Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

Good Morning, All!:) I Recently Purchased A Highly Recommended Technivorm Moccamaster & I Can Not Get A Decent Cup Of Coffee! I've Tried Different Brands, Recommended Amounts Of 1-2 Tablespoons Of Coffee Per Ounce Of Filtered Water, Etc. & Nothing Seems To Taste Good. I Ordered Some Uncle Beanz Coffee, Hoping That Will Taste Better. All I Want Is A Smooth, Non-Bitter, Flavorful Cup Of Coffee! :sh I Have My Own Baratza Encore Grinder Which I Grind Up A Week's Worth Of Coffee & Store It In A Airtight "CoffeeVac". Any Recommendations For A Blend Of Coffee I Can Readily Get At The Grocery Store? Thanks!:tu

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

How is the coffee coming out, Greg? Maybe it has nothing to do with the beans and something is wrong with the machine or the dosing.

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

You should grind coffee before brewing, not a week in advance.

Try adding a pinch of salt to ground coffee in the filter before brewing.

There's no real secret to brewing in drip pot. All you can do is adjust the amount of coffee, the grind, or both.

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

I actually don't mind dunkin donuts coffee from the supermarket. I used to only drink Folgers out of the drip machine. Now I've found I really like Ethiopian yiracheffe (sp).

Does the coffee you're making just taste like the stuff you've been drinking before? Or is it worse? I agree it could be a dosing issue. Do you own a digital kitchen scale? I can't recall what amount is "proper" for a machine, and I only eyeball it in the French press now.

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

What does that do?

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

Thanks For The Replies, Christos, Moses, & Peter. I Tried The Recommended Amount Of 60Gm. Of Coffee / Liter & It Was Way To Strong. When I Use 1/2 That Amount It Tastes Like Muddy Water . I Do Use A Gm. Scale.

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

What coffees were you using before ordering from uncle beanz?

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

Unfortunately, Since I Go To Work So Early, I Can't Grind Every Morning As I Would Wake Up The Whole House. Any Preferences Between Eight O'Clock, Folger's, Etc. ?

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

A quick google search popped a few local roasters in Mobile, Greg. Why limit yourself to grocery store coffee? An extra 30 or 40 cents a pot for truly GREAT locally roasted FRESH coffee is worth it. And it supports your local economy.

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

Didn't Think Of That. Thanks, Pete! I Usually Use Starbucks Or Eight O'Clock.

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I recently tried Chock Full o' Nuts, and I love it; it's become my regular.

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

I used to do starbucks coffee (beans, rarely actually buy a coffee there), then went to buying some stuff from roasters online. a couple years back I switched to local roasters (not always local to my current location, sometimes when traveling I'd pick up a pound if I knew I was running low at home). now that's about all that I do, never looked back :cf2

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

I drip 2 parts Folgers Columbian and 1 part Folgers Vanilla. Don't laugh until you try it.

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol View Post
Try adding a pinch of salt to ground coffee in the filter before brewing.
It takes the bitter out. Hides the acid somehow.
I keep those little salt packets in my car in case my coffee sucks. I put it in my coffee when I get it at Sheetz all the time. It works great, and it only takes a little bit.

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

Thanks, All! Found A Local Roaster, Carpe Diem, Who Roasts Daily. I 'll Pick Some Up After Work, Today! :)

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

That's the spirit! Going from grocery store floor sweepings to craft roasted beans is like going from Mickey D's to Ruths Chris. We expect a full report, including which beans and tasting notes. ;)

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

:D:tu

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

Yea the local roaster is a great idea. I would go down to 55grams try that. Then down to 50grams. That little trial and error would probably do the trick.

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

Takes off the bitterness. Just a pinch. Give it a try!

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

Bokar Blend is really good. Costco is great too, they single origin coffee are a steal.

You'll get to the point of "eye balling" soon. Once you see how much coffee is needed, you can score the filter holder or just remember. No need to weight and measure.

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

Received My Unclebeanz Shipment Yesterday, "Beso Espresso". Ground The Coffee Last Nite On My Baratza Encore Grinder Setting "19". This Morning I Added 3.5 Level Scoops Or 1 Tablespoon/6Oz. Filtered Water. Nice, Smooth, Sweet, Cocoa Flavor.:tu I Still Need A Little More Flavor, So I May Go Up To 4-5 Scoops/ Liter. Picked Up Some Freshly Roasted Coffee From My Local Roaster, Yesterday, Too!:D

http://www.springhillcoffeeroasters.com

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

Greg another thing I noticed with my, automated pour over machine (I don't say drip machine because the technivorum and a few others are so far ahead of cheap drip machines) is that water quality matters. I filter all my water prior to use in mine, or use bottled water. There is a difference in taste imo. And even if there isn't it's better for the life of the machine to use good water to prevent scale or other issues.

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

My favorite grocery store coffee is Eight O' Clock. It is nothing special but it does the trick for a backup.

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

This is a really good point, I use bottled water for my coffee.

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

Don't use distilled water. Some mineral content is need for flavor so says my co-worker who's super into coffee. Minerals help "pull" some of the coffee material that adds to flavor.

We are lucky in Boston that our tap water is very good and no need to filter or use bottled water

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

I Always Use Filtered Water From My GE Filtered Ice/Water Dispenser From My Fridge. I Tried Actually "Weighing" My Coffee This Afternoon & Found Out 60Gm. Of The Particular Coffee I Was Using Was Only 4 Level Coffee Scoops!!!:confused: Guess I Need To Weigh Each Time For Awhile. Coffee Was Much Smoother & Richer.:tu Thanks For All The Advice, My Friends; Keep It Coming!:D

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

That's interesting. My tap water is no where near acceptable for coffee, so I use the RO faucet on the sink. I use that water for everything. But I don't think RO water has minerals in it.

