Espresso Enthusiasts

[Scepticalscribe]

Sorry for the problem. Here's the link...

https://bluebottlecoffee.com/store/..._medium=email&utm_campaign=201606ethiopialong

Thank you.

I don't know what to say except I love this post.

I also love rain. Plenty of it where I hail from, obviously.
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Congrats!

Be careful, you'll get corruptespresso'd again.
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I dig coffee. I just do.

And thank you.

I am still mulling over what might match well with Ethiopian coffees; in an earlier post, @Kurwenal suggested Indonesian coffee, and I might yet try Kenyan, or Rwandan coffees, on the principle that African coffee may blend well with African coffee.

Then again, as it is two years since I have had the pleasure of drinking some, I might yet order some Los Inmortales from Intelligentsia before their annual season of that runs out.

 

[Shrink]

I dig coffee. I just do.

Wait...

Someone (an apparent interloper) on this thread "digs coffee"!?

Go figure...

(For you youngsters reading this thread..."dig" = like, love, be fond of, take pleasure in, be keen on, delight in, appreciate, relish, revel in, adore, lap up, savor,)

Isn't that @Kurwenal just the bee knees!

 

[mobilehaathi]

Wait...

Someone (an apparent interloper) on this thread "digs coffee"!?

Go figure...

(For you youngsters reading this thread..."dig" = like, love, be fond of, take pleasure in, be keen on, delight in, appreciate, relish, revel in, adore, lap up, savor,)

Isn't that @Kurwenal just the bee knees!

Damn youngsters! They better get up to speed on their slang else they ought to 23 skidoo!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Wait...

Someone (an apparent interloper) on this thread "digs coffee"!?

Go figure...

(For you youngsters reading this thread..."dig" = like, love, be fond of, take pleasure in, be keen on, delight in, appreciate, relish, revel in, adore, lap up, savor,)

Isn't that @Kurwenal just the bee knees!

Ah, the (now obsolete vocabulary of the summer of love).......isn't it extraordinary how language - especially the slang of the young, changes so fast and dates so rapidly?

This is one of the few regrets I have about the fact that I am no longer in the classroom; the students were wonderfully generous with their detailed (and scatological) explanations for terms and expressions I had encountered, guessed the meaning of - usually correctly - but had sought guidance with regard to the etymology and linguistic development of the expression in question. I must say that teaching kept my vocabulary very much up to date.

Then, again, I remember the day at lunch when Decent Brother (at home as a 'mature' student studying law) and I (teaching at the time in the local university) both agreed that a certain individual (probably a politician, as we were always discussing politics) 'was a complete wanker'.

Mother, who was pretty modern, was lost in her own world, but, somewhat startled, abruptly returned her attention to the table talk.

Her trance interrupted, she lifted her head and idly enquired what on earth we were talking about. Decent Brother looked at me - with an intense expression - what works of fiction might describe as 'a significant look'.

My problem is while I get the intensity, I cannot always translate it accurately: Does this "significant look" mean a command that states: "Say nothing?" Or, can it be inferred that this is a recommendation that one furnish "a complete and unambiguous explanation"? Is it a plea for misdirection, or distraction? Or an entreaty for me to do the needful, and proffer an explanation for something that adult men might be uncomfortable enlightening their mothers about?

Anyway, diplomacy at the lunch table was not my forte, and I bluntly enlightened Mother with a single sentence - a three or four word terse explanation - which left no room for misunderstanding. She stared at us both, astounded, and murmured, "I see".

Nevertheless, my expression may well have been somewhat similar (but I like to think that intellectual curiosity won out over astonishment) when I had discussed with my students the etymology and exact linguistic development of the verb 'shaft'; their succinct explanation led me far beyond my original understanding of the word.

But, yes, 'digs'........there was a time when the people who used that term were inexpressibly 'cool'.

Now, well.....

But some of the slang of the First World War, and - indeed - the Second World War found their way into the everyday use of English; once they were 'cool', then, they became commonplace, and finally, they became emblematic of the vocabulary of a bunch of boring old farts, old-timers who had served in the military, but who are expressing themselves in a language that describes wars that are now barely at the edge of living memory.

 

[Shrink]

Ah, the (now obsolete vocabulary of the summer of love).......isn't it extraordinary how language - especially the slang of the young, changes so fast and dates so rapidly?

