Coffee
When it comes to coffee, I can honestly say that I’m quite the snob. There are very few places that I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed the coffee... and they’re all in Europe. I can tolerate coffee at a few different places here in the US, but the reality is, “store-bought” (Starbucks, McD’s, etc.) coffees here in the US don’t hold up to coffee in several European countries. Only if I’m desperate, will I buy a coffee in the US.
I was overjoyed when I took a sip of my café au lait in the Paris airport during my lay-over to Romania. On my return to the airport when in Amsterdam, I stopped into a little stand to get a coffee and it was delicious. That little stand was what I would equate to a city vendor, which usually [in the US anyways] serves disgusting coffee. My coffee in Germany wasn’t the best, but certainly wasn’t terrible, but they’re not known for the dark roasts. In Romania, the espresso was so hot and fresh, with a hint of nutty flavor, I had a few, because it was so tasty. Most people would be wired, but not I... I suppose that’s one “bonus” to my Hypersomnia... I can drink a lot of coffee and not get jittery. I can honestly say though... Sweden... good chocolate, bad coffee.
I love a dark roast [French or Sumatra preferably, but a good espresso is dandy too] and the best store-bought coffees I’ve had came from Romania, France, and The Netherlands [specifically Amsterdam]. I don’t like sweeteners in my coffee. IF it’s available, a little cream is good, but I will take my coffee black if there’s no cream available.
When I make my own coffee at home, I use either the following Starbucks flavors:
- French Roast,
- Holiday Blend [only available around Christmas], or
- Sumatra
Or one of the two dark roast coffees from Seattle’s Best [which is now owned by Starbucks too] and that’s about it.
When a friend of mine came over with her husband, who is from Germany, I offered coffee and her husband was thinking whether he wanted one or not when I said, “My coffee is not watered down or flavorless like most US coffees.” He laughed and expressed that he would love one. He told me that he had never had a GOOD coffee since being in the US and asked me what my secret was, so I explained my “process” as well as the coffee that I use. Once he finished it, he asked for another. Apparently, I satisfied his European taste buds.
My kitchen counter looks as though a barista lives here. I have a Bunn drip coffeemaker and I have a single cup coffeemaker [it takes Keurig K-cups, but it’s not a Keurig coffeemaker]. I also have non-dairy creamer and sugar close by, for those that like sweeteners. I have two types of K-cups as well as ground and whole-bean coffees in glass containers. Coffee is one of two things I’m a snob about... the other is my bedding, but to me, that makes sense considering my sleep disorder.
Are you a “coffee snob” or are you a basic coffee kind of person?
Is there a preferred brand for you? [The only one I CANNOT do is Maxwell House. I would have to be seriously desperate to drink it.]
Has there been a time or place that you’ve had the best cup of coffee you’ve ever had?
**NO POLITICS**
So, how do you like your coffee?
Not a black coffee type. I like the flavor of the hazelnut cream and like you I don't get the jitters from it, just the small boost. I drink 3 cups normally.
While I do enjoy a really good cup of coffee I'm not fussy. I'll brew a pot, shut it off, then heat cups up in the microwave. I'm mostly in it for the caffeine.
Don't live within 40 miles of a coffee shop so order Jamaican and Kona online.
I like campfire coffee. Hints of pine needless and notes of ash plus the grittiness of the grounds make for a fine cuppa coffee.....all the better to wash down those tube steaks and s'mores
The bitter-er the better-er
Toss an egg in and it clarifies the pot.
Toss in a hand full of coffee, let it boil and then break an egg into it to settle the grounds.
(some like the coffee infused egg for breakfast).
Light or medium roast, regular, copiously, and as strong as possible. I'm talking coffee holding the pot up when it's poured.
People complain that my coffee is too strong and I always tell them that they can always add water.
There's no such thing as coffee that's too strong.
I agree, but apparently not everyone else does.
Then they're wrong!
In someone else's cup. Never was a fan : )
You sound like my husband. It's strange, most people that have parents who are coffee drinkers will pick up the habit, but my husband never did. He loves the smell, hates the taste.
Yep! That's me. Smells great. Tastes foul.
The stronger the French roast the better, raw sugar and a little cream.
Best cup recently was at the Mohave Roast kiosk at the Avi Casino Resort in NV. Black with raw sugar.
Usually a good strong, flavorful roast, black. From time to time I do use a creamer. Fave is French vanilla.
I do unsweetened non-dairy creamer... not big on flavors; occasionally, if it's bad coffee, I'll use hazelnut.
I go through at least a pot or more of coffee EVERY day. Sometimes during the winter months I'll add a little Irish Cream to the cup.
A true techie!
Over time I have used these national brands, Folgers, Hills Brothers, Maxwell House, Chock O' Nuts, Probably a couple I cant remember. I have also had McDonalds ground coffee from the grocery store a few times.
