I've been buying some coffee from these guys. I am drinking some freshly ground and brewed Sumatran.
They are serious about roasting coffee.
https://justlovecoffee.com/
http://vimeo.com/27775493
Does serious translate into good? French roast is my mug o' happiness in the morning. And from Starbucks, no less. I know, I know, so many people hate Starbucks, but it suits my palate, and from Costco it is actually pretty cheap. Fresh ground and then put through the French press. Lot's of French for me I guess.
Ryler that sounds like a seriously good cup of joe to me :+1:
Quote from: ryler on November 27, 2011, 04:43:43 PM
Does serious translate into good? French roast is my mug o' happiness in the morning. And from Starbucks, no less. I know, I know, so many people hate Starbucks, but it suits my palate, and from Costco it is actually pretty cheap. Fresh ground and then put through the French press. Lot's of French for me I guess.
Costco's own Kirkland brand is roasted by Starbucks and is a nice full bodied coffee. Our favorite from Costco is the Sumatra when they have it, when its in season we usually stock up on it.
There's nothing like grinding your own right before you brew it.
When I can't get Jamican Blue MT. I seem to have a thing for our supermarket breakfest roast.I drink alot of coffee even though I've been told not to,then again I still smoke hand rolled cig's.I know discusting but I'm cute so I get forgiven for it.I think its a blue's guitar playing thing even though I play more then just the blue's.
Eight oclock whole bean is darn good for us poor boys. Beats the pystinky out of Folgers or Max's. :donut :donut2 :coffee
Quote from: broKen on November 28, 2011, 01:19:27 AM
Eight oclock whole bean is darn good for us poor boys. Beats the pystinky out of Folgers or Max's. :donut :donut2 :coffee
:+1: Got 3/4 pound of the decaf (gasp!) and I have to agree with you.
Quote from: broKen on November 28, 2011, 01:19:27 AM
Eight oclock whole bean is darn good for us poor boys. Beats the pystinky out of Folgers or Max's. :donut :donut2 :coffee
:+1: I always liked their French Roast.
I am currently drinking some freshly ground and brewed Trader Joe's French Roast (decaf--don't want to be up all night :ohmy:).
If you want cheaper coffee, better coffee, and want a NEW hobby, try roasting your own at home. It is very easy to do. Green coffee beans store for a long time and roast in less than 15 minutes for a half-pound or so.
I've been doing it for at least 5 years, starting with a simple thrift-store air corn popper. Now I roast about 1/2# at a time but can do 1# if needed, in the Behmor 1600 roaster. Attached are three photos of the Behmor ($300 new) and one of the very fancy Hottop roaster ($800) which does up to 1/2# at a time.
Green beans are available all over the Internet (I like sweetmaria.com for their selection and quality of bean) and the variety is amazing.
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Quote from: prof_stack on November 29, 2011, 07:04:59 PM
If you want cheaper coffee, better coffee, and want a NEW hobby, try roasting your own at home. It is very easy to do. Green coffee beans store for a long time and roast in less than 15 minutes for a half-pound or so.
I've been doing it for at least 5 years, starting with a simple thrift-store air corn popper. Now I roast about 1/2# at a time but can do 1# if needed, in the Behmor 1600 roaster. Attached are three photos of the Behmor ($300 new) and one of the very fancy Hottop roaster ($800) which does up to 1/2# at a time.
Green beans are available all over the Internet (I like sweetmaria.com for their selection and quality of bean) and the variety is amazing.
Very interesting!!
Quote from: prof_stack on November 29, 2011, 07:04:59 PM
If you want cheaper coffee, better coffee, and want a NEW hobby, try roasting your own at home. It is very easy to do. Green coffee beans store for a long time and roast in less than 15 minutes for a half-pound or so.
I've been doing it for at least 5 years, starting with a simple thrift-store air corn popper. Now I roast about 1/2# at a time but can do 1# if needed, in the Behmor 1600 roaster. Attached are three photos of the Behmor ($300 new) and one of the very fancy Hottop roaster ($800) which does up to 1/2# at a time.
Green beans are available all over the Internet (I like sweetmaria.com for their selection and quality of bean) and the variety is amazing.
Thanks for that interesting bit of information but I think I'll pass. It's trouble enough for me to grind beans every morn. Lay Z
Roasting would be fun but I know I don't have time for it. I don't even have time to grind my own beans, and when I do I never taste the difference. These days I'm making up my own blends of various Community Coffee varieties. This morning I'm enjoying a bit of their Cafe Special mixed with Hotel Blend. There are many possible combinations, and since all their coffee tastes great, there's no way to mix up a bad batch. I was converted to Eight O'Clock (which I don't consider "cheap," by the way. Folgers and Max House are cheap to me) but I moved back to Community after a bit. Been drinking it for years and couldn't stay away for long as it's an old favorite.
Ya' know.... I grind my own beans, not too infrequently, and I've never wanted to admit I can't taste the difference either. Does this come into play more if you've had the beans/coffee for a while - I mean do whole beans store better?
My perennial favorite coffee is Peete's Coffee "Major Dickason's Blend". We always buy whole bean and grind it ourselves. My wife really likes flavored coffee beans like chocolate raspberry, Hazelnut, or more recently, pumpkin spice. This coffee is not my "cup of tea" you might say. :arrow I'll drink it but I don't much care for it.
Quote from: the creature on November 30, 2011, 08:00:34 AM
Roasting would be fun but I know I don't have time for it. I don't even have time to grind my own beans, and when I do I never taste the difference. These days I'm making up my own blends of various Community Coffee varieties. This morning I'm enjoying a bit of their Cafe Special mixed with Hotel Blend. There are many possible combinations, and since all their coffee tastes great, there's no way to mix up a bad batch. I was converted to Eight O'Clock (which I don't consider "cheap," by the way. Folgers and Max House are cheap to me) but I moved back to Community after a bit. Been drinking it for years and couldn't stay away for long as it's an old favorite.
You must live in Louisiana are else have connection to the state. I love Community coffee and have enjoyed it fo many years. Always had trouble finding it when away from home.
Quote from: Glennd on November 30, 2011, 02:05:54 PM
You must live in Louisiana are else have connection to the state. I love Community coffee and have enjoyed it fo many years. Always had trouble finding it when away from home.
I live in Texas and it's available pretty much everywhere here. I'd mail order it if I lived in a place where it was not sold. I think there is some kind of mail order deal on their website.
Quote from: boat on November 30, 2011, 11:56:18 AM
Ya' know.... I grind my own beans, not too infrequently, and I've never wanted to admit I can't taste the difference either. Does this come into play more if you've had the beans/coffee for a while - I mean do whole beans store better?
Actually, my experience has been that pre-ground coffee has longer shelf life for similar taste, but that a freshly ground from newly roasted beans is heaven.
It's like strings:
Elixir: Long playing life with similar tone - maybe don't sound absolutely the best right out of the package, but the axe sounds consistently good for a longer time with them.
Other, non-coated strings: Sounds brilliant and pure out of the package, but for some, they age quickly to have less top end much more quickly than Elixir strings.
So, pre-ground packaged coffee is not unlike Elixir strings, whereas freshly roasted whole bean is like a premium non-coated strings - requires change-out more frequently.
-Scott
Put the strings through the coffee grinder, add hot water, and let us all know how it tastes.
Sumatran is fine coffee. Used to get it at a little shop where, if you ask for a single cup, the guy takes a bag of beans out of the freezer, grinds your beans and brews it for you. It was mind altering.
Drinking stuff out of the Keurig these days. Not the same.
Quote from: boat on November 30, 2011, 11:56:18 AM
Ya' know.... I grind my own beans, not too infrequently, and I've never wanted to admit I can't taste the difference either. Does this come into play more if you've had the beans/coffee for a while - I mean do whole beans store better?
I've found that if you open a can of pre-ground Maxwell House it smells good and tastes good for a few days then starts to lose its smell and tastes stale. As long as the beans are in a sealed container they seem to last weeks for me, in other words they still smell and taste good when they are freshly ground. YMMV
One of the best things you can do for a great cup of coffee is start with very good water. When I'm at my folks place in rural PA, the coffee is always great. Their water is straight from a spring, sweet and clean. Where I grew up, I often drank from spring fed creeks. Best water anywhere.
Quote from: broKen on December 01, 2011, 02:43:12 AM
One of the best things you can do for a great cup of coffee is start with very good water. When I'm at my folks place in rural PA, the coffee is always great. Their water is straight from a spring, sweet and clean. Where I grew up, I often drank from spring fed creeks. Best water anywhere.
Very nice.
There is a "Rule of 15" we coffee geeks (www.coffeegeek.com) use:
Use the coffee up to:
15 months after the beans were harvested,
15 days after beans were roasted,
15 minutes after the beans were ground.
If you are happy with your coffee experience, then just laugh at the rule. But just like us guitar geeks talking Sitka or Englemann, RW or Hog, Lights or Mediums, Slot or Paddle, Bone or Tusq, Forward or Backward scalloping, etc., there is a whole 'nother level of coffee enjoyment.
After a bit of research on coffee ROASTING (my next step - I already have a 35 year old Braun coffee grinder that's still wonderful...) I came across this website: http://www.sweetmarias.com/airpop/airpopmethod.php
Apparently you can use certain popcorn hot-air popping machines to roast green coffee beans to perfection. The brand of machine doesn't matter, as long as the hot air comes in from the SIDES at the bottom of the chamber. Does no more than 4 oz. at a time, but that's about my morning two large cups' worth!
I'm going to try it! :whistling:
Quote from: rwskaggs on December 01, 2011, 10:05:07 AM
After a bit of research on coffee ROASTING (my next step - I already have a 35 year old Braun coffee grinder that's still wonderful...) I came across this website: http://www.sweetmarias.com/airpop/airpopmethod.php
Apparently you can use certain popcorn hot-air popping machines to roast green coffee beans to perfection. The brand of machine doesn't matter, as long as the hot air comes in from the SIDES at the bottom of the chamber. Does no more than 4 oz. at a time, but that's about my morning two large cups' worth!
I'm going to try it! :whistling:
My cousin does this and likes the taste. Check your local Goodwill store for hot air poppers.
Air poppers: good used ones are:
Poppery II
Poppery I (rare but the best popper for coffee roasting)
Popcorn Pumper
Proctor Silex
The good used ones are at least 1200W and made in the USA.
Discard the plastic top and wedge a soup can in the top to enlarge the roasting chamber. Keep the lid attached so you can somewhat regulate the heat. Use a long extension cord if the roasts finish too quickly. A popper roast should last more than 6 minutes, perhaps up to 9 or 10. YMMV.
:coffee :coffee :coffee......Who'd have thunk it? :winkin:
Haven't tried roasting our own (yet) because we're usually too busy with other things. We do, however buy roasted beans from
Austin Roasting Co. in Texas. I have nothing but good to say about them.
We usually buy in 5lb bulk packs, and invariably return to Central American coffees.
Costa Rica Tres Rios & Terrazu
Guatemalan Antigua
Jess, the owner is constantly getting new beans from various suppliers and will include samples for us to try.
We're very satisfied customers!
Mmmm...coffee...make mine black, no sugar... :coffee
:donut :donut2 :donut :donut2
Quote from: Denis on December 02, 2011, 07:33:33 AM
Mmmm...coffee...make mine black, no sugar... :coffee
:donut :donut2 :donut :donut2
Amen.
Quote from: Denis on December 02, 2011, 07:33:33 AM
Mmmm...coffee...make mine black, no sugar... :coffee
:donut :donut2 :donut :donut2
That is the only way to drink coffee. Just add STRONG to the list. Sitting here enjoying a French Press of Maragogype as I type!
Years ago, I was lots of cream, lots of sugar...then for a long time, it was just cream. Once you get the taste for black, unsweetened coffee, there's no turning back. I do like the occasional latte or cappuccino thought. :coffee
I splash a little whole milk in my coffee at home, but during the day when I'm working it's black, as it's not convenient to carry milk around, and powdered creamers are unthinkable to me. I got to where I prefer black during the day, especially if I'm drinking out of my old black thermos lid. But at home, out of my white coffee mugs, I like the look of the lightened coffee with the splash of milk. Black doesn't taste right at home, and anything other than black doesn't taste right away from home. Odd, I know. But I never put sugar in coffee, no matter where I'm at.
I will say that this time of year I do like to stop by the Green Machine for one of those pumpkin lattes, or the occasional ginerbread latte. Like egg nog, the season seems to call for it.
While I'm aware of my caffeine addiction, I try to limit myself to no more than 2-3 cups a day. More than that and I'm shaking all day
Quote from: Denis on December 02, 2011, 02:35:19 PM
While I'm aware of my caffeine addiction, I try to limit myself to no more than 2-3 cups a day. More than that and I'm shaking all day
That happened to me today...and guess what I was doing this morning? Working on modifications to surface mount technology
circuit boards. The biggest components were the size of a grain of rice!
It didn't go well.
I don't mind the taste of our well water up north but it makes horrible coffee so we use bottled water for coffee there. At home we have a reverse osmosis system for drinking water and coffee.
Great feedback on this thread. Have a :coffee on me :thumb
Quote from: Mr_LV19E on December 02, 2011, 05:21:17 PM
I don't mind the taste of our well water up north but it makes horrible coffee so we use bottled water for coffee there. At home we have a reverse osmosis system for drinking water and coffee.
I love the RO system we've had for two years...after an eternity of living on sulfur well water, it's like heaven! Best coffee, tea, Crystal lite, ...whatever!
20 years ago my doc told me to cut down on my coffee intake.I went from about 36 cups a day to 3 a day.Now I'm up to about 20 and feel great.I do get the shake's now and then but a cup of coffee cure's them.I can quit most things but coffee and cig's are not on my list of quiting anytime soon.I know the smoking thing is dicusting too most but ...what can you do. :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee.Oh ya I'm a wuss black with 1 teasoon of brown sugar.
Quote from: unclrob on December 02, 2011, 10:31:12 PM
....Oh ya I'm a wuss black with 1 teasoon of brown sugar.
I haven't sweetened coffee since I was a youngster, but I might give that a try.
Don't use a heaping teaspoon as brown sugar is sweeter then bleached white sugar.A level teaspoon with a small hump does the trick.As a matter of fact I'm drinking or was drinking a cup but now its empty :crying: BUTTTTTTTT I have more time for a refill. :nanadance :nanadance :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :nanadance.Even better there's cold pizza in the kitchen time for my morning veggie's :wave.
Few combinations in life rival that of a cigarette and a cup of coffee. I haven't smoked in eleven years and sometimes still remember the sensation of morning coffee and a morning smoke. Pipe smoking and a coffee comes close.
Started out with a heat gun and stainless steel bowl, cast iron skillet on the stove top during bad weather. These days I have a Behmor and it's as easy as making toast.
Home roasting isn't for everyone but if you really love coffee, you gotta give it a shot.
Quote from: k4df4l on December 03, 2011, 01:21:41 PM
Started out with a heat gun and stainless steel bowl, cast iron skillet on the stove top during bad weather. These days I have a Behmor and it's as easy as making toast.
Home roasting isn't for everyone but if you really love coffee, you gotta give it a shot.
Well after this post, I gotta try roasting now. We use Ruta Maya Coffee roasted here in Austin for about 20 years now. We grind our own beans and definitely I taste the difference from pre-ground.
I've bought three Bodum travel presses recently and tried them for coffee, but prefer my brewer better. But I really enjoy making REALLY strong Chai in the Bodum and letting the tea stay in the bottom while I enjoy the drink. Then at the end I manipulate the screen and allow the few ounces of trapped Chai to flow around the screen. WOW! So much flavor your tongue gets a buzz :ph34r:
Quote from: the creature on December 03, 2011, 10:59:05 AM
Pipe smoking and a coffee comes close.
Sounds like a coffee bong.
Just came back from shopping and bought a big bag of 8 O clock coffee, French roast whole bean. I got it from the recommendations in this thread. Hope it's good.
Quote from: dependan on December 03, 2011, 06:03:22 PM
Just came back from shopping and bought a big bag of 8 O clock coffee, French roast whole bean. I got it from the recommendations in this thread. Hope it's good.
Grind some up and let us know what you think.
Quote from: Mr_LV19E on December 03, 2011, 06:14:47 PM
Grind some up and let us know what you think.
Yup, in the morning. It's cause I trust you Roger, that I got this.
Quote from: dependan on December 03, 2011, 06:33:14 PM
Yup, in the morning. It's cause I trust you Roger, that I got this.
Oh no! :ohmy: please don't hit the ignore button if you are not satisfied. Just PM me and I'll give you my shipping address, you can put it in the OM21 case and send it to me (I'll pay for the coffee). :roll
Quote from: broKen on December 03, 2011, 01:43:18 AM
I haven't sweetened coffee since I was a youngster, but I might give that a try.
Ooops! I lied, on some occasions I put a large scoop of vanilla ice cream in a mug of coffee. puddygood!
Just ground and brewed some Trader Joe's Italian Roast--good to the last drop!
Does anyone use the Keurig coffee maker? Looks a lot more expensive than grinding and brewing yourself.
Quote from: Strings4Him on December 04, 2011, 05:43:32 AM
Just ground and brewed some Trader Joe's Italian Roast--good to the last drop!
Does anyone use the Keurig coffee maker? Looks a lot more expensive than grinding and brewing yourself.
Trader Joe's is my dealer. They got me hooked on the Bali Blue Moon and the Maragogype as my regular brews, but they have such a great selection, at comparatively good pricing, that ya just never know what errant can or two will end up in the cart!
Quote from: Mr_LV19E on December 03, 2011, 07:19:34 PM
Oh no! :ohmy: please don't hit the ignore button if you are not satisfied. Just PM me and I'll give you my shipping address, you can put it in the OM21 case and send it to me (I'll pay for the coffee). :roll
Well I liked the 8 O clock French roast and so did my wife. So I guess I'll keep the java and the OM-21 :guitar :coffee
I might try some Eight O'Clock French Roast in my press over the holidays. I get a lot of days off that time of year and like to experiment with cooking and things during the holiday. I think this year I'll add some different coffees to the festivities. I haven't made a pot from my press in a couple years. I always like it with real whipping cream when the coffee's made extra strong. Starbucks has a blend called Komodo Dragon that makes a great press pot of coffee.
Quote from: Strings4Him on December 04, 2011, 05:43:32 AM
Just ground and brewed some Trader Joe's Italian Roast--good to the last drop!
Does anyone use the Keurig coffee maker? Looks a lot more expensive than grinding and brewing yourself.
I love the Keurig idea, but you just get screwed on the Kcup rations. I can't make myself do it
Ahhh....content!
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Quote from: ryler on December 05, 2011, 05:17:36 PM
I love the Keurig idea, but you just get screwed on the Kcup rations. I can't make myself do it
That's why people use these: http://www.amazon.com/ekobrew-Refillable-Keurig-Brewers-1-Count/dp/B0051SU0OW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1323454890&sr=8-2
Quote from: dependan on December 03, 2011, 03:35:04 PM
Well after this post, I gotta try roasting now. We use Ruta Maya Coffee roasted here in Austin for about 20 years now. We grind our own beans and definitely I taste the difference from pre-ground.
I've bought three Bodum travel presses recently and tried them for coffee, but prefer my brewer better. But I really enjoy making REALLY strong Chai in the Bodum and letting the tea stay in the bottom while I enjoy the drink. Then at the end I manipulate the screen and allow the few ounces of trapped Chai to flow around the screen. WOW! So much flavor your tongue gets a buzz :ph34r:
We get all of our coffee from the Austin Roasting Co.
Grind our own, but haven't yet tried roasting our own.
I just made my first cup of "Safeway Select" KONA. It is really a great tasting brew, but expensive unless you catch it on sale. Very smooth and no taste of acid.
I just got a pound of Starbucks espresso roast ground and made a latte with half whole milk and half whipping cream. Man, what a great drink! The holidays always make me want fresh espresso drinks. And tonight it'll be brown ale. Merry Christmas!
Costco has the Sumatra in stock. This is by far our favorite coffee.
Bought a sack of old school Eight O'Clock regular roast yesterday. Just sounded good. And it is!
Quote from: the creature on December 21, 2011, 01:07:49 PM
Bought a sack of old school Eight O'Clock regular roast yesterday. Just sounded good. And it is!
For six years, I worked 4-12 shift in the area penitentiary,
"old school Eight O'Clock" was a good friend to our crew. It was a great value. I probably became a true coffee degenerate sipping that stuff for those years inside those walls. Sometimes, I would get a small giggle at the irony of sipping the house brand coffee of the Great Atlantic and Pacific
TEA Company...
"old school Eight O'Clock" is what my mom in law has. I remember thinking that it was a tasty brew, for a pre-ground coffee sitting out on a shelf by the coffee pot.
I keep my beans in the freezer, sealed tight, until I grind a small amount and use filtered water to make an exceptional cup. Some of the friends that frequent my house will gather round that pot till it's done to get their first cup. I know it has a deeper richer flavor by doing those things.
But it's like a laminate versus solid body guitar, one may be hard to tell from the other based on tone alone.
I believe that originally the Eight O'Clock brand was only available at A&P supermarket until they went belly up. I could be wrong though, it might have been a regional thing.
Quote from: Mr_LV19E on December 21, 2011, 06:23:42 PM
I believe that originally the Eight O'Clock brand was only available at A&P supermarket until they went belly up. I could be wrong though, it might have been a regional thing.
Yup, it was the house brand.
Quote from: Mr_LV19E on December 21, 2011, 06:23:42 PM
I believe that originally the Eight O'Clock brand was only available at A&P supermarket until they went belly up. I could be wrong though, it might have been a regional thing.
I think that is where I got hooked on coffee. I just had a "way back" memory of that huge red coffee grinder at A&P. And the smell was just fantastic, though I had never drank any coffee yet.
I also remember the 5 cent coke machine at A&P and thought it was wrong when they raised the price to 6 cents.
Dan, our town used to have an A&P and it had that giant red coffee grinder as well! I never saw 5 cent Cokes, but the town Electric Maintainence building was on my way to and from middle school and the worker dudes used to let me and my buddy get 10 cent Coke bottles from their machine on the way home from school.
Immensely enjoying my Eight O'Clock brew this morning. Especially after a pipeful of English Toffee blend 'backer.
:coffee
Quote from: the creature on December 21, 2011, 01:07:49 PM
Bought a sack of old school Eight O'Clock regular roast yesterday. Just sounded good. And it is!
Somebody gave me some Eight O'Clock -- I'll buy more when it's gone...
I'm on my second pot of Eight O'Clock today. A wonderful cup of basic coffee.
By the way, I like what Dan said about the difference between laminate guitars and solid ones applied to the idea of coffee. They both have their place. I have a laminate guitar that I sometimes prefer over my Larrivee. But there are times when only the Larrivee will do: most times, actually. But I look at coffees like Eight O'Clock and Community as my Larrivee D-03BW. It's a very nice instrument that will serve one well for the entirety of life. The super coffees (home-roasted, high-end, etc.) would be like an Olson, Charis, or Huss and Dalton, and even some Larrivees. They are above the rest but don't get used everyday by most folks. Laminate guitars would be coffees like Folgers, Max House, et al. But some folks even love that stuff dearly. There's enough coffee and guitars to go around for all, thank goodness.
Just picked up a pound of the Starbucks Christmas Blend. I'll be grinding and brewing some for tomorrow morning. I guess this has been the Starbucks Christmas Blend for 25 years now.
I finally got around to roasting some green beans. After 3 days of de-gassing the beans are really good. The Starbucks Christmas blend was decent but definitely not fresh.
I've been using the new (to me) Aeropress to make the coffee. It's a really cool all made in USA way of making espresso-like condensed coffee. Add water or steamed milk (or frothy milk) to suit your tastebuds. A smoooother cup of coffee I haven't had.
Quote from: the creature on December 22, 2011, 04:49:33 PM
I'm on my second pot of Eight O'Clock today. A wonderful cup of basic coffee.
By the way, I like what Dan said about the difference between laminate guitars and solid ones applied to the idea of coffee. They both have their place. I have a laminate guitar that I sometimes prefer over my Larrivee. But there are times when only the Larrivee will do: most times, actually. But I look at coffees like Eight O'Clock and Community as my Larrivee D-03BW. It's a very nice instrument that will serve one well for the entirety of life. The super coffees (home-roasted, high-end, etc.) would be like an Olson, Charis, or Huss and Dalton, and even some Larrivees. They are above the rest but don't get used everyday by most folks. Laminate guitars would be coffees like Folgers, Max House, et al. But some folks even love that stuff dearly. There's enough coffee and guitars to go around for all, thank goodness.
Now I got all confused, I plugged my coffee pot into my amp and put my guitar in the coffee grinder. What a mess.....
Quote from: Mr_LV19E on December 22, 2011, 09:11:19 PM
Now I got all confused, I plugged my coffee pot into my amp and put my guitar in the coffee grinder. What a mess.....
Roger you may have had too many cups of Java :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :roll
Quote from: dependan on December 22, 2011, 10:14:55 PM
Roger you may have had too many cups of Java :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :roll
Does such a number exist???
Eight O'Clock Columbian is now in rotation at our household. Very tasty, just dark enough roast, etc.
-Scott
Quote from: rockstar_not on January 11, 2012, 02:10:43 PM
Eight O'Clock Columbian is now in rotation at our household. Very tasty, just dark enough roast, etc.
-Scott
Good stuff. Drank a lot of it last year.
MMMMMMM, Yummy and the second full press of the morning is steeping:
[attachment deleted by admin]
I was browsing through the shelves at Goodwill yesterday and found a Bodum french press in perfect condition for $1.99. Gotta love it. :coffee
Quote from: dependan on January 12, 2012, 08:25:16 AM
I was browsing through the shelves at Goodwill yesterday and found a Bodum french press in perfect condition for $1.99. Gotta love it. :coffee
Sweet deal Dan! I have a nice quart sized Bodum and I am in the process of emptying the second press as I type...
I thought this was fun and worth sharing in the thread:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhdCslFcKFU
:coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee
Quote from: GA-ME on January 12, 2012, 08:32:30 AM
Sweet deal Dan! I have a nice quart sized Bodum and I am in the process of emptying the second press as I type...
I am enjoying some from the press right now. Mine is about 28ozs. So maybe they are the same thing. It sure works well. :coffee :thumbsup
One or two others have suggested home roasting - fun, fun, fun. I use a heat gun and a stainless steel bowl. sweetmarias is the way to go for green beans. I've yet to perfect my roasting process, but I'm getting better. Once I learn how to manual roast, I'm looking at one of the turbo oven based roasters (home built - google KKTO roaster).
For ordering, Raven's Brew and Intelligentsia are my favorties, although Intelligentsia is significantly more expensive than they used to be (even factoring in the rise in cost of beans). However, they KNOW their coffee. They originated in Chicago, but now I think they are in LA and NY.
Don't like Starbucks near as much, but I am a patron. I feel they take their roasts just a little too far. I look forward to trying some of their new Blonde roasts. Enjoying Starbucks with GeeNorm makes it taste better though.
Great home roasting info in many places but an Aussie site - coffeesnobs - has a bunch of info on the KKTO and a Corretto (Bread Machine based) roaster. Well worth reading the forums there for the adventuresome home roaster with grand ideas.
Brewing? Press pot, Chemex and vacuum pot are my three preferred methods with the latter two being the most fun. Drinking a cup of Chemex brewed coffee right now.
Quote from: prof_stack on December 01, 2011, 09:31:48 AM
There is a "Rule of 15" we coffee geeks (www.coffeegeek.com) use:
Use the coffee up to:
15 months after the beans were harvested,
15 days after beans were roasted,
15 minutes after the beans were ground.
If you are happy with your coffee experience, then just laugh at the rule. But just like us guitar geeks talking Sitka or Englemann, RW or Hog, Lights or Mediums, Slot or Paddle, Bone or Tusq, Forward or Backward scalloping, etc., there is a whole 'nother level of coffee enjoyment.
Well, it's good to see another coffeegeek here. That site has cost me hundreds of dollars though (but not as much money as this site has cost me :bgrin:).
Most "common" coffee drinkers don't really believe the rule of 15's, but from first hand experience, at least the latter two are very close to reality. Not sure about the first because, although I know sweetmarias turns their beans fairly often, I really don't know the age of any of the green beans I've roasted.
There are different levels of enjoyment for sure. Generaly if it's fresh brewed with good quality water I can enjoy a cup in most places. But I am real picky.
At home I grind my beans and filter my water. Even the carafe is never heated, that changes the chemical makeup of coffee drastically.
I have men who come over a few times a week in the mornings for prayer and bible reading. (sometimes I'll play a tune or two).
Anyway they really love my coffee. But in a group I go to once a week it's the worst coffee in the USA. I've had worse, but that was in Moscow, years ago. Nasty stuff. :yak:
So on Thursday I bring my Bodum "GIVE UP BAD COFFEE FOR GOOD" cup. It has had a few comments :whistling:
[attachment deleted by admin]
Try one of the Liquid Planet French Press Coffee Mugs - I use one several times daily for my 'fix' after roasting and grinding the "rule of 15's beans"....
http://www.liquidplanet.com/estore/product.php?productid=193&cat=0&page=1
[attachment deleted by admin]
Quote from: dependan on January 12, 2012, 10:04:03 PM
There are different levels of enjoyment for sure. Generaly if it's fresh brewed with good quality water I can enjoy a cup in most places. But I am real picky.
At home I grind my beans and filter my water. Even the carafe is never heated, that changes the chemical makeup of coffee drastically.
I have men who come over a few times a week in the mornings for prayer and bible reading. (sometimes I'll play a tune or two).
Anyway they really love my coffee. But in a group I go to once a week it's the worst coffee in the USA. I've had worse, but that was in Moscow, years ago. Nasty stuff. :yak:
So on Thursday I bring my Bodum "GIVE UP BAD COFFEE FOR GOOD" cup. It has had a few comments :whistling:
I had one of these. Be very careful of the hinge on the lid - it breaks VERY easily - it's a thin, perhaps 1/2mm wide piece of plastic on the spout cover that snaps into the lid. I ended up throwing mine away because I kind of need the spout closed to 'stir' by swirl - well, without that spout being closed, it defeats that purpose. I wrote a note to Bodum about it and never got any response back. I won't be buying another one.
Also, the silicone rubber gasket that is supposed to keep the grounds in the bottom while pressing eventually wore out after a few months of time and it started letting too many grounds past it during press. I need fiber in my diet, but I prefer to get it from grains, not grounds.
Here's hoping you have better luck with yours.
I have three of the Bodum travel cups. I don't use them everyday and suppose they will last a long time. I really like them for making tea on the run. Throw some tea bags in add hot water and close the lid. It works extremely well for herb teas and I make Chia in them as well.
These cups fit our console cup holders best as well.
My grandma got me a really nice French press for Christmas this year. I haven't used it yet because my dad always has coffee ready in the pot when I wake up in the morning, but I've been itching to try it.
As for coffee, lately we've been drinking Kona in my house. We get our coffee from a grocery store here in western Washington called Haggen, and the brand is Terravida, which is based out of Bellingham, Washington. It's really cheap compared to a lot of the other stuff and very, very good. They have an all organic coffee called the Sunrise Blend that is my favorite. If any of you guys live in Western Wa, I recommend going to Haggen/Top Foods and grabbing some of this coffee if you've never had it.
Time to go refill my cup! :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee
Quote from: LeftyBlake on January 13, 2012, 02:46:41 PM
My grandma got me a really nice French press for Christmas this year. I haven't used it yet because my dad always has coffee ready in the pot when I wake up in the morning, but I've been itching to try it.
As for coffee, lately we've been drinking Kona in my house. We get our coffee from a grocery store here in western Washington called Haggen, and the brand is Terravida, which is based out of Bellingham, Washington. It's really cheap compared to a lot of the other stuff and very, very good. They have an all organic coffee called the Sunrise Blend that is my favorite. If any of you guys live in Western Wa, I recommend going to Haggen/Top Foods and grabbing some of this coffee if you've never had it.
Time to go refill my cup! :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee
You will really like the French press. I just made some in mine and drank it all down so fast, I may just have to make some more.
I grind my beans course for the press and use a locally roasted bean "Ruta Maya". It makes a top shelf cup a jo :coffee
:coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee
Must resist urge to make one more press...
Quote from: GA-ME on January 13, 2012, 04:34:10 PM
:coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee
Must resist urge to make one more press...
