Coffee anyone?

[Mtheory]

There ia definitely some sort of artistic aspect to it. Its kinda fun using in a way. I understand that some europeans often travel with their press wherever they go. Interesting...

[Peench]

I'm not much of a coffee drinker, but I have had a good cup of coffee every now and again. I have only had coffee once out of a press and I remember it vividly. It was a great cup of coffee.

[Serren]

I've seen Crippler without coffee in the morning. What a sad site.....

But I'm the same way without my Mt. Dew!

[Crippler]

Originally Posted by Serren

I've seen Crippler without coffee in the morning. What a sad site.....

But I'm the same way without my Mt. Dew!

Yes, you have. Good times..

[BrewCityUpstart]

Wow. Sounds like a new Snickers commercial in the makings....

[OnoMan]

Try getting to Crippler to make you a drawing at 7 AM!!!

[Crippler]

Originally Posted by OnoMan

Try getting to Crippler to make you a drawing at 7 AM!!!

Not gonna happen. So quit bothering me. Unless........you bring me coffee.

[OnoMan]

Originally Posted by Crippler

Not gonna happen. So quit bothering me. Unless........you bring me coffee.

Ummm NO!!!

[N0W IM N0THING]

Since my coffee pot recently took a dump, I went out and snagged a french press today. My main reason for snagging a press was a.) I like a tasty cup of joe and b.)I was unable to find a small 4 cup drip machine like I had for a reasonable price.

I picked up a Bodum 4 cup wich fills up my two mugs pretty good. There is an art to it for sure but my first attempt turned out rather well. Probably the first cup of coffee I drank without any cream or sugar in a real long time. Not only did it taste good but it was rather fun to make. My next step is getting a decent burr type grinder, any recommendations?

[ZoomZoom71]

I'll revive this thread, since I'm shopping for a new coffee maker, myself. The french press style is pretty much out, just for convenience sake. I'm looking at the Cuisinart DCM-1200.

About the coffee grinder, what's the real difference between the quality of grind between the standard blade variety and the burr style? Is it just that you have more control over the coarseness with the burr style?

[N0W IM N0THING]

The blade variety has no controll over the grind as you will mainly get dust and chunks of beans. Which is fine for the most part if you are using a drip style/Filter basket type machine. The burr grinders are all about consistency and the varietys of grinds they produce.

A while ago I picked up a 4-cup French Press and a Cuisinart Burr grider along with it and it works really well. I would reccomend a Burr style grinder as you can grind and brew whatever you need, expressos need a very fine grind and the press pots need a corse grind, drip style somewhere in the middle.

[ZoomZoom71]

OK, so my next question is what difference does the coarseness level have on the flavor? Seems to me like coffee grinds are coffee grinds, and any water flowing over it is gonna extract the coffee flavor. Please explain it to my simple mind.

[N0W IM N0THING]

The amount of steep time and desired strength of flavor dictates the coursness of the grind. An expresso is made rather quicky, the water pressurized and ran through faster so the grind is finer yet still giving it a strong flavor. Press pots steep around 5 min so you need the courser grind. So in a nutshell the faster you brew the coffee the finer grinds you need.

[ZoomZoom71]

Makes sense. So, for a regular drip machine, which is really the only style we ever drink, fine grind is probably sufficient, huh?

What about the coffee machine's filter element? Is cone shaped better than basket style for flavor?

[N0W IM N0THING]

The general rule is use the finest grind you can without clogging up the filter or getting mud in you cup. For a drip machine I would probally stick with a medium grind. You really would'nt need a fancy burr grinder either, a whirly blade would work just fine. As far as filters are concerned thats where my Galloping Gourmet stops, I couldn't tell you whats the better route.

If i had to take a stab in the dark I would say the cone shaped filter would be better as the grinds are more saturated as its more like a funnel and soaking all of the grinds, where as a basket mainly concentrated on a small portion in the center. I could be blowing smoke for all I know.

[Epyon MX]

I'm not going to troll here, and bash coffee, just express my personal opinion of it. In short, I dislike it, both the taste and the smell. Many of my friends don't like drinking coffee, but love the smell. *weird*

This is how I get my caffeine on:

+ YouTube Video

More power to you for getting coffee the personal way. I have many kinds of loose tea with plenty of strainers and pots and whathaveyou.

[AngryMongoose]

Believe it or not, its a proven fact that eating an apple in the morning will wake you up quicker than a cup of coffee. I don't how but its suppose to be true. But I'll still take my coffee black without the apple.