7 ms·

A Coder's Guide to Coffee

75 points by buluzhai 17y ago

syntaxfree 17y ago
Modafinil, anyone? Since I got on the stuff I only drink coffee in social situations.
chaosmachine 17y ago
If you find "mainstream" coffee enjoyable, is it really in your best interest to raise your expectations? If you suddenly find normal coffee lacking, have you really improved your life?
- swombat 17y ago
  It's quite plausible that if you find mainstream coffee enjoyable, you might find quality coffee even more enjoyable. If you find cheap wine enjoyable, that doesn't mean you won't find a Grand Cru a hundred times more delectable.
  - mseebach 17y ago
    Quite the opposite, in my experience. The more really good wine I try, the less I'm able to enjoy cheap wine. These days I prefer water over cheap wine, unless I'm specifically trying to get drunk. The same with coffee... after discovering freshly ground French press, I'll drink and really enjoy two cups a day, rather than the 6-10 cups of stale filter coffee I'd drink previously.
    - swombat 17y ago
      Yes. And the reason why you enjoy the quality coffee more than the cheap filter stuff is because it is more pleasurable. That is also the reason why you don't enjoy the cheap stuff anymore - because you know that it's actually pretty bad. You can still drink it anyway, but you know it's not that good. Suggesting that this is a bad thing is kind of suggesting that you don't think your tastes should evolve for the better throughout your life. Pushing this argument to its natural conclusion, we should all just eat candy, drink fizzy soda, and watch kids' cartoons for the rest of our lives. Do you think that's a better state than knowing that there are such things as fine food, great wine and inspiring movies and books?
      - spatulon 17y ago
        I recently became aware that I was unable to review a movie with anything more profound than, "It held my attention for two hours." I've been actively seeking out movies that are considered great, and just engaging my brain a bit more while I watch them. It has significantly increased my appreciation for many movies. It's also meant I've noticed more flaws, but it's made the experience of movie-watching so much more enjoyable and meaningful, and not just the time-killer it used to be.
      - mseebach 17y ago
        > Suggesting that this is a bad thing Oh, I didn't mean to imply that. I think it's great.
      - philwelch 17y ago
        "Yes. And the reason why you enjoy the quality coffee more than the cheap filter stuff is because it is more pleasurable. That is also the reason why you don't enjoy the cheap stuff anymore - because you know that it's actually pretty bad. You can still drink it anyway, but you know it's not that good. Suggesting that this is a bad thing is kind of suggesting that you don't think your tastes should evolve for the better throughout your life. " You're assuming that enjoyment and happiness always improve when drinking better coffee/wine/beer/etc. Untrue. If you're perfectly happy with what you have now, cultivating a more sophisticated taste will usually just frustrate you because now to get the same level of enjoyment you had previously you have to spend more money or time. Going back to what you had before doesn't return you to a baseline level of happiness, it makes you unhappy. To get back to the baseline you now have to regularly consume expensive or time-consuming coffee instead of the cheap stuff. If your goal in life is to enjoy the "finest things", go right ahead. If your goal in life is to be happy, then be very careful about raising the bar for things that you enjoy. Being able to enjoy cheap crap makes you just as happy as being able to enjoy expensive crap, but at lower cost. (As it turns out, this argument doesn't apply to books and movies and music because good books, movies, and music cost just as much as the crap ones, and because good art is intellectually stimulating, which is worthwhile for its own reasons.)
        swombat 17y ago
  - erlanger 17y ago
    I just discovered Night Train, and boy does Thunderbird taste like swill these days.
- jetako 17y ago
  It's like sushi. Mediocre sushi can be enjoyable, especially when you get a multi-course meal out of it. But premium sushi, the kind shipped straight from Japan or wherever the fish live best, is another thing entirely. You can't even compare the mediocre with the premium. Different planes of satisfaction. It's the difference between decent and incredible.
- discojesus 17y ago
  I've tried all the stuff mentioned in the article, and to me personally (allow me to repeat this to nip the obvious retorts in the bud - to ME, PERSONALLY :P) it hasn't made one bit of difference. I still use a french press, but that has a lot to do with convenience. I just don't grind it fresh anymore or spend tons of money on fresh-roasted beans - a bag of 8 O'Clock Colombian works just fine. So you might find that ultra-fresh coffee brewed in such a special way is the cat's pajamas, or you might like me find that it was way too much time, effort and money for way too little payoff. Trying new things is fun and worthwhile, but in this post-Internet post-9/11 pre-intergalactic wars world, product fetishism definitely abounds ("I won't take notes in anything except a Moleskine journal" and such). But as always, why em em vee.
