Espresso Enthusiasts

[Scepticalscribe]

Sipping a cup of lovely soothing Ethiopian coffee, wincing while keeping an occasional - brief and fleeting - eye on the Rugby World Cup, minding Mother, reading broadsheet newspapers, looking forward to a back and shoulder massage later in the afternoon, and noting a gloomy grey autumnal sky……..welcome to my Sunday.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Yesterday, I bought some more Ethiopian coffee (some pre-ground, heresy I know, but some mornings I just do not have time to grind my own as I rush to scramble out the door to catch an early train for a long journey elsewhere, and some as beans), both in a small elegant coffee shop I hadn't spotted before, and from another (online) source.

I'll hold out a little longer before contacting either The Ethiopian Coffee Company (in London) or Intelligentsia (in the US) for further supplies.

However, what did catch my eye yesterday, in this small elegant (German run) coffee shop, were some accessories. Among them, a copper coffee kettle and a copper (Hario) dripper. Impressed, and whimpering helplessly, I made discreet enquiries. After some discussion, they promised to phone me back, whereupon they informed me that the two on display are display items, but that it is - or would be - possible to order them for me.

Please tell me I don't need them…...

 

[mobilehaathi]

Yesterday, I bought some more Ethiopian coffee (some pre-ground, heresy I know, but some mornings I just do not have time to grind my own as I rush to scramble out the door to catch an early train for a long journey elsewhere, and some as beans), both in a small elegant coffee shop I hadn't spotted before, and from another (online) source.

I'll hold out a little longer before contacting either The Ethiopian Coffee Company (in London) or Intelligentsia (in the US) for further supplies.

However, what did catch my eye yesterday, in this small elegant (German run) coffee shop, were some accessories. Among them, a copper coffee kettle and a copper (Hario) dripper. Impressed, and whimpering helplessly, I made discreet enquiries. After some discussion, they promised to phone me back, whereupon they informed me that the two on display are display items, but that it is - or would be - possible to order them for me.

Please tell me I don't need them…...

Oh, I do like copper...

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Oh, I do like copper...

Sigh. So do I. Very much.

An aside: My copper Le Mauviel casserole was used this evening by the Carer to make a lovely Filipino noodle dish at my request - I realised that we hadn't had it for a few months….

Anyway, Google Hario Pourover Copper Set - this is what I am pretty sure I was looking at, or something awfully like it, and let me know what you think…...

 

[mobilehaathi]

Sigh. So do I. Very much.

An aside: My copper Le Mauviel casserole was used this evening by the Carer to make a lovely Filipino noodle dish at my request - I realised that we hadn't had it for a few months….

Anyway, Google Hario Pourover Copper Set - this is what I am pretty sure I was looking at, or something awfully like it, and let me know what you think…...

Looks like a very handsome set! Well, it is all manual brew, so keep that in mind for those difficult mornings where you simply can't make your coffee before you have your coffee....

 

[Reticuli]

My first coffee since having my appendectomy on Sunday. Standard home made latte. Espresso made from the espresso beans at a local coffee shop

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Looks like a very handsome set! Well, it is all manual brew, so keep that in mind for those difficult mornings where you simply can't make your coffee before you have your coffee....

Everything I do at present in the realm of coffee is 'manual', (as I tend to make coffee with either a French press, or a Hario dripper) with the exception that sometimes, I will use pre-ground ground coffee (as in beans that I have already previously requested to have been ground) to use in a Hario dripper when I am rushing out the door to catch a train, or bus, or taxi, or plane…..

But, yes. That is a handsome set.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Everything I do at present in the realm of coffee is 'manual', (as I tend to make coffee with either a French press, or a Hario dripper) with the exception that sometimes, I will use pre-ground ground coffee (as in beans that I have already previously requested to have been ground) to use in a Hario dripper when I am rushing out the door to catch a train, or bus, or taxi, or plane…..

But, yes. That is a handsome set.

Well, then, if you want me to spend your money, I say go for it.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well, then, if you want me to spend your money, I say go for it.

