Coffee

[Justso]

Ok, at the request of others, let's start a coffee thread?

1. What type/brand of beans do you like for your morning or evening (hell, maybe all day) cup o' joe?

2. What type of equipment do you like/use to make your perfect java?

3. How do you take your coffee? Cream/Sugar/Steamed Milk/Cuban Style?

4. How many cups of battery acid does it take to jump start you in the morning? :smile:
************************************************** ********

Ok, I'll go first..

1. I have tried many different name brands, Starbucks, Gevalia, etc.., and the one I prefer is a brand that is out West called Peets..You can find it online at www.peets.com. I like their house blend and the french roast. It's dark & full-bodied. Just a great blend. Sadly, back East here, we don't have that brand locally available. I wish we did. I'm not a persnickety drinker in the sense that I won't drink cheap coffees. I will, I just prefer the better stuff. But it's not beneath me to drink a cup of Folgers if that's what someone offers to me.

2. I'm a bit nostaglic, I use a pyrex percolator for my coffee, which is super neato. I have never tried a French Press, but I've heard good things. One day I guess I'll go buy one. I grind my own coffee beans, as really there's nothing even close to how great fresh ground coffee tastes & smells.

3. If I'm drinking a full-bodied blend, I prefer the coffee with the warm steamed milk in the bottom of the mug with sugar and then pouring the coffee into the mug. If it's just regular stuff, then I'll do the cream & sugar mix after the pour. I never use any artificial sweetener.

4. I'm not an every morning coffee drinker. In the winter months I am, but in the summer & fall, I drink it at all times of the day. Sometimes in the evening, sometimes in the morning..It depends.

[MasonM]

1. What type/brand of beans do you like for your morning or evening (hell, maybe all day) cup o' joe? I use Maxwell House French Roast.

2. What type of equipment do you like/use to make your perfect java? I just use an inexpensive Black and Decker coffee maker.

3. How do you take your coffee? Cream/Sugar/Steamed Milk/Cuban Style? I normally put the sugar and non dairy creamer (I can't do lactose) in the bottom of the cup and pour the coffee in over it as it saves all that stirring and keeps the spoon dry.

4. How many cups of battery acid does it take to jump start you in the morning? If I am home I usually hav a pot in the morning. On the road just two or three cups as any more will make extra restroom stops necessary.

[fuerein]

I don't drink coffee often, but when I do:

1. No particular preference, but I don't like the blackened roasts ( I know that for a fact). I like darker roasts, but the blackened roasts are too much.

2. French press all the way!

3. Straight-up black

4. I don't drink often, mainly in the winter and then only a cup or two more and I get a headache.

[Lyrt]

1. What type/brand of beans do you like for your morning or evening (hell, maybe all day) cup o' joe?
Usually Moka Harrar. Hawai Kona Extra Fancy when I want luxury. I usually stock many different types of beans that I buy in Verlet (in Paris).


2. What type of equipment do you like/use to make your perfect java?
French Press (Bodum Eileen)
La Pavoni PRH for espresso
Elektra dynamometric tamper
Macap M5 grinder


3. How do you take your coffee? Cream/Sugar/Steamed Milk/Cuban Style?
Black. Sometimes one sugar.


4. How many cups of battery acid does it take to jump start you in the morning?
One big mug.

[sphughes]

Peets retail outlets are here and there in the Boston area.

1. I am real partial to a dark roast coffee. Currently I purchase my beans from www.wholelattelove.com. I am very addicted to Vivace Espresso Vita. This coffee is ambrosia to me and I grind it in my drip machine as well as use it when I am pulling shots of Espresso. I buy from WLL because they offer free shipping and it is dropshipped directly from the roaster, David Schomer.

2. For my Drip coffee, I use a Melita Grind and Brew that I have had for a few years; a real nice machine that has the internal grinder. When I am jonesing for an Espresso, Cappucino, or Latte I use a Solis grinder and a Saeco machine. Very capable system....

3. Skim milk only.....A touch of Cinnamon in the Cappucino

4. I prefer 2 cups in the morning before I leave the house, if I have the time.

Now I am craving a cappucino...Damn.....

-Scott-

[peacefrog]

I'm an addict, not a connoisseur. I usually grap some Dunkin Donuts on my way to work. At home on the weekends I toss some Chock Full o Nuts into my Mr. Coffee.

[Dapper_Dave]

I like a french press myself and I usually have cream and sugar.

Has anyone any experience with Tully's brand coffees based out of Seattle? I ran across them at amazon and am considering including them in my Christmas baskets.

