Coffee!

[mshergold]

Two mugs a day for me. Two desertspoons of no. 5 (strongest) Fairtrade coffee - the one that used to come in a red bag - in a caffetiere.

[Dr. Dextrin]

I've tried endless ways of making coffee over the years but I've noticed no convincing correlation between the cost of the equipment and the tastiness of the brew.

The favourite that I've settled on happens to be the quickest and simplest method I've tried. It also has the advantage that I can use it easily even when travelling away from home, as the equipment is minimal.

I like a bit of natural (unroasted) coffee flavour, so I normally use 30% to 50% of that mixed with a good quality roasted brand. I put a goodly amount into a fine in-cup strainer designed for leaf tea, place that in a mug and pour in boiling water. I then leave it for just a few seconds, give a good stir, and whip the strainer and coffee grounds out. A dash of milk and it's good to go.

The trick is to be very generous with the coffee so that the contact time is kept really short (you can afford that because you haven't spent anything on equipment). That way you get more of an espresso flavour and less of a cafetiere flavour - but of course there's no espresso machine or cafetiere to wash up. In fact, it's just about as easy as instant coffee but tastes a million percent better.

[Walrus81]

I too am a little anal about my coffee.

I have a Crupps grinder and Cafetiere. I have a real ritual for making my coffee.

1 Freshly drawn water into kettle.
2 Once boiled warm Cafetiere and leave for 4 mins.
3 Get beans out of freezer and blitz in pulses 1s on 1s off for final minute of 4 minute wait.
5 Tip water from Cafetiere to coffee cup
6 coffee into Cafetiere, pouring water onto side of Cafetiere
7 plunger on top leave for another 4 mins.
8 plunge and discard water in cup
9 pour out and enjoy.

I get coffee beans from Monmouth coffee in london (more often than not cycling up to collect beans 30 miles each way)
also stopping for coffee at the shop .

I have also heard good things about Fullcity coffee as well.

[mysterio]

Why do you grind in pulses Walrus ?

I'm assuming I have the same Krups grinder as you.

I use the coarsest setting on it which does the job for the cafetiere although theres always a little 'sludge' in the coffee cup - I don't mind though.

[dmonbeer]

I don't have instant in the house, but have to settle for it at work sometimes. I use a stovetop esspresso maker exactly like leedsbrew's.

If you want to be uber geeky then there is a podcast from Basic Brewing Radio on coffee making - right from roasting your own beans. If you go to www.basicbrewing.com & look for the podcast dated August 14th 2008, you see it for download.

I'm never likely to have this much free time to roast my own beans, but its still an interesting listen. I listen to these podcasts plus Craft Beer Radio all the time as I do a lot of driving & music gets a bit repetitive after a while.

dmonbeer

[ColinKeb]

Im English I drink tea ! assam to be specific

[Walrus81]

My grinder uses a spinning blade.

By pulsing it means the temperature generated chopping the beans does not get too hight which can cause bitterness.

[micmacmoc]

I love coffee. 100% Arabica, freshly ground espresso, double shot. I overload the head and set the machine to 33 seconds per shot. This is'nt over extruding as the overload of coffee covers this, I always use the two shot head.

I have a mazzer stepless grinder and a two head san remo espresso machine. I use Origin coffee. Origin trained and supply the 2008 World Barista Champion, Hugo Hercod who is also down here in Cornwall. The coffee Origin supply is rarely two weeks past roasting when its delivered, its excellent. Far better than anyhing the big roasters offer. I go to the trade shows (I have a coffee shop/gallery) and am annoyed by the attitude of the big suppliers. I would only ever buy coffee that had a roast date rather than a use by date on the packaging and only 100% Arabica. Their attitude seems to be that as my customers are mostly going to want milk in their coffee what does it matter that the espresso tastes bitter? Well I'll be drinking it matey and for about 6p a shot extra I can have the best commercially available coffee fresh from a local roastery. And yes its the big suppliers who want to 'save' me £4 a kilo of beans so I can serve third rate muck to my customers. A story that seems somehow familiar!
My staff train annually at Origin, they really are the dogs nadgers, can't praise them enough for their fanaticism, knowledge, helpfulness and commitment.

My fave:
Two shots of coffee in the head, do a one shot of water through it into a warmed espresso cup and top up with soberano Spanish brandy. I like a bar of 70% Green and Blacks with this too. Then Zzzzzzzzz.

[mysterio]

http://www.hasbean.co.uk/

Best I've found. I get green beans from Steve and roast with an I-Roast.

I ordered a couple of half pounds of roasted coffee from this guy on your recommendation, hopefully it will arrive today. Prices aren't too bad compared to some i've seen.

