Coffee Lovers

[Priceless]

No, sir, you are correct--Love at First Bite does serve Starbucks. But not by default! You have to specify that you want your coffee brewed with Starbucks beans, otherwise, the default is Ratika coffee, their supreme blend. And I understand that Ratika uses beans grown in the north of Thailand, though I am not sure exactly where.

[...]

If anybody is interested in Ratika coffee, it is produced (i.e. roasted) and sold by the Hillkoff coffee specialist shop, opposite the entrance to Chang Puak hospital.

/ Priceless

[JXXXL]

Does anyone know what's happened to Leibenard? I went my the other day and they were closed up and it looked like it's been deserted for some time. IMHO, they were some of the finest Barristas in Chiang Mai and roasted beans on-site. I'd be very sad to hear they have gone under.

For those of you discussing beans, the roasting is at least as important as the beans. Of course, Aribica is the finest, but two roasters can achieve huge differences in quality and taste. Freshness is also critical which is why if you value an excellent cup, you should be buying only what you can use in week from a skilled roaster. I've been buying mine from the shop at Rim Ping near the airport where they roast them on-site. I find the quality just OK and very expensive so I'm looking for alternatives. I will definitely try Perfect Blend when I get back.

[JXXXL]

I have a question: Why are espresso machines so expensive? Like 20K, 30K and even higher? Many cost more than motorcycles..

Any good deals around on a more affordable espresso machine?

A good espresso machine has a lot of heavy duty equipment inside and bling on the outside, and proper commercial commercial machines start around 100K and go way beyond. Decent consumer machines start around 18K, but keep in mind that you will need a quality burr grinder as well and they start at around 18K. Most experts agree that it's better to spend more on the grinder than the espresso machine.

Go to coffeegeek.com if you are interested in learning more.

Edited May 21, 2009 by JXXXL

[Vindie]

I rode by Liebernard today and it -looked- open. It is the tourist low season in Chiang Mai right now, so the proprietor might feel excused to wander off for a bit. They also took an extended holiday during Songkran if you happened to stop by at that time, but the last time I was there was the first week of April. Not busy, but not closed... in fact, I believe the 'wireless' sign came up some time after. Try again! Good coffee, indeed. I'll also add that two or three times in the past couple of years, I have stopped by early and found the place locked up (during their posted hours). It doesn't seem to be unusual for her to open late, or close to run an errand!

Does anyone know what's happened to Leibenard? I went my the other day and they were closed up and it looked like it's been deserted for some time. IMHO, they were some of the finest Barristas in Chiang Mai and roasted beans on-site. I'd be very sad to hear they have gone under.

For those of you discussing beans, the roasting is at least as important as the beans. Of course, Aribica is the finest, but two roasters can achieve huge differences in quality and taste. Freshness is also critical which is why if you value an excellent cup, you should be buying only what you can use in week from a skilled roaster. I've been buying mine from the shop at Rim Ping near the airport where they roast them on-site. I find the quality just OK and very expensive so I'm looking for alternatives. I will definitely try Perfect Blend when I get back.

[mcgriffith]

Hillkoff gets my vote. 100% Arabica, roasted daily, 5 different roasts, 5 different grinds, best value for cost.

Oh, and if you want to buy any kind of coffee making appliance, from the most humble French press, to a zillion dollar Italian espresso machine...they have it there. Along with filter paper, syrups, yadda yadda.

Do a forum search and you'll find it.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Had an excellent Americano coffee this morning on the Middle Ring.. Beans ground in front of me with a burr grinder, then Espresso'd in an Italian made espresso machine.

30 baht.

Why are costs going down so much I wonder. This gotta stop, it's ridiculous.. excellent coffee for 30 baht. If this keeps going the coffee will be cheaper than the som tam in this country.

Edited May 22, 2009 by WinnieTheKhwai

[Puwa]

Hillkoff gets my vote. 100% Arabica, roasted daily, 5 different roasts, 5 different grinds, best value for cost.

Oh, and if you want to buy any kind of coffee making appliance, from the most humble French press, to a zillion dollar Italian espresso machine...they have it there. Along with filter paper, syrups, yadda yadda.

Do a forum search and you'll find it.

Hillhoff has a great shop, to be sure, but I was really disappointed with the beans I bought there. I went for one of their premium roasts, don't remember the name now, and found it basically undrinkable. Couldn't hold a candle to Wawee's Aeung Fah, for example.

[Priceless]

Hillhoff has a great shop, to be sure, but I was really disappointed with the beans I bought there. I went for one of their premium roasts, don't remember the name now, and found it basically undrinkable. Couldn't hold a candle to Wawee's Aeung Fah, for example.