Ah, somehow, I had a feeling you'd say that…

It is a beautiful set, and that pouring kettle can pour with what I am sure is elegant precision. Well, I shall think about it….

 

[mobilehaathi]

Ah, somehow, I had a feeling you'd say that…

It is a beautiful set, and that pouring kettle can pour with what I am sure is elegant precision. Well, I shall think about it….

Well, I have the stainless steel version of the copper kettle, and it is one of the best pieces of pour over equipment I've bought. Precise and easy to control water flow, I'd certainly go for a kettle like that if you're lacking one.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well, I have the stainless steel version of the copper kettle, and it is one of the best pieces of pour over equipment I've bought. Precise and easy to control water flow, I'd certainly go for a kettle like that if you're lacking one.

Our mutual friend @Kurwenal recommended one, some time ago, and I did wonder whether it was excessively gilding the proverbial lily. However, as the kettle I use is a standard (but powerful) electric kettle, something which allows for precision is to be welcomed.

Do you apply a heat source directly to that stainless steel kettle when boiling water, or transfer boiling water from elsewhere?

(However, I will say that the two pieces of gorgeous copper coffee equipment looked simply stunning….)

 

[mobilehaathi]

Our mutual friend @Kurwenal recommended one, doe time ago, and I did wonder whether it was excessively gilding the proverbial lily. However, as the kettle I use is a standard (but powerful) electric kettle, something which allows for precision is to be welcomed.

Do you apply a heat source directly to that stainless steel kettle when boiling water, or transfer boiling water from elsewhere?

(However, I will say that the two pieces of gorgeous copper coffee equipment looked simply stunning….)

I put it directly on my gas stove, bring to boil, pour into my filter/cone/cup for preheating, turn the heat to low and replace the kettle. Then I grind my beans, dump the water, and start the brew process. Ideally I'd bother with a thermometer (more likely is I may upgrade to a precise electric kettle) to make sure I'm pouring at 208F, but in practice I simply remove the kettle and wait for the water to settle and the bubbles to dissipate.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

This morning, I sipped a blend of three different Ethiopian coffees; a perfectly pleasant way to greet an overcast autumn day.

 

[Kurwenal]

Did someone say kettle?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Did someone say kettle?

Actually, recently, I treated myself to a cast iron kettle (not entirely unlike the one shown in your picture) in which to make tea.

Copper kettles for coffee, however, are something else entirely, and may I admit to a discreet drool at the sight of your copper kettle complete with the accessory of an elegant blue flame supplying much needed heat…...

 

[Gutwrench]

Did someone say kettle?

Love that picture. Does the copper kettle handle get hotter than heck?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Love that picture. Does the copper kettle handle get hotter than heck?

Examining the picture, it seems to me to be made from a different material. But yes, copper conducts heat exceedingly well, and stays warm for quite a long time, too.

 

[mgguy]

Did someone say kettle?

The kettles are nice, but I would love to have that range.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Every so often, I remind myself that there are more coffees in the world than those produced by Ethiopia.

Whereupon, I prod myself to head out and buy some. Virtually, of course, as many (though not quite all) of my coffee purchases take place online.

And then, I am reminded - as I have been this morning, sipping some - yes - very good Kenyan coffee - just why I love Ethiopian coffee in the first place. Now, the Kenyan doesn't know it yet, but its fate will include blending with some varietals from Ethiopia in the coming days….

 

[MonkeyDavid]

Every so often, I remind myself that there are more coffees in the world than those produced by Ethiopia.

I grew up not drinking coffee. My parents didn't drink it, and when a guest came over wanting coffee, my mom would pull out an old percolator, and would always comment that she wish coffee tasted like it smelled--the smell of that percolator was wonderful, but the taste was what you would expect--bitter and thin (she was probably using some supermarket ground coffee can that had been in the pantry for years).

In 1987 a friend camped out and got great tickets to the first two shows of U2's Joshua Tree tour (this was in Tempe, Arizona--I was at ASU at the time). I bought tickets from him, front row for the second show next to him, but way in the mezzanine for the first with a spare ticket. I sold the ticket next to mine to an Ethiopian exchange student who lived in our dorm.

