I just discovered Coffee
 

First things first until a week ago I never drank a cup of coffee in my life. My fiance drinks coffee and we have a drip machine and a Keurig. I've always loved the smell of coffee for whatever reason I just never drank it.

Because I'm not the type to just leave well enough alone I start reading everything I can about coffee and decide since she seems to really enjoy coffee she deserves to enjoy "Better" Coffee.

Enter the Aeropress, Capresso Infinity Grinder and Unclebeanz Negrita coffee. The stars align and this stuff all arrives on the same day. I'm like a kid on Christmas morning and can't wait to do a trial run so I can show her how easy it is to brew a "Better" cup of coffee.

I do drink tea and love gadgets so we already own a Zojirushi CV-DSC40 water dispencer which I use to fill the Aeropress using the inverted method.This whole process is reminding me not only how much I enjoy a good cigar but also the art and ritual that goes into lighting it.

I'm starring down into the mug of my fresh brew and figure I should really taste this stuff. Flashing back again to how I discovered cigars by first loving the smell this is all seemingly to familiar to me. I have visions of the cliff ahead but still continue on topping off with hot water a touch of half/half and a sugar in the raw. I give it a quick stir and take my first sip.

By now you can see where this is going. It's been a week I haven't tried it pure black yet but I can tell this is the direction I'm heading. I'm now leaving out the sugar and using less half/half and enjoying 2-3 cups a day.

My fiance you wonder ? Well I set her up with a little unscientific blind taste test. A cup from the keurig, a cup of some ground kona blend from the drip and a cup from my newly discoverd Aunt Aero and Unclebeanz. She knows me well and that when I get into something I go into it full tilt so I'm sure shes trying to pick any other than the aeropressed cup but her honesty and tastebuds lead her to choose just that.

All of this leaves me with many thoughts. I already know I'll only purchase whole beans but what about roasting my own? I'm sure well keep the keurig for that quick cup on the run. I would like to find someone local( I'm in NJ) that owns a roaster and experience the process first hand.

I'd love to hear your thoughts, tips tricks ect... French Press, Moka pot, Expresso machine,Roaster, The rule of 15's and such.

Thanks for taking the time to read this !

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

It's another slippery slope! Enjoy!

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

Check out Sweet Marias for green beans and lots of tutorials on Home Roasting.
I prefer brewing in a French Press.
I also add Silk Creamer and sugar. Always have and always will.

Drink it how you like it.

:tu

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

So many slippery slopes around this place! You cant go wrong with a french press. :2

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

On my quest for the perfect cup of coffee, I stumbled upon (read shoved down the slope my Mr Moo) the joys of home roasting. I now have about a dozen different ways to brew my coffee. I was amazed what a difference fresh roasted beans make, and the incredible variety of flavors available depending on the country of origin.

Welcome to the slope ;)

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

I have to agree that the french press is the way to go. You get so many more of those nice oils into your mug instead of them being stuck in a filter.

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

Congrats Scott!!!:noon

Welcome to yet another slope!!!:r

BTW, coffee is soooo good with cigars!:dr

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

I have been holding off on the coffee stuff for quite some time now. I almost pulled the trigger on a syphon system a year ago but decided not to go down that slope. Since seeing the OP I have been searching Amazon and adding grinders, electric kettles, hario dripper and filters to my wish list. That is the first step to purchase for me. Just have to hold out a little while longer.

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

What is a Hario Dripper?

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

Keurig < French Press < Cold Brewed

This was my path to drinking coffee anyway.

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

I just ordered a French press and look forward to trying it out. I have been using the metal filter with the Aeropress and notice it passes on more of the oils compared to the paper filters. While searching for a french press I stumbled on the Espro press which sounds great other than its 70.00 and only brews 8oz. http://www.espro.ca/espro-press/ I'm real close to ordering the Behmor 1600 Roaster unless someone can convince me otherwise.

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

;s

Stop. Rethink. Do not allow your enthusiasm to misdirect you.

Your opening post clearly reveals you need to defer all other expenditures until you have selected and purchased a killer grinder. I suggest you take any money you might spend on anything coffee and immediately divert it to a grinder. You have all the key indicators of needing a Mazzer Mini, Macap or, at the very least, a Rancilio Rocky.

You cannot build a house by starting with shingles. The best possible grinder - one for a lifetime, ideally - is the foundation upon which your world of great coffees are brewed and poured. If you only ever wanted coffee from a press or, maybe, a mokapot, I'd say "You gonna LOVE that Infinity" but, you won't. There is no guesswork here; you can take that to the bank.

Enjoy whatever. :tu

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

This:

http://www.amazon.com/Hario-VDC-02W-...=1M7F98GSZWMS8

This paired with fresh roasted beans, a grinder and an electric kettle will make you a fresh cup every time.

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

I have a Behmor 1600 and love it. It's served me well for 2 years now.

I came close to going the popcorn popper route, but am glad I got the Behmor.

I'm not going to say to get the grinder first because it would be too sensible. I learned that the hard way and it wouldn't be fair to let someone benefit off my experience.

If you decide to go the correct route, Moo is correct about Mazzers and Macaps. (I'm a Macap owner, and he's a Mazzer owner)

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

Cleaner cup then FP. $70 is a lot of money but it is a small company just starting out.

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

I have to agree with Mister Moo, run while you still can. It all starts with a few brew devices, a good burr grinder, fresh roasted coffee, then you find yourself thinking roasting would be nice and it will bring the cost of buying that already roasted fresh roast, it leads to harder stuff. Next thing you know you have 2 6'x4'x3' shelves covered with brew devices, roasters, green coffee beans, then there is the commercial roaster in the garage, the multiple grinders and espresso machines and now talking with Atlas importers discussing whole and 1/2 bags of green beans, picking up 5lbs of Don Pachi Geisha beans from Panama, and finding yourself crying like a baby when a container of Ethiopia Nekisse bound for the USA is stolen. Is this what you want?

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

Can't wait to try a Liga Privada with a great cup of coffee...SOUNDS DELECIOUS!

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

I was going to post that!

Where did you get the metal filter from? Thanks.

Well I usually would agree with Moo...he has a great amount of wisdom in the coffee arts. (no offense Dan)

BUT....I have the Capresso Infinity Grinder and a Moka, and a French Press and an Aero Press and don't want to go any further. Oh I also roast my own green beans.

Suffice to say everyone is different and their tastes are therefore different...unless you are wanting to get into espresso coffee and the high priced machines (nothing wrong with that) to make it, think long and hard where your coffee journey is taking you.

God Bless and have a great cup and smoke.

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

The filter I ordered from amazon http://www.amazon.com/Aeropress-Stai...7263935&sr=8-2 There are a few different ones but this one seems to work just fine.

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

Actually, coffee was discovered well before 9/26/2011! :r

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

http://www.sweetmarias.com/sweetmari...ss-brewer.html

http://marrowmag.com/coffee/coava-di...coffee-filter/

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

I am starting to become a big coffee drinker myself. I never used to be but when i started college, those late nights can be killer. Coffee has saved me more times than i can count. I tend to lean toward to Starbucks coffee, but it is pricy. What is a good alternative coffee that has the same great taste?

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

Curious to know, is Starbucks to coffee what Acids are to cigars. I mean where a lot of people start out but when they discover the real thing and it is a completely different experience........

I love Starbucks coffee but if this roasting and brewing your own thing is better, I may have to take the slide down the slope as well...

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

I've never had starbucks coffee so I can't comment on their coffee. I can tell you that even the simple task of grinding your own beans compared to buying ground coffee makes a big difference. I'd say the comparison is more like a non cuban cigar vs a cuban cigar where at least to me I find more depth of flavor in a cuban cigar and more depth of flavor in beans I grind myself. I haven't roasted my own beans yet but in a short time I will. I imagine the difference between buying roasted vs roasting your own to be like a cuban cigar vs an aged cuban cigar I guess only time will tell.

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

You're in Chicago,which is loaded with good coffee. Intelligentsia for one makes far better coffee than Starbucks.
Starbucks has it's fans. Having said that, many coffee fans feel they ruin their coffee but over roasting the beans. Go someplace like Intelligentsia or any good coffee roaster, compare the two and decide for yourself.

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

I have to buy a new filter..But was wondering which filter should I buy.Can anyone recommend which filter will be good and worth purchasing...

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

Ba da bing
Ba da boom
:banger

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

Filter for what?

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

These are wise words. I've had a long, sordid, and sometimes painful affair with coffee. We've now come to an awkward truce - I've spent a moderately silly amount of money for good tools, and continue to give her far too much money, far too often for good beans. In return, she tortures me by giving me unpredictable glimpses of her perfection on the mornings that I am able to sweet-talk her "just so". :tu

I'll spare you the boring details of this affair, but I'll say this about grinders. Do it once, do it right. I've owned four grinders in the past five years. The money that I wasted on sub-par grinders would have easily covered the cost of the grinder that I ended up purchasing.

A small blade grinder (don't bother unless you're going to use it just for spices)
An inexpensive burr grinder (better, and acceptable if all you're ever going to do is French Press and you don't mind a bunch of "fines" muddying up your cup of coffee)
Another inexpensive burr grinder (first one was broken and I didn't know any better at the time)
A Baratza Vario - purchased after I upgraded to a better espresso machine with a non-pressurized portafilter and figured out that inconsistent grind size was messing with my mojo.

You seem to do the same thing that I do...research, and then experiment...and you don't seem to be happy with less-than-good results. A good grinder will be a huge help for any style of coffee preparation, and is absolutely vital if you want to make good espresso. If you're going to make espresso, you're going to bitterly disappointed in a grinder that can't produce a fine, consistent, finely adjustable grind. Even if you never end up making espresso, a first-rate grinder will probably make a bigger contribution to good end results than any other piece of equipment that you can purchase.

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

:lr

I just re-read this post

:lrHa Ha Ha
Rob you are so funny.....:sad but this is so true.

Run while you can.




:cf1

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

Not a huge coffee fan but Shane (BlakSmyth) has been pushing me to try it. Maybe this weekend!!

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

Is there a point to life without coffee???:D

If you try a good quality coffee you may appreciate it more. I can be all over the map at times. Sometime I like a medium, well balanced coffee...sometime I like a lighter, brighter, slightly acidic coffee...and some times I like my coffee to look like molasses.

Try to decide what flavor profile would suit you best, and then pick your coffee from there.

:2 Enjoy...:cf1

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

Here I was, thinking that I was the only one that suffered from a multiple coffee personality disorder.

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

Hmmm I might have to push a little harder! Didn't think I had much of a chance of turning you but now I know! Muuahahahahaha

Re: I just discovered Coffee
 

:tpd: