Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

One aspect which hasn't been mentioned yet (or I have missed it, apologies)is that it is mostly the combination of the coffee and the particular espresso machine you're using which determines the overall flavor. I've had great tasting coffee from mediocre brands and bad Illy coffee; it's really a matter of finding the right combination.

Otherwise I'm with Keikiwai on the merits of Illy. I've had many Italians swear to me it's the best coffee in the world; now it's probably fair to say that Italians are prone to occasional exaggeration, but they do know their coffee...

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

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Can anyone suggest a manually operated grinder? I hate the electric grinders (sound), and I'm wondering if there's a decent option.

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Supposedly the best manual grinders can produce fine/espresso grinds(not necessarily coarse grinds) equal in quality to $400 electric grinders. The consensus is that Zassenhaus is the best, but Armin Trosser, "Pe De", "De Ve", KYM, Peugeot are supposed to be good as well. If you buy one via Ebay(usually go for $20-50 U.S. with shipping) , try to look out for intact, rust-free burrs.

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

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I use an Aerobie Aeropress "Espresso"/Coffee Maker. I greatly prefer espresso and the Aeropress makes a nice cup of faux espresso with not a lot of crema. It only costs $30 bucks or so and the coffee is much smoother and less acidic/bitter than coffee I make with a french press.

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I'd like to reiterate how awesome and versatile this device is. It is fast, clean, versatile and makes a smooth cup(low acidity and bitterness).

Huge Coffeegeeks Thread on Aeropress Techniques and Modifications

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

does anyone have a list of cheap coffee that you can buy that tastes like starbuck's different types?

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

kkf,

Starbucks coffees are sold by region. Do you want information specific to their roasting process?

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

keikiwai - Does that X5 machine do only pods? or can it handle normal tamped down grinds? Sweet looking machine.

Has anyone tried Hausbrandt coffee?? Supposed to be amazing.

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

Here is the worlds most expensive coffee - trip report anyone?

The coffee beans are literally digested by the Luwak animal (which supposedly will only choose the best beans to eat) then the feces are processed. I'm quite skeptical but at only $220 a pound, might be worth a try for some of you Holla Ballas.

http://www.animalcoffee.com/index.php

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Here is the worlds most expensive coffee - trip report anyone?

The coffee beans are literally digested by the Luwak animal (which supposedly will only choose the best beans to eat) then the feces are processed. I'm quite skeptical but at only $220 a pound, might be worth a try for some of you Holla Ballas.

http://www.animalcoffee.com/index.php

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Would the effect be similar if I have my Illy beans travel through the intestinal tract of my Rottweiler?

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Here is the worlds most expensive coffee - trip report anyone?

The coffee beans are literally digested by the Luwak animal (which supposedly will only choose the best beans to eat) then the feces are processed. I'm quite skeptical but at only $220 a pound, might be worth a try for some of you Holla Ballas.

http://www.animalcoffee.com/index.php

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Would the effect be similar if I have my Illy beans travel through the intestinal tract of my Rottweiler?

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Only if your Rotty is as picky as the Luwak as to which beans he eats. - [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

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Intelligentsia

And it isn't close. Unlike a lot of places, they buy directly from quality growers, not wholesalers. They roast in small batches. Their largest roast is 200 lbs. Starbucks smallest roast is 2000 lbs for their "special offerings".

If you happen to be in Chicago, you can take a very cool tour of their roasting works.

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Cool to know this, thanks. For LA people, they've been open for a couple months in Silverlake (on Sunset, at the Sunset Junction). The coffee is great the couple times I went, looks like I'm gonna go back and get some of their beans for home.

I have the same question as AZK regarding burr grinders for french press - anyone got a good rec? My friend strongly recommends the Ariete "Macinacaffe" Burr Grinder - but like to hear any other suggestions <$200 or so.

-Al

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

I've always just used one of the small Krups grinders. No complaints. Looks like you can get one of their burr grinders for about $50 or so.

Also, for anyone in Annapolis who's looking for a great coffee spot check out Cafe Pronto. They roast their own beans.

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

2p2'r "Terp" bought me a Delonghi, its one of the most thoughtful gifts I've received. No longer do I drink frozen coffee [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

http://www.krups.fi/NR/rdonlyres/B48...7220_main1.jpg
Bought this a couple months ago and I love it.

It's so easy and fast I'm having an espresso or two almost every morning. I had a manual espresso maker before and used it only few times a month.

The milk foamer could be a little bit better, but it's no biggie for me as I'm having 20+ espressos for every cappuccino I make.

So far my favourite beans are a local blend of extra dark roast. It has an amazingly smooth taste.

