Coffee Appreciation

theholyghost

Hi,

I like coffee but I'm pretty ignorant about it. I stopped drinking old fashioned instant coffee at home in favour of those newer ones like Milicano but now I find they are not doing it for me anymore either, they are not like real coffee. On top of this I read things like "oh that Starbucks stuff is no good" and I'm reading a book about the history of coffee at the moment and it talks about the milder stlye of Colombian beans versus Brazilian beans etc. And well I don't know what I'm drinking or what I might enjoy more.

So, I was wondering is there such a thing as a coffee appreciation course or afternoon where you get to sample different beans etc. a bit like wine tasting?

Im fascinated by coffee and I want to know more!

Gran Hermano

http://www.3fe.com/education/

Get yourself signed up

PPC

http://www.chemistryviews.org/details/ezine/694285/Espresso__A_ThreeStep_Preparation.html and http://www.chemistryviews.org/details/ezine/712299/Espresso__A_Feast_for_the_Senses.html are a good read on espresso.

Find the way you like your coffee prepared, buy different beans and try perfect it.
Then try as many other methods are you can, the more you try the more you'll learn, and its a lot of fun to do so.

I normally get 2 different single espressos in 3fe with a glass of water and do comparisons, its interesting to see how different each one can be.

Gran Hermano

Get a hand grinder, aeropress and some fresh beans.
Check brewmethods.com

theholyghost

Thanks for the tips, propper coffee maker for Christmas I think.

Gran Hermano

theholyghost wrote: »

Thanks for the tips, propper coffee maker for Christmas I think.

Look forward to seeing you around these parts then.

Remember a good grinder is more important than the machine.

Jezek

I'm also gonna recommend the moka pot ( for an espresso-like coffe) - it's very cheap and the resulting coffee can be used in a few different ways. Also, it's kinda foolproof and you don't have to fiddle with it too much to get it to work and make great coffee. I got mine for 20 euro. I also totally agree that the grinder is important, got a little hand grinder that works great, its the Hario Mini mill if you're looking for specific recommendations.

llatsni

Drop into Karl in Coffee Angel on South Anne St. if you're in Dublin... he is always willing to have a chat and he really knows his stuff.

I think you should consider also (while you're there!) buying a hand grinder and an aeropress as Gran Hermano said:
http://coffeeangel.com/product/aeropress-travel-kit
62 eurons get's you set up with a very high quality brew kit.

theholyghost

This actually sounds a bit simpler than I thought!

So, all I really need is beans, a coffee grinder and an aeropress or moka pot to make good coffee? I don't need a fancy machine?

Also, are there two reference point beans? Like two beans on the extreme ends of the spectrum to help judge coffee in general?

Gran Hermano

You need freshly roasted beans but if you're moving up from instant you'd most likely have an epiphany with even stale whole beans from a supermarket.

http://www.hasbean.co.uk/collections/starter-packs/products/filter-starter-pack
http://bailiescoffee.com/categories/329/coffee-beans.aspx

Jezek

Hmm well there are beans from different places, try beans from south america vs african beans and compare, the flavour profile is v. different.

I'm gonna add coffeemojo.ie to the links where you can buy beans online.

If you can't wait pop down to the temple bar market on saturday morning and buy some beans from ariosa.

the keen edge

Can anybody tell me the best place to get a Moka pot preferably in Galway, or from an on-line shop?

Jezek

No idea about galway, but any fancy cafes might sell them. Also any homeware shops, catering supply shops, shopping centres might have them. Got mine from arnotts (you can order from there online).

Gran Hermano

the keen edge wrote: »

Can anybody tell me the best place to get a Moka pot preferably in Galway, or from an on-line shop?

You could try Home Store and More, online Amazon is best bet.

trap4

llatsni wrote: »

Drop into Karl in Coffee Angel on South Anne St. if you're in Dublin... he is always willing to have a chat and he really knows his stuff.

I have to second that after paying my first visit to Coffee Angel (South Anne St.) on Wednesday and having a lengthy chat with Karl. It was a pleasure to find a barista with such enthusiasm, and patience with the newbie questions. Not to mention the fact that the filter coffee I had was amazing - a real eye opener for anyone new to good coffee who thinks it's all about espresso based drinks.

theholyghost

Just dragging up my old thread again. I literally have no chance of getting to town before Christmas and was wondering would a Bialetti Moka Express pot be a dencent coffee maker to start with? I can get it in Home Store.

Also, any advice on getting a reasonably priced grinder?

Thanks!

adrian522

Yes, they're pretty good.

Check out a good hand grinder such as:

http://coffeeangel.com/product/hario-skerton-hand-grinder/

or

http://coffeeangel.com/product/hario-mini-mill-hand-grinder/

phelixoflaherty

Anthony Ryans down by the Market also for the mocca

If you are only starting get the coffee ground, Most suppliers do it.

http://www.badgeranddodo.ie/site/products/

This crowd in cork do, but you would want to order now to get it by thursday.

You can't beat fresh coffee