Thread: Coffee Enthusiasts

I was talking to a friend/co worker today, and it turns out he uses a DE, brush and mug. We may have a new member. He expressed interest in straight razors. He seems very interested in all the soaps and creams and he's a fan of Proraso pre shave. He also uses fountain pens. It seems many of us, have similar interests...

The subject of Coffee came up. Turns out in addition to old style shaving, etc..we both have a passion for fresh ground coffee. I prefer Arabica beans. I stared drinking 8 o clock coffee and switched a few years ago to D&D Beans (Dunkin Donuts) I love their Coffee, must be a New York thing. (I'm originally from New York/New Jersey) and grinding them myself. I use a little electric grinder. He told me these are no good, and have a tendancy to overheat the beans. I guess you could cycle it every few seconds.

He recommended one of the old style coffee mills. Peugeot and Zassenhaus seem to make some good ones.
He also recommended a French Press to brew coffee. This all seems interesting to me, especially since I only drink one cup a day. I tend to make coffee in small amounts. I was thinking the French Press and an old crank style grinder might be the ticket. Does anyone else do this? Any insight would be appreciated.

Rich

I've been home-roasting my beans since 2006, grind 'em with a Zassenhaus manual coffee-mill, and fresh-brew in a Bodum press-pot. I enjoy the hobby, and the near-ritual of preparing my morning 20oz mug is the perfect accompaniment to that of shaving with a straight razor.

If I can answer any questions, I'll be glad to do so.

Spoiler Alert! People will tell you that the ground coffee must be of a uniform size. Hogwash. Their grounds have to be that way, but yours and mine? Nah... "ballpark" is Good Enough©. After all, you're making one cup of coffee per/day, and you're inclined to acquire a French press in which to brew it. Fight the Power! A brand-new Zassenhaus manual grinder will run you upwards of $100 (including S/H) from Sweet Maria's, but they also sell a Hario Skerton manual grinder (w/conical burrs!) for $40. Ask yourself: Do I really need to spend $300 on a Rocky-the-Flying-Squirrel grinder? "Less is More" -- isn't that one of the reasons we're shaving with hundred-year-old straight razors?

Originally Posted by JBHoren

I

Spoiler Alert! People will tell you that the ground coffee must be of a uniform size. Hogwash. Their grounds have to be that way, but yours and mine? Nah... "ballpark" is Good Enough©. After all, you're making one cup of coffee per/day, and you're inclined to acquire a French press in which to brew it. Fight the Power! A brand-new Zassenhaus manual grinder will run you upwards of $100 (including S/H) from Sweet Maria's, but they also sell a Hario Skerton manual grinder (w/conical burrs!) for $40. Ask yourself: Do I really need to spend $300 on a Rocky-the-Flying-Squirrel grinder? "Less is More" -- isn't that one of the reasons we're shaving with hundred-year-old straight razors?

I bet you like the shave off a Kriegar razor as well.

For espresso you need a certain amount of variance in the grind including some fines for a proper extraction. Yes we have tested it, and have laser particle analysis to prove it along with some scanning electron microscope photos to back that up along with blind cupping and testing some of the best grinders on the market. For drip or press pot, uniform grind size is key. To get a clean extraction in those brewing methods you need an even extraction rate which is why there are very different grinders, specifically very different burr sets, for drip/press/siphon brewing.

I like tansian peabody beans. Makes an awesome coffee

If you are doing one cup a day. An aeropress or pour over would be perfect.

any other place than this message board would i feel weird in saying this but...

if pour over is your thing, this is the sexiest one i've ever seen:
Porzellanfabrik Walküre Bayreuth coffee maker

Originally Posted by JBHoren

I've been home-roasting my beans since 2006, grind 'em with a Zassenhaus manual coffee-mill, and fresh-brew in a Bodum press-pot. I enjoy the hobby, and the near-ritual of preparing my morning 20oz mug is the perfect accompaniment to that of shaving with a straight razor.

If I can answer any questions, I'll be glad to do so.

Spoiler Alert! People will tell you that the ground coffee must be of a uniform size. Hogwash. Their grounds have to be that way, but yours and mine? Nah... "ballpark" is Good Enough©. After all, you're making one cup of coffee per/day, and you're inclined to acquire a French press in which to brew it. Fight the Power! A brand-new Zassenhaus manual grinder will run you upwards of $100 (including S/H) from Sweet Maria's, but they also sell a Hario Skerton manual grinder (w/conical burrs!) for $40. Ask yourself: Do I really need to spend $300 on a Rocky-the-Flying-Squirrel grinder? "Less is More" -- isn't that one of the reasons we're shaving with hundred-year-old straight razors?

Roasting my own beans for a while, and the hario seems to be a good, functional alternative on the cheap. I want a high dollar electric conical, but I hear there's a mod using a screw gun for the hario...

I wondered if there were other home roasters on here. Nothing tastes better.

I couldn't believe the difference the first time I had it

This is what I store my Blue Mountain Jamaican in. The best coffees has to be stored right to preserve that delicate flavor we pay so much money for. These are the only ones like this I have seen. Hope this help someone. All other containers are just cans with lids, this one has some science behind it, and more important it works!

Originally Posted by Toroblanco

This is what I store my Blue Mountain Jamaican in. The best coffees has to be stored right to preserve that delicate flavor we pay so much money for. These are the only ones like this I have seen. Hope this help someone. All other containers are just cans with lids, this one has some science behind it, and more important it works!

I use my food saver. It works very well and I use it for many things. I use mine several times a day.

Originally Posted by Toroblanco

This is what I store my Blue Mountain Jamaican in. The best coffees has to be stored right to preserve that delicate flavor we pay so much money for. These are the only ones like this I have seen. Hope this help someone. All other containers are just cans with lids, this one has some science behind it, and more important it works!

I'm asking, not arguing. (I should have that stamped on my forehead.)
How are those not just cans with lids?