[Steelforge]

1. What type/brand of beans do you like for your morning or evening (hell, maybe all day) cup o' joe? Starbucks House Blend, or Starbucks Peaberry, I grind the beans myself at home with a burr style disc grinder.

2. What type of equipment do you like/use to make your perfect java? Either my Krups Espresso machine, or occasionally a press.

3. How do you take your coffee? Cream/Sugar/Steamed Milk/Cuban Style? Splash od semi-skimmed milk, and 1 spoon of sugar.

4. How many cups of battery acid does it take to jump start you in the morning? To be honest, none. I naturally wake up early so I don't really need to drink coffee as such, but I do like a nice cup some cold mornings.

[PalmettoB]

Type/brand: Millstone Kona blend or Highlander Grogg from a small shop in PA (they do mail orders) http://www.greencastlecoffee.com/. (They have all sorts of tea for you tea drinkers.) I do like grinding the beans, but I just use a cheap Mr. Coffee grinder.

Equipment: Black and Decker 12 cup coffee maker.

How do I take it?: Leaded and black.:biggrin: (no unleaded...why bother?)

How many: one or two. I also like it at night in the winter months.

[ada8356]

Most (98%) of my coffee drinking is at the office and provided by the Company:

1. Community
2. Some three warmer job that has the water fed directly into it... makes a fast pot since the water is already super hot.
3. Black
4. Probably one pot before lunch... maybe one or two cups after.

[BroJohn]

1. What type/brand of beans do you like for your morning or evening (hell, maybe all day) cup o' joe?

I roast my own. I buy coffee from www.ccmcoffee.com in FL; one time they sent my bean order as green not roasted. Postage made it not worth returning, so I learned to roast it. Most 'blends' just cover up some inferior beans, so I buy premium, and mix to suit after roasting. I slow-roast to medium, and feel that most premium roasted stuff out there is 'over-roasted.' I like Brazil Santos, Columbian Popayan, and some of the milder African stuff --Kenya AA and Ugandan.


2. What type of equipment do you like/use to make your perfect java?

Drip, I use a Presto Scandanavian. Have a Capresso espresso maker (rarely used) and a high end Capresso grinder (heavily used and highly recommended). I don't do French Press. My favorite method is to brew coffee in an original Silex, Sunbeam, or Cory Vacuum pot/maker. I have 8 original vac pots acquired over the years with plenty of spare parts. Vacuum brewing makes the richest, smoothest coffee that you can make, by far, period. Vac pots require a lot of interaction, and clean-up is time consuming. That's why vac pots were abandoned in favor of Percolators (which make the worst coffee, by far) in the late-'40s, '50s, and '60s --convienience of the Percolator.

It's sort of the coffee equivalent of going from mug and brush and DE to cartridges and goo in the shaving world.



3. How do you take your coffee? Cream/Sugar/Steamed Milk/Cuban Style?

A little cream. Sometimes a little sugar. Started drinking 'coffee' in VietNam where I'd mix everything in the extra pack from the 'C' ration all together --Hot (or not hot) water, instant coffee, creamer, sugar, chicklets, koolaid or lemonaid, the two-pack of lifesavers, etc. Stirred it all up and drank it.

Please understand that I'm much more 'refined' these days. :closedeye


4. How many cups of battery acid does it take to jump start you in the morning?

I brew a 10-cup drip pot in the early AM, drink about half a cup, take the remainder to work with me. Home in evening, one or two cups of Vac Brewed. Life is good.

I'm interested in seeing the other responses to this thread.

--John Gehman

[zachster]

1. Beans: At home, Trader Joe's dark French Roast -- at the office we use Peet's since there's a Peet's downstairs; The TJ's costs about half of that!

2. I agree with Justso on the old-fashioned way of making coffee -- at home I use a small stainless steel Farberware percolater that I bought at a garage sale about 12 years ago. My guess is that it dates back to the '60s. It makes coffee fast, strong and hot! At the office, I insisted that we buy a Bunn thermal unit -- holds a pot full of water hot for the next use, so you can make a pot of cofee in 3 minutes! This is important when you have meetings with lots of people...

3. Black, like my lawyer heart...

4. I need the full farberware pot before I leave the house, otherwise I cannot function. Then I need one more cup when I get to the office. After that, I can actually get through the whole day without more (if absolutely necessary).

[Scorpio]

1. Puerto Rican, Cuban or Colombian bean homegrown bean.

2. I use a perculator, old style.

3. If by cuban style you expresso or as cubans call it "pocillo" which is drank
in a little cup. This stuff is potent. Sometimes a little cream and sugar.

4. Just a couple of cups is all I need.

Rafael

[Justso]

That's why vac pots were abandoned in favor of Percolators (which make the worst coffee, by far) in the late-'40s, '50s, and '60s --convienience of the Percolator.


