Coffee |OT| Taste as good as it smells

Yeah, it happens sometimes.

I had always thought it was a just random chance but I read somewhere that it could indicate that there's something off in that particular roast batch if you have a bunch of coffees that all brew well ground within a sweet spot range and then a coffee comes along that becomes a massive outlier.

That said, it can happen (and its probably not always that coffee's "fault") so don't sweat it and just roll with it.

Thanks!

My local shop got a new single origin. I am really liking it but I had to grind a lot finer than my previous settings.

http://mightygoodcoffee.myshopify.c...ts/guatemalan-huehuetanango-finca-joya-grande
 
French Press, manual grinder set to very coarse. I definitely prefer light-medium roasts. I live in Asheville, NC and there are a ton of local roasters.

I can't do Dark Roasts. They give me headaches- does anyone else have this problem?

Also, I love latte's and capp's, but I have no idea what machine or device I need to do this at home. I'd prefer something non-electronic and stainless steel.

Help me, my hero's.
 
French Press, manual grinder set to very coarse. I definitely prefer light-medium roasts. I live in Asheville, NC and there are a ton of local roasters.

I can't do Dark Roasts. They give me headaches- does anyone else have this problem?

Also, I love latte's and capp's, but I have no idea what machine or device I need to do this at home. I'd prefer something non-electronic and stainless steel.

Help me, my hero's.
Espresso drinks are a bit of a separate animal from the other coffee drinks. There's no good machine that I'm aware of that isn't electronic in some way and they are also expensive-- low end machines (excluding the junky toy espresso types) are at least ~$500 and rapidly rise from there with almost all the more well thought of machines starting at $1k or more. This doesn't include the grinder for espresso which requires a sensitivity not required by other coffee making methods. I love my espresso machine but home espresso requires a sizable investment of time and money and that's just to get the gear before you figure out how to use it.

You can get something loosely espresso-like with moka pots and the aeropress-- they aren't really close to the real thing but they require a lot less investment if you want to try them and see how you like what they make.
 
I've been using pre-ground coffee for my Italian machine, but I want to upgrade to whole bean. Should I buy a cheap grinder or wait and buy a more expensive one?
 
A ceramic Japanese mill like the Hario is all you need. I just switched to the stainless steel one (not Hario) it's cheap on eBay. Both are. The stainless crank is a bit longer than the Hario and it takes no time to turn beans into enough grinds for two cups.

They seemingly last forever just resist the urge to grind it after taking it out of the box. Loosen it up and put some beans in unless you like the sound of ceramic destroying itself.
 
I've been using pre-ground coffee for my Italian machine, but I want to upgrade to whole bean. Should I buy a cheap grinder or wait and buy a more expensive one?

I'm an absolute novice so other more experienced people in here may disagree but if you are fine with using a manual burr grinder I'd recommend them. The Hario Skerton is widely liked, has decent capacity, stores and cleans easily, and is a good price. I prefer manuals so I don't wake the family up in the morning but if you want UNLIMITED POWER you can hook up a cordless drill to the top and BAM instant electric grinder.

This would also be a good way to dip your toe into grinding before splurging.
 
Maxwell House instant coffee made with the hot water from my Keurig Special Edition. Come at me connoisseurs.

Look at it like this: you're in a thread where a lot of people are discussing good to great steaks, some at 60+ day dry-aged ribeye level, and you just came in to say you enjoy lean overdone hamburger.

They're not mutually exclusive and being able to enjoy cheap/easy isn't terrible. I can get down with McDonald's once in a while but I'll still love and prefer that ribeye given a choice. No one needs to come at you, you came at yourself. Step up your game and discover what's out there, I'm sure you'll see why it's worth the effort and price difference, at least periodically.
 
Maxwell House instant coffee made with the hot water from my Keurig Special Edition. Come at me connoisseurs.
Nothing wrong with that. You do you, man. You do you.

Side note, been using a capresso infinity as my backup grinder and it just broke. Luckily Bed Bath and Beyond take literally anything back and will exchange it immediately.

Also, been enjoying the Starbucks Reserve subscription; however, the price really is too steep for the 8oz you get.
 
I've been using pre-ground coffee for my Italian machine, but I want to upgrade to whole bean. Should I buy a cheap grinder or wait and buy a more expensive one?
What machine do you have? Is it for drip coffee or espresso?

