Out of the Blue

Okay, here's my response to xXBatmanXx's homework assignment from the forum yesterday. A perfect cup of coffee is easy to accomplish. Start with clean, filtered water and fresh (whole) beans roasted to taste. Grind the beans in a burr grinder (not one of those cheapie blade choppers). The generally accepted formula is a tablespoon of grounds per cup, but this is a matter of taste, as is how coarsely you grind the coffee (I make incredibly strong coffee myself, so I use a lot of French roast beans and a fine grind). Boil the water, and make the coffee in a simple Melitta cone (give the water a couple of seconds to come off the boil before pouring), which has all the functionality of a coffee maker with none of the dirt, calcium, and bacteria traps. Transfer the outcome to a thermal carafe, and it will be hot and fresh for several hours. Enjoy your coffee.

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35 Replies. 2 pages. Viewing page 1.
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35.
 
Re: Blacksite:Area 51
Nov 17, 2007, 21:35
nin
35.
Re: Blacksite:Area 51 Nov 17, 2007, 21:35
Nov 17, 2007, 21:35
nin
 
Anybody had a chance to try BlackSite:Area 51 yet?

It looks pretty.
Curious on the game.


The demo (on 360) was less than impressive...


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34.
 
Blacksite:Area 51
Nov 17, 2007, 12:06
Enahs
 
34.
Blacksite:Area 51 Nov 17, 2007, 12:06
Nov 17, 2007, 12:06
 Enahs
 
Anybody had a chance to try BlackSite:Area 51 yet?

It looks pretty.
Curious on the game.


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33.
 
Ultimate coffee
Nov 16, 2007, 22:31
33.
Ultimate coffee Nov 16, 2007, 22:31
Nov 16, 2007, 22:31
 
The best cuppa comes from roasting your own, letting it rest for ~2 days, burr grinding, then brewing with a 4-minute infusion into filtered 92 deg C water in a French Press. The advantage of a French Press over a drip system is that you also get the coffee oils, which contribute to both the flavor and mouth-feel. Oh, and be sure use good green beans like they sell at Sweet Marias http://sweetmarias.com/, or you might as well be drinking Folger's.


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32.
 
Re: Cold Brewing
Nov 16, 2007, 19:21
32.
Re: Cold Brewing Nov 16, 2007, 19:21
Nov 16, 2007, 19:21
 
If you scroll down the page a bit, they have one with the logo instead of the word 'Espresso' on it, which looks much nicer, IMO, but they're functionally identical and that one's in stock

I guess I can make black work.
We have a Cherry wood kitchen with natural stone floors and black granite tops.....so that should work.

Thanks.

Supporter of the Cell Phone Jamming movement.
31.
 
Re: Cold Brewing
Nov 16, 2007, 18:32
31.
Re: Cold Brewing Nov 16, 2007, 18:32
Nov 16, 2007, 18:32
 
Hey... I finally got around to putting another Antec Tricool 120mm on my case today! The side panel!

I like those tricool fans - I got the Antec 900 case and it came with them. Very nice!

Didn't put one in the side panel though. It is sucking in air there anyways. With the PSU on the bottom of the case it helps with airflow down there.


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30.
 
Re: Cold Brewing
Nov 16, 2007, 18:18
PHJF
 
30.
Re: Cold Brewing Nov 16, 2007, 18:18
Nov 16, 2007, 18:18
 PHJF
 
I can't believe a gaming forum is going on about coffee grinding methodology.

Hey... I finally got around to putting another Antec Tricool 120mm on my case today! The side panel!

See? Isn't that exciting? LOWER GPU TEMPS! DISCUSS.
Steam + PSN: PHJF
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29.
 
Re: Cold Brewing
Nov 16, 2007, 17:35
29.
Re: Cold Brewing Nov 16, 2007, 17:35
Nov 16, 2007, 17:35
 
I'm almost positive my Mom has her Mother's (or maybe Grandmother's) hand grinder. Easily 1900's or earlier. I wonder how well that would perform?

28.
 
Re: Cold Brewing
Nov 16, 2007, 16:25
28.
Re: Cold Brewing Nov 16, 2007, 16:25
Nov 16, 2007, 16:25
 

Bats -- here's that black grinder. Looks sweet:

http://baldmountaincoffee.com/page/BMCC/PROD/Knee_Coffee_Mills/00002467#PROD_00002467

If you scroll down the page a bit, they have one with the logo instead of the word 'Espresso' on it, which looks much nicer, IMO, but they're functionally identical and that one's in stock
-----
I'm not even angry. I'm being so sincere right now, even though you broke my heart and killed me.
27.
 
