More Serious About Coffee

[fredwiggy]

4 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I buy Birdy Robusta in a tin. 17 baht. It's the only coffee I can find in the stores which is not laced with sugar.

 

Pour into a cup, microwave 1 minute. Add one-tenth of a teaspoon of stevia, a natural sweetener derived from a South American plant. Zero calories.

 

Not Kopi Luwak, but it suits me without the elaborate preparation this thread is describing.

 

I believe in Keep It Simple Stupid.

 

People get into things either serious or just enough to make them happy, like you mentioned. I see why others get so involved in coffee making as it's a science. Just like fishing which I'm into seriously. Some use a cane pole and a can of worms, and catch fish to eat, which is just fine. Others like myself use all manner of fishing tackle for all types of fishing, and look at fishing as a sport, putting yourself against the fish in a battle of sorts, where both can win if it's catch and release or one wins and it's grilled swordfish. I see coffee making as an art also, and where I can experiment with many types of beans and see which ones I like the most. I've definitely opened my eyes yearly since I first started drinking, and more so since I just returned from Vietnam.

[safarimike11]

5 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

Not a new coffee drinker but never really got into the serious part of making it until recently. I've only drank coffee the last 9 years or so, deciding the health benefits far outweighed the negative, and had a  Keurig back when I lived in Texas, along with going to Starbucks, Dutch Brothers and a myriad of other coffee shops in Texas while I lived there. Just recently came back from Vietnam, finally trying their brands and thinking they're the best I've had so far. I brought back some fresh ground and had it today, but don't have a coffee maker yet so looking to purchase a Moka Pot soon. When I move back to Texas I'll get the whole arsenal of coffee making items but for now want to use the Moka as I hear it makes a good rich cup fast. I'd like to hear what others say about it. I've seen some comments from some serious drinkers here and it more strengthens my desire to get more involved in the coffee sciences.

I managed to avoid Starbucks (in 6 Western countries) until 2018 or 2019 in a large shopping mall in Bangkok. I really just wanted to take the weight off and the Starbucks just happened to be next to me, so I sat down - outside. The waitress approached me and I asked for a coffee; can't remember exactly but what I wanted was priced just under 100 baht. She engaged me with - what she had been trained for - the "add-on" whatever you want to call it. Being as I wasn't in a hurry - just wanted to sit down really - I accepted what she recommended.  In the end, it came to just over 120 baht. When the coffee arrived, I found it totally disgusting, so much so that I have never had another Starbucks coffee. Incidentally, the place closed down some time later and now it is a fashion outlet. (Apologies for rambling on a bit).

[fredwiggy]

3 minutes ago, safarimike11 said:

I managed to avoid Starbucks (in 6 Western countries) until 2018 or 2019 in a large shopping mall in Bangkok. I really just wanted to take the weight off and the Starbucks just happened to be next to me, so I sat down - outside. The waitress approached me and I asked for a coffee; can't remember exactly but what I wanted was priced just under 100 baht. She engaged me with - what she had been trained for - the "add-on" whatever you want to call it. Being as I wasn't in a hurry - just wanted to sit down really - I accepted what she recommended.  In the end, it came to just over 120 baht. When the coffee arrived, I found it totally disgusting, so much so that I have never had another Starbucks coffee. Incidentally, the place closed down some time later and now it is a fashion outlet. (Apologies for rambling on a bit).

I've heard this a few times from those who visited Starbucks, especially here. I'm guessing the training didn't get through to them like it does in the US. I usually go to Starbucks when I'm back there visiting, and the coffee has always been consistently good. Add on's do taste good but some prefer coffee with as little as possible added. Just like restaurants that serve the same type of food. Some get it right and some never do.

[safarimike11]

1 minute ago, fredwiggy said:

I've heard this a few times from those who visited Starbucks, especially here. I'm guessing the training didn't get through to them like it does in the US. I usually go to Starbucks when I'm back there visiting, and the coffee has always been consistently good. Add on's do taste good but some prefer coffee with as little as possible added. Just like restaurants that serve the same type of food. Some get it right and some never do.

