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General => General Technical Chat => Topic started by: raptor1956 on September 01, 2020, 09:47:20 am

Title: Coffee
Post by: raptor1956 on September 01, 2020, 09:47:20 am
I'd guess that many of us are tea drinkers, but that many or most also drink coffee -- I'd like some feedback on coffee.

As a general rule I tend to prefer Columbian style coffee but I also like to add some French Roast or Espresso to kick it up a bit.  What coffee or blends do YOU like?


Brian
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: AlfBaz on September 01, 2020, 09:57:41 am
My go to cuppa is Nestle Blend 43 instant coffee but my favorite is Vittoria espresso ground beans made in a stove top italian percolator, I only have it when I visit my folks
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: DimitriP on September 01, 2020, 09:58:18 am
What's on sale tastes the best !
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Ian.M on September 01, 2020, 10:55:34 am
Decaf for 24H before fine SMD work - tastes like s--t but at least your fingers don't tremble.
Otherwise, I'm not a connoisseur - instant for that wakeup cuppa, maybe even with a dash of Pernod, Ouzo, Rakia  or Whisky in it if I'm not working/driving that morning, or if I'm not in a rush, dig out the good stuff (whatever vacuum packed medium roast grind suitable for cafetieres I can get a good deal on) and make it in a french press.

I do have a hand-cranked coffee grinder, that's excellent exercise but its a PITA to clean and getting small quantities of fresh-roast beans is a PITA and expensive so I rarely bother.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Black Phoenix on September 01, 2020, 10:59:20 am
Blue Mountain Roast here most of the time. I buy in grain and grind myself.

Plus when possible I have some roasts from Delta, the biggest coffee maker in Portugal, that my mother send some from Portugal to here.

This one comes already gridded but in smaller packs than the Blue Mountain Roast I use.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: rdl on September 01, 2020, 12:39:33 pm
I buy this generic brand instant that Kroger sells called "One of the Perks". I have a coffee maker and used to brew a pot on weekend mornings, but in recent years I've gotten lazy.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Siwastaja on September 01, 2020, 12:59:06 pm
Kulta Katriina or Saludo. Definitely no Juhla Mokka.

12g/250ml.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Tomorokoshi on September 01, 2020, 01:03:55 pm
Now that I'm working at home, I've upgraded from corporate coffee to Aldi instant coffee powder.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Siwastaja on September 01, 2020, 01:07:59 pm
Once, I entered my client's / business partner's office Monday morning, maybe around 9am. It was winter outside so my hands were a bit cold. "Oh, there's coffee already", I noticed; so tried the glass kettle of the coffee maker with my hands. "Definitely still warm - he was early but has gone somewhere!" But it has to be quite fresh still, so have to heat it up in microwave just a little bit for consumption. "Ah, coffee, that's what I needed! Tastes a bit weird, but good as always", I though to myself.

Then opens the door; my buddy's there. "Oh, good morning, you have made some coffee it seems", he says. "Wat?"

Turns out, the coffee had been sitting there from Friday morning. It just felt so warm with cold hands.

So can confirm, you only need to run the coffeemaker every few days. Just let it sit and re-heat as necessary. Ignore any "slightly strange" taste, and any external complaints, and you are good to go!
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Alex Eisenhut on September 01, 2020, 03:25:32 pm
On my street are several coffee shops, but I buy McDonald's beans and tossed them into my Saeco Superautomatica.

Press button, wait, drink.

(I say tossed, past tense, because my machine is broken now)

I used to like Nespresso capsules but either my brain is broken or the flavor has changed over the years and I no longer enjoy it.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: AndyC_772 on September 01, 2020, 04:35:47 pm
Monsooned Malabar, whole beans ground to the correct fineness on demand, and brewed using a real coffee machine (https://www.bellabarista.co.uk/ecm-mechanika-v-slim.html).

Essential lab equipment, IMHO. Life is too short to drink bad coffee.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: steve30 on September 01, 2020, 04:50:51 pm
I use Marks & Spencer's Italian Blend coffee. I find it is the best compromise between price and flavour. It was £2.80 a bag, but it recently came down to £2.50 :D.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Wilksey on September 01, 2020, 06:03:43 pm
I prefer an instant coffee to those you get at the likes of Costa, Starbucks etc.

My goto is Nescafe Gold Blend, or Alta Rica if it is on offer, they do these tins of coffee too which are expensive but nice as a treat.
I had a coffee machine once but got fed up waiting for it to do its thing, plus by the time you've bought all of the bits and pieces, coffee filters, the coffee itself, it works out just as good to get instant (and I prefer the taste of instant).

I must be immune to it as I can happily drink a few cups at 1am and still get to sleep by 2am.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Bassman59 on September 01, 2020, 07:15:23 pm
I'd guess that many of us are tea drinkers, but that many or most also drink coffee -- I'd like some feedback on coffee.

As a general rule I tend to prefer Columbian style coffee but I also like to add some French Roast or Espresso to kick it up a bit.  What coffee or blends do YOU like?

My city has a few local coffee roasters, so there's never a need to buy either supermarket coffee or the Bucks of Star. I prefer the Ethiopian Yirgachef beans, medium roast, in a French press.  French and Italian roasts are generally burnt. Espresso is so overroasted that it actually has less caffeine than a lighter roast.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: blackdog on September 01, 2020, 07:54:39 pm
Hi,

I drink coffee  "Dutch Style"and that's called "Koffie Verkeerd". translated it is something like "wrong koffie"  ;)
This is actually a "Caffè latte" with strong coffee.
When I started drinking this in the 1960's, the coffee that was made was a lot less strong.

