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Post by bravomailer on Mar 7, 2019 20:49:56 GMT
Over the last year I've had to use almost twice the amount of grounds to get my usual strength. Anybody else noted this? I use a french press, so it's not a machine's fault.
Relatedly, what's a good alternative to Starbucks french roast? I've tried Peet's and didn't care for it.
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sunshine
Sophomore
@sunshine
Posts: 914
Likes: 1,225
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Post by sunshine on Mar 7, 2019 22:16:53 GMT
Sorry I posted to the wrong thread and can't seem to delete it.
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Post by stickman38 on Mar 8, 2019 6:17:02 GMT
Over the last year I've had to use almost twice the amount of grounds to get my usual strength. Anybody else noted this? I use a french press, so it's not a machine's fault. Relatedly, what's a good alternative to Starbucks french roast? I've tried Peet's and didn't care for it.
When you say "strength" do you mean caffeine content? Or strong taste?
French roasts are dark roasted coffees and they have less caffeine than light roasts. When they roast the bean, they literally burn the caffeine out of the coffee when they make a dark roast.
Do you drink coffee black or with cream and/or sugar?
I would suggest going with a local coffee roaster. If you live in a decent sized city you should be able to find a really great dark roast and they will roast them beans for you after you order the coffee. Or they will have some fresh beans in their shop.
The single most important thing you want to look for is freshly roasted beans. Coffee has a tendency to lose it's natural flavors shortly after roasting, like within 30 days of roasting. Look for a roasted on date rather than a "best before date" like what Starbucks puts on their bags. Best before dates are useless. Which is probably the issue you're running into. you're probably buying old beans.
I do recommend single origin coffee too. That Starbucks French Roast is a blend. A blend is when they take coffee beans from one part of the world and mix them with another bean from some other part of the world. Typically, what roasting companies do when making a blend is take their lowest grade coffees and mix them together to try to get a certain taste out of it.
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Post by klawrencio79 on Mar 8, 2019 15:57:27 GMT
Over the last year I've had to use almost twice the amount of grounds to get my usual strength. Anybody else noted this? I use a french press, so it's not a machine's fault. Relatedly, what's a good alternative to Starbucks french roast? I've tried Peet's and didn't care for it.
When you say "strength" do you mean caffeine content? Or strong taste?
French roasts are dark roasted coffees and they have less caffeine than light roasts. When they roast the bean, they literally burn the caffeine out of the coffee when they make a dark roast.
Do you drink coffee black or with cream and/or sugar?
I would suggest going with a local coffee roaster. If you live in a decent sized city you should be able to find a really great dark roast and they will roast them beans for you after you order the coffee. Or they will have some fresh beans in their shop.
The single most important thing you want to look for is freshly roasted beans. Coffee has a tendency to lose it's natural flavors shortly after roasting, like within 30 days of roasting. Look for a roasted on date rather than a "best before date" like what Starbucks puts on their bags. Best before dates are useless. Which is probably the issue you're running into. you're probably buying old beans.
I do recommend single origin coffee too. That Starbucks French Roast is a blend. A blend is when they take coffee beans from one part of the world and mix them with another bean from some other part of the world. Typically, what roasting companies do when making a blend is take their lowest grade coffees and mix them together to try to get a certain taste out of it.
A+ suggestions. I get my coffee from a local roaster and my coffee game is on point now. I drink it black with no milk or sugar. If you add milk or sugar to it, to me that alters the taste so significantly that what stickman said above isn't as important. But for us purists, his advice is on point.
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Post by stickman38 on Mar 8, 2019 16:18:42 GMT
When you say "strength" do you mean caffeine content? Or strong taste?
French roasts are dark roasted coffees and they have less caffeine than light roasts. When they roast the bean, they literally burn the caffeine out of the coffee when they make a dark roast.
Do you drink coffee black or with cream and/or sugar?
I would suggest going with a local coffee roaster. If you live in a decent sized city you should be able to find a really great dark roast and they will roast them beans for you after you order the coffee. Or they will have some fresh beans in their shop.
The single most important thing you want to look for is freshly roasted beans. Coffee has a tendency to lose it's natural flavors shortly after roasting, like within 30 days of roasting. Look for a roasted on date rather than a "best before date" like what Starbucks puts on their bags. Best before dates are useless. Which is probably the issue you're running into. you're probably buying old beans.
I do recommend single origin coffee too. That Starbucks French Roast is a blend. A blend is when they take coffee beans from one part of the world and mix them with another bean from some other part of the world. Typically, what roasting companies do when making a blend is take their lowest grade coffees and mix them together to try to get a certain taste out of it.
A+ suggestions. I get my coffee from a local roaster and my coffee game is on point now. I drink it black with no milk or sugar. If you add milk or sugar to it, to me that alters the taste so significantly that what stickman said above isn't as important. But for us purists, his advice is on point.