Kow jai.

[Cameroni]

31 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I buy Birdy Robusta in a tin. 17 baht. It's the only coffee I can find in the stores which is not laced with sugar.

 

Pour into a cup, microwave 1 minute. Add one-tenth of a teaspoon of stevia, a natural sweetener derived from a South American plant. Zero calories.

 

Not Kopi Luwak, but it suits me without the elaborate preparation this thread is describing.

 

I believe in Keep It Simple Stupid.

 

Sorry you pour the robusta in a cup? You mean the pre-ground coffee and water I presume?

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, Lacessit said:

I buy Birdy Robusta in a tin. 17 baht. It's the only coffee I can find in the stores which is not laced with sugar.

 

Pour into a cup, microwave 1 minute. Add one-tenth of a teaspoon of stevia, a natural sweetener derived from a South American plant. Zero calories.

 

Not Kopi Luwak, but it suits me without the elaborate preparation this thread is describing.

 

I believe in Keep It Simple Stupid.

 

Not too late for you to benefit from a moka pot and cheap (200 baht moka pot, 220 baht grinder, coffee bean 199 baht a month), much better coffee than instant, the whole experience is better

[Cameroni]

Oh my God, he's talking about instant coffee???

 

The horror!

[fredwiggy]

5 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

Oh my God, he's talking about instant coffee???

 

The horror!

 

[dddave]

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/oggi-mc2-mc2-plus-i372570299-s4497846765.html?

 

I've had this OGGI MC-2 machine for 4 years now, daily use.  What sets it apart is it comes with 3 adaptors so you have the option of Nespresso capsules, Dolce Gusto Capsules or fresh ground coffee.  The capsules are great if you are in a hurry, especially the Dolce Gusto which I much prefer to the smaller Nespresso.

When I have the time for a great cup, I can fresh grind whatever beans I chose and have a rich and very satisfying cup.  Purchased online, Nespresso capsules run from B10 to B30 each, Dolce Gusto usually a few baht more.

[Yagoda]

1 hour ago, Lacessit said:

I buy Birdy Robusta in a tin. 17 baht. It's the only coffee I can find in the stores which is not laced with sugar.

 

Pour into a cup, microwave 1 minute. Add one-tenth of a teaspoon of stevia, a natural sweetener derived from a South American plant. Zero calories.

 

Not Kopi Luwak, but it suits me without the elaborate preparation this thread is describing.

 

I believe in Keep It Simple Stupid.

 

Somehow I dont call tossing 4 tablepoons of coffee into a metal pot elaborate preparation, especially when the alternative you describe wouldnt even be considered coffee.

[daveAustin]

Good stuff. Not a coffee connoisseur by any stretch, find Bon Cafe through a cafetiere good enough for me, albeit with a pinch of powdered eggshells to null any bitterness and another pinch of cinnamon to 'Christmasify' it.

Coffee is indeed good, in moderation--couple a day. Gave it up once, along with alcohol, for several months. Healthy, but life was just vanilla and shiite. Don't recommend it. 🙂

[Lacessit]

2 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

People get into things either serious or just enough to make them happy, like you mentioned. I see why others get so involved in coffee making as it's a science. Just like fishing which I'm into seriously. Some use a cane pole and a can of worms, and catch fish to eat, which is just fine. Others like myself use all manner of fishing tackle for all types of fishing, and look at fishing as a sport, putting yourself against the fish in a battle of sorts, where both can win if it's catch and release or one wins and it's grilled swordfish. I see coffee making as an art also, and where I can experiment with many types of beans and see which ones I like the most. I've definitely opened my eyes yearly since I first started drinking, and more so since I just returned from Vietnam.

Understood, I am just stirring the possum a tad. I'd agree Vietnamese coffee takes the crown.

 

I am quite serious about maintaining anything I own correctly. Look after equipment, it will look after you.