OK, that did it. Out with the press, for just one more fresh brew :coffee
:winkin:
All this talk of press pots sent me to the store. I scored a lb of Peets French Roast for my press. Also got some whole whipping cream to mix in it. Can hardly wait till breakfast.
creature,
I assume breakfast has come and gone, so what's the verdict?
Quote from: the creature on January 13, 2012, 10:34:17 PM
All this talk of press pots sent me to the store. I scored a lb of Peets French Roast for my press. Also got some whole whipping cream to mix in it. Can hardly wait till breakfast.
I don't know if you have it in stores near you, but if you have a large hispanic community nearby you might have this: Mexican Table Cream is outstanding as a coffee creamer. Many brands available.
ryler, the verdict is that I've enjoyed (now two) of best pots of coffee I've had in a long time. I think I'll start using my press on the weekends as a treat and use the perk the rest of the week.
rockstar, I live in North Texas, so saying we have a large Hispanic community is a bit of an understatement. I'll look for that cream next time I'm at my favorite Tex-Mex grocery store. Thanks for the tip.
Quote from: the creature on January 14, 2012, 11:00:45 AM
ryler, the verdict is that I've enjoyed (now two) of best pots of coffee I've had in a long time. I think I'll start using my press on the weekends as a treat and use the perk the rest of the week.
rockstar, I live in North Texas, so saying we have a large Hispanic community is a bit of an understatement. I'll look for that cream next time I'm at my favorite Tex-Mex grocery store. Thanks for the tip.
You mean like HEB?
Gonna brew some press coffee now. :coffee
Quote from: dependan on January 14, 2012, 01:25:52 PM
You mean like HEB?
Gonna brew some press coffee now. :coffee
We have HEB around here, but I think there are more of them the further down you go on I-35, near where you are. I heard Central Market is owned by HEB too. There's a nice Mex. grocery store near my home called Elrod's. They have Mexican Coca-Cola and those big puffy shortbread cookies that you can only get at such a place. I'm sure this cream will be there if it's anywhere around here.
Man, that press coffee is rich. You get all the oils and flavors. Went very well with my pipe this morning.
Quote from: the creature on January 14, 2012, 01:39:14 PM
We have HEB around here, but I think there are more of them the further down you go on I-35, near where you are. I heard Central Market is owned by HEB too. There's a nice Mex. grocery store near my home called Elrod's. They have Mexican Coca-Cola and those big puffy shortbread cookies that you can only get at such a place. I'm sure this cream will be there if it's anywhere around here.
Man, that press coffee is rich. You get all the oils and flavors. Went very well with my pipe this morning.
HEB is always so packed with people, I go to Randall's instead to avoid the throng. But HEB does cater to the Hispanic community so they have many items from the Mexican culture.
Central Market is owned by HEB and they have lots of upscale goodies and a fine restaurant as well.
Time to enjoy my brew.
Quote from: the creature on January 14, 2012, 01:39:14 PM
We have HEB around here, but I think there are more of them the further down you go on I-35, near where you are. I heard Central Market is owned by HEB too. There's a nice Mex. grocery store near my home called Elrod's. They have Mexican Coca-Cola and those big puffy shortbread cookies that you can only get at such a place. I'm sure this cream will be there if it's anywhere around here.
Man, that press coffee is rich. You get all the oils and flavors. Went very well with my pipe this morning.
You will be looking for something like this:
http://www.mexgrocer.com/42743-12316.html?productid=42743-12316&channelid=FROOG&utm_source=CSEs&utm_medium=GoogleShopping&utm_campaign=MexGrocerCSE
Don't get sour cream - sometimes in the same type of container. You are looking for fresca, or table cream on the label. Our local Wal-Mart sometimes has this in the dairy section. We have a giant Rancho Liborio store which has all kinds of brands of this type of cream, but those are limited to the west, as far as I know. You will be able to get these at small local neighborhood hispanic markets - we had several back in MI where I could buy this.
Another way to use this which we learned in Mexico: tostadas with this cream spread on top, then crumbled queso fresco on top of that, then chili powder on top - yummy. Even better is to fry up some chorizo, drain, then sprinkle on top, add some lettuce, tasty.
Quote from: the creature on January 14, 2012, 01:39:14 PM
Man, that press coffee is rich. You get all the oils and flavors. Went very well with my pipe this morning.
Yup. That's what keeps me drinking three or four quarts a day!
[attachment deleted by admin]
Just noticed this as I was grinding the Eight o'Clock beans. Package contents are 11 oz, not 12 like most other grocery store coffee packages, even the last package of Eight o'Clock. Sneaky? Yes. I think I bought my last package of Eight o'Clock.
Yes, that bugs me too. Even my dear old Community finally ditched its true pound a while back. Money, money, money!
It's not just coffee.
I go to Austin Roasting Company for my coffee (Usually Costa Rican Tres Rios).
Roasted as you like, sold by the POUND, and free shipping when buying in bulk (5 pounds).
http://www.austinroastingcompany.com/
Tell Jesse I sent you!
I'm on my second bag of Peet's French Roast. The press is seeing a lot of use around my house. I served some to guests recently and everyone loved it.
I just bought some great freshly roasted beans from beanstockroasters.com In fact, I just took a sip of decaf that truly tastes like regular :+1:
Tonight: coffee in the press and homemade oatmeal cookies.
I'm studying for exams and my hands are shaking. Just the way it is supposed to be :coffee
Just pressed some chia and added Masala and blue agave. MMMMM good. I know it ain't Java, but it's good. :coffee
My latest coffee ritual is using the Aeropress to make a delicious smooth condensed coffee topped with foam or foamy milk from the Aerocchino milk frother.
BTW, the new Starbucks "Blonde" roast is pretty good, definitely smoother and less sharper than their usual "char"bucks blend.
Am I the only one that still use's the old style campfire perculator?
Quote from: unclrob on January 26, 2012, 10:36:11 PM
Am I the only one that still use's the old style campfire perculator?
Nope. I use one every day for my usual coffee. Thought I was the only one!
I've asked this before, but I'll try again: My Bodum french press has a great design for the plunger. The screen is encased in a circle of plastic and that section of it cannot be disassembled. My husband's press has the screen squeezed between two pieces of metal; this design means that after every use the grounds get caught between the screen and its supporting metal structure. You have to disassemble it to wash out the grounds. Also, the screen exceeds the circumfrence of the metal structure and loses its shape when pressed down into the carafe. It's stupid. Mine is smart. My press is older and I can't find one with that sort of plunger design from Bodum anymore. Anyone know of a different brand which doesn't have a stupid plunger design? Yes, this really matters to me.
Oh, and P.S. to creature: Somewhere on this forum you posted the view from your reading chair. It's of your dining room. I have had it as my desktop image now for a couple of weeks. Love that picture. My husband saw it and now wants to live in your house. Would you mind that?
A simple solution on the press may be Goodwill or some other thrift store. My Bodum press has a great screen on it and cost me a whole $1.99. I use it all the time. Love those kinda deals. This one looked like it had never been used.
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kVUAywdV620/TxEMqFO_x2I/AAAAAAAAAGY/4zLzLTEwSnE/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG)
It's our formal living room/dining room. It's a fairly large room and I was over in the "reading section" when I took the pic (on my iPhone). Great place for reading, pipe smoking, and playing music. I think it might be a bit cramped in our little 1750 sq. ft. house with your hubby, but you all would be welcome anytime for coffee and guitar time. When we moved in the place was all white walls and plain as can be. My wife has a real gift. She made the curtains by hand and rescued all the antique furniture from various death sentences. The table is over 100 years old, and our piano, which you cannot see in the pic, was made in New York in 1898. Still plays and sounds like a dream, at least when my wife plays it.
On topic:
French Press is seeing much use on the fine Saturday.
This is the type of press I use. The screen is encased and stays rigid and in place when pressed, and doesn't come apart. I've had mine for over ten years with no trouble. I highly recommend this design.
(http://www.thebrauncoffeemakers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/French-Press-Coffee-Maker-Overview-2318.jpg)
Quote from: the creature on January 28, 2012, 11:24:21 AM
This is the type of press I use. The screen is encased and stays rigid and in place when pressed, and doesn't come apart. I've had mine for over ten years with no trouble. I highly recommend this design.
(http://www.thebrauncoffeemakers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/French-Press-Coffee-Maker-Overview-2318.jpg)
My screen looks just like that, but the press is different.
Enjoying some Boyer's Kona Blend Medium Roast. Pretty smooth and inexpensive as well. Full 12 oz packages. Can be had at your Kroger stores affiliates in the Western US and perhaps towards midwest. Not enjoying a pack of Gevalia Columbian that was on-sale at the same time. Too much citrus/acid notes.
Gevalia used to have an Italian Roast that was prett amazing. Back when it was all mail order. Haven't bought any in years.
Quote from: the creature on January 28, 2012, 11:18:48 AM
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kVUAywdV620/TxEMqFO_x2I/AAAAAAAAAGY/4zLzLTEwSnE/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG)
It's our formal living room/dining room. It's a fairly large room and I was over in the "reading section" when I took the pic (on my iPhone). Great place for reading, pipe smoking, and playing music. I think it might be a bit cramped in our little 1750 sq. ft. house with your hubby, but you all would be welcome anytime for coffee and guitar time. When we moved in the place was all white walls and plain as can be. My wife has a real gift. She made the curtains by hand and rescued all the antique furniture from various death sentences. The table is over 100 years old, and our piano, which you cannot see in the pic, was made in New York in 1898. Still plays and sounds like a dream, at least when my wife plays it.
On topic:
French Press is seeing much use on the fine Saturday.
Yup, that's the photo. Okay, I"ll let my husband know not to pack his bags and move in. Talk about making the most of your square footage. Nice job, Mrs. Creature.
And my french press plunger device is the same as yours, but the screen gets all mangled from the push down/pull up motion. I guess no one else gets the grounds in between, either. I'm just a freak.
Here's some interesting Coffee trivia I read today. CONSUMERS REPORT did a blind taste test and Starbucks Columbia Medium rated a good cup of coffee. Cost: $14.60 per pound.
BUT Walmart sells GREAT VALUE Columbia Medium for only $4.42 a pound and received the same rating.
I do believe on my next trip to Walmart I'll pick up some of this inexpensive brew and give it a try. :thumbsup
Quote from: dependan on February 10, 2012, 09:14:34 PM
Here's some interesting Coffee trivia I read today. CONSUMERS REPORT did a blind taste test and Starbucks Columbia Medium rated a good cup of coffee. Cost: $14.60 per pound.
BUT Walmart sells GREAT VALUE Columbia Medium for only $4.42 a pound and received the same rating.
I do believe on my next trip to Walmart I'll pick up some of this inexpensive brew and give it a try. :thumbsup
CR taste testers have never been close to my preferences. Hopefully you won't be wasting money on cheaper beans. As a 6 year coffee roaster geek, I can assure you that freshness is usually the winner in taste tests. A hot air popcorn popper can make a really great tasting roast in 8 minutes (wait a day or two before brewing, though, for best flavor). Most coffee you buy is way past roast date.
That is, unless you have a small roaster shop nearby that can sell you the truly fresh stuff.
Here is something lame. I bought some Columbia Eight O'clock and some regular. Both on sale. Both the same price. When I got home and was emptying them into my containers I keep coffee in, I noticed the bags: regular was 12 oz. Columbian was 11 oz. Pretty slick.
:yawn
Quote from: the creature on February 11, 2012, 12:10:37 AM
Here is something lame. I bought some Columbia Eight O'clock and some regular. Both on sale. Both the same price. When I got home and was emptying them into my containers I keep coffee in, I noticed the bags: regular was 12 oz. Columbian was 11 oz. Pretty slick.
:yawn
Slick--and deceptive--marketing. Buyer beware.
Quote from: Strings4Him on February 11, 2012, 08:12:59 AM
Slick--and deceptive--marketing. Buyer beware.
Indeed. Honestly, I'm willing to cut them some slack as I know all are tying to make a living, etc. It just seems that all measures are taken to make them look identical, when in fact the buyer is getting less product. At any rate, I'm enjoying a cup of the Columbian as I type.
I also notice this recently with the Aldi grocery store. Their prices are lower and it always amazed me how much cheaper their brands were while still remaining quite good. Then I was going through the mountain of kids cereal in my cupboard. For some reason I noticed a box of Kellog's cereal - 13 oz (or so, not the point). Aldi cereal - 11 oz. What the? I thought. Then I looked at others in the cupboard and it was the same with the potato chips as the cereal. Then it hit me how they do it: they sell cheaper because you're getting less product. There's always a catch it seems.
O well. Time for my pipe...
:wave
I finally tried some blue mountain jamaican coffee. wow.
Quote from: prof_stack on February 10, 2012, 11:26:59 PM
CR taste testers have never been close to my preferences. Hopefully you won't be wasting money on cheaper beans. As a 6 year coffee roaster geek, I can assure you that freshness is usually the winner in taste tests. A hot air popcorn popper can make a really great tasting roast in 8 minutes (wait a day or two before brewing, though, for best flavor). Most coffee you buy is way past roast date.
That is, unless you have a small roaster shop nearby that can sell you the truly fresh stuff.
Too true
I have bought my last two batches from redbird coffee in bozeman. Jeff roasts to order, prices are pretty darn good, and it makes a helluva shot of espresso, as well as a good cup of pressed coffee. Price is pretty good, too, 51.50 for five pounds, inc shipping
---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=44.943351,-92.946175
Quote from: OutWithTheBlue on February 11, 2012, 05:00:03 PM
I finally tried some blue mountain jamaican coffee. wow.
My favorite coffee... and James Bond's favorite favorite as well...
I've always liked the lighter/medium roasts. I think my favorite is the Costa Rican peabeary from Gevalia. Lately I have been using this bulk coffee from Sams Club called Member's Mark. It's fair trade and a medium roast. It's actually really good.
Heading to Costco today for more Ruta Maya.
Quote from: OutWithTheBlue on February 11, 2012, 05:00:03 PM
I finally tried some blue mountain jamaican coffee. wow.
Oddly, you are better off buying Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee here in the USA than you are in Jamaica. In Jamaica where controls are severely lacking they can sell any old coffee beans as "Blue Mountain Coffee" and any old cheap cigars as "Cuban" with counterfeit labels on them. I purchased some Blue Mountain coffee beans in Jamaica and when I ground the beans and made a pot of coffee it tasted nothing like "real" Blue Mountain coffee I was familiar with. The same was true of a few "cuban" cigars I sampled.
Some of the best coffee I've tasted was in the Kona region of Hawaii. Maybe it was the setting in which I drank it though :bgrin:
Feeling a but adventurous yesterday, and I've been bored of late with Eight oClock and Community blends. Picked up a can (should've been my first clue) of Chock Full o Nuts original. Brewed up some this morning. Simply dreadful stuff. Also bought a can of Melita Columbian. Haven't tried it yet. I'm not hopeful after the other experiment though.
I spent the better part of the last week at the National Hearing Conservation Association annual meeting/expo in New Orleans (why they decided to have it immediately after Mardi Gras is beyond me). The hotel served Community brand coffee and it was quite tasty.
I have a head-cold right now, so I am enjoying some coffee simply for its warmth. I wish I could taste it though :crying:
Quote from: Strings4Him on February 28, 2012, 06:44:56 AM
I have a head-cold right now, so I am enjoying some coffee simply for its warmth. I wish I could taste it though :crying:
Throat Tamer herb tea by Celestial Seasonings is a fav of mine for head and throat issues.
Enjoying a cup of Sumatra right now myself.
Quote from: Strings4Him on February 28, 2012, 06:44:56 AM
I have a head-cold right now, so I am enjoying some coffee simply for its warmth. I wish I could taste it though :crying:
A good, stiff, and steaming mug of PG Tips with a heaping tablespoon of some local, raw/unfiltered honey knocks any cold, or allergy attack right into the dirt! :thumb
PG Tips is a fave around our house.
Looks like great stuff. Love the video.
http://www.pgtips.co.uk/
Quote from: Strings4Him on February 28, 2012, 05:13:14 PM
Looks like great stuff.
It is. PG turned me into a tea drinker.
My son is a PG drinker. He orders cases on-line. I like my Chai mid mornings or early PM. I make my own with India tea and Tea Masala. Then sweeten with Agave squeezens and lots of 1/2 and 1/2. The little lady always wants some as well.
I made a few bad batches before getting it right. I also use my Bodum press for this Chai. It works very well.
Quote from: dependan on February 28, 2012, 06:34:34 PM
My son is a PG drinker. He orders cases on-line. I like my Chai mid mornings or early PM. I make my own with India tea and Tea Masala. Then sweeten with Agave squeezens and lots of 1/2 and 1/2. The little lady always wants some as well.
I made a few bad batches before getting it right. I also use my Bodum press for this Chai. It works very well.
My wife likes Tazo chai from the carton. Steamed up with whole milk and vanilla syrup.
Someone here said that they found a nice french press at a local thrift shop. Well, looky here at the ARC store today I got a 1L Bodum french press that cleaned up real nice for $4.
It's a Brazil model, but 1L instead of the 3cup version (I have one of those at work!).
This is the same ARC store where I bought a Pearl Cajon drum for $40 last year, brand spanking new.
-Scott
Good find Scott. A guy at work was using the AeroPress the other day. He said this worked quite well.
I just ground, brewed and am drinking some Trader Joe's Organic Cafe Pajaro blend. It is an EXTRA dark roast. I bet it would taste even better made through a press.
Scott, excellent find.
There's a chain of dairy stores here in the Southwest called Braum's. It's a family-owned deal where they have their own dairy. The reason they're only in the SW is because they only put a store within a day's drive of their farm in Oklahoma. Pretty cool deal and their products are great. I bought a bag of their coffee the other day and was blown away. I don't think for a second they really went into the coffee-roasting business, so I know this is likely something bagged up elsewhere and sold under the Braum's label. Either way it's very good. If you have a Braum's near you, give it a try.
(http://www.miocoalition.com/assets/images/companies/logo_braums3.gif)
Quote from: the creature on February 29, 2012, 11:02:29 AM
My wife likes Tazo chai from the carton. Steamed up with whole milk and vanilla syrup.
My wife still has some Tazo in the fridge, but since I nailed the art of French press Chai, she prefers mine, thank you.
Quote from: the creature on February 28, 2012, 06:04:54 PM
It is. PG turned me into a tea drinker.
It wasn't PG Tips for me, but it has been a great encouragement in that direction. I just bought a 1.5 kg bag of loose PG Tips (3.3 lbs.) I thought it was a bit pricey at over twice the others on the shelves, but it is a super smooth tea and I don't reget spending more for it.
[attachment deleted by admin]
Im a huge coffee snob. I often work for coffee roasters, mostly for the eprk of the free coffee. I love my coffee. Look up stumptown. look up intelligencia. who else? blue bottle out of san fransisco may be available in other places. Theres so much good micro roasted coffee out there. Light roasts are superior!!! they showcase a brilliant bean... Dark roasts hide mediocrity in carbonic ash flavor.
Quote from: funkstarfish on April 09, 2012, 08:34:53 PM
Im a huge coffee snob. I often work for coffee roasters, mostly for the eprk of the free coffee. I love my coffee. Look up stumptown. look up intelligencia. who else? blue bottle out of san fransisco may be available in other places. Theres so much good micro roasted coffee out there. Light roasts are superior!!! they showcase a brilliant bean... Dark roasts hide mediocrity in carbonic ash flavor.
I believe you are on to something here. We bought a dark roast of our favorite local Austin roaster "Ruta Maya", and I think you described the flavor. We went back today and got more of the medium roast.
yeah, sometimes they call that a roasty flavor, and honestly, i like a good cup of french/dark roast coffee at an old school diner every now and again too. it has its appeal. But once i tasted coffees that were as good as chocolate and wine... i just cant go back... at home i french press, or aero press, or do a 2 cup pour over. I need a better grinder. using a burr grinder would greatly improve my coffee. but they are pricey...
I used to love darker roasts but now they just taste burned to me. Not sure if the coffee has changed or if I've changed.
Quote from: ryler on January 28, 2012, 09:45:41 AM
I've asked this before, but I'll try again: My Bodum french press has a great design for the plunger. The screen is encased in a circle of plastic and that section of it cannot be disassembled. My husband's press has the screen squeezed between two pieces of metal; this design means that after every use the grounds get caught between the screen and its supporting metal structure. You have to disassemble it to wash out the grounds. Also, the screen exceeds the circumfrence of the metal structure and loses its shape when pressed down into the carafe. It's stupid. Mine is smart. My press is older and I can't find one with that sort of plunger design from Bodum anymore. Anyone know of a different brand which doesn't have a stupid plunger design? Yes, this really matters to me.
Oh, and P.S. to creature: Somewhere on this forum you posted the view from your reading chair. It's of your dining room. I have had it as my desktop image now for a couple of weeks. Love that picture. My husband saw it and now wants to live in your house. Would you mind that?
Replacement screens and assemblies are available for those. (and you might find them cheaper elsewhere idk)
http://www.sweetmarias.com/sweetmarias/coffee-brewers/french-presses.html?source=grid
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
For those who like the Techniform or Bonavita, check out this new product from Behmor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otWCirV2yeg
Full control of pre-soak time and temperature are rather amazing for a product priced somewhere around $200 (I think).
For now, though, I'm getting great coffee from the Aeropress.
Yes!!! another Aeropress fanatic. the cheapest and easiest method for one amazing cup of coffee. I even have down a 2 cup method now. I used to think of my Aeropress as a camping or travel coffee maker, but now that i bought the metal screen to fit into it instead of using the paper every day, i use it often at home. Just brewed some light roasted Costa Rican Don Mayo. Such a lush south american coffee with lots of fruity notes normally reserved for african coffees.
Id recommend the metal screen for your aeropress Prof Stack.
they can be found at espressoparts.com
im buzzing on my 3rd cup now...
Quote from: funkstarfish on April 15, 2012, 11:19:14 AM
Yes!!! another Aeropress fanatic. the cheapest and easiest method for one amazing cup of coffee. I even have down a 2 cup method now. I used to think of my Aeropress as a camping or travel coffee maker, but now that i bought the metal screen to fit into it instead of using the paper every day, i use it often at home. Just brewed some light roasted Costa Rican Don Mayo. Such a lush south american coffee with lots of fruity notes normally reserved for african coffees.
I recommend the metal screen for your Aeropress, Prof Stack. They can be found at espressoparts.com
I'm buzzing on my 3rd cup now...
Heh, the video from Seattle Coffee Gear comparing the paper and metal filters found the owner preferring the paper filter for smoothness of taste. That's the way I currently like my coffee, having just sold the espresso maker. I use the paper filters for 4 or 5 times before replacing with a new one. But I have looked into the metal filters and might spring for it, just for the variety. Thanks!
This is a friend's local 'micro-roasting' operation: http://smoothgroovecoffee.com/
I hadn't bought from him in awhile, but Friday evening he dropped off a 1/2 pound of Ethiopian Harar Longberry in a medium/dark roast and oh my is it delicioso from ye goode olde Mr. Coffee drip coffee maker.
I asked him how much green beans he buys and he says he never buys more than 5 lb at a time. His prices are reasonable as well. I also think his logo is cool.
thanks rockstarnot, good link, i sent em an email to see what they are about... when you say local, where approximately?
Quote from: funkstarfish on April 17, 2012, 02:42:31 PM
thanks rockstarnot, good link, i sent em an email to see what they are about... when you say local, where approximately?
Colorado Springs, CO - though Eric does ship across the US. He also has a coffee club where you sign up for a regular shipment of his choosing every so often. Eric's a great electric guitar player, singer/songwriter as well.
-Scott
Id say its a tossup of paper over metal and which tastes better, funny too, because when you look at the pour over filters, there is all sorts of discussion about bleached Vs unbleached and metal vs paper. I have seen all of the answers be the right one, i use the metal so i don't have to buy more paper. I use the paper when i feel like something different, but i never notice the difference... ive cupped hundreds of coffees and done hundreds of tastings. If i were really paying attention, im sure the difference is there, but my morning cup is so damn good with paper or metal, i dont count hairs and dont consider that element to be a major flavor factor when compared to coffee, brew time and brew temp, and even the speed with which you press your aero press has more affect on flavor
So, where does one buy one of these Aeropress thingamajigs?
Quote from: rockstar_not on April 17, 2012, 07:09:14 PM
So, where does one buy one of these Aeropress thingamajigs?
Lots of places. Try Amazon.
its real easy to use too, and it basically cleans itself. you just grind coffee, heat water, put in coffee, put in water, and press. It forms a little "puck" of coffee that you juts dump in the bin or compost or garden and its almost clean. its at least camping clean. makes a strong or weak cup depending on how much coffee you use. i use 16 - 20 grams per biggish mug. ground around what you would for drip, maybe a touch more fine. use water that is just cooler than boiling. i usually boil it then wait 1 minute.
Here's my Aeropress ritual: (it's all automatic now, so don't let all these steps confuse you)
- Heat a cup of water in the microwave. Pour half of the water into the inverted tubes, resting the cap on tap with filter in place.
- Grind 10g of beans (Zassenhaus hand grinder).
- Heat a half-cup of water to 200F or so.
- Remove the water from the now warmed up tubes.
- Dump the ground coffee into the tube.
- Add the water, stir briefly to mix well.
- Stir for 10-15 seconds. Put the cap on.
- Bring the cup over the cap and turn it all over.
- Press the nectar into the cup.
- Add hot water to taste (I usually have a small amount of hot frothed milk).
- Clean up, very fast with this system.
I don't want to be a coffee snob, but I'm finding that as I get older, I'm getting that way. Right now, I have 3 means of manufacture:
1. A Mr. Coffee automatic drip. Disappointing. I had a very cheap old cone filter type drip maker that seemed to do a much better job - in-laws were visiting and accidentally broke the carafe.
2. 8 'cup' Bodum French press (cup in quotes because they are 4 oz. cups, I believe)
3. 3 'cup' Bodum French press at work.
While I like the flavor from 3 cup, the 8 cup doesn't work well for small batches - always weak for just a few cups. I'm also tired of getting 'fiber' with my coffee. No matter how coarse I grind, I always have to 'chew' the last half of a cup from the presses.
So, I may be ready to move on. The Aeropress sounds very nice. I became spoiled I suppose, at my previous place of employment where we had an automatic Capresso machine in the building, and for 25 cents, one could have a burr-ground espresso as fresh as one can imagine. It was also where I learned that I really shouldn't do a double. Heart-racing caffeine injections don't sit well with me :wacko:
So, this Aeropress thing sounds interesting. I may ask for one for Father's day.
I had a small Bodum press that I never could make a decent cup with. Got rid of it. The large one, as you point out, won't make a decent small batch. That's why mine sees little use. My stovetop perk makes great large and small pots. I brewed up a medium roast this morning and mixed in some raw whole cow milk in the first cup. The best cup I've had in years. Scored the raw milk locally. Try it if you like creamy coffee. Can't stand all that fake cream. It's either milk or black for me.
Quote from: the creature on April 18, 2012, 09:54:07 AM
I had a small Bodum press that I never could make a decent cup with. Got rid of it. The large one, as you point out, won't make a decent small batch. That's why mine sees little use. My stovetop perk makes great large and small pots. I brewed up a medium roast this morning and mixed in some raw whole cow milk in the first cup. The best cup I've had in years. Scored the raw milk locally. Try it if you like creamy coffee. Can't stand all that fake cream. It's either milk or black for me.
I haven't used any dairy or whitener in my coffee for a few years now. There's nothing as satisfying as a good hot cup of black coffee! Although, I do like a good latte from time to time. I have a stainless steel Bialetti stove-top espresso maker at home that I should really spruce up. Man, that thing make stupendous coffee.
Quote from: Denis on April 18, 2012, 11:09:35 AM
I haven't used any dairy or whitener in my coffee for a few years now. There's nothing as satisfying as a good hot cup of black coffee! Although, I do like a good latte from time to time. I have a stainless steel Bialetti stove-top espresso maker at home that I should really spruce up. Man, that thing make stupendous coffee.
I have an espresso maker. I hooked up a hose to the spigot and added a fitting to go in the 12th or 14th fret hole I drill out to loosen the neck joint for removal. It works really well. :thumbsup
You persuasive people have given me AAS. (Careful how you pronounce that. ) Aeropress Acquisition Syndrome. It's on order. I'll let you know how it compares to the ever-so-messy but ever-so-tasty french press.
Hey Ryler, they are different, you will not get the texture from the Aeropress that you do from the French press.
but what you do get is a bit cleaner flavors, very good aroma, and the ease of 1 cup at a time with fast cleanup.
Also, dont be afraid to go outside the directions they give you. I found the need to use hotter water, something like 195 -200. I also let mine brew just a bit before pressing. You can use more or less water or coffee for different effects. sometimes i use just 1/3 of the chamber full of water to make an "Americano" style drink, and sometimes i use it to brew true coffee and fill the chamber.
So dont get frustrated if it doesnt work right the first time, i had to play a bit to get it right, but now its one of my faves.
I did french press this morning though :whistling:
Thanks, funkstar. I'll bear that in mind and tweak to taste.
Quote from: funkstarfish on April 21, 2012, 04:52:03 PM
Hey Ryler, they are different, you will not get the texture from the Aeropress that you do from the French press.
but what you do get is a bit cleaner flavors, very good aroma, and the ease of 1 cup at a time with fast cleanup.
Also, dont be afraid to go outside the directions they give you. I found the need to use hotter water, something like 195 -200. I also let mine brew just a bit before pressing. You can use more or less water or coffee for different effects. sometimes i use just 1/3 of the chamber full of water to make an "Americano" style drink, and sometimes i use it to brew true coffee and fill the chamber.
So dont get frustrated if it doesnt work right the first time, i had to play a bit to get it right, but now its one of my faves....
Well stated. I use the inverted method to get a very clean cup and less crud on the filter, which I reuse about 3 times.
When you're ready to try the inverted method, do a Youtube search about it. It's pretty easy.
yeah, i usually do the inverted method to let it brew a bit longer, like a french press. But mine broke yesterday, haha, was drying it, and i dropped it and it must have hit the floor just right.
Quote from: funkstarfish on April 22, 2012, 10:36:39 AM
yeah, i usually do the inverted method to let it brew a bit longer, like a french press. But mine broke yesterday, haha, was drying it, and i dropped it and it must have hit the floor just right.
Now that's just weird. The AP is pretty darn indestructible. They are pretty cheap on Amazon. I got a 2 for 1 when I bought it, so a new box is ready if this one ever bites the dust.
On the road, McDonalds :thumb
it is weird, and i was crushed. to be honest, i was kinda shaking it to shake some of the water off before drying it with a towel. during a downward shake, it slipped out of my grip and struck the floor with a bit more force than gravity. Oops, not quite indestructible. Ill get another here soon.
Quote from: GA-ME on January 12, 2012, 07:47:27 AM
MMMMMMM, Yummy and the second full press of the morning is steeping:
My wife picked some of this up yesterday and it is quite good.
(http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=38518.0;attach=13419;image)
Quote from: dependan on April 22, 2012, 12:04:47 PM
On the road, McDonalds :thumb
My choice when on the road too.
Quote from: Mr_LV19E on April 22, 2012, 01:01:14 PM
My wife picked some of this up yesterday and it is quite good.
(http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=38518.0;attach=13419;image)
I currently buy all my coffee from Trader Joes. It is great coffee and well-priced.
I got an Aeropress over the weekend. I'm trying to understand how the inverted method does anything different than the 'normal' method, other than you can let the water mix with the grounds for a longer period of time since no leakage occurs through the filter.
Any other reasons why doing the inverted method may be better?
Quote from: rockstar_not on May 08, 2012, 01:02:11 AM
I got an Aeropress over the weekend. I'm trying to understand how the inverted method does anything different than the 'normal' method, other than you can let the water mix with the grounds for a longer period of time since no leakage occurs through the filter.
Any other reasons why doing the inverted method may be better?
Sure. Look at the sides of the tube when you turn the Aeropress over to press out the nectar. Notice the sediment that is left. None of that will get through the filter and into your coffee. You only get the essense, or something like that. When I do it this way and use 180F water, I get a really nice and smooth cup. Much hotter than 180F and the coffee doesn't taste as good (to me).
Also, this way you can resuse the filter a few more times, since it stays cleaner.
Anyway, it works well for me.
