Coffee?

[veremchuka]

I have an auto drip Mr. Coffee, it must be at least 10 years old. When I grind Dunkin Donut coffee beans I set the store's grinder at the auto drip setting. There's 2 setting for auto drip and I use the finer of the 2. The settings below must be finer yet. So if I ground those beans at the Espresso or Fine or Turkish settings would my coffee taste better being more finely ground? I guess I'm asking do you use the finer settings vs the auto drip if you have an auto drip?

 

[M Paquette]

I have an auto drip Mr. Coffee, it must be at least 10 years old. When I grind Dunkin Donut coffee beans I set the store's grinder at the auto drip setting. There's 2 setting for auto drip and I use the finer of the 2. The settings below must be finer yet. So if I ground those beans at the Espresso or Fine or Turkish settings would my coffee taste better being more finely ground? I guess I'm asking do you use the finer settings vs the auto drip if you have an auto drip?

I think you might find it gets 'more bitter' rather than better. The finer grind would tend to clog the filter paper, so the brew would be steeping in the hot water longer. Depending on the machine, this might even result in the brew basket overflowing, which would just be messy.

The brewing time, the time water is in contact with the coffee grounds, is only 20-25 seconds in an espresso machine. The fine grind allows the coffee to be pressed tightly into the brewing basket (usually around 30# pressure) so that the extraction takes the right amount of time at the pressure the machine develops.

Turkish coffee is ground almost, but not quite to powder for brewing in an ibrik or cezve. Water is boiled in the ibrik, the coffee is added, and the mix is re-boiled until it foams. The whole thing, grounds and all, is poured into a demitasse cup. Wait a minute for the grounds to settle (powder won't, which is why I said ALMOST powder...) before drinking. DO NOT try to get that last drop down.

 

[Khan]

I didn't drink coffee for quite a while as it contributed to migraines. While in Florida I found I could have coffee if I was careful. We got into grinding our own and french press, I use heavy cream and a bit of sweetener. Last visit I bought some local at the airport and brought it down. Boston Stoker Highlander Grogg, addictive.

 

[Gumby]

So how do they fit in here?... Simple... Army Coffee... 30 gallons of steaming hot water, into which was poured several pounds of ground coffee, which immediately settled to the bottom, and bubbled there all morning ready for us to dip our canteen cups in for a super hot cup of java.
Can't remember if it tasted good, or tasted at all, but on a freezing morning after a night in pup tents, it was hot... and that mattered.
Anyone else remember?

Never had that. But I have had coffee (and C-rations) heated over a burning lump of C-4 plastic explosive.

 

[veremchuka]

I think you might find it gets 'more bitter' rather than better. The finer grind would tend to clog the filter paper, so the brew would be steeping in the hot water longer. Depending on the machine, this might even result in the brew basket overflowing, which would just be messy.

The brewing time, the time water is in contact with the coffee grounds, is only 20-25 seconds in an espresso machine. The fine grind allows the coffee to be pressed tightly into the brewing basket (usually around 30# pressure) so that the extraction takes the right amount of time at the pressure the machine develops.

Turkish coffee is ground almost, but not quite to powder for brewing in an ibrik or cezve. Water is boiled in the ibrik, the coffee is added, and the mix is re-boiled until it foams. The whole thing, grounds and all, is poured into a demitasse cup. Wait a minute for the grounds to settle (powder won't, which is why I said ALMOST powder...) before drinking. DO NOT try to get that last drop down.

I clicked the thanks icon but I am uncertain what that does. Thanks for the explanation, I'll stick to what it is designed for!

 

[REWahoo]

I clicked the thanks icon but I am uncertain what that does.

Removes you from the "Do Not Call" list, gives your bank account and credit card numbers to the Russian mafia, and sends a message to your local Kirby Vacuum Cleaner salesman to pay you a visit.

 

[W2R]

I clicked the thanks icon but I am uncertain what that does. Thanks for the explanation, I'll stick to what it is designed for!

It is a quick way to send a message to thank the person who wrote that post. A little window appears and you can provide a personal message of thanks too, if you want to, but you don't have to. After writing or not writing a message, you then just click the button that says "Send your Thanks" and the message will be on its way.

 

[M Paquette]

Removes you from the "Do Not Call" list, gives your bank account and credit card numbers to the Russian mafia, and sends a message to your local Kirby Vacuum Cleaner salesman to pay you a visit.

Да, и спасибо. Еще кофе для меня ...

 

[Meadbh]

For me, a mug or two of good coffee in the morning is one of life's great pleasures. I like mine strong, with a dash of 2% milk, no sugar. I generally buy beans (currently organic Kicking Horse Pacific Roast) and grind them with a small blade grinder (Braun). I have both a drip coffee maker and an espresso machine (current versions are both Hamilton Beach). Based on this thread, I fished out my ancient el cheapo stovetop percolator this morning. I did need to strain the coffee, but it tasted magnificent!

 

[MovingtotheCove]

Pretty basis here....a drip Mr. Coffee and regular roast private label organic fair trade coffee (ground) from our local organic food coop.....nice and smooth mediuim roast with no cream or sugar...just black! Oh, we do use purified water vs. tap water.

