Coffee

[Malthus101]

OK...

I always start the day with a black coffee. Now that I have a place to live, I am looking to buy some sort of equipment for home use so I don't have to go spending fortunes at coffee bars.

Just wondered what most folks do in Thailand - where do you buy good quality ground coffee? I seem to see a lot of Nescafe Instant around but not much in the way of beans or ground.

Just a few pointers would help me out.

Not sure whether to buy a kettle and a cafetiere, or maybe just buy a coffee maker. It actually seems cheaper to buy a coffee maker bizarrely.

Can anyone would recommend a good make of coffee maker?

And tips on best place to buy ground coffee!

Thanks folks...

[Psych01]

I bought a coffee percolator from Big C, OTTO with a reusable filter (300bht), and I use Moccona Espresso ground coffee 250g (approx. 89bht). The coffee can be bought at Tesco, Big C, Max Value and Foodland, there may be others.

[Malthus101]

I bought a coffee percolator from Big C, OTTO with a reusable filter (300bht), and I use Moccona Espresso ground coffee 250g (approx. 89bht). The coffee can be bought at Tesco, Big C, Max Value and Foodland, there may be others.

Thanks Pysch01....

How are the OTTO range? How long have you been using it? I like the reusable filter, more cost saving!

I was just in Tesco Lotus - I think I saw some of the coffee you show. I also saw a bigger bag, 500g I think of another brand, sounded almost Japanese in name. You know the one I mean? Silver bag with green writing I think.

Are their specialist coffee shops in Bangkok where you can buy Italain brands like Lavazza or Illy?

Thanks!

[Psych01]

The percolator I have works fine, had it for about a year now. I do not actually use the reusable filter, as you get the silt at the bottom, I buy Bon Cafe filters not expensive.

I know in the Big C near me in Lat Phrao they stock a very wide range of coffee beans or grinds, I have also seen Illy & Lavazza there. Haven't checked in Tesco Lotus in Bang Kapi as I always get Moccona from Max Value, as it is only 2 mins up the road from where I live.

Here is a link for Tesco Online, unfortunately no Illy or Lavazza. I have seen the one you mention, but have not tried it.

[ava15]

Moccona espresso is pretty decent

[Quickmill]

I bought a coffee percolator from Big C, OTTO with a reusable filter (300bht), and I use Moccona Espresso ground coffee 250g (approx. 89bht). The coffee can be bought at Tesco, Big C, Max Value and Foodland, there may be others.

Thanks Pysch01....

How are the OTTO range? How long have you been using it? I like the reusable filter, more cost saving!

I was just in Tesco Lotus - I think I saw some of the coffee you show. I also saw a bigger bag, 500g I think of another brand, sounded almost Japanese in name. You know the one I mean? Silver bag with green writing I think.

Are their specialist coffee shops in Bangkok where you can buy Italain brands like Lavazza or Illy?

Thanks!

Hi Malthus, if is convenient for you, my neighbor sale Italian roasted coffee in beans or ground, it's worth a visit if you want to try a cup.

[Morden]

Boncafe is a good one stop shop for machines and coffee.

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

The coffee you're talking about, green bag and white writing, is Suzuki brand, I believe.

Most coffee in Thailand is grossly overpriced. Alas, we live here and must accept.

There may be some roasters in Pattaya that use northern Thailand beans, which would be best, if you ask me. The one I buy from though is in Bangkok. GT Coffee owner, Ratchada soi 3, owns a plantation in Chiang Rai province, Doi Chang grown beans. 500 baht a kilo for 80% arabica beans and 20% "other". Full 100% arabica is 800 baht a kilo. By contrast, equally good Cambodian Mondulkiri beans in Phnom Penh are 180 baht/kilo.

I use a Vietnamese stainless steel filter cup (I have three) I bought in Phnom Penh. Could not find them anywhere in BKK or Pattaya. Only 60 baht for a cup set, which has four parts: main cup with filter holes, a tamper you use to press down on the grounds before pouring in the water, a large steel disc that supports the filter cup and sits over the mug, allowing it to be used for many mug sizes and a lid. Gives almost an espresso flavour, as long as you use a medium to dark roasted bean.