Ohhh thanks, 79.
It's funny because, a few years ago, I just didn't care that much about it, I was 'still' drinking latte and cappuccino, but then I started reading up on it and learned a lot about coffee, There's still many things I don't know but I think I've got the basics down pretty good.
But anyhow, if someone really wants to get into coffee, I recommend buying a good quality burr grinder and an Aeropress or a Moka Pot. To me, the "pressure" method is the best way to make coffee. It really brings out those natural flavors of the coffee beans. There are so many different ways to make it... french press is good but I think you typically have to use a coarse grind when making it this way, which scales back on the flavor in my view. Anyhow, here's a picture of the various ways of making coffee. Any kind of pour over is real good too like Chemex...
Also, buying something that's been reviewed on coffeereview.com is good to do also. But you can still find really great stuff locally if you look around. New coffee roasters are popping up all over the country now days. Although, some of them are a little overpriced, like look at that 'California Grown' from Bird Rock Coffee Roasters. They want $100 for 200 grams?? wow....
That Ethiopia Guji from States Coffee & Mercantile looks pretty amazing though.... only 12 bucks for a half pound.
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Post by maya55555 on Mar 9, 2019 2:14:47 GMT
I have started to use "BLACK KNIGHT" from Amazon. It is strong tasting.
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Post by nutsberryfarm π on Mar 10, 2019 5:26:05 GMT
Over the last year I've had to use almost twice the amount of grounds to get my usual strength. Anybody else noted this? I use a french press, so it's not a machine's fault. Relatedly, what's a good alternative to Starbucks french roast? I've tried Peet's and didn't care for it.
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Post by stickman38 on Mar 10, 2019 21:11:20 GMT
Had a Starbucks Reserve Coffee today. It was their Indonesian West Java.
Tasting notes straight up black - bitter sweet chocolate, floral, exotic spices, bright acidity to it that was kind of bland tasting but somewhat of a fruit like quality to it. As the coffee cooled off, big smokey taste, herbal, leather, barley malt.
Intense brew for sure, would be great for anyone that likes dark roasted coffee. Look around your local Starbucks for locations that serve the Reserve Coffees, they probably carry this coffee.
In fact, if you like dark roasts, Indonesian/Sumatra coffees are the best.
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Post by Aj_June on Jul 18, 2021 22:38:42 GMT
A+ suggestions. I get my coffee from a local roaster and my coffee game is on point now. I drink it black with no milk or sugar. If you add milk or sugar to it, to me that alters the taste so significantly that what stickman said above isn't as important. But for us purists, his advice is on point.
Hi, I gave my partner an aeropress and ordered Vienna Roast of aeropress grind size from a very reputed roaster and my partner is extremely happy since she moved to aeropress. Before this she had to use instant coffee at home and could only get real coffee at cafe which she hasn't had a lot of chance to visit since the pandemic. I am myself not a coffee person so just wanted to ask if the quality of coffee will be even better if we buy whole beans and then use a grinder? Would that enhance the taste in anyway?
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Post by stickman38 on Jul 19, 2021 0:02:54 GMT
Hi, I gave my partner an aeropress and ordered Vienna Roast of aeropress grind size from a very reputed roaster and my partner is extremely happy since she moved to aeropress. Before this she had to use instant coffee at home and could only get real coffee at cafe which she hasn't had a lot of chance to visit since the pandemic. I am myself not a coffee person so just wanted to ask if the quality of coffee will be even better if we buy whole beans and then use a grinder? Would that enhance the taste in anyway?
The main thing you're looking for is freshly roasted coffee beans. Many of your local and nationwide coffee roasters will deliver it right to your house. And they offer 'roast to order' which means they will roast it after you place your order then send it to you.
And yes, I do highly recommend whole bean and grinding it only when you're ready to make a cup. The natural flavors in the whole beans will only last a few weeks and have an even shorter life after you grind it. So, you want to drink it shortly after its roasted.
You can often find local roasters that offer freshly roasted beans that you can go buy on the spot but again, most of them will deliver it to you. For the best tasting coffee, you want to look for words like 'direct trade', 'micro-lot', 'specialty' on the roaster's website or on the bag of coffee. It will be more expensive but it will taste really good.
And the truth is, the light roasts have the most flavor in them. You have to shop around and try a few and pick the ones you like the most. Good luck...
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Post by nutsberryfarm π on Jul 19, 2021 14:28:02 GMT
Hi, I gave my partner an aeropress and ordered Vienna Roast of aeropress grind size from a very reputed roaster and my partner is extremelyΒ happy since she moved to aeropress. Before this she had to use instant coffee at home and could only get real coffee at cafe which she hasn't had a lot of chance to visit since the pandemic. I am myself not a coffee person so just wanted to ask if the quality of coffee will be even better if we buy whole beans and then use a grinder? Would that enhance the taste in anyway?
