(Checking in with San Francisco! Welcome to Leslie, a guest poster from the Bay Area who is trying out for the editor's role. Comment away.)
As soon as coffee is in your stomach, there is a general commotion. Ideas begin to move. . . similes arise, the paper is covered. Coffee is your ally and writing ceases to be a struggle.
Honoré de Balzac (1799-1859)
Honoré de Balzac (1799-1859)
Over the years, we’ve owned at least four different coffee makers. The first was an aluminum Moka Express stovetop espresso maker just like the one we used when we lived in Italy years ago. We’re not sure what happened to that one -- we vaguely remember that the rubber gasket broke and we were too lazy to replace it.
The next coffee maker was a gift, and it looked similar to the Moka, but its coffee left a lot to be desired.
I'm a tea drinker but love the look of this coffee maker...
My search for the perfect cup of coffee and especially for a delicious shot of espresso has ended with the Aerobie® AeroPress
We've been using it for 2 weeks now and it's wonderful.
I've wanted to try the french press, but I keep hearing that the grind is the key. Which grinder are you using and does it make a huge difference?
You should use a burr grinder so you don't end up with a mix of powder and chunks. It's made my french press go from harsh and gritty to delicious.
If you are lucky enought to have a Peets nearby and/or order from their website ask for a number 10 grind. I swear by this grind because it makes a wonderful cup of coffee.
Can anyone recommend a good burr grinder that doesn't cost too much?
My search for the perfect cup of coffee and especially for a delicious shot of espresso has ended with the Aerobie® AeroPress
We've been using it for 2 weeks now and it's wonderful.
https://www.localsonlycoffee.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Aer01
M,
Here's a relatively low-cost burr: http://tinyurl.com/9l4rq
I have a Gaggia MDF, which is the next step up--about 200. Very serviceable. The *best* is Mazzer Mini.. but hey, try justifying that (500-600) to your spouse!
Best,
dbdtron
There was a Times article about grinders last month, and it had some recommendations:
The Bodum Antigua ($69.99 at Wholelattelove.com) is the cheapest grinder he recommends, better-suited to grinding for a press pot because "the grind is too inconsistent for espresso."
Solis makes three good grinders at higher prices, including the Maestro Classic ($99 at Kitchen-universe.com and "a good all-around grinder to even use for espresso"), the Maestro Plus ($149 at aabreecoffee.com and "a little better built, with a weighted base and with more grind settings") and the Baratza Virtuoso ($199 at 1st-line.com, it has "a DC motor for better torque and a much beefier burr set").
The Rancilio Rocky is "legendary in terms of home espresso grinders, one of the first consumer-built grinders that uses commercial parts," he said. "It's like buying a Viking stove for your home." It costs $295 at 1stincoffee.com.
The Mazzer Mini is "the epitome of home espresso grinders, looks beautiful, built like a tank and has a stepless grind adjustment that no other brand offers at that price point." It costs $429 at 1st-line.com.
just have your coffee man or WOman grind it for ya.
I'm not a coffee drinker, so I don't know how true this is, but the article advised never to buy ground beans.
"When you grind beans, within the first minute they lose roughly 80 percent of the CO2 stored inside, and CO2 is one of the major flavor transporters between coffee and the cup. The CO2 released inside of ground coffee will carry the oils and aromatics right inside the cup."
"A good grinder is far more important, but people always skimp on it. I've made far better espresso with a $300 grinder and a $250 espresso machine than with a $50 grinder and a $2,000 espresso machine."
I got a Bodum French Press as a gift and went out to get my usual Italian Espresso coffee. I ground it on the coarsest grind and have tried everything to get a good cup of coffee from it. I've let it steep, I've added more coffee than recommended, I've done everything and I am still not satisfied with the coffee I'm getting. The FP is supposed to be the best method to get great coffee so what am I doing wrong? I'm ready to go back to my old drip maker. AARRRGGGHHH!
anne,
what's the problem with the press coffee? Is it too sludgy? Press coffee is very different from drip coffee, so it might be an expectation thing too.
are you grinding your own beans or getting it pre ground?
Steps to good press coffee:
1. Boil your water, then let it back off a bit.
2. Grind your beans (7g per cup of coffee). You want a nice coarse grind for the press.
3. Dump your beans in your press, pour in your water.
4. Stir for 10 seconds
5. Let sit for 4 minutes before pressing.
6. Decant the coffee, you don't want it sitting on the grounds or it will become bitter
I've been getting the coffee beans at the same place for years and have always been happy with the results but the drip maker is old and I thought I'd give the FP a try. Not happy. I just don't like the strength of the coffee I'm getting from the FP. I like strong coffee. I grind the beans at the store. But I do have a Krups grinder so maybe I should try it out again.
I pour boiling water in the glass carafe, stir it up and then let it sit for a few minutes, then use the press and pour it in the coffee cup. I use 5 scoops of coffee. I started with 3 then 4 and now 5.
I second the Rancilio Rocky grinder! Works like a charm, now two years strong without a single problem. Plus it looks cute next to the Rancilio Silvia espresso machine!
Oh, and I know $250 seems like a ton of money to spend on a coffee grinder, but this thing is supposed to (and I've heard this confirmed by a few people) basically last forever with good maintenance. You will end up replacing a cheapie model at least a few times over the course of your coffee-drinking days!
Rachel, where'd you get the Rocky for $250? I keep seeing them for closer to $285.
what's the deal with aluminum presses? is the aluminum safe to heat water? i've always heard not to cook with aluminum...