This is something that I've heard over and over. I've tried coffee several ways and I just don't understand the bad wrap percolators get? I mean, I guess I'm not a coffee aficianado so my opinion is that of a dilitante.

The coffee I get out of my little percolator is very rich & smooth. Guess I'm just not refined enough. :blush:

[NMMB]

Oh... coffee... I love coffee.


1. What type/brand of beans do you like for your morning or evening (hell, maybe all day) cup o' joe?
Most (though not all) of the coffee I drink is roasted by Just Us (http://www.justuscoffee.com/) in Nova Scotia. It is fair trade and organic - and IMHO is some of the best coffee available in the country (perhaps the continent or the world even). I especially enjoy their Guatemalan and Rainforest Rhapsody roasts (a medium and a light roast respectively), though many of their other blends are exceptional as well.
I am also finding myself increasingly interested in espresso though I have yet to find a blend that really does it for me... I am presently using the Espresso Blend and Italian Roast from Just Us but they aren't quite what I want/need for my espresso (though, they are notably more satisfying than illy, IMHO). Any espresso drinkers have any suggestions as to a good roast/blend that might be available locally?


2. What type of equipment do you like/use to make your perfect java?
I am presently using the following: Krups FME4 PRO AROMA SS (http://www.krups.ca/krups/prod_pro_aroma_fme4.asp) drip coffee maker and a Krups XP 4020 Pump Espresso maker (similar to this one (http://www.krupsusa.com/krups/All+Products/Espresso+Machines/Pump+espresso+machines/Products/XP4030/XP4030.htm))



3. How do you take your coffee? Cream/Sugar/Steamed Milk/Cuban Style?
I drink coffee black (as it was intended to be) - unless the coffee is so bad that it isn't palatable... in which case I may add milk and/or sugar... Also, I will sometimes make espresso drinks that are milk-based (late, etc) rather than drinking the espresso straight... but I do not like sweet espresso drinks and if I do make a milk-based drink I use skim milk.


4. How many cups of battery acid does it take to jump start you in the morning? :smile:
I drink coffee as much as I can, all day long...well, most of the day (from the time I get up to some time early in the evening - but I rarely have more than one or 2 after, say, 7pm)... In an average day I consume approximately 60 - 80 ounces (1.8 - 2.4 L)... wow, it seems like a lot when I read it like that.

[rikrdo]

At home:

French Market coffee thru a French Press.
Cooled and put in the fridge for Iced coffee later....
Sometimes an "espresso" thru my woefully inadequate Krups espresso machine.
A local beanery in Mentone CA makes some good joe. I cant remember the name offhand.

Away:

Local coffee house the "White Rabbit" makes a mean Red-Eye or,
if Im in really bad shape , the occassional Black-Eye :scared:
Im not really sure whose coffee they use.

I will go to Starbucks. But only if Im forced to.
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Does anyone own an AEROPRESS ?
Dinder recommended trying one. Im sure I will

[Queen of Blades]

At Home
1. 8 O'clock coffee, half-caf

2. Melitta One:One -pod coffee maker (I don't like the coffee pods available because of the taste and the price. So I make my own pods. Nobody else in the house drinks coffee so one cup at a time is sometimes perfect for me.)

3. 1% milk, and 2 packets of Sweet 'N' Low

4. None. Orange juice does a better job of jump starting me in the morning, but I still crave my coffee.

Out and About

Hot coffee, any way I can get it (most of the time it is horrible)

I adore iced mocha, with whipped cream. It was the only way I would drink coffee after I turned 16. And yes I did drink coffee before I turned 16. I used to sip from my mother's coffee, starting when I was 9 or 10. And yes I know it can stunt your growth:rolleyes: , I completely blame the coffee for me being only 5' tall. It cost me a whole 2 or 3 inches. :001_tt2:

16, living in Tacoma, WA, coffee huts on every corner (even in the high schools) I was introduced to Italian Sodas and Iced Mocha. Oh yeah, Starbucks SUCKS! Over-priced and just plain AWFUL! Coffee is to the NW what gambling is to Vegas. It is everywhere you look.

I really started craving hot coffee about 3 years ago, pretty much as soon as I found out I was pregnant. Luckily I owned my own restaurant and simply had to upgrade my decaf to 100% Colombian decaf. The best decaf I've ever had in a restaurant. I'm tempted to call my old supplier to set up an account now, because I haven't found anything that comes even close to their coffee, regular or decaf.

[letterk]

1. One of my long standing favorites is Douwe Egberts, Redlabel coffee. It's a typical Dutch coffee and one of the best pre-ground coffee I've found. A local Dutch store imports it.