Re: Cold Brewing
Nov 16, 2007, 16:07
27.
Re: Cold Brewing Nov 16, 2007, 16:07
Nov 16, 2007, 16:07
 

I've heard such conflicting word about leaving your whole beans at room temp or the freezer. I got a pamphlet from Caribou Coffee that said leave your beans at room temp and to NOT freeze the beans. Maybe they just want them to go bad so you have to buy more....

I've actually heard the same thing -- that the freezer is actually too cold and dry for optimal storage.

I compromise and use a really well-built airtight container that i keep in the fridge, but I've been told that as long as your beans are kept in a dark, airtight container, that even the counter is just fine as long as the room isn't hot..

That said, the BEST damn cup of coffee I've EVER had was in Cambodia using beans from Vietnam (the fox-poo beans), and it was not only freakishly hot there, but just ridiculously humid (the air was basically pure water as far as I could tell), so who knows.
-----
I'm not even angry. I'm being so sincere right now, even though you broke my heart and killed me.
26.
 
Re: Cold Brewing
Nov 16, 2007, 16:00
PHJF
 
26.
Re: Cold Brewing Nov 16, 2007, 16:00
Nov 16, 2007, 16:00
 PHJF
 
What the fuck is this fucking bullshit, I fucking wait 4034 months for Southland Tales and the fucking movie plays NOWHERE IN THE FUCKING STATE OF OHIO. FUCK THIS SHIT.
Steam + PSN: PHJF
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25.
 
Cold Brewing
Nov 16, 2007, 15:50
25.
Cold Brewing Nov 16, 2007, 15:50
Nov 16, 2007, 15:50
 
I use a cold brewing system (http://www.toddycafe.com/) where you grind up a pound of coffee, add cold water and sit overnight. This process also eliminates a lot of the acids that make a bad cup of joe. Drain the next day and refrigerate. Its a concentrate so you just mix it about 10:1 with hot water and there you go!

Guess I need to look at grinders as I've been using a cheap'o blade grinder.

I've heard such conflicting word about leaving your whole beans at room temp or the freezer. I got a pamphlet from Caribou Coffee that said leave your beans at room temp and to NOT freeze the beans. Maybe they just want them to go bad so you have to buy more....

24.
 
Re: No subject
Nov 16, 2007, 15:30
24.
Re: No subject Nov 16, 2007, 15:30
Nov 16, 2007, 15:30
 
Other than ebay - anyone have a link to where I can buy one of those Zassenhaus hand grinder knee grinder thingies?

I think I am going to call a friend that has a contact in Germany. Probably be easiest to get one?

Atta BOY! You won't be disappointed

TBH, I'd just order one online -- I doubt you'll have any problems. The biggest issue with those is that they can be VERY tough to come by, as they aren't produced in large quantities and are in pretty high demand.

The store that Enahs linked to on the first page claims to have stock on the same model that I have. It's real pretty, but I dunno what your kitchen looks like... I know they recently started producing a pretty swanky-looking black model, but I haven't seen one for sale anywhere yet.


oops -- EDIT:

MF - do you have any floaties in your coffee (I suppose depending on how coarse it is) using that metal strainer? I used one for a while and was not impressed. Probably just had a crappy one.

Nope -- not a thing. I know what you're talking about though, because I buddy of mine has a similar filter that leaves a lot of sediment in the coffee.

The one I have has a kind of interlocking grid-pattern of tiny slits in the metal (for lack of a better way to describe it).. they're so small you almost can't see them when you look at it... it basically looks solid until you hold it up to the light. I have no idea how they make such a thing, but it's a keeper!

As far as grind goes, I like a strong brew, so I go for something just a bit coarser than an espresso grind.

The Zass has a thumbscrew that you can set to anything from a rock-salt texture right down to almost a flour-like powder for Turkish coffee... I'm set somewhere back a little ways from full-pulverisation


This comment was edited on Nov 16, 15:36.
-----
I'm not even angry. I'm being so sincere right now, even though you broke my heart and killed me.
23.
 
Re: best coffee techniques
Nov 16, 2007, 15:17
23.
Re: best coffee techniques Nov 16, 2007, 15:17
Nov 16, 2007, 15:17
 
Oh, and I do use a conical burr grinder (power, not hand). The just-roasted-ness I think has a stronger influence on the coffee flavor than most of the other input variables (e.g. hand-ground vs. machine ground). I guess it also helps that NYC tap water is very tasty (no chlorine flavor) and soft (almost no minerals)

22.
 
