Coffee Geekery

[Blueletter18]

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

You know its odd, but I truly love the taste of black coffee. And unsweetened tea, and hearty beers.

I'd probably enjoy the taste of dirt.

But that's how it is to me, all very earthy, a little bitter, slightly medicinal.

Haha there is definitely a common thread there, so I can see why you could enjoy all of those things.

[Dex]

I'm afraid I don't enjoy unsweetened tea OR hearty beers.

Or dirt, actually.

But this is probably due to my innate lameness. I do take a lot of flack, living in the UK, for not particularly enjoying tea or beer. It definitely highlight my status as an alien.

ETA: The Lavazza decaf was absolutely delicious. I couldn't be more pleased with it. [/old lady]

[desertangel]

I can't function without my morning latte. Gave it up a few years back due to digestive probs that ended up having zip to do with coffee. It was awful! I used to support Starbuck's until my salary got cut in "the downturn" and I bought a Krups Espresso machine. Recently started buying organic whole beans from a local roaster, Guatemalan or Nicaraguan. I usually use a small electric grinder which I find to be a pain and not consistent which makes a difference in the machine. Its easier and I get a better grind if the roaster does it. Tried some Kona a coworker got thru Amazon... meh. Anyway, I use almond Silk vanilla instead of milk then add a bit of Torani syrup , either carmel or hazlenut. I dont really consider myself a coffee snob, but I do have some preferences.

[KarmaContestant]

Originally Posted by desertangel

I usually use a small electric grinder which I find to be a pain and not consistent which makes a difference in the machine.

I have a small Kitchen Aid grinder, and I have the same problems. I'd like to get a burr grinder, like the coffee shops use, but it's not really a priority for me right now.

[Dex]

Originally Posted by desertangel

Anyway, I use almond Silk vanilla instead of milk then add a bit of Torani syrup , either carmel or hazlenut. I dont really consider myself a coffee snob, but I do have some preferences.

How do you find the almond milk froths? Do you think it'd be possible to do a cappuccino-level of froth with that? I sometimes find myself thinking a cappuccino would be nice if I only I could get over my intense dislike of milk. Am trying to think what milk substitutes would be suitable.

[desertangel]

Originally Posted by Dex

How do you find the almond milk froths? Do you think it'd be possible to do a cappuccino-level of froth with that? I sometimes find myself thinking a cappuccino would be nice if I only I could get over my intense dislike of milk. Am trying to think what milk substitutes would be suitable.

I've experimented with a LOT of different milk substitutes and here is what I found; Eden Soy tastes the worst. Soy Dream prolly the best of the soys. Rice milk - forget it - tastes like burnt rice and I can't even stand the smell of burnt rice, I sure as heck am not going to taste it. Almond Dream is okay, a little on the thin side and hard to froth. It comes out too wet and heavy so it doesn't last in your cup. I stick with Almond Silk for it's lack of carrageen (going back to that digestive problem) - and I also discovered by accident, that it froths better if the plastic sleeve is NOT over the frothing wand. The sleeve is something they added in the last few years or so. And of course, you have to keep your frothing pitcher in the fridge until it's time to use it and all that normal stuff. It's hit and miss with Almond Silk. Often I get a nice thick foamy froth and other times I don't. It's probably me... some mornings I don't feel like being a barista. I get the kind that is sold out of the refer at the store... not on the shelf, makes a difference somehow. Guar gum vs. carrageen or something... the thickening agent. Try it, you might like it!

[desertangel]

I have attached a proof of concept picture of how it is possible to get Silk PureAlmond to froth. I'd call this a normal froth day.

[Dex]

Thanks very much desertangel! I'll be trying it out. Looks scrummy.

I stumbled on this on youtube. Thought some of you caffeinated ledgies might get a kick out of the retro-goodness. I've actually never seen a stovetop percolator like the one in demoed this video (7:10), and had to do some research on them. Showing my age here, I guess. But I'm glad they kinda went the way of the do-do, as my reaction to seeing it at work was "oh dear God stop boiling the coffee! STOP!"

Also, is it me or do they have a crazy-wrong idea of what a cappuccino is (3:33)? Or is that just something that's really changed in the past 60 years? I'm going to assume option 1, but I'm always open to learning new things.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_pMRNXGaZc

[desertangel]

Ahh... that was fun watching that youtube video. I love those old film shorts. Thanks for sharing!

- A "CBI" measuring cup (coffee brewing institute) -who knew?

- The coffee tin that opens with a key? I remember those on canned sardines.

- Or how about the admonishment to not recycle the grounds, because there won't be one IOTA of good taste left? lol!

- Start the day with "warmth and vigor" .. and of course all that goes with coffee; a donut and a typewriter, layer cake, cigarettes and cigars. Weren't the 60s great?!

