Coffee... What, and how?

[KB_S1]

Not sure why so many chains get coffee wrong.

There are a few coffee shops in Glasgow that I know of that are very good but so many are not.

[Digger]

essayer said:

So the quality of my Has Bean coffee, home ground then brewed in a moka pot is astoundingly good. Like, I never knew coffee could smell and taste this good (and strong!)

Starbucks, Nero etc., are all terrible in comparison. Why is this? Poor quality beans? From what I can see they grind straight from bean and use a decent-looking espresso machine.

Edited by essayer on Thursday 9th February 09:42

Which of their blend are you referring to? Might have to get me some.

[Flibble]

I've tried a variety of their blends, there's quite a difference between them so it;s worth trying a few to find what sort of taste you like.

[Carfolio]

IanA2 said:

Save your money, get one of these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bialetti-Brikka-Espresso-M...

or save even more by buying a basic Moka, these machines don't really make cafe quality coffee. Moka pots nearly do.....and a damn sight cheaper !!

This. Once you get the hang of it.

[onyx39]

Big fan of Starbucks, and this makes life easier...

[Trefy5]

Cafetiere (size according to cups/mugs being made)
Lazy Sunday (Taylors of Harrogate)
and a healthy dollop of semi-skimmed
I like strong coffee but weakened by milk as opposed to thinned by water

and MACCHIATO - including Costa's version

[RizzoTheRat]

Russ T Bolt said:

simonej said:

Surprised no one has mentioned the AeroPress yet!



Very impressed with it for making Americanos, and so much better than a cafetiere or drip machine!

Still use the Nespresso machine for espressos and cappuccinos though.

I use one of those at work.

At home I use a Siemens bean to cup machine.

Just signed up to the Hasbean annual subscription, so I get a different bag of coffee beans each week.

The girlfiends brothers on that Hasbean subscription deal and having tasted the stuff over Christmas I got an Aeropress and some of the Hasbean Bolivia Vinca Machacamarca beans for my birthday. Fantastic stuff. Also bought a second hand Dualit burr grinder which means it's a lot less hassle having a coffee than when I only had a hand grinder I don't get though enough to do the pack a week deal but Hasbean do another one where you get a pack a month that I think I might sign up to, as I'm currently on some LaVassa Espresso beans an they're no where near as good. The aeropress makes a fantastic latte, I just bung the mug of milk in the microwave and then stick a shot of coffee on the top.

Any other bean suggestions before I sign up to Hasbean?

crmcatee said:

Having been stuck in the traffic jam that is the M25 more than once - this now lives in the Landrover and has been used on more than one occasion.


0716 by CRMCATEE, on Flickr

Water, perculator, gas stove and a jar of Illy and some cups.

I have a similar setup I take camping/touring, though I use a petrol powered stove as I've always got fuel on the bike. I used to have a single cup one but upgraded to a 3 cup as my mates who originally laughed at the idea of carrying such kit then all started wanting a coffee

[Piglet]

crmcatee said:

Having been stuck in the traffic jam that is the M25 more than once - this now lives in the Landrover and has been used on more than one occasion.


0716 by CRMCATEE, on Flickr

Water, perculator, gas stove and a jar of Illy and some cups.

Bit late to this but bonus points for the use of the Landy tread plates, minus points for not using a Coleman petrol stove AND it's an expresso pot not a perculator, but other than that, I like your style Our Landy is 40 years old

[IanA2]

Piglet said:

Bit late to this but bonus points for the use of the Landy tread plates, minus points for not using a Coleman petrol stove AND it's an expresso pot not a perculator, but other than that, I like your style Our Landy is 40 years old

Spelling police approaching fast.........ESPRESSO


and it's a Moka!!!

[wibble cb]

Lavazza Gold in this for putting into this:



The coffee is then Americano'd, milk to taste.

[anonymous-user]

Is it worth getting a bean grinder such as this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Krups-Twin-Blade-Coffee-Mi...

to make coffee in this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bialetti-Moka-Express-Espr...

. Or just buy the ground coffee?

[BorkFactor]

Just discovered the joys of putting a small amount of cinnamon in coffee, really nice!

[KB_S1]

Fresh ground (as in seconds before brewing) makes a huge difference.

[Piglet]

IanA2 said:

Spelling police approaching fast.........ESPRESSO


and it's a Moka!!!

That's the wonder of auto correct for you! What's the difference between an espresso pot and a Moka?

[RizzoTheRat]

KB_S1 said:

Fresh ground (as in seconds before brewing) makes a huge difference.

A Burr grinder is generally considered to be better than a twin blade though as you get a much more even ground size. They do start at about twice the price however.

[KB_S1]

Yes to the burr grinder. I hadn't really noticed which type was mentioned.

I have This

[RizzoTheRat]

That's the one I was going to buy after seeing several good reviews, but then ended up with a second hand one of these for half price
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B001TW170U/ref=mp_...

[IanA2]

Piglet said:

IanA2 said:

Spelling police approaching fast.........ESPRESSO


and it's a Moka!!!

That's the wonder of auto correct for you! What's the difference between an espresso pot and a Moka?

Seven letters !!

[anonymous-user]

RizzoTheRat said:

KB_S1 said:

Fresh ground (as in seconds before brewing) makes a huge difference.

A Burr grinder is generally considered to be better than a twin blade though as you get a much more even ground size. They do start at about twice the price however.

KB_S1 said:

Yes to the burr grinder. I hadn't really noticed which type was mentioned.

I have This

Will be buying some coffee making 'stuff' in about a week then.

[LordGrover]

Just thought I'd mention I've just received a Clever Dripper. It is awesome, or more to the point, the coffee it produces is very good. The extra time steeping really delivers a fuller flavour.