Coffee: It's a quest for the best

[1PUTTS]

Originally Posted by Rugburn

Hi 1PUTTS, I live in Waterloo as well, and frankly my experience at Coffee Culture was bad enough that I won't be back. There are at least 3-4 coffee shops within a block of that place that put them to shame. The Princess Twin Cafe, Cafe 1842 (Huether Hotel), Matter of Taste (Waterloo Town Square), the place beside Gen X video and Aroma Cafe at the Uptown Atrium (these guys have the best beans). Give them a try.

Thanks, Rugburn. I've tried all those places and they are all very good. One of the perks or living Uptown...lots of good coffee around here!

[rhh7]

Maxwell House, Original Roast, 2 cups at 5:00 a.m., usually while reading this forum.

[lyric girl]

Starbucks and Kicking Horse are the only coffees we drink in our house. Unfortunately, I have to drink Tim's while at work...ack.

[mhammer]

I keep trying to brew coffee for my wife. Unfortunately, she likes her Nescafé instant made in the microwave more than anything. She doesn't even boil the water, and it has that scummy coating that semi-boiled water from the tap or microwave has. I still don't get it, but it's a big world and I've learned to accept almost everything.

I know some of you folks wouldn't stoop so low, but I have yet to try the "new improved" coffee at McDonalds. Is it any good?

[Starbuck]

Originally Posted by mhammer

I know some of you folks wouldn't stoop so low, but I have yet to try the "new improved" coffee at McDonalds. Is it any good?

Lots of people love it, but I find Arabica beans a bit weak.

[hollowbody]

I forget who it was that recommended the PC Dark Roast here, but thanks! It's a great coffee!

Now I still gotta get my hands on some of that Intelligentsia coffee.

[mrmatt1972]

Originally Posted by lyric girl

Unfortunately, I have to drink Tim's while at work...ack.

Nobody HAS to drink Tim Horton's swill. Buy a kettle and bodum and make your own.

[Diablo]

I'm an espresso snob actually.
It may be the hobby of mine that my wife hates more than my guitars, as it invades "her space" the kitchen, whereas the guitars stay in the basement.

I buy and sell espresso machines every a year or so, and experiment with different beans, grinds etc.
But everyones taste is different. When I went to Chicago last year, I went to Intelligentsia which was around the corner from my hotel and had a shot of Black Cat, and brought back a pound with me to use in my Rancilio Silvia machine. It did nothing for me. Tasted almost identical to some beans I got from Costco once (William Spartivento) for about 1/4 the price. Too fruity for me. I'd take the espresso beans from Second Cup over those any day. Birds and Beans Coffee Roasters in Mimico is quite good as well.

I'm less particular about coffee. Dont care for Tims at all, Starbucks tastes burnt to me, McD's is ok, but ridiculously hot.

We have a Tassimo and it makes a damn fine cup of coffee in practically no time at all and with little mess. Having a friend who works at Kraft (which produces the T-Discs) helps keep costs in check.

[Diablo]

Originally Posted by LowWatt

Can you tell me more about using the hot air popper? Any issues? brand? style recommendations?

THX

A $15-20 model will suffice. It has to be the kind that pumps the corn out a chute (not the kind with a big bowl over top of it). Google will tell you more about brands/models.
There can be issues, i once put too many beans in and because the air would cirulculate, about a minute later the element burned out, and my wifes favorite popper was heading into the garbage.
It also tends to smoke the house up a lot, so try and do it outdoors or in a very ventilated area.

Do a google search for the finer points, but getting the timing right so they arent either under done or over done is tricky. Pay attention to "second crack". 30 seconds in either direction can make all the difference.
And different roasts require different grind settings and more tweaking. Not a lot of places sell green beans either.

So in the end, I decided it was more trouble than its worth, and bought my wife a new air popper for her popcorn.

[Diablo]

Originally Posted by Sneaky

I do not like any store bought coffee any more now that I've tried real, fresh roasted, high quality coffee. I regularly buy 49th Parallel Epic Espresso, Artigiano or Intelligentsia Black Cat (all date stamped and shipped same day), but when I want something relly special I roast my own beans. I just ordered some Panama Esmerelda Gesha for the bargain price of $40/lb (it can go for over $100/lb)

http://www.sweetmarias.com/coffee.ce...aballeriza2009

Truly fresh roasted coffeee should be consumed within 2-5 days of roasting.

Here's my home coffee "rig".

Your rig looks familiar :)
Older Silvia, modded with a PID. Sold it in the summer.