In the years 1975, 1980 more and more cafes in Amsterdam were opened with an Italian coffee machine.
After that you could also buy a "Koffie Verkeerd" based on espresso.
The milk used was "full-cream" milk.

At home I experimented a lot with many kinds of coffee and also tested the coffee in many cafes in Amsterdam.
To my taste, a "Caffè latte" made with Illy coffee with whole milk is one of the best.

Another very good coffee is with a coffee chain here in the Netherlands and that chain is called: Bagels & Beans, they sell a "Big Latte" which I like very much.
At home I make the coffee a little different because I don't have a coffee machine and make the coffee by hand and a filter.
That's one cup at a time or two cups if my girlfriend is there as well.
I prefer to use packs of coffee beans, which I then grind myself with a small coffee grinder.

Below is a picture of two brands of coffee that I really like.
(http://www.bramcam.nl/Diversen/Koffie-01.png)

And to make it completely divine, first take a piece of this chocolate in your mouth and then a sip of coffee!
(http://www.bramcam.nl/Diversen/Koffie-02.png)

Kind regards,
Bram

Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Gribo on September 01, 2020, 07:55:51 pm
Lavazza Rossa ground coffee made in an Italian stove top Coffee maker.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: tom66 on September 01, 2020, 09:06:24 pm
More important than anything is how it is made.

Instant coffee tastes awful.  In any brand.  Never liked it.

We use an espresso machine to make even large drinks of coffee.  High pressure steam/water at 14bar through dried ground coffee of any brand wins over instant.  We currently use Lavazza Rossa.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: themadhippy on September 01, 2020, 09:30:38 pm
Quote
tested the coffee in many cafes in Amsterdam.
Ive visited many dutch coffee shops,but cant remember much about the coffee. I prefer  the  robusta  bean to  arabica so instant tends to hit the spot better,gold blend being my goto .
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Bud on September 01, 2020, 09:55:35 pm
More important than anything is how it is made.

Instant coffee tastes awful.  In any brand.  Never liked it.

We use an espresso machine to make even large drinks of coffee.  High pressure steam/water at 14bar through dried ground coffee of any brand wins over instant.  We currently use Lavazza Rossa.
I am curious about the price of the machine. I am not a coffee drinker but a friend of mine said he paid $6K for his coffee machine.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: thinkfat on September 01, 2020, 10:29:07 pm
My current favorite is a roast called "Fazenda Monte Belo" from a small coffee roaster on the island of Sylt. We buy beans and grind them, coffee then brewed by hand through filter.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Sal Ammoniac on September 01, 2020, 11:27:11 pm
 I don't do drugs.  :box:
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Bud on September 01, 2020, 11:58:16 pm
And you are absolutely right. Half life of caffeine in 6 hours. People who have 3 cups of coffee run high throughout the day.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: alpher on September 02, 2020, 12:32:37 am
That's why I have only one in the morning, McDonalds medium with 2 milks, I don't mind Tim Horton's either but none of that dark roast shit.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: joeqsmith on September 02, 2020, 12:46:17 am
I'd guess that many of us are tea drinkers, but that many or most also drink coffee -- I'd like some feedback on coffee.

As a general rule I tend to prefer Columbian style coffee but I also like to add some French Roast or Espresso to kick it up a bit.  What coffee or blends do YOU like?

Brian

Two Volcanos  and Cafe' Britt.   Some of my choices are Poa's, Tres Rios and Tarrazu.   Nothing added.   Friend brought me back some while on a trip that has to be the best coffee I've had but haven't seen it here in the states.   
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: PlainName on September 02, 2020, 02:48:50 am
I like ground coffee of several styles and flavours, but my regular drink is the cheapest instant the supermarket has on offer. Currently that's 90p/100g at Tesco. No shakes, no unable to sleep, no downer going cold turkey - it is essentially flavoured water, hence I drink a lot of it, and it's just fine with no milk and sweetners to take the edge off :)

Visitors get proper stuff, though.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: hendorog on September 02, 2020, 03:04:44 am
We get a weekly delivery of beans from a local roastery.

I grind them and convert that into coffee using one of these (pic from the www):



Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: ivaylo on September 02, 2020, 05:22:19 am
Apples and oranges. Coffee culture is pretty different in different parts of the world (even if global brands make things sound vaguely similar). Europe, North America, South America, Asia just can not compare except to say “anything different than what I know sucks”. I bet people not from North America are wondering what do MsDonalds (or Starbucks for that matter) have anything to do with good coffee.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: David Hess on September 02, 2020, 05:42:01 am
I had to give up coffee over the past several years because I became more and more sensitive to it triggering migraine headaches.  It got to the point where every morning I woke with a migraine and scintillating scotomas were occurring several times a week. (1)

I was never particularly picky about coffee as long as it was Arabic.

(1) Caffeine by itself is not a problem for me but coffee contains a lot of other alkaloids.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: tom66 on September 02, 2020, 08:21:46 am
More important than anything is how it is made.

Instant coffee tastes awful.  In any brand.  Never liked it.

We use an espresso machine to make even large drinks of coffee.  High pressure steam/water at 14bar through dried ground coffee of any brand wins over instant.  We currently use Lavazza Rossa.
I am curious about the price of the machine. I am not a coffee drinker but a friend of mine said he paid $6K for his coffee machine.

Ours cost £100.  They range in price from £50 to £1000, and we definitely got one of the cheaper models.  My brother has an £800 model and, I'll be honest, I can just about taste the difference because he's got fine pressure control and the beans get slightly less overdone, but it really is quite minimal and if you have sugar or sweetener with your coffee like I do you'll never notice it.

