Coffee - French Press

Use whatever system or method you like, but the difference is the beans
The grinder and it's setting does as well. The idea with the Sage grinder is that it will grind fine enough for an espresso machine and coarse enough for other methods and can be accurately set. Easy to use ;) other than finding the correct setting. Past that things do get more obsessive, type and size of burrs etc. The variable is the mix of grain sizes that come out of the grinder. The usual problem with burr grinders is being able to grind fine enough for an espresso machine. Blade grinders if they are still about have little control of the grinds sizes. Pour over doesn'y need such a fine grind neither does French press.

I find espresso shots too strong to drink so drink americano. Bean tastes still come through. Some people with espresso machines use pour over for those and only use the machine for milk based drinks. There is another French item to foam milk but it needs heating first. There is also an electric item that heats and foams. My wife uses one. Neither produce the same foam texture as a steam wand. I'd say the French thing is closer. The electric one is stiffer. A steam wand takes practice. Some go far enough to produce latte art.
 
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bean to cup machines are complex machines, I get the impression loads get returned under warranty -and some get refurbished.
My previous one, before I got wise and bought the nice cheap Beko one, was a bean-to-cup. This was back in my younger days when I thought that buying posh stuff was a good thing. Mine was "new opened box" on ebay. Needless to say it was definitely used, there was coffee in the workings. The seller claimed it was from factory testing. In reality lots of "new (other)" or "refurbished" things on ebay are customer returns that have been flogged by the retailer as a wholesale pallet of mixed returns.

Anyway, the major issue with mine (Siemens) was that, despite following all the cleaning procedures, when I opened it to change a part that had failed (which happened a number of times), I found that it was pretty disgusting inside. There was bright green mouldy coffee in every corner. I always thought the coffee had a bit of a dirty taste, it was obvious why when I looked inside it.

I doubt that many people buy two of these machines, once you've tried one you'll definitely go back! Besides they're hardly labour saving anyway - you still need to top up the water tank, clean up spills and the frother spout. The only job they save is tapping a scoop of coffee into the brew head before pressing go, which is hardly a big deal. I really haven't noticed any difference between freshly ground and scooped out of a sealed jar of ready-ground. In fact I'd say the ready ground is better, as it's done in a more controlled way to an accurate fineness.
 
My wife has been using a Tasimo for over 12months now. I descale it when it asks and change the filter from time to time Coffee for me though too small, I like a 300ml mug and near a typical cafe taste. A bit costs like. I tried refilable capsules but they leaked etc. She makes milk based drinks. One or two a day. We get rather soft water which helps with scale. Something that often causes any sort of machine to act up.

Me in the rabbit hole. ~£2k worth of kit bought over time. A bean order comes to about £24 lasts around a month and I usually drink 2 coffees a day from it plus tea. The machine for spec is a bit of a bargain compared with others that offer similar - if it needs that spec ?? I produced good coffee with Barista Express. It did take a bit of practice though.

Pour over. Much cheaper and coffee drinkers who are in some ways like wine tasters are happy with it. Beans fresh roasted say £6 to £8 for a 240g pack. Some dearer. Pour over probably needs more grinds than an espresso machine.
 
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My dad coveted a Goblin Teasmaid in the 70's.

(open goal for you here, @HERTS P&D ;))

Reminds me of a character I worked with 20 years ago. He went on hols to the Costas. When they arrived at the airport they made their way to the entrance hall in arrivals where the reps picked up holiday makers to ferry them to their hotels. A coach pulled up outside the doors and a young, pretty Spanish tour rep came into arrivals. The tour operator he was with was called Global. Seeing the people waiting there, and not having the best English, she called out - "anyone for Gobble?". My workmate had to hold himself back. :giggle:
 
OK, another blast from the past... anyone remember Cona coffee, a vacuum based affair, picked one up from the boot sale... but need some meths for the burner o_O

Cona

Yes. On the rare occasion we were taken as kids to a restaurant in The 70s (more likely a Berni Inn) there would always be a large glass bowl-shaped jug of Cona keeping warm on top of the machine. Happy, uncomplicated times, when asking for a coffee didn't mean dozens of daft choices. Some coffees now got more calories than the dessert. Yuck!
 
My americano
MyAmericano.jpg


:mrgreen: From habit I add a small drop of milk. 12.7g of grinds for that. I managed with a little bit under 10g with the Barista Express
 
Just thought to update everyone, after my 5th pot using the French Press, instead of the dripper.

I finding it infinitely variable in taste, what comes out of the pot after brewing. Water temperature, time brewing, even how quickly you push the filter plunger down, seem to so drastically affect the final taste. Even a double plunge with the filter, affected the taste and improved the taste.

I also found the second cup in the pot, retains it temperature a good while, long enough to get round to drinking it. Maybe due to the more compact shape of the French Press, versus the drip jug.

The difference in time and effort of French Press, versus electric drip is quite minimal. but I am getting a much better flavour from the French Press, so I will still to that.

BTW - If you ask Two Chimps to send you their free coffee 'Brew Guide', they include a good sized free sample of their ready ground coffee to try.
 
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I've always found that French press / cafetierre coffee is not hot enough.

Bringing coffee to boiling point damages the flavour. You can get a hotter drink by filling your cup or mug, and the cafetiere, with boiling water to heat it first, and warming the milk. If you put the mug in the microwave for ten seconds or so, with the milk in, that might do the trick.
 
Buy better beans, and grind your own... ground coffee is old in comparison.

I started with a Hario Skerton hand grinder, bit of effort, but it's a good grinder.

What's the old line... "Coffee boiled is coffee spoiled".
 
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