Quote from: prof_stack on May 08, 2012, 10:11:58 PM
Sure. Look at the sides of the tube when you turn the Aeropress over to press out the nectar. Notice the sediment that is left. None of that will get through the filter and into your coffee. You only get the essense, or something like that. When I do it this way and use 180F water, I get a really nice and smooth cup. Much hotter than 180F and the coffee doesn't taste as good (to me).
Also, this way you can resuse the filter a few more times, since it stays cleaner.
Anyway, it works well for me.
I guess I need to see the difference visually because when I see 'inverted method' videos, they are all flipping the rig over and pressing anyways. You must be doing something different. Also, I don't know what sediment you are referring to on the sides of the tube - I see none. How the filter remains cleaner is also a mystery to me - I must be missing something.
Y'all, I just don't fit in. I got the Aeropress and I hated it. The flavor of the coffee was good, but the french press was just easier to use. Not easier to clean up, mind you. But easier to make the coffee.
Quote from: rockstar_not on May 09, 2012, 12:35:19 AM
I guess I need to see the difference visually because when I see 'inverted method' videos, they are all flipping the rig over and pressing anyways. You must be doing something different. Also, I don't know what sediment you are referring to on the sides of the tube - I see none. How the filter remains cleaner is also a mystery to me - I must be missing something.
The advantages to the inverted method are:
1 - No leakage while the coffee is being agitated (this is the main reason, imho)
2 - More coffee particulates are held back from the press. On my newish Aeropress, they stick to the side while the fluid level is pressed.
3 - The filter stays a little cleaner and so can be used a few more times before discarding. I usually use a filter 4-5 times.
The box says the water should be at 175F for best flavor. I like it closer to 180F, but YMMV. Some people like to pour the water into the chamber just off a boil. Since I roast the green beans, I like to get more of the varietal nature of the bean to come through. Most of my roasts are single origin beans.
Right now I have no plans to get another caffeine delivery system. I don't miss the Gaggia lever machine I sold a couple of months ago.
Quote from: prof_stack on May 11, 2012, 09:53:15 PM
The advantages to the inverted method are:
2 - More coffee particulates are held back from the press. On my newish Aeropress, they stick to the side while the fluid level is pressed.
3 - The filter stays a little cleaner and so can be used a few more times before discarding. I usually use a filter 4-5 times.
i'm still not following this - I get no particulates on 'sides' - the plunger wipes the whole thing and pushes everything through the filter. I don't see particulates on any 'sides' wherever the sides may be.
I also don't understand how the filter stays cleaner - the same amount of water and coffee are being pressed through it, right?
-Scott
So sorry for the confusion.
When I turn the AP over, before pressing, some of the particulates are on the side. I only press until the water is through, so the particulates don't get on the puck. The filter is usually pretty clean and can be reused a few times (depending on how cheap I am) after rinsing.
It's not as big a deal as I made it sound. But for me, it makes a cleaner cup.
you got rid of a gaggia lever? Man, im envious. I can't wait to buy my first house and install one in the kitchen. Gaggia levers are my dream. I love pulling shots on lever machines. Or a synesso.
After reading Uncle's sleep issue in another thread came across Drink More Coffee, Live Longer Study (http://healthland.time.com/2012/05/17/coffee-drink-more-live-longer/) recently released.
So have a :coffee
For me just never acquired the taste :yak:
I just finished off some French Press coffee. Really good stuff after driving for two days and not having a good cup this morning until I got home and made it. :coffee
:thumb :coffee :donut2 :donut :coffee
Also just pressed through some nectar of the gods.
:donut :donut :donut :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee I absolutely must have my french roast as soon as I get up.Routine;Get up go to livingroom computer on,bathroom,kitchen press coffee machine" on " button,back to computer look at larrivees for sale on several sites,back to kitchen pour coffee ,cream, 1 sugar, stir, drink, life begins.
Aeropress update: I saw a video with another twist in using the AP.
- No inversion used.
- Use it as the directions show on the package (water temp 170 to 200, ymmv). But,
- after stirring (agitating) for 10-15 seconds push the top on just enough to seal the tube.
- Let the stirred coffee sit for 50 seconds or more. The vacuum will keep any liquid from dripping out.
- Press slowly to extract the coffee.
The resulting brew tastes better (to me, anyway) and the puck is more solid than usual.
Quote from: the creature on November 30, 2011, 08:00:34 AM
Roasting would be fun but I know I don't have time for it. I don't even have time to grind my own beans, and when I do I never taste the difference. These days I'm making up my own blends of various Community Coffee varieties. This morning I'm enjoying a bit of their Cafe Special mixed with Hotel Blend. There are many possible combinations, and since all their coffee tastes great, there's no way to mix up a bad batch. I was converted to Eight O'Clock (which I don't consider "cheap," by the way. Folgers and Max House are cheap to me) but I moved back to Community after a bit. Been drinking it for years and couldn't stay away for long as it's an old favorite.
Community Coffee! Old New Orleans memories are flooding back! :+1: :gotdonuts: (Beignets?)
Just a note, we have converted 100% to French press for a month or so now. We use our Bodum that makes 2 large mugs of coffee per pot.
On our recent three week road trip we used it every day at relatives houses, motels and cabins. While in West Virginia the power went out for many days (it was still out when we left), but we heated water in a pot on the deck grille (propane).
It was the one "luxury" we had. A really good cup a joe, whenever we wanted. :+1:
Quote from: dependan on July 18, 2012, 09:40:31 AM
Just a note, we have converted 100% to French press for a month or so now. We use our Bodum that makes 2 large mugs of coffee per pot.
On our recent three week road trip we used it every day at relatives houses, motels and cabins. While in West Virginia the power went out for many days (it was still out when we left), but we heated water in a pot on the deck grille (propane).
It was the one "luxury" we had. A really good cup a joe, whenever we wanted. :+1:
We take along my propane single burner and water kettle. People think we're excessive...until we make the java! "Petes" is our favorite brand. :winkin:
Peet's French Roast in the press is a favorite of mine.
I have been using a Pour Over coffee system made for me by a friend. I grind 30 grams coffee and pour 500 grams water slowly over the top, through a special paper filter. Cleanest and tastiest cup (2 cups) ever, and so easy to do. Cleanup is a breeze too.
I get my coffee from these guys down the street.
http://obliquecoffeeroasters.com/
I live in Portland, with tons of good coffee, and this puts most to shame. John roasts up the most fantastic single origin coffees. His Brazil Arco Iris and Mexico Nayarit natural process are both fantastic coffees.
I read a forum for low carb dieters and this morning saw a thread that made me shudder ...
Some of the hard-core dieters as so regulate their carb and fat intake, that they add a teaspoon of coconut oil to a cup of coffee, claiming it tastes good and to get the recommended 3 Tbsp coconut oil per day, for brain health, digestion and regularity (which is a problem for low-carbers). An even smaller group of the hard-core LC dieters add a tsp of cocoa butter. Such requires constant stirring I surmise.
I'll try anything once, but on first blush, it sounds like a strange way to ruin a good cup of coffee.
Time for me to order again, from http://www.klatchroasting.com ... my wife is a big fan of their golden pecan roast, so it's our staple. But as often as I order, I choose a couple 1 lb bags of something unique. The Amaro Gayo was wonderful.
...
Now that the low-carb diet has messed up my gallbladder, I'm on the hunt for a good decaf. Haven't found one yet.
We are trying the Zone diet and so far I have gained a little weight. But a lot has to be adjusted in our eating habits.
But my coffee is off limits :cop: Gotta have my Jo :coffee
Well, this thread inspired me today ...
I ordered 10 lbs of the golden pecan, and 12 oz. bags of 4 different decaf coffees: Decaf Colombia Supremo, Decaf Colombian Las Serranias, Decaf Klatch House Blend, and Sleeping Goat Blend.
The latter sounds interesting per the description:
QuoteA full bodied blend dating back to the beginning of coffee, when it was discovered by a goat herder named Kaldi
Since the wife retired list month, we've been drinking our usual blend every morning and in the late afternoon have been brewing a 2nd pot ... then stay up until 1am or otherwise bounce off the walls. Hence trying out some decaf blends. I'm too old to be up that late. :blush:
Trader Joes French roast with an extra scoop!!!!!
I have mainly had dark roast coffee. But I am really enjoying the flavor difference with milder roasts.
Quote from: CJ on July 25, 2012, 10:29:45 PM
Since the wife retired list month, we've been drinking our usual blend every morning and in the late afternoon have been brewing a 2nd pot ... then stay up until 1am or otherwise bounce off the walls. Hence trying out some decaf blends. I'm too old to be up that late. :blush:
I have my last cup at about 1:00am and am sound asleep by 2:00am.
With this summer heat, I have actually strayed from the fold and bought Iced Coffee a couple of times in the past month and enjoyed it. This morning, I made some espresso with the Aeropress, then added COLD water up to an Americano, tossed in some cubes and some creamer/sugar and yum.
Will likely be repeating this as long as it's predicted to be above 90.
-Scott
Quote from: rockstar_not on July 28, 2012, 05:12:58 PM
With this summer heat, I have actually strayed from the fold and bought Iced Coffee a couple of times in the past month and enjoyed it. This morning, I made some espresso with the Aeropress, then added COLD water up to an Americano, tossed in some cubes and some creamer/sugar and yum.
Will likely be repeating this as long as it's predicted to be above 90.
-Scott
Did you incorrectly spell
yum when you meant
rum? :humour:
Quote from: rockstar_not on July 28, 2012, 05:12:58 PM
With this summer heat, I have actually strayed from the fold and bought Iced Coffee a couple of times in the past month and enjoyed it. This morning, I made some espresso with the Aeropress, then added COLD water up to an Americano, tossed in some cubes and some creamer/sugar and yum.
Will likely be repeating this as long as it's predicted to be above 90.
-Scott
Above 90? Ha! That's considered catching a break here in Texas. Yesterday I got in my car outside of work, which stays parked on a blacktop parking lot in direct sunlight, and the temp gauge read 121. If we get a 90 degree day in July or August it feels like spring. I have to admit that I get thoroughly sick of the Texas heat. Last summer was absolutely brutal.
I have also been enjoying iced coffee this summer. I get a pound of espresso from the Green Machine and brew up shots at home. I like to add half whole cream and half whole milk for mine. Very good stuff.
:+1: on the Texas heat. It gets very old in the dog days.
Iced coffee or a Frappe are nice in the heat.
I'm not trying to derail the thread into who has hotter temps, in our part of CO, we are not even close - I love the weather here, but hotter days don't make me pine for the java.
I always thought Iced coffee was kind of weird, but I get it now. That's all I was trying to say.
-Scott
Quote from: rockstar_not on July 30, 2012, 12:26:39 AM
I'm not trying to derail the thread into who has hotter temps, in our part of CO, we are not even close - I love the weather here, but hotter days don't make me pine for the java.
I always thought Iced coffee was kind of weird, but I get it now. That's all I was trying to say.
-Scott
Got it. Guess I just wanted to whine a little about the heat.
It's funny, you rarely hear the Canadians whining about the cold in the winter.
Quote from: Mr_LV19E on July 30, 2012, 11:54:31 AM
It's funny, you rarely hear the Canadians whining about the cold in the winter.
It's hard to be blustery with blue lips...
Quote from: GA-ME on July 30, 2012, 12:11:26 PM
It's hard to be blustery with blue lips...
YUP.
http://www.jacklondons.net/buildafire.html
Quote from: the creature on July 30, 2012, 07:41:25 AM
Got it. Guess I just wanted to whine a little about the heat.
I think you folks have earned it time and again. We have partner businesses all over TX and I forget what the string of 100+ days was last summer in many parts of the republic, but I recall it was way too many. And for alot of you, you can't even say: "But it's a dry heat"
resurrecting this thread as a Christmas thank you to those of you who lauded the Aeropress.
This Christmas Eve morning, as I'm trying to wrap up all of my family's outstanding medical bills/insurance submissions/etc. (Those of you with 'high-deductible' insurance plans probably understand the accounting responsibilities placed on the end user of the plan) I'm enjoying a fresh espresso that would cost me probably the better side of 5$.
There's very little coffee that I've cranked through this thing that doesn't end up in a rich enjoyable cup. I can even say that I've fine ground Folger's and Maxwell House and used it with much more than serviceable results.
I've had it since April or so, and I've not even begun to make a dent in the filter stack supplied with it - I reuse them 3 or 4 times each, with no noticeable degredation in flavor. Here in CO, once you rinse the filter, it's only an hour or two before it's dry and ready for the next use. It does require wetting on re-use, as it shrinks a bit with the drying. The re-wetting quickly blooms it back to original size and ready to use.
The extravagant use of beans is the only negative to this thing - but even then, my guess is that my costs are roughly $0.25-$0.50/cup. And no waiting in line at Starbucks for a burnt flavor dibble-dopp, double-pop, cream on top without a belly flop little sing-song rhyme that I hear people proudly recite proudly in front of and behind me in line when I've had a giftcard or coupon for Starbucks.
So, a Merry Christmas and a thank you to all who sang the praises of the Aeropress - a very happy customer here indeed.
I have thought of this thread as well. In a way it changed my coffee prep habits as well. We no longer use a brewer at all. For about six months now we have been using two bodum press pots.
Also I have the habit of drinking a cup of Jo first and then switching to tea, I'm drinking a big cup of PG Tips teas now that was made in the second press pot. The tea habit really kicked in when we spent three weeks in N.Z. and just kept going.
I do still enjoy coffee first thing though.
I'll have to look into this aeropress device. I love coffee first thing in the morning and then sometimes around 6-7 p.m. as well. I'm not too particular of the brand of coffee as long as it is medium to dark roast.
Merry Coffee Christmas!
I bought two metal filters designed for the Aeropress, the Able (silver) filter and the Kaffeologie filter.
Both allow more body into the cup, which for some coffee is a good thing. The paper filters produce the smoothest cup.
Both filters are USA made, like the Aeropress, for those of us who care about such things. They're about $12 each. There are a few other filters out there.
(http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k409/prof_stack/ablefilters_zps48502802.jpg) (http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k409/prof_stack/kaffeologiefilter_zpsa64d8715.jpg)
With the inverted method, I use water at about 185F and agitate for 5 sec. The coffee then steeps for a minute before agitating again. Then I put the lid and cup on top and carefully turn over, and press. Works for me.
:coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee
Quote from: prof_stack on December 24, 2012, 11:17:25 AM
... I use water at about 185F ...
I enjoy my aeropress on occasion.
Have you ever tried increasing your temp a little? Typically the recommended brewing temp for coffee is between 195-205F - the right temperature for proper extraction. That is particularly the reason why I use a Technivorm for auto drip. Most auto drip machines cannot reach this temp range. The Technivorm is one of only 4 home drip machines certified by SCAA to brew within this range.
I will check out the Technivorm. I am getting close to needing a new coffee machine.
Quote from: Strings4Him on December 24, 2012, 01:48:35 PM
I will check out the Technivorm. I am getting close to needing a new coffee machine.
http://scaa.org/?page=cert2
Not saying the Technivorm is right brewer for everyone. Also, I would assume there are some other makers out there that haven't submitted their brewers for certification, but I can say out of the several mid-range brewers (say $150-$350) that I've tried, it certainly heats the water better than any other. It is fast too and I think it brews a very nice cup. It has been the official brewer for several years in at least the Specialty Coffee Assn. of Europe competition. Not sure about the SCAA.
I almost went with the Bonavita shown on the link above - it's less expensive. But I figured if I played a Larrivee, might as well drink coffee from a Technivorm.
I must say though, my favorite drip method is a Chemex manual pour over brewer. It's more hassle though that the Technivorm so I only use the Chemex on an occasional Saturday morning.
With my Aeropress, I've never measured temp. I get to full boil then remove from heat for 1 minute as per the Aeropress suggested method, then pour over the grinds, stir for a count to about 20 seconds using the highly accurate: one thousand one, one thousand two.... method. Press the thing in about 10-15 seconds, and then doctor per the mood of the day - add some of the hot water for americano, add cream and sugar, whatever. Not had a bitter cup yet.
Quote from: rockstar_not on December 24, 2012, 03:27:57 PM
With my Aeropress, I've never measured temp. I get to full boil then remove from heat for 1 minute as per the Aeropress suggested method, then pour over the grinds, stir for a count to about 20 seconds using the highly accurate: one thousand one, one thousand two.... method. Press the thing in about 10-15 seconds, and then doctor per the mood of the day - add some of the hot water for americano, add cream and sugar, whatever. Not had a bitter cup yet.
And you can do all this BEFORE you have had your first cup of coffee?
Quote from: AgeOfEmpires on December 24, 2012, 12:40:22 PM
I enjoy my aeropress on occasion.
Have you ever tried increasing your temp a little? Typically the recommended brewing temp for coffee is between 195-205F - the right temperature for proper extraction. That is particularly the reason why I use a Technivorm for auto drip. Most auto drip machines cannot reach this temp range. The Technivorm is one of only 4 home drip machines certified by SCAA to brew within this range.
I've used temps from off-boil to 175F (the inventor's recommendation). It's fun to experiment. I don't have a favorite temperature.
Check out the Behmor Brazen brewer ($200). You set brewing temperature (one degree Fahrenheit increments), pre-soak time (in seconds), and it calibrates for boiling temperature AND altitude to ensure accuracy. I've got one and it is pretty remarkable how much one or two degrees can affect flavor. I didn't imagine it would make much of a difference.
Quote from: prof_stack on December 24, 2012, 06:03:46 PM
Check out the Behmor Brazen brewer ($200). You set brewing temperature (one degree Fahrenheit increments), pre-soak time (in seconds), and it calibrates for boiling temperature AND altitude to ensure accuracy. I've got one and it is pretty remarkable how much one or two degrees can affect flavor. I didn't imagine it would make much of a difference.
I'll have to do a little searching around to check out that device.
Yeah, the variabilities are endless, but there is a definite spectrum where things taste right to me. This is part of what fascinates me about coffee - origin, brew method, etc. all lead to a nice challenge. I've also tossed in roasting of green beans on occasion. Quite an art form, if you ask me, but one well worth developing for the very best cup.
Another factor, of course, is the grind size and quality. That's actually my weak point, IMO. I've got a decent slow speed burr grinder, but nothing like one of the Mazzer's or MACAP's. Fortunately for me, mine works ok for drip and press coffee. Whenever I can afford a decent espresso machine, I'll have to budget for an improved grinder too. Skimping on the quality of the grinder is sort of like buying a nice camera body, but not putting money into the lenses at the same time. Little good does a nice espresso machine serve you without a high quality grind.
Quote from: dependan on December 24, 2012, 05:13:36 PM
And you can do all this BEFORE you have had your first cup of coffee?
Honestly, there really isn't a comparison to your standard drip cup of coffee. From the Aeropress, the coffee flavor is deep and wide, without bitterness. It's like a very intense hot-cocoa flavor for the most part.
So, yes, the flavor is worth it - and that's basically all I have for the day, versus multi-cups of java.
The Prof_Stack household just got another jolt of caffeine with this new lever espresso machine, a Ponte Vecchio Lusso.
(http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k409/prof_stack/Lusso5_zps897d7a40.jpg)
...complete with German made hand grinder from Zassenhaus. The coffee was roasted at home.
(http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k409/prof_stack/Lusso4_zps659b3adf.jpg)
Great espresso, lots of steaming power for latte art, and way cool retro styling. :cheers
Very nice. :coffee
prof_stack my mouth is literally salivating right now!!
Quote from: Strings4Him on January 18, 2013, 06:50:33 AM
prof_stack my mouth is literally salivating right now!!
Heh, this morning's Sumatra is amazingly smooth, but bursting with flavor. I'm surprised how much more I like the coffee coming from this machine. The Aeropress is lonely right now, but will be used again.
BTW, it cost no more than a 03 series with typical online discount. I got it here in Seattle.
Quote from: prof_stack on January 18, 2013, 09:46:37 AM
BTW, it cost no more than a 03 series with typical online discount. I got it here in Seattle.
So you didn't buy it to save the cost of buying coffee at the 7-11. :winkin:
I'm headin to Wal-Mart to get some great value Columbian and then down to Goodwill and look for an old perk pot you heat up on the stove. :whistling:
Quote from: dependan on January 19, 2013, 03:30:37 PM
I'm headin to Wal-Mart to get some great value Columbian and then down to Goodwill and look for an old perk pot you heat up on the stove. :whistling:
Funny that. Today I visited a fellow coffee geek who just got a $2500 lever espresso machine made in London. Coupled with a $900 hand-grinder, he makes my coffee hobby seem downright ghetto! :coffee
Quote from: dependan on January 19, 2013, 03:30:37 PM
I'm headin to Wal-Mart to get some great value Columbian and then down to Goodwill and look for an old perk pot you heat up on the stove. :whistling:
Works for me. Must be a Texas thing.
:wave
Quote from: the creature on January 20, 2013, 10:05:44 AM
Works for me. Must be a Texas thing.
:wave
Hey Community coffee lovers. I have access to a big cache of expired ground Community coffee for cheap. Should I bother with any of it? Which blend would you recommend?
-Scott
Quote from: dependan on January 19, 2013, 03:30:37 PM
I'm headin to Wal-Mart to get some great value Columbian and then down to Goodwill and look for an old perk pot you heat up on the stove. :whistling:
Could have used one of those this morning, sans power because of the high winds. 20 F here right now, supposed to get down to 3 F tomorrow.
Quote from: rockstar_not on January 20, 2013, 10:09:11 AM
Hey Community coffee lovers. I have access to a big cache of expired ground Community coffee for cheap. Should I bother with any of it? Which blend would you recommend?
-Scott
I like their Colombian and Dark.
Enjoying my second cup of smooth "Great Value" 100 percent Columbian :coffee :coffee I made it in a French press though, with filtered water.
My wife enjoyed her three cups as well. I think I paid less than $3.75 for a pound of this at Wal-Mart.
Quote from: dependan on January 23, 2013, 10:35:00 AM
Enjoying my second cup of smooth "Great Value" 100 percent Columbian :coffee :coffee I made it in a French press though, with filtered water.
My wife enjoyed her three cups as well. I think I paid less than $3.75 for a pound of this at Wal-Mart.
Part of their "unfair trade" line? Ha!
Quote from: dependan on January 19, 2013, 03:30:37 PM
I'm headin to Wal-Mart to get some great value Columbian and then down to Goodwill and look for an old perk pot you heat up on the stove. :whistling:
Got my Peet's $4 plastic #4 basket and my $0.025 recycled filters to strain my $16.00 a pound Sumatra Blue Batak.
Quote from: the creature on January 20, 2013, 10:05:44 AM
Works for me. Must be a Texas thing.
:wave
Well, I'm gonna try the Great Value stuff in my Aeropress. I will buy store-brand any chance I get because in most cases it's from the same factory/source as the brand names. However, what I'm finding is that the local Kroger chain, King Soopers, doesn't have entry-level store brand whole bean coffee.
They have their 'Private Selection' brand which is almost always priced higher than nearly every other brand name except Peet's and DazBog (which is a local roaster in Denver). I can usually get a good deal on the Gevalia, for which their French Roast is excellent - not burned like Shizzle-bux.
I also like the Eight-o-Clock Columbian, but they are pulling a little packaging game where they've shaved an ounce or two off their net weight. I think they sell in 10 or 11 oz. bags now, instead of the typical 12 oz bags which at one time I thought were 16 oz. bags.
-Scott
Anybody prefer organic over non-organic? I've read that coffee growers use lots of pesticides.
Quote from: rockstar_not on January 23, 2013, 07:01:22 PM
Well, I'm gonna try the Great Value stuff in my Aeropress. I will buy store-brand any chance I get because in most cases it's from the same factory/source as the brand names. However, what I'm finding is that the local Kroger chain, King Soopers, doesn't have entry-level store brand whole bean coffee.
They have their 'Private Selection' brand which is almost always priced higher than nearly every other brand name except Peet's and DazBog (which is a local roaster in Denver). I can usually get a good deal on the Gevalia, for which their French Roast is excellent - not burned like Shizzle-bux.
I also like the Eight-o-Clock Columbian, but they are pulling a little packaging game where they've shaved an ounce or two off their net weight. I think they sell in 10 or 11 oz. bags now, instead of the typical 12 oz bags which at one time I thought were 16 oz. bags.
-Scott
I've also noticed the packaging sham with Eight O'Clock. Pretty disappointing.
Regarding the Great Value brand, I don't shop at Walmart but I don't mind store brand blends if they're good. I know a family that buys pretty much everything at a close out grocery store and they hardly ever drink the same kind of coffee since they just get what's there. I've handsome pretty good stuff at their house.
Quote from: the creature on January 24, 2013, 07:32:44 AM
I've also noticed the packaging sham with Eight O'Clock. Pretty disappointing.
Regarding the Great Value brand, I don't shop at Walmart but I don't mind store brand blends if they're good. I know a family that buys pretty much everything at a close out grocery store and they hardly ever drink the same kind of coffee since they just get what's there. I've handsome pretty good stuff at their house.
That's the type of store where the expired Community is right now. I get gourmet overstock food and beverages there for pennies on the dollar.
Regarding Wal-Mart; there are business practices by them that turn my stomach, and then others that I wish the rest of the retail world would follow. They are the largest employer in the US by quite a large margin. Their employees deserve a health care plan that should be available through sheer size negotiation with insurance companies just like Wal-Mart's ability to negotiate prices based on massive buying power. However, last I checked, most of those employees do not have any measurable benefits. But I haven't checked lately.
Wal-Mart got 'green' religion perhaps 5-7 years ago and as a retailer is probably the leader in energy conservation and landfill waste reduction and sustainability efforts. Wal-Mart understands that operating a company this way can save them money - which is really what any for-profit business is about, making profits - I'm o.k. with that. Wal-Mart doesn't get credit for their sustainability efforts, perhaps because of the perception of their 'evilness' (earned in some respects) overrides any good that they actually do.
Lots of coffee companies brag on about how much they care about the farmer in the Amazon rain forest, etc. It wouldn't surprise me if the Great Value sourced beans benefit those farmers the most.
Here's WalMart's own telling of this story - can't speak for it's accuracy, but I wish more companies had real action plans in place and could see the real profit-making benefits of operating with sustainability as a key business goal. http://corporate.walmart.com/global-responsibility/environment-sustainability And a blog that claims WalMart is doing the opposite: http://grist.org/business-technology/top-10-ways-walmart-is-failing-on-sustainability/
I don't work for them nor know anyone who does at a corporate level, btw.
The coffee is good :humour:
".....Their employees deserve a health care plan that should be available through sheer size negotiation with insurance companies just like Wal-Mart's ability to negotiate prices based on massive buying power. However, last I checked, most of those employees do not have any measurable benefits. But I haven't checked lately......"
You obviously haven't read the provisions of Obamacare....but then, neither did our representatives before they voted for it. In a few years, employer provided private insurance will no longer exist.
All I said was Wal mart had good inexpensive coffee. :coffee
This thread is veering down the banishment road. I have a lot to add to the political discussion, but I am refraining, because of my love of coffee and the little nuggets I get from the thread. However, I am not really all that good at keeping my "mouth" shut. Lets stick to coffee discussion here and keep the politics out of the thread, please?
Quote from: GA-ME on January 24, 2013, 10:02:04 AM
This thread is veering down the banishment road. I have a lot to add to the political discussion, but I am refraining, because of my love of coffee and the little nuggets I get from the thread. However, I am not really all that good at keeping my "mouth" shut. Lets stick to coffee discussion here and keep the politics out of the thread, please?
Yup, me too. I could belly ache till the cows come home. :coffee
I'm drinking a Sumatra-bean latte, from beans I roasted last week. It is fabulous. This new lever machine is amazing.
Home roasting is really easy and cheap to start. Then the hobby can escalate to fancier roasters which cost from $300 to over $2,000.
Kind of sounds like guitar hobbies! :coffee
Quote from: prof_stack on January 24, 2013, 10:34:41 AM
I'm drinking a Sumatra-bean latte, from beans I roasted last week. It is fabulous. This new lever machine is amazing.
Home roasting is really easy and cheap to start. Then the hobby can escalate to fancier roasters which cost from $300 to over $2,000.
Kind of sounds like guitar hobbies! :coffee
I'm still searching for that old campfire perk pot :wave
Quote from: prof_stack on January 24, 2013, 10:34:41 AM
I'm drinking a Sumatra-bean latte, from beans I roasted last week. It is fabulous. This new lever machine is amazing.
Home roasting is really easy and cheap to start. Then the hobby can escalate to fancier roasters which cost from $300 to over $2,000.
Kind of sounds like guitar hobbies! :coffee
I just don't have time to get into the fancy stuff. My coffee addiction is far to severe to be worrying about perfect temps, home roasting, lever machines and such. If I got into all that stuff, it would be like a herion addict growing their own poppies...
I'm not a Walmart fan but I've grown weary of such battles. There is a local Walmart Neighborhood Market near the house that my wife likes to go in sometimes. I figure I can go in there with her, hold hands, get along, be glad to be married to someone I love who loves me, or I can get all sour and fight my invisible war that no one cares about save me. Having said that I go in there a handful of times a year, but never in the "real" Walmart. The people in there scare me.
:wave
I mostly shop at my local Tom Thumb store. Nice place. Nice folks. Nice stuff. I usually run into people I know while in there. This thread makes me realize I've never tried their store blend coffees, but I will remedy that. I've mostly been drinking coffee from my local Braum's, a family-owned dairy/ice cream store chain out of Oklahoma.
I'd like to learn more about home roasting beans. Isn't it pretty easy using old popcorn machines, which are easily found at thrift stores?
Quote from: the creature on January 24, 2013, 01:04:42 PM
I'm not a Walmart fan but I've grown weary of such battles. There is a local Walmart Neighborhood Market near the house that my wife likes to go in sometimes. I figure I can go in there with her, hold hands, get along, be glad to be married to someone I love who loves me, or I can get all sour and fight my invisible war that no one cares about save me. Having said that I go in there a handful of times a year, but never in the "real" Walmart. The people in there scare me.
:wave
I mostly shop at my local Tom Thumb store. Nice place. Nice folks. Nice stuff. I usually run into people I know while in there. This thread makes me realize I've never tried their store blend coffees, but I will remedy that. I've mostly been drinking coffee from my local Braum's, a family-owned dairy/ice cream store chain out of Oklahoma.
I'd like to learn more about home roasting beans. Isn't it pretty easy using old popcorn machines, which are easily found at thrift stores?
I enjoyed your post. :coffee
This is the best thread I've started on the forum. :thumbsup
I just picked up some Starbucks Italian Roast that was on sale for $9.50/lb. I ran out of the Cafe Pajaro I normally get from Trader Joe's.
The older I get, the more content I am with simple pleasure--such as a good cup of coffee and conversation with a friend.
:coffee :coffee :coffee
Quote from: Strings4Him on January 24, 2013, 05:21:32 PM
The older I get, the more content I am with simple pleasure--such as a good cup of coffee and conversation with a friend.
:coffee :coffee :coffee
Man after my own heart.
I scored some "Java Delight" Columbian roast at my local Albertsons tonight. Has a nice, dry-ish scent, like if mahogany were a coffee (works in my mind). Bag was 5.49 which is a good price. It's basically their store brand. This thread inspired me.
Quote from: dependan on January 24, 2013, 10:37:38 AM
I'm still searching for that old campfire perk pot :wave
My wife got mine at a camping store,its a small one only 4-5 mugs but it does the job.If I ever really take a day off I'm going to check Goodwill and maybe some second hand {anyique} store's for a bigger one.I also have plans of buying anotherone from a camping supply store.Oh ya I still use paper filters in mine because after a while those really small grinds do get to be a bother.
Cabela'a sells a couple different perks. Nice too.
I'm about to take a road trip and I'll not be in any hurry so I'll stop and browse in the small towns along the way. I did find a large stainless pot but the parts were missing so I left that one.
Albertsons left our part of Austin, HEB just outdid them. I think it's time to try some less expensive brews though. The one we had been drinking for many years "Ruta Maya", just doesn't seem to taste as good to me as it used to. In a blind taste test this Walmart Columbian would probably win.
HEB's are hard to find this far north up I-35, though there are a few. I've been enjoying this Java Delight Columbian today. Haven't had a blend I liked so well for a long time. Makes me rethink the whole idea of cheap blends. Much higher-end coffee is just too rich for me anymore. Lots of oils and it seems harder on my stomach than once upon a time. I think I'll make this the year of cheap coffee. Just can't do it with beer though...
