Rachel's CafeAll things coffee…

What’s the best coffee for a strong flavorful cup?

I use a French Press and I like my coffee strong. (I really do love Starbucks but I can never make it taste like that at home.) I am always in pursuit of the perfect cup. (I drink it with cream or half and half.) I have heard that most of the coffee we get isn’t really fresh and that really fresh-roasted beans make a difference. I’d like to hear from people with experience. What do you recommend?

Fresh roasted is THE ONLY way to go. I roast my own coffee and have been doing so for over 5 years now.
As for the ‘strong’ coffee it can be a Sumatra, Java or even a Columbian.
If you want fresh you will need to locate a roaster in your area. Don’t buy their baged coffee at the cute little shoppe’s they set up, unless you can confirm that they have an actual roast date on it. These ‘Best by’ dates are worthless. Most of those are dated anywhere from 6 months to a year after the roast which means it is 5 1/2 months to a year stale.
If you are in a city that has a small custom roaster that is your best bet.
But, if you want to be sure about the freshness, do it yourself. it’s not that hard. listed below is a site that will teach you how easy it is and what tools you will need. If you have a airpop popcorn popper at home you have the best starting tool already.

Starbucks FUNNY Commercial (My Favorite)

ILLY Espresso Coffee Medium.Roast Fine Grind 8oz Illy Espresso Coffee starts with the best 100% Arabica coffee, then using a traditional roasting process and air-cooled beans creates one of the best tasting, flavorful cup of coffee…

Ospina Estate Coffee, Premier Grand Cru, Colombian Arabica Typica, Awarded World’s Best Coffee, Whole Beans, French Press, Espresso, Coffee Beans, Colombian Coffee, Gourmet, Classic Roast, 12 oz $45.00 OSPINA ESTATE COFFEE Premier Grand CruTM Elevation: Grown between 5,900 and 6,800 feet. Aroma: Intense and flowery, azahar blossom like. Body: Robust, medium to full body and perfectly balanced. Flavor: Complex, rich, robust, fruity, nutty and floral. Notes: Chocolate, chestnut, caramel and raspberry. Roast: French classic roast. Aftertaste: Fruity, crisp, refreshing and wine-like….

Ospina Bambuco Coffee, Ground Coffee, Awarded World’s Best Coffee, Celebrate the Harvest, French Press, Espresso, Colombian Coffee, Gourmet, Classic Roast, 10 oz. $30.00 OSPINA BAMBUCO COFFEE Elevation: Grown between 5,000 and 5,900 feet. Aroma: Deep and fragrant, orange blossom like. Body: Medium body and well balanced. Flavor: Rich, smooth, fruity and nutty. Notes: Caramel, cinnamon, coconut and vanilla. Roast: Vienna classic roast. Aftertaste: Pleasant, refreshing and fruity….

Cameron’s Organic French Roast Whole Bean Coffee, 32-Ounce Bag $21.81 Our premium coffee roasted to perfection. This coffee possesses a sharp, bittersweet tang – the serious coffee drinker’s coffee. Rich in flavor. Subtle, yet complex. Just a few words that have been describing Cameron’s coffee since 1978. What can we say? It’s all in the bean. After seeking out the world’s finest plantations, we select only the highest flavor-quality Arabica beans. These beans are …

Starbucks Dark French Roast, Ground Coffee, 12-Ounce Bags (Pack of 3) $23.97 Blunt, smoky flavors are the objective in creating this, our darkest roasted coffee. The intense flavor makes it one of our most popular coffees. Despite its bold flavor profile, French Roast contains no more caffeine than any of our other coffees….