I'm an absolute novice so other more experienced people in here may disagree but if you are fine with using a manual burr grinder I'd recommend them. The Hario Skerton is widely liked, has decent capacity, stores and cleans easily, and is a good price. I prefer manuals so I don't wake the family up in the morning but if you want UNLIMITED POWER you can hook up a cordless drill to the top and BAM instant electric grinder.

This would also be a good way to dip your toe into grinding before splurging.
The Skerton is fine as starter/budget grinder for drip but it's a non-starter for espresso if that's what kami_sama has. I know that someone posted about a stepless mod for the Skerton but I'd avoid still avoid it if I was looking for an espresso grind hand grinder. Something like Orphan Espresso's Lido 2 is a much better fit, though also much more expensive.
 
What machine do you have? Is it for drip coffee or espresso?

The Skerton is fine as starter/budget grinder for drip but it's a non-starter for espresso if that's what kami_sama has. I know that someone posted about a stepless mod for the Skerton but I'd avoid still avoid it if I was looking for an espresso grind hand grinder. Something like Orphan Espresso's Lido 2 is a much better fit, though also much more expensive.

I don't know how it's called in English, but it's this:
230134060
 
Yeah, it happens sometimes.

I had always thought it was a just random chance but I read somewhere that it could indicate that there's something off in that particular roast batch if you have a bunch of coffees that all brew well ground within a sweet spot range and then a coffee comes along that becomes a massive outlier.

That said, it can happen (and its probably not always that coffee's "fault") so don't sweat it and just roll with it.
Yep, there's a ton of factors that can affect how an espresso shot pulls. Anything from roast date (how old the 'spro is) to the atmosphere (cold/warm) the beans are stored in. In my experience roasting coffee/ making espresso drinks, always expect the unexpected!
 
A ceramic Japanese mill like the Hario is all you need. I just switched to the stainless steel one (not Hario) it's cheap on eBay. Both are. The stainless crank is a bit longer than the Hario and it takes no time to turn beans into enough grinds for two cups.

They seemingly last forever just resist the urge to grind it after taking it out of the box. Loosen it up and put some beans in unless you like the sound of ceramic destroying itself.
That sounds exactly like what I'm using. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UW2TPIO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00
I really like it and while this one is out of stock there are a ton of identicle ones from other brands for $10-$20.
I don't know how it's called in English, but it's this:
Ah the Moka pot. Good choice. On my grinder that's 3-4 clicks open. I don't make espresso so I can't vouch for it but it does fine with a drip brewer and french press.
 
That sounds exactly like what I'm using. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UW2TPIO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00
I really like it and while this one is out of stock there are a ton of identicle ones from other brands for $10-$20.

Ah the Moka pot. Good choice. On my grinder that's 3-4 clicks open. I don't make espresso so I can't vouch for it but it does fine with a drip brewer and french press.

I've found one like your's for like 15€. Perfect for my needs.
Also, the moka pot is the usual way for making coffee at home here in Spain.
 
Look at it like this: you're in a thread where a lot of people are discussing good to great steaks, some at 60+ day dry-aged ribeye level, and you just came in to say you enjoy lean overdone hamburger.

They're not mutually exclusive and being able to enjoy cheap/easy isn't terrible. I can get down with McDonald's once in a while but I'll still love and prefer that ribeye given a choice. No one needs to come at you, you came at yourself. Step up your game and discover what's out there, I'm sure you'll see why it's worth the effort and price difference, at least periodically.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

We're talking good coffee here, not unapproachable, haught cuisine. All you need is a few extra bucks and a grinder to step up your game and give your tastebuds something higher quality. I'll never understand why someone like Pestilence11 feels the need to boast about their ignorance and/or enjoyment of mediocre products.
 
I finally got sick of the waste my Keurig created and how none of the coffee really tasted all that good, and sprung for a Chemex this week. Holy crap it's great, coffee tastes real good.
 
I don't know how it's called in English, but it's this:
230134060

That sounds exactly like what I'm using. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UW2TPIO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00
I really like it and while this one is out of stock there are a ton of identicle ones from other brands for $10-$20.