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

Semi related question, I recently looked into the caffeine content of different drinks/coffees because I want to start limiting how much caffeine I drink per day, and the results were pretty supriseing. The results I found were that an 8 oz Red Bull has 80mg of caffeine, a 16oz Monster drink has 16mg, but a grande (16oz) hot coffee at starbucks (my standard drink) has 330mg???? My intuition was pretty certain that canned energy drinks like red bull/monster/etc would be a lot higher in caffeine than regular coffee but it looks like that is incorrect. What gives?

My regular day is to drink to 2 grande coffees from the starbucks next to my house, one in the morning before class and then one in the afternoon/eveningish when I sit down to do work. When I made the decision to stop drinking the canned drinks thinking they were less healthy to my current 2 coffees a day plan, I thought I would be limiting my caffeine intake. It looks like that is very wrong. How does brewed coffee have that much more caffeine in it than stuff like Red Bull? I really wasn't expecting it to be twice as powerful.

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Semi related question, I recently looked into the caffeine content of different drinks/coffees because I want to start limiting how much caffeine I drink per day, and the results were pretty supriseing. The results I found were that an 8 oz Red Bull has 80mg of caffeine, a 16oz Monster drink has 16mg, but a grande (16oz) hot coffee at starbucks (my standard drink) has 330mg???? My intuition was pretty certain that canned energy drinks like red bull/monster/etc would be a lot higher in caffeine than regular coffee but it looks like that is incorrect. What gives?

My regular day is to drink to 2 grande coffees from the starbucks next to my house, one in the morning before class and then one in the afternoon/eveningish when I sit down to do work. When I made the decision to stop drinking the canned drinks thinking they were less healthy to my current 2 coffees a day plan, I thought I would be limiting my caffeine intake. It looks like that is very wrong. How does brewed coffee have that much more caffeine in it than stuff like Red Bull? I really wasn't expecting it to be twice as powerful.

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Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but these energy drinks contain more than one energy source. Guarana, taurine, probably others that i don't know off the top of my head are in these energy drinks. I guess the combined effects of these ingredients are what make the drinks work as well as coffee.

I still find coffee works better than these energy drinks.

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

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My friend strongly recommends the Ariete "Macinacaffe" Burr Grinder - but like to hear any other suggestions <$200 or so.

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Guide to Grinders

Sub-$100 electric grinders are generally garbage.

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

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I haven't had any caffeine for almost a month now. First few days were really rough, but I'm good now. Not sure if I'll go back or not.

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i've been caffeine-"free" for several years. i like being on a more even keel.

i still drink a fair amount of decaf tea, and very rarely decaf coffee. both have some modest amount of caffeine in them. i enjoy the flavor of black coffee, but i find it difficult to locally find really dark stuff that's also decaf. i'm sure it's available online, but i don't care enough to special order it.

that reminds me though, i should get around to ordering some blenheim hot ginger ale.

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

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My intuition was pretty certain that canned energy drinks like red bull/monster/etc would be a lot higher in caffeine than regular coffee but it looks like that is incorrect. What gives?

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The caffeine regulations for canned drinks are quite strict. I'm pretty sure most of the energy drinks have the maximum amount of caffeine allowed.

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

for me the best coffee is the cup in front of me. i aint searching all over for a specialty cup. but i like strong black coffee. the weak stuff in places out ruins it for most.

i even use those one cup coffee bags from folgers you put in a cup of water and microwave for a few minutes. makes an okay cup quickly with no clean up to do.

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

There is much better coffee to be found than SBUX, but it does not suck. The company flourished more due to excellent business practices (i.e. Howard Schultz) rather than coffee quality, even though it did pretty much create the niche for "gourmet" coffee in America.

I like quite a few of Starbucks roasts. Sunani (Arabian Mocha) and the popular Caffe Verona are a couple of my favorites.

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

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I haven't had any caffeine for almost a month now. First few days were really rough, but I'm good now. Not sure if I'll go back or not.

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i've been caffeine-"free" for several years.


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My name is Dave and I am a coffee addict.

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

best thing I ever bought. Over a grand but worth every cent. Perss the button and it grinds and brew your espresso right then & there.

http://www.wholelattelove.com/ItemIm...1537Medium.gif

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

I know very little about coffee. I've now quit cigarettes as well as all drugs and alcohol and I find myself now spending ~$10/day on latte's/ I drink 3 a day. I start with a large at 8am and go out two more times every day. Can anyone recommend something I can buy so I don't have to go out and spend so much money? This stuff is costing me more than smoking ever did. I don't have much room in my kitchen, and I like to drink latte's. Don't know how to do it.

