OT - Things I Can’t Live Without - the COFFEE edition

MaskedMarvel · November 25

Greetings friends,

Oh coffee.. I love you so..

I drink five to ten cups a day, throughout the day. When I had the fancy restaurant job, that included two dbl espressos before the shift.

Now, where I work doesn’t even HAVE a coffee machine. WTAF?!?!

So, I’ve been systematically upgrading the home coffee game.

First, was the newest Keurig with all the temp and size options. The five skewer version. Had to do that first - simplicity seems to be the key when introducing systems. And it, paired with the reusable basket, does make really good coffee. We use Brita fancy filtered water (the better version).

Next was the grinder. We always had one, but it was a cheap (though passable) burr grinder that started shooting coffee shrapnel out of where the gaskets failed. So, I upgraded to a Baratza Virtuoso +. Adaptable to make espresso grind when we get there, and user replaceable parts make it a machine for the long haul. We tried the Baratza Encore ESP Pro, but it was terrible. Beans clogged in the hopper. Adding a baffle to the Virtuoso + ensured low retention and an exact grind every time. Really really love it.

We only use a local roaster that I’m friends with. Fantastic FANTASTIC beans. And because I know him, he delivers to my front door on his runs. Armando is THE MAN.

….

Currently gently considering a Moccamaster 60 oz. drip machine. An industry standard, this thing is hand assembled in the Netherlands, boasts consistent water temps throughout the brewing process, and finishes brewing in under six minutes. 60 oz keeps me from having to brew over and over again, though I don’t mind the ritual. It’s $280 on sale at Amazon right now…

….

finally, my cup takes one pack of stevia IN THE RAW and a tiny splash of quality half and half. I like black coffee too, if the quality is high. Stace likes it the same, but she uses real sugar. We use warmed sentimental mugs, or Yeti or Zojirushi on the go.

Any coffee maniacs? Any advice?

Hope your day is well caffeinated!
8-D

ColbyLang · November 25

3 am fun daily mandates caffeine. I don’t do energy drinks. Coffee only. Community Coffee is local to Louisiana. It’s what we serve at work and I serve at home. Black, nothing added.

My wife will drink whatever at home but is often guilty of the Starbucks/local coffee place latte/cappuccino whatever

fishlessman · November 25

the large at mcdonalds is my morning go to. dunkins and starbucks are not good, especially that burnt tasting bitterness of starbucks

and for 2 dollars its the large mcafe

Corv · November 25

I sometimes take half of a caffeine tablet since I don't care for coffee. Only sometimes, though, since I hate being addicted to anything.

alaskanassasin · November 25

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/nx/qmgcnl4f5zq2.jpeg

We love the Jura. Absolutely a game changer

Canugghead · November 25

About 3 cups a day here, wouldn't say I'm addicted though since I can do whole day without when I'm too busy.
Aeropress at home, McDonald's on the road, Delonghi when visiting kids.

Hope I don't get too deep into the rabbit hole, just gifted myself with this toy last week.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/zr/sw4z1kt6i5qh.jpg

MaskedMarvel · November 25

Some very nice
machines there…

GrateEggspectations · November 25

Have heard great things about the Moccamasters.

Used drip for many years and was very happy. Always brewed very strong coffee. Loved that I could program it the night before, wake up, and effortlessly pound three cups of coffee - usually, with cream only.

When we moved just over five years ago, we bought ourselves an espresso machine and grinder as an housewarming gift and have used nothing since. Very happy, but I also miss the drip sometimes. Ideally, I’d use the drip on weekdays and the espresso machine on weekends. Just too complicated though. Would rather have to keep tabs on one kind of bean only. I really like the Lavazza Gran Crema. Have tried and liked a lot of local stuff, but price to quality, the Lavazza - available at Costco - is hard to beat.

All coffee has shot up in price rather astronomically these last years.

Canugghead · November 26

@GrateEggspectations Bada## gears you got there. IIRC a nephew of mine has something similar. He also roasts his own beans, he has a dedicated roasting room in the basement with exhaust vent pipe.

My son recommends Costco's Level Ground (from Peru). Apparently oily beans are my lazy man Delonghi's worst enemy, is Lavazza Gran Crema oily? btw Costco has it on sale ($6 off) till Dec 7.

GrateEggspectations · November 26

@Canugghead

Thanks. I mainly bought it for making us cappuccinos on weekends. Would love to roast my own beans, though I understand it takes some knowledge and work (and possibly equipment).

Will have to try Level Ground. I like all the Lavazza beans and they have been much less oily than a lot of other brands I’ve tried. I don’t like to switch up the beans more than I have to, as the grind is slightly different with each and the machine should really be recalibrated for each change. Running some cheap stuff I don’t love from Costco now and because I haven’t adjusted the grinder accordingly, it ends up rather dense and really slows the extraction.

Thanks for the heads up on the Gran Crema beans. I’ll have to grab some.

OT - Things I Can’t Live Without - the COFFEE edition

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