This is one of the few regrets I have about the fact that I am no longer in the classroom; the students were wonderfully generous with their detailed (and scatological) explanations to terms and expressions I had encountered, guessed the meaning of - usually correctly - but had sought guidance with regard to the etymology and linguistic development of the expression in question. I must say that teaching kept my vocabulary very much up to date.

Then, again, I remember the day at lunch when Decent Brother (at home as a 'mature' student studying law) and I (teaching at the time in the local university) both agreed that a certain individual (probably a politician, as we were always discussing politics) 'was a complete wanker'.

Mother, who was pretty modern, was lost in her own world, but, somewhat startled, abruptly returned her attention to the table talk.

Her trance interrupted, she lifted her head and idly enquired what on earth we were talking about. Decent Brother looked at me - with an intense expression - what works of fiction might describe as 'a significant look'.

My problem is while I get the intensity, I cannot always translate it accurately: Does this mean a command that states: "Say nothing?" Or, does it mean a recommendation that one furnish "a complete and unambiguous explanation"? Is it a plea for distraction? Or an entreaty for me to do the needful, and proffer an explanation for something that adult men might be uncomfortable enlightening their mothers about?

Anyway, diplomacy at the lunch table was not my forte, and I bluntly enlightened Mother with a single sentence which left no room for misunderstanding. She stared at us both, astounded, and murmured, "I see".

Nevertheless, my expression may well have been somewhat similar (but I like to think that intellectual curiosity won out over astonishment) when I had discussed with my students the etymology and exact linguistic development of the verb 'shaft'; their succinct explanation led me far beyond my original understanding of the word.

But, yes, 'digs'........there was a time when the people who used that term were inexpressibly 'cool'.

Now, well.....

But some of the slang of the First World War, and - indeed - the Second World War found their way into the everyday use of English; once the were 'cool', then, they became commonplace, and finally, they became emblematic of the vocabulary of a bunch of old-timers who are expressing themselves in a language that describes wars that are now barely at the edge of living memory.

Although wanker is not US slang...my understanding of it precludes a polite definition. So your explanation surely must have raised Mum's eyebrows.

Apologies for going off topic...I'll now have some java...which is the berries!

(Get it!? Coffee comes from berries, and "the berries" means...oh, he's just so groovy! )

 

[mobilehaathi]

Although wanker is not US slang...my understanding of it precludes a polite definition. So your explanation surely must have raised Mum's eyebrows.

Apologies for going off topic...I'll now have some java...which is the berries!

(Get it!? Coffee comes from berries, and "the berries" means...oh, he's just so groovy! )

Man, your puns are totally tubular! Far out...

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Damn youngsters! They better get up to speed on their slang else they ought to 23 skidoo!

Twenties slang. Wow.

Although wanker is not US slang...my understanding of it precludes a polite definition. So your explanation surely must have raised Mum's eyebrows.

Apologies for going off topic...I'll now have some java...which is the berries!

(Get it!? Coffee comes from berries, and "the berries" means...oh, he's just so groovy! )

Groovy, I remember.

Man, your puns are totally tubular! Far out...

And far out. Yes, that rings a bell or two....

In the absence of my students, I have found Urban Dictionary a very reliable friend on some of these threads.

Well, while I cannot come up with a coffee analogy for Crown Jewels - I do recall a much later occasion, when, serving abroad with a colonel - a guy who was an absolute gentleman, we became good friends - where the discussion fell to describing a (local) high ranking political character, who richly merited many adjectives that were not remotely complimentary.

Asked his opinion, the colonel was torn between his need to advise me honestly (and accurately), express his contempt and detestation of the individual in question freely, and the manners (exemplary) that had been drilled into him as a boy and young man, a world when men from his background did not utter certain words in front of (younger) women (to whom a changed world meant that he now reported to). He met my eyes and replied "It rhymes with banker. And both (this was not long after the 2008 crash) fully merit this word."

 

[Scepticalscribe]

And now, to set about and potter about making a nice........pot of coffee. Mostly Ethiopian, naturally enough.

 

[Shrink]

And now, to set about and potter about making a nice........pot of coffee. Mostly Ethiopian, naturally enough.

Enjoy!

I was wondering...was that Ethiopian bean to which I gave you the link of any interest?

 

[S.B.G]

This morning I made some French Press coffee and decided to change the brew time from my usual 8 minutes to 5 minutes. While it still tasted okay, I noticed a marked difference in the strength of it and it was decidedly weaker than I like it.

