Coffee(s)

[SalvadorMontenegro]

So, I'm getting a new apartment and thankfully I will now have a full size kitchen instead of this pullman/kitchenette that I've had for the past year. This means that I'll finally be able to buy a coffee maker and will be able to pass on the instant crap that I've been drinking for oh so long.

I'm not real particular about coffee, but I got to thinking, maybe I should be. Since my relatives just go with Chock Full of Nuts, I wasn't sure where to turn, so I thought I'd come here.

So, can anyone recommend anything? I must mention that I'm on a budget here. I can't afford coffee that was hand delivered from Colombia by El Presidente Uribe the night before it hit the store.

[PalmettoB]

Hmmmm...you have much to learn, young Jedi. Check out some of the other coffee threads herein. See especially the AeroPress thread. Go to Ristretto Roasters www.ristrettoroasters.com. Dinder1 (DJ) is a member here.

[SalvadorMontenegro]

Well, my goodness.

I'm going to be honest: I think I'm going to have to start posting porn or going on vulgar tirades to get myself banned. This place is (1) addictive; and (2) eating a hole in my wallet.

That Aeropress thing definitely looks like fun.

[Larry C in Texas]

If you want a good bargain coffee, check out Community coffee if it's available in your area. It's from New Orleans and is the best "non premium" coffee I have tasted. Just a good ol' cuppa joe that you can afford and feel good about drinking. Very affordable and many steps above Folgers and their ilk. I drank Chock Full O Nuts for a while back in the 80's before I discovered Community. Here's their website:

http://www.communitycoffee.com

[Taz]

A great coffee maker is probally more important then the beans great beans not made right will still be bad coffee. If you can swing it or save for it, The Technivorm KBT-741 Mochamaster is awesome and will last you forever if cared for.

[redbike]

Check out your neighborhood's local coffee places and sample their products. If you like it buy their beans. Good coffee starts with good beans. High end equipment won't help if you start with poor quality beans.

Good luck.

jim

[Taz]

Check out your neighborhood's local coffee places and sample their products. If you like it buy their beans. Good coffee starts with good beans. High end equipment won't help if you start with poor quality beans.

Good luck.

jim

ageed what came first the chicken or the egg? Even so so beans will taste better in a coffee maker that can deliver water that is hot enough. That is the biggest diff why most people think coffee from a shop is better. pro machines deliver water that is hot enough.

[FriscoSoxFan]

America runs on Dunkin...

https://www.dunkindonuts.com/

Seriously, don't be fooled by the "donuts" part of thier name. They have damn good coffee. $7.99/lb in store.

[FriscoSoxFan]

Even so so beans will taste better in a coffee maker that can deliver water that is hot enough. That is the biggest diff why most people think coffee from a shop is better. pro machines deliver water that is hot enough.

+1

I worked at Dunkin when I was a kid. They set thier water at 205 degrees (About 98 celcius) before it hits the grounds. I once pulled the filter basket out to change it while it was still brewing causing hot grounds to slosh all over my hand. That was a fun morning in the hospital! Almost 15 years later and I can still see the skin discoloration if I look hard.

The end result for the home consumer - Pour HOT tap water into the back of the machine, it will make all the difference. It will, however, reduce the life span of your machine, but boy is it worth it.

[_JP_]

Your profile doesn't show where you are from, so nobody can recommend a good local source for coffee. My suggestion is to experiment a bit. Sometimes there are good store brands of coffee that are pretty cheap. Whole bean ground up in a $20 coffee grinder is always better than packaged ground coffee.

You don't have to wait for more counter space to enjoy something better than instant. There is at least the Melitta filter cone that takes up no room at all. Also, you could go with a stove top percolator (I know, blasphemy to some, but better than instant). And check out the Aeropress thread here, they cost about the same as a low end drip coffeemaker. That device takes up the space of one coffee cup in the cupboard and yields fantastic results.

[Taz]

America runs on Dunkin...

https://www.dunkindonuts.com/

Seriously, don't be fooled by the "donuts" part of thier name. They have damn good coffee. $7.99/lb in store.

