What is the best coffee making strategy?
-
I'm in a perpetual loop, trying to find the perfect way to make perfect coffee. I'm wary of stove-top espresso / "mocha" machines since one exploded on me (literally, not permanent damage done, but enough pain to put me off). I also find cafetieres have cooled too much by the time the coffee is brewed. I've been looking into this http://www.bodum.com/b2c/index.asp?shpId=4&id=1208-01&famId=10&famSubId=1001[^] Has anyone tried the napier/vacuum way of making coffee and are there any other good ways of getting a decent cup (short of moving away from the UK :-) )?
CCC solved so far: 2 (including a Hard One!)
Get a secretary.
Need custom software developed? I do custom programming based primarily on MS tools with an emphasis on C# development and consulting. A man said to the universe: "Sir I exist!" "However," replied the universe, "The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation." --Stephen Crane
-
That's too dang much work -- especially before I've had any coffee. And milk is for poofters.
First thing I do in the morning is switch on the espresso machine and make a long strong coffee. It's a small effort for a great reward.
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done.
-
I'm personally a fan of tea. A coffee will never make my morning, but a tea can do magic. There are plenty of varieties of teas, and some are quite irresistible. It has less caffeine content and the antioxidants are actually good for health as well (honestly I don't care about the "good for health" point, but I drink tea because I find it more suitable for my taste). Try the oolongs (specifically the darjeeling) and try the Indian ginger chai and masala chai. You won't regret it. :) [added] I know this isn't an answer to your question, but I was merely suggesting something to you. I hope you're OK with it. [/added] [added 2] Do not hesitate to drop me a line if you want "expert" tips on preparing Indian style masala or ginger tea. [/added 2]
“Follow your bliss.” – Joseph Campbell
modified on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 11:51 AM
Rajesh R Subramanian wrote:
There are plenty of varieties of teas
There are more than sixty varieties of coffee (I think slightly more than teas) - ignoring blends - and each of them can be changed in near-magical ways by altering the roasting, and grinding. Coffee does more magic for me than tea!
No trees were harmed in the sending of this message; however, a significant number of electrons were slightly inconvenienced. This message is made of fully recyclable Zeros and Ones
-
Finding percolators in the UK is hard, even Amazon goes in and out of stock. My parent's had one of these, and I remember the coffee was fantastic. A couple of websites I checked said they tended to overbrew the coffee and I wasn't sure it was just my caffine-fuelled child's memory that was telling me it was so good. I might give this a try.
CCC solved so far: 2 (including a Hard One!)
keefb wrote:
Finding percolators in the UK is hard
Try the local Charidy Stores, they always have these types of things.
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done.
-
keefb wrote:
Finding percolators in the UK is hard
Try the local Charidy Stores, they always have these types of things.
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done.
I wish I could vote 100 for this sugestion!
CCC solved so far: 2 (including a Hard One!)
-
Rajesh R Subramanian wrote:
There are plenty of varieties of teas
There are more than sixty varieties of coffee (I think slightly more than teas) - ignoring blends - and each of them can be changed in near-magical ways by altering the roasting, and grinding. Coffee does more magic for me than tea!
No trees were harmed in the sending of this message; however, a significant number of electrons were slightly inconvenienced. This message is made of fully recyclable Zeros and Ones
Yes, yes. I know it's a strictly personal preference. I'd like to mention that I was completely into coffee earlier, but after I started drinking tea, I found that it would do better for me.
“Follow your bliss.” – Joseph Campbell
-
Get a secretary.
Need custom software developed? I do custom programming based primarily on MS tools with an emphasis on C# development and consulting. A man said to the universe: "Sir I exist!" "However," replied the universe, "The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation." --Stephen Crane
Where I work I can't even get proper Internet access! :-(
CCC solved so far: 2 (including a Hard One!)