I had to give up coffee over the past several years because I became more and more sensitive to it triggering migraine headaches.  It got to the point where every morning I woke with a migraine and scintillating scotomas were occurring several times a week. (1)

A friend of mine suffers from migraines, and interestingly enough he's noticed that coffee makes them less worse, or eliminates them altogether. He gets good sleep and is otherwise healthy.  He took a month off drinking coffee, believing the migraines to cause it, but they just got more frequent and intense.  Two cups a day, keeps the migraine away :)
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: bd139 on September 02, 2020, 08:24:20 am
I'm lazy. This off Amazon and a simple Bodum press. That's about 6 months for £18

(https://imgur.com/F7A6h7A.jpg)

And quite honestly I can't tell the difference between the above and anything more expensive or freshly ground. Only thing that is terrible is instant coffee.

I suspect it's like wine: mostly bullshit :popcorn:

Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: rsjsouza on September 02, 2020, 11:12:51 am
Being from Brasil, I was used to very good coffee (Café do Ponto Aralto), but after I moved here I tried many things until I landed on the Senseo Expresso pods from Douwe Egberts as being the closer to what I used to get there.

The grains on these pods used to come from Brasil, but they changed their supplier and now source them from other places as well. I didn't feel a difference.

One interesting bit: my Senseo machine was a hand me down from a friend and she only had the "double pod" accessory (a bit deeper than the single pod accessory) - this created a foamy coffee that tasted good from the get go. A few years later I was given another machine but this time with the single pod accessory. When I tried it, the taste was not the same at all - perhaps the foam and/or the lower pressure squeezing the pod made a difference. Never used the single pod accessory again..
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: GlennSprigg on September 02, 2020, 01:24:59 pm
Coffee, is one of those things that's beyond being subjective!  Family/friends who somehow drink the budget low brand
instant 'coffee' (quotes intended!) find me donating better stuff to them! Unfortunately, even with seemingly the best coffee, one
can't (at home) reproduce the quality/style of what you receive  at a proper 'Cafe', unless you spend at least $1000 !!   :P

In England, obviously their dominant beverage is Tea. When I was last traveling there, the best/closest 'Coffee' while out and
about, was called an 'Americana'... (Sigh...)  :palm:    Sorry, was always like DishWater plus cold milk. They just don't get it!  :(
In Ireland, I found a Cafe' in a remote region that served the best coffee ever! I called over the owner and told him, though I
can't remember the name of the shop. Although I think it was in Cong, County Mayo. A lot of interesting history there!   :-+
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: AndyC_772 on September 02, 2020, 02:10:40 pm
In England, obviously their dominant beverage is Tea. When I was last traveling there, the best/closest 'Coffee' while out and
about, was called an 'Americana'... (Sigh...)  :palm:    Sorry, was always like DishWater plus cold milk. They just don't get it!  :(

You'd be surprised; tea and coffee are both popular here, there's no "obviously" preferred option.

"Americano" is espresso plus hot water, so anywhere serving it has an espresso machine and can make whatever kind of hot, frothy coffee you prefer. (There are a few outlets which - dishonestly IMHO - describe their filter coffee as "Americano", and it's predictably the kind of stewed, black sludge that resembles crude oil in appearance and taste).

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience nonetheless; you've been unlucky. There certainly is bad coffee here but thankfully it's far from universal.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: GlennSprigg on September 02, 2020, 02:35:09 pm
In England, obviously their dominant beverage is Tea. When I was last traveling there, the best/closest 'Coffee' while out and
about, was called an 'Americana'... (Sigh...)  :palm:    Sorry, was always like DishWater plus cold milk. They just don't get it!  :(

You'd be surprised; tea and coffee are both popular here, there's no "obviously" preferred option.

"Americano" is espresso plus hot water, so anywhere serving it has an espresso machine and can make whatever kind of hot, frothy coffee you prefer. (There are a few outlets which - dishonestly IMHO - describe their filter coffee as "Americano", and it's predictably the kind of stewed, black sludge that resembles crude oil in appearance and taste).

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience nonetheless; you've been unlucky. There certainly is bad coffee here but thankfully it's far from universal.

No probs mate. Was meant "Tongue in cheek" haha...  (I love my coffee).
I was more than amazed with the history of the places I visited! (We don't have that in Australia).
Beautiful countrysides, and people, (especially out in the more remote regions).  :-+
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Kasper on September 02, 2020, 03:57:49 pm
Lately I've been into Nescafe instant decaf with some fresh mint from our garden.  If I drink caffeine I tend to wake up at 5am the next day.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: David Hess on September 03, 2020, 03:18:59 am
I had to give up coffee over the past several years because I became more and more sensitive to it triggering migraine headaches.  It got to the point where every morning I woke with a migraine and scintillating scotomas were occurring several times a week. (1)

A friend of mine suffers from migraines, and interestingly enough he's noticed that coffee makes them less worse, or eliminates them altogether. He gets good sleep and is otherwise healthy.  He took a month off drinking coffee, believing the migraines to cause it, but they just got more frequent and intense.  Two cups a day, keeps the migraine away :)

I had like 1/4 cup a couple months ago after abstaining for at least 6 months and like clockwork, had a migraine and scintillating scotoma about 36 hours later.

Nick Welker over at Welker Farms, which has a YouTube channel, apparently grew to have the same problem with coffee causing migraines and had to give it up.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: kaz911 on September 03, 2020, 05:34:59 am
Well - first of all I like Jura machines and have become quite adapt at repairing them - so I have bought quite a few as broken and then fixed them. It makes for a cheap coffee maker. So now I have a XJ9 Pro and a J9.3 both salvaged from "parts" sales and repaired.

But my favourite beans are the Illy Medium Roasted. They are expensive but not as acidic as Lavazza - so my stomach does not turn after a few cups.  Illy bean coffee is very smooth and "mild" in comparison.