Re: No subject
Nov 16, 2007, 15:08
22.
Re: No subject Nov 16, 2007, 15:08
Nov 16, 2007, 15:08
 

First link on Google Bats. I don't know who the hell these people are, but it's got good descriptions of the products they sell.

Saw that....I found a couple more - I am just iffy about ordering from non standard web pages.......maybe I can call one.

Also, heh, I need one that matches my kitchen.

I guess it also helps that NYC tap water is very tasty (no chlorine flavor) and soft (almost no minerals)

That reminded me of what I was going to add - MPLS water is some of the best water I have ever had. A lot of different groups rates our water fairly high. I was very surprised about this when I moved into the city.

Supporter of the Cell Phone Jamming movement.
This comment was edited on Nov 16, 15:24.
21.
 
best coffee techniques
Nov 16, 2007, 15:08
21.
best coffee techniques Nov 16, 2007, 15:08
Nov 16, 2007, 15:08
 
After reading the lengthy slashdot discussion of optimal coffee-making techniques (http://ask.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/05/16/2123222), I took the plunge and bought not only a Chemex coffeemaker (roughly similar to the Mellita, but looks cool and uses special super-filters, http://www.chemexcoffeemaker.com/), but a coffee roaster.

Roasting your own beans turns out to be trivial (takes 6 minutes, works just like a popcorn popper), and results in awesome, ultra-fresh coffee flavor. The green beans can keep for a couple of years, unlike the roasted beans which start to lose flavor within hours.

The place I bought the roaster (chicanecoffee.com) has a deal where you can buy the roaster together with a variety pack that has a half-pound each of 16 different varieties. I'm nowhere near through it after six months.

Only downside is that darker roasts sometime set off the smoke alarm (no ventilation in my kitchen). The plus side is that everytime I roast, the entire apartment fills with the most amazing smell of roasting coffee...

20.
 
Re: No subject
Nov 16, 2007, 15:06
20.
Re: No subject Nov 16, 2007, 15:06
Nov 16, 2007, 15:06
 
I live in the Lake district here in the UK

I spent a couple of nights at Lake Windermere during a UK vacation a long time ago.

Sure there *is* a bit of floating surface crap

That sounds like the coffee I had there too!!
Stephen "Blue" Heaslip
Blue's News Publisher, Editor-in-Chief, El Presidente for Life
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19.
 
No subject
Nov 16, 2007, 15:02
19.
No subject Nov 16, 2007, 15:02
Nov 16, 2007, 15:02
 
http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.zas.shtml

First link on Google Bats. I don't know who the hell these people are, but it's got good descriptions of the products they sell.

"Pants! Pants! Pants!"
18.
 
No subject
Nov 16, 2007, 14:18
18.
No subject Nov 16, 2007, 14:18
Nov 16, 2007, 14:18
 
Other than ebay - anyone have a link to where I can buy one of those Zassenhaus hand grinder knee grinder thingies?

I think I am going to call a friend that has a contact in Germany. Probably be easiest to get one?

MF - do you have any floaties in your coffee (I suppose depending on how coarse it is) using that metal strainer? I used one for a while and was not impressed. Probably just had a crappy one.

Supporter of the Cell Phone Jamming movement.
This comment was edited on Nov 16, 14:31.
17.
 
Re: No subject
Nov 16, 2007, 14:01
17.
Re: No subject Nov 16, 2007, 14:01
Nov 16, 2007, 14:01
 
I must disagree with the "filtered water". I live in the Lake district here in the UK where the water is fantastic. My grinder is a self sharpening thingy with a wooden box underneath it so my coffee probably has yummy metal shavings in there too

That coupled with some Jamaican blue mountain coffee is a lovely taste. Sure there *is* a bit of floating surface crap but it only adds to the flavour. Ive found filtered water to taste flat.

This comment was edited on Nov 16, 14:02.
Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
16.
 
Re: No subject
Nov 16, 2007, 13:40
16.
Re: No subject Nov 16, 2007, 13:40
Nov 16, 2007, 13:40
 
Mmm coffee, my dirt, calcium, and bacteria trap method is to put a small scoop of ground vanilla coffee beans in with the regular canned stuff, makes a nice tasty cup of joe.

"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." Benjamin Franklin
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