  - colonhyphenp 17y ago
    I am in the same boat with the french press - I really can't tell that much of a difference between a cup of freshly roasted/ground french press coffee and a cup of coffee at Starbucks. However, I recently switched to an Aeropress single cup coffee maker, and it is a HUGE difference - it makes a small concentrated cup of coffee with very little bitterness, and brings out the coffee's natural sweetness. Also, I find it easier to use and clean than a french press. See http://www.aerobie.com/Products/aeropress_story.htm http://www.aerobie.com/Products/aeropress_story.htm
    - tortilla 17y ago
      Yep, I did the same. The French Press was great and all, but I couldn't produce a good cup consistently and it was quite messy. Didn't particularly like the grit either. Have been using the Aeropress for about 4 months straight and really love it. The flavors are great, clean up is quick and painless. Now I'm thinking about roasting my own beans. A local roaster recommended the Behmor: http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.behmor.php http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.behmor.php
      - xayide 17y ago
        I’ve never had good results using a french press with a blade grinder. You need such a coarse grind for the press, and fine grit is just inevitable with a cheap blade. I got a burr grinder several years ago, and my french press coffee has improved immensely. Of course, the clean up still sucks - I only break out the press for fresh, interesting coffee that I happen in to.
- tel 17y ago
  If you find mainstream coffee enjoyable, by all means stay with it! Homebrewed (lit.) coffee will definitely teach you to taste deficiencies in everything from restaurants to Starbucks, but if you don't already think they're there then it's definitely either cheaper or easier to just stay innocent. My experience was out of frustration with what I felt was watery or burnt or too sugary. Homebrew fits the bill perfectly. YMMV, yeah?
- petercooper 17y ago
  Not everyone finds higher quality stuff to be better. I prefer cheap white sparkling to champagne, and prefer instant coffee to any of the "nicer" coffees I've tried. But if you try higher quality coffee and prefer it, why not? It becomes a good treat.
- biohacker42 17y ago
  As someone who moved from Europe the US, I can tell you I envy Americans who have never tasted anything other then standard US food. Ignorance truly is bliss.
- baddox 17y ago
  The actual value of connoisseur-ship can be debated in ANY category, from coffee to beer to audio equipment, ad infinitum. I do think it would be worth it, since being able to discern depth, nuance, and quality is very rewarding. However, what I absolutely hate is arrogant connoisseurs, whether or not they actually know their stuff. You know the guy who asks what you're drinking, and when you say Miller Lite he scoffs and claims that all domestic light beers taste the same, then glances around to see who was impressed. I'm sure the same thing occurs in the coffee world.
silentbicycle 17y ago
Another interesting coffee variation is (forgive the lack of diacriticals here) ca phe sua da, Vietnamese iced coffee. (http://www.wanderingspoon.com/ws/Vietnamese_Coffee_-_Ca_Phe.html http://www.wanderingspoon.com/ws/Vietnamese_Coffee_-_Ca_Phe....)
drp 17y ago
We used a vacuum press at work for a couple of years. It makes great coffee and it's mesmerizing to watch, video here: http://daily.hotpads.com/hotpads_daily/2007/01/coffee_revoluti.html http://daily.hotpads.com/hotpads_daily/2007/01/coffee_revolu...
- hedgehog 17y ago
  The AeroPress (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GXZ2GS http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GXZ2GS) is another fun device, good coffee from a machine faster and easier to clean than a french press.
billymeltdown 17y ago
Oh it's totally show-and-tell time: I'm a big fan of the Stumptown roasters out of PDX, in particular, their "Hair Bender" roast.
colonhyphenp 17y ago
Whole Foods is a good place to go for freshly roasted beans - Most locations I have been to roast their coffee in the store and put roast dates on it.
nihilocrat 17y ago
Tea snobbery is a lot less complicated, and doesn't really require any special tools beyond a mesh strainer of some description.
- Mongoose 17y ago
  I couldn't disagree more. There's at least as much variety in teas as in coffees and the "skill" needed to expertly discern between them is an equal breed of obsession to that of the most affected coffee-snob. Tea preparation can be equally complex, requiring certain timing and techniques, depending on the type and grade of tea. Just sayin'.
raganwald 17y ago
http://merchantsofgreencoffee.com http://merchantsofgreencoffee.com I swear by them :-)
tom_b 17y ago
I'm a espresso fan. A double or triple shot americano to start the day is awesome, particularly when the kids (toddlers) have kept Mom and Dad up half the night. I use a Gaggia Classic espresso maker (bought used on ebay for a decent price) and a hacked Krups burr grinder (added #4 washers to allow the burrs to get a good espresso grind). It's hard to make a bad shot with this setup - easily beats what you can get at most coffee shops, except for one shop in my town that has both high quality baristas and a really good commercial espresso machine. I also have access to fresh, locally roasted organic espresso beans. If you're a latte or mocha fan, buy a stovetop steamer and do a little research on how to properly steam milk. Guests are usually impressed. It's a fun setup and I enjoy the preparation ritual. If only my kids were old enough to begin their barista training . . .
