Perfect cup o' Joe

Socrateur":3cu8dvp0 said:
Da Nag - Almost two years later on this thread; do you have any updates on your choice for espresso machine? Looks like the Solis SL70 is out of stock now. Is it still being sold in the US?
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No updates...still using the SL70 on the road, and the Isomac at home. Haven't heard about the SL70 being discontinued, but that would be a shame if true...I don't know of anything that works as well for less money.

But, I've come to accept a common mantra put forth by many coffee snobs. The order of importance is as follows:

- Coffee
- Water
- Barista
- Grinder
- Machine

As important as the machine is, it really is the least important item compared to everything else. I can taste the difference between a Solis SL70 shot and my Isomac, but it's very subtle. Likewise, I've pulled better shots from my SL70 than I've tasted in coffee bars with vastly superior equipment, but the barista skills were lacking.

And anyone can taste the nastiness introduced into a shot when using Starbuck beans or well water...fortunately, the most important part of the drink, is also the cheapest and easiest to control.
 
Whew! We walked the Appalachian Trail with a cone, some filters, and a bag of coffee -- hate to think of toting that Isomac down the trail -- but tastes good, eh?
 
Daydream uses a good ol' Melita cone and paper filters. Coffee is San Francisco Bay French Roast beans from Costco with two tablespoons of chicory special ordered from New Orleans. Water is Fall City branch water. For lattes, we head over to Da Nag and beg...
 
I have a question about a coffee press onboard: is there much clean-up? I understand the premise, but was just wondering what it takes (and how much water) to clean them each day? We have a percolator to use on the Wallas and a one-cup electric for when we're plugged in. Joan's favorite is the home set-up with a coffee maker that has a thermal caraffe (plastic with a ceramic liner - no metal) and no heater plate. We've looked for a smaller version for the boat, but can only find the metal caraffe. So, I was thinking about surprising her with a lexan coffee press (and hoping she doesn't read this), but don't want something that is going to use a lot of water or much fuss for clean-up. She's the coffee drinker; I'm almost always up first and make the coffee. Thanks in advance for any input.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Jim, to each his own, but coffee presses ARE a rather messy clean-up, and we frankly don't care for press coffee...the idea is you get the flavor without the bitterness in the press extraction process. But, like beer, some bitterness is SUPPOSED to be in the overall complexity of the flavor...we just have never found anything that does a better job for "regular" coffee than the drip process, whether in a Melita cone or in a Mr. Coffee...but as I say, to each his own.
JamesTXSD":1uv9msty said:
I have a question about a coffee press onboard: is there much clean-up?
Best wishes,
Jim B.
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Anna Leigh":135pwibz said:
So Bill, what is your first and second choice of coffee?
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I took a chance with a recommendation here, and have been on a bi-weekly shipment with Camano Island Coffee Roasters ever since. I get two pounds per shipment, one of which is always their Varietal Supremo. I've been experimenting with others, and have found the dark Sumatra pulls a good shot as well.

Their coffee is an excellent value...I've had an occasional bean that's better, but it's always been way more expensive.

My old standby was Whole Bean Roasting - pretty much on par with Camano, but they don't have an auto-ordering option.

When I run out and need something local, Peet's is decent, but pricey. I'm partial to their Arabian Mocha Java, but their espresso blend makes for a good shot as well.

Two of my favorites, that I treat myself to on rarer occasions - Graffeo and Smith Farms Kona. I love a Kona espresso shot, but many find it too mild.

At the risk of disagreeing with our resident C-Brat icons, I'll suggest I'd rather sit nekkid on a hill of fire ants than ingest anything from Starbucks... :xnaughty
 
Bill, like they say on the Blue Collar channel, "naked" is when you ain't got no clothes on, "nekkid" is when you ain't got no clothes on and you up to no good!
Da Nag":2yce5qk4 said:
At the risk of disagreeing with our resident C-Brat icons, I'll suggest I'd rather sit nekkid on a hill of fire ants than ingest anything from Starbucks... :xnaughty
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If you guys ever get the chance try Captains Coffee out of Homer. http://www.captainscoffee.com/. It's the best I've had in Alaska, and I've tried most of them. Be sure to get the Malabar Gold Espresso Blend. The crema this blend produces is insane. I always make sure I get a pound when I'm down there. Other than that I usually get Kaladi Bros Trieste blend.
 
Ok, Bill...you're on! :lol: (Since we're both coffee hounds)

I just recently upgraded my espresso machine and added another grinder.

I had a Rancilio Silvia (on the storage shelf now) and just got a Quick Mill Andreja Premium; what a sweet machine. Brew and steam at the same time. Yeah baby!

I paired that up with a La Cimbali Junior Grinder. I kept the Rancilio Rocky grinder I was using for decaf (that all Shelley drinks and what I have in the evening).

Lately we've been getting Torro from West Coast Roasters, Black Cat from Intelligensia, and Ambrosia from Caffe Fresco.

[Sheesh...what a dufus;I just read the first page and hit reply. Didn't realize there are like 7 pages in this thread! :lol: ]

I'd like to try some Dancing Goat and look into the Camano Coffee.
 
I like coffee, but you guys have taken it to another level altogether. I am not sure I could taste the nuances you are discussing.

I won't disgust you with tales of the way I drink reheated day-old Dancing Goats. Just color me lazy and cheap. :P

Warren
 
thanks for the information. I plan to upgrade from Gevalia coffee and their drip coffee maker and try some new coffee drinks. BTW my daily cup is Chick-fil-A.
 
Lori Ann":3ezfwjzc said:
I like coffee, but you guys have taken it to another level altogether. I am not sure I could taste the nuances you are discussing.

I won't disgust you with tales of the way I drink reheated day-old Dancing Goats. Just color me lazy and cheap. :P

Warren
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:disgust
 
<<I (have) a Rancilio Silvia (on the storage shelf now) >>

Les - As a neophyte interested in getting his feet wet in the espresso world, I am looking at Silvia as a good one to teach me the proper techniques. If you are interested in selling, PM me. I am going to be up your way in June so could drop by and pick up, if appropriate.
 
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