-
Where I work I can't even get proper Internet access! :-(
CCC solved so far: 2 (including a Hard One!)
keefb wrote:
can't get proper Internet access
You pervert. He's talking about a real secretary. Not secretary pr0n.
“Follow your bliss.” – Joseph Campbell
-
Get a good espresso machine (not automatic) with a good, big boiler, and get a good (I'm talking $$$) grinder. Practice good coffee hygeine and keep the grinder and espresso maker squeaky clean. Residue and old oil will make the coffee bitter. Buy your beans in small lots and keep them dark and dry. Do not buy dark (French) roast. This is a joke done by Starbucks. I've spent many long hour discussing the horror of french roast with Italians. Just say no. Use fresh milk, and since you bought a good boiler you should be able to get a good micro foam going. Angle the steaming rod so you get that whirpool effect in the jug and hold the jug with your hand by it's base so you can feel when it's ready. Read and study this article[^] on frothing milk. If you make a stiff, dry foam then hand yourself, and your coffee machine into the nearest authorities. Let the milk sit while you pull your espresso. Never do it the other way around. Espresso loses it's purity and goodness in 10 seconds. Grind only what you need before you pull your espresso shot. Tamp down hard, and pull 25 ml of espresso in 30 seconds. Breath in the aroma while seated. You may swoon. Pour in the microfoam. Whether you create a fern, a branch with leaves, or whether you're trying to impress an impressionable babe and you do the love heart thing is totally up to you. Sit back, breath, sip. oh yeah.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Chris Maunder wrote:
Use fresh milk,
I was right there till you mentioned milk, why would you desecrate a gorgeous cup of coffee in such a way. It seems to me the moment you add milk to the thing you might as well have started with instant.
-
Get a secretary.
Need custom software developed? I do custom programming based primarily on MS tools with an emphasis on C# development and consulting. A man said to the universe: "Sir I exist!" "However," replied the universe, "The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation." --Stephen Crane
Ennis Ray Lynch, Jr. wrote:
Get a secretary.
Do you think that will solve his coffee problem at home?
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail! Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person. - Chanakya
-
keefb wrote:
I'm...trying to find the perfect way to make perfect coffee.
Time to get a civet.
"Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw later in life what you have deposited along the way." - Unknown
"Fireproof doesn't mean the fire will never come. It means when the fire comes that you will be able to withstand it." - Michael Simmons
Nah the coffee tastes like sh...
-
Ennis Ray Lynch, Jr. wrote:
Get a secretary.
Do you think that will solve his coffee problem at home?
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail! Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person. - Chanakya
Only if I'm lucky, and the wife is away :laugh:
CCC solved so far: 2 (including a Hard One!)
-
First thing I do in the morning is switch on the espresso machine and make a long strong coffee. It's a small effort for a great reward.
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done.
Ah, but Mr. Coffee can begin his work before I get up. :cool:
-
Yes, yes. I know it's a strictly personal preference. I'd like to mention that I was completely into coffee earlier, but after I started drinking tea, I found that it would do better for me.
“Follow your bliss.” – Joseph Campbell
I've never been a coffee person X| I find tea slightly less unpalatable (I like ginger tea and cold coffee though). My favourite drink by far is water, but if I have to choose one of the 'stronger' drinks I'd go for chocolate or plain cold milk.
Cheers, Vikram. (Cracked not one CCC, but two!)
-
Only if I'm lucky, and the wife is away :laugh:
CCC solved so far: 2 (including a Hard One!)
So coffee is not your problem right? ;-)
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail! Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person. - Chanakya
-
I've never been a coffee person X| I find tea slightly less unpalatable (I like ginger tea and cold coffee though). My favourite drink by far is water, but if I have to choose one of the 'stronger' drinks I'd go for chocolate or plain cold milk.
Cheers, Vikram. (Cracked not one CCC, but two!)
Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:
I'd go for chocolate or plain cold milk.
May be it's time for you to grow up? :rolleyes:
“Follow your bliss.” – Joseph Campbell
-
Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:
I'd go for chocolate or plain cold milk.
