Stuck with Instant Coffee for now. What are my options?

stockshares

Since the restrictions like many I can't get out to try good freshly ground coffee so Im stuck with Instant coffee for now.

I'm tired of drinking it as it's much of a muchness regardless of brand.

From reading other threads the options are to either get an Aeropress, French press or worst case scenario an Espresso Machine.

Can anyone recommend a budget model for each of the above.

In the meantime can anyone recommend an Instant Coffee. Ive tried to find better than the usual Nescafé etc so tried LOR Classique but there's no real difference.

Thanks for any help.

shaveAbullock

Shops still deliver coffee beans and grinders.

Bluefoam

I'm in a similar boat and went straight for the Espresso Machine... Theres plenty of people still delivering. I'm gonna try to educate myself while I have a small bit of extra time.

Espresso Machine:
https://cloudpickercoffee.ie/collections/equipment/products/sage-the-bambino-plus-save-100-april-special-only

Chemex:
https://cloudpickercoffee.ie/collections/equipment/products/chemex-classic-woodneck-6-cup

Aeropress:
https://cloudpickercoffee.ie/collections/equipment/products/aeropress

My bother uses a Chemex & I like it.

stockshares

shaveAbullock wrote: »

Shops still deliver coffee beans and grinders.

Is a grinder different to the French press.
From what I read on boards the Aeropress Is more like an espresso Machine.

Bluefoam wrote: »

I'm in a similar boat and went straight for the Espresso Machine... Theres plenty of people still delivering. I'm gonna try to educate myself while I have a small bit of extra time.

Espresso Machine:
https://cloudpickercoffee.ie/collections/equipment/products/sage-the-bambino-plus-save-100-april-special-only

Chemex:
https://cloudpickercoffee.ie/collections/equipment/products/chemex-classic-woodneck-6-cup

Aeropress:
https://cloudpickercoffee.ie/collections/equipment/products/aeropress

My bother uses a Chemex & I like it.

Thanks for the links I'll check those out now

Hodors Appletart

Aeropress is a standard price, get it from an Irish roaster so you can guarantee quick delivery, amazon has delays

Have you a way to grind coffee? you can get ground from the irish lads, but you'd be better getting beans and grinding them yourself if you can. a decent hand burr grinder will be ok for you

an aeropress is not a machine, but supposedly produces the best espresso-like coffee from a manual contraption

otherwise, french press is always good, but better for larger batches, you can go chemex or v60 for pourover coffee, a plastic v60 would be cheap enough.

Here are some links to those various pieces of kit, pick one of the first thre, and the last one too.

Aeropress

v60 Dripper

French Press

Hand Grinder

Canterelle

stockshares wrote: »

Since the restrictions like many I can't get out to try good freshly ground coffee so Im stuck with Instant coffee for now.

I'm tired of drinking it as it's much of a muchness regardless of brand.

From reading other threads the options are to either get an Aeropress, French press or worst case scenario an Espresso Machine.

Can anyone recommend a budget model for each of the above.

In the meantime can anyone recommend an Instant Coffee. Ive tried to find better than the usual Nescafé etc so tried LOR Classique but there's no real difference.

Thanks for any help.

Azera, definitely the best of the instant coffees!

shaveAbullock

stockshares wrote: »

Is a grinder different to the French press.
From what I read on boards the Aeropress Is more like an espresso Machine.



Thanks for the links I'll check those out now

A grinder is for turning to beans into coffee grind.
A french press does not make espresso but it is still far superior to instant coffee.

stockshares

Hodors Appletart wrote: »

Aeropress is a standard price, get it from an Irish roaster so you can guarantee quick delivery, amazon has delays

Have you a way to grind coffee? you can get ground from the irish lads, but you'd be better getting beans and grinding them yourself if you can. a decent hand burr grinder will be ok for you

an aeropress is not a machine, but supposedly produces the best espresso-like coffee from a manual contraption

otherwise, french press is always good, but better for larger batches, you can go chemex or v60 for pourover coffee, a plastic v60 would be cheap enough.

Here are some links to those various pieces of kit, pick one of the first thre, and the last one too.

Aeropress

v60 Dripper

French Press

Hand Grinder

Thanks that's a great help. How do the Chemex and V60 pour over methods compare to the French Press.

