Coffee

[mr_spock]

My other half doesn't like real, fresh-brewed coffee by and large. She prefers Kenco instant. While this isn't Earth-shattering, I'd like to find a fresh coffee blend that she'll at least tolerate! Have tried Sainsbury's fair trade Kenyan and Columbian, Starbucks house blend, all no go, and a few others mainly from the normal supermarkets. WHich is odd since she'll drink coffee at Starbucks and the other chains!

The only one she's ever liked was the house blend at Denny's in the States, which seems to me to be a bit chocolate-y.

Suggestions please?

[V8mate]

How are you making coffee at home? Filter machine/caffetiere?

It could be that it's too strong for her. What does she order in Starbucks? If it's a latte-type drink, your home coffee will be a million miles away from what you get in the coffee shop.

I invested in an all-singing Gaggia bean-to-cup machine. Big outlay and we were worried that it would become just another unused kitchen gadget but it's so good it has been in daily use for the last two years.

After some various trials, we now buy beans from Caffe Nero - their house blend. Fantastic! (But coffee is absolutely a matter for individual taste!)

[escargot]

What? Why don't you just let her continue drinking instant if she likes it?

[drivin_me_nuts]

Ethical Addictions

Find them on the web

Very nice coffees, decently priced and ground every two weeks. The Ethopian blend is rather good. Not too strong and IMO far nicer than the blends out of the chain store coffee house factories

Rather good all day drinking blend

http://www.eacoffee.co.uk/products/Ethiopian_Organ...

[bic]

I've always been confused by people who prefer instant crap to the real thing. Each to their own though! Why don't you get a small caffitiere and you're both happy?

[sday12]

I'm afraid if she likes instant then 9/10 she won't like proper coffee IMHO.

[mr_spock]

Thanks all,

I have a Braun filter machine. While I'd love to grind beans, I don't really have the time or the inclination. I also have a cappucino/espresso machine which I don't use that often as it doesn't have the capacity to do two mugs. I should probably replace that....

She usually drinks either a cappucino or mocha in coffee shops, so I guess the milkiness softens the taste. Good point!

Of course I'm happy for her to drink whatever she likes, but I'd like to be able to share my love of decent coffee. When we met (many years ago) she hadn't tried sashimi, escargots, fois gras etc., and we've enjoyed sharing our mutual tastes in food, music, interior decor and so on. Back to the coffee though...

In summary, I guess I'm looking for a very very smooth, medium blend with notes of chocolate. One suggestion so far - any more?

[escargot]

mr_spock said:

Of course I'm happy for her to drink whatever she likes, but I'd like to be able to share my love of decent coffee. When we met (many years ago) she hadn't tried sashimi, escargots, fois gras etc., and we've enjoyed sharing our mutual tastes in food, music, interior decor and so on. Back to the coffee though.

[filthstreet]

escargot said:

mr_spock said:

Of course I'm happy for her to drink whatever she likes, but I'd like to be able to share my love of decent coffee. When we met (many years ago) she hadn't tried sashimi, escargots, fois gras etc., and we've enjoyed sharing our mutual tastes in food, music, interior decor and so on. Back to the coffee though.

[delusional]

I know you say you don't want to grind your own coffee, but I would really recommend giving it a go. If you're not wanting to make espresso then you can get a very good grinder for around £35 (I've just bought the Krups GVX2 for that price which is very good so far), and the time it takes is really minimal - simply pour the beans into the top press a button and wait 20 seconds or so for it to finish.

This way you can actually drink fresh coffee, rather than stale, old pre-ground stuff! Believe me the difference it makes to taste is huge.

If you do go down that route I really recommend Has Bean for buying coffee. It's all roasted to order (so again, actually fresh unlike anything you'll be getting in the supermarket) and every time I've ordered, even at 2 in the afternoon, my coffee has arrived the next day. If you drop them an email I'm sure they'll be able to recommend a coffee suited to your requirements.

[Crusoe]

OP said:

In summary, I guess I'm looking for a very very smooth, medium blend with notes of chocolate. One suggestion so far - any more?

I have a 2kg bag of Wallenford Estate - Jamaican Blue Mountain on order, sounds like just what you are after though it is a tad pricy.

[KJR]

Crusoe said:

OP said:

In summary, I guess I'm looking for a very very smooth, medium blend with notes of chocolate. One suggestion so far - any more?

I have a 2kg bag of Wallenford Estate - Jamaican Blue Mountain on order, sounds like just what you are after though it is a tad pricy.

Two questions, how much and how much as in how much do you drink ?

I drink a cup a day which means, for me, 250g lasts a month.

[staceyb]

http://www.imperialteas.co.uk/index.php?main_page=...

Try that, it is utterly gorgeous.

[Mobile Chicane]

I'm in the filter coffee camp myself, and my favourite is Waitrose own-label Columbian for it's all-round smoothness and richness.

However I'm a coffee addict and have just bought a Nespresso machine plus el grande selection pack, which seems like a good way to try all the different varieties. Espresso might be too much, but there's a good selection of lungo blends - my personal favourite.

[calibrax]

Can't stand coffee. I also find it annoying the way that coffee and its various rituals and tastes have become so pretentious, in the same way that wine did...

[Mobile Chicane]

calibrax said:

Can't stand coffee. I also find it annoying the way that coffee and its various rituals and tastes have become so pretentious, in the same way that wine did...

Fine. So don't drink it then.

[okgo]

calibrax said:

Can't stand coffee. I also find it annoying the way that coffee and its various rituals and tastes have become so pretentious, in the same way that wine did...

You do have a massive point there. I feel a bit out of my depth in Costa sometimes

I have a machine at home, and my housemate keeps it stocked with beans. Seems nice Drink about 4 cups a day

[Crusoe]

KJR said:

Crusoe said:

OP said:

In summary, I guess I'm looking for a very very smooth, medium blend with notes of chocolate. One suggestion so far - any more?

I have a 2kg bag of Wallenford Estate - Jamaican Blue Mountain on order, sounds like just what you are after though it is a tad pricy.

Two questions, how much and how much as in how much do you drink ?

I drink a cup a day which means, for me, 250g lasts a month.

about 5 doubles a day the good stuff tends to go missing shared out to the rest of the family and green beans rather than ground so it lasts a bit longer and only roast a weeks worth at a time.

[HiRich]

mr_spock said:

She usually drinks either a cappucino or mocha in coffee shops, so I guess the milkiness softens the taste. ...

In summary, I guess I'm looking for a very very smooth, medium blend with notes of chocolate. One suggestion so far - any more?

How does she drink the cappucino/mocha? Does she stir the milk in, or keep the two separate. If the latter (which keeps the tastes separate) she may be after a stronger, more robust coffee flavour, tempered by the milk, rather than a mild coffee. I find most instant coffees have a bitter kick, and it may be that that she needs to replicate.