Espresso Enthusiasts

[Scepticalscribe]

Actually, feisty is one word for it. Others may even say… a complete lack of humour



Good grief! Excuse me for offending your sensibilities.
It was a post written in good humour… pretty much a gentle dig at your descriptions of coffee (dare I call it that?) freshly flown in from the south western slopes of the highest Andean peaks in Peru, purest water drawn from Puerto Williams, temperature not a degree less than 93.25°C, presented (or would it be curated?) in a Volcano Le Creuset Mug on a Castilian leather coaster, placed on an 18th century table, resting on a 12th century Ottoman rug, lying on timbers from HMS Victory on foundations reaching back to Roman times…
Obviously you just chose not see that side of it and to progress straight to offended and for that I now feel compelled to apologise.

There are many things to be offended about these days, coffee is not one of them.

Edit: Just in case the red mist prevented you from reading the end of my original post.
"But with that said, I admire the enjoyment and enthusiasm you all find. So I will lift my mug and drink your good health and long may you enjoy your chosen elixir."

I would hope.

Well, mine by way of reply came off as more snarky than I intended, so apologies for that.

There is a thin line between 'enthusiasts' - which I will readily admit to - and - er - passionate enthusiasts, some of whom make me seem a mere dilettante.

Nevertheless, as I don't use emoticons, sometimes, it is hard to differentiate between tones used.

My brother was teasing me recently about the (excellent) coffee I offered him which he described as coffee that came from my 'koala caressed hand picked beans', so, touché.

Anyway, the substitute carer has arrived, and thus, I think it time to make us both some nice Ethiopian coffee.

On a more serious level, obviously, I think that anyone who mentions 'instant' (the "i" word) coffee here in laudatory tones is teasing those of us who like our coffee, - and, sometimes, indeed, express that liking with a degree of intensity that some (who dwell elsewhere) find more than a little strange - but, I really do think that instant coffee is absolutely awful, - and always did - and I really do like (real) coffee - and always have.

Actually, I like the aroma, the taste, the trappings, the rituals behind preparing it, and I like the history - such as the ambience of cities with coffee shops. Urban spaces with plenty of coffee shops - a public space where people can meet, read, write, think, chat, - tend to be extraordinarily civilised and cultured spots.

While I love pubs - especially old ones - a city space that has plenty of both pubs and coffee shops tends to have an agreeable ambience and cultured atmosphere.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Eventually, when the substitute carer - who loves her coffee - and I are now sipping mugs (Le Creuset) of hot, lovely Ethiopian coffee.

 

[decafjava]

While I love pubs - especially old ones - a city space that has plenty of both pubs and coffee shops tends to have an agreeable ambience and cultured atmosphere.

I can't disagree with that, and to add fuel to the debate on the perfect cup it seems science has a word on the matter.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/perfec-coffee-math-1.3855025

Coffee is one of the world's most popular beverages. In Canada, two thirds of adults drink at least one cup of joe a day.

But beyond the caffeine kick, cups of coffee can differ wildly. Whether you have a Tim Hortons habit, swear by Starbucks or prefer to brew your own beans at home, you never quite know what you're going to get.

That's why researchers at Ireland's University of Limerick are working on brewing the perfect cup of coffee.

The process is as complex as one might imagine - and as so many of you have said, the size of the grounds makes a big difference.

 

[Alexander.Of.Oz]

Ran out of the French Roast blend, am now back on the double roasted blend with the lovely dark chocolate notes. Yummy.

 

[0388631]

Very long day. Having my 2nd coffee in a 30 hour period. I had a dream last night that Mrs. Z presented me with an entire collection of first editions by Fleming. Sadly, that was a dream only because after I woke up I realized it was one. Curious about the prices as I collect first editions, I looked them up online and spoke to some bookstores here, Canada and the UK. As much as I love buying FEs, I can't imagine spending the amount it would be to collect all in hardcover in exquisite condition would fetch a price that would cause a cardiac infarction.


