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Author Topic:   Talk about Coffee?
jar
Member (Idle past 393 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 46 of 87 (420931)
09-10-2007 10:56 AM


Types of Coffee beans and areas of production.
There are about ten different species of Coffee Plants, but only two species are considered worth harvesting for commercial grade coffee. The first is arabica and is considered the better choice for flavor, the second is canephora (commonly called robusta). Coffee robusta has the advantage of growing in more and varied climates, producing larger crops, being more resistant to most pests and having about twice the caffeine content of Coffee arabica.
Coffee arabica is more fickle but produces the higher grade of beans for flavor and is what you want from any varietal coffee. It is far harder to cultivate though and usually has far smaller yields per bush.
Currently, about two thirds of the world's coffee production (by the way, coffee is the SECOND largest commodity market. Only Oil does a greater dollar volume) is arabica beans and one third is robusta.
Coffee originated in Ethiopia (or perhaps Yemen) but is grown in many areas of the world. Today there are coffees from all over the world but the top producers in terms of bags are Brazil and Columbia.

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

  
jar
Member (Idle past 393 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 47 of 87 (421084)
09-10-2007 11:48 PM


Blend or Varietal?
Generally there are two types of coffees available, blends or varietals. The advantage to blends are that the will be pretty consistent crop to crop and year to year. The company making it will try to achieve a particular taste and feel and maintain that as a standard.
Another reason for blends is to try to capture the characteristics of a particular varietal but keep the costs low. For example, they may create a Kona Blend, 10% or so Kona but the rest Brazilian beans.
The varietals, coffees from one location or even one estate will usually have more character, but they will also vary greatly from crop to crop.
Both blends and varietals have their place. I have a half dozen or so blended coffees that I really enjoy and try to keep on hand at all times. I know exactly what they will be like and can always turn to them.

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

  
FliesOnly
Member (Idle past 4144 days)
Posts: 797
From: Michigan
Joined: 12-01-2003


Message 48 of 87 (421131)
09-11-2007 6:43 AM


Kopi Luwak
I have to ask...have any of you ever tried the Kopi Luwak coffee? I have toyed with the idea, but the price is a bit steep and I would need assurances that I'd be getting what I paid for.
And maybe I missed it somewhere in one of the previous posts...but where (on-line) would you suggest "shopping" for some of these better coffees?

Replies to this message:
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jar
Member (Idle past 393 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 49 of 87 (421161)
09-11-2007 10:42 AM
Reply to: Message 48 by FliesOnly
09-11-2007 6:43 AM


Re: Kopi Luwak
Actually, no. Never tried it. Never really been tempted to either.
Shopping for coffee online can be a daunting task but only because there are so many sources out there now. A lot will depend on how you plan on making your coffee.
A great place to start is Sweet Maria's. It is mainly directed to the home roaster but it also has a wealth of information about ever aspect of coffee including lots of information on the characteristics of current crops from around the world.
Many of the Coffee Estates now have websites and so you can buy directly from them. If you find a label you like, do a search and see if they have an online store.
There are also companies that specialize in particular areas. For example in the Single Serve world I have been very happy with these folk.
Better Coffee
Coffee Artisan
The Coffee Wiz
Keurig
If you do try the Single Serve route, most of these sites have sampler packs that let you try different coffees before buying large quantities.
And if you just want to try Single Serve without spending lots of money, as mentioned in Message 3 Senseo is running a promotion where you can get one of their machines for just the cost of shipping.

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

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crashfrog
Member (Idle past 1466 days)
Posts: 19762
From: Silver Spring, MD
Joined: 03-20-2003


Message 50 of 87 (421266)
09-11-2007 8:00 PM
Reply to: Message 3 by jar
09-08-2007 11:00 PM


If you want to try single serve without investing much, Senseo is running a Share Senseo promotion where you can get them to send you a Senseo machine for just shipping.
Just wanted to let you know that I filled out the survey and it looks like I qualified or whatever; they're shipping me out one of their Senseo machines.
So, thanks for the tip! My wife and i are pretty excited. She was pretty much fed up with our drip coffeemaker.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 3 by jar, posted 09-08-2007 11:00 PM jar has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 51 by jar, posted 09-11-2007 8:22 PM crashfrog has replied

  
jar
Member (Idle past 393 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 51 of 87 (421276)
09-11-2007 8:22 PM
Reply to: Message 50 by crashfrog
09-11-2007 8:00 PM


Senseo Coffee
Great. BUT... the coffee they will send sucks big time.
Go to BetterCoffee or one of the other pod sources I suggested and get one of their samplers.
Better Coffee Samplers
Coffee Artisan Fratello Samplers)
Coffeewiz (ask for samples
Cool Beans
All these folk will send you a few samples for free and also have larger selections available.
Once you get the Senseo use one pod from the better sources at the two cup setting with the single pod holder. If you use the Senseo pods, use one pod at the one cup setting and two pods at the two cup.
Having good coffee will make a big difference. Usually just an email to one of the suppliers telling them what kinds of coffees you like will get a few samples of the type mailed right back to you.
AbE:
Check here for more sources
Edited by jar, : No reason given.