Although the brands do taste different, they all tasted enough like regular ole coffee to do the trick. I probably prefer Folgers.
What I do like is Nescafe instant coffee. Easily the best instant coffee, to me.
I buy Maxwell House French Roast for the workdays. Has enough caffeine and other stuff to get the motor and all the gears moving.
I found an on-line coffee store where I have ordered flavored coffee. Just ordered French Caramel and Swiss Chocolate. I like to mix them together and have that on non-workdays.
Dunkin Donuts regular ground with sugar and a splash of 1/2 & 1/2. Administered in 3-4 one cup doses, strictly for the mental well being of those in my immediate vicinity.😀
I like a little coffee with my cream and sugar - I probably like mine a little lighter and sweeter than most . . .
Have you tried a "blonde" coffee with Nitro creamer? It's a really sweet creamer and is made by Reddi Wip.
Victor Allen’s Italian roast. Straight, no BS added!
Sheetz changed to a new coffee machine that makes each cup and I don't like it as well as old urns. It is foamy and tastes different but still OK However they treat me very nice at the local store
We are serious about our coffee at home. We have a high quality grinder (absolutely critical if one wants good espresso) and a high quality espresso machine. We all make multiple espresso drinks each day. Typically lattes with unsweetened almond milk.
We have experimented with various beans and while many are good, the deeply (over) roasted beans are our favorites. Starbucks' beans are, in our opinion, very good.
So, yes you're coffee snobs in your house like I am in mine. There's only two of us that drink coffee in my house; me and my daughter and she doesn't drink it very often. My husband only drinks iced tea or beer... no beer before 6 pm though.
Who decided on that rule you or him ?
Believe it or not... him. I don't treat my husband like a child, because he isn't one. He's a grown ass man that can make his own decisions.
When we were in Florida, my son ground his beans for his coffee. I did like the coffee a lot because he didn't skimp on the beans.
I've been thinking about getting a grinder to grind my own beans for my non-workday coffee
I have a grinder too. There's nothing better than the aroma & flavor of freshly ground, freshly brewed hot coffee, in a very large cup. Best to use hot water when brewing.
How I drink coffee and how I like it are two different things.
I drink Nescafe mud to wake up, and I like it for that purpose. But when I am drinking a cup, say after diner we grind up our own beans and use a high temp drip or do a pour-over. Those are my favorites way to drink coffee.
I sometimes use a French Press when we entertain just to get normal coffee (versus espresso). Another method I use is to pull a bunch of espresso shots and dilute them with hot water — Caffè Americano .
I have a French Press, but sadly, I don't know how to use it. I also have a really nice espresso machine, but I have no counter space for it.
French press is very easy to use (and quick). You just put in your ground coffee, add boiling water, let it react with the coffee, then finally use the plunger to press the grounds to the bottom leaving you the means to pour the coffee.
You just need to lookup how much coffee to use given the size of your press.
Does it require straining when pouring?
That is what the press does. It is a plunger that presses the floating coffee to the bottom and keeps it there. So you are then free to pour from the French press.
Not offended, just curious. Thanks. I would be pleased to make an espresso drink for you.
Got it! Thanks. I'll try it out tomorrow.
Make sure you get beans ground for a French press. If too finely ground your coffee will be muddy (floating particles). Too coarse and the water cannot sufficiently extract the flavor. 'French press' is a standard label for a grind setting.
Oh yeah!!! I have a French Press too! I use that on the occasions our power goes out.
Or want a really strong cup o' java.
I used to think that, but then I read an article in Merriam-Webster:
Is it Espresso or Expresso? Yes
If the usage bothers you as much as it did me, sigh,....
My Bunn drips at 185-190*F.
Should probably get that looked at....
Coffee I don’t care much about - any cheap cup will do as long as I have a good creamer. I had a boss once that I swear would stop at Starbucks several times per day, spending ridiculous amount of money on coffee. I’ll save my money for craft beer. Total beer snob here.
Yeah, buying a cup of prepared coffee is insane compared to the cost of the beans. One pays handsomely for the convenience.
I do draw the line at those machines in economy hotels that have buttons for what “strength” coffee you want. That just means that the “coffee” is just a bag of bulk coffee syrup that gets diluted with water to your taste. Yuck.
When backed into a corner and desperate, I will resort to such machines. I was in Poland years ago for a karate gig and the only coffee available was from a machine. It was hell, man, hell!
Last hotel I was in had one of those k machines in the room. Someone told me to not use those, as one never knows how clean they are or what was run through them. They had a little breakfast area open in the morning with pots brewing.
That's what hell will be like for me. Except the coffee is also decaffeinated.
That's another reason that I don't like buying coffee from a shop [like Starbucks]... when I was overseas, my employer was paying for everything and I was staying in hotels.
My favorite take out coffee is Dunkin Donuts. Pretty fairly priced. I heard that the Starbucks coffee has a ridiculously high amount of caffeine, plus, like you say, they're very expensive.
