Good coffee... It does make a difference!

[physiognomy]

I wanted to post some thanks for a generous gift by one of our members (who won't go unpunished ;)), but also to see if I could start a little discussion about everyone's daily coffee routine, their favorite beans, sources, preferred methods of preperation, etc... Please post away!

What got me thinking about this was a GREAT cup of Peru Cajamarca Andes Gold I had this morning... It was full, rich, smooth & sweet. I almost forgot that coffee can be this good! Scott posted here (http://www.cfrhn.com/showpost.php?p=16480&postcount=36), but I also wanted to thank Stefan again for the coffee & cool mug!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/4835005572_ca687671a6.jpg

We have been really enjoying these beans freshly ground (starbucks blade grinder http://www.cfrhn.com/images/icons/icon13.gif) & brewed in a small french press every morning. I'm learning not to pulverize the beans too much & can see how & why people get into 'good' coffee... It's just damn tasty!

Our consumption had been waning quite a bit before Stefan's bomb & I'm more than sure it had something to do with making mediocre coffee. Thinking about it now, there's probably several reasons - Our previous everyday beans ('Organic Guatemalan' - $6/lb from a bulk bin at Sunflower) vary in quality from batch to batch & I'm sure they are often past their prime before we buy them. Our drip machine (Cuisinart DCC-1200) has also not brewed good coffee to my tastes for a while now. This is speculation on my part, but I don't think it has been getting water up to a good temperature. Even with a switch to french press, our blade grinder can also make way too much fines to brew this way. At its worst, it's like drinking dirt. Finally, I won't bother to mention the heartburn in a cup at the office :eek:

I guess where I'm going is that, for me, good coffee is worth the extra effort & I can see us keeping this up & probably exploring more... I'm already looking at grinders & might start with a Baratza Virtuoso. Clear the slope!

[moglman]

Great thread Peter. Sorry to all if this post is TMI. I always loved a great cup but until several years ago, I didn't put much effort. I looked for good coffee is about all. Then I started roasting and that started this journey anew. I have been enjoying coffee a lot lately and have given into the temptation of looking for the next great cup. Here are a few of my tools. The press is a 33 oz Frieling that makes a great cup or 3. I got it because of it's size, durability and insulated walls, though I use several presses. The MochaMaster drip is made by Technivorm out of Holland. I use this when I want a full pot for myself or guests. I highly recommend them for a very nicely brewed drip. I haven't used the Moka Pot lately but this also makes a mean little espresso but takes practice.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8Gc8rlm9rT4/TE9j-ZVRuJI/AAAAAAAABto/H5L8el3GQf4/s400/CIMG2090.JPGhttp://lh6.ggpht.com/_8Gc8rlm9rT4/TE9iv1KPWeI/AAAAAAAABrc/7ZbIzY68Hfs/s400/CIMG2083.JPG

I use a Baratza Vario ceramic burr grinder, which will handle all grinds well. I was given this nice FrancisFrancis X5 espresso machine by Sean (I'll get him back) after he heard I was on the lookout for a machine. His overly generous gift has been a tremendous boon as lately I have been having 2 double espressos every morning. I had to order some new filter baskets from Illy and it took months for them to arrive, but since they came in, I have been very happy.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8Gc8rlm9rT4/TE9kyuHVbtI/AAAAAAAABso/jrRsuy9XAV0/s400/CIMG1935.JPGhttp://lh4.ggpht.com/_8Gc8rlm9rT4/TE9kwArwcUI/AAAAAAAABsc/d546_ncKxaA/s400/CIMG1932.JPG

Here are some of the coffee's I am about to break into. The Serrano is long gone. I am very much looking forward to trying the Peruvian and Guatamalan sole source coffee's I was gifted (thanks Stefan!). The Torrefazione Perugia makes a great espresso, probably the best I've tried so far. The Torrefazione Napoli blend (not pictured) is also very good but I like it better in the press. I haven't roasted in a while but need to knock out some Jamaican Blue Mountain, Kenya AA Fancy and Kona Peaberry. I don't roast much because it's a smoky effort, but it is past time to go for it again.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8Gc8rlm9rT4/TE9k4WfPoeI/AAAAAAAABt0/CpiGcRaZVkw/s400/CIMG1943.JPGhttp://lh4.ggpht.com/_8Gc8rlm9rT4/TE9kAgsmgYI/AAAAAAAABsQ/-cuBKlWmP7E/s400/CIMG2093.JPG

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[b0rderman]

glad you guys are enjoying it...and that is some sweet gadgetry there Scott. Me, not a fan of coffee...but probably have never had a proper cup.

[toasterhead]

Scott, you are a gearhead!

I also like to make it a morning ritual with Kaladi Trieste beans (airtight bag/freezer keeps them fresh) ground with a Cuisinart burr grinder; it does a great job at espresso and French press grinds. I use the Bialetti Moka also, but it is the electric plate model that turns off automatically. My wife melted a few unattended stove top models :faint2:

I like to make Americanos so I cut the espresso with hot water; a little sugar and cream and I am ready for the day. My daughters impress their sleepover guests with this technique and I routinely hear, "This is the best coffee EVER, dude".

Dave

[moglman]

Dude!

