Any Coffee Nerds on the forum?

[zzr1200]

Instant coffee, really ?

I can buy 2 weeks supply in Aldi for the price of one "Costa" lot/rip off.....

 

[Maker]

@Maker is one.

I wouldn't say nerd, just because I enjoy the occasional daily hand ground single origin small batch locally roasted filter coffee.

 

[minimutly]

I’ve got a few of those types (the hexagonal shape ones). Plus a bean to cup automatic one. And a recently acquired tassimo machine (more for kids hot chocolates but I’ve had a few coffees out of it). And a couple of cafetière types.

Best investment I did was the bean to cup machine (I’m on my second in about 15 years, my original Krups decided it had enough so I got a delonghi one) , an expensive outlay but beans, even good quality ones, are much cheaper than pods.

The stove top Bialetti type ones make very good espresso type coffee and aren’t expensive. They are what you will find in most Italians houses, and they tend to be quite picky when it comes to coffee!

I’m tempted for the next one to get a grinder and stand-alone coffee maker but I’m inherently lazy and bean to cup do make it very easy. So it’ll probably be another one of those.

I have a standalone grinder and espresso maker as above. This is the second espresso maker, the Sboly I had previously leaked, and Mrs mm just bought the replacement. Beans blend is everything, as is getting the machine hot enough. I never bother with the steamer/brother

 

[TEO]

I have a Delonghi bean to cup which has been great even though it has needed some repairs. Quick and easy coffees on a morning and after a bit of personal fine tuning a good coffee too.
Previous to that I’d had a few Gaggia's, both bean to cup and pump, and they just don’t compare with build quality, ease of use or for the end product.

Last year had to send the Delonghi off for repairs and bought a Delonghi Dedica pump machine to keep me from caffeine withdrawal and the mass murder that would follow. I was seriously impressed with it and even taken it with me when away in the U.K. https://www.coffeefriend.co.uk/p/coffee-machine-delonghi-ec-685-m/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=UK - Shopping - All products - P3&utm_id=21842315407&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADQXaYLJA8rftc2W9Fd66itWgsL5a&gclid=CjwKCAjwnPS-BhBxEiwAZjMF0i2I3SppGjb_sVt9_JEa4joocAACxuHHoG6b8h_OQ1ZisSvSFZWtnhoC_0UQAvD_BwE

A pump machine will always make a better coffee than a bean to cup but does involve more time rather than just pressing a button. I’ve not come across a coffee pod machine yet that makes a decent drink and the cost per drink is much higher too.

This looks v interesting, my bean to cup has just died, are you grinding for each cup or using a decent ready ground?

 

[Maker]

a decent ready ground?

There is no such thing.

 

[pawsnizzy]

De'longi Bean to Cup - perfect coffee for over 6 years, FAR better than the high street/pod/instant ****e

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

There is no such thing.

I would argue that Illy (inventors of the modern espresso machine, amongst other things) come close.

But they would also be amongst the first to admit it's not quite the same. They invest very heavily in R&D (with their own research institute, and a network of 27 universities they fund) in pursuit of getting "convenience" coffee products that little bit closer to "proper" coffee...

One of my old chemistry lecturers was closed friends with their head of R&D, and got him over to give a guest lecture on food chemistry...

 

[Craig-SM]

This looks v interesting, my bean to cup has just died, are you grinding for each cup or using a decent ready ground?

I just use Costco ground coffee if I’m working which means a lot of coffee drinking otherwise it’s much smaller bags from Aldi. Ground coffee starts to dry out as soon as you open the bag even when if you store it in an airtight container. Beans do too but at a slower rate.
I’ve been down the route of buying fresh ground coffee before but even a day later it’s not as good as on the day of purchase. Grinding your own at home is better but even then after 3 days the beans are going stale. Airscape do some great containers that have a plunger to seal the beans within the canister as the quantity decreases and keeps them fresher for longer, works well on ground coffee too.

 

[Morris]

Have I logged into Mumsnet by mistake?

 

[Craig-SM]

Have I logged into Mumsnet by mistake?

 

[addjunkie]

Certainly not, they have their own poisonous agenda just like the one you prefer, although the DM also likes to promote animal abusers' interests. I read all sorts, as described before from all of the spectrum and then make up my own mind.
The Readly app gives inclusive access to all sorts of publications that I now look at. Some of the womens' weeklies can be an eye opener too!

This evening I have read a shipping magazine and learned about the new Brittany Ferries' ship 'St.Malo', which was interesting. Practical Classics I am working through in stages and I have a number of others waiting for me to have time.

