You'd recommend Hasbean over Square Mile?
Not usually.
Ime the more (painfully) expensive square beans have historically been consistently awesome.
But I've had a couple over the last 6 months that've just died on me. Like, stunning at the outset. Then it's been almost like the greens have been left by a heater or the roast is 2 weeks old - suddenly the same beans turning up weak, pale, and tasting old.
Tbh, I've had a bit of a historical frustration with Hasbean. Steve used to advertise beans as suitable for filter OR espresso. Then he had some kind of godawful epiphany, and seemed to begin roasting everything to exactly the same stage - way too dark for my liking for filter. Just bland and burnt.
*However,* tbf I hadn't tried his beans in an espresso for ages. And the espresso started pack has - so far - yielded two really good espresso blends (Blake and.... Kicker?) and one that's worked surprisingly well in filter (at work) too.
So I might have a bit of a hb renaissance.
I don't know, tbh. Ime, both HB and Square seem to go in waves - wobbling between great and dire, even within one bean / blend. That's happened to me MORE with HB but its a real kick in the teeth when it happens twice to >£22 orders from Square.
Is Square Mile good? They seem very pricey.
You guys tried the Algerian Coffee Shop in Soho (for another alternative)...?
Square work out better once you factor in the fact that their bags are 40% bigger than HB. They also tend to aim for really decent, selected beans. Whilst Steve has a fuckton of everything.
I'd historically have said that square seemed to tailor their roasts to the beans quite a bit better. And dared to roast quite a bit lighter than HB, because HB always seemed to want to recommend everything for espresso, too. Which fucks any chance of a right light roast.
But yeah. I'm a bit disappointed with square ATM, like I say.
I've only heard of the Algerian place once, I think. But in a really positive light.
)