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRDmdbJolA7n12AYLI5f28gC8UHkoNyX 6IiXC666cvhLms_Oa8&t=1&usg=__FSLuE-5iekj0GtfecXv65GWt_k4=

[b0rderman]

http://i45.tinypic.com/215yc2.gif

[sepp]

We are pretty much latte freaks. When company comes to town we have to search for the mr. coffee... or like more recently where I had to convice my father that french press coffee is just as good (c'mon better than) as mr. coffee coffee.

Machines:

Rancillio Rocky grinder

Rancillio Silvia Espresso maker. This machine is a workhorse. After having been through several espresso machines we settled on the Silvia about 6 years ago. I figure I pull over 1,500 double shots a year (yes, I average 4 or more per day, 7 x 52) and Miss Silvia hasn't missed a beat in the 6 years.

Coffee source is important as well. Freshness in bin coffee is always a question; the instant the roasting process stops and the beans are cooled they begin to absorb oxygen which kills the flavor eventually.

We have found Safeway brand bulk espresso beans to be pretty consistent. You can spend more for free trade or Starbucks but it seems the Brothers coffee is pretty consistent and tasty.

[physiognomy]

I didn't think when I posted this thread that my coffee hobby was going to move quite so fast, but with a 'little' nudge from Scott I'm sitting here buzzing (at 10pm on a sunday night!) after drinking my first 5 home brewed espresso shots... The two doubles were delicious & the single was more than passable with a splash of milk!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5197533658_5fac89e55c_z.jpg

Thank you for passing on this most generous gift & start to another hobby! I'm certainly looking forward to learning more & refining my skill... If I ever make it to bed tonight, I'm also looking forward to more coffee in the morning!

[moglman]

You're welcome Peter. After using this sweet little machine for many shots after Sean gifted it to me, I am glad I can pay it forward. I hope Dawn (eventually) likes the results too.

[Spect]

Peter and Scott,

/Tongue-in-cheek
My wife thinks you're both bad influences. I'm not allowed to see either of you without proper adult supervision. She says god only knows what hobby I'll pick up next.
/Tongue-in-cheek

Slope after slope after slope, I'm changing my name to Ray Lemming.

[b0rderman]

Ray, beer cellar.

[moglman]

I think Amber needs a good cup of espresso!

[physiognomy]

Drinking some Intelligentsia Black Cat Organic Espresso tonight... Took me a little while to dial in my new Virtuoso (prob. calibrated a bit on the fine side), but now I know enough to be dangerous. This is going to be fun!

Updated pic including some Christmas presents...

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/5302650620_037a544cd6_z.jpg

[moglman]

Not cheap but Black Cat is very good! Nice choice! Also love the new gear in the coffee corner! It's gonna be a tasty new year!

[colimo]

looks impressive Peter....enjoy

[physiognomy]

Thanks guys... Here's an action shot. Not my best pull, but at least the pic was in focus.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5304917597_58c59827e1_z.jpg

[physiognomy]

I'm getting towards the end of some Ethiopia Sidamo Yirgacheffe & have been enjoying it brewed in the Francis X5 ... I'm still trying new brewing methods though & thought I'd give this cheap pour-over a whirl.

Maybe I should have read the directions, but is there anything unorthodox about brewing for 4mins in another mug & then pouring through the filter? Anyway, that is what I did & the flavors are definitely approaching french press territory. We'll see how I go at the office with this method as I really like the simple cleanup.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5211/5390337585_916488b84c_z.jpg

[moglman]

I have the same pour over Peter but I have not thought to try the 2nd mug brew. Pour over is enjoying a revitalization. I personally don't like the paper filters and think the way to go is a glass funnel/container and chemex or swiss gold filter. Check out the Clive Coffee (http://www.clivecoffee.com/category/pour_over.html) selection.

[physiognomy]

... I personally don't like the paper filters and think the way to go is a glass funnel/container and chemex or swiss gold filter...

Hmmm... They do make a gold #2 filter (http://www.amazon.com/Frieling-USA-Gold-Coffee-Filter/dp/B003O6A3D6/ref=sr_1_25?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1296188754&sr=1-25) (link to Amazon.com), but that would severely inflate my $3 investment :D

Oh boy, I just found this thread (http://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=1279) (link to Sweet Maria's forum) & started to get some ideas... The Frieling USA Cilio Porcelain Filter Holder (http://www.amazon.com/Frieling-C104943-Porcelain-Coffee-Filter/dp/B001B194FY/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1296188754&sr=1-2) (link to Amazon.com) looks pretty good. Upgraditis is a terrible burden to bare!

Check out the Clive Coffee selection.

Thanks Scott! I remember you have mentioned this site to me before... I like the look of their products.

[physiognomy]

Going old school... I found this Zassenhaus 487 Record hand grinder at a local antique store yesterday & couldn't help myself. It appears to have survived several decades unused (still has it's hang tag) & ground fine enough for espresso on its first test run. At roughly 150 rotations for a double shot, it won't be my everyday grinder, but will provide some variation to my weekend coffee routine.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5435387714_aef1777d93_b.jpg

[moglman]

That's a very nice mill Peter. Can't see the pic here but I saw your post on HB. Nice pickup for a little change of pace.

[physiognomy]

I have found that these hand grinders are a little addictive... This one makes #5 :eek:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5190/5767795369_073c262a13_z.jpg

I picked it up on ebay this week & started restoration last night... The burs & internals cleaned up very nicely & I just have a little more to do on the chrome finish. All up, I have less than $30 into this grinder & it works a treat for espresso (with a little elbow grease).