Anyway, per thread topic: Kenya AA.

Edit: There's something beautiful about first editions. It's a thrill to hold something so old in your hands. There lies history in your hands. Neatly cut and sewn together and attached to a hard cover. There lies often over a hundred years of sight and touch, and likely sputum from previous owners but those who collect gloss over that disgusting fact.

I want the damn Flemings.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Very long day. Having my 2nd coffee in a 30 hour period. I had a dream last night that Mrs. Z presented me with an entire collection of first editions by Fleming. Sadly, that was a dream only because after I woke up I realized it was one. Curious about the prices as I collect first editions, I looked them up online and spoke to some bookstores here, Canada and the UK. As much as I love buying FEs, I can't imagine spending the amount it would be to collect all in hardcover in exquisite condition would fetch a price that would cause a cardiac infarction.


Anyway, per thread topic: Kenya AA.

Edit: There's something beautiful about first editions. It's a thrill to hold something so old in your hands. There lies history in your hands. Neatly cut and sewn together and attached to a hard cover. There lies often over a hundred years of sight and touch, and likely sputum from previous owners but those who collect gloss over that disgusting fact.

I want the damn Flemings.

Well, I like First Editions, too, though I will pass with averted eyes over the gloriously liquid messy business of being human, and how this might have had an effect on a beautiful book. And I adore hardbacks.

For now, I am drinking a mug of coffee. The mug is by Le Creuset (I know that there will be a response the day I finally opt for something else), and the coffee is, well: Coffee. Ethiopian. Hot.

From the highlands of Yirgacheffe. And quite lovely, too. I made the substitute carer a mug, too, and made it somewhat stronger than usual, - wonderful.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

And how predictable is this? I am now sipping my second mug of Yirgacheffe coffee from the highland s of Ethiopia today.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Roasting up a pound of dry processed Ethiopian Fara Sala. Can't wait to have a cup.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Roasting up a pound of dry processed Ethiopian Fara Sala. Can't wait to have a cup.

Ah, fascinating.

While I have had a lot - quite a lot - of Ethiopian coffee over the past two years, I have never come across Fara Sala. Looking forward to your verdict and tasting notes.

More importantly, do take the time to enjoy the coffee.

 

[S.B.G]

Last week I bought some 90% chocolate to enjoy with my espresso, and I'm liking it better than the 85% I had the week before. It has half the sugar too, at only 3 grams per serving, and it tastes about perfect for me.

 

[0388631]

About to sit down to a large mug of French pressed Kenya AA, scones and a good book. Well, both of us. I'll be attempting a fire later on provided my wood is dry enough. I've been dumping road salt into my containers of chopped/cut wood in the hopes of keeping them drier than normal and keeping out bugs.

Ah, fascinating.

While I have had a lot - quite a lot - of Ethiopian coffee over the past two years, I have never come across Fara Sala. Looking forward to your verdict and tasting notes.

More importantly, do take the time to enjoy the coffee.

Nor have I.

 

[AVBeatMan]

Sunday morning. Cold but sunny. Been out for a long walk and to buy the papers. Now back. Coffee and ironing. Groan.....

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Sunday morning. Cold but sunny. Been out for a long walk and to buy the papers. Now back. Coffee and ironing. Groan.....

Well, yes, coffee and papers here, too.

Coffee. Ethiopian. Hot. From Yirgacheffe.

The papers - well, The Observer. On the sofa.

Ironing? Ah, no. That is something I only do under duress, and - if possible - will happily pay for others to do it for me, instead.

 

[AVBeatMan]

Yes, I agree, hate ironing. And I'm so bad at it! My mother does most of it. She lives about 500 yards down the road for me and pops over when I'm at work. She's marvellous! I just manage 5 shirts for the office and that's me done.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Yes, I agree, hate ironing. And I'm so bad at it! My mother does most of it. She lives about 500 yards down the road for me and pops over when I'm at work. She's marvellous! I just manage 5 shirts for the office and that's me done.