Price per cup for Illy is around 12p to 20p so compared to Nespresso it is a steal despite the slightly expensive beans. Bean price varies a bit. But not expensive really compared to coffee pods.

Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Alex Eisenhut on September 03, 2020, 09:32:39 am
Anyone?

(https://d2lnr5mha7bycj.cloudfront.net/product-image/file/large_555024af-63d4-4755-9a61-97ba72e9002c.jpeg)
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Halcyon on September 03, 2020, 10:10:59 am
I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to beverages, I'll admit.

I drink both tea and coffee and I prefer both black with no sugar, and only if the following conditions are met:

Coffee:
1. At a minimum, coffee is to be French press but using only freshly ground coffee beans. Espresso is preferred.
2. Instant (freeze-dried) coffee is never acceptable -- I will always choose to go without.
3. My standard go-to brew is a long black (like an Americano but stronger due to typically having less plain water added to the shot(s)).
4. Sometimes if I'm in a hurry or in a particular mood, I'll just go for a shot or two of just plain espresso.
5. The roast should ideally be fairly light to medium for a decent crema.
6. When I make it at home on my machine, I usually aim for about an 8 second brew time before the shot pours from the portafilter.
7. I prefer a finer grind for the beans I use and as the shot is pouring, it sort of has the consistency of warm honey.
8. I only ever use beans which have been roasted within the last 30 days and only grind what I need at the time.

Tea:
1. Good quality tea is paramount. None of this dust they sweep off the floor and shove into a paper teabag.
2. If I have time, I'll use loose leaf, but I mostly use teabags made of a plant-based starch material. This eliminates that "cardboardy" taste and gives the leaves room to unfurl.
3. I usually go for quite a long brew time, even up to 5 minutes depending on the type of tea.
4. I also enjoy a nice green tea or even white tea (not to be confused with plain black tea with milk) on occasion.

If you like your coffee as much as I do, I would highly recommend James Hoffmann's Youtube channel. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMb0O2CdPBNi-QqPk5T3gsQ)
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: VK3DRB on September 03, 2020, 12:57:50 pm
Never had a cup of coffee in my life and I don't plan to - ever. Had a tiny sip when I was a teenager. It is horrible stuff, almost as bad as olives. However apparently I do make a very "good" cup of coffee using Lavazzo beans in a proper coffee making machine, which I make for the better half and visitors.

When working at my desk, I drink Japanese tea. Not the crap purchased in supermarkets, but the premium top shelf tea from select areas in Japan, like near Imari and other parts of Kyushu, which the Japanese generally do not export. The other good stuff is miso soup. You cannot buy good miso soup in Australia. What they sell here is bloody awful - about as good as dish water. When I or family members go to Japan, the return trip luggage is loaded up with as much high quality high quality miso soup packets and Japanese tea as we can carry.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Psi on September 03, 2020, 01:08:04 pm
It is horrible stuff, almost as bad as olives.

but olives are awesome :)
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: SilverSolder on September 03, 2020, 01:53:02 pm
I swear by this Bodum combination mug & French press.   Perfect for making a brew to bring along in the car, or for sitting at the desk and keeping it warm for an extended sipping session.

I use South American coffee varieties in it.   

(https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/coffee/?action=dlattach;attach=1059010;image)
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: kaevee on September 03, 2020, 02:03:47 pm
People in South India drink a localised version of "Cafe Latte" prepared using dark roast coffee beans blended with root of Chicory plant. Chicory imparts nutty and woody taste to coffee. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicory (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicory)

Usually one can find this on menu of restaurants in India as "Filter Coffee".



Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Kasper on September 03, 2020, 03:54:35 pm
I had to give up coffee over the past several years because I became more and more sensitive to it triggering migraine headaches.  It got to the point where every morning I woke with a migraine and scintillating scotomas were occurring several times a week. (1)

A friend of mine suffers from migraines, and interestingly enough he's noticed that coffee makes them less worse, or eliminates them altogether. He gets good sleep and is otherwise healthy.  He took a month off drinking coffee, believing the migraines to cause it, but they just got more frequent and intense.  Two cups a day, keeps the migraine away :)

I had like 1/4 cup a couple months ago after abstaining for at least 6 months and like clockwork, had a migraine and scintillating scotoma about 36 hours later.

Nick Welker over at Welker Farms, which has a YouTube channel, apparently grew to have the same problem with coffee causing migraines and had to give it up.

I've heard this is because migraines happen when blood vessels are enlarged and caffeine constricts blood vessels.  That constriction helps stop headaches for some people but for others the overshoot when the caffeine wears off causes enlarged blood vessels and headaches.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: PlainName on September 03, 2020, 05:55:36 pm
Quote
Bodum combination mug & French press.

Do you take the plunger out before sampling? If so, where do you put it?
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Ian.M on September 03, 2020, 07:29:21 pm
It looks like one of those frekking annoying sippy cup style travel mugs that are a PITA to clean afterwards, especially if you are using a hotel  washbasin, and aren't a total Karen who enjoys stomping their stilettos into the backs of their downtrodden serfs, so care about not leaving an unnecessary mess.   I bet that as its a sippy cup you are meant to leave the plunger down.  Cleanup will be ten times worse if you drink your coffee from it with milk and sugar!

A separate french press that you can quickly clean out while the film of coffee oils and grounds on it is still fresh, and a thermos mug with an easily thumbable beerstein style flip up lid is vastly preferable.  I graduated from a sippy cup before I went to nursery school and only near gale or above conditions at sea,  rough water powerboating or extreme off-roading would cause me to tolerate a return to using one.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: eti on September 03, 2020, 10:05:22 pm
Decaf for 24H before fine SMD work - tastes like s--t but at least your fingers don't tremble.
Otherwise, I'm not a connoisseur - instant for that wakeup cuppa, maybe even with a dash of Pernod, Ouzo, Rakia  or Whisky in it if I'm not working/driving that morning, or if I'm not in a rush, dig out the good stuff (whatever vacuum packed medium roast grind suitable for cafetieres I can get a good deal on) and make it in a french press.