:cheers
One of my daughters lives in the mid-cities and I'll stop by and see her, so maybe I can find an Albertsons and acquire some Java Delight. When we had an Albertsons down here I went there all the time to avoid the crush of people that always comes along with HEB.
I'm in the Mid Cities (Euless). There are two Albertsons in my city, as well as in the other surrounding cities.
I'm a coffee lightweight. I use a Keurig maker, and whatever coffee is less expensive. But then, I put creamer in it so what the hey. And I limit myself to one cup in the morning. That's it. Once in a very rare while, when it cold or raining on a weekend, I'll have an afternoon cup, which I take black. I simply drank too much coffee in my younger days (either worked swing or graveyard shifts). Now it's time to mellow out. I just opened a bag of Starbuck's Blonde blend. I'll try it black this weekend.
Stopped at Albertson's to get the Java Delight special - 8.99/lb at our Albertson's. Then thought I would give the Wal-Mart Great Value, but they only had pre-ground. Ended up buying a 12 oz pack of Eight o-Clock French Roast for $5.48 at Wal-Mart. Interesting that either the Eight-o-Clock 'normal' or Columbian was an 11 oz bag.
Yea, the Walmart Columbian is pre ground, so we use our CUISINART with a paper filter.
I get all my coffee already ground. Tried grinding years ago and always ruined the beans.
Grind? I'm supposed to grind the beans before I use them. I wonder if that's why my joe tastes so weak.
Quote from: Walkerman on January 27, 2013, 08:40:13 AM
Grind? I'm supposed to grind the beans before I use them. I wonder if that's why my joe tastes so weak.
LOL...........I worked with an old timer that took the coffee pot and threw the whole beans in and boiled the water...........gawd it was bad! :coffee
Costco's Kirkland beans, best bang for the buck!
OK, that's it, the WalMart coffee is out a here. It's not consistent and this last can is awful. Back to my "Ruta Maya" whole beans. We still have a large bag left and I'm brewing some up right now. :coffee
Quote from: dependan on February 09, 2013, 12:16:46 PM
OK, that's it, the WalMart coffee is out a here. It's not consistent and this last can is awful. Back to my "Ruta Maya" whole beans. We still have a large bag left and I'm brewing some up right now. :coffee
Life's too short to drink bad coffee!! :thumbsup
Quote from: Burntreynolds on January 31, 2013, 09:25:58 PM
Costco's Kirkland beans, best bang for the buck!
We get the BJ's equivalent - Columbian. Grind them and use one of these percolators:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/410L5uqRfqL._SY355_.jpg)
Hits the spot esp on days like today. Only 1/3 done removing 36" of snow from the driveway...
I've noticed inconsistency in some of my favorite brands too. Keeps me trying other things.
If you want better tasting coffee, get a better grinder! The grinder IS more important than the brewing machine.
How about a new Pharos hand-grinder for $250 (made in USA) or a Zassenhaus hand-grinder (Germany) for $90. Both are burr grinders with amazing consistency of grinds.
Toss out that whirley-blade cheapo that heats the beans and pulls away the aroma from the cup and leaves you with rocks and dust for the grind.
(http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k409/prof_stack/Coffee/PharosmeetsZassenhaus_zpsf3de67ed.jpg)
Don't gasp at the prices. The newest coffee geek hand-grinder (HG-1) has 81mm burrs and a $900 price tag. It's getting rave reviews. I'll stick with the Zassenhaus.
Quote from: prof_stack on February 09, 2013, 06:47:59 PM
If you want better tasting coffee, get a better grinder! The grinder IS more important than the brewing machine.
How about a new Pharos hand-grinder for $250 (made in USA) or a Zassenhaus hand-grinder (Germany) for $90. Both are burr grinders with amazing consistency of grinds.
Toss out that whirley-blade cheapo that heats the beans and pulls away the aroma from the cup and leaves you with rocks and dust for the grind.
Don't gasp at the prices. The newest coffee geek hand-grinder (HG-1) has 81mm burrs and a $900 price tag. It's getting rave reviews. I'll stick with the Zassenhaus.
That Pharos is beautiful. I have the whirley-blade cheapo thing and it's better than the pre-ground but I imagine those hand-grinders kick it up another notch.
Quote from: prof_stack on February 09, 2013, 06:47:59 PM
If you want better tasting coffee, get a better grinder! The grinder IS more important than the brewing machine.
How about a new Pharos hand-grinder for $250 (made in USA) or a Zassenhaus hand-grinder (Germany) for $90. Both are burr grinders with amazing consistency of grinds.
Toss out that whirley-blade cheapo that heats the beans and pulls away the aroma from the cup and leaves you with rocks and dust for the grind.
(http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k409/prof_stack/Coffee/PharosmeetsZassenhaus_zpsf3de67ed.jpg)
Don't gasp at the prices. The newest coffee geek hand-grinder (HG-1) has 81mm burrs and a $900 price tag. It's getting rave reviews. I'll stick with the Zassenhaus.
I really like the idea and style of the one on the right (German?). I'd like to learn more about these. Looked on Amazon and there appears to be many cheapos on the market.
Like guitars, some of y'all are a cut waaay above me in coffee. Grew up drinking stove top perked or dripped Community Coffee (& chickory) in New Orleans. Dad made it strong enough to stand up the spoon. 21 Army years later, we tend toward the BJ's Kona during the week and then I'll grind up an Indonesian blend when I can find it, Sulawesi or New Guinea Peaberry from Starbucks is my usual.
As with the rest of the Forum - this is a great bunch of folks!
(http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii631/Lance2377/beignets_zps97ef744b.jpg)
Quote from: the creature on March 09, 2013, 11:09:19 AM
I really like the idea and style of the one on the right (German?). I'd like to learn more about these. Looked on Amazon and there appears to be many cheapos on the market.
Yes, there are many cheap grinders out there.
Yeah, that's my Zassenhaus on the right, and it grinds for espresso very, very well.
Zassenhaus grinders come in two varieties today, their made in China line and their made in Germany top line. sweetmaria.com has some of their better grinders. I buy a lot of green beans for roasting from them.
Also, check out the LIDO hand-grinders from the same company (OphanEspresso) that makes the PHAROS. They are located in Idaho and make their stuff right there.
OR, you could check eBay for used ones, some of which are older but still very good.
Quote from: prof_stack on March 09, 2013, 07:30:06 PM
Yes, there are many cheap grinders out there.
Yeah, that's my Zassenhaus on the right, and it grinds for espresso very, very well.
Zassenhaus grinders come in two varieties today, their made in China line and their made in Germany top line. sweetmaria.com has some of their better grinders. I buy a lot of green beans for roasting from them.
Also, check out the LIDO hand-grinders from the same company (OphanEspresso) that makes the PHAROS. They are located in Idaho and make their stuff right there.
OR, you could check eBay for used ones, some of which are older but still very good.
Thanks for the info. I'm a grinder novice. Had one of those top-loading bean-burners years ago and threw it away after a couple tries. So all my coffee comes already ground, but I've sensed for a while (now thanks to this thread) that I'm missing out. I have a question: You say the German grinds well for espresso. That's great since I brew espresso sometimes. But can I also grind regular coffee too? More specifically for my old stovetop perc?
Quote from: the creature on March 10, 2013, 12:17:31 AM
Thanks for the info. I'm a grinder novice. Had one of those top-loading bean-burners years ago and threw it away after a couple tries. So all my coffee comes already ground, but I've sensed for a while (now thanks to this thread) that I'm missing out. I have a question: You say the German grinds well for espresso. That's great since I brew espresso sometimes. But can I also grind regular coffee too? More specifically for my old stovetop perc?
Yes, the hand-grinder are easily and quickly adjustable to other (more coarse) types of grinds.
BUT, if you brew a lot of coffee each day, you might get tired of all the hand-grinding. 7g for a single shot espresso is 30 turns. Multiply that up for 50g or so for a full pot. That would get old rather quickly.
If that be the case, you can get a decent cheap electric burr grinder for less than $120 or so. If you want to up the ante, the sky is the limit.
Can someone provide the Pros & Cons of a Coffee Press vs an everyday filtered coffe maker :?
Quote from: JOYCEfromNS on September 08, 2013, 10:18:29 PM
Can someone provide the Pros & Cons of a Coffee Press vs an everyday filtered coffe maker :?
Sure, I'll try.
Coffee Press
+ More control over the final product (timing, temperature)
+ Thicker, fuller coffee
- More muss and fuss
- Breakage possible (the glass can slip out of the holder).
Filtered coffee maker
+ Set it and Forget it (even better with a auto-start timer)
+ Consistent
+ More filtering means less cholesterol producing lipids in the coffee
- Routine maintenance required
- Cost of paper filters
Thanks Norm that is helpful.
Another probably basic question re Coffee Presses - what are the features in presses makiing one a Good - Better and Best Coffee Press :?
Finally can anyone recommend one - preferably one made in USA or Europe - I know a huge request in this day and age :?
Quote from: JOYCEfromNS on September 09, 2013, 07:27:35 AM
Thanks Norm that is helpful.
Another probably basic question re Coffee Presses - what are the features in presses makiing one a Good - Better and Best Coffee Press :?
Finally can anyone recommend one - preferably one made in USA or Europe - I know a huge request in this day and age :?
Several of us here at ye olde Larrivée forums use the Aeropress to make near espresso with no bitterness, and no 'roughage' that you get with most French pressed coffee. http://aerobie.com/products/aeropress.htm
I learned about it in this thread. I don't bother with Charbucks, with drip made coffee, gave my Bodum Brasil french press away, etc. It kind of spoils you - so be prepared for that. I'm not sure if it's made in the USA or not. Certainly engineered here. No 'made in anywhere' stuff on the main parts as far as I can tell.
-Scott
Scott, they appear to be made in the USA and exactly what I was after!!! Thanks
Joyce, I have been using this press for about the last five or six years: http://bodum.bodum.com/us/en-us/shop/detail/10096-364US4/
Get the Aeropress, biggest improvement I ever made to the taste of coffee.
Quote from: ktron on September 09, 2013, 11:08:29 PM
Alternatley, get in touch with your inner cowboy and throw the grounds in the bottom of a pot of boiling water . . . :guitar
Reminds me of the coffee they made in the Army. :yak:
A camping perc style is all that's needed take it from someone who drinks 15-20 cups a day both caff and decaff.
I love my quart French Press. It's quick and easy to brew and quick add easy to clean. The polycarbonate outer sleeve insulates and helps keep the glass beaker from getting broken. I have cut way back on my coffee consumption and try to stick to just two quarts a day... :roll :roll :roll :roll :roll :roll
Quote from: GA-ME on September 10, 2013, 02:09:39 PM
I love my quart French Press. It's quick and easy to brew and quick add easy to clean. The polycarbonate outer sleeve insulates and helps keep the glass beaker from getting broken. I have cut way back on my coffee consumption and try to stick to just two quarts a day... :roll :roll :roll :roll :roll :roll
I use the same and have cut back to two Large cups. Think Larrivee Forum cups.
This is the Bodum French Press model I gave away after using my Aeropress for about a week. (http://bodum.bodum.com/us/en-us/shop/detail/10938-01B/)
This is the Bodum mini press that just sits on my bookshelf at work now doing nothing - and it was a Valentine's Day gift from my wife. (http://bodum.bodum.com/us/en-us/shop/detail/1783-01/)
Lots of folks in our area swearing by 'pourover' methodology. It would have to be pretty danged good for me to give up the Aeropress method.
I finally bought my Aeropress after having my first cup from it at a relatively large local roaster (good but not cork-sniffer unnecessary exclusivity) started offering Aeropressed coffee and the local news radio station was going to do an event there focusing on the Aeropress. Yes, I heard about it first from my fellow forumites, but tasting was believing. So I bought it local.
Haven't looked back since. Raise your hand if you simply love the essence of coffee flavor. Raise your hand if bitterness is one downside. That bitterness thing, you can pretty much forget about it if you follow the instructions even somewhat closely. Warning, the Aeropress uses copious amounts of coffee for the yield, but the flavor is very intense. To make coffee from the nectar, you can go 3-1 water to nectar ratio and still have pretty strong taste going on.
Quote from: unclrob on September 10, 2013, 01:50:21 PM
A camping perc style is all that's needed take it from someone who drinks 15-20 cups a day both caff and decaff.
I sure enjoy my old perc. Had it about 12 yrs now. It's all scarred from campouts over the years and the grime never fully washes off, but I wouldn't trade for it. I still like a press pot from time to time too though. This is my old perc
I am on my second package of Peets . I am enjoying the House Blend this time around. Very good ,,fresh ground beans smell so good!javascript:void(0);javascript:void(0);
Peet's makes an excellent French Roast for the press. I'll usually treat myself to a pound or two around the holidays. Add a splash of heavy whipping cream to a cup and you're in for a treat.
:coffee
Just a brief update I ended up going with the Aeropress I am not much of a drinker myself got it really for visitors and have turned more than 5 additional sales by serving it up. ( use the inverted method :-). My sister is a real coffee snob and had never heard of them and was very impressed. Her favorite coffee being Kick--CENSORED- said the Aeropress kicks--CENSORED-.
Thanks folks for the recommendation and other info provided here in assisting me with this decision.
I recently got a Bialetti Moka Express stovetop perc. This is a small pot that makes about 6 oz. of highly concentrated coffee. Along with a hand-pumped milk frother, this is some of the best coffee I've ever had. So far I've tried some of the fancy canned Italian blends and some reg dark roast Community Coffee: it all takes great. I highly recommend this method for something different.
(http://limeworld.com/img/bialetti-moka.jpg)
Just a little love for the folks here who turned me on to the Aeropress about a year and a half ago. Had an entirely delicious mug this AM made with store brand bulk Kona blend from the local 'granola' type grocery store. Liquid dark chocolate is what comes out of this thing, with no bitterness. What a great invention! If the guy just had better graphic design on his packaging, he would sell millions of these.
His website looks straight out of 1992: http://aerobie.com/products/aeropress.htm
Packaging is the same lame lack of creative design other than it being a hexagonal cylinder box - which has to cost him quite a bit to get that thing punched and folded/glued.
Aeropress - an interesting article (http://priceonomics.com/the-invention-of-the-aeropress/)
Quote from: JOYCEfromNS on March 04, 2014, 07:09:17 PM
Aeropress - an interesting article (http://priceonomics.com/the-invention-of-the-aeropress/)
Interesting, indeed.
In other news, just heard that the new Keurig machines (you know, those one-cup coffee pod servers) will embed a DRM chip in there, so you can't buy non-Keurig pods for it.
You will recall "Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a class of technologies that are used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders, and individuals with the intent to control the use of digital content and devices after sale. Discs with DRM schemes are not legitimately standards-compliant Compact Discs (CDs) but are rather CD-ROM media. Therefore they all lack the CD logotype found on discs which follow the standard (known as Red Book). Therefore these CDs could not be played on all CD players or personal computers. Personal computers running Microsoft Windows would sometimes even crash when attempting to play the CDs.
Many online music stores employ DRM to restrict usage of music purchased and downloaded online.
Prior to 2009, Apple's iTunes Store utilized the FairPlay DRM system for music. Apple did not license its DRM to other companies, so only Apple devices and Apples QuickTime media player could play iTunes music."
source: WIKI
(edited, added to the list)
Short list of coffees I have tried and like in my Aeropress:
Kroger store brand "Private Selection" Kona Blend http://www.privateselection.com/artisan-products/gourmet-beverages/coffee/kona-blend-coffee/
Kroger store brand "Private Selection" Sumatra Mandheling (can't find a link)
(BTW Kroger stores are nationwide under a huge list of other brands: King Soopers, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Ralph's, Smith's, etc.)
Boyer's Kona Blend http://www.boyerscoffee.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=84 King Soopers and Sam's club sell this brand in CO, not sure about elsewhere)
Switchback Roasters Guatamala Huehuetanango http://switchbackroasters.myshopify.com/ (currently not available)
Sprouts market Kona Blend: https://www.sprouts.com/departments/bulk-foods;jsessionid=16AAA44B7BAA56DBC87A01F425B093B4-n1 (coffee not listed specifically)
Gevalia French Roast: http://www.gevalia.com/Gevalia-In-Store/gevalia-instore,default,pg.html
Gevalia Traditional Roast: http://www.gevalia.com/Gevalia-In-Store/gevalia-instore,default,pg.html
Starbucks Italian Roast: http://www.starbucks.com/coffee/dark/italian-roast
Starbucks Cafe Verona: http://www.starbucksstore.com/caff%C3%A8-verona/VM_CAFFEVERONA,default,pd.html
Daz Bog White Nights Espresso Roast: http://store.dazbog.com/white-nights-espresso--12-oz-bag.html
Daz Bog Brazil Santos: http://store.dazbog.com/brazilian-santos-12-oz-bag.html
FYI Daz Bog is the bulk coffee available at Kroger-affiliated stores in Colorado. Right now (April 26th) most of them are only 8$/lb whole bean. If you are ever on a layover in Denver International Airport, Daz Bog has a shop in Concourse C near gate C47.
List of coffees I've tried in my Aeropress which were ok, and definitely better than drip (I mill these into espresso grind fine-ness):
Folgers
Maxwell House
List of coffees I've tried in my Aeropress and wouldn't try again:
I consider the Aeropress to be the coffee world equivalent of a great microphone pre-amp: You can make a cheap mic sound decent using a great pre-amp, and you will almost always make an expensive mic sound crummy using a crummy pre-amp.
After a long time of loving coffee, I've finally started grinding my own beans. Man, what a difference! I'm grinding in my VitaMix blender. Works very well.
Quote from: the creature on June 02, 2014, 12:13:33 PM
After a long time of loving coffee, I've finally started grinding my own beans. Man, what a difference! I'm grinding in my VitaMix blender. Works very well.
Well bought a Bodum Bistro Burr Grinder about a month ago for company that likes coffee. Felt pretty good about the deal. Tho its neat and does a nice job I never even considered using the Vitamix :wacko: Don't feel so good about the grinder purchase anymore :crying:
Sure do luv my Vitamix tho :thumbsup
The VitaMix does it all! Great investment. No regrets.
I've been grinding my beans everyday for years. Can't imagine going back to pre-ground coffee.
Quote from: Strings4Him on June 02, 2014, 06:51:29 PM
I've been grinding my beans everyday for years. Can't imagine going back to pre-ground coffee.
Ditto :thumbsup
Purchased an aeropress three months ago on the recommendations in this thread. I react big time to caffiene, so like to brew my own coffee so I know what is being consummed. :coffee :coffee :coffee The aeropress is simply amazing and makes wonderful coffee. :+1:
Quote from: the creature on June 02, 2014, 12:13:33 PM
After a long time of loving coffee, I've finally started grinding my own beans. Man, what a difference! I'm grinding in my VitaMix blender. Works very well.
Unless the Vitamix has a burr grinder set, you're not getting the best coffee flavor you can. Especially if you are doing espresso.
The blenders tend to reduce the beans to "dust and rocks" and also heat them. You gain coffee aroma in the blender but lose it in the cup.
The coffee forums' mantra is "Grinder first, beans second, machine third. An entry level burr grinder is around $100. Then you can pick your price point and pay.
Like guitars, the coffee equipment hobby can be addicting.
I'm "pulse blending" with VitaMix to avoid burning beans and getting a pretty good grind. Good enough for me anyway.
By the way, I found an interesting website seattlecoffegear.com
Lots of interesting products. Many of the products have videos that demo and detail them.
I recently bought the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT741 from them. Haven't set it up yet.
I was in a Bed Bath & Beyond about a month ago and they had the Aeropress in stock, so I decided to give it a whirl. I have been using a quart sized Bodum Young coffee press for the last seven years or so. I will say that the Aeropress does make a nice cup of Joe, using either the traditional or inverted methods, and differing times for the steep. However, it is back in its box and my Young press is back on the counter. I just can't justify the increased costs in coffee using the Aeoropress. I drink a lot of coffee and generally use a pound of coffee every 10-12 days using my Young press. Using the Aeropress, I was blowing through a pound of coffee every four to five days. I'll use the Aeropress on those occasions when I want to make a nice cappuccino or latte, but otherwise, it is my trusty Young press for my day to day coffee addiction.
Quote from: GA-ME on September 04, 2014, 07:05:34 AM
I was in a Bed Bath & Beyond about a month ago and they had the Aeropress in stock, so I decided to give it a whirl. I have been using a quart sized Bodum Young coffee press for the last seven years or so. I will say that the Aeropress does make a nice cup of Joe, using either the traditional or inverted methods, and differing times for the steep. However, it is back in its box and my Young press is back on the counter. I just can't justify the increased costs in coffee using the Aeoropress. I drink a lot of coffee and generally use a pound of every 10-12 days using my Young press. Using the Aeropress, I was blowing through a pound of coffee every four to five days. I'll use the Aeropress on those occasions when I want to make a nice cappuccino or latte, but otherwise, it is my trusty Young press for my day to day coffee addiction.
Interesting observation never thought of the Aeropress using more coffee
Here's a stock photo of our high tech coffee brewer - makes a great cup (or 10) of plain ol' black coffee! :whistling:
(You could say we're into "vintage coffee brewing".)
Quote from: Mikeymac on September 04, 2014, 10:53:35 AM
Here's a stock photo of our high tech coffee brewer - makes a great cup (or 10) of plain ol' black coffee! :whistling:
(You could say we're into "vintage coffee brewing".)
I nearly always drink my Joe straight black, as well. On a rare occasion, I like to have a cappuccino or latte with around four shots of espresso, some whipped cream, and some nutmeg and cinnamon.
I've finally found some decent coffee at a decent price here in Central Wisconsin. I was buying Gevalia which is good but @ $7.00ish for 12 ounces, a little dear. I found, at Fleet/Farm of all places (I LOVE Fleet/Farm), some Costa Rican and also Jamaican Blue Mtn. coffee from a brand called Magnum Exotics. Regularly $6.99 for a full pound, recently on sale for $4.99. I bought a lot. Very good stuff!
It's already ground but I get bored with grinding my morning brew. If the coffee is fresh, I don't find all that much difference to tell you the truth. Oh the shame! :blush:
These days I'm grinding up Eight O'Clock Columbia Roast in the VitaMix (8 seconds will perfectly grind a pound) and brewing in a stovetop drip Guardian pot from the 40s. Best coffee I've ever had at home.
I just had some Eight O'clock Italian Roast that was great.
There's snow again on Pikes Peak (at least for a couple days), so it's time to have morning joe again in these parts. I'm trying something new; pre-brewing the nectar in my Aeropress, storing in the fridge, for a simple hot-water add in the AM.
I just started a new job that has me leaving the house between 6:15 and 6:30, and so given the fact that I like sleep alot, I'm trying to cut down on the morning java routine time.
Aeropress fans talk about how they make their espresso and then chill it, for later use by simply adding hot water to make Americano style coffee. I've not done this, but tonight, I made a batch of espresso using two Aeropress scoops of unground dark-roast Seattle's best, mixed with 1.5 scoops of Folger's, ground to a fine espresso grind, on the Aeropress and stored it in a Mason jar in the fridge. I'm going to try the Americano thing tomorrow AM, and again on Saturday - to see how well it holds up.
Will report back here with thumbs up or down.
Quote from: rockstar_not on October 03, 2014, 12:43:19 AM
Will report back here with thumbs up or down.
Looking forward to your findings
The mix that you make ( seems like a lot of coffee) how many cups do you get from that :?
And what exactly is your procedure :?
Quote from: rockstar_not on October 03, 2014, 12:43:19 AM
There's snow again on Pikes Peak (at least for a couple days), so it's time to have morning joe again in these parts. I'm trying something new; pre-brewing the nectar in my Aeropress, storing in the fridge, for a simple hot-water add in the AM.
I just started a new job that has me leaving the house between 6:15 and 6:30, and so given the fact that I like sleep alot, I'm trying to cut down on the morning java routine time.
Aeropress fans talk about how they make their espresso and then chill it, for later use by simply adding hot water to make Americano style coffee. I've not done this, but tonight, I made a batch of espresso using two Aeropress scoops of unground dark-roast Seattle's best, mixed with 1.5 scoops of Folger's, ground to a fine espresso grind, on the Aeropress and stored it in a Mason jar in the fridge. I'm going to try the Americano thing tomorrow AM, and again on Saturday - to see how well it holds up.
Will report back here with thumbs up or down.
Congrats on the job!
Quote from: JOYCEfromNS on October 03, 2014, 07:05:42 AM
Looking forward to your findings
The mix that you make ( seems like a lot of coffee) how many cups do you get from that :?
And what exactly is your procedure :?
One of the downsides of Aeropress is that it uses what some may consider an extravagant amount of beans per fluid oz yield. In this regard, as far as I can tell, it's pretty similar to an espresso machine, and while not exactly the same as espresso that results, it has a very high flavor concentration with almost no bitterness no matter what type of coffee used. I follow the Aeropress instructions to make 'Americano', by adding hot water to the 'nectar' from the pressing operation.
The amount that I used yields 2 pretty full mugs of intensely flavored coffee; somewhere between an espresso and your average drip-brew coffee.
First impression; it's hard to judge the amount of hot water to add to the chilled nectar for the right mix. What I had today was not quite as strong as what I'm used to with Aeropress americano method. And not quite as warm. Have to play a little with the off-boil time. Aeropress users will understand this.
For new readers to this thread, the key to the Aeropress is the very limited time that hot water is in contact with grounds, as well as pretty high pressure forcing the water through the beans.
Y'all have talked me out of this latest and greatest coffee maker. I'll stick to my fine French press, thank you very much.
@dependan, just an FYI - I'm experimenting with the Aeropress. The 'normal' way of using it yields the best tasting coffee I've ever made at home. I even gave my Bodum Brazil french press away. The Aeropress does lend itself to experimentation and many folks that use it try different ways.
Day 2 update:
This method that I tried, basically pressing a double shot espresso in the evening, chilling it for use as the nectar for two different Americanos and the following two days, is too fidgety for me because I can't add the small amount of hot water to the nectar to yield the right flavor AND the right sipping temperature.
I'm going back to the tried and true way.
I broke out the AeroPress today, because; it is a six shot espresso, cappuccino, kind of rainy afternoon today!
Looks good GA-ME :coffee Sippin' on a cup right now too :smile:
GA-ME, how do you do your frothy milk? Something you can do while the water is boiling for the Aeropress?
Quote from: rockstar_not on October 23, 2014, 10:18:24 PM
GA-ME, how do you do your frothy milk? Something you can do while the water is boiling for the Aeropress?
Scott, I use a KitchenAid immersion blender to froth the milk. I put the milk in the microwave for 60-90 seconds, depending on the amount of milk, and then froth it up.
http://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-2-speed-Immersion-Blender/dp/B00BR140BQ
How do you stop the static electricity problem with the coffee grinders? The grounds always grip to all the plastic in the reservoir, makes a mess when you remove the lid to dump the grounds. Anybody got a trick to eliminate this?
Quote from: Mr_LV19E on October 26, 2014, 01:27:35 AM
How do you stop the static electricity problem with the coffee grinders? The grounds always grip to all the plastic in the reservoir, makes a mess when you remove the lid to dump the grounds. Anybody got a trick to eliminate this?
I have a little brush I used to sweep things out.
For my grinder and the static, I stir the grounds with a metal knife and you can get everything out of the corners of the grinder cup.
I have a french press, and the aeropress. Both give me good coffee when i have the time to make it.
Recently, I switched to decaf, and I've been lucky to find good tasting coffee beans without the caffeine.
Quote from: KenHolden on October 27, 2014, 09:06:17 AM
For my grinder and the static, I stir the grounds with a metal knife and you can get everything out of the corners of the grinder cup.
I have a french press, and the aeropress. Both give me good coffee when i have the time to make it.
Recently, I switched to decaf, and I've been lucky to find good tasting coffee beans without the caffeine.
Do share, please - I can't take caffeine after about 2 in the afternoon. I've tried a couple of grocery-store available decaf coffees and have been disappointed.
Okay, a little out of left field here, but someone I work with told me that the darker or I guess, more roasted a coffee is, the less caffeine it contains because the roasting process destroys some of the caffeine. Is that true? If it is, then maybe there is a good compromise between decaff and aggressively roasted coffee??
Quote from: rockstar_not on October 27, 2014, 11:49:59 PM
Do share, please - I can't take caffeine after about 2 in the afternoon. I've tried a couple of grocery-store available decaf coffees and have been disappointed.
Scott, I drink the Kirkland brand Decaf from Costco. I really like it as long as it is ground fresh. Good price too.
I was a fan of the darker roasted coffee before the switch to the decaf.
There's 3 brands that I've been enjoying since the switch mid August.
Starbucks does a few decaf beans, I've been enjoying the Decaf Sumatra blend. They have a decaf espresso roast, and the house blend in decaf as well
Just Us Coffee out of Nova Scotia have a nice decaf french roast, plus many more roasts/blends www.justuscoffee.com
Kicking Horse Coffee's decaf has been doing a good job for the past few weeks www.kickinghorsecoffee.com
Many folks think they're getting more caffeine with, say, espresso, because the taste is so strong, but in reality you're drinking less coffee with an espresso shot vs a mug of breakfast coffee. I've always been under the impression that beans are very similar but the roasting process makes for the different tastes, strength in flavor, etc. My personal favorite blend is Columbian Roast. It's a perfect middle of the road taste to me. YMMV.
Quote from: the creature on October 28, 2014, 12:10:36 PM
Many folks think they're getting more caffeine with, say, espresso, because the taste is so strong, but in reality you're drinking less coffee with an espresso shot vs a mug of breakfast coffee.
Unless, you consume espresso like I do. Generally, I'll have multiple shots which EQUAL the volume of a regular cup of Americano style Joe!
Espresso also can have lower caffeine because their is less cooking 'time', hot water in contact with the beans - at least I heard that somewhere so it must be true! :tongue:
At work we have a nice break room setup provided by the company. There's a very nice Commercial-sized Bunn maker that the company bought for us. Pretty cool gesture. Someone brings in those massive plastic cans of old school Folger's. And made in the Bunn it's really not so bad. I bring my own coffee a lot, usually Eight O'Clock Columbian, and it's excellent. It's odd but I'm becoming less a coffee snob all the time and these days will pretty much drink whatever. I do drawn the line with "flavored" coffee.
:yak:
Quote from: the creature on October 28, 2014, 11:15:03 PM
I bring my own coffee a lot, usually Eight O'Clock Columbian, and it's excellent.
My regular bean has been Daily Chef Columbian Supreme for quite a while now. It's the Sam's Club brand and it's $14.96 for a 2 1/2 pound bag of beans. I grind it in the store to a fine consistency, but not quite espresso ground. It is quite good. I usually keep a small canister on the counter and freeze the remainder. When I want a treat, I buy a locally roasted brand called Navigator. The fellow that roasts the coffee restored an old gas fired roaster and built a nice building for roasting behind his coffee shop. I usually get his Bolivian bean which is done to medium roast. When that bean is jut right it is nearly like drinking liquid chocolate. It really makes an exceptional cup of Joe. That bean is $10.00 a pound and I generally try and get it on the roasting day. I have them grind it at the store.
Quote from: GA-ME on October 31, 2014, 08:41:10 PM
My regular bean has been Daily Chef Columbian Supreme for quite a while now. It's the Sam's Club brand and it's $14.96 for a 2 1/2 pound bag of beans. I grind it in the store to a fine consistency, but not quite espresso ground. It is quite good. I usually keep a small canister on the counter and freeze the remainder. When I want a treat, I buy a locally roasted brand called Navigator. The fellow that roasts the coffee restored an old gas fired roaster and built a nice building for roasting behind his coffee shop. I usually get his Bolivian bean which is done to medium roast. When that bean is jut right it is nearly like drinking liquid chocolate. It really makes an exceptional cup of Joe. That bean is $10.00 a pound and I generally try and get it on the roasting day. I have them grind it at the store.
There's a Denver based roaster called Boyer's Coffee which sells in the local Kroger affiliated grocers and believe it or not, they also sell 2.5 lb bags at Sam's Club for around $18. My favorite of theirs is their Kona blend which is at Sam's.
I just don't consume it fast enough to make the 2.5 lb bag purchase before the beans get stale.