I'm leaning towards the Aeropress and the Grinder atm. Can I order Beans from an Irish Roaster or do they only sell Ground coffee. I'd like to order everything in one go if possible.

Canterelle wrote: »

Azera, definitely the best of the instant coffees!

Thanks, do you mean Nescafé Azera?

shaveAbullock wrote: »

A grinder is for turning to beans into coffee grind.
A french press does not make espresso but it is still far superior to instant coffee.

In your opinion is the French Press superior to the Aeropress?

zweton

Bluefoam wrote: »

I'm in a similar boat and went straight for the Espresso Machine... Theres plenty of people still delivering. I'm gonna try to educate myself while I have a small bit of extra time.

Espresso Machine:
https://cloudpickercoffee.ie/collections/equipment/products/sage-the-bambino-plus-save-100-april-special-only

Chemex:
https://cloudpickercoffee.ie/collections/equipment/products/chemex-classic-woodneck-6-cup

Aeropress:
https://cloudpickercoffee.ie/collections/equipment/products/aeropress

My bother uses a Chemex & I like it.

Can any of these do a good latte?

Bluefoam

zweton wrote: »

Can any of these do a good latte?

The Sage Bambino has a really good steaming wand... That's one of my main reasons for choosing it. I occasionally like a milky coffee & this can do lattes and cappuccino

zweton

Sounds good, this is all new to me. By any chance is it possible to make a latte from an aeropress? I know theres no wand obviously but as an aside or something. I have an aeropress from years ago.

carltonleon

Why don’t you get your coffee delivered?

I get my coffee beans from Bell Lane Coffee in Mullingar... Delivered monthly but I ordered a supplemental batch to make sure I had enough... one of life’s great pleasures

shaveAbullock

stockshares wrote: »

In your opinion is the French Press superior to the Aeropress?

No they are both different but both are far superior to instant coffee.

The Haven

Yeah, I feel the pain.
A while ago, I stopped purchasing instant coffee, and looking into switching to purchasing artisan wholebean coffee to grind and filter.

My chosen method is V60, but could try FrenchPress first.
Leaning towards a burr grinder vs a hand grinder atm.

Onto my last jar of instant coffee now, eagerly awaiting the switch.
Probably 1-2 months before I finish this jar, then purchase everything...

stockshares

I've found this guide comparing home brewing methods.
https://www.koobiescoffee.com/french-press-vs-chemex-vs-aeropress-vs-pour-over/

Like Appletart said previously there are four main options for manual home brewing.

Aeropress(like Espresso pressure method)
Chemex(large volume Drip filter)
French Press(Immersion + Plunger)
A Pour Over(e.g a V60, slow pouring drip filter)

You need to use Ground coffee for all methods. You can grind the coffee beans yourself using a Grinder or buy pre ground coffee.

Newtown90

zweton wrote: »

Sounds good, this is all new to me. By any chance is it possible to make a latte from an aeropress? I know theres no wand obviously but as an aside or something. I have an aeropress from years ago.

Unless you have a separate milk froather... Still wouldn't be the same as what your expectations are.

stockshares

Weepsie wrote: »

Aeropress, good beans, even good quality ones ground from 3fe, coffee angel, silverskin or any of the many other good Irish coffee sellers (we do have some great options) is all you need for good coffee at home.

Does the Aeropress produce only one serving at a time. If so is it much if a nuisance to use if your making coffee for a few people. Would a French Press be better for multiple brews.

Also is the V60 a very slow method if brewing for a few people. Is it mainly suitable for one serving at s time or can it provide multiple servings.

J_E

stockshares wrote: »

Does the Aeropress produce only one serving at a time. If so is it much if a nuisance to use if your making coffee for a few people. Would a French Press be better for multiple brews.

Also is the V60 a very slow method if brewing for a few people. Is it mainly suitable for one serving at s time or can it provide multiple servings.

French press is ideal for larger groups as you can get a larger container.

Aeropress is really intended for single servings, you can brew a higher concentration and dilute for two but it's really meant for one.

V60 comes in 3 sizes, 01 and 02 are the standard sizes, you can comfortably brew 500ml of coffee with an 02 cone which is plenty for 2.
03 is even larger, but it's an unusual size and hard to come by the larger 03 filters in Ireland.

stockshares

J_E wrote: »

French press is ideal for larger groups as you can get a larger container.