I can't believe no one has mentioned Ristretto Roasters (http://www.ristrettoroasters.com/), yet. DJ does a great job with his roasts. I particularly like Mexican Chiapas and Ethiopian Harrar.

2. I use a french press and a drip machine and an el cheapo grinder. I'm currently shopping for an espresso machine and grinder.

3. Black, unless I'm having a cappucino.

4. None. I drink it for the taste, not the buzz.

At work we have a Nespresso machine which I use occasionally.

[rsober]

I use a Bodem for brewed coffee and have a preference for Grumpy Monkey from Small World Roasters http://www.smallworldcoffee.com/Roaster/blends.htm

In the espresso machine it is always Espresso Vivace http://www.espressovivace.com/

[rsober]

Peets retail outlets are here and there in the Boston area.

1. I am real partial to a dark roast coffee. Currently I purchase my beans from www.wholelattelove.com. I am very addicted to Vivace Espresso Vita. This coffee is ambrosia to me and I grind it in my drip machine as well as use it when I am pulling shots of Espresso. I buy from WLL because they offer free shipping and it is dropshipped directly from the roaster, David Schomer.

-Scott-


You may want to try buying directly from Vivace....they roast and ship it (fedex) overnight that same day usually. It ends up being lots cheaper and there is no middle man.

[Xert]

1. I have yet to develop any particular brand affinity, but am currently working my way through some excellent beans from Multatuli (http://www.multatuli.ca/site/index.html). While their Bolivian is too light for my taste (which I knew upon ordering, but wanted to sample nonetheless), I've found their Mexican to be full-bodied with a lovely early-morning spice despite....

2. ...the fact that I'm currently limited to a terrible drip machine. Count me in as another one who can't understand the anti-percolator attitude, since I've found it to be far superior not only to drip machines but also even to the French press. I'll have to look into vacuum pots and that Aeropress, they sound excellent.

3. Black. Unless someone else is making it, in which case the chances are it'll need cream and sugar.

4. Usually none. The occasional cup is helpful, but I primarily drink it for the flavour. I wouldn't switch to decaf for anything, but I've found that when I need the pick-me-up it's the flavour more than the caffeine that does it. It's just hard to beat a rich, full-bodied cup of coffee to wake the tastebuds with such a complexity of flavours that the brain has no choice but get into action in order to process the luxury of it all. The pleasure of savouring a great cup of coffee is greater than the pleasure of remaining half-asleep.

[19george]

1. Generally I start my mornings with Venizelos Greek coffee. Mmm, unfiltered goodness! :cool:

2. Briki (http://www.greekshops.com/Food_and_Cookware/Pots_and_Pans/Greek_Coffee_Pot_Briki_Large.html?pdi=520303100091 8)

3. 2 sugars

4. Usually I throw in 3 teaspoons. (think triple esspresso)

[charleton]

1. What type/brand of beans do you like for your morning or evening (hell, maybe all day) cup o' joe?

I usually use store brand (Kroger) decaffeinated french roast. Occasionally, if I'm in Houston or Dallas, I'll splurge on a pound or two of good stuff.

2. What type of equipment do you like/use to make your perfect java?

I grind with a little Braun whizzer. Someday I hope to get a good burr grinder, but other things are higher on the priority list at the moment. I brew it in a little 4-cup Bialetti coffeemaker that goes on the stove. Great coffee.

If I'm making coffee for a group, I use a Chemex drip maker.

One item that I believe makes a big difference is the quality of the water you use to brew. In this part of Texas, our water is quite salty, so using filtered water is essential.

3. How do you take your coffee? Cream/Sugar/Steamed Milk/Cuban Style?

Usually, I drink it black, although occasionally I'll heat up some milk and do it cafe au lait.

4. How many cups of battery acid does it take to jump start you in the morning?

As you'll have noticed above, I drink decaffeinate coffee, not by choice but due to a heart condition that's aggravated by too much caffein. (Damn the luck!) I've been caffein-less for going on 10 years now and find that good-quality decaf can be almost as tasty as the leaded stuff.

Gene.

[Randyag15]

1. I have found that Curra's Grill in Austin, TX offers some of the best coffee, when I'm in Austin or family members I make them stop and get a lb. Also, one of my favorites is the Mexican Coffee Beans at Whole Foods, and last but not least Brazilian Burbon from Spec's in Houston.

**Side note...if you ever find yourself in Houston, please take the time to visit Spec's main wharehouse off Smith Street downtown. It is like no other adult beverage store you have ever been in.