- proee 17y ago
  Do you have any stovetop steamers you recommend?
  - tom_b 17y ago
    I have the one pictured here (http://coffeegeek.com/reviews/accessories/stovetopfrother/ardy2d/4453 http://coffeegeek.com/reviews/accessories/stovetopfrother/ar...). I've had two of these - the first somehow broke at the thumb handle part internally, but it was replaced for free. The one thing I don't like about it is that where the top screws to the main body, there is a rubber gasket with holes about the diameter of a pencil eraser. You want one of these holes to match up with the hole on the steam wand - if you tighten the lid in a way that makes the gasket slide away from that, it seems like the wand isn't as effective. But with a little practice (oddly enough, the sound is the key), you get a really decent foam out of it. You won't be making latte art, but you'll do much better than the vaguely hot milk splashed around by some coffee shops. I found a thermometer to be really helpful as well - I use one that I bought for $5 at Borders one day on a whim. The other thing is that you have to let the steam pressure build back up between drinks - you can't really do three drinks in a row without doing that. But for one latte or mocha it's fine. It probably takes less than 5 mins on the stovetop to get the pressure back up though. If I get another stove top steamer, I'll probably try something like http://www.1-800-espresso.com/stove-top-steamer.html http://www.1-800-espresso.com/stove-top-steamer.html to avoid the gasket issue I mentioned. It's funny, but the stove top steamer works better than the steam wand on the Gaggia - the Gaggia has some weird foamer attachment that creates really bad bubbles without making any nice pourable foam. http://www.wholelattelove.com http://www.wholelattelove.com has great online videos that talk about/demo various espresso machines and http://www.coffeegeek.com/guides http://www.coffeegeek.com/guides is another great resource.
proee 17y ago
Another Tip: Try an Aeropress Designed by the same guy who came up with the aerobie, it makes very good espresso shots (add water for americano) and it costs about 25 dollars. The great thing about espresso vs. french press or drip is that it's much less acidic so you're stomach will thank you. http://www.aerobie.com/Products/aeropress_story.htm http://www.aerobie.com/Products/aeropress_story.htm
- Shooter 17y ago
  I make cold-brew coffee sometimes, which also lessens the acidity of coffee (supposedly by 67% or so.) It is especially good if you ever make iced/frozen coffee drinks, because you can adjust the concentrate ratio and get a much richer taste as cold coffees go. I also like the Aeropress, but my wife prefers the cold-brew method so we probably do that more often. We're trying to cut down on both, though. I recently read a couple of studies that say that unfiltered coffee increased your risk of heart disease, because the diterpenes raise your serum concentrations of cholesterol, triacylglycerols, and alanine aminotransferase.
  - Shooter 17y ago
    By the way, has anyone tried a Chemex?
    - mmc 17y ago
      Sure, I use a 3-cup Chemex daily. It's great - the brew is consistently high-quality, and it's so easy to clean. You just toss out the filter and rinse the carafe clean, done in 4 seconds. The Chemex filters tend to mellow the taste (not the caffeine) of the coffee out just a bit compared to a french press, but I personally like that aspect.
bena 17y ago
You can do packaged coffee right. This is pretty much the only coffee I drink now. It is semi-regional to the South, but anyone who tries it becomes an instant fan. http://www.communitycoffee.com/ccc/Catalog_CS/coffee-detail/1500/traditional_coffee_blends/our_traditional_coffees/dark-roast-ground/ http://www.communitycoffee.com/ccc/Catalog_CS/coffee-detail/...
pasbesoin 17y ago
At its simplest, e.g. at the office, I use a $2 (oops, $3, now) Melitta single cup brewer. (1) http://www.amazon.com/Melitta-64007B-Single-Coffee-Filter/dp/B0014CVEH6/ http://www.amazon.com/Melitta-64007B-Single-Coffee-Filter/dp... All it requires is a cup, a number 2 filter, and ground coffee. Hot water is fairly ubiquitous, e.g. from the hot water / tea tap on the officer coffee machine. I also use a measuring cup (ok, this is getting complicated) to ensure I am not pouring in too much water, which would make a mess. At the office, grinding is not convenient. So I bring pre-ground coffee in "flavor seal" type bag; this an impervious (plastic/foil combination, typically) bag that has a one way valve that allows for pressure from the outgassing of CO2 to escape. For example, Starbucks, Caribou, and the like all sell their pre-packaged beans in these types of bags (not that I'm recommending them especially, but most people have probably seen the packaging; in fact, I believe "flavor seal" may be a Starbucks mark). To help keep the coffee fresh, after dispensing a dose into the filter, I