Millennial Coffee Habits

[Newventurer]

Spent some time with my niece recently as she just had a baby and needed some help with her.

She instructed me on the finer points of 'cold brew' coffee, She wouldn't drink the stuff I brewed in the auto drip pot. She explained that you had to grind the beans up (rather coarsely) and put them in the $30 + (some go for $100's) glass drip system for 2 days in the fridge.

I said how about I just put my coffee in your cup over ice and add some cream, she would rather go 20 minutes away to get it (with no real assurance that they weren't doing the same thing I would do). Finally the second day she acquiesced and tried it my old fartsy way. "Not too bad', she said. Hmmmm, really does the coffee know the difference between 2 day cold brew in the fridge and 5 year old Mr Coffee hot brew?

Then I go to her house and she has no coffee cups, just the 'trail' type cups with lids. I asked her if she had any cups, 'oh, ya, we got those with our wedding china but put them in a box in the garage cause we never use them'

Drive 20 minutes each way to pay $5 for a cold brew cup of coffee. What?!?!

 

[Nemo2]

So...um, is this thread about their coffee habits, or their inability to reason?

 

[Newventurer]

So...um, is this thread about their coffee habits, or their inability to reason?

Yes

 

[Dawg52]

So...um, is this thread about their coffee habits, or their inability to reason?

Most threads end up with sub topics. This one just gives it to you right out of the gate.

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

Well, I can tell you this isn't just a millennial problem. I have seen PLENTY of folks of my generation (Gen X) and a little older sitting very long Starbucks drive through lines. And in my recent (past 3 years) experience of spending a lot of time of 23-25 year olds...their coffee choice was overwhelmingly the cheap, nasty stuff that was available for free in the student lounge.

 

[Gumby]

I drink only kopi luwak coffee made with fresh glacial meltwater from Antarctica. I am so hip I almost can't stand myself.

 

[ponyboy]

If people can afford to pay $5/day and dont mind driving 20 minutes for coffee...whats the problem? Just playing devils advocate.

I use a cheap drip coffee maker...coffee tastes good to me. I do like iced coffee so I should probably try the cold brew stuff.

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

If people can afford to pay $5/day and dont mind driving 20 minutes for coffee...whats the problem? Just playing devils advocate.

I use a cheap drip coffee maker...coffee tastes good to me. I do like iced coffee so I should probably try the cold brew stuff.

I am not a big fan of cold coffee, but I would have to guess that there is indeed a flavor difference...just the manner of processing/brewing it is enough to have significant flavor changes.

Personally, I am a pretty big fan of the Kroger-brand "Morning Blend". But I think a lot of people like it because when the Kroger brands go on sale, it's the first type to sell out.

 

[GalaxyBoy]

Drinking anything through a tiny hole in the lid of a covered cup prevents one from fully tasting whatever the beverage is due to the lack of the aroma components. Taste and smell go together. So I have a hard time believing that people who drink their Charbuck's from a to-go cup really could be credible coffee snobs. Not a criticism if that's what you like, just don't tell me you're a connoisseur and turn up your nose at everything else.

 

[MichaelB]

I drink only kopi luwak coffee

Meh. I tried it once - tastes like sh!t.

 

[Bestwifeever]

I’m inventing the next step for people who like it hot—cold-brewed coffee that has been gently brought to a warm temperature with sunbeams. While chanting inspirational life quotes that may or may not have been written by Kurt Vonnegut or Andy Rooney.

When DH gets over-involved in gastronomic details at a restaurant, I like to remind him about what that beverage or meal will be in about 24 hours or less. Really it’s just fuel. Keeps things in perspective for him.

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

When DH gets over-involved in gastronomic details at a restaurant, I like to remind him about what that beverage or meal will be in about 24 hours or less. Really it’s just fuel. Keeps things in perspective for him.

I like it. We have watched so many of these "fusion" or "farm to table" or "some other catchy phrase" restaurants come and go around these parts. They tend to last about 6 months before they flop. But, "Judy's Country Buffet" has been around for at least 30 years and ain't going anywhere anytime soon.

 

[candrew]

Before criticizing or making fun of millennials, maybe we should first be reminded about which generation linoleumed over all of those beautiful hardwood floors.

 

[Nemo2]

Meh. I tried it once - tastes like sh!t.

I am NOT going to ask how you validated the comparison.

 

[ChiliPepr]

As someone who has been primarily drinking iced coffee for more than the last 25+ years, I will tell you there is definitely a difference in taste between cold brewed and hot brewed coffee over ice.

This is the cold brew maker I use: OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker

 

[Scuba]

All I know is we love our Nespresso machine! I make double espresso lattes and pour them over ice. Works for me!

 

[Lukeee]

I drink only kopi luwak coffee made with fresh glacial meltwater from Antarctica. I am so hip I almost can't stand myself.

You are missing the obligatory pic. That will upgrade your status to ultra hip.

 

[marko]

You are missing the obligatory pic. That will upgrade your status to ultra hip.

C'mon man! You're talking to Gumby!! It's Gumby!

He's been ultra hip since the 50s!

 

[W2R]

Younger generations would probably freak if they heard that I just finished a big mug of double strength Maxwell House instant coffee just now and totally enjoyed every last drop of it.

I really do not like Starbucks coffee, though. It's even worse than instant, and so expensive. My daughter (age 39 so I guess Gen X?) loves Starbucks.

Meh. I tried it once - tastes like sh!t.

Yes, you know exactly what kopi luwak coffee really is! Me too and I find it pretty unappealing.

 

[JoeWras]

Before criticizing or making fun of millennials, maybe we should first be reminded about which generation linoleumed over all of those beautiful hardwood floors.

And then the next vinyled over the linoleum.

This conversation is an interruption to my painting gray over those ugly naturally stained maple cabinets. Back to work...

 

[orangehairfella]

As someone who has been primarily drinking iced coffee for more than the last 25+ years, I will tell you there is definitely a difference in taste between cold brewed and hot brewed coffee over ice.

This is the cold brew maker I use: OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Agreed.

I’m not much of a coffee drinker, but I’ve had, and made, iced coffee both ways and there is a big difference.

I wouldn’t drive 20 minutes and pay $5, but I probably wouldn’t drink the drip coffee over ice either, I’d just drink it hot.

 

[gayl]

I go to Sbux daily but for 1/2 dark 1/2 decaf blend in my ceramic cup. It's about more than the $2.05 for as many free refills that I want. It's community for many of us single early retirees. We coffee clatch for an hour or two with friends. I don't think married people can understand this. He!! one of them only has H2O

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

And then the next vinyled over the linoleum.

This conversation is an interruption to my painting gray over those ugly naturally stained maple cabinets. Back to work...

This is one of those "to each their own", but...gray, Gray, GRAY!!! We have been looking for a suitable candidate for a new home and almost 100% of them are gray on gray with a hint of gray. It's just nauseating how prolific that drab color seems to be today.

 

[Chuckanut]

As one who enjoys a good cup of coffee I can say that the grinder is very important. Hot or cold, the grind makes a difference. Cold brew is better, IMHO, but, not better enough so I just don’t bother with it.

We all have our little luxuries and habits, and if hers is driving 20 minutes to spend $5 for a cold brew coffee, well that is better than a gambling, alcohol or street drug habit. Relax.

 

[RobbieB]

I know.

Maybe a sign of the times? Go home and maintain the same despair you felt at work?

I dunno.

I make coffee in a $900 Jura superautomatic machine -