How do you COFFEE at home?

[Panly]

Guess nowadays it is Nestlé selling that brand.

Over roasting can work wonders, if you got the right beans for it.

[friedmmj]

Just discovered a great brand on Amazon called Mayorga small batch roasted Cafe Cubano Dark Roast.  I grind the whole beans using my Breville grinder and then use. Chemex to brew the coffee pour over style.

[hadabeardonce]

lol, out of curiosity I was browsing Amazon for beans and found they sell Kopi Luwak. For anyone who doesn't know what that is, you should look it up.

I bought a new high end grinder during the holidays, because I was noticing inconsistencies in grind size with my old inexpensive one. Better grinders make a difference. I wish I had upgraded sooner. Grinds are far more uniform, taste has improved, and there's no sediment at the bottom of each up. So good.

Hope everyone's holiday break is well caffeinated!

[lutorm]

We buy from a local roaster on the Kona side of the island that we like (https://www.greenwellfarms.com/. If anyone's visiting Kona, they have a pretty good tour if you want to see how coffee's grown and made.) While it's grown and roasted locally, it's definitely not cheap: about $35/lb and we go through maybe 7lb per month. It's one of the few pure "luxuries" I'm sold on, I try to buy local when possible and in this case I (grudgingly) think it's worth it.

[Panly]

Buy local, comes at a price, it seems

[neo von retorch]

@hadabeardonce Yup for maybe a decade I've been using a Cuisinart electric "burr" grinder. But it always produced lots of powder. And it was so loud a co-worker nicknamed it the Neo Blaster 2000!

Spouse got me an Oxo for Christmas and it's been a real treat! Very nice looking grounds, much quieter, and no apparent powder.

[Metalcat]

Just be careful with your fancy grinders that you don't use very oily dark beans, they can ruin almost anything.

[Roland of Gilead]

Costco sometimes has this Jamaican Blue Mountain blend coffee in a orange bag for something like $12 for 2 pounds (it is rare but they have it now, or did a few weeks ago).   The best coffee I have had outside of true Blue Mountain coffee at $40/pound

[brandon1827]

I've only been drinking coffee regularly for a couple of years now. I started drinking it based on an article I read about the boost it could provide on race day (marathon) and then sort of got hooked. My company provides free coffee in our break room, and it is usually Folgers Colombian Medium Roast. Since that's really all I ever drink, I've come to prefer that. I buy it for home now and my wife and I drink it regularly. I haven't had a lot of exposure to "good" coffee, and I tend to like mine just fine with a little vanilla almond milk creamer

[Fomerly known as something]

This morning my power was out, so I broke out my camping gear to coffee at home.  I have a gas range so lit it with the handy fire starting thingie (technical name), to heat water in my teapot, and used the french press to brew.  Also used the solar camping light to provide light for it all.

[Buffaloski Boris]

I’m one of the tea drinkers. Iced tea specifically. I do a fancy black, green, and mint tea mix that I brew up by the gallon. I reckon it costs maybe $.75 a gallon to brew. If I really want a coffee, I go out and get one from a coffee shop.

[Just Joe]

Bought an electric kettle over the holidays. SO much faster than the big kettle on the stove - well, our stove anyhow. I suspect more energy efficient. Use it with our french press on the weekends. One full kettle makes two french presses of coffee.

Use years old Hamilton-Beach single cup makers (x2) during the week. Uses any grind we want to put in the baskets, brews into our years old travel mugs. Fast enough to fit into the morning routine.

[brandon1827]

This morning my power was out, so I broke out my camping gear to coffee at home.  I have a gas range so lit it with the handy fire starting thingie (technical name), to heat water in my teapot, and used the french press to brew.  Also used the solar camping light to provide light for it all.

Did you use camp coffee also? Or just used your camping gear to brew?

Since I've gotten more into drinking coffee and I go on multiple 2-3 hikes each year, I'm interested to know if there's such a thing as "good" camping coffee, lol

[Metalcat]

This morning my power was out, so I broke out my camping gear to coffee at home.  I have a gas range so lit it with the handy fire starting thingie (technical name), to heat water in my teapot, and used the french press to brew.  Also used the solar camping light to provide light for it all.