Are you from the New England area, Dinkin Dounuts coffee is like a cult thing up there:biggrin:

[Taz]

+1

I worked at Dunkin when I was a kid. They set thier water at 205 degrees (About 98 celcius) before it hits the grounds. I once pulled the filter basket out to change it while it was still brewing causing hot grounds to slosh all over my hand. That was a fun morning in the hospital! Almost 15 years later and I can still see the skin discoloration if I look hard.

The end result for the home consumer - Pour HOT tap water into the back of the machine, it will make all the difference. It will, however, reduce the life span of your machine, but boy is it worth it.


That is one of the reasons the Technivorms are so great!

[Larry C in Texas]

A lot of people don't have either the available funds or need for a high-end coffee maker. For my money, a simple french press 1) makes the most flavorable coffee, 2) is cheap as chips, and 3) doesn't take up counter space. The lack of a paper filter means you are getting all the flavor. I like my Gaggia espresso maker, but for great coffee, I go the press every time. I just got a pound of Peet's Major Dickason's Blend and brewed some in a press, and I can't imagine it getting any better than this. I view the fancy-schmancy coffee makers as the Gillette Fusion of the coffee world and the press as the DE razor. Simpler is better, IMHO.

[FriscoSoxFan]

Are you from the New England area, Dinkin Dounuts coffee is like a cult thing up there:biggrin:

Look at the Avatar :wink:

I grew up in the Boston suburbs. Live in Dallas suburbs now. There is one Dunkin in the DFW area, and it happens to be between work and home :biggrin:

$20 coffee maker + $20 Blade grinder + Dunkin Beans + Hot tap water = A great cup o' joe.

[PalmettoB]

I have to admit I have become an advocate of the AeroPress, nay a disciple! Cheap to own, easy to use and clean, and the coffee is superb.

As far as the coffee itself, bean is better than ground. Bean can be purchased just as easily as ground in most grocers, and if you happen to have a coffee shop in your area, they often will sell some of their own blends in bean form in bags of varying sizes. And while some prefer a fancier grinder, a cheap B&D or Mr. Coffee blade grinder will do in a pinch.

[rikrdo]

$20 coffee maker + $20 Blade grinder + Dunkin Beans + Hot tap water = A great cup o' joe.


You must have really good tap water.
Ive got to Brita and Boil mine to get the primo Joe I crave.
AEROPRESS ROCKS !! :thumbup1:

[chop-chop]

SalvadorMontenegro,

I think that somewhere you posted about living in El Paso, TX? Is that right?

If so, a quick search found one coffee shop. No doubt, there's a Starbucks on every other corner! There aren't too many Dunkin' Donuts in Texas. :frown:

Erika Licon Perches
Coffee shop, deli and fine pastries - 6310 North Mesa, Suite C, El Paso, TX 79912 - Tel: 915 845-4646

Or:

We do not have Trader Joe's or Whole Foods but there is a little Sun Harvest, on El Paso's West Side.

For a good canned coffee, I can recommend Melitta "Classic". It beats most coffees found on the grocery store shelves.

I have only found one store, so far, that had a good selection of coffee beans available. I prefer to grind my beans daily. There are plenty of companies available online.

Good luck with your move!

chop-chop

[rikrdo]

Not sure if this one's been mentioned yet or not.
Found at many local grocery stores.

FRENCH MARKET
http://www.frenchmarketcoffee.com/


It is a dee-lightful coffee infused with chicory.
I really enjoy it in my French Press as the grind is rough and doesnt lend itself to much sediment.
Very tasty.

[sacmore21]

I highly recommend Carribou coffee. The do primarily mail order, although they do have actual locations as well. The Dunkin Donuts is also a very strong contender, although I would say a little less flavorful than Carribou. And, if you really want to stick with your budget, the 8 o'clock bean has a lot of flavor for not a lot of money. Good luck with trying the different ones.

[boboakalfb]

Can't say enough good things about DJ's beans. Pick up some coffee from Ristretto Roasters and an Aeropress, you won't be dissapointed. Buy a good grinder and you will be all set...for now.

[Scotto]

Can't say enough good things about DJ's beans. Pick up some coffee from Ristretto Roasters and an Aeropress, you won't be dissapointed. Buy a good grinder and you will be all set...for now.

+∞

[rjv71]

Coffee...

- french press
- westbend poppery popcorn popper ($8 - $20 on ebay)
- green beans thru internet (I use sweet maria's a lot)

about 15 mins of your time per batch of 125 grams (4 - 4 1/2 oz) fresh roasted coffee. Cheap and beats any coffee from a store.

[ogopogo]

Wow Salvador, instant coffee? That's worst than shaving with a Bic disposable, barbasol foam and no water.:eek:
Well, you've been given some really good advice here, but since you mentioned that you were on a budget here's my 2¢.

First the coffee: Ideally you would grind fresh roasted beans every morning. But since you're in a budget, and maybe lack of time due to all the shaving and all, this is the next best thing:

Next time you find yourself stocking up on Proraso products at your local Target, head over to the coffee aisle and check out the Starbucks selection. Usually you can find them on sale at greatly reduced prices. I believe right now the Christmas Blend is on sale.

Also, if there are markets or stores near you that carry Latin American products look for Café Sello Rojo from Colombia. It's not hand delivered by Presidente Uribe, but I do seem to remember seeing a mule tied to a post in the parking lot.:biggrin1: This coffee sells for around $5.00 for a 250g vacuum sealed package and it is good.

I've also been able to find good and inexpensive coffees at Marshall's. Last summer I found a very good Jamaican Blue Mountain. Once in a while they carry an Italian line called Compagnia Dell'Arabica made by Corsini Caffe. My favorite is Colombia Caffe' Medellin Supremo. It's also vacuum sealed and priced like the Sello Rojo. Look for the expiration date. http://www.caffecorsini.it/single_prod.aspx?id_type=1&name=arabica&lang=en&pos=2&id_linea=1
I always stock up on it when they carry it. You can also order it online but at more than twice the price, which would defeat the purpose of the budget.

Now for the equipment. For the budget minded person as well as the purists all you need are two things:

(i) A French Press. This is if you want a good cup of black coffee. The oils are not filtered which makes for a richer cup of coffee. You can find them from $6 to $15. Make sure the size fits your needs. If you only make one cup at a time, get a small one.

(ii)A Espresso Pot.

http://www.redmonkeycoffee.co.uk/cart/Bialetti/Dama%20Wood%20Elite.jpg
I hardly ever drink espresso by itself, but the espresso is the basis for many coffee drinks and I use it to make café con leche(6oz cup). Half espresso, have milk and foam. Right now I don't have a steamer, so I use a little battery operated milk frother (about $3.50). It works almost as well and I've gotten to the point where my café con leche is just as good if not better than a Starbucks Latte. Size also matters. Don't get a large pot if you're just going to make just enough for yourself. The small one is good enough for 2 to 3 espressos.
BTW, all the equipment can also be found at Target and Marshall's so that you don't have to make too many trips.
As always YMMV

Diego

Edit: Whatever you do, don't get a drip machine, imo they're useless. The paper filters filter out the oils, the water temp. in many, esp. the cheap ones, is set too high and burns the coffee, and so does the hotplate where you place the pot. Also, don't use tap water. Use a good bottle water instead, or water from filter devices such as Brita. It maked a big difference.

[PalmettoB]

I can certainly vouche for Starbucks Christmas blend. Got some from my mother-in-law for Christmas and that's what I have been grinding and using in my AeroPress lately.

[GeeQue]

For the past 6 months I've been using "Seatles Best" Organic Sumatra Whole Bean...I grind a package for espresso and another for regular. Brew this in distilled water...no franchise coffee house coffee comes close to this. Try it and be convinced !

[BroJohn]

Salvador --

Try one of THESE (http://www.northwestglass.com/coffee-siphon-p-178.html)

You can thank me later.

-- John Gehman

[FriscoSoxFan]

I can certainly vouche for Starbucks Christmas blend. Got some from my mother-in-law for Christmas and that's what I have been grinding and using in my AeroPress lately.

