Not your typical review, but a review nonetheless. The first thing we triathletes need before any training can be contemplated is COFFEE! Learn how to make espresso for early morning workouts.
Being that I have no business giving reviews on bike components since I spend so much time on the bike, I thought I would instead be well qualified for a review such as this since I require only the best espresso for any type of cognizant activity upon waking up.
I was pleasantly surprised when our good friends at TriSports.com referred 53x11 Coffee to me. One thing led to another and I received three, one pound bags of coffee in the mail.
53x11 Coffee is based in Tucson, Arizona. Their website is www.53x11coffee.com. They also run a little 'bed and breakfast for cyclists' called The Cycling House where they give staffed tours of the countryside. I'm just waiting for a chance to do a review on that!
I never believed that my Starbuck's espresso bean could be rivaled. The Chain Breaker is a veritable opponent.
The bean hunt Over the years, I have tried many, many a bean. Arabica, Caribou, Starbucks, local coffee shops (Cheryl's Daily Grind being one) and mail order to name a few. Starbucks is the clear winner as far as espresso beans. Now I will disclaim that I do not drink straight espresso...not too much of a man for that plus I don't want all that hair on my chest. I like my espresso a little foo-foo'ed up in top Mocha form. So the review will reflect my special recipe for using espresso beans that I have perfected over the years.
About 'The Chain Breaker' The website specifically states "The Chain Breaker is here for those who feel the need for chain breaking speed. This is a darker roast made up of beans from three different regions. It is full bodied and smooth with a nice kick. It's also 100% Fair Trade and 100% Organic." That's all fine and dandy.
Price? The price is $11.95 per pound. I pay $10.45 for Starbucks beans. So the price is not too much of an issue. No more than an extra $4.00 per month if you go through beans like I do. Of course if you drink coffee like Stan the Java Man in the MadTV episodes, it may be a consideration.
Don't run out! For someone like me who tells their wife that "I'm getting low on beans" as I then use the last of the bag, using the 'Coffee Club' delivery service that they have available would be a great option rather then risk having a morning with just 'normal' coffee.
But really... An espresso bean really comes down to taste and aroma. That's all that matters. The Chain Breaker does not disappoint.
The above video is pretty much the bulk of the review. Below are some supplemental pictures.
Close-ups on the bean. Left is The Chain Breaker, Right is Starbucks
Yummy! Taste testing has confirmed that The Chain Breaker is an excellent espresso bean worthy of your distinguishing palate.
Great! It has the pungent, skunk-like aroma inherent of good espresso beans.
Color
Very dark, black. No hints of brown which would indicate a bad roast, or more of a 'coffee' roast.
Oiliness
The oiliness comes from the darker roast, it is also an indicator of freshness from my experience. When the beans lose their oiliness, they have lost their freshness. Typically this happens a week or two after opening a fresh bag. If you search the web on espresso beans, being oily is a requirement!
Ground Aroma
WONDERFUL!
Taste
The beans made an excellent coffee.
Price
At $11.95, this is not much of a difference compared to my local bean.
login
View profile
Add to friends
Go to training log
Go to race log
Send a message
View album
CONNECT WITH FACEBOOK
Gear Review: The Chain Breaker
Not your typical review, but a review nonetheless. The first thing we triathletes need before any training can be contemplated is COFFEE! Learn how to make espresso for early morning workouts.
Being that I have no business giving reviews on bike components since I spend so much time on the bike, I thought I would instead be well qualified for a review such as this since I require only the best espresso for any type of cognizant activity upon waking up.
I was pleasantly surprised when our good friends at TriSports.com referred 53x11 Coffee to me. One thing led to another and I received three, one pound bags of coffee in the mail.
53x11 Coffee is based in Tucson, Arizona. Their website is www.53x11coffee.com. They also run a little 'bed and breakfast for cyclists' called The Cycling House where they give staffed tours of the countryside. I'm just waiting for a chance to do a review on that!
The Product
The Chain Breaker
The Maker
53x11 Coffee
http://www.53x11coffee.com/
The Price
$11.95/lb
The Rating
The Skinny
I never believed that my Starbuck's espresso bean could be rivaled. The Chain Breaker is a veritable opponent.
The bean hunt
Over the years, I have tried many, many a bean. Arabica, Caribou, Starbucks, local coffee shops (Cheryl's Daily Grind being one) and mail order to name a few. Starbucks is the clear winner as far as espresso beans. Now I will disclaim that I do not drink straight espresso...not too much of a man for that plus I don't want all that hair on my chest. I like my espresso a little foo-foo'ed up in top Mocha form. So the review will reflect my special recipe for using espresso beans that I have perfected over the years.
About 'The Chain Breaker'
The website specifically states "The Chain Breaker is here for those who feel the need for chain breaking speed. This is a darker roast made up of beans from three different regions. It is full bodied and smooth with a nice kick. It's also 100% Fair Trade and 100% Organic." That's all fine and dandy.
Price?
The price is $11.95 per pound. I pay $10.45 for Starbucks beans. So the price is not too much of an issue. No more than an extra $4.00 per month if you go through beans like I do. Of course if you drink coffee like Stan the Java Man in the MadTV episodes, it may be a consideration.
Don't run out!
For someone like me who tells their wife that "I'm getting low on beans" as I then use the last of the bag, using the 'Coffee Club' delivery service that they have available would be a great option rather then risk having a morning with just 'normal' coffee.
But really...
An espresso bean really comes down to taste and aroma. That's all that matters. The Chain Breaker does not disappoint.
The above video is pretty much the bulk of the review. Below are some supplemental pictures.
Close-ups on the bean. Left is The Chain Breaker, Right is Starbucks
Yummy! Taste testing has confirmed that The Chain Breaker is an excellent espresso bean worthy of your distinguishing palate.
The Chain Breaker - www.53x11coffee.com
Category
Score
Notes
Bean Aroma
Great! It has the pungent, skunk-like aroma inherent of good espresso beans.
Color
Very dark, black. No hints of brown which would indicate a bad roast, or more of a 'coffee' roast.
Oiliness
The oiliness comes from the darker roast, it is also an indicator of freshness from my experience. When the beans lose their oiliness, they have lost their freshness. Typically this happens a week or two after opening a fresh bag. If you search the web on espresso beans, being oily is a requirement!
Ground Aroma
WONDERFUL!
Taste
The beans made an excellent coffee.
Price
The Chain Breaker Coffee Review (665 downloads)
Click on star to vote