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Espresso Enthusiasts
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I hope you enjoy it.
Today's coffee was also 100% Ethiopian. And - yes - quite delicious.
Tastes nice but wow! Strong! Used just a tablespoon full. Next time I'll try a flat spoon full.
Good morning. Here is a shot of my first cup of the day. It's the Barrington Coffee 'Gold' blend and its my first taste of it too.
Tasting notes include, as described on the bag: dense chocolate, spice box and dried fruit.
I can indeed taste all of those things too. Spice box is most prevalent upon your first sip and is contained primarily in the crema and the chocolate and dried fruit in the main body of the coffee.
Overall, its not too bad tasting. Its not in my top favorites, but its good nonetheless. I didn't have any proper containers to keep this in which is why I opened the original bag only today after I decided to toss out the Barrington Coffee '713' blend which I just didn't like. That freed up a container for the 'Gold' blend.
Tasting notes include, as described on the bag: dense chocolate, spice box and dried fruit.
I can indeed taste all of those things too. Spice box is most prevalent upon your first sip and is contained primarily in the crema and the chocolate and dried fruit in the main body of the coffee.
Overall, its not too bad tasting. Its not in my top favorites, but its good nonetheless. I didn't have any proper containers to keep this in which is why I opened the original bag only today after I decided to toss out the Barrington Coffee '713' blend which I just didn't like. That freed up a container for the 'Gold' blend.
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Aaah. Such a lovely looking cup of coffee!
I had my first cup this morning, Atomic Cafe French Roast blend. For those who enjoy a very dark roast produced by press or pour over, this is a delicious blend. But be forewarned, it is a very dark roast so the taste is quite strong, bold, and assertive.
That looks lovely - those little espresso cups are gorgeous, aren't they?
Another thing in your post that is worth noting is your comment that you binned some coffee you decided that you didn't like.
What an excellent idea - it takes confidence in one's own judgment and palate be able to do that, especially if the coffee isn't redeemable by blending - or, better still, that you decide you don't wish to even try to test whether it can be redeemed or not, and prefer to bin it instead.
Well done. It took me a while to muster up the courage and confidence to do that - to admit 'this is horrible, I don't like it, why waste time preparing and drinking it - out it goes'.
Anyway, a mug (Le Creuset) of coffee (Ethiopian) lies near my hand.
Not really my cup of tea, then. (Um, coffee, that was a figure of speech).
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Yes, indeed, I've only done that once before I think. I gave the '713' blend several chances up to and including last evening and no matter how I prepared it, it just didn't do it for me. I didn't see any sense in continuing with it when I have 3 other blends on hand to use and not enough containers for all of them.
It does bother me a little, nonetheless, to throw out food/money like that though. But I'll get over it.
Well, that is the very point - and very well said.
I recall having almost to force myself to throw stuff out that I had come to realise I couldn't stand. You are supposed to enjoy drinking coffee, and I came to realise that forcing yourself to drink something you don't like just because you paid money for it, is sort of wasting time, and ensuring that you do not enjoy that which you are supposed to enjoy.
So, to my mind, now, it is a bigger waste of 'quality of life' to force yourself to continue to drink stuff you dislike - and know will never improve - rather than to force yourself to 'get your money'e worth'.
And, sometimes coming to the bottom 20% of a coffee that I haven't been crazy about, it, too, will meet the bin, especially if the enticing aroma of an unopened packet of Ethiopian coffee is tempting me nearby.
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That is a very good way of looking at it. Many times I'd do just that and force myself to drink, consume or use something so I could get my money's worth out of it when I probably should have gotten rid of it sooner.
Well, you sort of find yourself sitting there, drinking stuff that you wouldn't tolerate in Starbuck's.
Worse, this is stuff you are supposed to be enjoying, and you are drinking it because you have told yourself that you paid for it and that, therefore, to waste it is wrong, as it was discretionary spending. Yet, every mouthful is a struggle. That is when it should be introduced to the bin.
I have to tell myself that it is not a waste of money - that I have learned something valuable (which is I don't like this particular coffee, of bean, or blend, and that I will not contemplate buying it again).
That is when it gets binned, and the bag of Ethiopian beans enthusiastically ripped open instead. You inhale, with relief and pleasure, and think........aaaaaaaah. This is what it should be all about.