You can probably see where this is going--walking across campus to the arena, he mentioned coffee, and I said I didn't drink it. He was shocked, and said "that is because you have not had coffee from my country." There was one of the first serious coffee places (I think it was Coffee Plantation, although it might not have had that name yet). We got some Yirgacheffe, and I was hooked. It did taste like it smelled! Better, even.

It's fun reading this long thread because I've been through all the research over the decades, tried lots of methods. I love most of them, but french press Yirgacheffe is still my favorite...

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I grew up not drinking coffee. My parents didn't drink it, and when a guest came over wanting coffee, my mom would pull out an old percolator, and would always comment that she wish coffee tasted like it smelled--the smell of that percolator was wonderful, but the taste was what you would expect--bitter and thin (she was probably using some supermarket ground coffee can that had been in the pantry for years).

In 1987 a friend camped out and got great tickets to the first two shows of U2's Joshua Tree tour (this was in Tempe, Arizona--I was at ASU at the time). I bought tickets from him, front row for the second show next to him, but way in the mezzanine for the first with a spare ticket. I sold the ticket next to mine to an Ethiopian exchange student who lived in our dorm.

You can probably see where this is going--walking across campus to the arena, he mentioned coffee, and I said I didn't drink it. He was shocked, and said "that is because you have not had coffee from my country." There was one of the first serious coffee places (I think it was Coffee Plantation, although it might not have had that name yet). We got some Yirgacheffe, and I was hooked. It did taste like it smelled! Better, even.

It's fun reading this long thread because I've been through all the research over the decades, tried lots of methods. I love most of them, but french press Yirgacheffe is still my favorite...

Wonderful post, @MonkeyDavid, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and thank you for taking the time to post it.

Well, I have long loved coffee, - as a small child I adored the scent - and later, as a teen, and asa student, I was 'that kid' (one of only two in my wider circle of literary, political sort of intellectual types) who used to make real coffee with a French press even then. People - adults and students - knew that the coffee was always good in our house, and, from the age of around nine or ten, it was my task to make it.

However, in recent years, I have had an epiphany with Ethiopian coffee. Nothing else comes close, and, when I stray, (as I do, succumbing to seductive adjectives and a desire to try out the coffee from other places), I end up regretting it.

Yes, even that spicy Kenyan coffee (sharp forest fruit), will be blended with some Ethiopian coffee. I love the smoothness, the easy sweetness, yet the bright clear notes of good Ethiopian coffee.

 

[decafjava]

Something poetic in drinking coffee from the country it is supposed to have originated from, I love the dancing goat story even if it is no doubt a legend.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/coffee/legend1.html
Anyway I love Yirgacheffe coffee and never hesitate when it is for offer at my favourite local coffee shop.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Something poetic in drinking coffee from the country it is supposed to have originated from, I love the dancing goat story even if it is no doubt a legend.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/coffee/legend1.html
Anyway I love Yirgacheffe coffee and never hesitate when it is for offer at my favourite local coffee shop.

Oh, agree, completely.

Most of the time, these days, I drink little other than Ethiopian coffee. However, stunning and superb though Yirgacheffe is, it is not the only Ethiopian coffee that I will happily drink, much though I love it.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well, this morning I decided to cut that Kenyan coffee with some excellent Yirgacheffe from Ethiopia. I tried half and half and ground the beans; the Ethiopian has certainly tamed the Kenyan beans, and the bright, clean notes which are the clear signature of Ethiopian coffee come through strongly.

Now, I am debating adding a second Ethiopian - perhaps Sidamo, - to the mix, in a proportion of two thirds Ethiopian to one third Kenyan. That could be even better.

 

[Mike in Kansas]

I shouldn't be surprised given that they've been taking a very clear move into large mass markets (selling cold brew coffee in grocery stores, etc.), but I just read that Stumptown was bought by Peet's. Hmm.

Unfortunately the consolidation that is being seen in the craft coffee industry has made its way to the craft beer industry as well....