Did you use camp coffee also? Or just used your camping gear to brew?

Since I've gotten more into drinking coffee and I go on multiple 2-3 hikes each year, I'm interested to know if there's such a thing as "good" camping coffee, lol

What is "camp coffee"? I know of the product called "Camp Coffee", but it isn't coffee.

[sparkytheop]

This morning my power was out, so I broke out my camping gear to coffee at home.  I have a gas range so lit it with the handy fire starting thingie (technical name), to heat water in my teapot, and used the french press to brew.  Also used the solar camping light to provide light for it all.

Did you use camp coffee also? Or just used your camping gear to brew?

Since I've gotten more into drinking coffee and I go on multiple 2-3 hikes each year, I'm interested to know if there's such a thing as "good" camping coffee, lol

When we camp, we use a moka pot over the campfire, so it makes a great camp coffee!  They aren't hiking trips though (although they do have very small moka pots that would be easy to pack).

[sparkytheop]

The last of the awful coffee beans went through the grinder today.  Hopefully the next year will be better to me than this one was, but at the very least it will have better coffee.

[atredbeard]

I grind enough for the work week and store in a glass jar with classic locking mechanism. Setup at night on timer so it is ready to go in the morning in a standard Mr. Coffee Pot that is programmable and auto-shutoff. It's not a good feeling to be a work and think you forgot to shutoff your coffee pot! I'm partial to Costco 3 lb bags as the quality is generally good and the price is right. Weekends are for a nice French Press when I have time to enjoy and lurk the MMM forums!

[brandon1827]

This morning my power was out, so I broke out my camping gear to coffee at home.  I have a gas range so lit it with the handy fire starting thingie (technical name), to heat water in my teapot, and used the french press to brew.  Also used the solar camping light to provide light for it all.

Did you use camp coffee also? Or just used your camping gear to brew?

Since I've gotten more into drinking coffee and I go on multiple 2-3 hikes each year, I'm interested to know if there's such a thing as "good" camping coffee, lol

When we camp, we use a moka pot over the campfire, so it makes a great camp coffee!  They aren't hiking trips though (although they do have very small moka pots that would be easy to pack).

Gotcha...on our last 2 day hike a buddy brought some stuff that he dumped in a mug. He boiled some water in his JetBoil and poured over the powder and drank it. I have no idea what it was and I was afraid to try it myself. The group I hike with mostly backpacks and sleeps in hammocks...so we can't carry anything overly heavy or large. If I could find a decent camp coffee that I could "brew" with my jetboil or over a fire I'd be interested in that for sure.

@Malkynn I'm not really certain what "Camp Coffee" is to be honest. I was just using the term generically for any coffee that would be easy to pack and have by a campfire

[cangelosibrown]

I've settled on french press for my daily coffee. I have an aeropress and a moka pot, each of which I'll do sometimes if I want/need a coffee later in the day, but A. It's annoying to do for 2 people B. I really just want a big mug of something hot and strong in the morning, not a tiny amount of espresso-ish coffee.

I get the grocery store brand bulk coffee, that I grind at the store (once every 4-5 days) on the coarsest setting. $8.99, often on sale for $7.99.

Here's my extremely french press specific recipe:

Boil 30 oz water.
When kettle whistles, put aside for 2 minutes. 
Put 1.5 oz (weighed) coffee into french press.
Pour 25 oz of water into french press.
Stir well with old take-out chopsticks.
Cover for between 5-9 minutes.
Stir well, press, pour.

the 5-9 minutes is based on what day of the grind cycle I'm in, the farther down the bag, the finer the grind ends up, and the shorter I leave the coffee to brew. $.42 per serving.

[sparkytheop]

This morning my power was out, so I broke out my camping gear to coffee at home.  I have a gas range so lit it with the handy fire starting thingie (technical name), to heat water in my teapot, and used the french press to brew.  Also used the solar camping light to provide light for it all.

Did you use camp coffee also? Or just used your camping gear to brew?

Since I've gotten more into drinking coffee and I go on multiple 2-3 hikes each year, I'm interested to know if there's such a thing as "good" camping coffee, lol

When we camp, we use a moka pot over the campfire, so it makes a great camp coffee!  They aren't hiking trips though (although they do have very small moka pots that would be easy to pack).