2. What type of equipment do you like/use to make your perfect java?
mostly use Cuisinart Grind and Brew. I had used a french press for years, the nice thing about the crisinart is that I can program what time the beans to be ground.


3. How do you take your coffee? Cream/Sugar/Steamed Milk/Cuban Style?
Black...in the afternoon usually but sugar or Cuban style

4. How many cups of battery acid does it take to jump start you in the morning?

2 to 3

[charleton]

**Side note...if you ever find yourself in Houston, please take the time to visit Spec's main wharehouse off Smith Street downtown. It is like no other adult beverage store you have ever been in.

I've driven by Spec's for years without going in. I reckon I must remedy that.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Gene.

[Randyag15]

I've driven by Spec's for years without going in. I reckon I must remedy that.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Gene.


I have an aunt and uncle that live in the big BCS and they make special trips down to Spec's because of their wine selection/spirits/beer etc... and what makes it even more amazing is the fact sometimes they give out samples. One day I was in the store and they were giving samples of scotch, and they had a bagpipper playing!!! AMazing..

[charleton]

One day I was in the store and they were giving samples of scotch, and they had a bagpipper playing!!! AMazing..

Anyplace that has the guts (and good taste :biggrin: ) to invite in a bagpiper has to be worth visiting. I don't get to Houston as often as I used to, but I should be able to make up some excuse.

Gene.

[tjkirch]

Hmm, it seems I'm the strange one again.

I can't drink coffee. It is absolutely repugnant to my senses. I can tell if food has the slightest trace of coffee in it, I can smell it from a mile away, and if I try to drink it, well...

That said, I've really, really tried. My wife is a coffee freak and I've tried almost everything she's gone through. If anyone can recommend something for me to start with, something delicious but not strong on the pure coffee taste, I'd be happy to try. I think all of your taste buds are acclimated, though, so good luck. :001_cool:

[charleton]

... If anyone can recommend something for me to start with, something delicious but not strong on the pure coffee taste, I'd be happy to try. I think all of your taste buds are acclimated, though, so good luck. :001_cool:

You might try something like cafe au lait, latte or cappuccino -- all of which have the coffee diluted at least somewhat with milk and (sometimes) sweetener. They're still pretty much coffee, however. :smile:

Gene.

[Suzuki]

I like a good strong cup of coffee in the morning and one in the afternoon. I try to restrict myself to two cups a day. If I'm out for dinner I'll almost always order a double espresso.

I use a Cuisinart drip coffee maker with a gold mesh filter most days, but also have a stove-top espresso maker for when I'm in the mood.

While I get most of my coffee from a shop that sources from a local roaster, I've also had occasion to try several of the coffees from Ristretto Roasters, which is owned by none other than our own Dinder (I've traded for some and then won a pound in the B&B sweepstakes).

The coffee from Ristretto Roasters is terriffic - unlike several companies who exclusively offer dark roasts, Ristretto only uses a medium roast, which lets the flavours of the beans come through. While I still like a dark roast every now and again, its nice to be able to have a strong cup of coffee that still allows you taste the subtle flavours of a particular variety.

I notice that Dinder hasn't posted in this thread - likely out of a combination of modesty and the desire not to be seen as shamelessly plugging his wares. While this is admirable, I think that any coffee thread on B&B (or anywhere else for that matter) would be incomplete without a mention of Ristretto Roasters.

In case you're interested, here's a link to their website:

http://ristrettoroasters.com/

Great coffe at reasonable prices (not to mention a chance to support a fellow B&B member's business).

Disclaimer:

I received no compensation in any form whatsoever (and specifically didn't get any free coffee!) for this post.:biggrin:

[tjkirch]

You might try something like cafe au lait, latte or cappuccino -- all of which have the coffee diluted at least somewhat with milk and (sometimes) sweetener. They're still pretty much coffee, however. :smile:
I find all of the above incredibly strong! As I said, you have your work cut out for you :wink:

[Suzuki]

I find all of the above incredibly strong! As I said, you have your work cut out for you :wink:


Try Vietnamese iced coffee - coffee mixed with lots of sweetened condensed milk over ice.

Dessert in a glass!

[tjkirch]

Try Vietnamese iced coffee - coffee mixed with lots of sweetened condensed milk over ice.

Dessert in a glass!
That sounds excellent! I'll let you know when I try one. Here's hoping the coffee is overpowered by sugary goodness...

[JohnP]

Try Vietnamese iced coffee - coffee mixed with lots of sweetened condensed milk over ice.