To each his own I guess. I find Starbucks, especially the christmas blend, to be the most bitter and burned coffee one can get.

[chop-chop]

Salvador --

Try one of THESE (http://www.northwestglass.com/coffee-siphon-p-178.html)

You can thank me later.

-- John Gehman

Ahhh.... very good, Grasshopper! :chinese:

chop-chop

[BroJohn]

To each his own I guess. I find Starbucks, especially the christmas blend, to be the most bitter and burned coffee one can get.

That's the reason many refer to it as CharBucks. Most of what I've seen has been over-roasted, and all the subtle flavors are gone.

I've got to try some of Dinder's stuff. Looking at his website, he makes that point and clearly slow-roasts to a rational, flavorful, medium roast.

It's really easy to produce a dark/black, oily bean. All you have to do is pour heat to the beans for a few minutes --and it totally ruins the coffee.

-- John Gehman

[PalmettoB]

To each his own I guess. I find Starbucks, especially the christmas blend, to be the most bitter and burned coffee one can get.
Well, as the saying goes, YMMV. :wink:

[SalvadorMontenegro]

Wow, this thread blew up!

Thanks for all the suggestions. I look forward to trying at least some of them.

Somebody asked where I lived. It's not Texas. I'm presently in New York City.

Just to clarify the instant coffee thing:

I started drinking coffee when I was a sophmore in high school. I really took it up strictly to keep myself awake. My sleep schedule was a little disorganized, and I was often exhausted when I woke up. Because I never had time to really sit back and enjoy anything, I'd just boil some water, put some instant coffee in a thermos, pour the water in and off to school I went. It was really the quickest solution.

So, years later, I'm still used to it. I've sort of grown up on it and hadn't thought of changing until I moved to Manhattan and experienced what a big city has to offer. And now that I'll have an apartment with a kitchen, I can fit a coffee pot in there.

So, that's my justification. And I swear, when you've grown up on it, it's really not that bad.!

Anyhow, thanks again for the recommendations. I look forward to trying them as soon as I move and get my new mailing address set up!

[Taz]

Wow, this thread blew up!

Thanks for all the suggestions. I look forward to trying at least some of them.

Somebody asked where I lived. It's not Texas. I'm presently in New York City.

Just to clarify the instant coffee thing:

I started drinking coffee when I was a sophomore in high school. I really took it up strictly to keep myself awake. My sleep schedule was a little disorganized, and I was often exhausted when I woke up. Because I never had time to really sit back and enjoy anything, I'd just boil some water, put some instant coffee in a thermos, pour the water in and off to school I went. It was really the quickest solution.

So, years later, I'm still used to it. I've sort of grown up on it and hadn't thought of changing until I moved to Manhattan and experienced what a big city has to offer. And now that I'll have an apartment with a kitchen, I can fit a coffee pot in there.

So, that's my justification. And I swear, when you've grown up on it, it's really not that bad.!

Anyhow, thanks again for the recommendations. I look forward to trying them as soon as I move and get my new mailing address set up!

Good point you might want to go to shops and try diff. coffees and styles of brewing first. I have a friend who swears by Folgers instant, he could afford to drink what ever his heart desires and he drinks instant says its the best.

[ogopogo]

Somebody asked where I lived. It's not Texas. I'm presently in New York City.


Since you're in Manhattan, try the Juan Valdez cafe on 57th and Lexington.

[AJCFD]

Are you from the New England area, Dinkin Dounuts coffee is like a cult thing up there:biggrin:

I heard a story on the radio the other day about a guy who was transfered from Boston to the deep south. When he lived in Boston he would visit Dunkin Donuts over a dozen times a day, he was a salesman, when transfered to the south he called Dunkin Dounuts and asked why aren't you down here. They said would you like open a store-he quite his job and now owns three stores.

AJ

[PalmettoB]

Eh, they couldn't compete with Krispy Kreme. :001_tt2:

But seriously, we have a Dunkin' in Anderson, SC. I like 'em both! (And they both have good joe.)

[ratcheer]

So, can anyone recommend anything? I must mention that I'm on a budget here. I can't afford coffee that was hand delivered from Colombia by El Presidente Uribe the night before it hit the store.