 

[Chuckanut]

It looks like the coffee pod market may bet more restrictive:

Keurig 2.0 brews up DRM to freeze out copycat cups | Appliances - CNET Reviews

 

[REWahoo]

It looks like the coffee pod market may bet more restrictive:

Keurig 2.0 brews up DRM to freeze out copycat cups | Appliances - CNET Reviews

Looks like a risky strategy to me.

 

[Chuckanut]

Looks like a risky strategy to me.

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-17889_7-57619817/keurig-2.0-brews-up-drm-to-freeze-out-copycat-cups/

Time to raise the flag!

 

[Hermit]

For me, a mug or two of good coffee in the morning is one of life's great pleasures. I like mine strong, with a dash of 2% milk, no sugar. I generally buy beans (currently organic Kicking Horse Pacific Roast) and grind them with a small blade grinder (Braun). I have both a drip coffee maker and an espresso machine (current versions are both Hamilton Beach). Based on this thread, I fished out my ancient el cheapo stovetop percolator this morning. I did need to strain the coffee, but it tasted magnificent!

Your percolator doesn't look right without a camp fire under it.

 

[hausfrau]

I drink dark roast coffee with about a tablespoon of half and half and a couple more tablespoons of milk (I eyeball the amounts). In the winter I drink 4-5 large cups over the course of a day. In the summer I drink less- maybe three cups or so. Then I switch to iced tea. When I was pregnant, coffee was the hardest thing to give up.

 

[REWahoo]

This thread has upped my coffee intake. The power of suggestion...

 

[MichaelB]

It looks like the coffee pod market may bet more restrictive:

Keurig 2.0 brews up DRM to freeze out copycat cups | Appliances - CNET Reviews

Nestlé did that with the nespresso pods and has been able to increase the price well above inflation.

 

[target2019]

In a busy office location I can see the attraction of a Keurig. But...

I am looking through the selections on this page, and planning my next buy.

 

[Chuckanut]

Just in case the liquid version is not enough, soon you will be able to bake with coffee flour:

A cup of coffee flour may hit the spot for Seattle startup | Business & Technology | The Seattle Times

Note, it is the husk surrounding the bean that is turned into flour, not the actual coffee been.

 

[Marita40]

Just to chime in that I've been extremely happy with my Clever Coffee Maker. As reported earlier I invested in it as well as a small hot water pot. It makes excellent coffee, was inexpensive, and even travels well. I ditched the Keurig, although it did give me two years of good use. This is just so much better!

 

[WIBuckeye]

I've been very happy with my Bialetti MOKA Express. I have been using it for around 8-9 months now. I don't use it every day because it takes a while to brew (15-20 minutes), but it is well worth the wait. I steam 1% low fat milk in the microwave for 2 1/2 minutes and shake it in a thermos to add some froth. Excellent results each time.

Amazon.com: Bialetti 6800 Moka Express 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker: Kitchen & Dining

Lavazza Crema e Gusto Ground Coffee, Italian , 8.8-Ounce Bricks (Pack of 4): Amazon.com: Grocery & Gourmet Food

 

[Chuckanut]

I retired my capsule coffee device. After trying it out for several months, on and off, I got tired of paying premium prices for mediocre coffee. It's main benefits were convenience and better coffee than instant. It's main problems were waste materials and a high price for the mediocre coffee.

I am now considering a Moka device or an AeroPress. Amazon.com: Aerobie AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker: Kitchen & Dining

I would be interested in hearing more about the pros and cons of these devices.

 

[audreyh1]

I retired my capsule coffee device. After trying it out for several months, on and off, I got tired of paying premium prices for mediocre coffee. It's main benefits were convenience and better coffee than instant. It's main problems were waste materials and a high price for the mediocre coffee.

I am now considering a Moka device or an AeroPress. Amazon.com: Aerobie AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker: Kitchen & Dining

I would be interested in hearing more about the pros and cons of these devices.

I have an aeropress that I use for travel. It works pretty well, and is tidy to dispose the grounds. We travel with an electric kettle as well. DH has his tea to brew. I like my home drip coffee better than the aeropress, but the aeropress is way better than hotel coffee.

 

[robnplunder]

I retired my capsule coffee device. After trying it out for several months, on and off, I got tired of paying premium prices for mediocre coffee. It's main benefits were convenience and better coffee than instant. It's main problems were waste materials and a high price for the mediocre coffee.

I heard while touring a coffee plantation (Britt in Costa Rica) that worst coffee bean are used for instant coffee, next worst for flavor coffee. All that cream, sugar, flavor must be masking the mediocre coffee taste.

Waste materials? I hate to go to fast food restaurant b/c of it. All these wastes add up, and they gotta end up somewhere.

 

[NgineER]

six cups a day
Import coffee from Europe (100% Arabica) whenever I go, it is a lot less expensive there. Trip there costs money, but do it for other reasons than buying coffee...

Found that a 12 hour cold brew yields a coffee with very mellow/smooth flavor. Same idea as drip coffee with hot water (slow vs. fast extraction for the chemical engineers out there), but it seems to extract less acid, break down the complex coffee flavor less

I make a concentrate in a french press in the evening, press and pour it into a travel mug in the morning.
Add boiling water to bring the heat up and adjust strength.
In the summer time add ice water for a great iced coffee.

Cold press avoids changing the coffee chemicals that we have learned to love...
Chemical & Engineering News: Science & Technology - Tweaking Coffee's Flavor Chemistry