I do have a hand-cranked coffee grinder, that's excellent exercise but its a PITA to clean and getting small quantities of fresh-roast beans is a PITA and expensive so I rarely bother.

In the coffee trade (my family import/export coffee) a decaf is called a "why bother?" - and I concur.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Bud on September 03, 2020, 10:42:30 pm
Decaf has its place for people with heart conditions. And there is more people buy it than you may think.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: SilverSolder on September 03, 2020, 11:30:32 pm
Quote
Bodum combination mug & French press.

Do you take the plunger out before sampling? If so, where do you put it?

No - you put in the ground coffe, then hot water, then screw the top on,  wait a few minutes, then press the plunger down.  Then add milk or whatever to the top, if you like.  The plunger stays down, and you drink the coffee off the top.  To clean up, you take top off (over the sink), pull out the plunger, and pour out the grounds.  Super efficient, and the coffee stays hot for hours!  -  I use it several times a day, and they last many years.  Cannot recommend highly enough... it is ingenious.

Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Ian.M on September 03, 2020, 11:51:07 pm
Decaf for 24H before fine SMD work - tastes like s--t but at least your fingers don't tremble.
In the coffee trade (my family import/export coffee) a decaf is called a "why bother?" - and I concur.
Decaf has its place for people with heart conditions. And there is more people buy it than you may think.
Anyone contemplating drinking decaff should read the wikipedia article on the processes involved: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decaffeination

Its enough to make you switch to herbal teas!
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: eti on September 04, 2020, 12:10:18 am
Decaf has its place for people with heart conditions. And there is more people buy it than you may think.

I get that, and I'll drink some myself, on rare occasion. I mean as a recreational drink for the masses, it's pretty much as worthwhile as drinking coloured water, but yes it's better than nothing if you have health issues. But then, unless it's the "Swiss water process" I don't see much health in the solvent-based decaffeination process, ugh.

Hey, I'm far from a coffee snob, save to say that I'll draw the line at buying own-brand supermarket instant junk (and DEFINITELY avoid Aldi/Lidl stocked stuff - may as well drink muddy water).

Lavazza instant is very nice, Nescafé is pretty nice too, and Lavazza beans are lush, "Qualita Rossa" are 1Kg/~£12 online, and also Amazon's own "Solimo" beans turned out to be the only ones I had left in my cupboard, recently, so I gave those a second chance, having told myself "any port in a storm" when my Lavazza (and money!) ran out.

I lowered my expectations, and told myself not to be such a picky snob, and my brain fell for it, they're not too bad **if you have no choice**

I'd never CHOOSE Solimo over anything, but they're fine when you tell yourself "it's these or nothing", and I don't plan to waste the 2Kg of beans Amazon told me to keep, gratis, I don't like waste.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: SpecialK on September 04, 2020, 03:26:59 am
I use a Melitta Joe pour over.  Am I the only one?  Melitta coffee is also very good.

Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: David Hess on September 04, 2020, 04:15:17 am
I've heard this is because migraines happen when blood vessels are enlarged and caffeine constricts blood vessels.  That constriction helps stop headaches for some people but for others the overshoot when the caffeine wears off causes enlarged blood vessels and headaches.

It is easy enough to show that is not the case; coffee now gives me a migraine but *not* caffeine by itself, and I was careful to distinguish them in my post.  My other very reliable migraine triggers are red wine and Champaign, but not other alcoholic beverages.

The other problem with your hypothesis is the relationship between migraine headaches and scintillating scotomas.  They may occur separately or together but both have the same cause which brings up the question of how to distinguish a migraine from just a bad headache; in my case, a migraine or scintillating scotoma is followed by a mildly unpleasant feeling of euphoria.  Migraines are not just bad headaches; they are different in kind and not scale.

The thing which baffles me is why I became sensitive to coffee over a period of decades, while wine or Champaign was always a trigger.  What changed?  Or was age enough?

My favorite coffee was Trader Joe's Bay Blend through a coffee press.  My favorite coffee shop coffee was a mocha from Diedrich Coffee (Southern California) before they were replaced with Starbucks' trash.  Why would a coffee shop go to all of the effort of making a mocha, and then not put real whipped cream on it?
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: 25 CPS on September 04, 2020, 01:14:03 pm
If this could be considered coffee.  I'm suffering through a cup of swill at Tim Hortons doing the work from home or wherever thing from my laptop while the car's oil is getting changed.  Actually, on that note, maybe the Tim Hortons is selling the waste oil from the garage and calling it coffee?  That would explain a lot.

So, coffee.  Yes.  But not instant, not Tim Hortons unless it can't be avoided, not Starbucks unless it can't be avoided.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: David Hess on September 04, 2020, 07:10:47 pm
I always liked the coffee from McDonald's and Duncan Donuts the few times I had it; I suspect it was too mild for real coffee lovers though.  Instant coffee like Taster's Choice is also mild in comparison.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Alex Eisenhut on September 05, 2020, 11:20:18 pm
Yeah the McDonald's filter coffee is pretty good if you get it from a busy high-turnover place. It doesn't do well when it's been sitting around for hours. Nothing does I guess.

