Making Coffee

[Usufruct]

So, I started drinking coffee a few months ago, and I'm freaking hooked. The thing is, I don't make my own coffee yet, and I really want to. I spend $1.60 every morning on my favorite mug of Mocha Joe's Colombian Narino Reserva (http://www.mochajoes.com/coffees.html) coffee. It tastes good.

So, I need a coffee grinder. My dad recommended this one (http://everythinghome.com/cap55burcofg.html), and it looks good to me. I have been told that I want a Burr grinder, and not a blade grinder?

I'll also probably want some kind of coffee maker, I suppose. Or just those funnel things you put the coffee in and pour hot water over? Bear with me, I really don't know what I'm doing.

Any advice on what to buy, or tips on how to make a good cup of coffee would be greatly appreciated!

[Jigga-Scrooge]

i like coffee.

[Arbedark]

In England we just buy coffee granules...and add hot water in a cup...then add sugar or milk to taste...simple as...

[Usufruct]

In England we just buy coffee granules...and add hot water in a cup...then add sugar or milk to taste...simple as...
Coffee granules, hmm? Isn't that like... instant coffee?

[ragnar_ii]

Coffee granules, hmm? Isn't that like... instant coffee?

Yes, yes, yes and yes.

[maccool]

Grind only what you're planning on using, use fresh water, store beans in the airtight container. I use a drip coffee maker for everyday coffee and a french (err, freedom) press for special coffee time.

Finding the right bean is a matter of personal choice. I prefer Kona, but it's super spendy at $20+/lb. For everyday drinking I use a run of the mill dark roast. If you use instant coffee, you hate America. If you drink decaf, you hate America. If you put anything in your coffee - other than whiskey, you hate America.

[Arbedark]

If you use instant coffee, you hate America.

Damn straight. And I LOVE instant coffee.

[Usufruct]

Grind only what you're planning on using, use fresh water, store beans in the airtight container. I use a drip coffee maker for everyday coffee and a french (err, freedom) press for special coffee time.

Finding the right bean is a matter of personal choice. I prefer Kona, but it's super spendy at $20+/lb. For everyday drinking I use a run of the mill dark roast. If you use instant coffee, you hate America. If you drink decaf, you hate America. If you put anything in your coffee - other than whiskey, you hate America.
I like my coffee like I like my women - dragged through the Andes in a burlap sack. I drink it black both because I like it better, and because I'm trying to be a little healthy. Sort of. My logic is that if I don't put cream in my coffee, I can continue eating microwavable burritos.

[Drosselmeier]

You don't have to grind your own coffee. It tastes and smells better, but it's too much work. Buy coarse ground coffee and use a french press. Do not use percolators or drip brewer thingies or your coffee will taste burnt. In short, don't use anything with any form of heater.

[skihard]

hey Usu if you want to get into your own coffee then you really need one of these (http://www.comfortchannel.com/prod.itml/icOid/2441) my wife got me one for christmas 2 years ago and it beyond awesome. You can probably do a search and find it cheaper of with better shipping options.

As far as a grinder is concerned the biggest most important thing isn’t weather its burr or blade (although this is important) but that it has a “side scraper”. This little feature makes sure that the coffee doesn’t just swirl around the outside but instead is kicked back into the center so that the grind is even. I have no suggestions because mine is a small one and not made for grind an entire pot’s worth of coffee.

[marcello]

instant coffee FTW, I just can't stand waiting to long to get a nice cup, so I make Instant, Nescafé luxoiry to be precise.

[Arbedark]

instant coffee FTW, I just can't stand waiting to long to get a nice cup, so I make Instant, Nescafé luxoiry to be precise.

Alta Rica 4tW!

[Gorny]

I don't grind my coffee .. I just go to the store and get a can of Hills Brothers and throw it in my coffee maker. 10 cups man ... er 10 chars!

[SuggestiveName]

What my parents do is grind the coffee at the grocery store and then keep it in the freezer. If you did this in small amounts (like a week/two weeks worth) the coffee would stay fresh the entire time. And you don't have to buy the grinder or waste time grinding in the morning.

Personally, my favorite coffee is methamphetamines.

[Gorny]

I like my coffee like I like my women - dragged through the Andes in a burlap sack. I drink it black both because I like it better, and because I'm trying to be a little healthy. Sort of. My logic is that if I don't put cream in my coffee, I can continue eating microwavable burritos.


God only knows what they put in those microwave burritoes.

[ZeppelinAngel]

Bleh, the only use for coffee grounds is to smell them, it's nasty once they're brewed. :shocked:

[Stevinator]

Um, I just use regular folders or whatever is on sale. I usually go for the darker roasts, and I never buy anything that's got blueberries or any crap like that in it. regular coffee. THen I make it with about half the water you're supposed to so it's nice and gooey thick and I drink/chew it black.

if it's like fancy after dinner entertaining time I might put baileys in it but only in the winter and only if people are over. otherwise, always black. as hot as possible that won't burn my mouth. I drink it all day. love it.

[Gorny]

Bleh, the only use for coffee grounds is to smell them, it's nasty once they're brewed. :shocked:


/agree.

however used coffee grounds work great in the garden.