 

[Shrink]

This morning I made some French Press coffee and decided to change the brew time from my usual 8 minutes to 5 minutes. While it still tasted okay, I noticed a marked difference in the strength of it and it was decidedly weaker than I like it.

I'm hoping that our friend @Kurwenal will comment on this. He has a very specific method for press (go figure!) and I'd love to see his explanation for his press method.

If I remember correctly he brews for only three minutes thirty seconds. Seems a bit short to me, so I'd like to know why.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well, a handsome pot (my Le Creuset French Press, preheated, naturally enough), and two impressively solid mugs (Le Creuset, pre-heated, naturally enough) of coffee, three quarters Ethiopian, and one quarter Brazilian is going down very well.

The OE Lido grinder spun handily when I was grinding the coffee as well, so that did not rank as torture, or even, excessive effort.

And served with homemade (by the French bakery) French butter biscuits shot through with small bits of French chocolate.

Earlier, I had my freshly squeezed juice, one (one of the very last, rapidly shrinking few) blood orange, one Moroccan orange, and a big, fat, squashed pink grapefruit. For today, I decided to forego lemons, though they are normally to be found in my freshly squeezed juice.

So, the coffee is has clear, clean, bright notes, (characteristic of Ethiopian coffee) and a little acidity, and 'bite' courtesy of the Brazilian. A blend that seems to work well, then.
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This morning I made some French Press coffee and decided to change the brew time from my usual 8 minutes to 5 minutes. While it still tasted okay, I noticed a marked difference in the strength of it and it was decidedly weaker than I like it.

I'm hoping that our friend @Kurwenal will comment on this. He has a very specific method for press (go figure!) and I'd love to see his explanation for his press method.

If I remember correctly he brews for only three minutes thirty seconds. Seems a bit short to me, so I'd like to know why.

Precisely, because I used to drink darker roasts, and thought I liked my coffee very strong, and - even more precisely - because for the past year and a half, I have been drinking lighter roasted coffee (mainly, though not exclusively, Ethiopian) I have learned that the usual recommended four minutes steeping time may not be quite enough, and three - for my tastes - is really not long enough.

While I am not anal (in that I do not have a stop watch to hand - just a rough glancing at the watch when the coffee starts, and checking again some minutes after I have filled the pot), I tend to allow for roughly a minute where I have poured a small amount of hot water with the coffee grounds, then, having stirred that, it will be followed by the rest of the water, which I tend to let steep for around five or so (it is not exact), perhaps six, minutes.

My sense is that times may have to be adjusted - or compensated for - depending on the bean, the brew, and the level of roasting that the coffee has been roasted to.

 

[S.B.G]

I just received notification that my order for espresso roasted beans has shipped. Provided the USPS delivers as promised, which is always hit and miss, I should have it in two days.

Also a side note since I'm making espresso again, when I knock the puck out of the PF and they sit in there all neat and tidy, they remind of Oreo cookies. Cookies, as a diabetic, I shouldn't have (but want) any more.

 

[mobilehaathi]

I just received notification that my order for espresso roasted beans has shipped. Provided the USPS delivers as promised, which is always hit and miss, I should have it in two days.

Also a side note since I'm making espresso again, when I knock the puck out of the PF and they sit in there all neat and tidy, they remind of Oreo cookies. Cookies, as a diabetic, I shouldn't have (but want) any more.

How are you enjoying your return to espresso? I usually go in waves, espresso for a few weeks, then pour over, then back. For the most part it's because I only have a single grinder and switching settings is a pain in the butt. My only 'complaint' about espresso is that I tend to drink a lot more coffee! I do enjoy the ritual of lingering over a big cup, and those little double shots go down so fast.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well, the Ethiopian Coffee Company have just phoned me, interrupting the news on TV.

An issue, they said, with my credit card. The past two times (yes, this is a recurring saga) it transpired that they had transcribed the details incorrectly. And, yes, sad to relate, this has transpired to have been the case again today. (Two digits were transposed).

Anyway, I was able to take advantage of their phone call to inform them that their espresso coffee was - is - quite lovely and that I am making decent inroads into it.

Meanwhile, today was the first day in over a fortnight (between being out due to ill health, most likely a version of my cold, and being away on holiday for a week) that the substitute carer made an appearance, allowing our Filipino carer most of the day off.