Gotcha...on our last 2 day hike a buddy brought some stuff that he dumped in a mug. He boiled some water in his JetBoil and poured over the powder and drank it. I have no idea what it was and I was afraid to try it myself. The group I hike with mostly backpacks and sleeps in hammocks...so we can't carry anything overly heavy or large. If I could find a decent camp coffee that I could "brew" with my jetboil or over a fire I'd be interested in that for sure.

@Malkynn I'm not really certain what "Camp Coffee" is to be honest. I was just using the term generically for any coffee that would be easy to pack and have by a campfire

My 1-cup moka pot weighs less than 8 oz and can hide behind a dollar bill (though the handle sticks out if you turn it to the profile).

For a hike, I'd probably bring some packs of Vietnamese coffee (we get G7 3-in-1 at an Asian market, as well as another brand, but can't remember what that one is).  Boil coffee and add the powder.

Or, I'd get coffee in tea bags (or make-your-own packets with coffee filters and string), then you can brew it like you would tea.

These would be pretty easy methods that are light weight and travel well.  I've heard there are good instant coffees, but I haven't tried any in years, outside of the G7 coffee.

[Metalcat]

This morning my power was out, so I broke out my camping gear to coffee at home.  I have a gas range so lit it with the handy fire starting thingie (technical name), to heat water in my teapot, and used the french press to brew.  Also used the solar camping light to provide light for it all.

Did you use camp coffee also? Or just used your camping gear to brew?

Since I've gotten more into drinking coffee and I go on multiple 2-3 hikes each year, I'm interested to know if there's such a thing as "good" camping coffee, lol

When we camp, we use a moka pot over the campfire, so it makes a great camp coffee!  They aren't hiking trips though (although they do have very small moka pots that would be easy to pack).

Gotcha...on our last 2 day hike a buddy brought some stuff that he dumped in a mug. He boiled some water in his JetBoil and poured over the powder and drank it. I have no idea what it was and I was afraid to try it myself. The group I hike with mostly backpacks and sleeps in hammocks...so we can't carry anything overly heavy or large. If I could find a decent camp coffee that I could "brew" with my jetboil or over a fire I'd be interested in that for sure.

@Malkynn I'm not really certain what "Camp Coffee" is to be honest. I was just using the term generically for any coffee that would be easy to pack and have by a campfire

DH takes his aeropress when traveling. It's small and plastic, so weighs very little. It makes very good coffee.

[lilsaver]

Trader Joe's instant coffee, with coffee mate and a bit of sugar!

[bill1827]

@Malkynn I'm not really certain what "Camp Coffee" is to be honest. I was just using the term generically for any coffee that would be easy to pack and have by a campfire

Camp Coffee is a UK liquid coffee substitute. Consists of water, sugar, 4% coffee essence and 26% chicory essence. It was popular in the years after the second world war; it's a sort of instant coffee, just add hot water. It has a memorable flavour, just not of coffee.

[markus]

I voted for 'super fancy small batch stuff', usually purchasing locally roasted whole beans, maybe once every three weeks or so. My favorite method is with the French press:

- somewhere between medium and coarse grind (I use a Capresso Infinity burr grinder, going strong at about 9.5 year of age. If it ever gives up the ghost, I'd like to get a small manual burr grinder like the Skerton Pro)
- ~15 grams water per gram of coffee ... using a kitchen scale to really nail this has made a big difference.
- heat water to boiling point, take it off the heat and let it sit for thirty seconds, then pour in a thin stream over the grounds
- let it sit 3 minutes

Here's where I recently improved things thanks to some good YouTube videos. Normally at this point I'd press the grounds down and pour, but instead I now:

- break up the "crust" of coffee with a wooden spoon ... it will all sink to the bottom.
- scoop off the foam with the spoon and discard
- put the top of the press on the pot but *do not* press it down! Just leave it right near the top of the liquid.
- let it all just sit undisturbed another ~4-6 minutes ... the smaller coffee particles will continue to settle out on their own down at the bottom.
- carefully pour out the coffee (it will still pass through the filter on the press) into another vessel.
- enjoy!

