 gaggia single group commercial machines. lot of fun and they worked great after. donated one to a hospital and sold the other

12 minutes ago, allanos said:

My personal favourite is French roast.  Beans are preferable, to be ground at home, because the freshness tends to be locked inside until they are ground.  Also, the shelf-life of beans is much greater (longer) than pre-ground coffee.

 

I always buy Arabica coffee, for the best, more subtle, flavours, than Robusta.  Most of the coffee grown in Vietnam (and possibly from Thailand, also, although I am not aware) is Robusta, a cheaper variant which is most-often used in the large, commercial brands. 

 

 

viet has lots of arabica also.

i would check out the lowermost floor of jj mall in bkk.  theres lots of coffee grinders at multiple shops.  some of the chinese ones are commercial grade burr grinders for an excellent price. just like italian ones

i brought about 10 kilos of unroasted ethiopia sidamo beans that last years. just roast some when needed.  

 

superb

26 minutes ago, atyclb said:

nice gaggia. see you added a pid  i once rebuilt 2 gaggia single group commercial machines. lot of fun and they worked great after. donated one to a hospital and sold the other

Great machine and built like a tank... I’ve easily disassembled and cleaned it... Got this one on Facebook Marketplace for 10k and added the pid... They come up for sale every couple months for around that price as the owners don’t know what they have ;-)... Here is an example... Great starter set (but Gaggia grinder is fugly) for anyone interested https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2426356414041597/

if you will be in siam reap or phnom penh you can get 1 kg of italy roasted/blended beans for 15 usd.  70% arabica and excellent. not bitter, chocolaty taste. this is a loss leader for the company but great at promoting business. i have used it for years.    same coffee in thailand around 35usd

 

 

15 minutes ago, sfokevin said:

34 minutes ago, atyclb said:

nice gaggia. see you added a pid  i once rebuilt 2 gaggia single group commercial machines. lot of fun and they worked great after. donated one to a hospital and sold the other

Great machine and built like a tank... I’ve easily disassembled and cleaned it... Got this one on Facebook Marketplace for 10k and added the pid... They come up for sale every couple months for around that price as the owners don’t know what they have ;-)... Here is an example... Great set (but Gaggia grinder is fugly)...  https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2426356414041597/

 

 

thats an excellent deal in thailand. i have that same grinder in storage back home. works great

 

currently use a la spaziale s1 direct plumb and ascaso doserless grinder

 

 

The royal project west of canal road has excellent coffee,ground or beans 300baht

26 minutes ago, Bad boy 561 said:

The royal project west of canal road has excellent coffee,ground or beans 300baht

kg?

I don't think many retirees will be drinking coffee at those prices.????

20 minutes ago, Gandtee said:

I don't think many retirees will be drinking coffee at those prices.????

 

Duang Dee is fine.  I like the extra strong blend.  Vaccuum packed ground coffee.

22 minutes ago, Gandtee said:

I don't think many retirees will be drinking coffee at those prices.????

So what's the alternative, Starbucks or Nescafe?

I bought the krups model gvx242 burr grinder a few years ago for 3000 baht.  They're available on line for slightly less now.  Works like a champ.