[Manx Guy]

Hi!

Another subject close to my heart!

Am I a 'snob' if I dont drink instant? lol

I also wont add too much milk non at all if it UHT or any artifical sweetners URGH!!!

If some place doesn't have 'real' coffee then I'll drink tea!

I have a load of coffee equipment in the house which I've collected over the years...

My mainstays are a Gagia Filter machine with a vacum flask-type jus (keeps the coffee warm without a hot plate- which over heats the coffee)
and a 'baby' Gaggia espresso machine coupled with a Krupps grinder

I also have a couple of various sized cafietares and a stove top espresso maker given to me by my ex girlfriends Italian grandfather...
Aparently he has a stash of them which he brought with him from Italy in 1935... Its cast aluminium and makes great coffeee although I often scold myself when I use it...

It even went in my old camper van for years (as it only had gas) and was far better than drinking instant coffee, I think that thing will probably out live me by 100's of years...

I use the following site for beans, they are a smallish concern based in Perth Scotland and are really helpful and friendly:

I have used HAsbean but find there postage rates a bit too spicey - as I live on the Isle of Man.... My problem really I guess...

Has bean do have some great coffee's including one of my personal favs Australian Sky berry a great morning coffee and whilst its not cheap its a cheaper alternative to Blue mountain!!



Slainte!

[mysterio]

What site is that you use Manx guy ? You didn't post the link

Are you using the Krups burr grinder ? Do you find this is OK for an espresso grind ? I'm determined to get a consistent espresso from my Gaggia

[lancsSteve]

Have a Gaggia too - the 'Classic' and it's LOVELY Not twin boiler though but still a blinding machine. New Baby Twin looks great.

Have an Isomac Macinacaffe Professionale Grinder - great grinder but silly spout design so you have to tip and bang it to get all coffee out...

All bought from the (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED): http://www.anothercoffee.co.uk/

Buy all our coffee from Atkinson's in Lancaster - which is a reason to move/live here IMHO: http://www.atkinsonsteaandcoffee.co.uk/

My faves are straight up espresso, a good cappuccino, and an evening decaf Bailey's latte (got them DOWN recently )

BTW: Gaggia are still going - merged with Phillips last week, hope quality stays as good though... http://www.housewareslive.net/products/ ... th+Philips

Anyone tried Dark Star's Espresso Stout? Crowned 'worlds best speciality beer'! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Star_Brewery. Certainly my 'beer of the year' from trying it at Norwich Beer Festival and on pump at Orange Tree in Kirkby Lonsdale... Handful of ground beans in the copper after the boil apparently... Gonna have to try making something like that I recon!

[Manx Guy]

Hi!

Heres the link:
http://www.thebeanshop.com/shop/coffee2.asp

What a dummy I am...


Their in-house blends are good for everyday use... For espresso they are 100% Arabica but from different regions/climates to get a more balanced flavour...

Personally I'm a fan of central american and Javan coffee...

Gaggia are like a lot of Italian companies.. eg. Aprillia etc. often merging and getting into financial hot water etc etc...
But they are such a strong brand they will probably be around for a long time to come...

I'm lucky my work throw in quality coffee, I have a few mugs of 'Sumatra's' early on then maybe a macchiato ( we have a Lavazza pod machine in the kitchen:) ) later on in the day...


Slainte!

[lancsSteve]

I'm lucky my work throw in quality coffee, I have a few mugs of 'Sumatra's' early on then maybe a macchiato ( we have a Lavazza pod machine in the kitchen:) ) later on in the day...

IU run the coffee club - we ONLY have decent-enough filter / caffetiere coffee and I'm off for one right now

Manx Guy - ever been to Atkinson's, dunno if you ever come through Heysham but worth a small diversion/visit IMHO: proper old-school and when you go in on roasting days it's the only bit of lancaster's godawful one way system that brings a smile as the smell of roasting beans carries along the whole road.

[Manx Guy]

Hi!

Yes I do often go thru' Heysham when I use the ferry & take the car (otherwise foot passanger to Liverpool for connecting trains etc. or flying are more appealing options) ... do they have a website with a map/locator on it?

Or if you have a postcode I can put into the satnav system on my wifes 'flashy german saloon' (comes Gratis with her job, we are most definately *not* loaded)... lol

Dont worry tho' I make sure she never drives with the fog lights on.... (see pet hates/ logic when drinking beer threads in the 'Tap Roon'....)


That one way system is a true PITA even when you come of the midnight boat you have to stop ever 200 yards for lights

Slainte!