I am allowed to share my login, so if you would like to have a look on there, I would be happy to give you the details.

https://get.readly.com/

View attachment 489191

View attachment 489190

I dont drink coffee. Cant stand the stuff. However this magazine subscription, I find quite interesting. Not bought a magazine in ages, but at 12 quid to read almost anything I might be interested in reading doesn't seem bad.

Have I logged into Mumsnet by mistake?

Another good forum apparently! Its just welding in disguise.

 

[brewdexta]

I buy beans in bulk from vending suppliers, usually Lavazza or similar. So 12kg, 2 full cases at a time to get free posting.

I have a half decent burr grinder that weighs the grind, Mellita Calibra, not expensive.

I just use a cafetiere, I've tried all sorts of espresso makers and prefer the simplicity of the cafetiere. Easy to wash and replace, doesn't take up kitchen space, and in my opinion tastes as good as other methods.

 

[JEZGUZ]

Douwe Egberts dark roast instant for me, can't be doing with all the faffing about with grinders and percolators, yes I am that lazy git.

 

[addjunkie]

My Mrs buys gets this stuff.

Caribe Coffee Co. As seen on Dragons' Den

Specialty Honduran Coffee Caribe Coffee Co. is a direct-trade importer, roaster, and distributor of specialty-grade Honduran coffee, committed to sustainability and ethical sourcing. We offer: 100% Arabica specialty coffee, graded 82+ SCA for exceptional quality, Single-origin, micro-lot, and...

www.caribecoffeeco.com

 

[Cobbler]

When I was young, my mother used to make coffee in two pots, hot milk in one, spoonful of coffee in the other with a pinch of salt & top up with boiling water. Leave to brew & pour through a strainer. That was great, all my mates used to make sure they arrived at coffee time as they reckoned it was the best ever. I’m sure it was to do with the bean type, but unless we have a seance I can’t find out.

 

[Maker]

I would argue that Illy (inventors of the modern espresso machine, amongst other things) come close.

But they would also be amongst the first to admit it's not quite the same. They invest very heavily in R&D (with their own research institute, and a network of 27 universities they fund) in pursuit of getting "convenience" coffee products that little bit closer to "proper" coffee...

One of my old chemistry lecturers was closed friends with their head of R&D, and got him over to give a guest lecture on food chemistry...

I don't know what magic they use, but the grinder is your main adjustment for an espresso machine, the biggest variables you have control of are grind size, amount of coffee in the basket, and about of liquid out. Giving up grind adjustment is like painting a room but letting the staff at B&Q tell you what colour you're having.

 

[Nomad]

A stall in Newcastle Grainger (200 year old, indoor) market grinds beans for you.
Shelves of beans in glass jars behind the counter, you tell them what you want and how fine you want them ground.
Great service and the smell of the fresh beans when you get anywhere near is amazing. They also advertise a bassista training day / experience.

Excellent Coffee Bar in Newcastle's Grainger Market - Pumphreys Coffee Centre & Brewing Emporium, Newcastle upon Tyne Traveller Reviews - Tripadvisor

Pumphreys Coffee Centre & Brewing Emporium: Excellent Coffee Bar in Newcastle's Grainger Market - See 56 traveller reviews, 34 candid photos, and great deals for Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, at Tripadvisor.

www.tripadvisor.co.uk

The market also has a maze of tunnels under it that were used as bomb shelters in ww2, very occasionally open to the public during "Discover historic Newcastle" weekends.

 

[Craig-SM]

Was a similar shop at Kirkgate market in Leeds, now sadly gone. I was able to walk to it during my lunch and pick up a bag, they’d always tweak the blend as they got to know you.

 

[Bladevane]

@Jelly_Sheffield - as you have probably realised there are as many answers as there are contributors. I’ve been an avid coffee brewer for years and have spent much time chasing the perfect brew. Ultimately it comes down to what like. If you like it, it’s the right way. The only advice it would offer is to buy whole beans and grind them yourself rather than buy ground coffee. The usable life of ground coffee is measured in minutes as opposed to months for beans. Good luck with your quest.

 

[redlig]

Has anyone tried the "Cowboy" method of coffee making ?
I've been chasing the perfect coffee for years and am beginning to think that it must be at the end of a Rainbow as just when I think I have found it I think " nearly but not quite." What i find strange is when I make some for visitors they always comment on how good it is ,despite my telling them to be honest , while I sit there and think "not quite".