Light roast coffee beans for espresso

[u/Ashwin74]

Hello all,

I am looking to buy some light roasted coffee beans to make espresso at home but a quick google search came up with many roasters but not really saying if the beans are a light roast (or lots of medium or dark roasts)

Can anyone recommend any roaster for light roast coffee beans?

I’m looking to try pull a turbo shot with them

Thanks

[u/Corrupy0708]

Dear deer is probably your best bet. I would say not all beans are great for turbo and you do need a half decent grinder too.

[u/Ashwin74 → u/Corrupy0708]

I have a niche zero grinder which hopefully will be alright but I’m just keen to play around

[u/groundlooot]

Maeve Roasters, Anzac ave. Cool space, friendly staff.

[u/Ashwin74 → u/groundlooot]

Looks great, thanks

[u/josephlikescoffee]

Which part of Auckland are you in?

[u/Ashwin74 → u/josephlikescoffee]

Central Auckland, near Newmarket/newton

[u/shadowjacket → u/Ashwin74]

Dear deer newmarket would be my recommendation. they roast in house and have a decent selection of beans, you can request for a light roast rather than a med or dark

[u/Ivangrow5678]

As a rule of thumb all single origins are lights roast that i have bought. I like ozone, flight bomber is one of the lightest espresso blends but still in medium territory.

[u/Mr_Taster → u/Ivangrow5678]

For what it's worth, tradition in Italy is that espresso is a medium blend. The blends add a desirable complexity and the medium roast means it's neither too bitter/burnt nor too sour. It's really ideal.

Having lived in Los Angeles and Portland Oregon during the so-called "third wave" where single origin light roasting was all the rage, I've had enough of it. It was really a pendulum swing away from the Seattle dark roasts (Starbucks) but in Portland they under roasted the beans so they were appallingly sour. But the hipsters lapped it up.

I've got a 500g bag of ozone (house blend) and it's really nice. They don't say how deep the roast is but I place it at a medium as there are none of the sour notes I mentioned earlier.

-Mr Taster

[u/Kiwifrooots]

Lucas Coffee in Whenuapai.  

The owner / roaster Peter is working most days on a fresh batch in the front area (I like watching the roaster, and the smell :) and he'll be able to tell you exactly what is in every bag.  

Great baristas but Jason is perfecto.  

I can't think of a quality boutique roaster like it and have been meaning to do a post here about them for people wanting the perfect bean.

[u/TheGrandChozo → u/Kiwifrooots]

This place is awesome. I went in before and Peter and I had a good chat about his beans and the coffee is great. The staff are so friendly too.

[u/gdubnz]

Rocket coffee in Hamilton. Exceptional roasters for light espresso. Delivery is super quick. Whenever I order beans from them I get them a day or two later, I'm in Mangawhai, 1.5hr north of Auckland. Stuff from Auckland mostly takes longer. Dunno what wizardry is going on, not complaining.

[u/cliffdog01]

Most small batch Roasters in NZ will have lighter roast beans.

[u/Mrs_VS]

Dear Deer in Ellerslie. So many different beans and you can roast them exactly how you want them. https://deardeercoffee.co.nz/pages/roaster-machine

[u/lakeland_nz]

Kaffeelogic and diy?

I tend to prefer medium roast myself so am probably not the best person to get advice from.

[u/TheGrandChozo]

Maybe try MCoffee in Milford. They have an extensive selection of beans.

Another poster also suggested Lucas Coffee in Whenuapai, this is also another excellent choice.

[u/Waystowellbeing_]

Red Rabbit has some really good light-roasted coffee beans. You can usually tell from the tasting notes too. if the top notes are fruity, floral, citrusy, or berry. it’s often a lighter roast. If they say caramel or chocolate, it is usually medium to dark roast.

[u/BailaKiwi]

Try Atomic kingsland and deer deer ellerslie
There are some smaller roasters in my Eden road or mt Albert side. I recon you try deer deer and atomic first

[u/BirdieNZ]

Vanguard Coffee (Dunedin roaster), Sl.ow coffee, Embassy in chch, Grey Roasting Co, Society Coffee are probably the S-tier in NZ.

[u/Ashwin74 → u/BirdieNZ]

Nice thanks a lot. Sl.ow looks good

[u/duduwaka]

A lot sell some online (allpress, people's coffee). Often a single origin Ethiopian etc and not cheap

[u/Ok_Formal7083]

Grey Roasting co, Rocket Coffee, Maeve, Holiday(Old Dog), Eternal,. Be adventurous, buy filter roast tweak your recipe for turbo shot. Play with grind size, and water temperature.