press the air out of the bag (out of the top; the valve is not high enough capacity for this) while folding the top over repeatedly until I have the folds down fairly tight against the remaining grounds. Then I rubber band the folds into place. This removes most of the air, and outgassing further reduces O2 content as it sits. The coffee stays reasonably fresh until it is consumed -- I'm also not adverse to the flavor changes as it "ages" as long as that process does not go too far. With a minimum of fuss, I get a much better cup of coffee than the office can provide. If you grind your coffee but hate the mess of grinds getting all over the place, try placing the grinder inside a container like a Tupperware casserole pan or similar. The grounds only get as far as that container, which is easily wiped out. I have a big old beast of an Italian espresso machine, but I found it to just be too much hassle and mess. It sits in the corner of the counter, in need of a descaling. Cash is tight for me, right now: When I have a bit more disposable income, I'd like to try: Aerobie Aeropress http://www.amazon.com/AeroPress-Coffee-and-Espresso-Maker/dp/B000GXZ2GS/ http://www.amazon.com/AeroPress-Coffee-and-Espresso-Maker/dp... Pump and Seal Food Saver Vacuum Sealer http://www.pump-n-seal.com/ http://www.pump-n-seal.com/ The latter to keep the beans fresh. ---- (1) All links are free of any referral ID's or any benefit to me. Just provided FYI.
willwagner 17y ago
If you are in the sf bay area and want to try freshly roasted beans, I highly recommend ritual roasters (http://www.ritualroasters.com/ http://www.ritualroasters.com/) in the mission district of SF, or if you are in the south bay, barefoot coffee (http://www.barefootcoffeeroasters.com/ http://www.barefootcoffeeroasters.com/). YMMV, but for me, it has made a big difference in quality between making my own cup in the morning vs going to a Starbucks. I also find having a good vacuum insulating coffee mug to keep the coffee hot makes a difference too.
- keefe 17y ago
  I second that notion. You can also get ritual coffee at the creamery right by caltrain.
pseale 17y ago
Here's the article's doppelganger ('Cha': Tea-Drinking for IT Developers): http://www.simple-talk.com/community/blogs/philfactor/archive/2009/03/06/72358.aspx http://www.simple-talk.com/community/blogs/philfactor/archiv...
ianbishop 17y ago
It seems like many people have problems with their french presses. When I first got my french press, it tasted like any coffee I had ever had from Starbucks. Recently, things have started to take a turn for the better - I can make a damn delish cup. This is what has changed: A lot of it comes down to grinding your beans, right before brewing. How much do you put in the grinder? Usually I use +1 to however many cups I am making. The average mug can hold around 2 cups - so that means 3 tablespoons of beans. Pour slowly some boiled water (usually you want to wait a moment after it begins to boil) over the beans. Stir briefly and let it sit. What you should see is basically a foamy rich bit (kinda like crema on espresso) going on at the top of the brew. I've heard a friend call this 'the bloom', though I don't know if that is a technical term for it but I like it. You wanna keep this bloom going, which means stirring intermittently for the next 4 minutes. Usually I stir a single brew once at the start, twice during the steeping, and once right before pressing it. Place the cover and press on top and press down slowly. Try to press down with uniform pressure and keep it straight. I know my press is kinda jiggly when you press down. If you favour one side too much, you might let some grinds slip through the other side. Pour and serve. If you still find this dull, try other types of coffee. Try drinking it black (I know, this is daring for people who prefer 'sludge water' aka 3 milk 3 sugar). Personally I am a big fan of Ethiopian and Kenyan beans. I find they have such strong undertones. It is like drinking expensive wine!
keefe 17y ago
"As most software and creative professionals know, coffee is an important technology for boosting mental acuity and maintaining peak on-the-job performance" I would personally worry much more about the real long term performance impact than the tastiness of my coffee. Do some googling on caffeine tolerance and caffeine dependence - something like 300mg of caffeine a day for 3 weeks and you are fully tolerant and typically caffeine intoxication starts around 500mg. 300mg is often one large latte. Caffeine binds to adenosine receptors and prevents proper sleep. It's also worth noting that caffeine has a half life of 6 hours and stimulates with a burst of adrenaline that is much shorter lasting than the adenosine binding which prevents proper sleep. Caffeine is a useful tool to have in the toolbox, but long term addiction leads to decreased performance, not increased performance. I personally will drink my coffee at Red Rock or whatever nice cafe because I find it necessary to manage my intake very carefully to maximize performance.
- tmoertel 17y ago
  I'm fairly confident that the author meant the opening line to be taken as humor, not actual advice about maintaining peak on-the-job performance. Yeah, I'm fairly confident about that.
  - keefe 17y ago
    nevertheless, many use it in this way...