Especially with roses.

[Sir EvilFreeSmeg]

If you put anything in your coffee - other than whiskey, you hate America.
If puting rum into my coffee means I hate America then so be it. I'll just be selective and hate only the America that uses instant coffee.:wink2:

[Moosashi]

I think you can make coffee work with a variety of appliances. I've used both kinds of grinders, with side scraper and without. With the blade, I find you have to be a little more involved to get an even grind. I turn mine off and shake it a couple times every second or two to get the desired effect.

With a French press, there's obviously more work involved and you run the risk of getting too much sediment, but it tends to get more of the coffee flavor out of the grounds than does the drip. But you don't have to drink burnt coffee with a dripper- just don't let it sit around on the hot plate. Drink it up or transfer it to a thermos.

The type of coffee you use makes a big difference in how you want to go about preparing it. I :heart:love:heart: Jamaica Blue Mountain (Kona is a distant second), but recently found it loses it's character (which is mild) when ground too finely. Other coffees get better with finer grinding, but there is always a level of courseness that maximizes the drinking experience that must be discovered through trial and error with gourmet coffees.

[Bortaz]

I think people go out of their way to make simple **** like coffee too damned complicated.


EDIT: I'll pick you up some Blue Mountain next time I go to Jamaica. Been there 3 or 4 times, and always load up on it for friends that like to pretend they're cultured by drinking expensive coffee.

[Dredd]

Maryland Club Butternut. 1/2 level cup for a full pot. Perfect black coffee - strong but not bitter. Inexpensive and pre-ground. Made by Folgers but tastes 1000 times better. I've been drinking it for 15 years and can't live without it.

For a coffee maker, get yourself a nice speedy Bunn - I have this one (http://bunnomatic.com/retail/products/gr10.html).

EDIT: Don't use the warming plate on it though. It'll make your coffee taste like it was strained through a bag of old pennies.

[Qbi]

I personally dislike coffee unless its the flavored stuff. A couple of my friends tell me that 'I don't know what im missing', but I just can't get over the bitter taste and ick-factor. For now im drinking NesCafe French Vanilla, instant stuff, and I like it fine... After about 5 sugars and some French Vanilla cream.

Maybe I just haven't found the right type of coffee/coffee bean for myself? Is there any coffee that isn't bitter and sour and stuff but has the same amount of caffine as all the others? Or perhaps smooth like tea? I actually prefer tea, but my taste is limited to Green, and as you know Green has no caffine. I drink black tea as well, but not nearly as often.

Um, I just use regular folders or whatever is on sale. I usually go for the darker roasts, and I never buy anything that's got blueberries or any crap like that in it. regular coffee. THen I make it with about half the water you're supposed to so it's nice and gooey thick and I drink/chew it black.

if it's like fancy after dinner entertaining time I might put baileys in it but only in the winter and only if people are over. otherwise, always black. as hot as possible that won't burn my mouth. I drink it all day. love it.
Steve... Thick...? Uhmmm...
...
How are you not dead!?

[kobold]

For now im drinking NesCafe French Vanilla, instant stuff, and I like it fine... After about 5 sugars and some French Vanilla cream.



Isn't that pretty much just glucose? :scratch:

[Qbi]

lol... :rolleyes:

I only drink coffee to keep myself going, that little concoction seems to work fine.

[Dredd]

Maybe I just haven't found the right type of coffee/coffee bean for myself? Is there any coffee that isn't bitter and sour and stuff but has the same amount of caffine as all the others?

Yes, Butternut again. 1/2 cup is black but mild. You can make it smoother still with a bit of cream, sugar, chocolate or whatever weird new-age hippy stuff people ruin their coffee with these days.

[Qbi]

Im fine with my flavored or regular cream and sugar, no hippyfying my coffee thanks, but if this butternut stuff is as good as you think it is, I'll give it a shot I suppose.

[Qbi]

*Kicks thread*
Oops, sorry... I saw someone else do it and it seemed to work.

[jmervyn]

Seems like a lot of the respondents like a French press - I find the prospect repugnant. You bunch of libs... I'd use a South American coffee sock! (http://www.latinmerchant.com/productdetail.asp?ProductID=NF0018)

BTW, you can get some great deals online for coffee - perfectly respectable brands in Alaska and the like.

[garublador]

It's not too difficult to find coffee makers, both drip and French press that use thermoses as the caraffe. I'd recommend that.

Also, if you get a French press, get a big one.

[Usufruct]

Thanks guys, for all the advice. I like the idea of this french press thingy. Suggestivename decided to try and convince me to get 6 of them at Overstock.com, but I decided I really don't need 6.

I really want to grind my own, so I'm going to look for a grinder with the side scraper you mentioned, ski. And that Hamilton Beach Cappuccino/Espresso maker looks totally awesome :)

Also dross, thanks for mentioning the drip brewer thing - we have one of those at work, and I'm pretty sure that's why our coffee tastes like death.

[Sir EvilFreeSmeg]

This thread is much too civil.

Instead of coffee, drink some good strong black English tea. Sweeten it with a big glob of exotic honey (I prefer an alfalfa and syringa blend).:thumbsup:

Flame on