[Lacessit]

5 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

Good stuff. Not a coffee connoisseur by any stretch, find Bon Cafe through a cafetiere good enough for me, albeit with a pinch of powdered eggshells to null any bitterness and another pinch of cinnamon to 'Christmasify' it.

Coffee is indeed good, in moderation--couple a day. Gave it up once, along with alcohol, for several months. Healthy, but life was just vanilla and shiite. Don't recommend it. 🙂

There is research suggesting moderate coffee consumption has cardiovascular benefits.

 

https://www.heart.org/en/news/2021/02/09/coffee-may-help-reduce-risk-for-heart-failure#

[BangkokReady]

5 hours ago, Yagoda said:

I have been using 80/20 Mondulkiri. The coffee dudes told me that Vietnamese use 100% robusta

 

Yeah, Vietnamese coffee packs quite a punch, but there's something about it that makes it still quite smooth and delicious (chocolatey notes?).  I've tried more Robusta blends in Thailand but they aren't as nice.

 

I like Sang Tao No.2 by Trung Nguyen.  You can get it on Lazada.  There are 5 types.

[Peabody]

I like the beans that Benjamit sells at Talat Buakhao. Grind them with a 13 year old Braun burr grinder and brew in an electric moka pot, Alicia model by DeLonghi.

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[newbee2022]

11 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

Not a new coffee drinker but never really got into the serious part of making it until recently. I've only drank coffee the last 9 years or so, deciding the health benefits far outweighed the negative, and had a  Keurig back when I lived in Texas, along with going to Starbucks, Dutch Brothers and a myriad of other coffee shops in Texas while I lived there. Just recently came back from Vietnam, finally trying their brands and thinking they're the best I've had so far. I brought back some fresh ground and had it today, but don't have a coffee maker yet so looking to purchase a Moka Pot soon. When I move back to Texas I'll get the whole arsenal of coffee making items but for now want to use the Moka as I hear it makes a good rich cup fast. I'd like to hear what others say about it. I've seen some comments from some serious drinkers here and it more strengthens my desire to get more involved in the coffee sciences.

I tried a lot of coffees from all over the world.

However, once I tried the Vietnamese I stick on it. The best ever. ❤️

[bendejo]

14 hours ago, save the frogs said:

more pressure = more flavor extracted

the fancy machines have high pressure

moka pot has some pressure and therefore makes a decent coffee

i love the SOUND of the brewing the moka pots make

but i stopped using them ... there is some kind of grime or whatever it is that builds up in the pot. I guess there's a way to clean it, but I was too lazy to figure it out. 

moka pots can be used at campfires 

 

 

A while back, in a different coffee thread, I brought up this business of keeping the Moka pots clean and some yabbo went off the rails and attacked me for it like I was personally slandering him.  He tapered off a few hours later when he sobered up. 

I don't mind some sediment at the bottom of the cup, but I did some experimenting and found that it was what kept me awake at night, even after 12 hours without coffee.  I stick with the Melitta-type drip: I recommend using the 2-step bloom method.  I haven't been to a Daiso in a while but used to be you could buy a cone and the paper filters there, though if you can find them (and are willing to pay the price) I would suggest going with the Melitta -brand filters.

 

[Cameroni]

34 minutes ago, bendejo said:

 

A while back, in a different coffee thread, I brought up this business of keeping the Moka pots clean and some yabbo went off the rails and attacked me for it like I was personally slandering him.  He tapered off a few hours later when he sobered up. 

I don't mind some sediment at the bottom of the cup, but I did some experimenting and found that it was what kept me awake at night, even after 12 hours without coffee.  I stick with the Melitta-type drip: I recommend using the 2-step bloom method.  I haven't been to a Daiso in a while but used to be you could buy a cone and the paper filters there, though if you can find them (and are willing to pay the price) I would suggest going with the Melitta -brand filters.

 

 

It's funny 'cause I go to Daiso to pick up small brushes that can go into the bottom of the Moka pot itself. You need to clean not just the ring and filter and sieve, but also the buttom of the water container of the Moka Pot. For some bizarre reason it gets black and you have to brush it out every now and then.