PS I met Rob Halford today!

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

I'm like ray z with coffee. I'm not too picky.
Since my machine broke down, I use the metal filter with a paper insert. Add 2 heaping TBs of Starbucks*, and run 12-14 oz of microwaved water through. Takes about 3 minutes. Re-nuke for a minute, and voila. No fuss, no mess.


*Free Starbucks using food comps at my local Station casino.

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

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for me the best coffee is the cup in front of me. i aint searching all over for a specialty cup. but i like strong black coffee. the weak stuff in places out ruins it for most.

i even use those one cup coffee bags from folgers you put in a cup of water and microwave for a few minutes. makes an okay cup quickly with no clean up to do.

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Not quite cowboy coffee but not bad. Montana style let's call it. Back to the fundamental thing as Bonnie Raitt once put it.

-Zeno

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Can anyone recommend something I can buy so I don't have to go out and spend so much money? This stuff is costing me more than smoking ever did. I don't have much room in my kitchen, and I like to drink latte's. Don't know how to do it.


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Aerobie Aeropress (~$25)

Makes espresso strength coffee, so it's good for milk drinks(or americanos).

Then you need a milk frother (~$20? I only drink black coffee so not sure) to make lattes.

So, $45 initial investment plus cost of coffee and milk. Even at 3 coffees a day you prob won't use more than a pound of coffee/wk. It'll probably pay for itself in a week at the rate you're drinking lattes.

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

If someone else already posted information about vacuum coffee makers I apologize in advance.

Anyway, this Bodum Clear Santos Electric Vacuum Coffee Maker at $130 seems to be a decent compromise between expense, quality and how likely it would still be used six months after purchase.

Check the demenstration video in the link; looks cool.

~ Rick

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

that thing seems pretty cool, but damn 12-14 minutes is too long to wait for coffee [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

Eh, got [censored] reviews for durability at Amazon. I'd rather just use a french press if I needed to make bulk coffee (as opposed to single servings).

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

Current setup:

http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sel...ThermalPot.jpg

I switched to the stainless steel Bodum after breaking my 2nd glass french press (both were Bodums). I'm not a huge coffee guy by any means, but the flavor yielded from a french press is so far superior to any machine I've used, it's worth the extra time to boil water etc etc. (I'm also at 2 slightly heaping tablespoons, or one coffee scoop, to about 8 ounces water).

http://www.beveragefactory.com/image...finity-blk.jpg

Thanks for the grinder reviews, Jeff. The Capresso seems to be a favorite for the cheaper burrs so I picked one up and am really liking it so far. Can't speak to its grind for espresso.

http://laist.com/attachments/lindsay...offeeBeans.jpg

I'm currently drinking their Kenya Chema Auction Lot brew, really good, citrus top notes, deep flavor with noticeable chocolate hints.

-Al

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Eh, got [censored] reviews for durability at Amazon. I'd rather just use a french press if I needed to make bulk coffee (as opposed to single servings).

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Thanks. That's is out given my disdain for things that break.

It seems going to a French press means you need an even coarse grind and will need to commit to a burr grinder at $200 plus for a decent model. But if you often buy cups of coffee in a typical shop you can make up $200 or so fast.

In the meantime I might try something that uses fine grinds like the mokapot That way I can stick with my cheap blade grinder for the time being while trying something new.

~ Rick

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

any of yall tried the nespresso thingy? im very happy with mine, mainly since i would never imagine bringing myself to standing in fron of the machine for 10 minutes just to get a small shot of espresso.

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

Rick, how much coffee are you making at a time?

If you only drink a cup or so at a time, the Aeropress is great and it works fine with crappy grinds (i.e. blade grinder). It is a lot less hassle and cleanup than a moka pot in my experience.

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

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Rick, how much coffee are you making at a time?

If you only drink a cup or so at a time, the Aeropress is great and it works fine with crappy grinds (i.e. blade grinder). It is a lot less hassle and cleanup than a moka pot in my experience.

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I usually make a ten cup pot drinking about half that morning and warming it up a day later in the microwave (not good but I'm a little lazy). The evenings gf comes over I make a fresh pot and we go through it right away; she thinks it's the best coffee ever but I suspect she's buttering me up [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img].

The Aeropress gets great reviews on Amazon (with about 67 reviews which means they are probably legit) and is only $26 bucks. I'd like to cut down on caffeine so this sounds like a good bet.

Not sure you posted links already but there are demos on YouTube which sold me.

~ Rick

PS I was going to ask if this is sold in stores but found this link with a sub-link to B&M stores at the bottom. After going through about 500 stores I found one a few miles away (hint to Aerobie - alphabetize!).