Well, my father used to do the ironing - pipe in mouth, whisky glass to hand, and classical music or jazz on the radio or CD player. He said he found it relaxing, but I think he had found a relaxing way to do it.

And, when I lived with one of my brothers to whom I am close, we took turns at week-ends to do the ironing.

However, I loathe it, and will happily pay for someone else to do it for me.

On topic, still sipping my Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, and debating whether another cup would add immeasurably to my day.

 

[AVBeatMan]

Yes, I agree, hate ironing. And I'm so bad at it! My mother does most of it. She lives about 500 yards down the road for me and pops over when I'm at work. She's marvellous! I just manage 5 shirts for the office and that's me done.

Just realised it's a dress down day on Friday so I didn't need to iron 5 shirts, only 4. Doh!

 

[0388631]

I used to go to great lengths to avoid ironing. Mostly because I was and still am awful at it. You're either naturally good at it or awful. It isn't a skill you can improve IMO. I'm having some warm chamomile tea. I spent the entire night in the kitchen preparing marinades, sauces and creaming herbed and spiced butters and remolding them into a solid block. I like the holidays and family, but in the back of my mind I can't help but think how dozens of hours goes down the drain in a matter of hours.

Chamomile tea with spearmint leave, ground anise and watched or rather listened to two films. The Grand Budapest Hotel and a film with Timothy Dalton in it. It was a historical regency film from the very few scenes I watched. Off to bed now.

I'm expecting some parcels on Monday containing wonderful coffee beans.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I used to go to great lengths to avoid ironing. Mostly because I was and still am awful at it. You're either naturally good at it or awful. It isn't a skill you can improve IMO. I'm having some warm chamomile tea. I spent the entire night in the kitchen preparing marinades, sauces and creaming herbed and spiced butters and remolding them into a solid block. I like the holidays and family, but in the back of my mind I can't help but think how dozens of hours goes down the drain in a matter of hours.

Chamomile tea with spearmint leave, ground anise and watched or rather listened to two films. The Grand Budapest Hotel and a film with Timothy Dalton in it. It was a historical regency film from the very few scenes I watched. Off to bed now.

I'm expecting some parcels on Monday containing wonderful coffee beans.

No, I beg to differ.

Oddly enough, as with many other skills, I think it is a skill you can improve upon.

However, it is not a skill I ever especially wanted to improve upon, because, not least, a situation might have arisen whee I was asked to do ironing for others as a consequence.

Now, - as my massage - which I had been looking forward to, has been cancelled fro the second week in a row - I think it is about time I contemplated making another cup of Ethiopian coffee....

 

[AVBeatMan]

I used to go to great lengths to avoid ironing. Mostly because I was and still am awful at it. You're either naturally good at it or awful. It isn't a skill you can improve IMO. I'm having some warm chamomile tea. I spent the entire night in the kitchen preparing marinades, sauces and creaming herbed and spiced butters and remolding them into a solid block. I like the holidays and family, but in the back of my mind I can't help but think how dozens of hours goes down the drain in a matter of hours.

Chamomile tea with spearmint leave, ground anise and watched or rather listened to two films. The Grand Budapest Hotel and a film with Timothy Dalton in it. It was a historical regency film from the very few scenes I watched. Off to bed now.

I'm expecting some parcels on Monday containing wonderful coffee beans.

I love Wes Anderson films and have a nice little collection of Criterion versions. All bought from the U.S. loved The Grand Budapest Hotel. One of my favorite films of the past few years or so.

 

[AVBeatMan]

Nice little offer here for those in the U.K.

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/househ...lass-set-glass-set-4-pieces-10025015-pdt.html

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I love Wes Anderson films and have a nice little collection of Criterion versions. All bought from the U.S. loved The Grand Budapest Hotel. One of my favorite films of the past few years or so.

Ah, yes; I like Wes Anderson, too, and absolutely loved Grand Budapest Hotel, as well.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Well, my father used to do the ironing - pipe in mouth, whisky glass to hand, and classical music or jazz on the radio or CD player. He said he found it relaxing, but I think he had found a relaxing way to do it.