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

No I use bottled (Filtered water)

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

I found out a long time ago measuring cups are not very accurate. I always go by weight.

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

RO water has minerals. Much much less than other sources but more than distilled and enough for coffee. This was at least the line we used along with some data when I sold culligan ro systems. :tu

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

RO water does not.


Having been a "water guy" (selling RO, iron treatment and softeners) and having some training and certs in it, I remember at least a little bit ;)
People who will try to tell you "RO is bad for you" probably don't have a smidgen of actual knowledge or training, but may have read some creative intrawebz sites.

Filtered water is good. It will take out off flavors, some chemicals, turbidity, improving taste and aesthetics. Change those filters out, and sanitize the system if possible, at regular intervals if allowed by design of the equipment.

I use RO for all consumables, ice to cooking to coffee. I have been told my coffee doesn't suck, to paraphrase more than a compliment or two fired my way.

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

RO systems, in optimal conditions, are fed soft water, which, by definition, removes calcium carbonate, which is the hardness, or "minerals" most commonly referred to in water treatment jargon. Depending of the efficiency of the actual RO unit, the TDS levels are very very low, and comparable enough to distilled to make no essential difference.

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

:tu Found Out The SCAA Coffee Guidelines Were 9-11Gm. Coffee/6Oz.Filtered Water. That Would Come Out To 63-77 Gm. For My Technivorm. "Sweet Marias" Site Recommended 68 Gm.

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

That's what I said, just less technical. :p

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

How did making a pot of drip coffee get so involved?

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

Right around the time you could spend $300 on a 'drip' machine like the technivorum that Greg bought.

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I have a decent espresso setup for over a decade and never had to jump through so many hoops... Maybe he is over thinking it?

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

Like guys "over think" their cigars? ;)

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

If I drank a lot of coffee, I'd probably spend the cash on a good machine. But since I only drink a cup or two at a time, the French press works great.

The only thing I've spent over $100 on is a breville smart grinder. I don't grind until the water gets to temp. That's about as technical as I get with my coffee.

I try to keep the KISS principle at the forefront of daily routine activities. But it did take effort/trial and error before figuring out the most efficient way to do things. I've even gone so far as to figuring out the quickest-moving traffic lane to drive in through different parts of town to spend the least amount of time driving.

Now that I think about it, efficiency ain't so simple after all...

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

"True"!;) "68" Gm. Seemed A Little Strong This Morning With The Uncle Beanz. Think I'll Try The Low End @ 63 Gm.:tu

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

BlackBear Coffee Micro Roastery Recommends 53.2 Gm/40Oz. Think I'll Try That. 63Gm. Is Still A Little Strong. Thanks, Christos!:tu
http://www.blackbearcoffee.com/resources/83

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

Yeah, I'm pretty much mystified. I've used a simple Bunn drip maker for well over thirty years now. I'm on my third one now. My Solis grinder is somewhere between ten and fifteen years old. Whenever I try a new brand of beans, I usually manage to figure out how much I need in a pot after a few tries. Don't own a coffee measuring device, I eyeball it.

Just never found it to be all that complicated. ;)

Right now I'm drinking a cup made from San Francisco Bay French Roast. Strong, rich, no bitterness. Satisfies my simple tastes.

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

I Know This Sounds A Little Weak To The Coffee Experts, But It Suits My Tastes.:D 1 Tablespoon Coffee/6OZ. H20= 37Gm. Coffee For My Technivorm Model. Works Great! Thanks, Again, For All The Great Advice, My Friends!:D:tu

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

Greg, I've read this thread over and over because I feel I am in the exact place you were when you started. I've used the Technivorm for about 2 months and tried different grind levels, different coffees like Starbucks, Eight O'clock, Heine Brothers and more. I don't have any way of measuring grams, but sounds like I need to try and be more precise. I have eyeballed it only, more, less, different grind levels and none seem "rich" enough. Kind of bland; not bitter, just bland. What kind of a scale do you use to measure grams? Thanks. Steve

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

If I could not make a good cup of coffee with it in two months,I would throw it out.
Sounds like the water is either not hot enough or it is running past the coffee too fast to extract any flavor.
I have an espresso machine,moca pot,french press, and a drip machine,and have no trouble with any of them.
The espresso took a few trials to dial in,a little advice from a pro and I was good to go......

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

I just tried the salt thing and my god... it actually works. I've also heard of putting grass fed butter with your ground coffee. My roommate said he tried it over christmas and it was amazing. He said it was like a concentrated caffeine high or compared it to taking a small dose of a "study buddy" without feeling all hopped up. Not sure if anyone else has heard of this and I'm not sure if normal butter will work or not.

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

cigarmonkel I tried it actually with grass fed butter and with coconut oil (1.tsp for a cup) and it is great. You can add cream/milk if you like.
Some call it bulletproof coffee, I guess it makes you immortal :D

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

"37 Grams" With A Full Pot (40 Ounces) Measured On A Oxo Kitchen Scale:http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Stai...+scale+digital

Works Great Every Morning!:tu

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

Thanks Greg; I'll try that. My coffee isn't bad, but it isn't heads and shoulders above a standard drip machine. But, I love to tweak it and will try the measure.

Re: Basic Coffee Recommendations?
 

I would like to start grinding and brewing my on coffe. I like a strong cup, any suggestions on grinder and brewer