A shame that you don't remember the name. We have tried at least half a dozen of their different varieties and found them all in the range from very good to outstanding. They do however have at least one that they themselves say is not for the "average coffee drinker". We've avoided that one...

/ Priceless

Edited May 22, 2009 by Priceless

[JXXXL]

I've been to Hillkoff and they certainly have a good selection of commercial equipment and some interesting consumer stuff like vacuum pots and hand grinders. Verasu actually has the best selection of consumer machines, but they are really expensive compared to what you can get in Europe and Aus.

Does anyone know of a place in Chiang Mai that sells second hand commercial machines? I seems that with all the coffee shops opening and closing there would be an active market.

[mild7even]

I think that Leibernard is too strong and bitter and I don't really like it. I much prefer the coffee at the Holiday Inn buffet, although I am not sure where it comes from; Actually, Starbucks coffee tastes fine to me.

Went to the Holiday Inn today for the dim sum buffet (perfectly done, as usual) and ordered a cup of coffee to go with desert. It was a fine cup of coffee, very, very smooth and fresh--and yes, not as strong as Liebernard and some other places that go for a very strong effect.

They use Boncafe beans (at the dim sum as well as other buffet and bakery in the lobby), which apparently sources Arabica beans from the north of Thailand for sale domestically. Another coup for the Thai coffee industry.

The best part is that I didn't get charged for it--I guess it was included in the price of the dim sum buffet, which I didn't know previously. So I guess that price beats Perfect Blend...

[Ulysses G.]

Mild7even, this is sort of off topic, but what do you think of the Holiday Inn Dim Sum Buffet? I have had the one at the Duangtawan and the CM Orchid and to me they are boring and I'm looking for something a little more interesting, but not TOO expensive (I'll save the Oriental for a special occasion). Do you think that the Holiday Inn is a cut above most Dim Sum in Chiang Mai (and I'm not talking about the coffee)?

[cmjantje]

Had an excellent Americano coffee this morning on the Middle Ring.. Beans ground in front of me with a burr grinder, then Espresso'd in an Italian made espresso machine.

30 baht.

Why are costs going down so much I wonder. This gotta stop, it's ridiculous.. excellent coffee for 30 baht. If this keeps going the coffee will be cheaper than the som tam in this country.

Very simple, because what I wrote already before... the total cost of a cup of coffee is less than 10 baht. Including milk, sugar, breaking cups and saucers, even renting the machine (if you sell enough) etc. So even in this case they make a profit you never can make on selling food (about 25%).

Edited May 23, 2009 by cmjantje

[mild7even]

Mild7even, this is sort of off topic, but what do you think of the Holiday Inn Dim Sum Buffet? I have had the one at the Duangtawan and the CM Orchid and to me they are boring and I'm looking for something a little more interesting, but not TOO expensive (I'll save the Oriental for a special occasion). Do you think that the Holiday Inn is a cut above most Dim Sum in Chiang Mai (and I'm not talking about the coffee)?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Western-Styl...27#entry2072127

I honestly can't compare it to other places in Chiang Mai--it is so supremely satisfying that I haven't tried any other places. It is only 350 baht (with coffee included, now that I know!) and my kids eat for free. And the service is very, very good. Give it a shot and let us know what you think...

[mcgriffith]

Hillhoff has a great shop, to be sure, but I was really disappointed with the beans I bought there. I went for one of their premium roasts, don't remember the name now, and found it basically undrinkable. Couldn't hold a candle to Wawee's Aeung Fah, for example.

A shame that you don't remember the name. We have tried at least half a dozen of their different varieties and found them all in the range from very good to outstanding. They do however have at least one that they themselves say is not for the "average coffee drinker". We've avoided that one...

/ Priceless

That would be the "Thai Traditional"

Burnt-to-a-crisp roast...

Try the Italian Expresso or French roast, and be sure you are not ordering the down market line they sell, which is a Robusta/Arabica blend (Rastika? or something like that).

I've turned on about 5 people to Hillkoff, and have had nothing but a positive response.

I'm certain they are not the ultimate...but as I stated in my original post, the value for money is there. 180 B for 500 grams, burr ground, roasted daily, yadda yadda.

[JXXXL]

I just tried Prefect Blend, and I give them a rousing two thumbs up for their beans. I find the quality very good, much better than Rim Ping, and price is very reasonable. I haven't tried their prepared coffees, but as a long time espresso enthusiast, I highly recommend their beans.

Thanks to all for turning me on to this place.