102673 Mon May 09 23:59:25 -0700 2005 19 23 Ontario (including Toronto) 0 556209 Any good suggestions for a place to buy good coffee beans in Toronto? I like quite a variety of coffee, including espresso and flavoured and I am always up for trying new blends. Thanks! On a side note, where can you find a good espresso in this city??? I've been sadly disappointed many times and I don't like Starbucks. Any ideas? coffeelover Mon May 09 23:59:25 -0700 2005 0 coffeelover 1 556211 I keep hearing about Merchants of Green which sells green coffee beans if you're really into freshness. These need to be roasted first, of course. They have a company website and are located on Melinda Street. Tue May 10 06:18:14 -0700 2005 556209 0 Viola 2 556235 i buy my coffee beans only at starbucks as they have the best beans around..though it is abit pricey but love the feeling of sipping my espresso with the background music...lovely ambience too! remember to finish up your fresh coffee ground within 3 days for optimum flavor and aroma..they carry fair trade coffee too! Feels good! Tue May 10 19:03:42 -0700 2005 556211 0 isabelle 2 556237 I love Merchants of Green Coffee! I gave my husband a roaster at Christmas and 27 pounds of green beans (which he can pick up whenever). We have wonderful coffee now at home. It takes only 5 minutes or so to roast the beans and you know they are fresh! Tue May 10 19:47:08 -0700 2005 556211 0 Susan B 3 556238 Did you go after reading about it here? Just curious as this sounds very familiar to me. I'm not a coffee drinker but know of people who love this coffee. Tue May 10 19:54:37 -0700 2005 556237 0 Viola 4 556271 Yep, I read about it here. I actually was somewhat familiar with them, because they're located close to where I live and I'd passed by them many times. Wed May 11 12:51:09 -0700 2005 556238 0 Susan 3 556285 Where did you buy the coffee roaster? Does it really only take 5 minutes? Sounds like an intriguing fathers day gift but need some more info before I take the plunge. Wed May 11 14:21:04 -0700 2005 556237 0 Timpano 1 556212 I like the espresso & beans at Ideal Coffee in Kensignton. The new foodie magazine in TO did a comparison of coffee beans in the city in their 1st issue if you can get hold of it! Tue May 10 08:33:55 -0700 2005 556209 0 Timpano 1 556214 I concur that I DEAL Coffee on Nassau at Bellevue in the Market has the tastiest beans in the city - try the Prince of Darkness for a nice, dark roast. Tue May 10 09:07:51 -0700 2005 556209 0 innercitykitty 1 556221 I really like the quality and variety of beans at Alternative Grounds on Roncesvalles in Parkdale. It's all fair trade and mostly organic so you can feel good while enjoying your cup. Tue May 10 10:39:28 -0700 2005 556209 0 TO Girl 1 556225 I have been buying coffee beans at House of Spice on Augusta Ave. in Kensington market for over 20 years. They have all the usual types, plus several of their own blends (I like their Royal Blend) and they have just started carrying Fair Trade coffees too. Prices are reasonable and since it carries Indian groceries (and others too) you can also pick up your spices while you're there. Tue May 10 11:26:34 -0700 2005 556209 0 Nyleve 1 556233 I'm hooked on the coffee from the Everyday Gourmet in the basement of the St. Lawrence Market. My personal blend for the morning latte is half Nutty Cinnamon and half dark-raost, shade-grown fair trade coffee. It makes getting out of bed worthwhile... Tue May 10 14:37:07 -0700 2005 556209 0 TwinklyTerrapin 2 556253 Ditto. we rely on the Gourmet Espresso roast. Excellent quality Wed May 11 08:19:00 -0700 2005 556233 0 Rick 2 556259 It is not always available, but my husband loves the fair trade Costa Rican - never fails to get him dreaming about selling everything in Toronto and buying a coffee plantation there. Wed May 11 09:36:31 -0700 2005 556233 0 gbsm 1 556276 I also noticed last night that there is coffee available at the Riverdale Farmers Market on Tuesdays...it' an organic market, so it would be organinc and probably fair trade coffee... Wed May 11 13:13:45 -0700 2005 556209 0 TwinklyTerrapin 2 556284 I think the same organic fair trade coffee guy at Riverdale comes to the Dufferin Grove Market Thursdays if you are in the West end. Wed May 11 14:18:49 -0700 2005 556276 0 Timpano 3 556287 you're refering to Birds and Beans. In addition to the two markets, they now have a store at 2415 Lakeshore West. they also carry a line of wonderful organic Arriba chocolate. Link: http://www.birdsandbeans.ca/ Wed May 11 14:44:48 -0700 2005 556284 0 marie 1 556280 I'm faithful to Balzac's in the Distillery District. They roast on site and have a decent selection... try their house blend... it'll knock your socks off! Wed May 11 13:29:36 -0700 2005 556209 0 Lotus Seedling 1 556307 Well, I was in Kensington today so I decided to go with Nyleve's suggestion and try House of Spice. I got a Kona, a fair trade, organic Mocha Java and a flavoured coffee. Prices were extremely reasonable, especially for the Kona. I haven't tried it yet but the smell is heavenly. The salespeople where very helpful and friendly, which is always a bonus. I'll let you know what I think when I try it. On a side note, for fellow coffee lovers, I had an excellent espresso today from the Petit Gourmand on Spadina south of Queen. It's the first time I've been there and it was the best espresso I've had in a long time. The staff were very nice as well. Thanks for the help. :) coffeelover Wed May 11 20:13:16 -0700 2005 556209 0 coffeelover 2 556308 Always glad to help someone get good coffee while also keeping a great little shop in business. I love that place - it hasn't changed an iota in 20 years. Wed May 11 20:55:16 -0700 2005 556307 0 Nyleve