For inexpensive, grocery store coffee, I really like 8 O'Clock. The regular in the red bag is quite good and the 100% Colombian in the dark brown bag is very good. At Wal-Mart, I usually pay about $3.49 per bag (12 or 13 oz bags).

Tim

[bbqncigars]

Like Scott said, the Eight O'Clock beans aren't at all bad for grocery store beans. Grind the beans and brew them immediately, and you won't go too far wrong. The best bang for the buck in coffee brewers is the Melitta pour-over, but it's not found easily anymore. Most people are lazy (I am) and want to just put water and grinds in the thing and push a button. I use a pour-over from Sweetmarias that fits on to my Thermos when I'm on the road, but I use my Capresso Aroma Classic 461 at home.


Wayne

[AandW]

Peaberry coffees? Are they worth the extra money or is it hype?

[BroJohn]

Peaberry coffees? Are they worth the extra money or is it hype?

Green or Roasted?

The green are more difficult to roast well. I've had both green and bought roasted Tanzania Peaberry and it was ...Okay... but nothing special IMO. It does have its fans, tho. I'm more inclined to other coffees.

-- John Gehman

[Antique Hoosier]

I'll third the Eight O' Clock coffee rec...primarily the Brown Bag Coulmbian; but then again I shave with a 1961 Fat Boy and Williams shaving soap.

Mike

[ouch]

I'll third the Eight O' Clock coffee rec...primarily the Brown Bag Coulmbian; but then again I shave with a 1961 Fat Boy and Williams shaving soap.
Mike

Does that make you a connoisseur or a barbarian? :confused:

[Tinzien]

America runs on Dunkin...

https://www.dunkindonuts.com/

Seriously, don't be fooled by the "donuts" part of thier name. They have damn good coffee. $7.99/lb in store.

+66

I grew up on the stuff.

[Woknblues]

you should be able to find a few "local" coffee houses. go to your closest one, and talk with someone behind the counter about coffee, many will pour you samples to try. (This seems to have caught on, I always ask about the coffee's that I drink in the ma and pa places and 9/10 times, they initiate it. they pour you little shots and talk about each one) it's fun, and when you find a couple that you like, get a few quarter pounds to take home. don't be afraid of going away from the "shiny, almost black roasted" type beans en vogue these days. you might really like some medium roasted varieties. have fun

[AandW]

I did buy a pound of Tanzanian Peaberry the other day because the local coffee roaster was out of any of the Ethiopian types of coffee. I have to say that it is quite delicious.

[Just Mike]

Coffee, ya gotta love it. I was a Hills Brothers drinker for years and loved it until I took over a high end coffee business. I learned a lot about coffee in the process:

There are an infinite # of good coffee blends out there. Try several! Buy a two week supply of each that you try as it actually takes a couple weeks trying a blend before you will actually taste the "real flavor" of the blend. You have to "retrain" your tongue, as odd as that sounds. Different parts of your tongue pickup different aspects of the flavor and your tongue is currently trained to taste your current coffee with the parts of the tongue that pickup it's unique pieces of it's flavor. Your initial interpretation of a new blend will change but you have to give it a chance.

While water temperature and brewer characteristics are variables in the coffee equation, The blend and grind will probably have the greatest effect on what you actually taste.

Good luck and....bottoms up!


Mike

[oirvine]

A lot of people don't have either the available funds or need for a high-end coffee maker. For my money, a simple french press 1) makes the most flavorable coffee, 2) is cheap as chips, and 3) doesn't take up counter space. The lack of a paper filter means you are getting all the flavor.

I will second the french press. I switched to a french press a few years ago and haven't looked back. Don't be surprised if the coffee seems to have fine particles and sediment in the coffee. Believe it or not it adds a lot of body to the coffee.

I like ethiopian coffee (light to med. roast) Normally it's well priced and isn't too strong normally and is quite nutty. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe is the current "best" ethiopian.

If you can, find a coffee shop that roasts their own coffee and don't buy more then you'll drink in a couple weeks (at most). I've also notice that most "fair trade" coffee is quite good, although sometimes is costs a bit more. Here in Canada, Ten Thousand Villages had a light roast blend that was quite good.