I liked it enough to buy the beans, and it worked great in my Saeco. I really should repair it...
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: bd139 on September 06, 2020, 08:40:16 am
Yup McCoffee is good shit here too.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: David Hess on September 07, 2020, 04:19:12 am
Yeah the McDonald's filter coffee is pretty good if you get it from a busy high-turnover place. It doesn't do well when it's been sitting around for hours. Nothing does I guess.

I liked it enough to buy the beans, and it worked great in my Saeco. I really should repair it...

I seem to recall that Duncan Donuts made their beans available.  I think one of my friends used them and they were really good.

https://www.amazon.com/Dunkin-Donuts-Original-Blend-Coffee/dp/B000YJMQDQ (https://www.amazon.com/Dunkin-Donuts-Original-Blend-Coffee/dp/B000YJMQDQ)
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Alex Eisenhut on September 07, 2020, 04:36:10 am

I seem to recall that Duncan Donuts made their beans available.  I think one of my friends used them and they were really good.


Up here it's Tim Hortons...

https://www.amazon.ca/Tim-Hortons-Original-Coffee-Medium/dp/B014JE3M6Q/ref=sr_1_14?crid=17CQYGIY0FVN&dchild=1&keywords=tim+hortons+coffee&qid=1599453311&sprefix=tim+horton%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-14 (https://www.amazon.ca/Tim-Hortons-Original-Coffee-Medium/dp/B014JE3M6Q/ref=sr_1_14?crid=17CQYGIY0FVN&dchild=1&keywords=tim+hortons+coffee&qid=1599453311&sprefix=tim+horton%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-14)
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: thinkfat on September 07, 2020, 01:09:07 pm
I use a Melitta Joe pour over.  Am I the only one?  Melitta coffee is also very good.

Here. Not exactly that one, but same same.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: ThomasTheTenor on September 07, 2020, 03:18:15 pm
I personally use an Aeropress. Its a pour over coffee maker with a plunger. All you need is water heated to ~82C, a filter and a couple scoops of grinds. Coffee is very good. I bought it when I went camping, and have used it everyday since! I would highly recommend!
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Labrat101 on September 07, 2020, 06:02:41 pm
Quote
Quote from: Bud on September 03, 2020, 10:42:30 pm

    Decaf has its place for people with heart conditions. And there is more people buy it than you may think.

Drinking coffee without caffeine is like Beer without alcohol  .
   Pointless..  water would have the same effect  .. and cheaper  :-DD
 I live on coffee ..  :popcorn:  30 cups minimum per day  :popcorn:
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Alex Eisenhut on September 07, 2020, 09:50:48 pm
Drinking coffee without caffeine is like Beer without alcohol  .
   Pointless.. 


My Dad's 95 and he drinks the alcohol-free beers by the case. I'm pretty happy he has that option.

He's literally this  :popcorn:

There's popcorn and cheesepuffs all over the place when I visit!
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Bud on September 07, 2020, 10:40:32 pm
Quote
Quote from: Bud on September 03, 2020, 10:42:30 pm

    Decaf has its place for people with heart conditions. And there is more people buy it than you may think.

Drinking coffee without caffeine is like Beer without alcohol  .
   Pointless..  water would have the same effect  .. and cheaper  :-DD
 I live on coffee ..  :popcorn:  30 cups minimum per day  :popcorn:
Do you drink alcohol for enjoyment or to get drunk ?
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Bud on September 07, 2020, 10:45:25 pm
I personally use an Aeropress. Its a pour over coffee maker with a plunger. All you need is water heated to ~82C, a filter and a couple scoops of grinds. Coffee is very good. I bought it when I went camping, and have used it everyday since! I would highly recommend!
Dear Aeropress shil,
Do you supply a thermometer calibrated to 82C with your product? 
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: ThomasTheTenor on September 07, 2020, 11:02:05 pm
I actually use an EEVBlog BM235 thermocouple to measure the temp(no joke). Ive been a lurker on the forum for 8+ years, and it was coffee that finally induced me to sign up and post.  :palm: Im no shill, I design pcbs for a living. Also, my favourite coffee, kicking horse!
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Georg - PY5ZSE on September 07, 2020, 11:04:28 pm
considering where I live...
whatever one of the neighbours grows and roasts.
This area (western Paraná) used to be a major coffe growing area, but apparently cattle, soybeans and sugar cane pay better for the farmers.  Still, many of them have a few rows of plants for ther own consumption and family and friends.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Wallace Gasiewicz on September 08, 2020, 12:39:41 am
Costco Kirkland  100% Colombian coffee

I like it.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: raptor1956 on September 08, 2020, 03:51:23 am
And speaking of bad coffee...

Here in the states we have coffee vending machines that produce the most terrible swill on the planet.  I'm not sure what goes into to the coffee part, presumably there is some actual coffee but it would be hard to justify that when tasting it.  Then, to top things off, when you add milk/cream it's not called milk or cream but, instead, "whitener"  -- WTF is whitener?


Brian
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Bud on September 08, 2020, 05:44:43 am
my favourite coffee, kicking horse!o

"Sweet"  :-//
Dont we have sugar for that...
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Bud on September 08, 2020, 05:54:20 am
And speaking of bad coffee...

Here in the states we have coffee vending machines that produce the most terrible swill on the planet.  I'm not sure what goes into to the coffee part, presumably there is some actual coffee but it would be hard to justify that when tasting it.  Then, to top things off, when you add milk/cream it's not called milk or cream but, instead, "whitener"  -- WTF is whitener?