Ah the Moka pot. Good choice. On my grinder that's 3-4 clicks open. I don't make espresso so I can't vouch for it but it does fine with a drip brewer and french press.
For a moka pot, the Skerton should be fine. Not that there aren't better grinders (the Skerton suffers from a wobble that's just inherent in the design and often modded) but it's definitely a fine budget choice. Porlex also makes some budget hand grinders. I use the smaller Porlex as my travel grinder-- it fits perfectly inside an aeropress and so makes for a really compact combo.
 
I've been grinding dark roast coffee and brewing with an aero press. The beans have a great aroma but I find that the coffee I brew doesn't retain the aroma.

How to I get aroma in a brewed cup? Would a lighter roast help? Longer or shorter brew time?
 
I've been grinding dark roast coffee and brewing with an aero press. The beans have a great aroma but I find that the coffee I brew doesn't retain the aroma.

How to I get aroma in a brewed cup? Would a lighter roast help? Longer or shorter brew time?
It depends rally on what flavors you're getting. If it's too bitter, it might be over-extracted so you'love want to either go coarser or shorten the brew time. If it's too sour, it might be under-extracted so you'll want to go finer or lengthen the brew time. Water temperature can have an effect as well but adjusting the brind and/or brew time has the largest factor.

I'm not a big fan of dark roasts so I'd certainly encourage you to try some lighter roasts if you're at all intrigued by them. There's so many amazing flavors that can come from the coffee bean and I think dark roasting just squelches almost all of them. As I said though, I'm not a dark roast person, so I'm certainly biased.
 
I've found one like your's for like 15€. Perfect for my needs.
Also, the moka pot is the usual way for making coffee at home here in Spain.
Glad you found one that fits your needs within your budget. I hope you are as happy with yours as I am with mine.

I use this as a guide on how many clicks for my method of brewing in case you ever use something other than your Moka Pot.
http://theteakrail.com/the-best-coffee-grinder/
For a moka pot, the Skerton should be fine. Not that there aren't better grinders (the Skerton suffers from a wobble that's just inherent in the design and often modded) but it's definitely a fine budget choice. Porlex also makes some budget hand grinders. I use the smaller Porlex as my travel grinder-- it fits perfectly inside an aeropress and so makes for a really compact combo.
In my above link the guy does the same thing. I can see the appeal when you are traveling light, You just need beans and hot water and you've got great coffee. I like how mine fits in my kitchen drawer and doesn't take up much room. The handle is detachable to save space so I have it rubber banded to the body.

From what I hear the Skerton only has a problem with wobble with the coarser settings.
 
Is the white'ish powder residue in my kettle going to kill me?
Nah, but you can easily descale it by adding some white vinegar and letting it sit for awhile. Just make sure that you really rinse it out afterwards, or you're gonna have some interesting beverages!
 
Is the white'ish powder residue in my kettle going to kill me?

Nah, but you can easily descale it by adding some white vinegar and letting it sit for awhile. Just make sure that you really rinse it out afterwards, or you're gonna have some interesting beverages!

Probably just calcium from the water maybe some iron. Do what Riptwo said and use vinegar.
 
I recently purchased a Baratza Vario and after two years of only making coffee using V60 and Aeropress I started making espressos again.

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Nice crema, fruity taste and oily on the tongue, delicious. I'm going to focus on espresso again in the coming time.
 
Heading off to grad school in the fall and, given the lack of money to regularly frequent cafes, I'm seriously considering investing in an espresso machine/grinder (Rocky/Silvia combo) while I've got the funds. I largely drink Americanos, so the single boiler isn't too much of an issue for me, but I wanted to double check that I couldn't do better for the money?

I drink French Presses regularly and I've read that the Rocky's coarse grind is underwhelming.

Lastly: what's the life of the Silvia like? I'd like to have this machine get me through the entirety of grad school (~7 years) with no issues, assuming I keep it well maintained.

I've done my research, but looking for some first-hand advice here. Thanks!
 
Hey everyone, long-time lurker of this thread. Just wanted to share that I switched over to Chemex and it's amazing. Grabbed a goose neck kettle and digital scale, I haven't looked back sense. I almost enjoy the process of making it more than drinking it. It's very satisfying to make a beautiful carafe's worth of coffee for friends and family.
 
Hey everyone, long-time lurker of this thread. Just wanted to share that I switched over to Chemex and it's amazing. Grabbed a goose neck kettle and digital scale, I haven't looked back sense. I almost enjoy the process of making it more than drinking it. It's very satisfying to make a beautiful carafe's worth of coffee for friends and family.