Mother was delighted to see her back - she put on ABBA (which Mother loves), and chatted with her and teased her.

However, the main reason I am posting this in the espresso thread is that the substitute carer simply loves good coffee, and was in transports of delight at the pot of coffee that I made - and served - earlier today.

 

[S.B.G]

How are you enjoying your return to espresso? I usually go in waves, espresso for a few weeks, then pour over, then back. For the most part it's because I only have a single grinder and switching settings is a pain in the butt. My only 'complaint' about espresso is that I tend to drink a lot more coffee! I do enjoy the ritual of lingering over a big cup, and those little double shots go down so fast.

Its fun to go through the ritual of preparing the espresso and its still an acquired taste for me that I'm getting used to. Espresso has such a strong punch to it compared to press. But I'm enjoying it nonetheless.

Like you I also love lingering over a big cup of coffee, which is what I did this morning. I didn't have a lot of time to prep for, and clean up after an espresso before I had to leave for work.

 

[Shrink]

Its fun to go through the ritual of preparing the espresso and its still an acquired taste for me that I'm getting used to. Espresso has such a strong punch to it compared to press. But I'm enjoying it nonetheless.

Like you I also love lingering over a big cup of coffee, which is what I did this morning. I didn't have a lot of time to prep for, and clean up after an espresso before I had to leave for work.

It appears that while I was away the preparation of espresso among the denizens of this thread has declined. As I am no longer able to produce my favorite brew, I am so happy to see that good friend @SandboxGeneral is picking up the mantle.

Go for it, Mate!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Yes, these days, it is true, while I tend to drink espresso when I am out - though not always - but I will very rarely make it when at home.

 

[JamesMike]

I've been gone Friday through yesterday evening. Caffeine-free sounds insane, I know, but something about sleeping/waking with the sun seems to render caffiene unnecessary.

Well, I too am somewhat singularly devoted to Ethiopians. Actually I have a box with 6lbs of various Ethiopian varieties sitting here just waiting to be roasted.

Having spent 21 years in the military, a good cup of coffee or tea in the field was a must.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Having spent 21 years in the military, a good cup of coffee or tea in the field was a must.

Hehehe, I'm guessing military field exercises/actual deployment is a bit more demanding than my leisure time in the Sierras. I suspect I'd agree with you about it being a must!

 

[Shrink]

Having spent 21 years in the military, a good cup of coffee or tea in the field was a must.

A question...was a GOOD cup of coffee available while in the field?

Or...while in the field, was anything good!

 

[AVBeatMan]

Its fun to go through the ritual of preparing the espresso and its still an acquired taste for me that I'm getting used to. Espresso has such a strong punch to it compared to press. But I'm enjoying it nonetheless.

Like you I also love lingering over a big cup of coffee, which is what I did this morning. I didn't have a lot of time to prep for, and clean up after an espresso before I had to leave for work.

I too am trying to accustom myself to the espresso. I also find it a little too strong. I do however really enjoy one with a bit of milk after a few drinks. Probably not recommended but "hey-ho", there you go...

I too am trying to accustom myself to the espresso. I also find it a little too strong. I do however really enjoy one with a bit of milk after a few drinks. Probably not recommended but "hey-ho", there you go...

Ps, I thought I'd changed my user name?

 

[JamesMike]

A question...was a GOOD cup of coffee available while in the field?

Or...while in the field, was anything good!

After having military coffee in the field, we learned to bring our own coffee.

 

[Shrink]

I too am trying to accustom myself to the espresso. I also find it a little too strong. I do however really enjoy one with a bit of milk after a few drinks. Probably not recommended but "hey-ho", there you go...

Mate, my take is that you enjoy your coffee, however it is produced, however it is drunk, anyway you like. The point is to enjoy it...not to live up to the standards of others.

Others my offer their opinions, their preferences, their tastes...but it's your coffee to enjoy as you wish.


Edit: Why change your username?

 

[S.B.G]

A question...was a GOOD cup of coffee available while in the field?

Or...while in the field, was anything good!

After having military coffee in the field, we learned to bring our own coffee.

It was my experience that the "coffee" in the military isn't what we'd call coffee as denizens of this thread. It was more like badly flavored used motor oil.

Ps, I thought I'd changed my user name?

To change your username, read this FAQ and then send your request the admins here.