Some people avoid milk, so the sneaky shops call it whitener. My theory  :)

Speaking of which, they should better come up with a politically correct name  ::) 
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Ian.M on September 08, 2020, 09:09:07 am
IIRC Coffee whitener is much like paint - pigment in an organic binder usually some sort of hydrogenated vegetable oil.  I believe Titanium dioxide is or was used for its whiteness as part of the pigment mixture.  If so, no problem - its pretty much biologically inert, and vastly preferable to chalk!
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: BU508A on September 08, 2020, 10:43:52 am
Be careful with (too much) coffee.  :-DD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=982pO1PECNQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=982pO1PECNQ)
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: thinkfat on September 08, 2020, 10:49:50 am
And speaking of bad coffee...

Here in the states we have coffee vending machines that produce the most terrible swill on the planet.  I'm not sure what goes into to the coffee part, presumably there is some actual coffee but it would be hard to justify that when tasting it.  Then, to top things off, when you add milk/cream it's not called milk or cream but, instead, "whitener"  -- WTF is whitener?


Brian

Yup. These are terrible, same over here. Fun story: At university we had machines that not only served coffee and some kind of cocoa but also broth. Rumor has it that there's no actual ingredients for the broth in the machine but that it's the product of the cleansing cycle the machine performs occasionally.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Mark19960 on September 08, 2020, 12:41:53 pm
I'm English so tea is a thing but I have given it up for coffee.
I was talking to my mum a couple of weeks ago that had not realised I gave it up and she was shocked and dismayed.

But I get coffee out of a Keurig. To my mates that are coffee connoisseurs those are considered blasphemous. :)
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: cdev on September 08, 2020, 12:53:38 pm
Guatemala Antigua coffee is my favorite all around drinking coffee. Its naturally lower in caffeine with a very well balanced taste. Brewed in my french press its just perfect.

Also, I love chocolate covered roasted coffee beans. They are naturally caffeinated.

Although coffee doesnt grow natively in California (its originally from Africa) there are many cultivated trees, and its grown commercially in Hawaii,  which is the source for some very rich, mild coffee a lot like Guatemalan coffee. But its pretty expensive, and also California. also, I bet also Puerto Rico.

It can grow in a cool coastal climate as long as it doesnt freeze hard it does okay. It likes heat but not extreme heat.

Some microclimates in California are good for coffee.  Many many years ago, my mother had two friends who lived in the Escondito area, on Palomar Mountain near Pauma Valley. It was really a paradise there. This couple had an incredible garden and they grew and roasted their own coffee which I remembered for a long time. It was a quite amazing taste. Also, a while ago, more than a decade ago,  I lost my sense of smelll due to toxic mold for over a year, and the smell of coffee was the first (glorious) smell that I remember smelling when it finally came back. I was in a coffee and tea store. I'll never forget that moment, or that smell. I felt like I had been reborn.

This imprinting is actually why coffee evolved its caffeine, to make pollinators remember where they found the delicious pollen, or so I was told by an particularly knowledgeable analytical chemist. Related chemicals are involved when people fall in love.

If you know what coffee looks like you can and will recognize it growing ornamentally in California in many places. For example on the UCB campus near Euclid,  I am pretty sure Ive seen it's distinctive berries and color.

If you live in an appropriate climate it would definitely be fun to grow, harvest and roast your own organic coffee.

Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: David Hess on September 08, 2020, 11:45:25 pm
I actually use an EEVBlog BM235 thermocouple to measure the temp(no joke). Ive been a lurker on the forum for 8+ years, and it was coffee that finally induced me to sign up and post.  :palm: Im no shill, I design pcbs for a living. Also, my favourite coffee, kicking horse!

My roommate once walked into the kitchen to find me using a thermocouple probe and my Tektronix DMM916 multimeter as a candy thermometer.  After that, I was never allowed to cook for anybody again.

Although coffee doesnt grow natively in California (its originally from Africa) there are many cultivated trees, and its grown commercially in Hawaii,  which is the source for some very rich, mild coffee a lot like Guatemalan coffee. But its pretty expensive, and also California. also, I bet also Puerto Rico.

I have read that coffee originated in Ethiopia.  I bought a bag of arabica coffee beans produced in Ethiopian and one cup was enough.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Halcyon on September 09, 2020, 02:06:13 am
I actually use an EEVBlog BM235 thermocouple to measure the temp(no joke). Ive been a lurker on the forum for 8+ years, and it was coffee that finally induced me to sign up and post.  :palm: Im no shill, I design pcbs for a living. Also, my favourite coffee, kicking horse!

My roommate once walked into the kitchen to find me using a thermocouple probe and my Tektronix DMM916 multimeter as a candy thermometer.  After that, I was never allowed to cook for anybody again.


I use my 121GW and probe in my meat smoker.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Ed.Kloonk on September 09, 2020, 02:21:05 am


I use my 121GW and probe in my meat smoker.


Quoted for posterity.
 :)
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Psi on November 01, 2020, 12:37:27 am
Enjoy coffee while you can.
Coffee is quite hard on the digestive tract and it's common to find you can no longer drink it later in life due to abdominal pains.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Psi on November 01, 2020, 12:39:47 am
On the subject of thermal probes and cooking. Here's some donuts i deep fried once using the electric wok and DMM
 :-DD


Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Alex Eisenhut on November 01, 2020, 01:45:43 am
Enjoy coffee while you can.
Coffee is quite hard on the digestive tract and it's common to find you can no longer drink it later in life due to abdominal pains.

I have never heard that. Coffee is hot water with trace chemicals. My Dad's 95 and drinks it every day,
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: bd139 on November 01, 2020, 10:08:35 am
I had problems with coffee when I hit 40. This turned out not to be the coffee but the milk and sugar. So I only drink it fresh, black and no sugar now. No problems at all any more.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Cerebus on November 01, 2020, 10:47:10 am
Slight necropost here, prompted by this thread reviving overall.

This imprinting is actually why coffee evolved its caffeine, to make pollinators remember where they found the delicious pollen, or so I was told by an particularly knowledgeable analytical chemist.