My absolute favorite brewing method aside from a pour over. :)
 
Prepared a moka pot for the first time. Made sure to follow instructions from an actual Italian. This stuff is so thick and dark I think NATO is going to invade my kitchen. I put half of it to chill in a travel mug in the fridge and I still feel like I'm going to have a heart attack by caffeine shock from the half I'm only half done with. It surely brought out an entirely different characteristic than my french press did, even if I significantly dilute a portion with milk to match the lower strength. I think I'm gonna have to save this baby for when I have 3 friends over. It makes so much at once and it's so thick you could either have it as a bunch of little espressos or make 6-8 americanos or lattes.
 
Never noticed this thread before. I've branched out recently to try and make better coffee at home. I don't have a lot of money to spend and I still don't understand a lot of the terminology, but I did a little research and picked up a Hario Mini Mill and an Aeropress. Even without fine tuning anything, a general cup is miles better than a scoop of Folgers in my cheap old drip coffee maker. Right now my favorite coffee is Maple Tap, which I picked up recently at a restaurant called Maple Street Biscuit Company in Chattanooga, TN. One of the best breakfasts I've ever had, btw.
 
Never noticed this thread before. I've branched out recently to try and make better coffee at home. I don't have a lot of money to spend and I still don't understand a lot of the terminology, but I did a little research and picked up a Hario Mini Mill and an Aeropress. Even without fine tuning anything, a general cup is miles better than a scoop of Folgers in my cheap old drip coffee maker. Right now my favorite coffee is Maple Tap, which I picked up recently at a restaurant called Maple Street Biscuit Company in Chattanooga, TN. One of the best breakfasts I've ever had, btw.
If you have a Whole Foods nearby, do yourself a favor and grab some 365 Everyday Value Organic Pacific Rim Blend. They sell it at like 2 lbs for $15 or something and the quality for that price is outstanding.
 
I often wonder if drinking coffee is bad for me. I drink 2 cups (Dunkin' Donuts original blend!) almost everyday. Is that considered too much?
 
Barista made espresso coffee is the only stuff worth drinking imo.

Working at a cafe and getting coffee for free means I have at least 3-4 lattes daily.
 
I often wonder if drinking coffee is bad for me. I drink 2 cups (Dunkin' Donuts original blend!) almost everyday. Is that considered too much?

A lot of the more recent scientific literature suggests even as much as 4-6 is fine, but it a) generally depends on your personal health/situation, b) assumes you're drinking it pretty much black. You start dumping sugar and creamer and the like in there, and, well, you're no longer just drinking coffee obviously.
 
I often wonder if drinking coffee is bad for me. I drink 2 cups (Dunkin' Donuts original blend!) almost everyday. Is that considered too much?

2 cups a day? I mean if I go off of the water added to my coffee pot I'm downing "12 cups" a day. But it's only 2 of my mug in the morning and at night.
 
pretty sure thats 12 cups
<_<

Eh, whenever I stop I don't have caffeine withdrawals or headaches. Plus I don't need it to function in the morning and I can fall asleep easily after a cup lol. I don't really drink alcohol except a few times a year and I don't drink anything else besides water and coffee really, so overall I'm not too concerned. I just love the way it tastes.

Now if a study comes out stating that this amount or anything over X amount is extremely hazardous to your health, well then...

giphy.gif
 
I have a Gaggia Classic at home, and I am thinking of upgrading. Was hoping I could get some recommendations on the next logical step that would make enough difference without breaking the bank.

I am guessing a Rancilio Silvia is too close to what I have already? I also drink coffee with milk, so feeling a bit limited by the single boilers but dual boilers are way too expensive.
 
Prepared a moka pot for the first time. Made sure to follow instructions from an actual Italian. This stuff is so thick and dark I think NATO is going to invade my kitchen. I put half of it to chill in a travel mug in the fridge and I still feel like I'm going to have a heart attack by caffeine shock from the half I'm only half done with. It surely brought out an entirely different characteristic than my french press did, even if I significantly dilute a portion with milk to match the lower strength. I think I'm gonna have to save this baby for when I have 3 friends over. It makes so much at once and it's so thick you could either have it as a bunch of little espressos or make 6-8 americanos or lattes.

Is there a certain trick to it? Havent done moka in a while since its pretty pesky to clean.
 
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