May be it's time for you to grow up? :rolleyes:
“Follow your bliss.” – Joseph Campbell
What? The body builder is derisive about milk?!? ;P I openly do things that most people would consider childlike. I ate cotton candy at a wedding a couple of months back. I bought one of those small whistles two weeks back. On Saturday afternoon I wore a round-brimmed hat while walking to a friend's place, and we played Express Monopoly there. It was great fun! I like people who are not afraid to let the child inside them outside. Taking everything seriously is one of the surest ways to screw up your life.
Cheers, Vikram. (Cracked not one CCC, but two!)
-
What? The body builder is derisive about milk?!? ;P I openly do things that most people would consider childlike. I ate cotton candy at a wedding a couple of months back. I bought one of those small whistles two weeks back. On Saturday afternoon I wore a round-brimmed hat while walking to a friend's place, and we played Express Monopoly there. It was great fun! I like people who are not afraid to let the child inside them outside. Taking everything seriously is one of the surest ways to screw up your life.
Cheers, Vikram. (Cracked not one CCC, but two!)
Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:
he body builder is derisive about milk
I actually forgot you know a few things about me. :-O In fact, it was 3 liters of milk every day while I used to train for the competition. On the other hand, I don't take "everything" seriously. There's this child within me as well (man, you should see some of my childish code :laugh: ). But messing with my tea or coffee is a sure way to wake up the animal. ;)
“Follow your bliss.” – Joseph Campbell
-
I'm in a perpetual loop, trying to find the perfect way to make perfect coffee. I'm wary of stove-top espresso / "mocha" machines since one exploded on me (literally, not permanent damage done, but enough pain to put me off). I also find cafetieres have cooled too much by the time the coffee is brewed. I've been looking into this http://www.bodum.com/b2c/index.asp?shpId=4&id=1208-01&famId=10&famSubId=1001[^] Has anyone tried the napier/vacuum way of making coffee and are there any other good ways of getting a decent cup (short of moving away from the UK :-) )?
CCC solved so far: 2 (including a Hard One!)
You go to Lisboa, Portugal, Rossio, enter and cross Praça da Figueira, turn right (towards Tejo), go down one block left one block, down another block. Or two? Well, somewhere near there. You might need to invite me over - I'm sure I'll find it again.
Personally, I love the idea that Raymond spends his nights posting bad regexs to mailing lists under the pseudonym of Jane Smith. He'd be like a super hero, only more nerdy and less useful. [Trevel]
| FoldWithUs! | sighist | µLaunch - program launcher for server core and hyper-v server -
Get a good espresso machine (not automatic) with a good, big boiler, and get a good (I'm talking $$$) grinder. Practice good coffee hygeine and keep the grinder and espresso maker squeaky clean. Residue and old oil will make the coffee bitter. Buy your beans in small lots and keep them dark and dry. Do not buy dark (French) roast. This is a joke done by Starbucks. I've spent many long hour discussing the horror of french roast with Italians. Just say no. Use fresh milk, and since you bought a good boiler you should be able to get a good micro foam going. Angle the steaming rod so you get that whirpool effect in the jug and hold the jug with your hand by it's base so you can feel when it's ready. Read and study this article[^] on frothing milk. If you make a stiff, dry foam then hand yourself, and your coffee machine into the nearest authorities. Let the milk sit while you pull your espresso. Never do it the other way around. Espresso loses it's purity and goodness in 10 seconds. Grind only what you need before you pull your espresso shot. Tamp down hard, and pull 25 ml of espresso in 30 seconds. Breath in the aroma while seated. You may swoon. Pour in the microfoam. Whether you create a fern, a branch with leaves, or whether you're trying to impress an impressionable babe and you do the love heart thing is totally up to you. Sit back, breath, sip. oh yeah.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
This sounds more like Soapbox material.
Software Zen:
delete this;
