coffee gadgets...

[martook]

I have my own Moccamaster (seems to be called Technivorm in the US though?) at work, because the 'official' coffee there tastes like poison. Really.


At home I have a Macap MC4 ( http://www.1st-line.com/machines/home_mod/macap/MC4.htm ) grinder that is great, use it mostly to do french press though. Can't afford a decent espresso machine yet, so many other things to buy!

[jeremynwolf]

Originally Posted by Kirosia

Awesome, thanks ku!

If this and the new batch from Intelly don't pan out, I'm just gonna claim tin tongue and go back to D&D.

Maybe this is a stupid question, but have you ever had a cup of coffee that tasted good to you?
If you're in an area with a decent coffee shop, the question of whether you can differentiate between cheap, low quality coffee and nice beans brewed properly is an empirical one that should be reasonably easy to answer...

[Kirosia]

Originally Posted by jeremynwolf

If you're in an area with a decent coffee shop, the question of whether you can differentiate between cheap, low quality coffee and nice beans brewed properly is an empirical one that should be reasonably easy to answer...

To be honest, I'm not sure. Perhaps I'm simply not cut out for real coffee. Still, I really want to give it a shot.

[kugino]

Originally Posted by martook

I have my own Moccamaster (seems to be called Technivorm in the US though?) at work, because the 'official' coffee there tastes like poison. Really.


At home I have a Macap MC4 ( http://www.1st-line.com/machines/home_mod/macap/MC4.htm ) grinder that is great, use it mostly to do french press though. Can't afford a decent espresso machine yet, so many other things to buy!

i use a Moccamaster at home, too. great machine (and my wife thinks it looks cool! )

that's a really cool looking grinder, too. i use a mazzer mini that i've had for almost two years now. it's probably my favorite piece of equipment that i've bought in the last two years...i love it more than any of my headphone equipment, macs, golf clubs, etc. i love my grinder!

[Kirosia]

I finally got your beans today, Ku. It still tastes similar to my other beans, except much less bitter. (And there is a bit of a "bite" at the end) The problem must either be my technique, equipment, tongue, or all of the above. How would you describe them (taste-wise) via press? I'm gonna keep modifying my technique, and I need something to compare.

(And once again, thanks for beans!)

EDIT: I thoroughly cleaned my press and kettle a few days ago, but I haven't done so with my grinder. Perhaps Baratza sent it to me tainted? Oh, and would it be alright to use uncooked jasmine rice to clear out the inside? (I should of ordered some grindz with the grinder...)

[kugino]

Originally Posted by Kirosia

I finally got your beans today, Ku. It still tastes similar to my other beans, except much less bitter. (And there is a bit of a "bite" at the end) The problem must either be my technique, equipment, tongue, or all of the above. How would you describe them (taste-wise) via press? I'm gonna keep modifying my technique, and I need something to compare.

(And once again, thanks for beans!)

EDIT: I thoroughly cleaned my press and kettle a few days ago, but I haven't done so with my grinder. Perhaps Baratza sent it to me tainted? Oh, and would it be alright to use uncooked jasmine rice to clear out the inside? (I should of ordered some grindz with the grinder...)

sorry it's not to your liking. i roasted them medium (full city/full city+) so they're much lighter than your intelligentsia. i didn't taste this roast so i don't know what that bite is...i just roasted a new batch of the nicaraguan so i'll taste it tomorrow or friday and report.

could it just be that you don't like the taste of this kind of coffee? it sounds like you don't know what to expect, but what you do get is not what you want. there are some good cafes in boston...go to one and order a plain coffee. black. then tell us what you think...

other than that, i don't know what else to say. hmmm...

[Kirosia]

I think you're right. I also think I just may be unexperienced. The more I drink, the more I get used to it... but I've still yet to discover the actual "flavors". (The ones that in the bean descriptions) And your roast is actually better than the ones I have, I was able to drink an entire cup (sans the sludge) without ill effects.

I actually haven't been to Boston in awhile... probably won't for a long time.

[ezkcdude]

I have a Fresh Roast Plus 8 roaster, a Gaggia Carezza espresso machine, and a Solis Maestro grinder.

[kugino]

Originally Posted by Kirosia

I think you're right. I also think I just may be unexperienced. The more I drink, the more I get used to it... but I've still yet to discover the actual "flavors". (The ones that in the bean descriptions) And your roast is actually better than the ones I have, I was able to drink an entire cup (sans the sludge) without ill effects.

I actually haven't been to Boston in awhile... probably won't for a long time.

take the stated flavors with a grain of salt. while i do believe that the palette can be trained and learn to distinguish subtle flavors, i often laugh at the flavors that people say they taste in coffee. while i do taste things like "chocolate" or "tobacco" or "citrus," etc. in different cups, it's often very subtle. my favorite is when someone said they tasted "meyer lemon" in a certain cup...meyer lemon?!?! how can someone tell it's meyer lemon as opposed to a regular lemon? i call BS. but then again, it's not unlike this forum where people say they hear minute differences between one lossless vs. another lossless

[Kirosia]

I wish I could taste made-up flavors.

I'm getting used to the coffees, but I still have a hard time "enjoying" them... perhaps a little milk or sugar? I've read that some people have a hard time tasting the nuances unless there are additives. Perhaps I'll try it tomorrow.