I just discovered Coffee

[skullnrose]

First things first until a week ago I never drank a cup of coffee in my life. My fiance drinks coffee and we have a drip machine and a Keurig. I've always loved the smell of coffee for whatever reason I just never drank it.

Because I'm not the type to just leave well enough alone I start reading everything I can about coffee and decide since she seems to really enjoy coffee she deserves to enjoy "Better" Coffee.

Enter the Aeropress, Capresso Infinity Grinder and Unclebeanz Negrita coffee. The stars align and this stuff all arrives on the same day. I'm like a kid on Christmas morning and can't wait to do a trial run so I can show her how easy it is to brew a "Better" cup of coffee.

I do drink tea and love gadgets so we already own a Zojirushi CV-DSC40 water dispencer which I use to fill the Aeropress using the inverted method.This whole process is reminding me not only how much I enjoy a good cigar but also the art and ritual that goes into lighting it.

I'm starring down into the mug of my fresh brew and figure I should really taste this stuff. Flashing back again to how I discovered cigars by first loving the smell this is all seemingly to familiar to me. I have visions of the cliff ahead but still continue on topping off with hot water a touch of half/half and a sugar in the raw. I give it a quick stir and take my first sip.

By now you can see where this is going. It's been a week I haven't tried it pure black yet but I can tell this is the direction I'm heading. I'm now leaving out the sugar and using less half/half and enjoying 2-3 cups a day.

My fiance you wonder ? Well I set her up with a little unscientific blind taste test. A cup from the keurig, a cup of some ground kona blend from the drip and a cup from my newly discoverd Aunt Aero and Unclebeanz. She knows me well and that when I get into something I go into it full tilt so I'm sure shes trying to pick any other than the aeropressed cup but her honesty and tastebuds lead her to choose just that.

All of this leaves me with many thoughts. I already know I'll only purchase whole beans but what about roasting my own? I'm sure well keep the keurig for that quick cup on the run. I would like to find someone local( I'm in NJ) that owns a roaster and experience the process first hand.

I'd love to hear your thoughts, tips tricks ect... French Press, Moka pot, Expresso machine,Roaster, The rule of 15's and such.

Thanks for taking the time to read this !

[Blak Smyth]

It's another slippery slope! Enjoy!

[Mr B]

Check out Sweet Marias for green beans and lots of tutorials on Home Roasting.
I prefer brewing in a French Press.
I also add Silk Creamer and sugar. Always have and always will.

Drink it how you like it.

[cobra03]

So many slippery slopes around this place! You cant go wrong with a french press.

[ghostrider]

On my quest for the perfect cup of coffee, I stumbled upon (read shoved down the slope my Mr Moo) the joys of home roasting. I now have about a dozen different ways to brew my coffee. I was amazed what a difference fresh roasted beans make, and the incredible variety of flavors available depending on the country of origin.

Welcome to the slope

[SteelCityBoy]

Can't wait to try a Liga Privada with a great cup of coffee...SOUNDS DELECIOUS!

[Savor the Stick]

Originally Posted by Blak Smyth

It's another slippery slope! Enjoy!

I was going to post that!

Originally Posted by skullnrose

I just ordered a French press and look forward to trying it out. I have been using the metal filter with the Aeropress and notice it passes on more of the oils compared to the paper filters. While searching for a french press I stumbled on the Espro press which sounds great other than its 70.00 and only brews 8oz. http://www.espro.ca/espro-press/ I'm real close to ordering the Behmor 1600 Roaster unless someone can convince me otherwise.

Where did you get the metal filter from? Thanks.

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

Stop. Rethink. Do not allow your enthusiasm to misdirect you.

Your opening post clearly reveals you need to defer all other expenditures until you have selected and purchased a killer grinder. I suggest you take any money you might spend on anything coffee and immediately divert it to a grinder. You have all the key indicators of needing a Mazzer Mini, Macap or, at the very least, a Rancilio Rocky.

You cannot build a house by starting with shingles. The best possible grinder - one for a lifetime, ideally - is the foundation upon which your world of great coffees are brewed and poured. If you only ever wanted coffee from a press or, maybe, a mokapot, I'd say "You gonna LOVE that Infinity" but, you won't. There is no guesswork here; you can take that to the bank.

Enjoy whatever.

Well I usually would agree with Moo...he has a great amount of wisdom in the coffee arts. (no offense Dan)

BUT....I have the Capresso Infinity Grinder and a Moka, and a French Press and an Aero Press and don't want to go any further. Oh I also roast my own green beans.

Suffice to say everyone is different and their tastes are therefore different...unless you are wanting to get into espresso coffee and the high priced machines (nothing wrong with that) to make it, think long and hard where your coffee journey is taking you.

God Bless and have a great cup and smoke.

[skullnrose]

Originally Posted by Savor the Stick

I was going to post that!



Where did you get the metal filter from? Thanks.



Well I usually would agree with Moo...he has a great amount of wisdom in the coffee arts. (no offense Dan)

BUT....I have the Capresso Infinity Grinder and a Moka, and a French Press and an Aero Press and don't want to go any further. Oh I also roast my own green beans.

Suffice to say everyone is different and their tastes are therefore different...unless you are wanting to get into espresso coffee and the high priced machines (nothing wrong with that) to make it, think long and hard where your coffee journey is taking you.

God Bless and have a great cup and smoke.