I agree, Dunkin Donuts offers great coffee.
Yep, this snob has also had a tasty cup at Dunkins.
I usually brew my own and rarely buy coffee unless i get desperate. But If I need a quick caffeine fix, I'll use Dunkins. If I need a smooth, strong brew, I'll go to Starbucks for a blond roast. It's fresh brewed on the spot.
There is only one coffee that is the very best, 100% Kona Coffee, expensive but oh so good.
Love Kona! We were getting a Kona at our local grocery, but it's been difficult to get this last year. I can sometimes find small bags of ground, but never any large bags of beans. There is also a nice medium roast Guatemalan from The Duluth Coffee Co, but it's a little more spendy to keep drinking that every day. The coffee shop across the street from my office serves it too.
100% Kona is very expensive. With all the volcanic activity on the Big Island, it's caused some problems with the growers. I have a friend that has a small (4 acres) of Kona coffee and he sends me a bag every now and then. I owe him big time, he been doing it for years.
Yeah... I can't afford it with how much coffee I drink.
Kona is right up there with Jamaican for taste. Milder but still rich.
I've never tried Kona, but I wasn't impressed with Jamaican.
Kona coffee is really delicious. The slopes where it grows are beautiful.
Maxwell House Colombian, black, no sugar.
What I am using right now is Gevalia. Not bad. Before that I tried the McDonalds coffee.
Going out I will get a Starbucks. I usually stick with my go to, the iced caramel macchiato.
I don't mind Gevalia dark roast. It's better than some.
Was a Gevalia customer for a few years. Expanded my horizons.
I must admit, I am a coffee snob as well.
My absolute favorite is a strongly made Seattle's Best French Roast with two teaspoons of sugar and half-n-half. Yummy! Takes me back to 1992 sitting in a little SBC coffee shop on 4th Ave in downtown Seattle next to the Virginian where my girlfriend lived, on a perfect, dismal and dreary Seattle November day.
Green Mountain Coffee makes a pretty good French Roast, also.
As far as all of those non-dairy flavored creamers go... no, just no. Tastes like someone poured a bunch of chemicals in my coffee.
SB is good coffee.
There used to be SB coffee shops all over Seattle. Then they were bought by Starbucks and I think the only shop they have left is in the Pike Place Market. Loved their Mochas too. Moved down south to Arkansas ordered a double tall mocha and the guy asked me if I wanted that in two cups.....
Not a fan of Green Mountain.
I don't use flavored non-dairy creamers. I use only one non-dairy creamer, Coffee Mate regular. All others pale in comparison. See... I can't do milk or half and half. My body rejects it in every way. On the rare occasions that I use flavored creamer, I will occasionally get hazelnut flavored almond milk. For some reason, I can use the Reddi Wip Nitro creamer if I want just a hint of sweetness though. My body is strange. I suppose that the Nitro creamer is processed differently than milk or half and half.
But yes, Seattle's Best is fantastic.
My Grandfather used Coffee-Mate (the powder), so I have a strange, acquired taste for it. I am sorry that your body says no to milk, but it sounds as if you have managed
.
I use the powder. The generic brands are GROSS compared to the Coffee Mate. And yes, I have managed. It's far easier now with other alternatives now. There didn't used to be alternatives like there is now.
As for coffee, remember that I go back to the time when a cup of coffee in a diner only cost a dime, and there was no such thing even in anyone's dreams of a Double-double-raspberry cream- caffeine-free-chocolate malted TALL that would sell for 50 times that dime.
These days I buy a 400 gram tin of regular ground coffee in a tin almost exaclty like the image below which is packaged in Japan for about the equivalent of about US$11 and every morning with breakfast I drink a mug with a little sweetener - the coffee having been brewed in a Phillips coffee maker..
So I'm not a coffee snob or afficionado, I just drink my morning mug cause it's hot, it tastes good to me and it's a waker-upper.
A morning French press which goes into my new Dharma Initiative mug.
Dharma Initiative mug
What is the "Dharma Initiative"?
Did you ever watch "Lost"?
No.
(I suppose it just wasn't part of my Karma to watch it
)
When I rule the world, I'm outlawing decaf coffee. Coffee will (and should) only come in regular.
Noooo! Not often, but every once in a while, I want a cup of coffee with dessert. I am already an insomniac. If that after-dinner coffee had caffeine, I wouldn't sleep at all.
Yes!
I can go for a coffee anytime.
Coffee doesn't keep me up. It keeps me sane.
In the morning, I agree. But I don't drink anything caffeinated in the evening.
The bulk of my caffeination is in the morning. But I get booster caffeine doses throughout the day. Especially if I'm conscious.
Me neither... I wish it did.
I have 3 cups of aniibiishaaboo begishkibodek-geglibozigamig (black water medicine) every morning.
Bet ya can't say that fast three times in a row!