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Official Coffee Thread

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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,122
NS. What do you do to make the best cup of coffee. We all know there is no right answer here (although plenty of wrong answers).

Discuss beans, grinders, machines, etc...

go!
Mar 6 2012 1:40PM
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Shark.
Posts: 3158 - Karma: 270
best coffee I've ever had was at an Ethiopian restaurant. They take coffee SERIOUSLY in Ethiopia, and have a giant ceremony based all around it and everything. It was excellent and I suggest scoping it out to any coffee enthusiast.
Oct 20 2012 12:03PM
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rudager
Posts: 11332 - Karma: 4,597
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Every morning. Got a new french press too.

It's the best coffee, so perfect. I used to drink coffee with two creams, but this coffee I make at home, straight black, anything else would just ruin it.
Oct 20 2012 12:26PM
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UNREAL
Posts: 3989 - Karma: 23
I'm at uni, so I have a little nespresso machine that does the trick. Tastes miles better than any other capsule based machines, and is easy/quick in the morning. She's a beautttyyy
Oct 20 2012 12:36PM
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NotoriousT.S.E
Posts: 1014 - Karma: 439
All about mcdonalds newmans own ice coffee for a dollar, blows dunkin donuts out of the water.
Oct 20 2012 12:54PM
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yojimbo
Posts: 3631 - Karma: 27
their coffee is shit and their tea is terrible. Not all tea requires a uniform temperature of water, green and herbal teas don't need boiling hot water poured over them, it scorches the leaves and ruins the flavor of the tea, plus you can't drink it for like an hour. fuck that shit.
Oct 20 2012 12:57PM
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HWW
Posts: 3084 - Karma: 3,436
You know what a coffee is. +karma
Oct 20 2012 1:05PM
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shuckle
Posts: 590 - Karma: 317
tea 4ever

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Oct 20 2012 1:14PM
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Chinchi
Posts: 1591 - Karma: 4,210
I've never been a coffee drinker, mostly because I've never really like the taste, but I've only tried DD Micky D's etc. This thread has inspired me to go into my basement, dig up my moms old french press, dig up a kettle to boil water in, and also a grinder for beans. There are thankfully beans in my house that are fairly artisanal. Do you guys have any tips on how to make the perfect cup? I've never used a french press before, thanks guys
Oct 20 2012 4:43PM
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N.A.R
Posts: 181 - Karma: 357
Chai Tea form beans and brews with some cream. Best stuff ever.
Oct 20 2012 5:02PM
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llambert
Posts: 1005 - Karma: 81
hazelnut, black
Oct 20 2012 8:05PM
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drumbumocdp
Posts: 3226 - Karma: 1,078
perfect.
Oct 20 2012 8:07PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,122
almost perfect. You gotta ditch that grinder though. It will make the biggest difference in your whole setup. A $30 hand grinder is all you need for the perfect cup. For press coffee it takes almost no time to grind. like 30 seconds. Espresso, that's a bitch with a hand grinder haha.
Oct 21 2012 3:16PM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
I have never had a sip of coffee in my entire life.
Oct 21 2012 3:20PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,122
damn I'm sorry. Coffee is great. Good Coffee.

Kind of a hypocrite right now because I am at starbucks. At least it's not freeze dried haha.
Oct 21 2012 3:24PM
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lbuitendam
Posts: 608 - Karma: 130
get regular coffee beans
grind them fine
add chocolate (hazelnut is also good)
let it brew
and enjoy

i also love a good cappuccino

Oct 21 2012 3:32PM
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zbphoto
Posts: 7789 - Karma: 12,037
Yes and no. Black tastes better, but my teeth stain really easily and it was starting to become really noticeable. Just a pinch of milk and it goes away.

As for how I make coffee I definitely do this it wrong way.

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+

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I have a bodum, but I find it time consuming, I'm usually in a rush. When I do use that I'm brewing Bridgehead coffee. Locally roasted, fair trade coffee, nothing compares. Kicking Horse and Balzacs are good too, but nothing compares. I have two locations within a block of my house so I usually just go there to get a good espresso or cappuccino, its the best, notes of almond and dark chocolate!

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At my cottage we definitely do it the right way, $1000 espresso machine with Muskoka Roastery or Bridgehead FTW!