I think your "particularly knowledgeable analytical chemist" should stick to chemistry and not stray into biochemistry or biology. Caffeine, like most of the plant alkaloids that we use for fun and medicine evolved as a plant poison. "Caffeine in plants acts as a natural pesticide: it can paralyze and kill predator insects feeding on the plant." (https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2F8%2F8c%2FCaffeine_structure.svg%2F1200px-Caffeine_structure.svg.png&f=1&nofb=1) It's not there to give insects a 'buzz' and make them come back, it's there to poison them and make them buzz off! Ditto opium, strychnine, nicotine and so on.

Related chemicals are involved when people fall in love.

Erm, again nope! The so called 'love hormone' is oxytocin, involved in bonding of all sorts, which is a poly-peptide and is nothing like caffeine - either chemically or in effect. In fact being a poly-peptide, if taken by mouth it would just be digested (the same reason insulin has to be injected rather than taken orally).

Caffeine: (https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2F8%2F8c%2FCaffeine_structure.svg%2F1200px-Caffeine_structure.svg.png&f=1&nofb=1)  Oxytocin: (https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2F5%2F55%2FOxytocin_with_labels.png%2F1200px-Oxytocin_with_labels.png&f=1&nofb=1)
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Cerebus on November 01, 2020, 10:48:17 am
Enjoy coffee while you can.
Coffee is quite hard on the digestive tract and it's common to find you can no longer drink it later in life due to abdominal pains.

I have never heard that. Coffee is hot water with trace chemicals. My Dad's 95 and drinks it every day,

Yeah, it's Tea that will kill you. Have you seen what it does to the inside of a teapot?  ;)
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Ed.Kloonk on November 01, 2020, 11:12:18 am
Enjoy coffee while you can.
Coffee is quite hard on the digestive tract and it's common to find you can no longer drink it later in life due to abdominal pains.

I have never heard that. Coffee is hot water with trace chemicals. My Dad's 95 and drinks it every day,

Yeah, it's Tea that will kill you. Have you seen what it does to the inside of a teapot?  ;)

Here is my spout..

edit: Hey why can't I upload my picture!



 ;)
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: rsjsouza on November 01, 2020, 05:03:52 pm
Enjoy coffee while you can.
Coffee is quite hard on the digestive tract and it's common to find you can no longer drink it later in life due to abdominal pains.

I have never heard that. Coffee is hot water with trace chemicals. My Dad's 95 and drinks it every day,

Yeah, it's Tea that will kill you. Have you seen what it does to the inside of a teapot?  ;)
Sure is. There's an entire thread in this forum dedicated to TEA and its psychological and financial distresses.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Cerebus on November 01, 2020, 05:22:32 pm
Enjoy coffee while you can.
Coffee is quite hard on the digestive tract and it's common to find you can no longer drink it later in life due to abdominal pains.

I have never heard that. Coffee is hot water with trace chemicals. My Dad's 95 and drinks it every day,

Yeah, it's Tea that will kill you. Have you seen what it does to the inside of a teapot?  ;)
Sure is. There's an entire thread in this forum dedicated to TEA and its psychological and financial distresses.

No, Tea will kill you; TEA will get the wife to kill you.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Labrat101 on November 01, 2020, 06:50:40 pm
Enjoy coffee while you can.
Coffee is quite hard on the digestive tract and it's common to find you can no longer drink it later in life due to abdominal pains.

I have never heard that. Coffee is hot water with trace chemicals. My Dad's 95 and drinks it every day,

Yeah, it's Tea that will kill you. Have you seen what it does to the inside of a teapot?  ;)
Sure is. There's an entire thread in this forum dedicated to TEA and its psychological and financial distresses.

No, Tea will kill you; TEA will get the wife to kill you.

 There is No Know cure for TEA poisoning . 
 
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: vad on November 01, 2020, 08:30:52 pm
To my taste, espresso and espresso drinks are the best way to enjoy coffee. Making espresso requires a good commercial espresso machine, freshly ground beans and good barista who will not mess up with the process and the temperature. This is something that is hard to come by here in New England. I really miss Melbourne coffee shops and cafes. At home, I find Nespresso to be as close to espresso as it can get, without commercial equipment. Nespresso’s Arpeggio is pretty good.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: raptor1956 on November 03, 2020, 11:48:14 am
To my taste, espresso and espresso drinks are the best way to enjoy coffee. Making espresso requires a good commercial espresso machine, freshly ground beans and good barista who will not mess up with the process and the temperature. This is something that is hard to come by here in New England. I really miss Melbourne coffee shops and cafes. At home, I find Nespresso to be as close to espresso as it can get, without commercial equipment. Nespresso’s Arpeggio is pretty good.

When I brew coffee I usually blend about half Columbian and the other half either Espresso or French Roast.  I actually bought a bunch of these ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072BF83S8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072BF83S8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) ) and I measure out 45g of coffee beans for each of them so I can go a couple weeks without having to measure anything.  Get's me about 3 cups at a strength that works for my taste most of the time.  I could up that to, maybe 55g or even 60g but coffee isn't cheap -- I guess I spend about $24/month just on beans at 45g per pot (3-cups).


Brian
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: cdev on December 20, 2020, 05:22:10 am
Its true about coffee, I used to drink a ton of it a day meaning maybe two pints per sitting at least twice, and it was strong lower haight street coffee. Now I have to go really easy on it. I had one late this morning, much earlier today and now its bedtime and my stomach acid is way too high to go to bed now. If I lie down now, I get reflux, I had too much. Dont do what I did and drink too much for too long

Now I also have to drink mild, like guatamala antigua is my favorite coffee, grown on the slope of a volcano