I haven't ever gotten into the local roaster thing but I should give it a try. There are some local shops that I've heard do good work, but with a large family with young children, I hardly ever go out for coffee anymore (it's usually shakes with the family) and when I do it's a drive thru at the Green Machine for a 1.98 cup of Pike Blend. It's supposed to be Med roast but is as strong as a lot of darks.
Regarding buying large bags off coffee: This Bunn unit at work is a large commercial machine that takes a LOT of coffee to make a full pot, and I cannot figure out how to make smaller pots. I'm going through beans like crazy here. Side note: I take a lot of the grounds home and throw them in my yard. The Texas soil loves coffee.
I recently bought 10 bags of Organic Sumatra. Once a year Beanstock Roasters located on Cape Cod has a sale. During the sale each bag costs $7.99 instead of $11.29. It's soooo good.
http://www.beanstockcoffee.com/pages/products/product.php?product_id=2929
I also received the Technivorm Moccamaster as a Christmas gift last year. I haven't used it yet (waiting for my current machine to halt to a grind :winkin:).
https://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/technivorm-moccamaster-kbt741-black-or-polished-silver
By the way, the Seattle Coffee Gear website has lots of videos embedded into each product. They do a great--and humorous--job on their demos.
Quote from: rockstar_not on October 31, 2014, 09:51:11 PM
I just don't consume it fast enough to make the 2.5 lb bag purchase before the beans get stale.
I wish I had that "problem!" If I use the AeroPress daily, I go through a 2 1/2 pound bag in a week. I bought a one pound bag of the Bolivian bean last Saturday, because my brother was up Saturday and Sunday, helping with some home improvement projects, and because a couple of my wife's friends were stopping by en-route from D.C. back to NYC. I thought I'd make good coffee and cappuccinos for everyone as a treat. The entire pound was gone by mid-afternoon Sunday.
Strings, I used to drink a LOT of Sumatra. Trader Joe's had a fair trade Sumatra that used to run $4.99 a 12 ounce can. I'd grind it at the store and freeze several canisters for use later. However, over the last couple of years, the price has crept up to $8.99 a can and it just isn't cost competitive with the Sam's brand or the locally roasted Navigator beans. The Navigator bans are so good, it almost makes me want to grind the beans fresh, at home. However, the practical side of me knows that I drink far to much coffee to do so. Unless, I find an old Eight O'clock grinder on craigslist for a nice price!
Quote from: GA-ME on November 01, 2014, 11:44:05 AM
I wish I had that "problem!" If I use the AeroPress daily, I go through a 2 1/2 pound bag in a week. I bought a one pound bag of the Bolivian bean last Saturday, because my brother was up Saturday and Sunday, helping with some home improvement projects, and because a couple of my wife's friends were stopping by en-route from D.C. back to NYC. I thought I'd make good coffee and cappuccinos for everyone as a treat. The entire pound was gone by mid-afternoon Sunday.
That's a lot of coffee consumption!!! Even with the extravagant use of beans that the Aeropress requires. A 12 oz bag lasts me between 10-14 days, but that's just one press per day using two aeropress scoops of unground beans. I can't drink much more than that without the caffeine giving me racing heart-beat or visual migraines - I can stave off the visual migraines by drinking lots of water. I do live in CO at about 6500 ft elevation, where the relative humidity averages only 50%, so a good deal of water goes right out the body through the skin each day. With caffeine as a diuretic, gotta keep the fluid levels high.
-Scott
Quote from: rockstar_not on November 01, 2014, 02:38:38 PM
A 12 oz bag lasts me between 10-14 days, but that's just one press per day using two aeropress scoops of unground beans.
Scott, I use two AeroPress scoops of finely ground coffee for each 16oz Americano I drink. I fill the chamber with enough water, just off a rolling boil, to barely cover the grounds, let it "bloom" for about 15-20 seconds, fill the press to the absolute top of the chamber, stir for a 30 count, then press into my mug. I top off the mug with water. I have been using filtered water in the kettle as well. I go through so much coffee, because I have 6-10, 16 oz Americanos per day. My wife also has one Americano in the morning, but she has me use just one scoop for her brew, because she gets VERY jittery using the amount of grounds I use. Hello, my name is Jon, coffee has mad my life unmanageable...
Gotta give props to the 8 O'Clock Columbian Whole Bean I bought last night. But, they are sneaky. The bag is an 11 oz. bag, when 12 oz. is the standard off-the-shelf size right now and has been for years.
With the skimp of the 1 oz, it's still considerably cheaper than other national whole bean brands for that general quantity, and the roast is better IMO.
GA-ME, if they have it in your area, give the Boyer's a try from Sam's Club. The Kona blend is good as is their columbian (can't remember what they call it).
I'll have to give your Aeropress method a try. I don't do the extra water in the press, I top off in the mug after pressing the 'recommended' amount.
I'm not sure I could even see straight if I had 6-10 16 oz coffees of any type per day. My eyes would be floating let alone the effects of the caffeine. How do you find time to make that much coffee with the Aeropress?
Quote from: rockstar_not on November 03, 2014, 11:09:36 PM
Gotta give props to the 8 O'Clock Columbian Whole Bean I bought last night. But, they are sneaky. The bag is an 11 oz. bag, when 12 oz. is the standard off-the-shelf size right now and has been for years.
With the skimp of the 1 oz, it's still considerably cheaper than other national whole bean brands for that general quantity, and the roast is better IMO.
GA-ME, if they have it in your area, give the Boyer's a try from Sam's Club. The Kona blend is good as is their columbian (can't remember what they call it).
I'll have to give your Aeropress method a try. I don't do the extra water in the press, I top off in the mug after pressing the 'recommended' amount.
I'm not sure I could even see straight if I had 6-10 16 oz coffees of any type per day. My eyes would be floating let alone the effects of the caffeine. How do you find time to make that much coffee with the Aeropress?
The Eight O'Clock Columbian has become my favorite coffee. Tons of flavor there, esp when I grind the beans myself. And yes, a sneaky trick on their part.
Quote from: rockstar_not on November 03, 2014, 11:09:36 PM
GA-ME, if they have it in your area, give the Boyer's a try from Sam's Club. The Kona blend is good as is their columbian (can't remember what they call it).
I'll have to give your Aeropress method a try. I don't do the extra water in the press, I top off in the mug after pressing the 'recommended' amount.
I'm not sure I could even see straight if I had 6-10 16 oz coffees of any type per day. My eyes would be floating let alone the effects of the caffeine. How do you find time to make that much coffee with the Aeropress?
It only takes about a minute, or so, to make an Aeropress Americano. I keep a kettle of filtered water on a low simmer, from the time I wake, until I switch to drinking water around noon. Our Sam's Club doesn't stock the Boyer's beans. In whole bean bags, they have a breakfast blend, a Columbian Supreme, and a French Roast, all of which are the Sam's, Daily Chef, brand. The only other whole bean choice, at this Sam's Club, is Starbuck's brand beans.
Quote from: GA-ME on November 04, 2014, 02:49:14 PM
It only takes about a minute, or so, to make an Aeropress Americano. I keep a kettle of filtered water on a low simmer, from I the time I wake, until I switch to drinking water around noon. Our Sam's Club doesn't stock the Boyer's beans. In whole bean bags, they have a breakfast blend, a Columbian Supreme, and a French Roast, all of which are the Sam's, Daily Chef, brand. The only other whole bean choice, at this Sam's Club, is Starbuck's brand beans.
I do Americano - but I add the water after I press the 'recipe' amount. Today I tried your method and I didn't taste much difference but unless I actually made the two methods simultaneously, my palate is not sensitive enough to probably tell the difference from day-to-day.
I do avoid 'Charbux' for the most part.
Hi guys :wave
as I see there are a lot of coffee experts among you :wink:
So,would u recommend French Press (http://coffeehit.co.uk/hario-french-press?___SID=U) ?
Thanks a lot.
Quote from: Katty on November 16, 2014, 12:03:45 PM
Hi guys :wave
as I see there are a lot of coffee experts among you :wink:
So,would u recommend French Press (http://coffeehit.co.uk/hario-french-press?___SID=U) ?
Thanks a lot.
We use the small french press occassionaly.But we use the larger size eveyday.We like them a lot.
It's odd but I only use a French Press in winter. Same goes for my Bialetti stovetop espresso pot.
Quote from: the creature on November 16, 2014, 03:43:48 PM
It's odd but I only use a French Press in winter. Same goes for my Bialetti stovetop espresso pot.
But you have one of the old style stove top perculators.
Quote from: dependan on November 16, 2014, 03:48:35 PM
But you have one of the old style stove top perculators.
Yes. I use it for everyday, "regular" coffee, like most ppl use a drip. But the press and the Bialetti don't see much use outside the cold weather months.
Hard to believe that this thread has not been used for 11 months. Let's fix that straightaway.
Today I did something non-typical for me: I bought a 12 oz. bag of Starbucks beans; Peak Place. On sale at the local grocery store for $5.99 for the 12 oz bag. I steer away from Charbucks in general, but Peak Place is supposed to be medium roast (it isn't, it's a pretty dark roast).
Brought it home and poured the bag into an empty can that used to house 14 oz of Trader Joe's Honduran whole-bean coffee. I've used that can several times for whatever whole bean coffee I happened to purchase for probably 6 months.
Here's the weird thing, the 12 oz. of the Starbucks Peak Place FILLED THE CAN TO THE BRIM. The can was empty - that's why I bought the package of Starbucks - I was out of beans.
Those of you that are more afficionados, is there this big of a difference in bean volume vs. bean weight? If I recall correctly, even the Trader Joe's 14 oz of beans did not fill up the can as much as this 12 oz package of Starbucks.
I used my normal unground bean volume for my recipe and it tasted fine - I might actually make the Peak Place a normal part of the rotation here if it's on sale.
Has anyone ever seen this before?
"Charbucks." :laughin:
I rarely buy anything from them because it's expensive and I'm almost always let down by it. However, they do make a good French Roast, and in winter I like their Komodo Dragon blend in my press, but it's up near $15 a pound, so I usually only get it around the holidays as a treat.
Quote from: Katty on November 16, 2014, 12:03:45 PM
Hi guys :wave
as I see there are a lot of coffee experts among you :wink:
So,would u recommend French Press (http://coffeehit.co.uk/hario-french-press?___SID=U) ?
Thanks a lot.
Do you mean the French
Mess? Ridiculous way to make coffee, in my humble opinion, unless you have someone to clean it up for you. Coffee's alright but nothing special. I stayed with friends last year and it was all they used. Are coffee grounds actually good for drains? I must say I didn't like it. Give me a filter any day.
Quote from: ducktrapper on October 18, 2015, 10:04:15 AM
Do you mean the French Mess? Ridiculous way to make coffee, in my humble opinion, unless you have someone to clean it up for you. Coffee's alright but nothing special. I stayed with friends last year and it was all they used. Are coffee grounds actually good for drains? I must say I didn't like it. Give me a filter any day.
French Press surely is a messy and laborious way to make coffee, but (at least to my taste) it's pretty wonderful stuff. For some reason I only use mine in winter though. And as for the grounds, I always toss them in the yard, even my everyday grounds from my perc pot. It's great for the soil.
We have a local discount grocery store that sells a lot of stuff from restaurant suppliers. Some of this stuff is close to going out of date, dented, and lots of it is in bulk. I recently scored a 5 lb. bag of Luzianne whole beans for $15! I ground up a little bit of it and made a pot on the stovetop perc. Very good, and that is a ridiculously low price for good beans. If it would have been bad it would have been a waste of $15, but I took the gamble and it worked out. I also bought a bag of no-name French roast beans there once that were so stale they weren't good for anything. Like I said, a gamble.
Quote from: Caleb on October 18, 2015, 10:07:31 AM
And as for the grounds, I always toss them in the yard, even my everyday grounds from my perc pot. It's great for the soil.
I should start doing this - thanks.
Quote from: Mikeymac on October 20, 2015, 03:33:37 PM
I should start doing this - thanks.
I had a bald spot in my St Augustine that I resurrected using exclusively coffee grounds. The caffeine is a stimulant for the soil.
Does anyone using the AeroPress have issues with the interior of the press scratching badly? Mine have scratched pretty seriously and I have given up on them after the third one did this. I've went back to my Bodum Young press. I still miss making afternoon latte and cappuccinos with the AeroPress though.
Quote from: GA-ME on November 30, 2015, 12:16:32 PM
Does anyone using the AeroPress have issues with the interior of the press scratching badly? Mine have scratched pretty seriously and I have given up on them after the third one did this. I've went back to my Bodum Young press. I still miss making afternoon latte and cappuccinos with the AeroPress though.
Mine is scratched bit works fine
Quote from: rockstar_not on December 02, 2015, 07:17:42 PM
Mine is scratched bit works fine
It seems like about three months is the life for the press under my usage schedule. Initially, the scratches don't seem to effect the use, then, gradually, they seem to get deeper and deeper, until the plunger seal fails and the pressure forces coffee upward and starts creating a hazard with the hot liquids. It's a shame, because it sure does make a darn fine cup of Joe.
Quote from: GA-ME on December 03, 2015, 12:58:00 PM
It seems like about three months is the life for the press under my usage schedule. Initially, the scratches don't seem to effect the use, then, gradually, they seem to get deeper and deeper, until the plunger seal fails and the pressure forces coffee upward and starts creating a hazard with the hot liquids. It's a shame, because it sure does make a darn fine cup of Joe.
Mine gets one push a day. I've had it about 3 years. But I have always cleaned the plunger rubber seal after every use - not saying you don't. I also notice that if I grind to a powder, it's REALLY hard to push down.
I also usually just do a two scoop of whole beans. Three scoops causes more need for the downward pressure. It does make great coffee.
I clean the Aeropress rubber part after each use and rinse out the tubes. Don't store the plunger inside the tube, but keep it out. So far, after 5 years of using it, is not showing signs of needing to be replaced.
One add-on item that I bought via Kickstarter and now available on their site is the Spressa press for the Aeropress. It helps to make the press smoother, and easier with espresso level grinds, which I use for it and the espresso lever machine. I don't want to adjust the grind setting.
Alright...must resurrect this thread...after all, I live in a county that has (or at least at one point had) the most espresso stands per capita. I don't think I am ever more than 5 minutes away from one, unless I go to really remote areas. And 5 minutes is almost venturing into caffeine withdrawal country!
Very pleased to see so many into the Aeropress. It's been my favorite way to brew coffee since about 2010. I noticed a few people mentioning scratches or splits in the chambers of their presses. Mine scratched, then developed little splits and cracks. I emailed customer service to find out if it was still safe to use. They sent me a new chamber for free. :thumb
Also, do you guys really use that much coffee in it? I use one scoop of freshly ground San Francisco Bay beans from Costco per mug, fill the barrel almost to the top with water, stir it 20 seconds, pop the plunger on, let it sit a bit, then push. I started out using a ton of coffee but then figured out that you don't actually need that much to make a decent cup of coffee.
I used to do the French press thing. It's too messy. Used to do cone coffee. That's messy too. So it's Aeropress for me....unless I splurge on espresso, or drink too much coffee at church.
:coffee :donut
Coffee at church explains your username Paraclete :).
Quote from: Strings4Him on March 12, 2016, 12:26:06 PM
Coffee at church explains your username Paraclete :).
It does indeed! It's actually the name of my fiddle/uke duo. As a duo my friend and I play favorites from jazz standards to Beatles tunes, to Broadway stuff, pop tunes, etc...mostly done in our own swing style. But we also are both part of the church worship team every Sunday morning. We've got an amazing group of kitchen volunteers who have coffee ready to go by the time we get done with rehearsal before the service. Have to keep the musicians caffeinated! :coffee
Aeropress - try stirring for 2 minutes before pushing the plunger. This pretty much requires the inverted method, my usual.
Recently, I'm back to using a Ponte Vecchio Lusso lever machine to make the coffee. It takes less beans than the AP and give a strong flavor. But the AP gets 2-3 uses per week.
I use a Bodum French press every morning. I find its more important to have the right beans and purified water.
Ruta Maya, which is roasted in Austin has been my favorite for years. When the owner first opened a small shop in the downtown warehouse district over 20 years ago I leased him a small ice machine. (200-400 lbs. a day) He has a much larger operation now and has his coffee in the large grocery stores and Costco or Sams. I prefer the medium roast.
I told my doctor on Monday that I had cut back to two very large cups of coffee per morning (my baby daughter gave me this cup made at Exit 82 Art in Austin, TX for Christmas). He told me to drink more coffee, that it is good for you...
I use a Keurig with the biodegradable coffee thingys from Costco. $0.27 per cup. It is fine to my palate. And hassle free.
Quote from: prof_stack on April 22, 2016, 01:06:51 AM
Aeropress - try stirring for 2 minutes before pushing the plunger. This pretty much requires the inverted method, my usual.
Recently, I'm back to using a Ponte Vecchio Lusso lever machine to make the coffee. It takes less beans than the AP and give a strong flavor. But the AP gets 2-3 uses per week.
I keep meaning to start doing the inverted method. But I'm such a creature of habit that I kind of make coffee on auto pilot. One of these days, if I get a morning off (due to rain since I work outdoors), I'll get around to it.
Quote from: Walkerman on April 23, 2016, 09:22:55 AM
I use a Keurig with the biodegradable coffee thingys from Costco. $0.27 per cup. It is fine to my palate. And hassle free.
Good price.
Quote from: Strings4Him on April 23, 2016, 10:47:21 AM
Good price.
Not only that, Walkerwoman empties all of the grounds out of the little cups and uses them in her garden. Saves on fertilizer.
Quote from: Walkerman on April 23, 2016, 09:22:55 AM
I use a Keurig with the biodegradable coffee thingys from Costco. $0.27 per cup. It is fine to my palate. And hassle free.
:donut :donut2 :coffee :donut2 :donut
And I use an ancient Mr. Coffee with a plastic mesh filter from HEB. My palate prefers Folgers Classic Roast. The Mr. Coffee has the added technical benefit of purifying the water during the boiling process and depositing the minerals in layers on the boiler element, from where they can be conveniently removed by vinegar once a month. The grounds are tossed in the yard.
The cost per cup is very low.
Mike
L-05
Quote from: mike in lytle on April 23, 2016, 02:41:32 PM
:donut :donut2 :coffee :donut2 :donut
And I use an ancient Mr. Coffee with a plastic mesh filter from HEB. My palate prefers Folgers Classic Roast. The Mr. Coffee has the added technical benefit of purifying the water during the boiling process and depositing the minerals in layers on the boiler element, from where they can be conveniently removed by vinegar once a month. The grounds are tossed in the yard.
The cost per cup is very low.
Mike
L-05
Very cool Mike! My preference is Community Coffee, breakfast blend... :thumb
Quote from: georbro3 on April 23, 2016, 05:15:24 PM
Very cool Mike! My preference is Community Coffee, breakfast blend... :thumb
:donut :donut2 :coffee :donut2 :donut
The high regard which I have for you just went up.
Mike
L-05
My coffee habit just took a big (and final) jump, with a 65th birthday gift. From the factory in Milano, to the "I Drink Coffee" store in Ontario, to my kitchen in Seattle. 70# beast makes cafe-quality coffee, every time.
(http://i.imgur.com/B8lsKty.jpg)
Whoa, that's quite a machine!
That's one serious-looking coffee machine. Congrats on your 65th.
Are you going to have to renovate your kitchen to accommodate it?
Quote from: L07 Shooting Star on July 28, 2016, 01:56:40 AM
Are you going to have to renovate your kitchen to accommodate it?
Not really. It does take more real estate than the smaller machine it replaces, but the taste is way more than worth it.
I was looking at a 40-series Larrivee beforehand, but decided against it, for now...
Still using my Aeropress and enjoying the results. Thanks to whomever it was in this thread years ago that brought it up and piqued my interest. I'm still using the first pack of filters that came with it. I use them for about a week at a time, one press per day.
Hmmm. Real coffee lovers just love coffee. We don't no stinkin' fancy brands or machines. Hell, we'll drink the sludge that comes from coin dispensers ... and love it! :laughin:
I know there's a lot of Canadians here so I'll recommend Kicking Horse coffee. Best I've ever had, and it's available down here in the states too. No gut rot feeling. I grind it fresh and French press it. Turned me into a coffee drinker.
Quote from: B0WIE on November 13, 2016, 03:33:28 PM
I know there's a lot of Canadians here so I'll recommend Kicking Horse coffee. Best I've ever had, and it's available down here in the states too.
Yes lots of luv for that brand up this way.
Quote from: ducktrapper on November 13, 2016, 01:47:09 PM
Hmmm. Real coffee lovers just love coffee. We don't no stinkin' fancy brands or machines. Hell, we'll drink the sludge that comes from coin dispensers ... and love it! :laughin:
I detect that perhaps you are inferring a cork-sniffery in my comment. However, I bet the Aeropress is a simpler 'machine' than whatever most might be using to make their coffee. Even a stove-top percolator has more parts than the Aeropress. Folgers is often the fodder for mine.
I'm a guitar lover, but I'll take a Larry over a First Act any day of the week.
Looked up Aeropress. Is there anything that separates it from a traditional French press besides the filter?
Quote from: rockstar_not on November 13, 2016, 10:26:41 PM
I detect that perhaps you are inferring a cork-sniffery in my comment. However, I bet the Aeropress is a simpler 'machine' than whatever most might be using to make their coffee. Even a stove-top percolator has more parts than the Aeropress. Folgers is often the fodder for mine.
I'm a guitar lover, but I'll take a Larry over a First Act any day of the week.
I didn't mean anyone's comment in particular. Just the general direction of the conversation. Of course, I like good coffee but as a coffee lover, I'm willing to drink mostly anything black and kind of warm and have. It was meant to be funny. Didn't mean to offend. :cheers
My wife claims to love wine but mostly she hates all but one brand of Beaujolais. :laughin:
Quote from: B0WIE on November 13, 2016, 10:32:06 PM
Looked up Aeropress. Is there anything that separates it from a traditional French press besides the filter?
The main difference besides the filter is the very short time that the hot water is in contact with the grounds. Aeropress is much more like an espresso machine than a French press. French press is coarse ground, longer steep time. Aeropress is very fine grounds, very short steep time.
I sold my Bodum Brasil French Press about a week after getting my Aeropress.
Quote from: rockstar_not on November 14, 2016, 10:31:17 AM
The main difference besides the filter is the very short time that the hot water is in contact with the grounds. Aeropress is much more like an espresso machine than a French press. French press is coarse ground, longer steep time. Aeropress is very fine grounds, very short steep time.
I sold my Bodum Brasil French Press about a week after getting my Aeropress.
Not sure what is meant by finer grounds as that's dictated by the grinder. I tend to prefer fine grounds in a French press with a longer steep time at slightly lower temperatures for a smoother taste. My wife brews hot/fast and it drives me nuts.
Sounds like its not for me (especially because I hate filters) but thanks for the info! I appreciate it.
Quote from: B0WIE on November 14, 2016, 10:58:49 AM
Sounds like its not for me (especially because I hate filters) but thanks for the info! I appreciate it.
I have yet to meet a coffee "snob" who after trying the aeropress are won over. For the low $ investment you might wanna giver a try.
There is a stainless steel filter option that I'm told works equally well if that makes a difference
I've been using a $10 camping perc for 15 years now. When people come over and have coffee I always get compliments. It doesn't take much to make great coffee.
Quote from: JOYCEfromNS on November 14, 2016, 12:25:03 PM
I have yet to meet a coffee "snob" who after trying the aeropress are won over. For the low $ investment you might wanna giver a try.
There is a stainless steel filter option that I'm told works equally well if that makes a difference
:coffee :coffee :donut2 :donut
Okay, being of open mind, I went and read about the aeropress on their website. Watching the video takes longer than Mr. Coffee to make 4 cups.
We recently replaced our ancient white Mr. Coffee with a new black Mr. Coffee that cost 14 dollars. It uses the same parts and uses the same pot.
Mr. Coffee heats up his own water, all I have to do is pour the cold water in.
Clean up is a snap, since I just tap out the grounds from, then rinse, our plastic filter into an old coffee container. Grounds used in the yard.
And it is not true the Mr. Coffee over extracts the middle of the coffee and under extracts the edges. The boiling water is sprayed over the grounds in a haphazard manner and extracts the coffee evenly for a smooth, satisfying brew with no extra effort on my part.
Mike
L-05
Quote from: mike in lytle on November 14, 2016, 02:47:20 PM
:coffee :coffee :donut2 :donut
Okay, being of open mind, I went and read about the aeropress on their website. Watching the video takes longer than Mr. Coffee to make 4 cups.
We recently replaced our ancient white Mr. Coffee with a new black Mr. Coffee that cost 14 dollars. It uses the same parts and uses the same pot.
Mr. Coffee heats up his own water, all I have to do is pour the cold water in.
Clean up is a snap, since I just tap out the grounds from, then rinse, our plastic filter into an old coffee container. Grounds used in the yard.
And it is not true the Mr. Coffee over extracts the middle of the coffee and under extracts the edges. The boiling water is sprayed over the grounds in a haphazard manner and extracts the coffee evenly for a smooth, satisfying brew with no extra effort on my part.
Mike
L-05
I'm with you on that having both a 12 and 4 cup Mr. C. Works for me. My wife uses a Keurig but I don't like it. I don't think the water makes enough contact with the grounds. It always tastes weak to me. And it's expensive. The trick to making good coffee, for the most part, is using enough coffee. Which means at least a tablespoon per cup. :beer
We have a 12 cup Mr. Coffee. Wife uses it everyday. I posted my thanks earlier this week because of how much I have enjoyed the coffee from the Aeropress these past 4 years or so. I don't think I would have ever heard of it had it not been for this thread. Not trying to evangelize for it, just expressing thanks. I happen to like trying different ways of making coffee and this one is my favorite. I love coffee for the flavor not so much the quantity. I think I read somewhere back maybe 10 pages that GA-ME uses 3 or 4 presses per day from his Aeropress. I would never fall asleep in a day if I drank that much. 😳 The way I love coffee is different than the way others love it. That's ok with me
I recently decided drinking coffee from ceramic mugs instead of stainless steel. The coffee tastes better and I've found the diminishing temp of the coffee actually allows more of the flavor to be tasted.
When at work I use my grandpa's old Thermos from the 60s. I usually use the plastic lid as my mug but recently switched to a ceramic mug. The taste is MUCH better. I've not used stainless steel in years but I used to have one of those ubiquitous carry-along mugs and I remember the coffee tasting pretty bad.
On a rare weekday day-off, I'm perusing the forum here, realizing once again I'm enjoying a cuppa joe from my Aeropress - and giving thanks to whomever it was that first posted in this thread about it and to all of those others that chimed in their support.
So, to whomever it was - thanks again. :cheers
Latest beans:
Mt. Comfort Peru, 2.5 lb bag from Sam's for $9.81. Verdict is still out as to whether it was a good buy.
Hey all,
While I am a novice guitar player I am a Certified Coffee Expert. This discussion is right up my alley. :bgrin: I used to work in the coffee business; I've picked it, processed it, roasted it, graded it, blind taste tested it, taught appreciation of it, ground it, brewed it and ENJOYED it! I used to train franchisees on everything from cupping coffee to getting the right grind. It was and is a real passion of mine although I left the business a while back.
My favourite coffee comes from La Minita in Costa Rica but I enjoy coffee from all over the world. I use a single cup cone filter every morning because I like to switch around the varietals and don't want to brew a full pot at a time. I used to drink about 10-12 cups a day but now it's just a couple. :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee
Quote from: rockstar_not on January 21, 2017, 07:17:16 PM
Latest beans:
Mt. Comfort Peru, 2.5 lb bag from Sam's for $9.81. Verdict is still out as to whether it was a good buy.
Verdict was in a few months back - I'll pass in the future. I'm back to Boyer's Kona Blend from Sam's. Actually, I did buy a 14 oz canister of Bolivian from Trader Joe's in between. (coffee is pretty good, and it's a reusable canister that I use for convenience with the 2.5 lb bag from Boyer's). Still using the Aeropress - thanks again to whomever it was in this threat that suggested it so many years ago.
Mmmmmm....coffee! I love my Aeropress too. Sadly I have no time to go coffee shopping or testing. I'm still just getting the big bags of San Francisco Bay at Costco.
Me, I use keurig and Costco's house dark blend. I smile every time I pass a Starbucks and think about all of the money I have saved.
Aeropress user here for about 3 or 4 years now I suppose. We have a a couple of local places that sell really good "locally" roasted coffee beans. All Fair Trade, Organic, no puppies harmed, etc. By locally, I mean about an hour away.
I smile every time I see someone using a Keurig, and think about all of the money I have saved. :laughin:
Quote from: markj on May 14, 2017, 12:45:20 PMI smile every time I see someone using a Keurig, and think about all of the money I have saved. :laughin:
not to mention all the landfill space, and possibly multiple gastro-intestinal problems from ingesting the byproducts of super-heated plastics . . .
Quote from: markj on May 14, 2017, 12:45:20 PM
Aeropress user here for about 3 or 4 years now I suppose. We have a a couple of local places that sell really good "locally" roasted coffee beans. All Fair Trade, Organic, no puppies harmed, etc. By locally, I mean about an hour away.
I smile every time I see someone using a Keurig, and think about all of the money I have saved. :laughin:
My local roaster is about 1.2 miles. If I don't stop on the way home, I'll often walk there. Unfortunately, they are moving a quarter mile farther away sometime this summer. Or, considering the extra exercise, maybe fortunately!
I look at the Keurigs and both money and landfill concerns keep me from even considering them. At our summer cabin, we switched to a French press. It makes decent coffee. Since I usually wake up earlier than my wife, I think I'm going to get an insulated press.
Ed
Quote from: eded on May 23, 2017, 04:29:45 PM
My local roaster is about 1.2 miles. If I don't stop on the way home, I'll often walk there. Unfortunately, they are moving a quarter mile farther away sometime this summer. Or, considering the extra exercise, maybe fortunately!
I look at the Keurigs and both money and landfill concerns keep me from even considering them. At our summer cabin, we switched to a French press. It makes decent coffee. Since I usually wake up earlier than my wife, I think I'm going to get an insulated press.
Ed
I've somehow acquired two of these Porlex Grinder (http://www.eightouncecoffee.ca/index.cfm/product/79/porlex-tall-hand-grinder.cfm) because the sound of electric grinders drove me and my family around the bend.
We use them with plain old Melita bamboo baseed filters which we composte in the back yard . maybe there will be a behavioural adjsutment in the local squirrel population next century, but it's nothing to compare to the problems that kuerig is encourang
I'm not a fan of Keurig at all, but don't they make reusable filter cups?
Quote from: Paraclete on May 25, 2017, 10:15:52 AM
I'm not a fan of Keurig at all, but don't they make reusable filter cups?
That's true... if not them, there are 3rd party vendors who do.
Ed
Coffee thread arises from the ashes!!!
Kids bought me a burr grinder for Christmas. Nice except there's so much static in the group me coffee hopper that it makes a mess trying t get all the ground coffee out. Any tips? Already tried rubbing the outside of the container with a dryer sheet. No luck there.
Quote from: rockstar_not on January 02, 2018, 04:15:31 PM
Coffee thread arises from the ashes!!!
Kids bought me a burr grinder for Christmas. Nice except there's so much static in the group me coffee hopper that it makes a mess trying t get all the ground coffee out. Any tips? Already tried rubbing the outside of the container with a dryer sheet. No luck there.
Does a brush, like a small basting brush, help at all? I use one to clean out my grinder.
I use a cheap camping coffee pot and get grids all the time,there not bad going down but taste bad when they get stuck in my stash an hour latter.
Quote from: Barefoot Rob on January 02, 2018, 09:43:32 PM
I use a cheap camping coffee pot and get grids all the time,there not bad going down but taste bad when they get stuck in my stash an hour latter.
I use a cheap Mr. Coffee and the HEB grocery version of Folgers Classic with a cheap plastic filter and most of the coffee tastes great till I get to the bottom of the plastic glass and swallow down the mud there, which wakes me up even more and that's when I go to the music room and play a Larrivee for about two hours. Or more.
Mike
Quote from: Paraclete on January 02, 2018, 05:39:43 PM
Does a brush, like a small basting brush, help at all? I use one to clean out my grinder.
Not really. It came with one. After another week of use and daily rinse out it is starting to lose its static cling of the fine grounds.
So, I'm now a full 2 months into using the burr grinder and here's my verdict so far:
1. Convenient - fill the hopper with beans, set it for a fixed amount of cups, and it grinds for that much.
2. Static is somewhat going down.
3. The finest setting, is not an espresso grind, it's not quite fine enough.
So, I decided to look to see if others had the same issues - sure enough, and one enterprising guy figured out how to 'hack' it for finer grind.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Hacking-the-Cuisinart-SupremeGrind-for-Espresso/
I used some metal tape that I had for taping up my dryer vent tubing to the dryer.
Bingo: Espresso grind
Static is still an issue, and even more so with the dusty grind, but less coffee required each day.
Wow....that's a good thing to know about burr grinders. Are all the brands just shy of espresso grind? I've been thinking about getting one because the standard spin grinders heat up the grinds too much.
Quote from: Paraclete on March 07, 2018, 10:58:02 AM
Wow....that's a good thing to know about burr grinders. Are all the brands just shy of espresso grind? I've been thinking about getting one because the standard spin grinders heat up the grinds too much.
I can't speak for any burr grinders other than the Cuisinart model we have.
:donut :donut2 :coffee
What is the big deal with espresso anyhow?
Mike
Quote from: mike in lytle on March 07, 2018, 07:53:22 PM
:donut :donut2 :coffee
What is the big deal with espresso anyhow?
Mike
The flavor of espresso is what I love.
Quote from: mike in lytle on March 07, 2018, 07:53:22 PM
:donut :donut2 :coffee
What is the big deal with espresso anyhow?
Mike
Intense coffee flavor without bitterness. It's like why I like David Gilmour's slow burn solos better than a shredder's solo. I will listen to both but Gilmour is preferred by my soul
Static causing you issues with fine grind in your grinder? Solution is way simpler than I expected. Stir one drop of water into each tablespoon of unground beans just prior to grinding. Solves 'jumping ground coffee' from static electricity about 80-90%.
Quote from: rockstar_not on March 30, 2018, 02:48:12 PM
Static causing you issues with fine grind in your grinder? Solution is way simpler than I expected.
Static issues? Like causing a fire at a gas station, or a blow up at a sawmill?
Burn your house down and lose all your Larrivee guitars?
Fire extinguisher on the counter next to your coffee grinder?
I still like my Mr. Coffee and the HEB Classic blend.... no danger there. Nice and mellow way to start my day.
Mike
I love coffee, and have been through many coffee phases - press, espresso machine, grinding beans at home, etc. I also like going to my local hipster coffee shop for nitro coffee. But I've recently come full circle at home and starting using old school Maxwell House. I like it just as well.
Great suggestion about static grinds.
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Maxwell house is whats in my coffee pot for years now.
Amazing what we Westerners will spend on coffee. Don't get me wrong - I can't stand "bad coffee"! But for me, "bad" coffee is the weak stuff the ladies make at church (I think cuz they're trying to stretch it as far as they can!).
My wife and I actually like good ol' Krogers brand Columbian 'Medium Dark'. It's actually quite good.
And we still have one of these old things that we use from time to time (ours is the electric one that plugs in via the detachable cord...):
Quote from: Mikeymac on March 31, 2018, 07:46:38 PM
Amazing what we Westerners will spend on coffee. Don't get me wrong - I can't stand "bad coffee"! But for me, "bad" coffee is the weak stuff the ladies make at church (I think cuz they're trying to stretch it as far as they can!).
Far too spoiled here... I often get gift cards for coffee shops for Christmas (clearly people know about my serious caffeine addiction). My church has both drip coffee (free) made from freshly ground beans and an espresso stand (fairly inexpensive if you are used to paying $5+ for mocha). But then again, here in Bellingham, it is grey and rainy all winter, most of the spring and fall, and much of the summer. And the daylight lasts for about 6 hours in the winter. I think the fact that I am never more than a couple minutes away from an espresso stand is adaptation to keep us all somewhat sane. :coffee
Rev I still have my Mom's and use every now and again also. :thumb
I just spent $2.73 on a Starbucks coffee. Hardly ever do this, though. Crazy!
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Can't remember the last time I had a coffee. Likely 9-10 years ago. Tea, probably not in 8.
There was a time when 20-30 cups a day was normal.
Don't miss it.
The only downside: The smell in a typical coffee shop is unbearable.
Quote from: ST on April 01, 2018, 10:26:10 AM
Can't remember the last time I had a coffee. Likely 9-10 years ago. Tea, probably not in 8.
There was a time when 20-30 cups a day was normal.
Don't miss it.
The only downside: The smell in a typical coffee shop is unbearable.
ST, Why did you give it up ?
Hi Lynne,
I don't want to rain on the coffee parade. So I'll give you only two reasons:
By all accounts, I am a considerably nicer person since I stopped consuming caffeine.
When I counted up the minutes consumed daily the time spent in a year was staggering. Don't do the math on the money, it may depress you. But for anyone who pauses over the investment value of a guitar, stop drinking coffee and tea and see where that gets you.
Quote from: ST on April 01, 2018, 10:26:10 AM
Can't remember the last time I had a coffee. Likely 9-10 years ago. Tea, probably not in 8.
There was a time when 20-30 cups a day was normal.
Don't miss it.
The only downside: The smell in a typical coffee shop is unbearable.
20-30 cups per day?!? That's kind of impressive but at my age I would have to pee every five minutes with that kind of intake. I drink 16 oz per day. It's a quality over quantity thing for me. Same story with beer, about 1 beer per week for me, but it's weighed a nice toasty toasty stout or some kind of wheat beer. Unless it's summer and I have to go there Phoenix for work- then I take advantage of the hotel bar happy hour Rolling Rock they have on tap.
I use to drink 36 mugs a day,then a Doctor told me that thats too much,I didn't listen so she told my wife and my wife would hide the coffee maker.Now 5 or 6 a day and I wish I could drink more.
36 mugs of water per day would be possibly too much water!
Quote from: rockstar_not on January 02, 2018, 04:15:31 PM
Coffee thread arises from the ashes!!!
Kids bought me a burr grinder for Christmas. Nice except there's so much static in the group me coffee hopper that it makes a mess trying t get all the ground coffee out. Any tips? Already tried rubbing the outside of the container with a dryer sheet. No luck there.
If your static issue is not fully resolved with a drop of water, try using a small atomizer (fine mist of water spray). My late wife had several small bottles for this and that and a few other things. I cleaned one out thoroughly and use it when I grind the beans (Pharos hand-grinder: pro burrs with arm strengthening exercise :laughin:).
In addition to my half cup in the morning, I started drinking a cup in the late afternoon and I'm loving it. Gives me energy through the last half of the day and makes me far more productive.
Still enjoying that Canadian Kicking Horse, though I'm looking to try some others.
Saw another youtube where a guy just wets the handle of a teaspoon, gives the beans a stir for a couple of seconds and no static in the end. That works well here, I'm happy to report.
Quote from: rockstar_not on April 14, 2018, 07:36:59 PM
Saw another youtube where a guy just wets the handle of a teaspoon, gives the beans a stir for a couple of seconds and no static in the end. That works well here, I'm happy to report.
I added a few drops of water to my Trader Joe's French Roast Decaf and it worked well. I will try this spoon option next time. Thanks.
Resurrection of a useful thread:
Big Lots has a fake Bialetti Moka Pot for sale right now for 4$.
Works like the real thing.
Been using a Japanese style pour-over (mesh cone directly over pot) for the past couple years and can't go back to anything else. Allows a very robust flavor without the grit you get with a French press. The downside is, you have to manually pour water over it a few times. It's been worth it for the wife and I though.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/52/02/c5/5202c5c832dd91d4bd43727710176512.jpg)
Quote from: B0WIE on July 20, 2021, 01:11:42 PM
Been using a Japanese style pour-over (mesh cone directly over pot) for the past couple years and can't go back to anything else. Allows a very robust flavor without the grit you get with a French press. The downside is, you have to manually pour water over it a few times. It's been worth it for the wife and I though.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/52/02/c5/5202c5c832dd91d4bd43727710176512.jpg)
My son is also a pour over convert. He uses that thing that looks like it belongs in a chemistry lab. Even named that way. The Chemex
Quote from: rockstar_not on July 20, 2021, 08:19:34 PM
My son is also a pour over convert. He uses that thing that looks like it belongs in a chemistry lab. Even named that way. The Chemex
Ha ha. Yea, when my wife asked for one I thought to myself, "Great, more junk to clutter up the counter-tops....". But, it's really something. I can't believe I spend the time to do it, but I really like the result.
How is it different from the old Melitta system? I used one for years but I guess I got tired of the rigmarole and occasionally knocking it over and making a huge mess. Good coffee though. I think I bought an electric Melitta maker and came to the conclusion that, kept clean, it pretty much did the same thing with less fuss.
https://shop.melitta.ca/products/10-cup-manual-pour-over?
Quote from: ducktrapper on July 20, 2021, 11:23:31 PM
How is it different from the old Melitta system? I used one for years but I guess I got tired of the rigmarole and occasionally knocking it over and making a huge mess. Good coffee though. I think I bought an electric Melitta maker and came to the conclusion that, kept clean, it pretty much did the same thing with less fuss.
https://shop.melitta.ca/products/10-cup-manual-pour-over?
That looks like the same thing, in function. But, the metal filter does something interesting in that it lets oils (which normally get stopped by a fabric filter) through. This can be good or bad, depending on the quality of the coffee and how acidic it is.
I never used to drink coffee because it would just bomb my stomach. But, I've found some types that don't bother me so I've been a daily drinker for the past 5 years or so.
I am partial to espresso (made with medium dark, not espresso roasted beans). Two double shots in the morning😱.
Now everything else tastes weak.
But I think the real key to good coffee, regardless of how you prefer to brew it two fold.
1. Use high quality, recently roasted and fresh ground beans of a type and roast you like.
2. Dial in your process, whichever it is, and do it right.
I don't like espresso from coffee shops, they don't make it the way I like it. When I get coffee out, I either just deal with their regular drip, or if I am lingering, French Press because then I am really just making the coffee myself.
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I am partial to espresso (made with medium dark, not espresso roasted beans). Two double shots in the morning😱.
Now everything else tastes weak.
But I think the real key to good coffee, regardless of how you prefer to brew it two fold.
1. Use high quality, recently roasted and fresh ground beans of a type and roast you like.
2. Dial in your process, whichever it is, and do it right.
I don't like espresso from coffee shops, they don't make it the way I like it. When I get coffee out, I either just deal with their regular drip, or if I am lingering, French Press because then I am really just making the coffee myself.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: B0WIE on July 21, 2021, 02:10:03 AM
That looks like the same thing, in function. But, the metal filter does something interesting in that it lets oils (which normally get stopped by a fabric filter) through. This can be good or bad, depending on the quality of the coffee and how acidic it is.
I never used to drink coffee because it would just bomb my stomach. But, I've found some types that don't bother me so I've been a daily drinker for the past 5 years or so.
God, I used to make coffee for my dad when I was just a little kid. Percolator. Before I started drinking it, I'd then make toast with raspberry jam and dunk it and then pour the coffee out. When I was a younger man, I'd drink coffee morning to night. Black and strong. Some people say, "I can't sleep when I drink coffee." I used to say, "I can't drink coffee when I sleep!" Ba dum pum!
Although now I rarely drink it past noon, I've been using the evil black liquid daily for almost 65 years. I think I might die without it. :coffee
Quote from: ducktrapper on July 21, 2021, 09:07:41 AM
God, I used to make coffee for my dad when I was just a little kid. Percolator. Before I started drinking it, I'd then make toast with raspberry jam and dunk it and then pour the coffee out. When I was a younger man, I'd drink coffee morning to night. Black and strong. Some people say, "I can't sleep when I drink coffee." I used to say, "I can't drink coffee when I sleep!" Ba dum pum!
Although now I rarely drink it past noon, I've been using the evil black liquid daily for almost 65 years. I think I might die without it. :coffee
Ha ha. :bgrin: My best friend was like that. Unaffected by the caffeine. Every time we'd be up late partying, he'd fall asleep with a half-empty coffee or Monster energy in his hand.
I take a few sips in the morning, and a few sips in the afternoon. I only drink about half a cup in a day and it still wires me. My wife on the other hand, drinks the other 3 and a half cups from the pot and still feels tired.
LOL! That sounds like ADHD! I need caffeine to calm my brain down and get it to focus on only a few things rather than the whole damn room. Too much or late at night and it just puts me to sleep.
Quote from: B0WIE on July 21, 2021, 04:28:29 PM
Ha ha. :bgrin: My best friend was like that. Unaffected by the caffeine. Every time we'd be up late partying, he'd fall asleep with a half-empty coffee or Monster energy in his hand.
I take a few sips in the morning, and a few sips in the afternoon. I only drink about half a cup in a day and it still wires me. My wife on the other hand, drinks the other 3 and a half cups from the pot and still feels tired.
I grew up on Luzianne coffee and chicory, then Army coffee for 21 years. Now I buy good beans (very partial to Suliwese and other dark roast Indonesian beans) and use an Aeropress. 3 cups a day habit. Can't imagine what a pita id be without it!
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The mention of chicory is a good one. I have enjoyed adding that, and dandelion root.
The most amazing thing I've added is chaga mushroom. I got some bulk chaga off ebay from someone in VA. Really adds a nice element, especially because I only take my coffee black so any flavors really come through.
I've grown to like coffee too much to put anything in it at all. Because I've been staying at my daughter's, I've been drinking a dark roast as that's what they put on in the morning. I prefer a boring old medium roast Arabica. More caffeine! :coffee
Quote from: B0WIE on August 04, 2021, 02:31:37 AM
The mention of chicory is a good one.
We have a local discount grocery store in the area that's fun to take a stroll through. I was in there yesterday and they had the yellow cans of Cafe du Monde for $4 or so (great price!). I grabbed one and will enjoy some of it this weekend. To my taste, it's best with whole cream.
Quote from: Silence Dogood on May 21, 2022, 08:10:11 AM
We have a local discount grocery store in the area that's fun to take a stroll through. I was in there yesterday and they had the yellow cans of Cafe du Monde for $4 or so (great price!). I grabbed one and will enjoy some of it this weekend. To my taste, it's best with whole cream.
That's crazy. I have so spend $10 for those, whether I'm in Phoenix or New Orleans. Nice find!
Revisiting the coffee subject, I saw Costco was carrying "Blues Brothers" coffee. I'm not someone who buys gimmick products but I remembered an interview years ago where Dan Akroid said he was a coffee aficionado so I gave it a shot. Sooooo glad I did. Incredibly smooth and rich. The only coffee I can drink on an empty stomach without it bothering me whatsoever.
I've never heard of or seen Blues Brothers at Costco, but they do like to support local manufacturers. Out here in San Francisco they feature a local roaster Francisco Bay. Been buying it for 20 years or more, good dark French Roast at $14.99 for 3 lb bag. I recently found the brown bag Kirkland French Roast for the first time. Quite good, $10.99 for 2.5 lb. I have a good friend who has been running his own coffee shop in Eldorado Hills. He recently bought a roaster and now roasts his own beans for the coffee shop. He stopped by my house in January after picking up 1000 lbs of beans from his South American supplier in SF. He gave us a few bags of his roast, really good stuff.
On a whim the other day I picked up a (very overpriced) bag of Dunkin Donuts Colombian blend. I have to say that it's mighty good! I like the Cafe du Monde with whole cream, but this Colombian blend is great with a splash of whole milk. YMMV.
Cafe du monde brings me memories of my 2 trips to New Orleans, most magical place I've ever been. If you're feeling adventurous with coffee, there's an excellent German coffee brand available on Amazon called Dallmayr Prodomo. It's from Munich and it's excellent coffee.
10 days from now I'll be (home!) in New Orleans for the first time in way too many years. Café du Monde or Morning Call will be one of my first stops. But I'm also going to be in search of a great roast beef po'boy!
Then I can go on to the Maple Leaf and other old haunts.
I'm very jealous! Hope it won't be too hot/humid. :coffee :donut
Yesterday I found myself in the market in need of some coffee. My go-to is normally Dunkin Donuts. I've thought for a while that it was way overpriced, but yesterday it was almost $10 for a 12oz bag (not even a pound!). That lost them a customer and sent me in search of something new.
Enter Tim Horton's medium roast. I'd never seen this in my local market before and figured I'd give it a try. It was priced at around $6.30 a bag. I brewed up a cup this AM and am a new convert.
Quote from: Silence Dogood on August 03, 2023, 10:08:44 AMYesterday I found myself in the market in need of some coffee. My go-to is normally Dunkin Donuts. I've thought for a while that it was way overpriced, but yesterday it was almost $10 for a 12oz bag (not even a pound!). That lost them a customer and sent me in search of something new.
Enter Tim Horton's medium roast. I'd never seen this in my local market before and figured I'd give it a try. It was priced at around $6.30 a bag. I brewed up a cup this AM and am a new convert.
You and ten million Canadians! The Timmy's Double, Double is disgusting, ok I drink my coffee black, but extremely popular north of the border. I've seen Tim Horton's feanchises in northern Michigan.
Quote from: ducktrapper on August 03, 2023, 11:42:05 AMYou and ten million Canadians! The Timmy's Double, Double is disgusting, ok I drink my coffee black, but extremely popular north of the border. I've seen Tim Horton's feanchises in northern Michigan.
I see what all the fuss is about now. :coffee
Quote from: Silence Dogood on August 03, 2023, 12:38:26 PMI see what all the fuss is about now. :coffee
Yes, well, Horton was a heck of a hockey player. :laughin:
There are 8 Tim Horton stores in Erie, PA and there is a steady line every morning at the store 1.5 miles from my house. There are also plenty of locations along the QEW and 400 when I head North. It seems only right to take one of my Larrivees to the Archipelago in two weeks.
Quote from: teh on August 03, 2023, 02:29:58 PMThere are 8 Tim Horton stores in Erie, PA and there is a steady line every morning at the store 1.5 miles from my house. There are also plenty of locations along the QEW and 400 when I head North. It seems only right to take one of my Larrivees to the Archipelago in two weeks.
In Thunder Bay, where I hail from, there is almost a Timmy's on every corner and they are all busy. They build a new one and it's busy too. Amazing business. I always made my own coffee and put it in a travel mug but if I'm on the road in Canada, Timmy's is a must.
Quote from: ducktrapper on August 03, 2023, 01:36:25 PMYes, well, Horton was a heck of a hockey player. :laughin:
Gordie Howe called Horton the strongest man in the NHL. He supposedly curled railroad ties as part of his exercise routine. Who knew coffee and donuts were in his future?
I don't know anything about hockey (or any sport) but TH makes a great medium roast.
Try Gevalia coffee, it's a Swedish brand in a yellow bag. I can find it in my local target and some other grocery stores. It's smooth and tasty.
https://gevalia.com/
Quote from: Riverbend on August 03, 2023, 04:06:24 PMGordie Howe called Horton the strongest man in the NHL. He supposedly curled railroad ties as part of his exercise routine. Who knew coffee and donuts were in his future?
Quite a compliment coming from Mr. Hockey himself. Gordie was known to be the strongest man on the ice. I like a strong cup of coffee.
Quote from: StringPicker6 on August 03, 2023, 10:04:42 PMTry Gevalia coffee, it's a Swedish brand in a yellow bag. I can find it in my local target and some other grocery stores. It's smooth and tasty.
https://gevalia.com/
I used to get Gevalia about twenty years ago when it was mail order only. The had one called "Italian Blend" that was really good. I should try some next time I need some coffee. I'm really enjoying this bag of Tim Horton's, though. Really good stuff. Fuller flavor than the Dunkin Donuts blend I'm used to.
Costco stores often have a local roaster represented in their stores. Here in the San Francisco area they have carried San Francisco Bay coffee for years. It is roasted in Lincoln,CA near Sacramento. Their French Roast is incredible. Better to my taste than Starbucks and Peet's. I always buy whole bean and the fresh bags of this stuff have intense aroma with beautiful dark oily beans.
Quote from: 247hoopsfan on August 05, 2023, 11:54:32 AM. Here in the San Francisco area...
I'm not asking for you to get political, but since you are in the SF area, I'm wondering if it's actually as bad there now as some say? Are there really tents everywhere on the sidewalks, etc? I visited SF about ten years ago and spend the day in the touristy pier section and had a great time. A truly beautiful city. I hope it's not as bad as some say it is.
It is quite bad. I live 30 minutes away, and I need to go in occasionally for business. Westfield Mall downtown is closing, Walgreens has closed several locations due to high crime, 2 major hotels closed in Union Square. Major conventions have cancelled at Moscone Center. The police don't even respond to car breakins in broad daylight. As liberal as SF is, they recalled the lib DA last year, but the new one isn't much better, they still don't prosecute anything under $1000 so crime is rampant. Drug, homeless, and defecting in public are common.
https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2023/san-francisco-downtown-closing/
I could go one but you get the idea. I used to take my wife in for dinner and good plays like Phantom of the Opera, but not now.
Tony Bennett just passed, but he wouldn't leave his heart in SF now.
Quote from: 247hoopsfan on August 05, 2023, 02:25:12 PMIt is quite bad. I live 30 minutes away, and I need to go in occasionally for business. Westfield Mall downtown is closing, Walgreens has closed several locations due to high crime, 2 major hotels closed in Union Square. Major conventions have cancelled at Moscone Center. The police don't even respond to car breakins in broad daylight. As liberal as SF is, they recalled the lib DA last year, but the new one isn't much better, they still don't prosecute anything under $1000 so crime is rampant. Drug, homeless, and defecting in public are common.
https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2023/san-francisco-downtown-closing/
I could go one but you get the idea. I used to take my wife in for dinner and good plays like Phantom of the Opera, but not now.
Tony Bennett just passed, but he wouldn't leave his heart in SF now.
Man, that is terrible. I hate to hear it.
Politics aside, it's heartbreaking to hear that. New York was bad in the 70's but it managed to turn itself around. I will keep my hopes up that San Francisco will one day be great again.
Quote from: StringPicker6 on August 06, 2023, 09:06:37 AMPolitics aside, it's heartbreaking to hear that. New York was bad in the 70's but it managed to turn itself around. I will keep my hopes up that San Francisco will one day be great again.
Rumor has it that NYC is rapidly reverting to the prior era. Same reasons. You get more of what you allow and less of what you don't.
Quote from: ducktrapper on August 06, 2023, 09:30:52 AMYou get more of what you allow and less of what you don't.
There's a song there somewhere outside of Mr. Jimmy / Jagger&Richards
Quote from: JOYCEfromNS on August 06, 2023, 12:30:58 PMThere's a song there somewhere outside of Mr. Jimmy / Jagger&Richards
Heh. Maybe. I heard it first when it came to child rearing. One of the first rules was no pooping in the street. I wonder when we lost track of that one.
Pooping in the street sounds like a David Bowie/ Mick Jagger collaboration song.
Quote from: StringPicker6 on August 06, 2023, 05:32:20 PMPooping in the street sounds like a David Bowie/ Mick Jagger collaboration song.
I wonder what we could do replacing any song with dancing in it with pooping.
The Beatles, I'm happy just to poop with you.
That's a slippery and smelly slope...
Wow, from coffee to pooping in the streets! What a thread!
:nanadance
When I was in California last (about ten years ago) I was struck by the amount of homeless people I saw. I live in a Texas suburb and rarely see any homeless, so I was shocked. It must be a lot worse now than what I saw.
On a music-related podcast recently I heard a musician talking about his neighborhood (somewhere around LA). He was walking his young son to school and someone was openly defecating on the street, and apparently lashed out at the father and son for noticing. Absolute madness. This fellow was shocked and heartbroken because he loves this neighborhood and doesn't want to leave, but he said he would be leaving. He probably already has by now. Sad.
Quote from: Silence Dogood on August 07, 2023, 10:34:31 AMWow, from coffee to pooping in the streets! What a thread!
:nanadance
When I was in California last (about ten years ago) I was struck by the amount of homeless people I saw. I live in a Texas suburb and rarely see any homeless, so I was shocked. It must be a lot worse now than what I saw.
On a music-related podcast recently I heard a musician talking about his neighborhood (somewhere around LA). He was walking his young son to school and someone was openly defecating on the street, and apparently lashed out at the father and son for noticing. Absolute madness. This fellow was shocked and heartbroken because he loves this neighborhood and doesn't want to leave, but he said he would be leaving. He probably already has by now. Sad.
https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/culture-of-transgression
Well, like guitar strings, there's only so much you can say about coffee. The decline of civilization, however, can take up volumes. I don't believe much of it is actual homelessness in the original sense of the word. It's more like a big camp out for drug addicts and other unfortunates with mental illness. Sad state of affairs.
We were buying our coffee beans from a small local roaster for a few years. Really nice young couple trying to make a go of it, and they had some great coffee and it was ethically sourced through Fair Trade organizations. It was getting really expensive, and when it hit $16 for 12 oz. we started looking for alternatives. Sam's Club had 40 oz. bags of Bigby's for $16 that was actually certified as Fair Trade, and that was actually very good, so that filled our pot for about a year. And as things go with big stores like SC, the brand disappeared. We picked up a bag of Starbucks Medium Roast (40oz, $21) and I'm enjoying it. My wife recently came down with Lyme Disease from a tick bite, and while she is pretty much symptom free after a round of antibiotics, she has suddenly lost her taste for coffee.
I like the whole local roaster thing, and there are some in my area. There is a coffee shop in one of the neighboring towns where the guy does all of it in-house. His coffee is good, but that stuff's too rich for my everyday use. I like an old-school cup of medium roast in the AM with a splash of whole milk. I'm not a very sophisticated coffee drinker, I suppose. Now and again I'll go down to this fellow's shop and meet someone for a cup and one of the delicious pastries they make. All that stuff is also super expensive and my parsimony has increased with age as well.
I went back to the market this week in need of more coffee. This time I left with not one but two bags of Tim Horton's. I'm a new fan. The lower price is what grabbed me originally, but it's the taste that made me go back for more. And all the while I have this sneaking suspicion that the low price is a tactic they are using to break into this new market, and once firmly entrenched, we will likely see the prices climb. C'est la vie, etc.
Thought I'd bump this up on this cold morning as I drink my cup of Tim Horton's in the quiet...
I'm still on the Tim Horton's medium roast and really enjoying it. I bought some of their dark roast the other day. It's pretty good with a shot of whole cream in it, but I find that most dark roasts have a sort of stale taste to me. Maybe it's different when they are freshly-roasted, but all the stuff I buy is off the shelf and has sat there for who knows how long.
Here is something strange: I used to drink coffee all day long, but it just doesn't taste good all day long to me anymore. In fact, most days of the week I have one big cup on my way to work. It tastes great and hits the spot perfectly. On the weekends when I've got more time and I'm at home, I'll sometimes brew up a second cup and rarely can finish it. It just seems like I became a one-cup coffee-drinker at some point. There are times when I get home from work and brew up a cup and it's pretty great too. All said, I'm glad to be off the all-day coffee habit. Seems like it made my morning cup even better.
Do you all have Dutch Bros where you live? They are popping up in our area and I've been there a few times. Their specialty seems to be overly sugared-up blended drinks. My son has brought me home a drink from there a few times. They're hard for me to finish since they are so sweet. Just give me some decent black coffee with a shot of cream or whole milk and I'm happy!
:coffee
I love black coffee. Someone once referred to it as cowboy coffee, and that phrase has stuck with me.
Quote from: StringPicker6 on January 13, 2024, 11:40:42 AMI love black coffee. Someone once referred to it as cowboy coffee, and that phrase has stuck with me.
I always think of "cowboy coffee" as black coffee brewed up in an old-school percolator.
They have Dutch Bros out here in AZ. I know my brother likes it but I can't really enjoy coffee shop coffee Usually too acidic for me.
Lately, we get Lavaza because Costco has 2 lbs for $14 and it's a pretty nice coffee. Not like my old fave Kicking Horse but the horse got too expensive for me. So many of my purchasing habits changed during the pandemic.
Quote from: StringPicker6 on January 13, 2024, 11:40:42 AMI love black coffee. Someone once referred to it as cowboy coffee, and that phrase has stuck with me.
Black is best. It's the flavor and aroma of the coffee itself that stimulates me more than anything and I don't like that to be hidden by "stuff". That said, if I'm drinking coffee at night to get a project done, I'll take a little milk in it as my stomach doesn't like coffee at night.
Quote from: B0WIE on January 13, 2024, 11:56:23 AMNot like my old fave Kicking Horse but the horse got too expensive for me. So many of my purchasing habits changed during the pandemic.
Our HEB has one side of an aisle for about 60 feet of nothing but coffee.
They have Kicking Horse, which of course I did not know existed, cause I go straight for the Folgers or the HEB equivalent. If I wanted to experiment, I can get lot's of different kinds, many of which have been mentioned here. But I need to experiment about as much as I need a non-Larrivee guitar.
I use a splash of milk in a 16 ounce tumbler of coffee, though I did go through a phase this holiday season... adding cream, milk, lots of sugar and pancake syrup. Had lots of energy for about 5 hours.
Mike
Quote from: B0WIE on January 13, 2024, 11:56:23 AMThey have Dutch Bros out here in AZ. I know my brother likes it but I can't really enjoy coffee shop coffee Usually too acidic for me.
Lately, we get Lavaza because Costco has 2 lbs for $14 and it's a pretty nice coffee. Not like my old fave Kicking Horse but the horse got too expensive for me. So many of my purchasing habits changed during the pandemic.
It wasn't the pandemic that changed my purchasing habits, but for me it's just getting older. It bothers me (a lot) to pay $5 for a cup of coffee, especially one of those fancy ones that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth due to excess sugar. Nine out of ten times, I'd rather drink coffee at home, eat at home, etc. It's funny, my wife and I were just talking about stuff like this last night, how when we were younger it was almost like a punishment to eat at home, while going out was so much fun. These days I don't seem to want to get ready and go out. Not only too much money but too much trouble most times. I see now why it's the 18-35 demographic that mostly gets marketed to. I'm out of that age range and can't be sold things or experiences nearly as easily.
I just enjoyed a few cups of black coffee while playing my D09 this morning. My go to is San Francisco Bay French Roast from Costco. I just picked up 3lb bags for $12.99, normally $17.99. It's really good if you like dark roast. They are a local Bay Area roaster.
One of my best friends opened a coffee shop about 10 years ago in the Sierra Foothills. It's a tough business. You have to depend on high school and college age kids for affordable help, and California keeps raising the minimum wage which is killing small business. In the last couple years he got into roasting his own beans, and would like to sell his business and just sell beans.
He comes down to get his pickup truckload 50 lb sacks of beans in the Bay Area a few times a year. He always comes by and bring a few 12 oz bags of his roasted beans. It's good, but I prefer the SF Bay from Costco.
Quote from: Silence Dogood on January 13, 2024, 01:04:27 PMIt wasn't the pandemic that changed my purchasing habits, but for me it's just getting older. It bothers me (a lot) to pay $5 for a cup of coffee, especially one of those fancy ones that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth due to excess sugar. Nine out of ten times, I'd rather drink coffee at home, eat at home, etc. It's funny, my wife and I were just talking about stuff like this last night, how when we were younger it was almost like a punishment to eat at home, while going out was so much fun. These days I don't seem to want to get ready and go out. Not only too much money but too much trouble most times. I see now why it's the 18-35 demographic that mostly gets marketed to. I'm out of that age range and can't be sold things or experiences nearly as easily.
I hear you. I've always been frugal (or as my wife says, "cheap") but I'd rather have a NICE coffee at home that I actually enjoy and keep the extra $1,000 a year that I would have spent going to a coffee shop every morning. No disrespect to those who do it to get out. I totally get that.
The only way I can afford my nice guitars is by making sacrifices and shopping carefully. All my neighbors have cool cars. I'd much rather have my guitars than a car that looks great while sitting in traffic.
I believe that a person should be able to sit down and slowly savor and enjoy a coffee. I shake my head in sadness when I see someone blasting around with a giant $10 to-go coffee cup in their hands. Is that really having a coffee, or is it self medication of caffeine to fuel a maddeningly chaotic lifestyle?
Quote from: StringPicker6 on January 13, 2024, 08:33:45 PMI believe that a person should be able to sit down and slowly savor and enjoy a coffee. I shake my head in sadness when I see someone blasting around with a giant $10 to-go coffee cup in their hands. Is that really having a coffee, or is it self medication of caffeine to fuel a maddeningly chaotic lifestyle?