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Oct 21 2012 3:47PM
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HWW
Posts: 3084 - Karma: 3,436
So, you are a coffee virgin. Do you purposely stay away from coffee, or do you just not want to try it?
Oct 21 2012 5:30PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10054 - Karma: 25,277
That's suicide, I tried it once, It took me forever to replicate the grind I use with my Mazer.

It was fucking consistent do, even more so then my Mazer might I say, but it takes ages so the coffee loses aroma anyway.
Oct 21 2012 5:55PM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
little bit of both. I dont want to rely on it to wake me up in the morning... and I really dont want to try it, just another thing to take my money.
Oct 21 2012 5:56PM
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Piste.Off
Posts: 11586 - Karma: 1,861
I don't know much about coffee, but I love this stuff
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Oct 21 2012 6:00PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10054 - Karma: 25,277
I wouldn't call an full automatic the right way.

I bet you, you can make much better shots with a 400$ standalone grinder with a 200$ standalone machine.
Oct 21 2012 6:06PM
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all-i-do-is=ski
Posts: 700 - Karma: 248
tim hortons double double, drink 1-2 everyshift haha
Oct 21 2012 6:16PM
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zbphoto
Posts: 7789 - Karma: 12,037
Convenience factor. My grandparents bought it and they just wanna hit a button and have a good cup of coffee every time, might not be the 'best' option, but it still makes a great shot....
Oct 21 2012 6:29PM
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Mr.Sloth
Posts: 5091 - Karma: 13,469
BUMP I have a question for my fellow baristas. And Asians.

Why do Asians ALWAYS, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, get americanos?

Is it just me?
Oct 21 2012 8:24PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10054 - Karma: 25,277
Latte art fail, tried to make a Rosetta ended up making some ghost like humanoid alien thing.

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Jan 3 2013 4:26PM
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SamColby
Posts: 644 - Karma: 2,006
im half vietnamese...and i'm pretty sure vietnamese iced coffee is the best fucking iced coffee you could ever drink. the condensed milk (thick milk with suger added to it) makes it.

as for hot coffee, you cant beat starbucks made from a french press, just a tiny bit of whole milk, or black.
Jan 3 2013 4:41PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10054 - Karma: 25,277
Yes you can.
Starbucks has poor coffee, overroasted.
Jan 3 2013 4:46PM
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SamColby
Posts: 644 - Karma: 2,006
sorry for double post..but trader joes has some really good dark roast beans as well.
Jan 3 2013 4:46PM
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Sno.
Posts: 12155 - Karma: 6,147
because they don't want to say ratte
Jan 3 2013 4:46PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
if any of you happen to be going to SIA, and want a proper coffee, stop by the Adidas booth and say hi.

and if anyone can find the coffee thread from about a year and a half ago, I made a pretty solid post on a primer to coffee.
Jan 3 2013 5:35PM
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SamColby
Posts: 644 - Karma: 2,006
yeah after i posted that i regretted it..i wouldnt say "over roasted" just dark roasted...although starbucks is not the best, as a coffee chain, it is pretty good.
Jan 3 2013 5:41PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10054 - Karma: 25,277
You just disqualified yourself by saying Starbucks is pretty good. With all respect, it isn't, and not just it isn't, it really, really, really isn't good by any quantifiable means.

Most of their coffee tastes burnt, As beans from the same place will taste slightly different from year to year (yet alone all the different places they get them from), blending and roasting very dark helps get rid of those subtle flavors for a controllable "uniform" flavor, in a way, to ruin the coffee.
Jan 3 2013 5:47PM
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Randy_Quench
Posts: 5447 - Karma: 4,342
Im family friends with the middle man between starbucks and 80% of their coffee beans. And he assured me that it is cheap, awful coffee.
That being said, it is without a doubt my least favorite coffee chain. The whole "starbucks image" just pisses me off. its like some of their customers use the cup as an accessory, and dont actually care whats in it.
/end starbucks rant.
Jan 3 2013 5:48PM
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Randy_Quench
Posts: 5447 - Karma: 4,342
also, I hate when this thread pops up now and again. Now I must go make a mediocre pot of coffee and be dissatisfied with it while looking at pictures of what Lawrence is drinking.
Jan 3 2013 5:50PM
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zues
Posts: 6434 - Karma: -5,332
http://www.bulletproofexec.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Bulletproof_Exec_003.jpg

you need to try this stuff. honestly its a new experience in the coffee world and its good for you, it fuels me all day long.


