Roy wrote:I use Miles' of Devon coffee beans that go straight into my Gaggia grinder then into my Bialetti espresso maker. Job done! Maybe froth my milk if i'm feeling camp. LOL.
There's a cool little post office/village shop near where I work on the border of Somerset that stocks about 6 different types of Miles' beans, I go in there, choose what I want and they weigh them out for me. Bit like a sweet shop! £1.15 per 100g
Well I don't know about them "devon coffee beans" Roy, but well done for mentioning what IMO is about the only way to make coffee.
Unless you have a large commercial machine, which, lets face it, most of us can't afford, all you really need to do is to look to the nation that regularly makes the best Coffee in Europe i.e. Italy. Restaurants will have large commercial machines, so what's the next best thing ? How about what Roy mentioned? A "Bialetti" type stove top coffee/espresso maker ? Quite quick, makes a good strong coffee, available in various sizes (espresso cup/2 floz multiples).
S'wot I use. Along with Lavazza Gold (nearest "proper" coffee place is too much hassle to get to). You can always microwave the milk and then bang it with one of those little "frothing blenders". Works a treat.
Unaddressed point though. In Italy, no self respecting coffee drinker will take a cappuccino after 11am. They wouldn't entertain drip machines (often goes bitter after a while on the hot plate and is weak as piss anyway - parallels with americans ?????) and "french press"/cafetiere makers are pretty much the same as drip makers - weak as piss and for mug punters...... They certainly wouldn't use any device (nespresso, tassimo etc) where you have to buy the coffee in special little "pod things" - which, lets face it, are only there so the makers can "add value" to the coffee and make convenience (laziness???) a selling point with their fancy "mug punter" adverts.....
Personally, when and if I can get whole beans I just go for a mix of dark roast "Continental" beans and Mocha. 50/50 medium to fine ground. It will work with most types of maker.......
But then again, what about Turkish/Arabic coffee ? Strong as hell, sweet as f**k and absolutely delicious. I've got a small copper "Ibrik" but don't make it often as it can take a while i.e. the number of times it's reboiled to make it as strong as possible. Don't forget if you did make some then it's manners to offer the "crema" part to your guest. Just remember, that there's usually a healthy(?????) amount of grounds at the bottom......
If you must drink "instant", then you get what you pay for...... don't let the f*****g adverts guide you. Taste it and see. IMO, the best one is the Nestle (food nazis) "Alta Rica".....
almost didn't finish it.
everything else says to add espresso shot or similar to the secondary... Anyone got experience?