Coffee

[WayneJ]

I was surprised by the difference between a custom roast and the stuff, standard brand or premium, at the grocery store at twice the price (or more). The trick I think is to get a good grinder and grind the beans when you're ready to make it. It will spoil you - all snobbery aside.

I go along with Ken. We Have the Cuisinart grind and brew coffee maker. We like the Dunkin Donuts regular blend. We buy the beans and grind them fresh for every pot. We drink a fair amount of coffee and find we like this best. Its all a mater of taste. I guess the fresh ground beans make the difference.
Wayne

[Ken Weaver]

]

Economies of scale, paying farmers pennies/lb, child labor, robusta coffee, non-coffee fillers... many ways for them to save a buck. I'm not saying there isn't markup with cusom roast though.. because there certainly is. Unroasted coffee that I buy is in the $3-5 range (retail). I haven't paid more than $3/lb in a few years.

That's why its important to know your dealer and go for the fair trade branded coffees.

[Stan]

Folgers straight up -- and lot's of it. Never wash the cup, that way if I ever accidently run out, simply add some water and throw it in the microwave and 'magic' a slightly weak cup of hot coffee.

[PALefty]

That's why its important to know your dealer and go for the fair trade branded coffees.

Yes, that is a step in the right direction..

Interestingly, the best 'quality' coffee is not going to the US... it is going to Japan (if I remember correctly).

[Scottydont]

My wife used to work for Starbucks Corporate and we are definately coffee snobs! (Notice my sig?) When I travel for my job if there is any doubt about good coffee where I am going I will pack coffee and a mini french press. When I am in a purist mood, I go for French Press method.

[crokett]

Don't knock it until you try it. I

I drink 2 cups a day (a cup being 16oz minimum) I have had premium roast coffees and enjoyed them but I barely have time to make coffe with the B&D let alone be futzing with a french press or espresso machine or what have you every day.

[vaking]

My favorite is cappuccino. I have a old-fashioned Bialetti stove-top espresso maker and a battery-driven frother. Cheap but effective. I use it on weekends. I must say, however, that getting myself a grinder to make fresh grind and to control it sounds like a good idea. What kind of coffee and roast do you think are best for cappuccino?
I also am a huge fan of tea (bigger than coffee) and I hate tea bags. Finding tea not in bags lately is becoming a hassle. That place suggested earlier in this string seems like they have not only coffee but tea as well. I guess I will be calling them about samples.

[Ken Weaver]

My favorite is cappuccino. I have a old-fashioned Bialetti stove-top espresso maker and a battery-driven frother. Cheap but effective. I use it on weekends. I must say, however, that getting myself a grinder to make fresh grind and to control it sounds like a good idea. What kind of coffee and roast do you think are best for cappuccino?
I also am a huge fan of tea (bigger than coffee) and I hate tea bags. Finding tea not in bags lately is becoming a hassle. That place suggested earlier in this string seems like they have not only coffee but tea as well. I guess I will be calling them about samples.

Also for tea I go to Upton Tea. They are very good.

[Tom Miller]

I have a old-fashioned Bialetti stove-top espresso maker and a battery-driven frother. Cheap but effective.

I have one of those -- gave me pretty good results, but I haven't used it for a few years now. I found I had to watch it closely -- and I usually didn't. When researching espresso machines, I found the snobs really looked down on those things if they were referred to as "espresso" makers. But if you referred to them as "mocha pots", they were much more generous with their comments.

I must say, however, that getting myself a grinder to make fresh grind and to control it sounds like a good idea. What kind of coffee and roast do you think are best for cappuccino?

Yep, grinding your own is definitely the best single thing you can do. Well, that, and finding a decent source of beans. A mill-style grinder that can give consistent particle size is fairly important for consistent results with an espresso machine or mocha pot.

As far as what roast -- I guess you just have to try a few, though darker is usually preferred for espresso-based drinks. If you can find a local roaster, that'd be a great place to try. They might even offer a "sample pack".

I buy Sumatra from the local Caribou chain, and have for a few years. Not the greatest bean source; i.e. it'd be nice to know the roast date for a package, but it usually passes the ultimate test: I like it.

Regards,
Tom