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Jan 3 2013 5:56PM
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SamColby
Posts: 644 - Karma: 2,006
im gonna be honest i like the taste of black starbucks coffee. maybe i have an untrained taste, but to me it tastes dark, not burnt. i am not denying that their beans come from poorly grown coffea plants, but i still like the taste. obviously my local coffee shop/ espresso bar is better, they roast their beans in the store and buy their beans from farmers, not fucking plantations. so do i like starbucks? yes, but does it compare to actual fine coffee? no.
Jan 3 2013 6:07PM
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J-Munz
Posts: 207 - Karma: 1,059
This thread makes me want coffee haha! After years of usage my french press shattered so bummed i gotta cop a new one! I love/addicted to coffee, love bringing a thermo and having some cups on a summit!

Good recipe my roommate and I make we copied from a local coffee shop called a Bowl Of Soul... consists of ground up Ibarra mexican chocolate mixed with heated up milk, then mix that about 30% to 70% of your favorite coffee. Top with some whipped cream, dash of nutmeg, and dash of cinnamon. So damn good, other than that I love straight black coffee get all the aroma and flavor yummy haha!
Jan 3 2013 7:34PM
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Spinoza
Posts: 12763 - Karma: 3,844
Dipping some of my great aunt's biscotti in a cup right now. ftw
Jan 3 2013 7:39PM
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cornholio
Posts: 3952 - Karma: 3,057
can anyone recommend a good hand grinder? preferably one sold on amazon?
Jan 3 2013 7:45PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
hario skerton
Jan 3 2013 8:07PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,122
I second this.

I have the hario slim mill and it is good as well. you must do some mods on it to get an acceptable grind out of it though, especially if you are doing a coarser grind. I actually have further modded mine into a table-top mill that has a larger container and can be operated with one hand.

Jan 3 2013 9:41PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,122
and actually if you are doing french press I would recommend the slim over the skerton since you will need to mod both and the slim is cheaper and should get you the same results.
Jan 3 2013 9:46PM
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cornholio
Posts: 3952 - Karma: 3,057
thanks amigos, +k for dan, chicken i already had you at 10 and cant go higher :/
Jan 3 2013 10:45PM
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SamColby
Posts: 644 - Karma: 2,006
this article is worth reading, for you baristas out there
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/02/dining/learning-to-create-the-perfect-cup-of-coffee.html?emc=eta1&_r=0
Jan 4 2013 7:07AM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10054 - Karma: 25,277
^ No mention of pre-infusion, odd.
Jan 4 2013 7:47AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Slenderman! RUN!!!!!!!
Jan 4 2013 7:53AM
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Sneaky_Aziz
Posts: 691 - Karma: 230
This thread grows exponentially as I read, I feel like it's some sort of tumor. That being said I will contribute. My family is extremely close friends with the owner of New England Coffee, and we get all the free beans we want from them. It's redonk.
Jan 4 2013 8:13AM
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,304
hahahaha

^^ My buddy lives right next door to the New England Coffee in Malden - words can't even describe the smell that comes out of that place every morning. The entire block surrounding their building smells amazing
Jan 4 2013 9:15AM
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DubV134
Posts: 1541 - Karma: 690
double plug for Vail Mountain Coffee and Tea

I do know much about coffee/tea and these guys have mastered the art. Roasting coffee beans at elevation allows the sugars to caramelize at a lower temperature = more control of flavor profiles. Not to mention they source all their ingredients worldwide via direct trade (no middle men, fair prices for everyone involved, real business relationships)
Jan 4 2013 9:28AM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,122
what are peoples thoughts on automatic espresso machines. My parents use a kuerig *shudder* and have lent me their automatic espresso machine. It's an expensive machine, but I am not able to get it to produce anything even acceptable.

I know that the ultimate is to get a prosumer machine or even better a lever, if you are willing to take notes and practice (I am). My question is is it even worth trying to figure out what is going wrong with this auto? Is there ANY auto out there that can pull a decent shot?
Jan 5 2013 3:49PM
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