It seems like sometimes the coffee cup is more of an accessory than anything else.
I agree. Those coffee beans died in vain... :coffee
It's often a status symbol in these times to have a cup of pricey coffee in one hand, and a fancy phone in the other as the keys to some fancy vehicle dangle off one finger. I see this all the time. Though I do inwardly laugh at people being ridiculous, I often wonder how I am being just as ridiculous in some other way and don't see it...
:roll
Glad to see this still getting some posts 👍😀
I started drinking coffee when I was 16 years old. It was a very conscious decision. Part of that decision was that if I was going to drink it I wasn't going to mask the flavor of it with cream or sugar. Straight up. Black.
I used to take a thermos-full with me every day to work.
I suppose I don't drink quite as much coffee as I used to.
But that 1st cup in the morning sure does taste good to me even now though.
Sometimes late at night when I can't get to sleep, I will listen to Mississippi John Hurt. He has such a soothing voice. Sort of like a lullaby, I guess. His songs can lull me back to sleep.
Such a steady thumb as he picks his guitar.
And he has the kindest face.
This is "Coffee Blues".
(That may be a euphemism)
No one sings a story quite like Mississippi John!
When I first started drinking coffee in college back in the '70s there were the big 3 pounding their jingles into your brain on TV:
Maxwell House "Good to the last drop"
Folgers "Mountain grown for flavor"
Yuban "Richness worth a second cup"
Thank goodness you can easily buy fresh roasted beans these days!
https://youtu.be/MJ4kCF22O2w?si=_jRmI3Ch0hfyTxto
Black coffee is the best way to actually taste the coffee. But, man, a shot of whole cream in it is like a really pretty girl getting a bit prettier after being dolled up for a date. My opinion, of course.
:wave
Quote from: Silence Dogood on January 16, 2024, 01:54:07 PMBlack coffee is the best way to actually taste the coffee. But, man, a shot of whole cream in it is like a really pretty girl getting a bit prettier after being dolled up for a date. My opinion, of course.
:wave
And I don't disagree. Just that when I was a teenager, I figured if I didn't like the taste of black coffee, then what was the point so why drink it at all.
These days once in a while in the evening I'll pour a shot of Irish Cream in a mug of the leftover mornings coffee. Especially hoary nights like we're getting this month.
Quote from: Queequeg on January 16, 2024, 06:48:58 PMEspecially hoary nights like we're getting this month.
Yeah. Down here, our worst night will be tonight.
Of course, our worst cold weather is nowhere near yours.
We only got down to 19 last night. That is down in "never really gets that cold down here". Still have to worry about humidity and guitars. Doing good with that.
Mike
Quote from: Queequeg on January 16, 2024, 06:48:58 PMAnd I don't disagree. Just that when I was a teenager, I figured if I didn't like the taste of black coffee, then what was the point so why drink it at all.
These days once in a while in the evening I'll pour a shot of Irish Cream in a mug of the leftover mornings coffee. Especially hoary nights like we're getting this month.
I had a couple excellent cups of Tim H's medium roast with a splash of whole milk tonight. We were out of cream. Great stuff!
Quote from: mike in lytle on January 16, 2024, 07:48:38 PMYeah. Down here, our worst night will be tonight.
Of course, our worst cold weather is nowhere near yours.
We only got down to 19 last night. That is down in "never really gets that cold down here". Still have to worry about humidity and guitars. Doing good with that.
Mike
It's ZERO here in SE Michigan right now but it will rise to 17° later on this afternoon.
Quote from: Silence Dogood on January 16, 2024, 10:09:56 PMI had a couple excellent cups of Tim H's medium roast with a splash of whole milk tonight. We were out of cream. Great stuff!
Most folks won't drink coffee at night but it doesn't seem to keep me awake.
I've only had Tim Horton coffee in their :donut restaurants along the highways but it always gets high praise on this forum.
Quote from: Queequeg on January 17, 2024, 07:51:24 AMIt's ZERO here in SE Michigan right now but it will rise to 17° later on this afternoon.Most folks won't drink coffee at night but it doesn't seem to keep me awake.
I've only had Tim Horton coffee in their :donut restaurants along the highways but it always gets high praise on this forum.
Never seen a Tim H restaurant. Is that a Canadian thing? We just started getting their coffee in Texas.
Quote from: Silence Dogood on January 17, 2024, 08:17:59 AMNever seen a Tim H restaurant. Is that a Canadian thing? We just started getting their coffee in Texas.
Canadian, for sure, but they have expanded south of the border into New York, Ohio and Michigan with over 600 stores in the US.
Crazy to me that people can sleep after drinking coffee. I have to make sure I don't need to sleep within 5 hours because that's how long it'll keep me awake. But, I've known plenty of people, including my wife, who seem entirely unaffected.
Quote from: B0WIE on January 17, 2024, 10:00:32 AMCrazy to me that people can sleep after drinking coffee. I have to make sure I don't need to sleep within 5 hours because that's how long it'll keep me awake. But, I've known plenty of people, including my wife, who seem entirely unaffected.
I love a cup of coffee after dinner. It does not keep me up, but if I overdo it I might have to take a trip to the little room in the middle of the night.
:whistling:
Quote from: Queequeg on January 17, 2024, 09:16:12 AMCanadian, for sure, but they have expanded south of the border into New York, Ohio and Michigan with over 600 stores in the US.
I was listening to a podcast this week and someone referenced a Tim Horton's donut shop? I think he said he went to one up in Michigan ("up" for me, anyway). Does Tim H's have a donut franchise kind of like Dunkin? We have Dunkin around here and the donuts are not only great but the coffee is wonderful too. They even have espresso drinks (hot or cold).
I'm sure somewhere in this thread (not going to be back and look) we've discussed Dutch Bros. They have somewhat recently come to our area, and while the coffee isn't bad, it isn't great either. Not worth the price to me, but the younger folks around here really seem to enjoy it. I will say the place has a pretty cool vibe, the employees are very friendly, and it makes for a pleasant stop if nothing else. In our neighborhood there is a Dutch Bros just down the street from Starbucks and I'm pretty sure this has hurt SB's business. Cars are often wrapped around the building at DB, while I don't see this at the local SB.
I used to drop into SB occasionally and get a chai tea for my wife, but a couple years ago I noticed the SB employees wearing company-made t-shirts with in-your-face (in mine, anyway) political statements on them. That is when I decided they had gone beyond the realm of selling me coffee and into the realm of preaching to me. At that point they no longer needed my money. They seem to have gotten on fine without it, and I've gotten on fine sans their coffee. So life goes on.
:wave
Quote from: Silence Dogood on January 20, 2024, 08:55:59 AMI was listening to a podcast this week and someone referenced a Tim Horton's donut shop? I think he said he went to one up in Michigan ("up" for me, anyway). Does Tim H's have a donut franchise kind of like Dunkin? We have Dunkin around here and the donuts are not only great but the coffee is wonderful too. They even have espresso drinks (hot or cold).
:wave
I think of Tim Hortons' stores as donut shops although they sell more than that I guess. Very similar to Dunkin which doesn't like to be called Dunkin Donuts any more or so I've read.
I buy Starbucks on occasion and I don't care what they wear on their shirts. Most of their staff have purple hair or they're pretty well inked up on their arms.
When I was their age it was long hair, tie dye and bell bottoms.
It's a rite of passage I guess, and one day their gen will be pushing the levers of power.
Working a food service job like that is good for them and will be a formative part of their young adulthood as they age and get some gray hair and the accompanying wisdom.
It's gonna cost them though, if they want to make that ink go away.
😁
One thing I will say about Starbucks- if I ever go, I just get a black coffee, and it tastes pretty darn amazing. It is impressive black coffee.
Quote from: StringPicker6 on January 21, 2024, 07:41:00 AMOne thing I will say about Starbucks- if I ever go, I just get a black coffee, and it tastes pretty darn amazing. It is impressive black coffee.
I agree that SB has great coffee. They didn't get that big by selling crummy coffee.
I'll be careful not to offend anyone and just say, if you think Starbucks black coffee tastes good, get yourself a coffee grinder and buy just about any coffee that comes in whole-bean at the store. You might develop a very different perspective.
Quote from: B0WIE on January 21, 2024, 12:56:45 PMI'll be careful not to offend anyone and just say, if you think Starbucks black coffee tastes good, get yourself a coffee grinder and buy just about any coffee that comes in whole-bean at the store. You might develop a very different perspective.
No offense taken.
Was a time a long time ago, I had a grinder.
Not to say Starbucks is the best but I enjoy the flavor as a change from what I brew at home (which you might not like at all).
I buy Costco Colombian.
I'd be the first to admit I'm no coffee connoisseur.
Quote from: Queequeg on January 21, 2024, 07:11:00 PMNo offense taken.
Was a time a long time ago, I had a grinder.
Not to say Starbucks is the best but I enjoy the flavor as a change from what I brew at home (which you might not like at all).
I buy Costco Colombian.
I'd be the first to admit I'm no coffee connoisseur.
That's stuff is quite good for the cost. I find some of their house brands to be at least as good as the name brands they sit next to (supplements, liquors, coffee, etc). I still maintain that their fresh pizza is cardboard with foam stuffing on it though... :roll
Colombian roast is my favorite kind of coffee. Tim H's mediums tastes like a good Colombian to me. Community Coffee out of Louisiana also makes a really good one. I drank that for a lot years. Drank Eight O'Clock for a lot of years too. Lots of choices!
Mrs. Q. has been instructed by her doctor to only drink decaf if she's going to drink coffee.
I don't know about the rest of the planet but decaf is really hard to find around here the past few months.
I went into Aldis today and bought a can of this Beaumont Classic Decaf - never heard of it- and I haven't opened it up yet but how could I resist when I find "serving suggestion" printed at the bottom of the can along with a picture? (Plus, it's the only thing I could find for her.)
You know, try pouring it into a cup. :bgrin:
Why didn't I think of that?
Why didn't I think of this?? All these years I've been drinking coffee from a dinner plate! :roll
Back in the day some people drank coffee from a saucer. If you've ever heard the phrase "saucer'd and blow'd," that's where it comes from.
Quote from: Silence Dogood on February 23, 2024, 02:39:35 PMBack in the day some people drank coffee from a saucer. If you've ever heard the phrase "saucer'd and blow'd," that's where it comes from.
Can't say that I'm familiar with that expression. How is it used or in what context?
Quote from: Queequeg on February 24, 2024, 10:41:34 AMCan't say that I'm familiar with that expression. How is it used or in what context?
It's mostly a cowboy / country expression, and possibly a Texas thing. It means something is "ready." When the coffee is "saucer'd" (poured) and "blow'd" (cooled down), it's ready to drink.
I'm in AZ but it's a new one to me.
Quote from: Silence Dogood on February 24, 2024, 11:17:10 AMIt's mostly a cowboy / country expression, and possibly a Texas thing. It means something is "ready." When the coffee is "saucer'd" (poured) and "blow'd" (cooled down), it's ready to drink.
Thanks.
I'm always fascinated by those colloquialisms and their origins.
In Sweden, (my Mom is from Sweden), old men on the park benches used to drink "penny coffee". They fill a cup halfway with strong black coffee, put their version of a penny in the cup, and then fill the rest of the cup with vodka until you can see the penny at the bottom. Hey, it gets cold and dark up there!
Wife and I went on a double date last night and ended the evening with our friends at a local coffee shop. We drove by a Starbucks and a Dutch Bros to get there.
:wave
I had a really wonderful drink: 4 shots of espresso, ice, and whole cream. It was glorious. We sat there long enough for me to have two.
Word on the street is that we are going to get a Tim Horton's coffee shop in the Fort Worth area pretty soon. I'm excited about this!
I was in my local Walmart Market (smaller than the big box stores and more like a local grocery store) not long ago and found some coffee on closeout from Fire Grounds Coffee Co. https://firegroundscoffeecompany.com/
I got the medium roast and it was pretty good. I'm back on Tim Horton's now, though...
:nanadance
After using a Japanese pour-over for years, my wife decided on a Mr Coffee late maker, which I hated. Coffee didn't taste nearly as good. It broke in 9 months so I opened it up and replaced the thermostat, and it broke again in weeks. We replaced it with a Ninja coffee maker, which I wanted to hate because Ninja brand makes me think of gimmicks and plastic. But, I can't lie, this thing is incredibly good.
It gets the temp right and showers the grounds evenly so you get an incredibly rich brew. We used to re-brew coffee 3x with our old maker but this one gets all the flavor on the first brew, and only needs about 1/3 the grounds. Our coffee is so flavorful now we're debating getting into roasting our own beans.
I've been using a Ninja for a few years. It is gimmicky but a decent machine for sure.
Saturday morning finds me thoroughly enjoying a cup of Tim Horton's original brewed in my Ninja. Could there ever be a better old school cup of coffee than this?
:tongue:
I've been to New Orleans twice in my life, and in that place of magic and music I've enjoyed the Chikory coffee served at Cafe du Monde. I've bought some of their coffee online and enjoyed it at home. However, chicory coffee has such a unique taste that I think it belongs in New Orleans, and not in the Pennsylvania suburbs, so I don't buy it anymore.
Quote from: StringPicker6 on September 09, 2024, 06:10:30 AMI've been to New Orleans twice in my life, and in that place of magic and music I've enjoyed the Chikory coffee served at Cafe du Monde. I've bought some of their coffee online and enjoyed it at home. However, chicory coffee has such a unique taste that I think it belongs in New Orleans, and not in the Pennsylvania suburbs, so I don't buy it anymore.
I was introduced to chicory coffee at Cafe DuMond in NOLA 10 years ago. We did the same as you for a while, but then realized we're not going to visit there very often so I've been buying bulk chicory and we add some to our coffee here or there, or I'll make chicory with chocolate if it's near bed and I want a warm drink.
Chaga is another thing I LOVE to add. Some people will harvest it and sell big chunks of the spores (or whatever type of fungus they are) on ebay. It's like a chunk of wood and the coffee grinder takes off just a tiny bit as it grinds the beans, which is just enough. Chaga is more subtle and adds a rich, uplifting sort of quality. Some claim it has wild health benefits. I'm not sure, but I do know it puts me in a really positive mood.
We occasionally make beignets too. Trouble is, when you go through the hassle you want to make a decent amount, but then it's just the two of us (read; mostly me) having to eat an entire batch of beignets.
Quote from: B0WIE on September 09, 2024, 07:14:49 AM...but then it's just the two of us (read; mostly me) having to eat an entire batch of beignets.
I'm failing to see why this is a problem!
:humour:
I like Cafe Du Monde chickory but haven't had it in a long time. I had a factory job once about 20 yrs ago and one of the guys in my dept got me into it. I love it with heavy cream and a little sugar. Oddly enough, that's the only coffee I like with sugar added to it.
Interesting info about chaga. I just read up on it a bit, sounds very interesting and I may need to try that.
Quote from: StringPicker6 on September 09, 2024, 01:18:02 PMInteresting info about chaga. I just read up on it a bit, sounds very interesting and I may need to try that.
If you do, let me know what you think. A LOT of supplements, drinks, beverages, etc claim to feature chaga these days but they typically use next to nothing. Getting the actual mushroom/spore has been a different experience for me and it just happens to go really well with coffee. It reminds me of truffle oil in a rich sauce or saffron in rice, one of those unique tasting enhancers that really elevates the whole thing but isn't conspicuous. It's subtle.
Well, it's 5:57am and I'm currently brewing some coffee with chaga. I was able to find it at Whole Foods (AKA "whole paycheck"). I'm looking forward to trying this!
I'm liking the chaga mushroom powder a lot!
Quote from: StringPicker6 on September 15, 2024, 04:25:00 PMI'm liking the chaga mushroom powder a lot!
Cool to hear! How does it strike you? Or, do you find yourself having a hard time describing it like I do?
It's a nice added flavor that's mild but satisfying. I can't really explain it, either, but I've been drinking it for a week and it's nice!
A friend gave me a bag of some mushroom "coffee" and I couldn't even muster up the will to try it. The whole idea just seemed too strange to me. I should've at least tried one cup.
I just mixed a spoonful of the mushroom powder into the coffee grinds. It adds a nice mild flavor.
Quote from: Silence Dogood on September 15, 2024, 09:25:45 PMA friend gave me a bag of some mushroom "coffee" and I couldn't even muster up the will to try it. The whole idea just seemed too strange to me. I should've at least tried one cup.
I thought the same until I thought about how drinking juice from rotting leaves (tea) and pits (coffee "beans") is normalized, then mushrooms made a lot more sense.
Quote from: B0WIE on September 16, 2024, 04:16:49 AMI thought the same until I thought about how drinking juice from rotting leaves (tea) and pits (coffee "beans") is normalized, then mushrooms made a lot more sense.
That makes sense! Lots of the stuff we eat and drink is like this, but our consumption has been so far removed from the process that there is a serious mental disconnect. As an example, packaged meat in the supermarket. We have all gotten so used to unwrapping it and cooking it up that it's easy to forget that it's part of a dead (not just dead but slaughtered) animal. I wonder how many people would still eat meat if they had to kill their own food? Even though I grew up in the country and hunted and fished all through my boyhood, that's been many years ago and it would take me a while to get used to it again. I sometimes wonder if I'd even be able to.
Just got back last night from a week vacation in the California Sierra foothills. We were staying with my wife's sister and husband and they only had a Keurig so we brought up some K-Cups. They are OK, 8but I much prefer fresh grounds, and ground some San Francisco Bay French Roast this morning. It's the local roast that Costco sells here in the Bay Area. Strong, dark and full flavored. :coffee :coffee
Quote from: Silence Dogood on September 21, 2024, 08:29:16 AMThat makes sense! Lots of the stuff we eat and drink is like this, but our consumption has been so far removed from the process that there is a serious mental disconnect. As an example, packaged meat in the supermarket. We have all gotten so used to unwrapping it and cooking it up that it's easy to forget that it's part of a dead (not just dead but slaughtered) animal. I wonder how many people would still eat meat if they had to kill their own food? Even though I grew up in the country and hunted and fished all through my boyhood, that's been many years ago and it would take me a while to get used to it again. I sometimes wonder if I'd even be able to.
That's something I think about a lot. I'm super-compassionate toward animals but I cannot maintain health eating veg/vegan (I've tried). So, I only buy meats that have been either free range or naturally caught. Same for my pets' food. My wife doesn't really care but she respects my wishes on this one. For me, it's not so much the animal dying (animals eat each other all the time) but I want it to be able to walk around and live semi-normally while it's raised, giving eggs, milk, etc.
Quote from: 247hoopsfan on September 21, 2024, 12:36:54 PMJust got back last night from a week vacation in the California Sierra foothills. We were staying with my wife's sister and husband and they only had a Keurig so we brought up some K-Cups. They are OK, 8but I much prefer fresh grounds, and ground some San Francisco Bay French Roast this morning. It's the local roast that Costco sells here in the Bay Area. Strong, dark and full flavored. :coffee :coffee
Same. The cups remind me of being traveling so the flavors sometimes bring about good memories, but at home nothing beats fresh ground. I'm actually about to head to costco right now to get more coffee. That SF Bay French actually makes it's way to my local costco here in Phoenix and it's pretty nice. We've been hooked on the Lavazza Espresso lately, though seeing it go up 1/3 in price in 2 years is painful. :(
Can't believe I started this thread 13 years ago! Where has 13 years gone?
I guess coffee really DOES keep you awake!
I have been REALLY into coffee lately. I think I'm going through metabolic changes or something because, in the last 3 months after being in an auto accident, I've lost my sweet-tooth, coffee dramatically elevates my mood and energy, and I'm back to fasting in the morning (skipping b-fast and having lunch late). Maybe my body is regulating recovery or something but I used to drink half a cup per day. Now, it's about 3 cups.
Bowie, so osorry to hear about your accident, hope you are OK.
Did you end up selling your Brazilian Flying Eagle? I just put a set of EXP mediums on my D10 after having Elixirs on it for a while Wow does that thing sing, and the overtones are amazing.
It's 3:00am and I drink at least 3 cups/day, so ya think there might be some connection? :whistling:
I am not all that particular about the brew as long as it's bold and fresh. If it's been sitting on the warmer for hours I don't want that. It just tastes burnt to me.
Black coffee; no cream, no sugar.
In a nice mug. I don't like those porcelain China cups. :yak:
I was driving around over the weekend with a friend and saw the SBUX sign and suddenly an espresso sounded really good. I'd not been there in years and ended up getting one of those caramel drinks on ice. It was great, but for the price I don't see how people stop there daily.
I don't do sugar in black coffee but don't mind sweetening up an espresso drink now and then.
Starbucks does make tasty coffee. I just don't go there because I don't really like the company.
Quote from: StringPicker6 on October 22, 2024, 10:45:35 AMStarbucks does make tasty coffee. I just don't go there because I don't really like the company.
I feel the same about the company. Not a fan but I wanted some espresso and they had some.
Quote from: StringPicker6 on October 22, 2024, 10:45:35 AMStarbucks does make tasty coffee. I just don't go there because I don't really like the company.
They've been going through some changes. No idea where they'll come out or land.
Inflation has negatively impacted their store traffic. Boycotts, strikes, union activity, new CEO. Their stock is down about 25% since 2021.
I generally only go there when I'm in the airport (which is less often these days). And then it's just plain black coffee.
Why people will pay $8 or $10 for a drink is beyond me. :? But to each his/her own.
I haven't followed the saga of SBUX closely and don't know what's happening there.
I used to be hung up on trying to find companies that shared my values, but not so much anymore since that's gotten almost impossible anyway. If a company is openly anti to what I believe in, I'll try and avoid them. But if I need (or just really want) their product or service, then that's just the world we live in and life goes on.
When I began to see the "fight" I was in went pretty much unnoticed and was waged almost solely in my own head, it all began to seem a little silly. The world is going the way it's going, whether I like it or not.
I also noticed something else and this pertains to coffee directly. Lots of coffee sold in my local stores claims to be "veteran-owned." Ok. But dig a bit deeper and you'll sometimes find it's not as small town/apple pie as you might think either. It also dawned on me one day that I don't owe any company my business just because the owners once served in the military.
Quote from: 247hoopsfan on October 22, 2024, 01:24:55 AMBowie, so osorry to hear about your accident, hope you are OK.
Did you end up selling your Brazilian Flying Eagle?
Yes, it got traded for an almost new SCGC. The Eagle was truly amazing but I just don't play 14 fret guitars anymore. 12 fretters don't agitate my neck as much. Really hated letting that one go but the trade was for a guitar worth more than twice what I paid so... I can't complain.
Thanks for the kind words. The accident was "minor" but I did get whiplash so it aggravated my neck and set back the progress I was making. I'm working hard to get it back though. I could do almost nothing for the first two months and I started to lose my mind (I can't just sit around) so I'm powering through now.
Quote from: StringPicker6 on October 22, 2024, 10:45:35 AMStarbucks does make tasty coffee. I just don't go there because I don't really like the company.
I just drink black coffee so *bucks tastes awful to me. It has a scorched flavor. No one goes there for that though (I know because the girls at the register struggle to find the "black" option on the keypad). I never understood the appeal of $6 coffee but I think it's like everything else now; if you put enough sugar and fat in something people love it.
[/quote]
Quote from: Queequeg on October 22, 2024, 03:49:35 AMBlack coffee; no cream, no sugar.
In a nice mug. I don't like those porcelain China cups. :yak:
The mug is so important! I actually grab a mug to match my mood (same as my clothes for the day). This is my go-to. A square, hand-made ceramic I got from a historic restaurant in Sedona AZ that the movie stars like John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart went to when they filmed old westerns there. I don't really care about all that, I just like the turtles.
Quote from: B0WIE on October 22, 2024, 04:34:47 PMThe mug is so important! I actually grab a mug to match my mood (same as my clothes for the day). This is my go-to. A square, hand-made ceramic I got from a historic restaurant in Sedona AZ that the movie stars like John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart went to when they filmed old westerns there. I don't really care about all that, I just like the turtles.
Hand-made by fellow Larrivee forumite Bernie Naboz.
Quote from: StringPicker6 on October 22, 2024, 10:45:35 AMStarbucks does make tasty coffee. I just don't go there because I don't really like the company.
in the news this morning...
A preliminary earnings report Tuesday revealed yet another quarter of falling sales at Starbucks — its third in a row. The drop was especially steep in the US, where sales fell 10%; and in China, where they were down 14%. Basically, demand hasn't been this low since the first year of the pandemic.
The numbers were so ugly that Starbucks took the uncommon step of suspending its financial guidance for the rest of the year — a move that should, in theory, give the new boss time to figure out a plan.
Brian Niccol took the reins last month, leaving the top job at Chipotle to become Starbucks' third CEO in three years. But even for Niccol, the guy known throughout the industry as something of a savior to spiraling companies, this is going to be a Herculean task.
So far, Niccol has said he wants to simplify the menus, improve staffing levels and he may even — please, for the love of God — put the milk and sugar out from behind the counter.
"We need to fundamentally change our strategy so we can get back to growth," he said. "People love Starbucks, but I've heard from some customers that we've drifted from our core."
In short: Bring back the chill community coffee shop vibe from the '90s. And maybe stop trying to make us drink olive oil.(I don't know/understand about the "olive oil" statement)
I just stopped by my local dollar store to get some stuff and grabbed a SBUX cold drink while in there. That's two SBUX purchases for me in under a week, with many years between my last purchases. I'm not the regular customer they are looking for.
I don't understand the olive oil reference either. My opinion is that they got too in-your-face politically post-covid/G. Floyd era. My wife and I went to a SBUX drive-thru around that time and I noticed the employees wearing SBUX-branded BLM t-shirts. That was a big turnoff to me and one of the reasons I stopped going there. I'm sure many other Americans felt the same and took their dollars to Dutch Bros, Dunkin, et al.
Later on the SBUX employees took the next logical step in the power-to-the-people evolution and wanted to organize. It seems SBUX upper management wanted to virtue signal but pull the plug when the time came to put up or shut up. Can't have it both ways. I feel bad for the employees but SBUX corporate is getting what they deserve IMO.
Quote from: Silence Dogood on October 25, 2024, 12:53:27 PMI just stopped by my local dollar store to get some stuff and grabbed a SBUX cold drink while in there. That's two SBUX purchases for me in under a week, with many years between my last purchases. I'm not the regular customer they are looking for.
I don't understand the olive oil reference either. My opinion is that they got too in-your-face politically post-covid/G. Floyd era. My wife and I went to a SBUX drive-thru around that time and I noticed the employees wearing SBUX-branded BLM t-shirts. That was a big turnoff to me and one of the reasons I stopped going there. I'm sure many other Americans felt the same and took their dollars to Dutch Bros, Dunkin, et al.
Later on the SBUX employees took the next logical step in the power-to-the-people evolution and wanted to organize. It seems SBUX upper management wanted to virtue signal but pull the plug when the time came to put up or shut up. Can't have it both ways. I feel bad for the employees but SBUX corporate is getting what they deserve IMO.
I don't go there often enough to know what their politics are.
What little I know about them comes from the business and financial pages.
A very high profile corner location in the heart of downtown in my city recently closed down the Starbucks store.
Might have been union-related, but it is a very high rent district. Anytime I went in or walked by, they appeared to be busy.
:cop: Religion, :cop: politics :cop: , what the heck huh?
We don't need no stinkin' rules, carry on. :whistling:
Quote from: Queequeg on October 25, 2024, 11:27:38 AMHand-made by fellow Larrivee forumite Bernie Naboz.
Very nice!
Regarding the *bucks situation, they're learning the hard lesson many companies learned in recent years, if you "take a side", you lose the other side. I can't help but smirk at the, "We just have to become cool again" idea. Good luck with that. They have been been synonymous with corporate America for so long that they can't erase that image. I don't think that's even their issue. I believe it's the fact that people do away with luxuries in an down economy.
I just think their logo looks dumb. :coffee :gotdonuts:
Quote from: Rockysdad on October 25, 2024, 04:35:03 PM:cop: Religion, :cop: politics :cop: , what the heck huh?
We don't need no stinkin' rules, carry on. :whistling:
I did not post a political opinion one way or the other. I pointed out that SBUX did and them doing so was a turnoff to me. I didn't say I agreed or disagreed with their position, but that it was off-putting. I find all political opinions, whether by companies or musicians from a stage, off-putting, even if I agree with them. I just don't think it's the place for such things. SBUX apparently does.
Around the time I'm referencing there was a story (or maybe more than one, I don't follow news closely) of a SBUX manager asking police to leave their store because it was making some customers nervous. These same people would have called the same cops to protect them or their property if it was in danger, and been absolutely outraged and played the victim if the cops had not helped them. It seems like SBUX corporate had to walk this one back and do some damage-control because it rubbed so many people the wrong way.
My point is, SBUX got too heavy-handed and too morally superior at some point and went well beyond their mission, which was selling coffee, not re-educating the populace with their particular elitist worldview. This is a shame because their coffee is great! SBUX is what got me into espresso and the world of higher-end beans, etc. It was a fun time when all they did was sell coffee.
Quote from: Queequeg on October 25, 2024, 11:31:28 AMSo far, Niccol has said he wants to simplify the menus, improve staffing levels and he may even — please, for the love of God — put the milk and sugar out from behind the counter.
"We need to fundamentally change our strategy so we can get back to growth," he said. "People love Starbucks, but I've heard from some customers that we've drifted from our core."
In short: Bring back the chill community coffee shop vibe from the '90s. And maybe stop trying to make us drink olive oil.
Hi folks. I've seen this tread from time to time but never chipped in, maybe now's the time.
My SBucks POV is that I recall it used to be cool maybe 15 years ago where I have vivid memories of biking to my favorite one, and hanging out on their WiFi with my laptop for an hour or two nursing a plain grande coffee. This one wasn't large so there would be competition for the 40 or so seats. Starbucks had stumbled on the "3rd place" concept where folks longed for somewhere to hang out that wasn't home or office.
Oh so gradually I started to notice the line of cars wrapping around the building filled with drivers who would rather sit in their car than walk in and order. Eventually the barristas would prioritize their orders over mine but by then I learned the tactic of ordering a simple black coffee which the barrista would pour without having me wait.
Fast forward 15 years and they've redecorated the interior to resemble a dated Baskin and Robbins ice cream parlor - cheery white and pastels with hard surfaces easier to clean, far from the dark wood "club/library" vibe they used to have. The line of cars is still there but the place is half empty and depressing. Swear to god, I'm not exaggerating but the barrista's all act like their entire family is being held hostage. Every transaction is grudging and apparently everyone there is toasted on pot gummies just to get thru their shift.
That I continue to forget they no longer offer milk and sweetener so I can flavor to my taste is my biggest aggravation. Covid was 2 years ago, but Starbucks still hasn't gotten the memo.
Starbucks is now a coffee sodashop a long distance away from their former focus on actual quality single origin and custom blend coffee. They've given up on offering a variety of bagged bean coffees as there's only a sad meager offering of some vague blend with marketing names and cutesy graphics. I'm skeptical the new CEO can put the genie back in the bottle here, because we're all moved on. The "3rd place" is now the phone screen everyone one stares at during every idle moment. :coffee :yak:
I was in a different shop the other day than I regularly shop in and needed some coffee. So instead of my regular Tim Horton's, I ended up with some Community Coffee Colombian Blend. I used to drink this years ago and still like it a lot. In fact, it was Community Coffee in the old freeze-dried bricks back in the day that made me a regular coffee drinker. That was back when coffee was still sold in 1-pound bags, rather than the ubiquitous 12 oz. bags now. I still think the Tim Horton's medium roast is a little better, but if all there was available was Community Coffee I'd be fine.
I'm home for the holidays for a couple weeks (great head cold that showed up just in time too) and decided I'd make some espresso. I broke out my old Bialetti stovetop espresso perk. It makes really a really excellent shot. I've got an old-school milk-frother to foam up the milk and make myself some great homemade cappuccino.
Trying Kent Rollin's "Cowboy Coffee" as I type this. Very smooth without being flat. Nice bit of roast w/o the burn and bitterness you get in a lot of popular coffees (Starbucks). Got this for my wife because she loves his YouTube videos. Kent is an old-school chuck-wagon cook that posts videos on how you make traditional favorites. If you haven't heard of him I'd enter his name into youtube. Very cool guy.