Aeropress is really intended for single servings, you can brew a higher concentration and dilute for two but it's really meant for one.

V60 comes in 3 sizes, 01 and 02 are the standard sizes, you can comfortably brew 500ml of coffee with an 02 cone which is plenty for 2.
03 is even larger, but it's an unusual size and hard to come by the larger 03 filters in Ireland.

I think I'll go with the V60 to start and buy some pre ground beans to try it out.

After that I'll add a Grinder and Aeropress.

Thanks to all who helped out. I knew nothing of these methods before so it's been really educational.

In the meantime I looked up how Instant coffee is made and I was stunned. It's no wonder there is no flavour left.

lozenges

We've been using aeropress since coffee shops closed. There's only 2 of us and it's fantastic but definitely not practical if you're making coffee for more people.

Ordered coffee online from cloud picker, they and I presume most others will grind it for you when you order. Delicious.

Sleeper12

Power City sell cheap coffee grinders. Tesco sell coffee beans. We'd go through one or two bags of coffee beans a week in my house. Never could justify the rip off price of coffee shops in Dublin

stockshares

lozenges wrote: »

We've been using aeropress since coffee shops closed. There's only 2 of us and it's fantastic but definitely not practical if you're making coffee for more people.

Ordered coffee online from cloud picker, they and I presume most others will grind it for you when you order. Delicious.

Just found this while searching how to brew two servings at a time with the aeropress.

You can either dilute a higher concentrated single serving or use the Pour Over method using an Aeropress. See link
https://www.javapresse.com/blogs/aeropress/2-ways-brew-aeropress-coffee-for-two

On a different topic
I have Espresso capsules but don't have an espresso machine.Whats the best way of piercing these to make coffee without a machine?

lozenges

stockshares wrote: »

Just found this while searching how to brew two servings at a time with the aeropress.

You can either dilute a higher concentrated single serving or use the Pour Over method using an Aeropress. See link
https://www.javapresse.com/blogs/aeropress/2-ways-brew-aeropress-coffee-for-two

Thanks, will check it out!

shaveAbullock

I think you should get both aeropress and a large french press. The large french press is perfect if you have guests over and they are very cheap to buy.

Instant is disguising, I'd go without if that was the only choice.

stockshares

shaveAbullock wrote: »

I think you should get both aeropress and a large french press. The large french press is perfect if you have guests over and they are very cheap to buy.

Instant is disguising, I'd go without if that was the only choice.

I might do. Does anyone know if the French Press below which was recommended earlier by Appletart has good insulation. I've read that Coffee can go cold in French Presses quickly.
https://shop.3fe.com/product/timemore-french-press

Bluefoam

stockshares wrote: »

On a different topic
I have Espresso capsules but don't have an espresso machine.Whats the best way of piercing these to make coffee without a machine?

Now I just think your taking the Mick...

lawred2

Hodors Appletart wrote: »

Aeropress is a standard price, get it from an Irish roaster so you can guarantee quick delivery, amazon has delays

Have you a way to grind coffee? you can get ground from the irish lads, but you'd be better getting beans and grinding them yourself if you can. a decent hand burr grinder will be ok for you

an aeropress is not a machine, but supposedly produces the best espresso-like coffee from a manual contraption

otherwise, french press is always good, but better for larger batches, you can go chemex or v60 for pourover coffee, a plastic v60 would be cheap enough.

Here are some links to those various pieces of kit, pick one of the first thre, and the last one too.

Aeropress

v60 Dripper

French Press

Hand Grinder

that f**cking hand grinder :mad:

get electric would be my advice

also - I got that same one for about €20 on Amazon before Christmas.. €65 is gouging

shaveAbullock

lawred2 wrote: »

that f**cking hand grinder :mad:

get electric would be my advice

also - I got that same one for about €20 on Amazon before Christmas.. €65 is gouging

It was my understanding that you had to get a very expensive electric grinder to compete with the consistency of grind from a hand grinder.

It's not something I have any knowledge of, does anyone have more info?

stockshares

Bluefoam wrote: »

Now I just think your taking the Mick...

Ive seen videos where these capsules can be used by cutting the foil and submerging them in a mug until the coffee filters out. Theres different ways of doing it. I didn't ask the question in the right way. I've no idea what the quality of the coffee would be after doing it this way.