75 points by buluzhai 17y ago

Modafinil, anyone? Since I got on the stuff I only drink coffee in social situations.

If you find "mainstream" coffee enjoyable, is it really in your best interest to raise your expectations? If you suddenly find normal coffee lacking, have you really improved your life?

swombat 17y ago
It's quite plausible that if you find mainstream coffee enjoyable, you might find quality coffee even more enjoyable. If you find cheap wine enjoyable, that doesn't mean you won't find a Grand Cru a hundred times more delectable.
- mseebach 17y ago
  Quite the opposite, in my experience. The more really good wine I try, the less I'm able to enjoy cheap wine. These days I prefer water over cheap wine, unless I'm specifically trying to get drunk. The same with coffee... after discovering freshly ground French press, I'll drink and really enjoy two cups a day, rather than the 6-10 cups of stale filter coffee I'd drink previously.
  - swombat 17y ago
    Yes. And the reason why you enjoy the quality coffee more than the cheap filter stuff is because it is more pleasurable. That is also the reason why you don't enjoy the cheap stuff anymore - because you know that it's actually pretty bad. You can still drink it anyway, but you know it's not that good. Suggesting that this is a bad thing is kind of suggesting that you don't think your tastes should evolve for the better throughout your life. Pushing this argument to its natural conclusion, we should all just eat candy, drink fizzy soda, and watch kids' cartoons for the rest of our lives. Do you think that's a better state than knowing that there are such things as fine food, great wine and inspiring movies and books?
    - spatulon 17y ago
      I recently became aware that I was unable to review a movie with anything more profound than, "It held my attention for two hours." I've been actively seeking out movies that are considered great, and just engaging my brain a bit more while I watch them. It has significantly increased my appreciation for many movies. It's also meant I've noticed more flaws, but it's made the experience of movie-watching so much more enjoyable and meaningful, and not just the time-killer it used to be.
    - mseebach 17y ago
      > Suggesting that this is a bad thing Oh, I didn't mean to imply that. I think it's great.
    - philwelch 17y ago
      "Yes. And the reason why you enjoy the quality coffee more than the cheap filter stuff is because it is more pleasurable. That is also the reason why you don't enjoy the cheap stuff anymore - because you know that it's actually pretty bad. You can still drink it anyway, but you know it's not that good. Suggesting that this is a bad thing is kind of suggesting that you don't think your tastes should evolve for the better throughout your life. " You're assuming that enjoyment and happiness always improve when drinking better coffee/wine/beer/etc. Untrue. If you're perfectly happy with what you have now, cultivating a more sophisticated taste will usually just frustrate you because now to get the same level of enjoyment you had previously you have to spend more money or time. Going back to what you had before doesn't return you to a baseline level of happiness, it makes you unhappy. To get back to the baseline you now have to regularly consume expensive or time-consuming coffee instead of the cheap stuff. If your goal in life is to enjoy the "finest things", go right ahead. If your goal in life is to be happy, then be very careful about raising the bar for things that you enjoy. Being able to enjoy cheap crap makes you just as happy as being able to enjoy expensive crap, but at lower cost. (As it turns out, this argument doesn't apply to books and movies and music because good books, movies, and music cost just as much as the crap ones, and because good art is intellectually stimulating, which is worthwhile for its own reasons.)
      - swombat 17y ago
- erlanger 17y ago
  I just discovered Night Train, and boy does Thunderbird taste like swill these days.
jetako 17y ago
It's like sushi. Mediocre sushi can be enjoyable, especially when you get a multi-course meal out of it. But premium sushi, the kind shipped straight from Japan or wherever the fish live best, is another thing entirely. You can't even compare the mediocre with the premium. Different planes of satisfaction. It's the difference between decent and incredible.
discojesus 17y ago
I've tried all the stuff mentioned in the article, and to me personally (allow me to repeat this to nip the obvious retorts in the bud - to ME, PERSONALLY :P) it hasn't made one bit of difference. I still use a french press, but that has a lot to do with convenience. I just don't grind it fresh anymore or spend tons of money on fresh-roasted beans - a bag of 8 O'Clock Colombian works just fine. So you might find that ultra-fresh coffee brewed in such a special way is the cat's pajamas, or you might like me find that it was way too much time, effort and money for way too little payoff. Trying new things is fun and worthwhile, but in this post-Internet post-9/11 pre-intergalactic wars world, product fetishism definitely abounds ("I won't take notes in anything except a Moleskine journal" and such). But as always, why em em vee.
- colonhyphenp 17y ago
  I am in the same boat with the french press - I really can't tell that much of a difference between a cup of freshly roasted/ground french press coffee and a cup of coffee at Starbucks. However, I recently switched to an Aeropress single cup coffee maker, and it is a HUGE difference - it makes a small concentrated cup of coffee with very little bitterness, and brings out the coffee's natural sweetness. Also, I find it easier to use and clean than a french press. See http://www.aerobie.com/Products/aeropress_story.htm http://www.aerobie.com/Products/aeropress_story.htm
  - tortilla 17y ago
    Yep, I did the same. The French Press was great and all, but I couldn't produce a good cup consistently and it was quite messy. Didn't particularly like the grit either. Have been using the Aeropress for about 4 months straight and really love it. The flavors are great, clean up is quick and painless. Now I'm thinking about roasting my own beans. A local roaster recommended the Behmor: http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.behmor.php http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.behmor.php
    - xayide 17y ago
      I’ve never had good results using a french press with a blade grinder. You need such a coarse grind for the press, and fine grit is just inevitable with a cheap blade. I got a burr grinder several years ago, and my french press coffee has improved immensely. Of course, the clean up still sucks - I only break out the press for fresh, interesting coffee that I happen in to.
tel 17y ago
If you find mainstream coffee enjoyable, by all means stay with it! Homebrewed (lit.) coffee will definitely teach you to taste deficiencies in everything from restaurants to Starbucks, but if you don't already think they're there then it's definitely either cheaper or easier to just stay innocent. My experience was out of frustration with what I felt was watery or burnt or too sugary. Homebrew fits the bill perfectly. YMMV, yeah?
petercooper 17y ago
Not everyone finds higher quality stuff to be better. I prefer cheap white sparkling to champagne, and prefer instant coffee to any of the "nicer" coffees I've tried. But if you try higher quality coffee and prefer it, why not? It becomes a good treat.
biohacker42 17y ago
As someone who moved from Europe the US, I can tell you I envy Americans who have never tasted anything other then standard US food. Ignorance truly is bliss.
baddox 17y ago
The actual value of connoisseur-ship can be debated in ANY category, from coffee to beer to audio equipment, ad infinitum. I do think it would be worth it, since being able to discern depth, nuance, and quality is very rewarding. However, what I absolutely hate is arrogant connoisseurs, whether or not they actually know their stuff. You know the guy who asks what you're drinking, and when you say Miller Lite he scoffs and claims that all domestic light beers taste the same, then glances around to see who was impressed. I'm sure the same thing occurs in the coffee world.