And, when I lived with one of my brothers with whom I am close, we took turns at week-ends to do the ironing.

However, I loathe it, and will happily pay for someone else to do it for me.

On topic, still sipping my Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, and debating whether another cup would add immeasurably to my day.

Your father sure knew how to turn ironing into a pleasant experience!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Your father sure knew how to turn ironing into a pleasant experience!

I think he thought that too many people made it a punishing experience, whereas he sought to make it a agreeable one. He used to say that women should have a glass of wine - or whisky - while doing the ironing, and listen to music, and that this might make it more agreeable. He liked the physicality of it - and used to make a great job of my shirts.

Mind you, I do recall the evening he stuck his head in the living room, where my mother and I were watching something on TV, (either the news, or Star Trek, or a documentary - I can't exactly recall, but it was one of those as I watched nothing else), and wanted to vent his frustration.

Pipe in mouth, a few - possibly more than a few - gasses of good Scotch consumed, music (classical or jazz) playing in the background, he had been ironing one of his own shirts, and hot ash from the pipe (Turkish, and handmade) tumbled out onto his tie. He was not amused.

Instead of offering the sought sympathy, I regret to say we roared with laughter, leading to him withdrawing to the sanctuary of his whisky and his music.

Of course, his doing the ironing had come about unintentionally.

Both he and my mother had received major promotions in their respective jobs at around the same time, but hers meant that she became very busy and no longer had time to do much of the household stuff she had more or less done, (although we always had a cleaning lady) up to then.

His job - management in the state telephone company - meant shirt and tie, and so, he started ironing his own shirts without complaint. We, of course, took shameless advantage of that, and thus, he ended up doing the ironing for whoever in the house wanted stuff done. But, whisky, music and tobacco made it palatable. Sometimes, coffee with the whisky, too.

 

[mobilehaathi]

I think he thought that too many people made it a punishing experience, whereas he sought to make it a agreeable one. He used to say that women should have a glass of wine - or whisky - while doing the ironing, and listen to music, and that this might make it more agreeable. He liked the physicality of it - and used to make a great job of my shirts.

Mind you, I do recall the evening he stuck his head in the living room, where my mother and I were watching something on TV, (either the news, or Star Trek, or a documentary - I can't exactly recall, but it was one of those as I watched nothing else), and wanted to vent his frustration.

Pipe in mouth, a few - possibly more than a few - gasses of good Scotch consumed, music (classical or jazz) playing in the background, he had been ironing one of his own shirts, and hot ash from the pipe (Turkish, and handmade) tumbled out onto his tie. He was not amused.

Instead of offering the sought sympathy, I regret to say we roared with laughter, leading to him withdrawing to the sanctuary of his whisky and his music.

Of course, his doing the ironing had come about unintentionally.

Both he and my mother had received major promotions in their respective jobs at around the same time, but hers meant that she became very busy and no longer had time to do much of the household stuff she had more or less done, (although we always had a cleaning lady) up to then.

His job - management in the state telephone company - meant shirt and tie, and so, he started ironing his own shirts without complaint. We, of course, took shameless advantage of that, and thus, he ended up doing the ironing for whoever in the house wanted stuff done. But, whisky, music and tobacco made it palatable. Sometimes, coffee with the whisky, too.

Well, I admit to taking this line when it comes to cleaning up around the home, especially when doing the mopping.

On my second cup of my newly roasted coffee. It's really too early to be drinking it, but I had been going without coffee for a few days and couldn't resist. I think it'll be quite tasty in the coming days, fairly fruity and clean. Yum!

 

[JamesMike]

Yes, I agree, hate ironing. And I'm so bad at it! My mother does most of it. She lives about 500 yards down the road for me and pops over when I'm at work. She's marvellous! I just manage 5 shirts for the office and that's me done.

I found ironing a necessary tool for me while in the Army. Came in handy.