Quote from: B0WIE on December 23, 2024, 04:52:27 PMTrying Kent Rollin's "Cowboy Coffee" as I type this. Very smooth without being flat. Nice bit of roast w/o the burn and bitterness you get in a lot of popular coffees (Starbucks). Got this for my wife because she loves his YouTube videos. Kent is an old-school chuck-wagon cook that posts videos on how you make traditional favorites. If you haven't heard of him I'd enter his name into youtube. Very cool guy.
I've seen him on YT but have not tried his coffee.
For many years I made stovetop perk coffee and loved it (my friends always called it Cowboy Coffee). My old perk had been hot and cold so many times that it ended up warping and changing shape, so the lid would not fit correctly anymore and made a huge mess when on the boil. I tried replacing it, and maybe now there are some better ones on the market, but all I could find was flimsy junk with a plastic! window/bulb at the top. Just terrible stuff!
Here is something you coffee nuts might enjoy:
http://guardianserviceware.blogspot.com/2010/06/guardian-coffee.html
My wife has one of these old setups from Guardian. She inherited her set of Guardian cookware from her grandmother. It's cool stuff and works great. The coffee pot in particular is really something. It makes the absolute best pot of coffee I've ever tasted.
The other day I was in my local Dollar General and remembered I was low on coffee. I grabbed a bag of Dunkin and noticed the price as $10.50! And this in a discount store! I just couldn't do it. Out of curiosity I grabbed a plastic tin of Folgers Colombian for around $6. While it's not the finest coffee I've ever tasted, it's not bad. I've noticed that if I make it really strong and mix it with some whole milk, I get a pretty tasty and bold cup. YMMV.
I'm enjoying a cup of good coffee from my buddy's cafe. It's in a little town called Diamond Springs, CA. He used to live near us in the San Francisco Bay Area for many years. He's my crazy Italian friend, loud and uses his hands when talking! He's really into coffee, and buys directly from an importer down in the Bay Area and does his own roasting. He comes every couple of months to pick up raw beans and always comes by for a visit. He usually brings down a bag of freshly roasted beans, and my wife make a great breakfast. Good deal for both of us.
Here's a link to his charming shop in the Sierra foothills. Stop by if you're ever in the area near Placerville.
https://caffesantoro.com/about
We recently started shopping at Costco and I got one of those massive tins of their Colombian blend. It's great and way cheaper than Tim Horton's. I've found a new favorite.
Been wanting to try some new coffees but Costco keeps putting Lavazza on sale every couple months so it's hard to justify buying anything else. It's such a flavorful, high-quality coffee that never bothers my stomach.
Quote from: B0WIE on January 24, 2025, 02:30:37 AMBeen wanting to try some new coffees but Costco keeps putting Lavazza on sale every couple months so it's hard to justify buying anything else. It's such a flavorful, high-quality coffee that never bothers my stomach.
I am way late to the Costco party but am loving shopping there. I will say that I've noticed a very real culture and vibe to the place, at least where I live. Everyone in there is in a damn big hurry, and all seem to be wearing a game-face. It's like a race or some kind of competitive event to shop there. My wife and me like to stroll and treat a shopping trip like a date. We feel like we are in the way a lot there.
Contrast that with the local super mega Walmart where everyone looks like they are at a funeral. Talk about a dismal place.
And contrast all this with our local Whole Foods, where most folks act like they are staring in their own documentary. Funny stuff all!
And contrast all this with our local Whole Foods, where most folks act like they are staring in their own documentary. Funny stuff all![/quote]
Accurate lol! :roll
Quote from: Silence Dogood on January 24, 2025, 08:24:24 AMI am way late to the Costco party but am loving shopping there. I will say that I've noticed a very real culture and vibe to the place, at least where I live. Everyone in there is in a damn big hurry, and all seem to be wearing a game-face. It's like a race or some kind of competitive event to shop there. My wife and me like to stroll and treat a shopping trip like a date. We feel like we are in the way a lot there.
Contrast that with the local super mega Walmart where everyone looks like they are at a funeral. Talk about a dismal place.
And contrast all this with our local Whole Foods, where most folks act like they are staring in their own documentary. Funny stuff all!
My local Costco used to be like that and I HATED it. But, since the pandemic, it's pretty much the only place I'll go to get groceries because the atmosphere is really chill now. If someone swings their cart out in front of you or is blocking the aisle, they quickly apologize. That never used to happen. I don't think I save any money vs getting stuff on sale at the Kroger owned grocery stores, but I like that I can take care of everything from shoes to motor oil, to food. My wife orders half the groceries from Walmart (I can't shop there w/o getting an anxiety trigger) and they deliver them. The things that need to be hand selected (veg, fruit, meat) I get at Costco.
At Whole Foods, I hate having to decide what other purchases I'm going to sacrifice just to get a few oranges. Costco has really gotten good about giving a lot of clean/organic options, which is why I no longer use Whole Foods. And, the shoppers at the local Paradise Valley/Scottsdale Whole Foods are insufferable. Some of them probably are in their own doc as the parking lot looks like a Mercedes dealership. This is down the road from where Stevie Nicks, Ron Howard, and Mike Tyson have homes. Those of us who aren't wealthy are at the Costco. Sometimes in our pajamas.
Quote from: B0WIE on January 25, 2025, 02:25:05 AMMy local Costco used to be like that and I HATED it. But, since the pandemic, it's pretty much the only place I'll go to get groceries because the atmosphere is really chill now. If someone swings their cart out in front of you or is blocking the aisle, they quickly apologize. That never used to happen. I don't think I save any money vs getting stuff on sale at the Kroger owned grocery stores, but I like that I can take care of everything from shoes to motor oil, to shoes, to food. My wife orders half the groceries from Walmart (I can't shop there w/o getting an anxiety trigger) and they deliver them. The things that need to be hand selected (veg, fruit, meat) I get at Costco.
At Whole Foods, I hate having to decide what other purchases I'm going to sacrifice just to get a few oranges. Costco has really gotten good about giving a lot of clean/organic options, which is why I no longer use Whole Foods. And, the shoppers at the local Paradise Valley/Scottsdale Whole Foods are insufferable. Some of them probably are in their own doc as the parking lot looks like a Mercedes dealership. This is down the road from where Stevie Nicks, Ron Howard, and Mike Tyson have homes. Those of us who aren't wealthy are at the Costco. Sometimes in our pajamas.
Great post, and a fun peek into the grocery store culture where you live. Last time we were in Costco I asked the check-out lady if it's always like a roller derby in there. She said yes, but there is apparently a two-hour or so window daily where it dies down, and then it goes nuts again.
Our Costco is in a town called Southlake which is smack in the middle of Dallas/Fort Worth. Southlake and the little towns surrounding it are the Beverly Hills of DFW. Lots of rich folks and a sea of multi-million-dollar homes that seem to go on endlessly. But still I can't help but laugh because Costco is fundamentally a big-box discount store and many folks act like they are in Brooks Bros.
I have put the pen to many items in Costco and it saves us a lot of money vs buying at WM, et al. The annual membership fee will keep most folks out of Costco. Lucky for me my company gets me a discount or I'd not have one either.
The Whole Foods closest to me is in Arlington, just across the street from the original Guitar Center in our area (I bought my first acoustic guitar there in 1993). There will be some normal, everyday folk in there shopping for groceries, but there is always a large crowd of types that lean into various extremes: there are the barely-clothed workout girls buying avocados and wheat grass juice, the tatted-out activist types furiously reading labels, and the obviously well-to-do business types buying gourmet dog food and getting their nightly dinner off the olive bar. What you won't see in there are very many children as families can't really afford to shop there. I go in there a few times a year for specialty items (they've got a killer ice cream section).
One time years ago I was in there with my wife and there was some Mennonite-type lady behind us, denim dress to the floor, hair down past the waist. She had a troop of little girls that were identical clones of her in various ages standing quietly behind her. In the time it took to get our groceries checked out, she lectured us on childhood vaccines, the poison in foods, and was ready to get into all sorts of theories on this or that -- all without us even asking.
:wave
The Walmart mega-store closest to me is a stone's throw away from the DFW airport. It must've been some time last year when I was in there and saw a fellow about 6'5", dressed in shabby bed clothes, and smoking a joint while he shopped. No one said a word to him.
Quote from: Silence Dogood on January 25, 2025, 10:24:17 AMI have put the pen to many items in Costco and it saves us a lot of money vs buying at WM, et al. The annual membership fee will keep most folks out of Costco. Lucky for me my company gets me a discount or I'd not have one either.
Costco's price on gasoline alone pays for my annual membership fee, which is typically $.015-$.020/gal lower than other stations around town. And then the year end rebate pays an additional 5% on gasoline purchased at Costco. At today's price that's almost an additional $.15/gal cash back for the year's gasoline.
I'll have to try the Lavazza coffee there. I've been drinking the Kirkland Columbian for years now.
Yeah Costco was amazing! Much better selection of coffee than Sam's. But alas, I know live in rural OK and must drive 35 miles to get to the closest Sam's. I can relate to the Whole Foods comments as we would occasionally visit when we lived near the fancy smancy area in OKC...we humans are truly a mess! :wacko:
Quote from: Queequeg on January 25, 2025, 12:58:29 PMI'll have to try the Lavazza coffee there. I've been drinking the Kirkland Columbian for years now.
Lavazza is very flavorful. A type of pleasant bitterness that's really nice with a meal. None of the burnt flavor I detect in many dark roasts (particularly Starbucks). They have an espresso but the standard type that they carry at Costco is sort of an espresso-flavor but you can drink a mug full without having to be hospitalized.
I've noticed the Lavazza at Costco. The only trouble with buying coffee there is that if you don't like it, you're stuck with a bucket of the stuff.
I agree about SBUX dark coffees having a burnt taste. I've got a plain old cup of coffee there on plenty of occasions that was simply undrinkable. Their espresso is wonderful, but I don't understand how they ever got a business like that off the ground serving regular black coffee that tastes like paint.
Quote from: Silence Dogood on January 29, 2025, 09:53:34 AMI've noticed the Lavazza at Costco. The only trouble with buying coffee there is that if you don't like it, you're stuck with a bucket of the stuff.
I agree about SBUX dark coffees having a burnt taste. I've got a plain old cup of coffee there on plenty of occasions that was simply undrinkable. Their espresso is wonderful, but I don't understand how they ever got a business like that off the ground serving regular black coffee that tastes like paint.
Possibly opinions vary. :roll
Quote from: Silence Dogood on January 29, 2025, 09:53:34 AMI agree about SBUX dark coffees having a burnt taste. I've got a plain old cup of coffee there on plenty of occasions that was simply undrinkable. Their espresso is wonderful, but I don't understand how they ever got a business like that off the ground serving regular black coffee that tastes like paint.
I feel it's food addiction. Sugar and fat are very powerful. I can't imagine anyone ever went into Starbucks for the first time and admired their black coffee. But, a "coffee" with lots of fat and sugar is kind of hard to mess up. People aren't actually buying the coffee, they're buying the addictive part; a drink that has been loaded with cream and sugar.
That's just my rant as someone who worked in the nutrition field for a few years and has done a lot of research on food science and how companies get people addicted.
90% of the time, when the wife and I do stop at Sbux, I get black coffee. She is 100%. The lighter roasts are average and yeah, not a fan of the dark roasts either. It's more of a convenience thing. I will say that back in the late 90's/early 2000's we bought a bag of New Guinea peaberry that was one of the best coffees I've ever tasted!
I rarely go into Starbucks, but when go I get a "small medium roast coffee, black". They can keep all their flavorings and sugar and stuff. Give me a cowboy coffee any day.
Quote from: B0WIE on January 29, 2025, 11:49:36 AMI feel it's food addiction. Sugar and fat are very powerful. I can't imagine anyone ever went into Starbucks for the first time and admired their black coffee. But, a "coffee" with lots of fat and sugar is kind of hard to mess up. People aren't actually buying the coffee, they're buying the addictive part; a drink that has been loaded with cream and sugar.
That's just my rant as someone who worked in the nutrition field for a few years and has done a lot of research on food science and how companies get people addicted.
Nine out of ten times I see people at coffee shops ordering those frozen sugary drinks and not black coffee.
I only drink
black coffee. No cream; no sugar for me. And I seldom visit Starbucks except in the airport.
I'm no coffee connoisseur (or anything else, I suppose) so I don't obsess over it like some folks.
I never order their premium drinks.
None of that "nitro infused half-caffe non-dairy mocha macchiato lite" for me.
Oh no.
Quote from: Silence Dogood on January 29, 2025, 03:51:10 PMNine out of ten times I see people at coffee shops ordering those frozen sugary drinks and not black coffee.
Hate it when I get in line behind one of those. Relax. My clothes will go out of style before I get to place my order.
You know you're in good company when you see posts like the ones above.
"...black coffee"
"...black coffee"
"...black coffee"
"...black coffee"
I've ordered coffee exactly 2x at Starbucks and, both times, the barista asked me to repeat that, and then had to search for a while on the keypad to find where black coffee was. I don't think they get a lot of straight black coffee orders.
I won't pretend to be someone who ONLY drinks black coffee though. Sometimes, later in the day, the wife will make me one with cocoa powder and milk. Nice and easy on the stomach.
Best part of ordering clack coffee at Starbucks: it gets served in 20 seconds.
Quote from: StringPicker6 on January 29, 2025, 05:40:38 PMBest part of ordering clack coffee at Starbucks: it gets served in 20 seconds.
That's right. :thumb
See ya latte :wave
I've been drinking Ruta Maya, a local Austin roaster. We get it at our Costco.
https://rutamayacoffee.com/
I actually have the Starbucks app on my phone but very rarely use it. But a lot of my friends know I like coffee and have given me Starbucks gift cards. I have a small stack of them in a drawer. So yesterday the app notified me I could get any drink for $3. My wife and I went to the bank in the morning, afterwardsI asked if she would like a white chocolate frappacino. When I went to order it on the app I happened to look at the ingredients. A venti has 480 calories, 58 grams of sugar and 20 grams of fat! A heart attack in a cup.... We decided to forget it. BTW, the regular price is $6.45!
I'm enjoying my usual strong black French roast coffee from San Francisco Bay courtesy of Costco this morning.
I just returned from Costco. (I shouldn't go on weekends, I know.)
Anyway, while I was there I looked for Lavazza but much to my chagrin- no joy.
Not to be found. :crying:
Quote from: 247hoopsfan on February 01, 2025, 11:05:35 AMI actually have the Starbucks app on my phone but very rarely use it. But a lot of my friends know I like coffee and have given me Starbucks gift cards. I have a small stack of them in a drawer. So yesterday the app notified me I could get any drink for $3. My wife and I went to the bank in the morning, afterwardsI asked if she would like a white chocolate frappacino. When I went to order it on the app I happened to look at the ingredients. A venti has 480 calories, 58 grams of sugar and 20 grams of fat! A heart attack in a cup.... We decided to forget it. BTW, the regular price is $6.45!
See my rant about this sort of thing earlier in the thread. It's literally much healthier to drink a can of Coke! :yak:
Quote from: fantex on January 31, 2025, 07:24:05 AMI've been drinking Ruta Maya, a local Austin roaster. We get it at our Costco.
https://rutamayacoffee.com/
How is that stuff? It's very expensive and the 5lb bag commitment doesn't make it any easier, but I have been intrigued and considering it for a while now.
Quote from: Queequeg on February 01, 2025, 12:03:36 PMI just returned from Costco. (I shouldn't go on weekends, I know.)
Anyway, while I was there I looked for Lavazza but much to my chagrin- no joy.
Not to be found. :crying:
I took a look, just in case, and it turns out it went back on-sale this week; https://www.costco.com/lavazza-caff-espresso-100-premium-arabica-coffee-whole-bean-22-lbs.product.100381544.html (https://www.costco.com/lavazza-caff-espresso-100-premium-arabica-coffee-whole-bean-22-lbs.product.100381544.html)
I don't know if delivery is only for certain areas though. I'll be picking some up tomorrow. Currently drinking Costco's 100% Columbian (with the jaguar on the bag) which is decent coffee. Though not particularly exciting.
Quote from: B0WIE on February 01, 2025, 12:17:35 PMI took a look, just in case, and it turns out it went back on-sale this week; https://www.costco.com/lavazza-caff-espresso-100-premium-arabica-coffee-whole-bean-22-lbs.product.100381544.html (https://www.costco.com/lavazza-caff-espresso-100-premium-arabica-coffee-whole-bean-22-lbs.product.100381544.html)
I don't know if delivery is only for certain areas though. I'll be picking some up tomorrow. Currently drinking Costco's 100% Columbian (with the jaguar on the bag) which is decent coffee. Though not particularly exciting.
Thanks for the link, BOWIE. :thumb
Order placed.
$4.00 off.
Sold by the kilo so you know it's Columbian. :humour:
Is that a cocaine joke?? Well played! :roll
Quote from: StringPicker6 on February 02, 2025, 07:24:52 PMIs that a cocaine joke?? Well played! :roll
He's talking about getting kilos of product from Columbia that we grind up into powder for an energy boost. I don't know where this cocaine talk is coming from... :wink: ...
Quote from: B0WIE on February 02, 2025, 08:23:21 PMHe's talking about getting kilos of product from Columbia that we grind up into powder for an energy boost. I don't know where this cocaine talk is coming from... :wink: ...
I thought cocaine was a ski resort in Chautauqua-Allegheny New York. :?
I am still really enjoying the Costco Colombian Blend (huge tin so I seem to never run out anymore). I make mine a little strong and add a bit more milk of late. Makes a wonderful morning cup. Highly recommend trying this blend.
For past two weeks I've been making an honest effort to drink black tea. I'm sorry, but I just can't get used to it. Brown water...
Quote from: StringPicker6 on February 21, 2025, 08:04:48 PMFor past two weeks I've been making an honest effort to drink black tea. I'm sorry, but I just can't get used to it. Brown water...
I love tea, especially herbal tea in the evening. But, when we run out of coffee and I try to tell my wife "This is a good opportunity for us to use up the black tea", we both wear looks of disappointment on our faces. That lasts about 1 day.
My wife drinks black tea (has for many years). Her go-to is PG Tips Extra Strong from England. It's not all that easy to find locally so she usually has to order it.
I'm still trying with black tea. Part of the problem is that I've had a sinus cold for a while and can't smell much.
Quote from: B0WIE on February 01, 2025, 12:17:35 PMHow is that stuff? It's very expensive and the 5lb bag commitment doesn't make it any easier, but I have been intrigued and considering it for a while now.
I really like it. I think it's about $15 for 2 lbs at our local Costco.
.
:coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee :coffee
Since we're doing memes... :wink:
A friend texted this to me the other day. It's not very good but it pretty much sums up my last 2 years.
:humour:
Picked up a bag of this Kicking Horse coffee last week and finally opened it yesterday.
Very nice brew. Not at all bitter.
I will buy this again when this 10oz bag is empty.
That particular roast of kicking horse was my go to up until the pandemic when prices jumped. I went through at least a couple dozen bags.
We got a grinder and a nice kettle with a gooseneck as a family Xmas gift back in 2023. We've been buying beans instead of ground coffee since then. I make one big cup every morning, a simple pour over. I've tried all the Kicking Horse and they are definitely good, but kinda pricey! Last few months, I've buying big bags of Melitta Espresso Bellacrema. It's a lovely dark roast. Nothing better than big mug of black coffee first thing every morning.
I know that at least a few of you guys enjoy Peet's coffee.
I just read that Keurig/Dr Pepper is buying the popular coffee giant for an estimated $18 billion.
I also learned that the company is headquartered in Amsterdam and goes back to 1753.
I'm ready for another cup now.
(https://www.larriveeforum.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;attach=55248;image)
Sad to hear about Pete's. They were a backup of mine. I've not been particularly been impressed by anything Kuerig so I'm not too excited with the buy out. I'm scratching my head as to how Pete's was worth billions though.
I go back and forth all the time between brands. Of late I've been drinking Community Coffee Cafe Special. Just a great all-day everyday cup.
As far as corporate buyouts go, it seems like something is always lost in the transition. The world seems to be tripping over itself to make everything bigger bigger bigger.
Quote from: Silence Dogood on August 25, 2025, 10:04:42 AMI go back and forth all the time between brands. Of late I've been drinking Community Coffee Cafe Special. Just a great all-day everyday cup.
As far as corporate buyouts go, it seems like something is always lost in the transition. The world seems to be tripping over itself to make everything bigger bigger bigger.
My favorite indie brewery, Lagunitas, sold a large part of the company to Anheiser a number of years ago. While the quality didn't really change, the things I loved about them sure did. When they were independent they made new variations all the time. Just random, quirky stuff and some of them were truly amazing.. It was really fun to try them all out. I still have some of the rare bottles with cool labels. Now, they just produce a few things in large qualities and I can't remember the last time I bought Lagunitas.
Quote from: B0WIE on August 25, 2025, 09:56:54 AMSad to hear about Pete's. They were a backup of mine. I've not been particularly been impressed by anything Kuerig so I'm not too excited with the buy out. I'm scratching my head as to how Pete's was worth billions though.
the following is from Wiki:
As of 2025, Peet's operates over 250 retail locations in 13 states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington) and the District of Columbia. In 2018, Peet's expanded to China, opening a location in Shanghai.[34]
Peet's coffee is sold in 14,000 grocery stores, universities, and wholesalers across the United States. They had over a dozen coffeebar locations in Chicago and Boston as well as 23 in the Washington D.C. area at that time.
And that's just in the US of A.
Internationally, JDE Peet's N.V. is a Dutch multinational coffee and tea company headquartered in Amsterdam. The company owns over 50 beverage brands, mostly of coffee, tea and hot chocolate.
Quote from: B0WIE on August 25, 2025, 10:20:51 AMMy favorite indie brewery, Lagunitas, sold a large part of the company to Anheiser a number of years ago. While the quality didn't really change, the things I loved about them sure did. When they were independent they made new variations all the time. Just random, quirky stuff and some of them were truly amazing.. It was really fun to try them all out. I still have some of the rare bottles with cool labels. Now, they just produce a few things in large qualities and I can't remember the last time I bought Lagunitas.
They used to have a beer (maybe still do) that was called Little Sumpin' Sumpin' (cool and creative name that I might've misspelled). It was an IPA and although I don't really like IPA beer, I did like that one. We took an RV trip through California back in the summer of 2014 and that beer was all over the place during our stops. Fun memories. California is such a ridiculously beautiful state.
Yesterday after work I stopped by the big WM Supercenter for some groceries. Our store is actually pretty nice. At any rate, I needed some coffee and opted for a huge bag of Eight O'clock Colombian. It's just a great everyday cup of coffee. Perfectly nutty with a hint of chocolatey overtones. Nothing fancy, but then again, neither am I.
:wave
Another thing... Has anyone else noticed that the FIRST cup of coffee of the day is far superior to all the other cups that come after?
I just thought of that this AM when my second cup was somewhat of a letdown. During the week I usually only have one cup of coffee in the AM on my drive to work, but on weekends I drink several during my kitchen computer time.
Quote from: Silence Dogood on August 30, 2025, 09:10:34 AMAnother thing... Has anyone else noticed that the FIRST cup of coffee of the day is far superior to all the other cups that come after?
I just thought of that this AM when my second cup was somewhat of a letdown. During the week I usually only have one cup of coffee in the AM on my drive to work, but on weekends I drink several during my kitchen computer time.
Definitely. The aromas are quite fragile so that's why whole bean and grinding right before brewing makes a big difference. Oxidation takes a toll on the flavor. I get the 2lb bags for economy, but will vacuum seal whatever isn't going to get used in the first week or so. My wife and I both notice the difference and I regularly take guesses at how fresh the beans or the brew are, just to see if it's in my head or not.
Some enthusiasts have tried to sell me on roasting my own beans, and I'm sure that's great, but grinding whole bean is about as far as I'm willing to take it. I don't love coffee enough to fuss with the roasting. I will home brew beer but, with as little as I drink, that's not a regular thing.
Quote from: B0WIE on August 30, 2025, 11:04:12 AMDefinitely. The aromas are quite fragile so that's why whole bean and grinding right before brewing makes a big difference. Oxidation takes a toll on the flavor. I get the 2lb bags for economy, but will vacuum seal whatever isn't going to get used in the first week or so. My wife and I both notice the difference and I regularly take guesses at how fresh the beans or the brew are, just to see if it's in my head or not.
Some enthusiasts have tried to sell me on roasting my own beans, and I'm sure that's great, but grinding whole bean is about as far as I'm willing to take it. I don't love coffee enough to fuss with the roasting. I will home brew beer but, with as little as I drink, that's not a regular thing.
I'm with you in that I can't be bothered to learn another skill like coffee-roasting. There are specialists for that and I'm ok with it. I do sometimes buy whole beans and grind them in my Vitamix blender. It works great, and yes, the home-ground beans are far superior to the already-ground variety.
I don't drink specialty coffees. I went shopping today and bought our usual brand. It has gone up $7 since about 2 weeks ago. And the other brands have increased also. I wonder what's up.
Quote from: William2 on August 30, 2025, 01:49:11 PMI don't drink specialty coffees. I went shopping today and bought our usual brand. It has gone up $7 since about 2 weeks ago. And the other brands have increased also. I wonder what's up.
What's up is the horrible economy. Our grocery bill is flat out insane. I went to the market yesterday and bought mostly fresh foods (veggies, fruits) and it was still insanely high. Staying out of the aisles usually helps, but not so much anymore.
Quote from: William2 on August 30, 2025, 01:49:11 PMI don't drink specialty coffees. I went shopping today and bought our usual brand. It has gone up $7 since about 2 weeks ago. And the other brands have increased also. I wonder what's up.
Just depending on where your 'usual brand' was grown, roasted and canned, there's currently a 50% tariff on products from Brazil, and a 10% tariff from Columbia.
Perhaps it's time to check out that Hawaiian coffee again(?)
Maybe I should switch to warm milk. :humour:
Quote from: Queequeg on August 30, 2025, 03:02:01 PMJust depending on where your 'usual brand' was grown, roasted and canned, there's currently a 50% tariff on products from Brazil, and a 10% tariff from Columbia.
Perhaps it's time to check out that Hawaiian coffee again(?)
Maybe I should switch to warm milk. :humour:
LOL!!!
I sent one of my sons to the market the other day for some Colombian roast and he came back with Espresso.
:roll
So last night I stopped and scored a bag of Community Coffee Colombian. Community was the brand that got me into daily coffee-drinking back in the day. Still very good stuff. Just a basic cup of coffee that hits the spot.
And a great brand from New Orleans!
It's that very special time of year again, folks.
(I'm not talking about Bring Your Pet Zebra To Work Day)
National Coffee Day 2025: Free drinks at Dunkin', Smoothie King and more
(https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/29/business/national-coffee-day-2025-free-drinks-at-dunkin-smoothie-king-and-more)Large and small coffee chains nationwide are celebrating National Coffee Day on Monday with free cups of joe and other deals.
This year is especially important as chains try to reel in consumers who have been cutting back on discretionary spending.
Coffee prices have jumped which can be concerning for the roughly 66% of American adults who drink a cup every day, according to the National Coffee Association (NCA). Retail coffee prices in the United States rose nearly 21% in August compared to the same month last year — the largest annual jump since October 1997, according to the Consumer Price Index.
Ninety-nine percent of coffee consumed in the United States is imported, according to the NCA. Brazil is the top source of US coffee imports, and is also one of the most heavily tariffed countries at 50%.
Quote from: Queequeg on September 29, 2025, 02:15:54 PMIt's that very special time of year again, folks.
(I'm not talking about Bring Your Pet Zebra To Work Day)
National Coffee Day 2025: Free drinks at Dunkin', Smoothie King and more
(https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/29/business/national-coffee-day-2025-free-drinks-at-dunkin-smoothie-king-and-more)Large and small coffee chains nationwide are celebrating National Coffee Day on Monday with free cups of joe and other deals.
This year is especially important as chains try to reel in consumers who have been cutting back on discretionary spending.
Coffee prices have jumped which can be concerning for the roughly 66% of American adults who drink a cup every day, according to the National Coffee Association (NCA). Retail coffee prices in the United States rose nearly 21% in August compared to the same month last year — the largest annual jump since October 1997, according to the Consumer Price Index.
Ninety-nine percent of coffee consumed in the United States is imported, according to the NCA. Brazil is the top source of US coffee imports, and is also one of the most heavily tariffed countries at 50%.
I was late to the party on this and wish I could've gotten in on it, especially a free smoothie. Back in the day around here we had a chain called Jamba Juice that was really great. Inside the local Whole Foods Market (which I don't go into very often) they had one. It was always fun to get a drink and do some shopping.
I've been enjoying some fine Sumatran coffee prepared via pour over. Really good.
Our coffee grinder broke (along with everything else in this house apparently) so we've been using an antique hand-crank grinder we had on the shelf for decoration. And, it's funny how working for something makes you appreciate it more. I notice we've both been commenting on the aroma of the coffee and how smooth it tastes. There was a lot less of that when we just pressed two buttons. :bgrin:
Quote from: Silence Dogood on October 01, 2025, 10:41:27 AMBack in the day around here we had a chain called Jamba Juice that was really great.
When you posted this months ago, I was trying to remember why it seemed so familiar. Then, the other day I realized there's a Jamba Juice a couple blocks from my house!
Regarding coffee, we were going stronger and stronger with the espresso-types but finally decided to just go back to a medium-roast. Still Lavazza. We tried the organic blend, which is their top-tier coffee. Good, but a bit strong on the nutty/fruity flavors. The Oro roast is spot-on though. The perfect cup of medium-roast black coffee. Flavorful without being pushy about it. Ridiculously smooth too with no bitterness, even when it gets cold.
I did something unexpectedly GAME CHANGING with my coffee though. I started drinking it from a wide-mouth cappuccino-style cup. I never thought that would change anything but it's really a different experience. The flavors come across smoother (maybe from exposure to oxygen?), but the aroma is more fragrant. I'm enjoying the ritual of coffee more than ever now.
I guess the major advantage transitional coffee mugs have is that they hold the heat. The cup gets cold in 5 min.
I imagine the wider opening allows the aroma to come out more. I know what you mean about wider cups getting colder faster. In this day and age, these are good problems to have. :coffee
Bowie, I think there might be one or two Jambas (that's what they're called now, I think) around here. I found one over in Dallas some years back and it was still good. The girl who rang up my order (and did nothing else) looked genuinely irritated when I didn't give her a tip on the screen.
:roll
In regards to coffee mugs, I've never thought about this till now but it makes sense. My coffee tends to always taste terrible out of those metal or plastic tumblers that are ubiquitous now. It always tastes the best out of my old-school "cappuccino mug," as you described them. Here is a pic of the one I use as my daily. But, yeah, the coffee goes cold QUICK in one of these.
I've been enjoying some coffee :coffee from a company called Fabula. I just received an order of whole bean double dark.
Quote from: Strings4Him on January 15, 2026, 07:32:17 PMI've been enjoying some coffee :coffee from a company called Fabula. I just received an order of whole bean double dark.
I'll bet it's
fabul real good! :coffee
In Texas there is a grocery store chain called H-E-B that's been around for a good while. They finally opened one up in my neighborhood and I've been enjoying shopping there. There is a kind of cult surrounding the place and I find myself being drawn into its orbit. All the H-E-B praise used to kind of irritate me when I'd hear it, but I get it now. It's just a cool place with lots of great stuff available. It even has a BBQ restaurant inside the place! What's not the like?
:roll
They built the new H-E-B store right across the street from the super-mega-ginormous Walmart and are trying to kick them off the block. I've not been back inside the Walmart since H-E-B opened.
Of late I've been drinking the H-E-B house-branded Colombian roast. It's great, and pretty cheap.
https://www.heb.com/product-detail/h-e-b-100-colombian-med-dark-roast-ground-coffee/368799
Quote from: Silence Dogood on September 01, 2026, 09:09:58 AMIn Texas there is a grocery store chain called H-E-B that's been around for a good while. They finally opened one up in my neighborhood and I've been enjoying shopping there.
Like 120 years. Welcome to the club.
I have shopped at HEB for 50 years.
Get their credit card.
Mike
Quote from: mike in lytle on September 01, 2026, 08:41:01 PMLike 120 years. Welcome to the club.
I have shopped at HEB for 50 years.
Get their credit card.
Mike
Wow, I didn't know they'd been around that long. Cool place and great stuff. I don't do credit cards but will be giving them lots of my cash.
:laughin: