Coffee Geekery

[Dex]

Well, there are more than a few gay dudes here. Wreckless stereotyping would suggest that a coffee thread should do well. Perhaps I'm wrong... But I'd still like somewhere to go on about the black drug-filled goodness that is coffee.

Coffee is awesome. Good coffee is especially awesome, but I'm no purist and enjoy so-so and sometimes even (*gasp*) instant coffee as well. It all has its place in the great global marketplace. So let's talk. What coffees do you like? Blends? Preparation methods? Are you an espresso fan? Or do you think espresso tastes like mud? What are your thoughts on the aeropress? Or do you think anyone who's even heard of an "aeropress" probably spends too much time with their head up their ass? Milk? Sugar? Or are they blasphemous suggestions? So many questions, so many potential answers. Exciting, isn't it?

GO!

OK, here's my self-indulgent contribution to kick things off. Feel free to skip this bit and go ahead with your own take on coffee awesomeness.

I used a teensy bit of wedding money to buy a just-for me stainless-steel bialetti "venus" stovetop pot. It makes about 2 ounces of near-espresso-strength coffee, which is exactly the strength I like, in exactly the quantity I enjoy (I always find myself getting sick of a mug of traditional filter coffee about halfway through, which is just depressing). I am absolutely in love with the little guy. At the moment I don't seem inclined to make coffee any other way. I've even stopped ordering espresso at cafe's when I'm out because I'm eager to get home and make a cup with the thing. Even though basically any Italian in the history of the 20th century owns one of these, I still somehow feel like I've unlocked the secret of the coffee universe. I want to start a collection of the things in various sizes and styles. Sadly (or perhaps thankfully) I lack the space to do so.



^ SO CUTE! SO IN LOVE!

*ahem* anyway. In terms of actual coffee, I'm enjoying using my pot with Caffe Trucillo Moka coffee. Pre-ground, for stovetop use, because I'm a terrible person and lack my own grinder, but I did mention I wasn't a purist, didn't I? Anyway, call me an uncultured swine for not using freshly-ground, but the stuff tastes great to me. Lavazza has some interesting espresso blends that I'm interested in trying my hand at next.

I am, however, considering stepping-up my obsession and buying a manual grinder. When I'm honest with myself, I really lack the kitchen space and fundage for a decent electric grinder, so the crank will have to do. And I'm attracted to the sort of ritual element it adds to the proceedings (jeesh I sound wanky). Anyone have any experience with grinders of this type? There's a few on amazon that look pretty slick to me and seem to get a positive response, like this one (http://tinyurl.com/nuc88l2), but I wondered if any Ledgies had insight?

Oh, and please. Please do not talk about tea here. I am so sick of talking about coffee and then having someone chime in with how much they enjoy a "nice green tea" after Yoga in the morning. Oh, you enjoy green tea? Well, I enjoy panda bears. But I put my panda bear love in a separate forum thread, because it is a completely different thing. Tea-lovers, make your own thread! (I jest!... Sort of.)