Wow, I was quoted about a specific coffee app on their website. I wrote about 'The Great Coffee App' for iOS here in this thread a year or two ago and also made a post on my own website too. They found it on my website and added it to their page as an endorsement of their app under the section of 'In the Press'. Pretty cool, I'm a member of the Press now! haha. 
http://greatcoffeeapp.com/
http://greatcoffeeapp.com/
Wow, I was quoted about a specific coffee app on their website. I wrote about 'The Great Coffee App' for iOS here in this thread a year or two ago and also made a post on my own website too. They found it on my website and added it to their page as an endorsement of their app under the section of 'In the Press'. Pretty cool, I'm a member of the Press now! haha.
http://greatcoffeeapp.com/
Nice to see your name in lights, isn't it?
Well done and congrats.
I'm quite keen on purchasing Ikea's version of an Italian stovetop espresso maker and giving it a go. It's quite cheap at $20 USD for 4 cups and it's made of what looks like 18/10 stainless steel. I will say their French Presses have stood the test of time or in other words, 2-3 pressings of tea leaves a day. No gunk between the seam folds, no shattering, no etching of the glass. Rather good quality. There are gems within Ikea's shelves. It just takes quite a bit of testing to find them.
If we don't like coffee, we find another use for it. Might make liqueur from it. Much better than any store bought stuff. Or we may make a cold brew out of it which releases the fruity nuances of the coffee. Or we'll simply grind it up and throw it into the compost bin or into the roses bushes. Or brew it, make them into ice cubes and store them in the chest freezer for iced coffee blends. Good for about 8 months before they turn to freezer burn flavor.
If we don't like coffee, we find another use for it. Might make liqueur from it. Much better than any store bought stuff. Or we may make a cold brew out of it which releases the fruity nuances of the coffee. Or we'll simply grind it up and throw it into the compost bin or into the roses bushes. Or brew it, make them into ice cubes and store them in the chest freezer for iced coffee blends. Good for about 8 months before they turn to freezer burn flavor.
Basically a moka pot? At $20 I'd probably just purchase one from Bialetti. I've never found Ikea cookware to be particularly well built.
Agreed. I second this.
Bialetti moka pots aren't that expensive, they make proper coffee, look great and are a design classic.
Considering I own several now thanks to @Scepticalscribe teasing me with many around Christmas last year, including a large SS Bialetti, it's more of a go. I've asked around, it doesn't break down. Comparing the several Bodums I've gone through due to shattering like stupid, the Ikea product has been far more reliable. Even when I've stupidly went from scalding hot water to cold water from the faucet, excepting it to crack in about a dozen pieces. Even dropped the damn thing on tile floors. The product is highly reviewed over at ChowHound, Reddit's coffee section and other cooking forums online. I've got a mushroom cleaning brush from Ikea that I've had for oh 14 years now and it's lasted longer than "professional" and more expensive products. I think I paid $8 for mine.
Our Kitchenaid Blender did finally give out 2 weeks ago, much to my absolute disappointment. I bought it before I got married, engaged I think. Rubber spiral drive motor (awful design), 8 speed control with pulse, brushed stainless steel jug with soft-flex cap. It blended hot soups before I learned of immersion blenders, smoothies, iced coffees and fraps, and a lot else. I ended up popping off to the store and picking up another Kitchenaid blender. Pro Line something. Quite expensive for a blender mind you. Thermal Protection jar, whatever that means. I wish they made it in stainless steel. Seeing vegetable and fruit matter blend in front of your eyes can be grotesque.
/tangent
Anyway, $20 is cheap. And considering their $10 French Press has so far lasted longer than $15-80 Bodums and taken far more accidental drops, temperature changes, and whatnot.
Our Kitchenaid Blender did finally give out 2 weeks ago, much to my absolute disappointment. I bought it before I got married, engaged I think. Rubber spiral drive motor (awful design), 8 speed control with pulse, brushed stainless steel jug with soft-flex cap. It blended hot soups before I learned of immersion blenders, smoothies, iced coffees and fraps, and a lot else. I ended up popping off to the store and picking up another Kitchenaid blender. Pro Line something. Quite expensive for a blender mind you. Thermal Protection jar, whatever that means. I wish they made it in stainless steel. Seeing vegetable and fruit matter blend in front of your eyes can be grotesque.
/tangent
Anyway, $20 is cheap. And considering their $10 French Press has so far lasted longer than $15-80 Bodums and taken far more accidental drops, temperature changes, and whatnot.