Edit to eliminate more unnecessary rambling by me.

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
If someone else already posted information about vacuum coffee makers I apologize in advance.

Anyway, this Bodum Clear Santos Electric Vacuum Coffee Maker at $130 seems to be a decent compromise between expense, quality and how likely it would still be used six months after purchase.

Check the demenstration video in the link; looks cool.

~ Rick

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I had one of these and it made good coffee, but they don't have the longest lifespan. The gaskets get a little worn and the thing doesn't work right after about a year.

French press coffee is much better, anyway. They're also super easy to use if you have one of those hot water spigot things in your kitchen. The grinders aren't really that hard to find - most grinders will work just fine.

I just had the perfect cup of coffee while reading this thead - beans from a local joint that wins tons of awards, made in the french press. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Can anyone recommend something I can buy so I don't have to go out and spend so much money? This stuff is costing me more than smoking ever did. I don't have much room in my kitchen, and I like to drink latte's. Don't know how to do it.


[/ QUOTE ]

Aerobie Aeropress (~$25)

Makes espresso strength coffee, so it's good for milk drinks(or americanos).

[/ QUOTE ]

More on the Aeropress. Over my morning coffee while playing five table SNGs on the other screen I've been researching coffee bean storage (post to come maybe later). While surfing I've run into two good threads regarding the Aeropress (one which may have been posted here already; I just can't find it).

CoffeeForums

CoffeeGeeks

The later link is 137 pages long and includes extensive input from the inventor.

One thing was sort of funny about these two forums. One of the primary sponsors on the main banner ads seems to be Ambien, a sleep aid. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

~ Rick

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

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If you don't use them that fast, then freeze them. You can grind them frozen and use them as normal (do not thaw).

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I read somewhere that the freezing idea was a myth and that it's actually bad to expose beans to extreme temperatures in either direction. I was told to just keep them sealed as best as possible in a dark, dry, ambient temperature environment (i.e. the back of my cupboard). I'll try and dig up the link but I'm pretty sure the freezing thing isn't right.

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Regarding freezing:

First, there is something close to Cliff notes at the end.

In you don't mind having your eyeballs destroyed the following are links to the great coffee bean storage debates on various coffee forums (but mostly on coffeegeeks.com):

Very good thread on coffeegeeks:
http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/coffee/questions/56936

From Coffee Forums:
http://tinyurl.com/2j5x29
http://www.coffeeforums.com/viewtopi...hlight=storage

More from coffeegeeks:
http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/cof...estions/209728
http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/cof...estions/271943
http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/esp...uestions/12124

A link from one of the threads:
http://www.sivetzcoffee.com/newslett...agingJan01.htm

A link to a vacuum storage device:
http://www.all4coffee.com/0vacuum.htm
The coffeegeeks seem to find these devices problematic.

For more go to http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums
I keyed on +storage +freezing

-----

Semi-Cliff Notes:

I played four five table SNGs while skimming the links below.

There seems to be a lot of debate regarding the best practical way to store beans and the freezing option was including in the discussions. Obviously it’s best to buy fresh and in small batches but that isn’t easy unless you live near a quality roaster.

There was some support for approaches similar to my method of taking the bag from the roaster (the kind with the valve) making the first batch fresh then sealing what’s left and use a few more layers of wrap (in my case freezer bags with as much air sucked out as possible). When I take it out of the freezer I take out what I need for one batch then immediately re-wrap while slowly grinding in bursts (to avoid heat) using a blade grinder. I don’t defrost the beans.

Vacuum containers seem to have problems with effectiveness and reliability but would appreciate links to a good one.

I was astounded to see debates on coffee to approach the passion of debates on poker!

~ Rick

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

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I was astounded to see debates on coffee to approach the passion of debates on poker!


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Rick,

There is no debate if a cup of coffee only costs 9 cents!

-Zeno

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

re: Freshness

You can get freshly roasted coffee beans from Sweet Maria's:

http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.roasted.html

Another option is home roasting(Link to Sweet Maria's Guide). You ensure perfect freshness and control the character of the final cup.

I use the Poplite. It needs very simple modding:

1. Remove label and both ends from soup can.
2. Wrap soup can in heavy duty aluminum foil to increase height until it only clears the ceiling of popper by 1".
3. Secure foil with electrical tape.
4. Place soup can in roasting chamber.

This modification keeps the beans from flying out during the roasting process, but still allows the chaff to blow out.

Re: Coffee Addicts Thread
 

have any of you addicts considered opening your own cafe?