And if I don't feel like taking the time to do the above, I'll do a finer grind and just go for a simple pour over through a Melitta brew cone and paper filter. It's still amazing to me how different the flavor is with different grinds and methods, and it's fun to mix it up even though the longer French press version above is my favorite.

[Fomerly known as something]

Used my normal coffee, I have a hand grinder.  (there was a power issue at my house a few years ago so invested in one)

[fredbear]

What is "camp coffee"? I know of the product called "Camp Coffee", but it isn't coffee.

We used to make it thus:
Take one of those old speckled-blue porcelain-coated coffee pots and fill it with river water.  Open a can of Folgers.  Put a double-handful of coffee on top of the water and put the pot on the campfire.  As it starts to boil, move the pot around with a pair of pliers or a channel-lock so that the boil doesn't spill over into the fire, and does roll all the ground coffee under.  When it has all rolled under -- only takes seconds -- grab the bale with your pliers and take the coffee pot off the fire.  Old timer way: Settle the grounds by sprinkling cold water around the top of the pot and into the pour spout.  New-fangled pretentious way: settle the grounds by dropping fragmented fresh egg shell into the pot.

That's camp coffee.  Done it hundreds and hundreds of times, from the bottom of Grand Canyon to the South Nahanni, to voiced acceptance if not orgastic approbation.  Pretty variable product - the base water can vary from the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, where you can see the hulking form of an ocean-run steelhead 15 feet down in beryl depths, to the San Juan, which has flowed >15% solid by volume and leaves a couple inches of red mud when the coffee has been poured.  Never tasted it or any other form of coffee, unless your sense of inclusivity claims coffee ice cream is "coffee." 

[ToTheMoon]

This morning my power was out, so I broke out my camping gear to coffee at home.  I have a gas range so lit it with the handy fire starting thingie (technical name), to heat water in my teapot, and used the french press to brew.  Also used the solar camping light to provide light for it all.

Did you use camp coffee also? Or just used your camping gear to brew?

Since I've gotten more into drinking coffee and I go on multiple 2-3 hikes each year, I'm interested to know if there's such a thing as "good" camping coffee, lol

Starbucks Via packs are probably one of the easiest ways to have coffee while backpacking. It is micro ground and you just add hot water - quite possibly what your friend had.

In the last year we were given an AeroPress, and the coffee it makes is SO MUCH BETTER that we are willing to have it take up a bit more space and carry the few extra oz in weight to have coffee we really enjoy, rather than tolerate. That said - you will have to pack out the wet grounds, so it is Starbucks Via for the win when we are out for more than a couple of nights!

[ender]

I buy cheap beans (~$6/pound) and roast them myself.

What should I vote, ha.

[LaineyAZ]

Long-time daily coffee drinker.  Started as a habit from working in offices with free coffee.

Now retired, we just continue to drink what's on sale and use our 12-cup Mr. Coffee.  Unfortunately, acid reflux issues have forced me to switch to Folgers "Simply Smooth" brand of decaf.  It actually advertises "Gentle on the Stomach" and it has definitely made a difference on the reflux. 
I add creamer - yes, it's a sugary disguise of any real coffee flavor, but it's a simple pleasure at this point.

[jeroly]

At my house I burr grind Peet’s coffee and then French press the result.
At my gf’s house I use pre-ground Peet’s and an Aeropress.

No sugar, and ideally one-half half-and-half, one-half whole milk (BTW, I think someone could make a killing selling “one-quarter-and-three-quarters”).

Both methods give me delicious coffee.

I used to favor Peet’s Sumatra but now prefer Major Dickason’s.  There’s nothing better than the aroma of the Sumatra, though.

[Alternatepriorities]

I buy cheap beans (~$6/pound) and roast them myself.

What should I vote, ha.

Depends what you’re billable rate is.

[Wintergreen78]

This morning my power was out, so I broke out my camping gear to coffee at home.  I have a gas range so lit it with the handy fire starting thingie (technical name), to heat water in my teapot, and used the french press to brew.  Also used the solar camping light to provide light for it all.

Did you use camp coffee also? Or just used your camping gear to brew?