silentbicycle 17y ago

Another interesting coffee variation is (forgive the lack of diacriticals here) ca phe sua da, Vietnamese iced coffee. (http://www.wanderingspoon.com/ws/Vietnamese_Coffee_-_Ca_Phe.html http://www.wanderingspoon.com/ws/Vietnamese_Coffee_-_Ca_Phe....)

drp 17y ago

We used a vacuum press at work for a couple of years. It makes great coffee and it's mesmerizing to watch, video here: http://daily.hotpads.com/hotpads_daily/2007/01/coffee_revoluti.html http://daily.hotpads.com/hotpads_daily/2007/01/coffee_revolu...

hedgehog 17y ago
The AeroPress (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GXZ2GS http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GXZ2GS) is another fun device, good coffee from a machine faster and easier to clean than a french press.

billymeltdown 17y ago

Oh it's totally show-and-tell time: I'm a big fan of the Stumptown roasters out of PDX, in particular, their "Hair Bender" roast.

colonhyphenp 17y ago

Whole Foods is a good place to go for freshly roasted beans - Most locations I have been to roast their coffee in the store and put roast dates on it.

nihilocrat 17y ago

Tea snobbery is a lot less complicated, and doesn't really require any special tools beyond a mesh strainer of some description.

Mongoose 17y ago
I couldn't disagree more. There's at least as much variety in teas as in coffees and the "skill" needed to expertly discern between them is an equal breed of obsession to that of the most affected coffee-snob. Tea preparation can be equally complex, requiring certain timing and techniques, depending on the type and grade of tea. Just sayin'.

raganwald 17y ago

http://merchantsofgreencoffee.com http://merchantsofgreencoffee.com I swear by them :-)

tom_b 17y ago

I'm a espresso fan. A double or triple shot americano to start the day is awesome, particularly when the kids (toddlers) have kept Mom and Dad up half the night. I use a Gaggia Classic espresso maker (bought used on ebay for a decent price) and a hacked Krups burr grinder (added #4 washers to allow the burrs to get a good espresso grind). It's hard to make a bad shot with this setup - easily beats what you can get at most coffee shops, except for one shop in my town that has both high quality baristas and a really good commercial espresso machine. I also have access to fresh, locally roasted organic espresso beans. If you're a latte or mocha fan, buy a stovetop steamer and do a little research on how to properly steam milk. Guests are usually impressed. It's a fun setup and I enjoy the preparation ritual. If only my kids were old enough to begin their barista training . . .