My favorite pot was the vacuum. Looked more like a science experiment. I don't ever remember cappuccino having orange zest, but have been to fancy Italian restaurants where they serve whip cream on the top.

[Dex]

The vacuum pot is great, and seems to be enjoying increasing popularity in coffee geekdom, as it's one of the more manipulatable brewing methods.

Also, I'm just totally on board with a prep method that allows me to pretend I am striving for scientific greatness. Or even wizardry. It looks so damn magical. But the consistency of my Moka pot still makes it win out as my method of choice, for the moment. I haven't achieved that level of geekiness, yet, I guess.

Talking of retro videos, I'm enjoying these old American coffee commercials from the early 60s. They are so charmingly absurd.

Here's one. I guess whenever my husband acts like a massive dick, I should give him Folgers to drink... Actually, you know... That makes sense in a way this advert may not have been intending.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3iukFqofDw

[beccamorrisfift]

Originally Posted by desertangel

I have attached a proof of concept picture of how it is possible to get Silk PureAlmond to froth. I'd call this a normal froth day.

Hi! Love the idea of this thread, I was a barista for about a year and its such a good little job, with reference to the frothing problem I know you can get soya/non-dairy milk that is specifically designed to be made into a cappuccino or a latte.

Has anyone ever switched from a twist-control steam wand to a switch-control one? I moved jobs and now have to use a twist control one but I still long for the days of my beautiful switch control steamer!

[Dex]

Becca, forgive me, I'm not down with the kids and your lingo is slightly over my head. Are you referring to the lever/button/twisty-knob that controls the steamer, and the pros/cons of each of those controls?

I've only ever used a lever-controlled one, and anything else looks thoroughly unsatisfying by comparison. I've been thinking about getting back into work as a barista and all the shops in this town seem to use a twisty-knobby one and they just make me a bit sad to watch. Levers are just awesome! End of. But I imagine it's probably just a matter of what you trained with originally. Like which Doctor Who actor is your favourite. But... y'know... with steamers.

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

I like coffee.

Black, only, please. I'm a little bit of a snob when it comes to my favorite black drink. When in circumstances beyond my control, I'll drink most any coffee as long as it hasn't been polluted by dairy, immitation dairy, or sweeteners of any kind. I also detest flavored coffees.

When I have my way, I prefer African coffee only. I will never willing, knowingly select a coffee grown in Asia or South America. Only African - well, I should be specific - only Ethiopian coffee tastes the way I prefer coffee to taste. Slightly acidic, floral and herbal. I'll drink coffee from Rwanda or Kenya, but Ethiopian really is the best. Sidamo in particular is the king of coffee for me.

Sometimes I grind it myself, and sometimes I just ask the store where I buy the coffee to grind it for me. I don't feel strongly either way about that. Never freeze it. Seriously. You ruin coffee by freezing it - you are not preserving it, but are destroying the essential oils.

Coffee must be prepared in a french press; any other method results in dissatisfactory results. I like it murky, oily on top, and I expect there to be a heavy residue at the bottom of my cup. Filtered coffee is the worst. I see no point in drinking filtered coffee. Might as well drink tea...which I also enjoy.

Good to know that I'm making my French press the right way.

Thanks for the recommendation on the Ethiopian - will keep that in mind.

[KarmaContestant]

Originally Posted by Nathan

Good to know that I'm making my French press the right way.

Thanks for the recommendation on the Ethiopian - will keep that in mind.

My post you quoted re-reads so snooty and pretentious.

Ethiopian cofee really is great, except this one; it's a light brew which wasn't stated on the bag, and it tasted watery, which is the worst way for coffee to taste.

http://www.coffeereview.com/review.cfm?ID=1444

[Dex]

I liked your original post, KC! I found your sheer conviction intriguing. I'll have to try some more Ethiopian coffees. Any particular ones you recommend?

I have to agree with you on filter coffee actually. These days I'm so used to my moka pot that when my partner brought out his old electric drip machine and made a pot... It tasted a bit sad to me. It was serviceable enough I guess, but fairly flavourless. My reaction was basically "why bother?". Might as well just use the instant stuff and at least get the convenience factor in there.

I just got my very own burr grinder this morning! I'm tremendously excited. It's a super cheapie one that most reviewers have indicated does a good job for entry-level, but will probably burn out on me in a year and a half or so. I just bought it as an experiment to see how I take to grinding my own beans. Turns out it's highly addictive! I bought some cheapie supermarket robusta beans to play with and am getting quite good results even with them.

The trouble is making coffee is now far too much fun, and I keep wanting to make more, but I can't handle all the caffeine! I need to get some guests over.