In the past I used a quite good Philips compact coffee maker, using either Suzuki brand paper filters or metal filter. While I would like to use a metal filter, paper filters work better to keep grounds out of the coffee.

PS People are not going to like this but I think those cans of Italian brand name ground coffee are vastly overrated and overpriced.

Edited May 29, 2013 by Kaoboi Bebobp

[Morden]

'Other' is probably Robusta, grown in the south and used mainly for instant coffee, It's added by some roasters to make it easier to get the crema but detracts from the taste. The best Thai coffee beans are 100% Arabica.

THB800 is expensive.

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

'Other' is probably Robusta, grown in the south and used mainly for instant coffee, It's added by some roasters to make it easier to get the crema but detracts from the taste. The best Thai coffee beans are 100% Arabica.

THB800 is expensive.

Agreed. The 800 is his list price. But as a regular I pay less. But I would (and have) paid 800 as it's excellent coffee.

Edited May 29, 2013 by Kaoboi Bebobp

[givenall]

I use a European steam perculator that water from bottom through ground coffee housing and liquid coffee is made on the top. It works great a for ground I mix half French rost half esspreso. I like this much better than percuator method.

Sent from my ST18a using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Malthus101]

OK guys, thanks, good advice there.

In England I had both a "stove top" by Bialetti an also a steel cafetiere - each make a slightly different style of coffee but I like both.

So, do you all think the Thai coffee is OK then? I'm happy not to drink Italian if the Thai is good, just used to Italian in London, that's all...

Are electric coffee makers OK in general? (never had one) or do they tend to break?

[bealus]

Many Makro's I have visited had some (semi)-professional coffee brewers in their assortiment; definitely worth a visit

[robenroute]

'Other' is probably Robusta, grown in the south and used mainly for instant coffee, It's added by some roasters to make it easier to get the crema but detracts from the taste. The best Thai coffee beans are 100% Arabica.

THB800 is expensive.

Basically, only two types of beans are grown: Arabica (sometimes called Mountain Coffee) and Robusta. About 80% of the world's harvest is Arabica, the rest is Robusta. Arabica is milder in taste and to create stronger tasting coffees, often Robusta is mixed in. As mentioned in this thread, Doi Chang is excellent coffee, as is Doi Tung. Both are grown in the North and easily available via the Internet. Other excellent Asian coffee is available from Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. It's just nigh impossible to get it. There's a Dutch bloke in Paksong (Laos), growing/roasting/selling good coffee: http://www.paksong.info/index.php. He ships to Thailand.

If you do get a perculator, make sure the perculator spits out water of at least 94 degrees C. Alternatively, you could boil water and pour the boiling water on the ground coffee by hand (the cheapest, but also most time-consuming way). You'd be amazed how much better coffee tastes when brewed at the right temperature...

[rwdrwdrwd]

After trying many, going through everything we could find in Makro / Tops we now order roasted beans from Bluekoff - you'll find them on Google, there are independent reviews of numerous blends here - http://www.coffeereview.com/allreviews.cfm?find=bluekoff.

I'm still working my way through their offerings but all so far have been excellent. They aren't cheap, but are very good - recommend the Special Espresso Blend 1 for an all round good coffee for both espresso and milky drinks.

Doi Chaang is a very nice coffee too

As mentioned by a previous poster the silver 500g ones are 'Suzuki' brand and are, frankly, hideous - I have a 480g bag here going free to masochists not been impressed with Bon Café and to be honest whilst Illy and Lavazza are reliable, there are nicer more local coffees out there.

Not sure if they do pre-ground but investing in even a cheap blade grinder is a great move (there's a well known black Krups one you can probably get easily for 750 - 1000baht). Average freshly ground beans are generally nicer than expensive pre-ground.

Edited May 29, 2013 by rwdrwdrwd

[meatboy]

tried the rest,now try the best, duang dee hill tribe coffee you wont get better than this.

look at their web site,and but direct.