Since I've gotten more into drinking coffee and I go on multiple 2-3 hikes each year, I'm interested to know if there's such a thing as "good" camping coffee, lol

Starbucks Via packs are probably one of the easiest ways to have coffee while backpacking. It is micro ground and you just add hot water - quite possibly what your friend had.

In the last year we were given an AeroPress, and the coffee it makes is SO MUCH BETTER that we are willing to have it take up a bit more space and carry the few extra oz in weight to have coffee we really enjoy, rather than tolerate. That said - you will have to pack out the wet grounds, so it is Starbucks Via for the win when we are out for more than a couple of nights!

I agree. If I’m backpacking, I’ll just get Starbucks via or some other instant coffee. If I’m on a trip with a friend with an aero press I’m always happy to drink the coffee they make. It makes really good coffee and is small and light to pack. I don’t go backpacking enough to justify getting one for myself, but if I went backpacking more often I’d definitely have one.

For car camping I bring the hand-cranked burr grinder and insulated French press I use at home.

[LaineyAZ]

I'm curious about the cleaning of items like French presses, bean grinders, milk frothers, etc.  I could see how they could make wonderful coffee but it also seems like it would be a daily PITA to wash and dry them for the next day.

Similar to those who use a blender every day to make smoothies - tastes great but if you're the one disassembling and washing it every day then I'd think it would get old fast.

[neo von retorch]

A comparison of grinds from Cuisinart and Oxo electric burr grinders.

Cuisinart


Oxo

[Tyson]

I'm curious about the cleaning of items like French presses, bean grinders, milk frothers, etc.  I could see how they could make wonderful coffee but it also seems like it would be a daily PITA to wash and dry them for the next day.

Similar to those who use a blender every day to make smoothies - tastes great but if you're the one disassembling and washing it every day then I'd think it would get old fast.

I have a kitchenaid burr grinder and it rarely needs cleaning, it just sits there day after day doing it's job superlatively.  A french press is easy - dump the grounds in the trash and put the parts in the dishwasher.  I don't use a french press because I don't like the coffee soot it leaves at the bottom of my cup.  I use an Aeropress which is similar but uses a paper filter.  Since I'm the only coffee drinker here, it's perfect because it makes a great single cup of coffee.  Cleanup is pretty simple - just push the puck of coffee into the trash & rinse/wash the plastic tube.  Leave out to dry. 

[neo von retorch]

I'm curious about the cleaning of items like French presses, bean grinders, milk frothers, etc.  I could see how they could make wonderful coffee but it also seems like it would be a daily PITA to wash and dry them for the next day.

I found it was a pain to get the grounds out of the metal grate filter of my french press; fine when I want to make 3-4 cups for guests, but for the daily routine, I stick to my fine mesh conical filter / pour-over. I use my stainless steel french press container. When I'm done making a cup, I dump the grounds in the trash and just rinse the conical filter and french press container. That's good enough for me and easy/fast enough for daily use.

[zygote]

I'm curious about the cleaning of items like French presses, bean grinders, milk frothers, etc.  I could see how they could make wonderful coffee but it also seems like it would be a daily PITA to wash and dry them for the next day.

Similar to those who use a blender every day to make smoothies - tastes great but if you're the one disassembling and washing it every day then I'd think it would get old fast.

I don't have a dishwasher, so I definitely consider this in my kitchen equipment.

I have a single cup coffee maker, and it's very easy just to rinse out the grounds container when the cup is done. Same for my grinder, it's easy to wipe it out with a wet paper towel. As for a milk frother, I have one of those small immersion ones that is again very easy to clean with a quick run under the sink.

We have a French press my wife got as a gift years ago, and I'm intrigued by it, but the thought of having to wash it on a regular basis puts me off.

As for smoothies, I know it's off topic, but I have one of those small blenders where the blade is the lid and the base is the cup you drink from when it's done. Much easier to clean than a traditional blender, and fits on my counter more easily.

[Dogastrophe]

I'm curious about the cleaning of items like French presses, bean grinders, milk frothers, etc.  I could see how they could make wonderful coffee but it also seems like it would be a daily PITA to wash and dry them for the next day.

Similar to those who use a blender every day to make smoothies - tastes great but if you're the one disassembling and washing it every day then I'd think it would get old fast.