Well, I've already decided to bin this. Awful.....It has a kind of horrible burnt taste.
Well, to be honest, reading the coffees that this tin said it contained/included, I would have been surprised (but pleased for you) had it worked out well.
Firstly, I don't recall ever coming across coffee from India; secondly, (Brazilian) Santos would probably not be classed among my favourites, and - thirdly, while I do like some of the African coffees, the use the term 'Central Africa' is a bit vague to my mind. I'd like a bit more precision.
There is nothing wrong with writing 'Rwandan' coffee, for example, but I suspect that an inferior coffee - which they preferred not to name - was used instead.
And, if it is burnt: Well, it is possible that it is over roasted. Some Italian and French coffees come in a very dark roast; their saving grace is that the good ones can taste very good indeed.
But a dark roast and poor quality beans? Not a match in heaven, made........
Good to hear some of their stuff works well and lasts. My partner had a few pans and other kitchen items that were dreadful. Is this stovetop machine different from a moka pot in some way?
Throw it out into your garden. Keeps gnats and other small bugs away and provides a nitrogen release for months. I use it around my mint plants to keep aphids away.
As for burnt coffee, I've had my fair share of overly roasted French. I'd say the worst was when it smelled of cigarette smoke after brewing it and tasted like it. I briefly smoked many years ago when I was younger and a fool at that, and it brought me back to the ashy taste. When I was even younger, I dated a woman for a couple years who enjoyed incredibly strong dark roast brews. By strong I mean not only in flavor but brewed strong enough that the coffee gave legs in a mug when swirled around. I always made an excuse as to not drink her brewed coffee. Anytime I did, I ended up with foul heart burn and the taste of wicked strong coffee in my mouth for hours, even after brushing.
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We have a large paella pan. We don't make paella often, but it's fantastic for a large egg dish when we have company over for brunch or breakfast, like in laws staying over...
As for burnt coffee, I've had my fair share of overly roasted French. I'd say the worst was when it smelled of cigarette smoke after brewing it and tasted like it. I briefly smoked many years ago when I was younger and a fool at that, and it brought me back to the ashy taste. When I was even younger, I dated a woman for a couple years who enjoyed incredibly strong dark roast brews. By strong I mean not only in flavor but brewed strong enough that the coffee gave legs in a mug when swirled around. I always made an excuse as to not drink her brewed coffee. Anytime I did, I ended up with foul heart burn and the taste of wicked strong coffee in my mouth for hours, even after brushing.
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Just stainless steel. I saw it in person last summer, but I'll have to go see it again. It was stamped 18/10, meaning it was a highly polished stainless steel and it had more of some other metal in it to give its shine. 18/10 SS is often of higher quality because stains don't permeate it as well as lower quality 18/8 SS. SS cookware is tricky to work with if you're not used to how SS works. We keep a small NS pan and a large skillet type NS around just in case. We don't use it often, but it's the only NS pans we own. It's best to buy your kitchen products a la carte as opposed to buying it in a set. Get what you want, not what a manufacturer dresses up in a set.
We have a large paella pan. We don't make paella often, but it's fantastic for a large egg dish when we have company over for brunch or breakfast, like in laws staying over...
Just finished my afternoon cup. Some Intelligentsia El Diablo dark roast.
Just delicious!
Nothing like a wonderful cup of coffee...
Just delicious!
Nothing like a wonderful cup of coffee...
If you do get it, let us know how you like it!
Re pans, yes, between gifts and careful saving we are gathering a collection of rather nice cookware (i.e. Le Creuset Dutch oven, All-clad copper core, etc.). Absolutely worth it, for us, as we prepare literally 95% of the meals we eat.
Re cookware, I have a mix of superb Italian stainless steel (a wonderful set by Lagostina I managed to stalk in a sale almost twenty years ago), some French Le Creuset, some serious French copper cookware by Le Mauviel, and a few handmade copper sauté pans I got in Italy.
And yes, agreed, well worth it, if you like to cook and prepare good quality food.
We're the sort of family that give cookware gifts, as all three of us like to cook: For my brother's fortieth birthday some years ago, I got him a set of stainless steel cookware from the excellent German company Fissler, and he also has some of my Le Cresset that I don't use.
Afternoon folks, can I just ask your opinion of this grinder I'm considering? Don't want to pay much more than this (maybe another time) but for now what do you think? How good or bad?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product...act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product...act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
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