[Ticketmaster]

Other posters have pretty much covered the waterfront on equipment. Let me add, if you want world class coffee, you need to buy FRESHLY ROASTED beans and grind them yourself. You need a burr grinder, not one of those blades grinders used for shredding herbs, You can get good consumer grade bur grinder for about 2,000 baht. Central upstairs may have them.

The problem with getting fresh beans in a place like Bangkok is that there they are on the shelf. How old are they? Two days? Two years? Beans should either be consumed within 10 days of roasting, or they should be vacuum packed in Mylar and stored in a freezer.

Here's my source of 100% arabica beans delivered to my door:

Purchase and Store Coffee in Thailand.pdf

These beans are as good as any I have gotten anywhere. I am enjoying a fresh morning cup as I write.

By the way, I pay only 450 baht a kilo. However, she may be holding the price down for me as I am a regular customer. Don't know if the "official" price is different. You can say the farang from Phitsanulok sent you. No English. You need to have a Thai call to place the order.

Edited May 29, 2013 by Ticketmaster

[Malthus101]

After trying many, going through everything we could find in Makro / Tops we now order roasted beans from Bluekoff - you'll find them on Google, there are independent reviews of numerous blends here - http://www.coffeereview.com/allreviews.cfm?find=bluekoff.

I'm still working my way through their offerings but all so far have been excellent. They aren't cheap, but are very good - recommend the Special Espresso Blend 1 for an all round good coffee for both espresso and milky drinks.

Doi Chaang is a very nice coffee too

As mentioned by a previous poster the silver 500g ones are 'Suzuki' brand and are, frankly, hideous - I have a 480g bag here going free to masochists not been impressed with Bon Café and to be honest whilst Illy and Lavazza are reliable, there are nicer more local coffees out there.

Not sure if they do pre-ground but investing in even a cheap blade grinder is a great move (there's a well known black Krups one you can probably get easily for 750 - 1000baht). Average freshly ground beans are generally nicer than expensive pre-ground.

Thanks - do they have an Engrish site? Their main one appears to be all Thai.

Or even better, do they have any outlets in BKK where I can just go and buy a bag?

Thanks!

[HidyHo]

Just FYI but there is a shop in BKK, Suk Soi 13 Trendy Condo that sells Vietnamese filter cup and Vietnamese coffee. The owner primarily sells billiard equipments but he also has a business in HCMC so is hooked up.

With what others said, I think Doi Chaang coffee is fine and should be priced lower than imported coffee. I think Thailand put high import tax on imported coffee.

Not sure if I can put a link in here but there is a store called Verasu on Wittayu (Wireless Road) in BKK that sells many high end home stuff ... http://verasu.com/search.php?keyword=coffee%20grinder&idPage=0. You can get here by walking from Ploenchit BTS station.

For me, if I was making coffee at home, I'm okay with something simple like Bodum french press .. easy to use and clean with no filter/parts to purchase.

I use a Vietnamese stainless steel filter cup (I have three) I bought in Phnom Penh. Could not find them anywhere in BKK or Pattaya.

[Malthus101]

Thanks, yeah I'm happy with a filter press so it seems silly while in Thailand on a limited budget and limited time to start buying better equipment than I would have at home!

Just good coffee, a kettle and a French Press will do it.

Thanks - PS, best place to buy a good French press? Maybe an all steel one?

[Ticketmaster]

I have a double wall stainless steel French press, brand name, Frieling. But I bought it on Amazon, not in Thailand. It keeps coffee hot, is VERY well made and is the best French press I have eve owned. It may very well last a lifetime.

[Malthus101]

Just FYI but there is a shop in BKK, Suk Soi 13 Trendy Condo that sells Vietnamese filter cup and Vietnamese coffee. The owner primarily sells billiard equipments but he also has a business in HCMC so is hooked up.

With what others said, I think Doi Chaang coffee is fine and should be priced lower than imported coffee. I think Thailand put high import tax on imported coffee.

Not sure if I can put a link in here but there is a store called Verasu on Wittayu (Wireless Road) in BKK that sells many high end home stuff ... http://verasu.com/search.php?keyword=coffee%20grinder&idPage=0. You can get here by walking from Ploenchit BTS station.

For me, if I was making coffee at home, I'm okay with something simple like Bodum french press .. easy to use and clean with no filter/parts to purchase.

I use a Vietnamese stainless steel filter cup (I have three) I bought in Phnom Penh. Could not find them anywhere in BKK or Pattaya.

Ha ha! For a minute there I thought there were charging 3,000 Baht for a cafetiere made of glass.

And then I realized... they were:

http://verasu.com/product_detail.php?pid=71

LOL! These Thais will try anything on...

But thanks for the link anyway, it's good to know what's out there.

[HidyHo]

LOL! These Thais will try anything on...

I see .. somehow I don't think you are their target market. There are other ways to compare the price and the store. For me, I'd look for same product being sold at other stores (at least in same city) and see if they are priced significantly differently. There can be various factors involved in increased price (such as import tax/duties, smaller market, and etc.) and it's not always because the will "try anything on".

If you live in SE Asia and compare price to Amazon, you will never ever be happy.

[Malthus101]

Other posters have pretty much covered the waterfront on equipment. Let me add, if you want world class coffee, you need to buy FRESHLY ROASTED beans and grind them yourself. You need a burr grinder, not one of those blades grinders used for shredding herbs, You can get good consumer grade bur grinder for about 2,000 baht. Central upstairs may have them.

The problem with getting fresh beans in a place like Bangkok is that there they are on the shelf. How old are they? Two days? Two years? Beans should either be consumed within 10 days of roasting, or they should be vacuum packed in Mylar and stored in a freezer.

Here's my source of 100% arabica beans delivered to my door:

Purchase and Store Coffee in Thailand.pdf

These beans are as good as any I have gotten anywhere. I am enjoying a fresh morning cup as I write.

By the way, I pay only 450 baht a kilo. However, she may be holding the price down for me as I am a regular customer. Don't know if the "official" price is different. You can say the farang from Phitsanulok sent you. No English. You need to have a Thai call to place the order.

Good pdf, I may just go ahead and order some!

Thanks.

[Malthus101]

LOL! These Thais will try anything on...

I see .. somehow I don't think you are their target market. There are other ways to compare the price and the store. For me, I'd look for same product being sold at other stores (at least in same city) and see if they are priced significantly differently. There can be various factors involved in increased price (such as import tax/duties, smaller market, and etc.) and it's not always because the will "try anything on".

If you live in SE Asia and compare price to Amazon, you will never ever be happy.

Yeah I get it's a small market and there is import tax but those things cost about 500 baht back in the UK. After all, it's a glass jar with a plastic handle on it and a plunger - it's not exactly high-tech.

No, I guess their target market is rich expats and middle class Thais who want the Eurpoean brands etc.

Whilst here, I want value for money so buying Thai made products is the way to go.

It seems (from looking in the supermarkets) that instanst coffee is all the rage here (which is funny given the close proximity of growers in the North and in fact the whole SE Asia region.)

Did coffee never really catch on in Thailand?

[HidyHo]

I wasn't going to respond .. but the cheapest price I can find online for the SAME model (BOD-1928-16) is around $40 USD (before shipping/handling) so yes, it's being sold at at least 200% higher than US price (where I come from). I've seen similar price increase on certain products (e.g. Vita-Mix blender) in Bangkok and in Singapore.

But at least compare apples to apples ant not say things like it's 500 baht back in UK. That would be fairly ignorant statement.

And I don't know where you live but coffee stands/stalls are almost everywhere!!! And their target customers are Thais not foreigners. So instead of supermarket, try spending some time looking around the streets and neighborhood to see how coffee is integrated into Thai culture.

[Malthus101]

Well yeah I can see that (and it's good coffee for the most part) but obviously I meant people preparing it at home. That's when you know something is truly part of a cultutre surely? Everyone in the UK has coffee making equipment of one sort or another at home.

The last caffetiere I bought in the UK from Argos cost £6. That's 275 Thai Baht.

A far cry from 3,000 for that Boden one.

[Ticketmaster]

Other posters have pretty much covered the waterfront on equipment. Let me add, if you want world class coffee, you need to buy FRESHLY ROASTED beans and grind them yourself. You need a burr grinder, not one of those blades grinders used for shredding herbs, You can get good consumer grade bur grinder for about 2,000 baht. Central upstairs may have them.

The problem with getting fresh beans in a place like Bangkok is that there they are on the shelf. How old are they? Two days? Two years? Beans should either be consumed within 10 days of roasting, or they should be vacuum packed in Mylar and stored in a freezer.

Here's my source of 100% arabica beans delivered to my door:

Purchase and Store Coffee in Thailand.pdf

These beans are as good as any I have gotten anywhere. I am enjoying a fresh morning cup as I write.

By the way, I pay only 450 baht a kilo. However, she may be holding the price down for me as I am a regular customer. Don't know if the "official" price is different. You can say the farang from Phitsanulok sent you. No English. You need to have a Thai call to place the order.

Good pdf, I may just go ahead and order some!

Thanks.

You definitely won't be sorry. I have been her steady customer for 2 or 3 years now. It's been consistent and delicious and never had a problem. If you like a medium dark roast, have whoever is speaking Thai to her to tell her you wanted roasted the same as she does for the farang in Phitsanulok. I have encountered in this country a misunderstanding of the various roasts but the one I get is perfect -- for me.

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

LOL! These Thais will try anything on...

I see .. somehow I don't think you are their target market. There are other ways to compare the price and the store. For me, I'd look for same product being sold at other stores (at least in same city) and see if they are priced significantly differently. There can be various factors involved in increased price (such as import tax/duties, smaller market, and etc.) and it's not always because the will "try anything on".

If you live in SE Asia and compare price to Amazon, you will never ever be happy.

I sympathize with your statement, HH, but I've found the same coffee making and other products in Power Buy, Big C, Tesco and other big name stores all priced the same. There's no such thing as price competition in this country. Well, at least as far as farang products go (although Foodland offers some pretty good food sales). I know that Thais will switch food markets to save a couple of baht on a kilo bag of chilis. But I agree with Malthus. If a product is retailed to foreigners, the Thais will throw out the rule book and price it as high level as they can get away with it. Period.

[Malthus101]

Well, the 3,000 baht price tag doesn't seem so high (relatively speaking) anymore...

I just went to Central Chit Lom and then to Central World (what a behemoth of a centre that is! I was going crazy just trying to find a way out of that place!)

The top floors of both are excellently stocked with home appliances etc. But.... nothing cheap. Central Chit Lom had coffee "choppers" ie bladed machines. All between 1.5K and 2K. The only burr grinder I could find was a Krupp one for 4,000 baht. It looked good quality but was too much for me, don't even have one in the UK.

Even a hand grinder at Central World was 2.5K or something! Crazy.

They also had caffetieres and stove tops (Italian style espresso pots) - all too expensive for me. A less fancy cafetiere was still 2K.

That's £40 or so...

When I said coffee hasn't caught on, this is what I meant. Yes there are loads of coffee shops, good ones, but for home use, either the Thais have a totally different way of preparing coffee from the rest of the world or they use instant coffee (or just have it when out and socializing - possible)

Anyway, even kettles started at around 1,200 baht at these places. I saw a nice little kettle at Index Shopping Mall for 700 ish.

They also had electric percolators - it seems in Thailand, this is the cheaest way to prepare filter coffee, drip coffee as the Americans say.

So, I also went to that massive Big C shopping centre there - it's huge - excellent fresh produce area and lots of good looking bakery items too.

So before I get into ordering beans from Chiang Mai, I bought a bag of ready ground from VPP Coffee - anyone heard of them? 250g bag, was about 160 baht I think. It has Thai but also Japanese writing on it - got the premium blend, I'll let you know how it tastes!

Thanks all...