Is the coffee in the capsules superior to instant?

lawred2 wrote: »

that f**cking hand grinder :mad:

get electric would be my advice

also - I got that same one for about €20 on Amazon before Christmas.. €65 is gouging

Thanks for pointing out the price difference. Appletart did say though that there are delays in Amazon.

JoChervil

OP, you sound like a coffee lover. So I would go for Aeropress. It gives the best taste. French press is like brewing coffee in a cup. I actually hate this taste. And any coffee capsules are rubbish, you won't get this real espresso taste from them.

Because you use additional pressure to filter your coffee in Aeropress, so you will squeeze all the taste from it.

I use it for two people, so if you want it for guests just buy two. I use two filters with it metal plus a paper one.

But all this is to brew espresso shots. If you want to make Cappuccino or Latte, you have to have a milk frother: electric (using steam or a spinning part) or manual (it looks like a French press).

And if I have to drink instant coffee, so I like Azera Americano the most.

lawred2

shaveAbullock wrote: »

It was my understanding that you had to get a very expensive electric grinder to compete with the consistency of grind from a hand grinder.

It's not something I have any knowledge of, does anyone have more info?

The grind is good. But it just takes too long a time to do it.

killbillvol2

I went through all this debate with myself a few weeks ago when the lockdown started. I had a large French press and it's still my go to method as I like a huge mug of coffee in the morning (about 600 ml).

I got a V60 as an alternative as I have time on my hands. Makes great coffee but it's intricate.

Got a grinder from Amazon and have been ordering beans from Badger & Dodo in Cork. They deliver next day pretty much.

I never drank instant, usually used Lavazza ground coffee, but the difference in taste when you grind your own is huge.

stockshares

JoChervil wrote: »

OP, you sound like a coffee lover. So I would go for Aeropress. It gives the best taste. French press is like brewing coffee in a cup. I actually hate this taste. And any coffee capsules are rubbish, you won't get this real espresso taste from them.

Because you use additional pressure to filter your coffee in Aeropress, so you will squeeze all the taste from it.

I use it for two people, so if you want it for guests just buy two. I use two filters with it metal plus a paper one.

But all this is to brew espresso shots. If you want to make Cappuccino or Latte, you have to have a milk frother: electric (using steam or a spinning part) or manual (it looks like a French press).

And if I have to drink instant coffee, so I like Azera Americano the most.

I prefer a regular coffee which is referred to as an Americano in Coffee shops. A Cappuccino is nice but I find they go cold quickly. A Frother might be a good idea though for variety especially if guests call.

Altogether a Grinder, Aeropress, French Press and V60 would come to around €100 which is great value considering the cost of Espresso Machines.

shesty

This is intriguing!!
Azerra drinker here too, if I must.Badly missing a good daily coffee.
I am an absolute novice but where do moka pots
fit into all of this.??

JoChervil

shesty wrote: »

This is intriguing!!
Azerra drinker here too, if I must.Badly missing a good daily coffee.
I am an absolute novice but where do moka pots
fit into all of this.??

Moka pots give tasty coffee, yet I prefer Aeropress. First the old ones are usually made of aluminium, so not very healthy. The second it uses steam to brew the coffee. And this is what made me choose Aeropress in the first place. Coffee is the best made in a temperature lower than 100°, while steam has temperature higher than this.

But I used moka pots and was quite happy with them. But practically you can use them only with gas because of its diameter.

Technocentral

shesty wrote: »

This is intriguing!!
Azerra drinker here too, if I must.Badly missing a good daily coffee.
I am an absolute novice but where do moka pots
fit into all of this.??

You will get more flavour from a Moka pot than French Press, they are pretty good, but an Espresso machine is the only way to go imo, French Press and Aeropress don't do anything for me, you don't get that rich taste that I crave.

shaveAbullock

Technocentral wrote: »

You will get more flavour from a Moka pot than French Press, they are pretty good, but an Espresso machine is the only way to go imo, French Press and Aeropress don't do anything for me, you don't get that rich taste that I crave.

And if someone didn't have them money for a good espresso machine would you recommend Azera instant coffee over an aeropress or french press?

stockshares

lawred2 wrote: »

The grind is good. But it just takes too long a time to do it.

How long does it take. If you were to grind a large amount in one go to last for the day would it lose a lot of favour.

killbillvol2 wrote: »

I went through all this debate with myself a few weeks ago when the lockdown started. I had a large French press and it's still my go to method as I like a huge mug of coffee in the morning (about 600 ml).

I got a V60 as an alternative as I have time on my hands. Makes great coffee but it's intricate.

Got a grinder from Amazon and have been ordering beans from Badger & Dodo in Cork. They deliver next day pretty much.

I never drank instant, usually used Lavazza ground coffee, but the difference in taste when you grind your own is huge.

I cant figure out why the V60 is complicated, it looks the simplest method to me. Do you not just add the ground coffee onto the filter and then pour over it.

krissovo

Douwe Egberts pure indulgence or even the pure gold is my instant of choice when I need to get a decent fix away from civilisation. I do find with instants I get taste fatigue quite quickly so have a couple of different brands/blends to keep the taste buds in check.

Balmed Out

My wife and I only drink americanos, any budget bean to cup options that don't have those milk wands etc

shaveAbullock

stockshares wrote: »

How long does it take. If you were to grind a large amount in one go to last for the day would it lose a lot of favour.

It takes me about 15 mins to hand grind 150 grams of coffee.

Once ground I find it tastes best for at least a week or even after two it's still ok.
You should keep the unground coffee beans in an airtight container that does not let in light. A mason jar in a dark place is what I use.

killbillvol2

stockshares wrote: »

How long does it take. If you were to grind a large amount in one go to last for the day would it lose a lot of favour.



I cant figure out why the V60 is complicated, it looks the simplest method to me. Do you not just add the ground coffee onto the filter and then pour over it.

I said intricate, not complicated. You have to pour very slowly and evenly to get it right.

stockshares

shaveAbullock wrote: »

It takes me about 15 mins to hand grind 150 grams of coffee.

Once ground I find it tastes best for at least a week or even after two it's still ok.
You should keep the unground coffee beans in an airtight container that does not let in light. A mason jar in a dark place is what I use.

Thanks for the tip

killbillvol2 wrote: »

I said intricate, not complicated. You have to pour very slowly and evenly to get it right.

Apologies, so a lot of effort can be wasted if the water is poured carelessly.

Ive been reading about Automatic Drip machines that also grind coffee. Has anyone tried them?

silver2020

to the OP - we're on lock-down, isolation, cocooning.
WHY would you want to punish yourself and drink coffee flavoured dishwater?


as many posts said, plenty of options and the easier ones are available in many supermarkets.

But instant? - Nope.

stockshares

silver2020 wrote: »

to the OP - we're on lock-down, isolation, cocooning.
WHY would you want to punish yourself and drink coffee flavoured dishwater?


as many posts said, plenty of options and the easier ones are available in many supermarkets.

But instant? - Nope.

Do you mean there is good quality ground coffee in supermarkets? If so can you recommend some.

Technocentral

shaveAbullock wrote: »

And if someone didn't have them money for a good espresso machine would you recommend Azera instant coffee over an aeropress or french press?

No, instant coffee is dreadful anything is better including French Press, they are a tenner or so.

nigra

Bearing in mind a person's taste in coffee is fairly subjective, and instant isn't a good starting point... I find ALDI's Alcafe Gold Roast instant coffee is surprisingly good.

My other half who is a real coffee afficianado grudgingly agrees too

Bluefoam

zweton wrote: »

Sounds good, this is all new to me. By any chance is it possible to make a latte from an aeropress? I know theres no wand obviously but as an aside or something. I have an aeropress from years ago.

It might be worth your while watching James Hoffman's latest video:
https://youtu.be/ZgIVfU0xBjA

bergipau

I see 3fe just launched an instant coffee today. wonder what it is like.

Bluefoam

bergipau wrote: »

I see 3fe just launched an instant coffee today. wonder what it is like.

I'm intrigued by this... Does it not fly in the face of fresh coffee brewed in controlled fashion... Do any other small scale roasters do anything similar around the world? Looking forward to hearing people's reviews of it.

Squidgy Black

Bluefoam wrote: »

I'm intrigued by this... Does it not fly in the face of fresh coffee brewed in controlled fashion... Do any other small scale roasters do anything similar around the world? Looking forward to hearing people's reviews of it.

The Barn do it, as well as that crowd Voila.