The filter I ordered from amazon http://www.amazon.com/Aeropress-Stai...7263935&sr=8-2 There are a few different ones but this one seems to work just fine.

[germantown rob]

Originally Posted by skullnrose

The filter I ordered from amazon http://www.amazon.com/Aeropress-Stai...7263935&sr=8-2 There are a few different ones but this one seems to work just fine.

http://www.sweetmarias.com/sweetmari...ss-brewer.html

http://marrowmag.com/coffee/coava-di...coffee-filter/

[phicks85]

I have to agree that the french press is the way to go. You get so many more of those nice oils into your mug instead of them being stuck in a filter.

[Skywalker]

Congrats Scott!!!

Welcome to yet another slope!!!

BTW, coffee is soooo good with cigars!

[Montano]

Originally Posted by Skywalker

Congrats Scott!!!

Welcome to yet another slope!!!

BTW, coffee is soooo good with cigars!

[WittyUserName]

I have been holding off on the coffee stuff for quite some time now. I almost pulled the trigger on a syphon system a year ago but decided not to go down that slope. Since seeing the OP I have been searching Amazon and adding grinders, electric kettles, hario dripper and filters to my wish list. That is the first step to purchase for me. Just have to hold out a little while longer.

[ashtonlady]

What is a Hario Dripper?

[WittyUserName]

Originally Posted by ashtonlady

What is a Hario Dripper?

This:

http://www.amazon.com/Hario-VDC-02W-...=1M7F98GSZWMS8

This paired with fresh roasted beans, a grinder and an electric kettle will make you a fresh cup every time.

[forgop]

Keurig < French Press < Cold Brewed

This was my path to drinking coffee anyway.

[skullnrose]

I just ordered a French press and look forward to trying it out. I have been using the metal filter with the Aeropress and notice it passes on more of the oils compared to the paper filters. While searching for a french press I stumbled on the Espro press which sounds great other than its 70.00 and only brews 8oz. http://www.espro.ca/espro-press/ I'm real close to ordering the Behmor 1600 Roaster unless someone can convince me otherwise.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by skullnrose

...I'm real close to ordering the Behmor 1600 Roaster unless someone can convince me otherwise.

Stop. Rethink. Do not allow your enthusiasm to misdirect you.

Your opening post clearly reveals you need to defer all other expenditures until you have selected and purchased a killer grinder. I suggest you take any money you might spend on anything coffee and immediately divert it to a grinder. You have all the key indicators of needing a Mazzer Mini, Macap or, at the very least, a Rancilio Rocky.

You cannot build a house by starting with shingles. The best possible grinder - one for a lifetime, ideally - is the foundation upon which your world of great coffees are brewed and poured. If you only ever wanted coffee from a press or, maybe, a mokapot, I'd say "You gonna LOVE that Infinity" but, you won't. There is no guesswork here; you can take that to the bank.

Enjoy whatever.

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

Stop. Rethink. Do not allow your enthusiasm to misdirect you.

Your opening post clearly reveals you need to defer all other expenditures until you have selected and purchased a killer grinder. I suggest you take any money you might spend on anything coffee and immediately divert it to a grinder. You have all the key indicators of needing a Mazzer Mini, Macap or, at the very least, a Rancilio Rocky.

These are wise words. I've had a long, sordid, and sometimes painful affair with coffee. We've now come to an awkward truce - I've spent a moderately silly amount of money for good tools, and continue to give her far too much money, far too often for good beans. In return, she tortures me by giving me unpredictable glimpses of her perfection on the mornings that I am able to sweet-talk her "just so".

I'll spare you the boring details of this affair, but I'll say this about grinders. Do it once, do it right. I've owned four grinders in the past five years. The money that I wasted on sub-par grinders would have easily covered the cost of the grinder that I ended up purchasing.

A small blade grinder (don't bother unless you're going to use it just for spices)
An inexpensive burr grinder (better, and acceptable if all you're ever going to do is French Press and you don't mind a bunch of "fines" muddying up your cup of coffee)
Another inexpensive burr grinder (first one was broken and I didn't know any better at the time)
A Baratza Vario - purchased after I upgraded to a better espresso machine with a non-pressurized portafilter and figured out that inconsistent grind size was messing with my mojo.

You seem to do the same thing that I do...research, and then experiment...and you don't seem to be happy with less-than-good results. A good grinder will be a huge help for any style of coffee preparation, and is absolutely vital if you want to make good espresso. If you're going to make espresso, you're going to bitterly disappointed in a grinder that can't produce a fine, consistent, finely adjustable grind. Even if you never end up making espresso, a first-rate grinder will probably make a bigger contribution to good end results than any other piece of equipment that you can purchase.

[floydpink]

Originally Posted by skullnrose

I just ordered a French press and look forward to trying it out. I have been using the metal filter with the Aeropress and notice it passes on more of the oils compared to the paper filters. While searching for a french press I stumbled on the Espro press which sounds great other than its 70.00 and only brews 8oz. http://www.espro.ca/espro-press/ I'm real close to ordering the Behmor 1600 Roaster unless someone can convince me otherwise.

I have a Behmor 1600 and love it. It's served me well for 2 years now.

I came close to going the popcorn popper route, but am glad I got the Behmor.

I'm not going to say to get the grinder first because it would be too sensible. I learned that the hard way and it wouldn't be fair to let someone benefit off my experience.

If you decide to go the correct route, Moo is correct about Mazzers and Macaps. (I'm a Macap owner, and he's a Mazzer owner)