What kind of beans do you like?
My favorite was some Sulawesi Toraja from a few years ago, roasted as unevenly as possible (I like the pungent, wine-like taste of the lower roasts, especially w/ the Indonesian stuff). It was heaven in a coffee cup. Nutty, fruity, buttery, not very bitter, but still with good body, good flavor, that changed even as it cooled down (so the first and last sip of a cup were somewhat different), and a perfect caramel-chocolate aroma.
Other than that, I prefer to mix some light South American with heavy African.
Oh, I'd also recommend getting some Indian monsoon coffee. It seems to do a good job of cleaning my coffee stuff. Crap that I thought wouldn't come off without some serious chemicals comes right out with soap and water after a couple presses with some Indian stuff (I've tried three different Monsoon coffees, different tastes, same result). It must be terrible for my digestive system!
How dark do you like the beans roasted?
Generally as dark as it won't taste burnt. I think I'm going to stick, from now on, with coffees that handle getting at least
into the second crack, as it's really easy to stop it then by the sound. Every popper's hood I've got is just too brown now to be able to do much checking by sight.
How fine do you grind your beans?
I haven't gone to the trouble of a good burr grinder, yet, so I just grind them until they look fine enough, then don't drink all of it, so that minimal sludge gets in the cup. No real hard measurements of any kind, just, "looks good," and brew. With drip, even less work--I wait until the grinder's motor sounds like it's not straining anymore.
What method do you use to brew your coffee?
French press, of course.
If I've got some monsooned beans, I'll use, clean and brew with my dad's Bunn VPR (I have been diagnosed w/ ADD; my love of coffee and tea is genetic
). It does a good job, but he takes terrible care of it (OTOH, to do that is the reason
he got it). I'll probably get a similar one some time after I move out. With a little cleaning and use of unbleached filters, or running an empty pot before using the filter, it does make a good pot.
I've had two cheap espresso makers, as well. To anyone who wants to get one: spend the money for one that you can take apart, or don't bother (I'm not bothering). Between so-so cups from using steam for everything (it should have a boiler and a separate pump), and not being able to take the units apart to clean, it's just not worth it.
Do you have a preferred type of cup?
No. If it has a handle, it will work.