proee 17y ago
Do you have any stovetop steamers you recommend?
- tom_b 17y ago
  I have the one pictured here (http://coffeegeek.com/reviews/accessories/stovetopfrother/ardy2d/4453 http://coffeegeek.com/reviews/accessories/stovetopfrother/ar...). I've had two of these - the first somehow broke at the thumb handle part internally, but it was replaced for free. The one thing I don't like about it is that where the top screws to the main body, there is a rubber gasket with holes about the diameter of a pencil eraser. You want one of these holes to match up with the hole on the steam wand - if you tighten the lid in a way that makes the gasket slide away from that, it seems like the wand isn't as effective. But with a little practice (oddly enough, the sound is the key), you get a really decent foam out of it. You won't be making latte art, but you'll do much better than the vaguely hot milk splashed around by some coffee shops. I found a thermometer to be really helpful as well - I use one that I bought for $5 at Borders one day on a whim. The other thing is that you have to let the steam pressure build back up between drinks - you can't really do three drinks in a row without doing that. But for one latte or mocha it's fine. It probably takes less than 5 mins on the stovetop to get the pressure back up though. If I get another stove top steamer, I'll probably try something like http://www.1-800-espresso.com/stove-top-steamer.html http://www.1-800-espresso.com/stove-top-steamer.html to avoid the gasket issue I mentioned. It's funny, but the stove top steamer works better than the steam wand on the Gaggia - the Gaggia has some weird foamer attachment that creates really bad bubbles without making any nice pourable foam. http://www.wholelattelove.com http://www.wholelattelove.com has great online videos that talk about/demo various espresso machines and http://www.coffeegeek.com/guides http://www.coffeegeek.com/guides is another great resource.

proee 17y ago

Another Tip: Try an Aeropress Designed by the same guy who came up with the aerobie, it makes very good espresso shots (add water for americano) and it costs about 25 dollars. The great thing about espresso vs. french press or drip is that it's much less acidic so you're stomach will thank you. http://www.aerobie.com/Products/aeropress_story.htm http://www.aerobie.com/Products/aeropress_story.htm

Shooter 17y ago
I make cold-brew coffee sometimes, which also lessens the acidity of coffee (supposedly by 67% or so.) It is especially good if you ever make iced/frozen coffee drinks, because you can adjust the concentrate ratio and get a much richer taste as cold coffees go. I also like the Aeropress, but my wife prefers the cold-brew method so we probably do that more often. We're trying to cut down on both, though. I recently read a couple of studies that say that unfiltered coffee increased your risk of heart disease, because the diterpenes raise your serum concentrations of cholesterol, triacylglycerols, and alanine aminotransferase.
- Shooter 17y ago
  By the way, has anyone tried a Chemex?
  - mmc 17y ago
    Sure, I use a 3-cup Chemex daily. It's great - the brew is consistently high-quality, and it's so easy to clean. You just toss out the filter and rinse the carafe clean, done in 4 seconds. The Chemex filters tend to mellow the taste (not the caffeine) of the coffee out just a bit compared to a french press, but I personally like that aspect.

bena 17y ago

You can do packaged coffee right. This is pretty much the only coffee I drink now. It is semi-regional to the South, but anyone who tries it becomes an instant fan. http://www.communitycoffee.com/ccc/Catalog_CS/coffee-detail/1500/traditional_coffee_blends/our_traditional_coffees/dark-roast-ground/ http://www.communitycoffee.com/ccc/Catalog_CS/coffee-detail/...