The main thing you're looking for is freshly roasted coffee beans. Many of your local and nationwide coffee roasters will deliver it right to your house. And they offer 'roast to order' which means they will roast it after you place your order then send it to you.
And yes, I do highly recommend whole bean and grinding it only when you're ready to make a cup. The natural flavors in the whole beans will only last a few weeks and have an even shorter life after you grind it. So, you want to drink it shortly after its roasted.
You can often find local roasters that offer freshly roasted beans that you can go buy on the spot but again, most of them will deliver it to you. For the best tasting coffee, you want to look for words like 'direct trade', 'micro-lot', 'specialty' on the roaster's website or on the bag of coffee. It will be more expensive but it will taste really good.
And the truth is, the light roasts have the most flavor in them. You have to shop around and try a few and pick the ones you like the most. Good luck...
I have found this coffee from Laos π±π¦ to be amazing. Great value too. www.yunicoffeeco.com/shop
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Post by stickman38 on Jul 19, 2021 16:54:28 GMT
The main thing you're looking for is freshly roasted coffee beans. Many of your local and nationwide coffee roasters will deliver it right to your house. And they offer 'roast to order' which means they will roast it after you place your order then send it to you.
And yes, I do highly recommend whole bean and grinding it only when you're ready to make a cup. The natural flavors in the whole beans will only last a few weeks and have an even shorter life after you grind it. So, you want to drink it shortly after its roasted.
You can often find local roasters that offer freshly roasted beans that you can go buy on the spot but again, most of them will deliver it to you. For the best tasting coffee, you want to look for words like 'direct trade', 'micro-lot', 'specialty' on the roaster's website or on the bag of coffee. It will be more expensive but it will taste really good.
And the truth is, the light roasts have the most flavor in them. You have to shop around and try a few and pick the ones you like the most. Good luck...
I have found this coffee from Laos π±π¦ to be amazing. Great value too. www.yunicoffeeco.com/shop
Are they located in the US? Do they deliver in the US?
I noticed that a few of them underwent the Anaerobic process, also known as 'carbonic maceration'. I've heard some really good things about this way of processing coffee beans. Apparently they borrowed the idea from the wine industry and it supposedly brings out very heavy fruit flavors in coffee. How would you describe it, nutsberry?
From what I understand, they take the coffee cherries and place them in steel tanks and then pump co2 into the tank in an effort to empty all the oxygen from the fermenting process. This is supposed to maintain all the fruit flavor in the bean.
Unfortunately, I have not tried a coffee that's been processed this way yet but I'll get around to it sometime this year.
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Post by nutsberryfarm π on Jul 19, 2021 17:05:18 GMT
Are they located in the US? Do they deliver in the US?
I noticed that a few of them underwent the Anaerobic process, also known as 'carbonic maceration'. I've heard some really good things about this way of processing coffee beans. Apparently they borrowed the idea from the wine industry and it supposedly brings out very heavy fruit flavors in coffee. How would you describe it, nutsberry?
From what I understand, they take the coffee cherries and place them in steel tanks and then pump co2 into the tank in an effort to empty all the oxygen from the fermenting process. This is supposed to maintain all the fruit flavor in the bean.
Unfortunately, I have not tried a coffee that's been processed this way yet but I'll get around to it sometime this year.
yep. i ordered from that website. great aftertaste. like 10 minutes after you can still taste the flavors. rich tasting.
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Post by Sarge on Jul 28, 2021 5:16:01 GMT
FYI, unfiltered coffee will raise your cholesterol, if, like me, you have high cholesterol you might want to consider how you prepare it. I had to give up my French Press because my cholesterol was rocketing. Now I use a pour over. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2029499/
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Post by NJtoTX on Jul 28, 2021 18:34:53 GMT
I looked at Moka pots and they all said espresso, and the "cups" listed were actually demitasse mini cups.
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Post by stickman38 on Jul 28, 2021 20:01:31 GMT
I looked at Moka pots and they all said espresso, and the "cups" listed were actually demitasse mini cups.
There are different sizes for Moka pots. Some are really small and only make about 2 ounces of coffee at a time. Which is used as an "espresso shot". And some will make large servings, like 40 ounces or more.
The thing is, people don't exactly know what an 'espresso' is.
All it means is making coffee using the pressure method. You do this with an espresso machine, a moka pot or an aeropress. these machines will force hot water through the coffee grounds and in turn, this does create a highly caffeine cup of coffee. I personally have noticed from years of practice, espresso will also bring out the natural flavors way more than what you get using a drip machine or pour over or french press etc...
However, many coffee aficionados will argue that "real" espresso is only made with an espresso machine and the moka pot and aeropress are like a poor man's espresso. Either way, I still say moka pot is the best way to make coffee, if you drink it black.
Anyhow, here's a video clip of someone demonstrating how moka pot works -
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