Dessert in a glass!
Sounds similar to the tea served in Thai restaurants...(also quite good...)
1.) Type/brand. I don't know enough to be picky just yet, but tend to like darker blends. I had some Kona stuff I picked up at the commissary on Hickam while there (no its not cheap there either, but better than here...) that was nice. Usually I drink whatever is in the coffee mess at the squadron. From way back the people running it have made sure the "new kid" knew how to make good coffee. Which leads to ....
2) Equipment used. At home I have 2 drip coffeemakers and a cheap grinder if I need it. Usually I drink out of the huge pots served up at work. The machine drips into various pump bottles, and usually we are given a choice of "strong" "regular" or some flavor or other. Apparently they do pretty well, because not only do we drink it, but guys from my old outfit walk over to get the coffee served here...and the rest of you Navy types out there know, the ships would stop, the planes would be grounded, the whole place would stop, without coffee... I also have a press that I use when camping.
3) Depends on my mood. Sometimes black, sometimes cream, sometimes cream and sugar...I don't have one particular favorite method.
4) I have built up a resistance to coffee. I like it a good deal, but I can drink a vat of espresso and go right to sleep. Which, is unfortunate if one wishes to wake up....
John P.

[GeeQue]

1. What type/brand of beans do you like for your morning or evening (hell, maybe all day) cup o' joe?

Any "Whole Organic Low Acid Bean"

2. What type of equipment do you like/use to make your perfect java?

Bene Casa Italian Expresso perculator

3. How do you take your coffee? Cream/Sugar/Steamed Milk/Cuban Style?

Expresso 80% mixed with 20% lowfat milk and some sugar

4. How many cups of battery acid does it take to jump start you in the morning

One cup in the morning, one after lunch, one after dinner

[jfm]

1. What type/brand of beans do you like for your morning or evening (hell, maybe all day) cup o' joe?
I am satisfied with Costco house brand. It's consistent, which counts more in my book than the variable quality roasts I found. If I am feeling like a rich man, I hunt a local roaster down.

2. What type of equipment do you like/use to make your perfect java?
In the mornings, my Zojirushi drip coffeemaker. It produces extremely hot water at the sprayhead and has a thermal carafe. If I have time I use either a moka pot or my Grandddad's old Chemex.

3. How do you take your coffee? Cream/Sugar/Steamed Milk/Cuban Style?
Hot and black.

4. How many cups of battery acid does it take to jump start you in the morning?
I don't measure it in cups. More of a constant flow.

[ratcheer]

My usual coffee is Gevalia Traditional Roast whole bean. When I run low between shipments, I supplement with 8 O'Clock 100% Colombian from the grocery store.

Tim

[ravkesef]

Let's try and keep our focus here. Coffee is not a matter of life and death. It's much more important than that. Around our house, the rule is fairly simple: Just hand over the coffee and nobody gets hurt.
Now, let me wax a bit on one of my favorite subjects, because as a sideline, I'm a taster for a coffee company. It just happened that way--I have a palate that can distinguish coffee the way some people can do wine. In the category of alcoholic beverages, I have a simple rule: If it burns, I'll drink it. Actually, I'm fussier than that. I have a strong preference for scotch and have a cabiniet full of excellent single malts and blends. (Lagavulin remains my favorite, but you really have to love scotch.) Can't stand bourbon. but I digress. Back to coffee.
I gave a lecture recently at a culinary school on coffee making--brought a gruntload of equipment with me, etc.
Now, how does an expert make coffee? Well--this expert says that if you know what you like, then you're an expert too, justs as much as I am. That being said, a few tips.
French Press. the heavenly way to start the morning. Brings out the full flavor and aroma of the coffee. It's the only way to make coffee that tastes just the way coffee smells.
2nd choice: chemex.
drip-- as long as the temperature is high enough. In the consumer line, the Technivorm makes the best, but it'll set you back around $200.
Percolator? Use it for planting flowers. Here's why: It boils coffee. And reboils it. And reboils it. Several hundred times over. and by the time you're done, all the flavor has gone out of your coffee. you cannot--and I repeat cannot--get a good cup of coffee out of a percolator. Nonetheless, if you like it, then that's the way it is. De gustibus non disputandum.
For espresso: I have an Olympia Cremina, generally regarded as the pinnacle of consumer espresso machines. If you can find one (there's only one companhy in the US that sells them, and they're allocated 160 units a year,) expect to pay $2495. What coffee to use? Espresso vivace Dolce, if you're pulling straight shots, and Vita if you're making cappucino or latte. This is what we call in the business the "God shot." And if you get to Espresso Vivace in Seattle, and sit down and have a ristretto, you will enjoy utter perfection in a cup of coffee. That alone makes the airfare worth it.
There's been a bit of discussion of Peets in this thread. Try their Guatemalan--it is truly magnificent. OK, enough for now--it's late. You can flame me, you can agree with me, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it. More later. (after a few more shots of Vivace.)
:001_tt2:

[mullenpf61]

1. What type/brand of beans do you like for your morning or evening (hell, maybe all day) cup o' joe?

AM Lavazza, Breville pump, straight as God intended or a cap if I'm in touch with my feminine side

PM Early Coarse ground made in a Coffee Press in my office (kettle and press are a nice way to have good coffee when the work coffee is putrid). I have an Ex_student who drops off from his family coffee farm. I get a several pound airtight container per semester. Costa Rican, no idea what kind of beans, but its really good and it does pay to help students.

Evening one of two: Lavazza Dek in the Breville, or Starbuck house decaf in press. Usually accompanied by a Padron Cigar taken on my patio.

I live in SFla. The Capitol of Cafe Cubana. I detest it. Way to much sugar for my taste. Way, Way too much sugar. When I moved here, a Cuban collegue said that in Miami, sugar is considered a vegetable serving. A caution, even in nice restaurants, a cap often consists of way too sweet coffee topped with way too sweet whipped cream. Unless you want this milkshake, check before you order. Other the other hand, take a leap on the Cuban food if in Miami, the cuisine is generally outstanding, if not particularly cadio-vascularly sound!

[doctorsimon]

http://www.coffeegeek.com/

I think some of us get obsessed about all things!

Beans only.
Must be less than two weeks out of the packet.
Ground in a Mazzer Mini EL immediately prior to brewing. (Mazzer is the Rolls of grinders, Starbucks used to use them before they dumbed down.)
La Pavoni europiccola espresso machine. This is a tempremental little bugger, it's the DE of the espresso world. Any variable wrong and the coffee goes down the sink. I'm throwing less down the sink these days!
Morning -- cappuchino. Afternoon -- espresso. Evening -- detox!

[boboakalfb]

The coffee from Ristretto Roasters is terriffic - unlike several companies who exclusively offer dark roasts, Ristretto only uses a medium roast, which lets the flavours of the beans come through. While I still like a dark roast every now and again, its nice to be able to have a strong cup of coffee that still allows you taste the subtle flavours of a particular variety.

I notice that Dinder hasn't posted in this thread - likely out of a combination of modesty and the desire not to be seen as shamelessly plugging his wares. While this is admirable, I think that any coffee thread on B&B (or anywhere else for that matter) would be incomplete without a mention of Ristretto Roasters.

In case you're interested, here's a link to their website:

http://ristrettoroasters.com/

Great coffe at reasonable prices (not to mention a chance to support a fellow B&B member's business).

Disclaimer:

I received no compensation in any form whatsoever (and specifically didn't get any free coffee!) for this post.:biggrin:

I agree here 100%...DJ may not toot his own horn here but he really does a great job. If you guys haven't already, I would definitely suggest giving his coffee a try. By medium roasting he allows the beans to express their true character as opposed to roasting the complex flavors out.

This morning I am enjoying the last of my Ethiopia Harrar...so I need to place another order.

French Press for me...a couple cups in the morning and again in the afternoon or after dinner...and black.

[rjv71]

Occasionally I order some Kona coffee from Smithfarms (http://www.smithfarms.com/) . Their website is worth checking out, a mom-and pop kind of operation that sells really good Kona for a reasonable price. I also like the Marques de Paiva Brazilian coffee sold at Sams:Club.

I always use a French Press at home and brew a large cup of coffee 1st thing in the morning. With a little bit of half and half.

at work, we have our own 'coffee group' in which everyone who wishes to join brings in his or her favorite coffee. We have 2 drip machines at a desk and so at work I drink anything from Starbucks to Peets to 8 o'clock to coffee's people bring back from vacations.

[SofaKing]

Interesting thread, as coffee is the one thing I am slightly more neurotic about than shaving.

1. What type/brand of beans do you like for your morning or evening (hell, maybe all day) cup o' joe?

Currently I have Columbian, Guatemala Casa Bella, and Kenya AA in rotation. Personally I favor the Kenya. SWMBO is from South America and this summer I had the pleasure of picking and roasting coffee from the plants that grow wild on my MIL's farm. Interesting in that the locals pick the black rather than red cherries. They also roast over an open fire and add a cup of sugar at the end. It makes for very good coffee with just a hint of the caramalized sugar. So sad, I have drunk everything I brought home. :frown:

Salt Lake Roasting Company in Salt Lake is an excellent source for coffee.

2. What type of equipment do you like/use to make your perfect java?

Solis Maestro grinder
Chemex
Chemex filters
Filtered water
Thermometer (water at 200F)
If I have to save coffe, I have a thermal carafe I preheat with boiling water.

I would love to buy an espresso machine, but I would also like a Porsche Cayman and that isn't happening anytime soon either. :mad3:

3. How do you take your coffee? Cream/Sugar/Steamed Milk/Cuban Style?

First cup of the day for me is black. My second is with steamed milk and a tiny bit of sugar in a go mug. SWMBO is delivered a cup bedside w/steamed milk and a spoon of sugar (prefer turbinado).

4. How many cups of battery acid does it take to jump start you in the morning?

Just the one I drink with breakfast. The travel mug is for the drive and to finish with my boss at our morning meeting. Never after that, have enough trouble sleeping and Cafeine has a half-life of around 4 hours.

[Tribe]

- Organic French Roast with Organic Espresso ( 1 to 2 shots depending on the previous night's drinking adventure )
- Organic Filters & Distilled Water using a Bunn Coffee Maker
- on occassion I will use Organic Raw Honey or Organic Vanilla Beans ( mixed with French Roast ) for sweetness
Pure as possible with a mix of Bitter & Sweet ... & enough Caffeine to bring Voltaire back to Life ...

[rikrdo]

I agree here 100%...DJ may not toot his own horn here but he really does a great job. If you guys haven't already, I would definitely suggest giving his coffee a try. By medium roasting he allows the beans to express their true character as opposed to roasting the complex flavors out.

This morning I am enjoying the last of my Ethiopia Harrar...so I need to place another order.

French Press for me...a couple cups in the morning and again in the afternoon or after dinner...and black.


Bump !
I just received my 1st shipment from DJ.
1# of the Ethiopia Harrar ordered and 3 samples were added :biggrin:
This java is jumpin !!
http://ristrettoroasters.com/ .....cool website as well.

[ouch]

The only thing I know about coffee is that I like it. I use Zabar's coffee (they seem to go through tons of it a week, so I don't know where to get it any fresher) and a Bodem French press.

Simple, and works for me.

[_JP_]

I've been 'experimenting' with coffee for some time now. I don't have a particular favorite, I simply keep trying out different ones.

I am lucky that we have a local coffee house that roasts their own beans daily. A typical coffee shop with retail as well. They also have wifi there, so I often
sip-n-surf there. :tongue_sm

[TimmyBoston]

I have a condition where I can't handle caffeine in even moderate doses, so regular coffee's out for me, but I really like Kona Coffee, does anybody know where I can get some good Decaf 100% Kona Coffee?
Or other good decaf's?

[Scotty]

I like 8 O'Clock 100% Columbian coffee & make it in a very old 3 cup drip coffee pot. (My mother said these coffee pots used to come free in a big bag of flour when she was a kid.)
I like the new McDonalds custom blend coffee; but not the robust.
Almost any brand beats the instant coffee in the c-rations while in the USMC!

[ratcheer]

I have a condition where I can't handle caffeine in even moderate doses, so regular coffee's out for me, but I really like Kona Coffee, does anybody know where I can get some good Decaf 100% Kona Coffee?
Or other good decaf's?

Gavalia may have it. They will definitely have several kinds of very good decafs, even if they don't have Kona.

http://www.gevalia.com/Gevalia/

Tim

[_C_]

1. What type/brand of beans do you like for your morning or evening (hell, maybe all day) cup o' joe?

I'm a huge fan of Just Us coffee (http://www.justuscoffee.com/) from Nova Scotia. :001_tt1: Preferably the Guatamalan or Mexican (medium roast) blends. Since I live so close to the roaster, I can't imagine getting anything fresher. Just smelling the beans roasting in the moring on the way to work is a pick me up.



2. What type of equipment do you like/use to make your perfect java?

French press. I may switch to drip though. I find the grinds that end up in the bottom of the cup fairly annoying. If anyone had any other suggestions to minimize these, I'd apreciate it. :smile:



3. How do you take your coffee? Cream/Sugar/Steamed Milk/Cuban Style?

Black. The only coffee I drink with cream comes from Tim Hortons.



4. How many cups of battery acid does it take to jump start you in the morning? :smile:

A couple of cups will usually do the trick. A third after lunch helps with the afternoon blahs.

[Dr Fred]

Here's an excellent roast:
http://www.caffeumbria.com/

[ouch]

Does Trade Joe's sell any decent coffee? I'm always in there, and was wondering if they had anything worthwhile.

[daveshaves]

http://intelligentsiacoffee.com/ is quite good. Their largest roast is only 200lbs. Starbucks smallest roast is 5000lbs. They roast and ship the same day. If you are ever in Chicago, they offer tours of the roasting facility on Saturdays.