[ouch]

A lot of people don't have either the available funds or need for a high-end coffee maker. For my money, a simple french press 1) makes the most flavorable coffee, 2) is cheap as chips, and 3) doesn't take up counter space. The lack of a paper filter means you are getting all the flavor. I like my Gaggia espresso maker, but for great coffee, I go the press every time. I just got a pound of Peet's Major Dickason's Blend and brewed some in a press, and I can't imagine it getting any better than this. I view the fancy-schmancy coffee makers as the Gillette Fusion of the coffee world and the press as the DE razor. Simpler is better, IMHO.

I've used a French press for over twenty years, and an Aeropress for the past two months. I've produced more good cups in '07 than in the last twenty years combined. The Aeropress extracts much more flavor (I've tried them side by side) without bitterness or sludge.

I'm not turning back at this point.

[grb]

If you live in NYC, find an Italian groceria or deli and look for Testarossa coffee. Yeah, like the Ferrari. First drank it in Rome. It is outstanding. For an Italian coffee, it is very smooth. A friend who is a coffee freak has found someplace in NY that he buys from by the case and sells a few of his closest friends a bag or two. :thumbup1:

[Lynchmeister]

If you live in NYC, find an Italian groceria or deli and look for Testarossa coffee. Yeah, like the Ferrari. First drank it in Rome. It is outstanding. For an Italian coffee, it is very smooth. A friend who is a coffee freak has found someplace in NY that he buys from by the case and sells a few of his closest friends a bag or two. :thumbup1:

Last January while I was a student in Munich, Germany my friends and I would frequent the Cafe Testarossa quite often before retiring to the "malted barley cafes" :biggrin: . It was between Sendlinger Tor and Marienplatz somewhere, but I can't remember the street name. At any rate, yes, the coffee was excellent. While all my Mexican and other non-German European friends were shelling out 4 or 5 Euros for Cafe Machiatos, I was quite happy with my 1.50 euro "kaffee."

[edenri]

A french press is a must for a nice full flavored coffee.

However has anyone mentioned coffee maker brands? After going through several myself, I found simple is better. I perfer Bunn. Many restaurants use them (D&D). They keep the water heated in the maker, which allows you to get closer to that 205 degree mark. You get a pot of coffee or water for tea in minutes. As an everyday coffee maker, Bunn is great.

[rjv71]

However has anyone mentioned coffee maker brands? After going through several myself, I found simple is better. I perfer Bunn. Many restaurants use them (D&D). They keep the water heated in the maker, which allows you to get closer to that 205 degree mark. You get a pot of coffee or water for tea in minutes. As an everyday coffee maker, Bunn is great.

I guess I find it quitte excessive to keep a pot of heated water around all day for a cup of coffee in the morning and a cup of coffee in the evening...

[qhsdoitall]

I guess I find it quitte excessive to keep a pot of heated water around all day for a cup of coffee in the morning and a cup of coffee in the evening...
Maybe it could double as hot water to soak your shaving brush in. :)

[edenri]

I guess I find it quitte excessive to keep a pot of heated water around all day for a cup of coffee in the morning and a cup of coffee in the evening...

Good point, but after trying several regular coffee makers, none of them seemed to be able to heat the water up to the right temp before spraying the grinds. After reading various reviews on coffee makers I gave it a try, and I love it.
To me, that pot of coffee it delivers, is well worth it.

[_JP_]

I guess I find it quitte excessive to keep a pot of heated water around all day for a cup of coffee in the morning and a cup of coffee in the evening...

The commercial Bunn coffee makers are designed so that they are plumbed into the water supply of the restaurant. There's a chamber inside the machine that preheats the water and keeps it hot in between pots. Most of them have a spigot attached so that hot water can be drawn off for a cup of tea when I customer orders that.

I have seen those machines fail in such a way that the brew cycle doesn't shut off when it's supposed to. The only solution then is to keep putting an empty pot under the filter basket while someone else tries to either unplug the thing or shut off the water supply to it.