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This message is a reply to:
 Message 50 by crashfrog, posted 09-11-2007 8:00 PM crashfrog has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 54 by crashfrog, posted 09-16-2007 2:40 AM jar has replied

  
Percy
Member
Posts: 22388
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.2


Message 52 of 87 (421343)
09-12-2007 5:12 AM


K-Cup Coffee
We've had a K-Cup coffeemaker from Keurig for almost two years, very happy with it, and we buy all our K-Cups from CoffeeForLess, good prices with no shipping charges if you buy in volume, which is orders over $75. They charge $42 for a box of 100, so two boxes gets you free shipping.
Anyone have a sense for how the K-Cup versus pod battle is going? Neither is available in the grocery stores we use.
--Percy

Replies to this message:
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jar
Member (Idle past 393 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 53 of 87 (421371)
09-12-2007 11:21 AM
Reply to: Message 52 by Percy
09-12-2007 5:12 AM


Re: K-Cup Coffee
Right now the pod makers are way ahead. The reason is that there are dozens different pod type brewer makers while only Keurig makes the Kcup machine. Also, the Kcup design is patented and to package coffee in a Kcup you have to license it from Keurig while the pod is an open standard.
I have both pod machines (way to many) and a Keurig Kcup one and honestly, love both. The Keurig makes a great 8 ounce (approx) cup of coffee, is quieter than the pod machine and gets lots of use. I keep both a Kuerig and Pod machine set up at all times.
The pod machine allows greater variety, seems to be slightly more consistent on water temperature, pauses during the brew cycle can be adjusted, the water temperature can be user adjusted and is flexible over a wider range of drop sizes.
Both make great cups of coffee.
Most of the suppliers today will give free shipping over some minimum order, and prices on the Kcups seem to run between $10-13 per package of 25 (24 in some varieties) cups.
Keurig is in the process of improving the brew cycle and recently introduced a new needle design that creates greater swirl effects and so does a better job of extraction so the nuances of the coffee stand out. Right now it is on the B-70 model but will likely transition across the whole line.
Edited by jar, : take out dup line

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

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crashfrog
Member (Idle past 1466 days)
Posts: 19762
From: Silver Spring, MD
Joined: 03-20-2003


Message 54 of 87 (422141)
09-16-2007 2:40 AM
Reply to: Message 51 by jar
09-11-2007 8:22 PM


Re: Senseo Coffee
Are the cappuccino pods worth drinking? I picked a pack up on sale today at Target, so I guess I'll find out when the pod machine arrives (sometime next week I guess.)
I'm so excited! Even if the coffee they send is crap.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 51 by jar, posted 09-11-2007 8:22 PM jar has replied

Replies to this message:
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 Message 56 by jar, posted 09-24-2007 2:22 PM crashfrog has replied

  
jar
Member (Idle past 393 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 55 of 87 (422173)
09-16-2007 10:04 AM
Reply to: Message 54 by crashfrog
09-16-2007 2:40 AM


Re: Senseo Coffee
IMHO, no, but then lots of others like them a lot. They have a hard top on them and you brew using no basket. Be sure to rinse out the spout after using them since they do tend to build up.

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

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jar
Member (Idle past 393 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 56 of 87 (423834)
09-24-2007 2:22 PM
Reply to: Message 54 by crashfrog
09-16-2007 2:40 AM


Re: Senseo Coffee
Did it arrive yet?

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This message is a reply to:
 Message 54 by crashfrog, posted 09-16-2007 2:40 AM crashfrog has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 57 by crashfrog, posted 09-24-2007 4:33 PM jar has replied

  
crashfrog
Member (Idle past 1466 days)
Posts: 19762
From: Silver Spring, MD
Joined: 03-20-2003


Message 57 of 87 (423855)
09-24-2007 4:33 PM
Reply to: Message 56 by jar
09-24-2007 2:22 PM


Re: Senseo Coffee
It did arrive. My thoughts, after a week:
1) I was initially disappointed by the fact that it takes two pods to brew a whole mug's worth, but I've had great success packing my own fake pods just using coffee filter paper, so I don't feel like I'm double-dipping from my pod stash just to fill a mug.
2) I noticed nothing particularly objectionable about the coffee pods they sent with the machine, regular medium roast, but I drink my coffee with cream so maybe I'm just obliterating coffee flavor. Even the cappuccino pods weren't half bad.
3) It's convenient as hell. My old coffeemaker has been relegated to the closet. I just picked up some tea pods, guess I'll give those a try.
4) I was up in Minneapolis this weekend, at IKEA, and so I picked up a set of "half-size" coffee cups, so that when I run cappuccino pods I don't feel gypped by only filling half of my mug.
It's been a good time, my wife and I drink more coffee and less soda now, as a result. So that's a plus.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 56 by jar, posted 09-24-2007 2:22 PM jar has replied

Replies to this message:
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jar
Member (Idle past 393 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 58 of 87 (423858)
09-24-2007 4:36 PM
Reply to: Message 57 by crashfrog
09-24-2007 4:33 PM


on pods
Drop an email to some of the pod companies and ask for some samples. Try them at the two pod setting. I think you will be pleased.
Edited by jar, : No reason given.

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This message is a reply to:
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Replies to this message:
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FliesOnly
Member (Idle past 4144 days)
Posts: 797
From: Michigan
Joined: 12-01-2003


Message 59 of 87 (424197)
09-26-2007 6:59 AM
Reply to: Message 58 by jar
09-24-2007 4:36 PM


Re: on pods
So I received my Senseo Pod machine yesterday and my wife appears less than enthusiastic. To be honest, I have yet to use the thing, but my wife loves her French Press and dislikes the idea of having to buy pods. Do you guys "pack" your own pods or is it best to just buy them already packed.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 58 by jar, posted 09-24-2007 4:36 PM jar has replied

Replies to this message:
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 Message 61 by crashfrog, posted 09-26-2007 11:15 AM FliesOnly has not replied

  
jar
Member (Idle past 393 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 60 of 87 (424223)
09-26-2007 10:15 AM
Reply to: Message 59 by FliesOnly
09-26-2007 6:59 AM


Re: on pods
I just buy them. That way I have fresh not stale coffee. And a French Press is fine, nothing wrong with one. I just enjoy the convenience of SSC.

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This message is a reply to:
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