For my burr grinder I tip it over and knock out any loose grinds.  Every months or so I do a more thorough cleaning with a brush.

My french press gets rinsed after every use and when I'm done for the day I will wash the parts in soapy water. 

All in all, I spend less than 2 mins cleaning my coffee gear.

[Drink Coffee And Stack Money]

We use a Keurig and a refillable pod for brewing at home. Sometimes we buy fancy coffee and sometimes, like now, we have Folgers and good creamer.
To me coffee is one of life's simple pleasures, but it doesn't have to be fancy/expensive to make me happy.

[Metalcat]

I'm curious about the cleaning of items like French presses, bean grinders, milk frothers, etc.  I could see how they could make wonderful coffee but it also seems like it would be a daily PITA to wash and dry them for the next day.

Similar to those who use a blender every day to make smoothies - tastes great but if you're the one disassembling and washing it every day then I'd think it would get old fast.

French press and Aeropress are easier to clean than a coffee machine. The milk frother is also easy to clean, mine has a big metal cup that needs to be washed like a normal cup.

I don't think the grinder has ever been cleaned. It has a huge hopper that DH tops up with beans once a week. It has a one press button that produces grinds on demand into the Aeropress.

It takes me about 25 seconds each day to clean the coffee making items by hand. They could go in a dishwasher, but even if I had a dishwasher, that seems like more work than quick hand washing.

[Just Joe]

Our french press takes very little time to clean. I just rinse everything after we are done for the day. Mostly a weekend or holiday treat. During the week we use electric single cup drip makers that use any grounds and wire filters. Similar cleaning process, dump the grounds and rinse out the filter. We wash the parts in the dishwasher after several uses over the course of a week.

Another good cup of coffee: camping trip with friends, their blue enamel 8 cup percolator coffee pot heated by a campfire. Some sort of mainstream grocery store ground coffee. Not a very backpack size solution but fine for car/truck/van camping. I've enjoyed JFG coffee in percolators.

[Metalcat]

Our french press takes very little time to clean. I just rinse everything after we are done for the day. Mostly a weekend or holiday treat. During the week we use electric single cup drip makers that use any grounds and wire filters. Similar cleaning process, dump the grounds and rinse out the filter. We wash the parts in the dishwasher after several uses over the course of a week.

Another good cup of coffee: camping trip with friends, their blue enamel 8 cup percolator coffee pot heated by a campfire. Some sort of mainstream grocery store ground coffee. Not a very backpack size solution but fine for car/truck/van camping. I've enjoyed JFG coffee in percolators.

Some French presses grab more grit than others and are harder to clean. I use to have an ancient Bodum with a mesh and coil plate that was very difficult to clean. I replaced the plate with a new Bodum silicone version that only took a few seconds to rinse.

[J.R. Ewing]

Just got a Brevel Nespresso machine for Christmas.  Thumbs up.

[moneypitfeeder]

I buy my coffee at World Market using the free market & coffee rewards card on Wednesdays when they have deals on money off/free shipping. The rewards equals free bags of coffee and the Wednesdays are because they used to double points on that day every week (I can't remember if they still do, but force of habit-its been over a year since I've cut down on consumption). I buy for 1 year at a time since they are in vacuum sealed bags. Normal price for their brand coffee beans is roughly 42 cents per oz (their 24 oz bags). But with the coupons or buying during a coffee sale plus the free bags and free shipping, it is further reduced. In addition to the free bags of coffee, for every 200 points earned (1 point = $1 spent) you earn a free $10 off a $10 purchase, so it really works out well. Bonus, we really love most of their varieties. We don't have one locally, but there is one near where we go every year for Christmas, so we'd order online b4 xmas, and then print out all our free certs and fulfill those on our family visit.

[SwordGuy]

Honestly??

I buy (what I'm told) is excellent Ethiopian coffee and hand it and the coffee making stuff to my guests.  I let them make their own coffee.

[RobertFromTX]

I use Anthony's Organic Instant Coffee. For me (1 person) I can make this $14 bag last 3 months.. and I drink 2-3 cups a day.

https://www.amazon.com/Anthonys-Organic-Instant-Coffee-Tested/dp/B071JVP8MC/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=anthony%27s+organic+coffee&qid=1578844721&sr=8-4