pasbesoin 17y ago

At its simplest, e.g. at the office, I use a $2 (oops, $3, now) Melitta single cup brewer. (1) http://www.amazon.com/Melitta-64007B-Single-Coffee-Filter/dp/B0014CVEH6/ http://www.amazon.com/Melitta-64007B-Single-Coffee-Filter/dp... All it requires is a cup, a number 2 filter, and ground coffee. Hot water is fairly ubiquitous, e.g. from the hot water / tea tap on the officer coffee machine. I also use a measuring cup (ok, this is getting complicated) to ensure I am not pouring in too much water, which would make a mess. At the office, grinding is not convenient. So I bring pre-ground coffee in "flavor seal" type bag; this an impervious (plastic/foil combination, typically) bag that has a one way valve that allows for pressure from the outgassing of CO2 to escape. For example, Starbucks, Caribou, and the like all sell their pre-packaged beans in these types of bags (not that I'm recommending them especially, but most people have probably seen the packaging; in fact, I believe "flavor seal" may be a Starbucks mark). To help keep the coffee fresh, after dispensing a dose into the filter, I press the air out of the bag (out of the top; the valve is not high enough capacity for this) while folding the top over repeatedly until I have the folds down fairly tight against the remaining grounds. Then I rubber band the folds into place. This removes most of the air, and outgassing further reduces O2 content as it sits. The coffee stays reasonably fresh until it is consumed -- I'm also not adverse to the flavor changes as it "ages" as long as that process does not go too far. With a minimum of fuss, I get a much better cup of coffee than the office can provide. If you grind your coffee but hate the mess of grinds getting all over the place, try placing the grinder inside a container like a Tupperware casserole pan or similar. The grounds only get as far as that container, which is easily wiped out. I have a big old beast of an Italian espresso machine, but I found it to just be too much hassle and mess. It sits in the corner of the counter, in need of a descaling. Cash is tight for me, right now: When I have a bit more disposable income, I'd like to try: Aerobie Aeropress http://www.amazon.com/AeroPress-Coffee-and-Espresso-Maker/dp/B000GXZ2GS/ http://www.amazon.com/AeroPress-Coffee-and-Espresso-Maker/dp... Pump and Seal Food Saver Vacuum Sealer http://www.pump-n-seal.com/ http://www.pump-n-seal.com/ The latter to keep the beans fresh. ---- (1) All links are free of any referral ID's or any benefit to me. Just provided FYI.

willwagner 17y ago

If you are in the sf bay area and want to try freshly roasted beans, I highly recommend ritual roasters (http://www.ritualroasters.com/ http://www.ritualroasters.com/) in the mission district of SF, or if you are in the south bay, barefoot coffee (http://www.barefootcoffeeroasters.com/ http://www.barefootcoffeeroasters.com/). YMMV, but for me, it has made a big difference in quality between making my own cup in the morning vs going to a Starbucks. I also find having a good vacuum insulating coffee mug to keep the coffee hot makes a difference too.

keefe 17y ago
I second that notion. You can also get ritual coffee at the creamery right by caltrain.

pseale 17y ago

Here's the article's doppelganger ('Cha': Tea-Drinking for IT Developers): http://www.simple-talk.com/community/blogs/philfactor/archive/2009/03/06/72358.aspx http://www.simple-talk.com/community/blogs/philfactor/archiv...

ianbishop 17y ago

It seems like many people have problems with their french presses. When I first got my french press, it tasted like any coffee I had ever had from Starbucks. Recently, things have started to take a turn for the better - I can make a damn delish cup. This is what has changed: A lot of it comes down to grinding your beans, right before brewing. How much do you put in the grinder? Usually I use +1 to however many cups I am making. The average mug can hold around 2 cups - so that means 3 tablespoons of beans. Pour slowly some boiled water (usually you want to wait a moment after it begins to boil) over the beans. Stir briefly and let it sit. What you should see is basically a foamy rich bit (kinda like crema on espresso) going on at the top of the brew. I've heard a friend call this 'the bloom', though I don't know if that is a technical term for it but I like it. You wanna keep this bloom going, which means stirring intermittently for the next 4 minutes. Usually I stir a single brew once at the start, twice during the steeping, and once right before pressing it. Place the cover and press on top and press down slowly. Try to press down with uniform pressure and keep it straight. I know my press is kinda jiggly when you press down. If you favour one side too much, you might let some grinds slip through the other side. Pour and serve. If you still find this dull, try other types of coffee. Try drinking it black (I know, this is daring for people who prefer 'sludge water' aka 3 milk 3 sugar). Personally I am a big fan of Ethiopian and Kenyan beans. I find they have such strong undertones. It is like drinking expensive wine!

keefe 17y ago

"As most software and creative professionals know, coffee is an important technology for boosting mental acuity and maintaining peak on-the-job performance" I would personally worry much more about the real long term performance impact than the tastiness of my coffee. Do some googling on caffeine tolerance and caffeine dependence - something like 300mg of caffeine a day for 3 weeks and you are fully tolerant and typically caffeine intoxication starts around 500mg. 300mg is often one large latte. Caffeine binds to adenosine receptors and prevents proper sleep. It's also worth noting that caffeine has a half life of 6 hours and stimulates with a burst of adrenaline that is much shorter lasting than the adenosine binding which prevents proper sleep. Caffeine is a useful tool to have in the toolbox, but long term addiction leads to decreased performance, not increased performance. I personally will drink my coffee at Red Rock or whatever nice cafe because I find it necessary to manage my intake very carefully to maximize performance.

tmoertel 17y ago
I'm fairly confident that the author meant the opening line to be taken as humor, not actual advice about maintaining peak on-the-job performance. Yeah, I'm fairly confident about that.
- keefe 17y ago
  nevertheless, many use it in this way...