Coffee advice

poidy · Nov 12, 2014

Okay so I've just purchased a coffee machine.

Predominately so I can get my Americano fix without having to pop to Starbucks.

Now I'm after some coffee advice.

Firstly what type of ground coffee is best for the perfect Americano? Mild, medium or dark?

Any particular blends I need to consider as well?

The stuff I bought today from John Lewis (for convenience only) isn't great and to be honest didn't differ too much from just boiling the kettle.

In a nutshell despite my love of coffee when it comes to making it I don't have a clue.

Any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated.

GoldWithFalmer · Nov 12, 2014

http://www.matthewalgie.com/coffee/ may or may not be of use..

Return of the Rev · Nov 12, 2014

poidy said:
Okay so I've just purchased a coffee machine.

Predominately so I can get my Americano fix without having to pop to Starbucks.

Now I'm after some coffee advice.

Firstly what type of ground coffee is best for the perfect Americano? Mild, medium or dark?

Any particular blends I need to consider as well?

The stuff I bought today from John Lewis (for convenience only) isn't great and to be honest didn't differ too much from just boiling the kettle.

In a nutshell despite my love of coffee when it comes to making it I don't have a clue.

Any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated.

poidy · Nov 12, 2014

Return of the Rev said:

Don't worry I didn't spend thousands

Dr. Notthenineo'clocknews · Nov 12, 2014

I love coffee, I've got a tassimo for convenience but if I'm having a morning with my feet up and a bit of world cinema I use a perculator, fill the ****ing thing up with strongest I can buy then drink it till my head hurts. If you take milk or sugar then this conversation is over.

Cheshire Cat · Nov 12, 2014

Mellow Birds - it's indescribable

Indurain's Lungs · Nov 12, 2014

I've got more into my coffee recently and now get it delivered. It's much nicer than the shop stuff with different options according to your taste.

Turns out there's also plenty of science to it to as well!

A few people do the deliveries but I use these guys

https://www.pactcoffee.com/spread/sam-zsthva@em Enjoy!

Bedsex · Nov 12, 2014

Taylor Street Baristas run a home barista course, which is excellent. I don't know whether the one in Brighton hosts the courses though as the one I went on was in London. A word of warning though, after going on the course you'll never drink cheap, nasty coffee again (incl the likes of Starbucks) and you'll want to spend loads on your own kit. It's essentially a one-way ticket to coffee snobbery, but it's great!

Worthingite · Nov 12, 2014

I've found that Batch Coffee up in Seven Dials do some lovely stuff for me and my cafetière. Plus you're buying local which is a nice smug feeling. Not that that bothers me much!!!!

Mutts Nuts · Nov 13, 2014

poidy said:
Okay so I've just purchased a coffee machine.

Predominately so I can get my Americano fix without having to pop to Starbucks.

Now I'm after some coffee advice.

Firstly what type of ground coffee is best for the perfect Americano? Mild, medium or dark?

Any particular blends I need to consider as well?

The stuff I bought today from John Lewis (for convenience only) isn't great and to be honest didn't differ too much from just boiling the kettle.

In a nutshell despite my love of coffee when it comes to making it I don't have a clue.

Any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Get a Moka pot

Notters · Nov 13, 2014

I've just given it up completely. Caffeine is bad for you but at the same time contributes nothing positive.

Dr. Notthenineo'clocknews · Nov 13, 2014

Cheshire Cat said:
Mellow Birds - it's indescribable

Makes me smile

Goldstone1976 · Nov 13, 2014

Dr. Notthenineo'clocknews said:
Makes me smile

At worst, I feel bad for a while.

Herr Tubthumper · Nov 13, 2014

I sometimes go to a place called The Barn. It's a very clean concrete and glass coffee hipster coffee house which takes the drink to a new level. It's like the meth-lab in Breaking Bad and they make their drinks using the japanese things which keep the water a constant and specific tempature and ensure the coffee is distributed through the liquid consistently.

The other news worthy items are that they have banned phones, laptops and children. On this latter point they even have a bollard on the door (complete with crossed out babybuggy sign) so that strollers and prams cannot get through. It's interesting how people seem quite supportive of the phones/laptop ban but have kicked up a fuss about the kids ban.

Badger · Nov 13, 2014

Redroaster on St James's Street is where I always go, they have a decent selection from around the World. It has always been roasted in the last few days and they can grind it for you.

Boroseagull · Nov 13, 2014

'Camp' anyone?

Indurain's Lungs · Nov 13, 2014

Notters said:
I've just given it up completely. Caffeine is bad for you but at the same time contributes nothing positive.

Apart from tasting bloody lovely, making me feel good and stopping me snacking so much!

The Large One · Nov 13, 2014

Worthingite said:
I've found that Batch Coffee up in Seven Dials do some lovely stuff for me and my cafetière. Plus you're buying local which is a nice smug feeling. Not that that bothers me much!!!!

Small Batch coffee serves excellent stuff, and it's all roasted in their place next to Hove Station, hence their top-selling 'Goldstone Espresso'. Their coffee beans / ground coffee are a bit more expensive (alright, a lot more) than supermarket stuff, but for us it's our treat, and we feel it's worth it.

Back to the OP, we prefer a particular type of coffee, Ethiopian Yrgacheffe, from wherever we can get it - usually somewhere like Small Batch. I don't know whether that's good for an Americano (that's the beverage formerly known as 'filter coffee', right?), but the way we have ours (half hot milk, half strong coffee) the Yrgacheffe is great.

All I would say to the OP is try them out until you find one you really like.

Blimey, what a perfumed ponce.

AmexRuislip · Nov 13, 2014

poidy said:
Okay so I've just purchased a coffee machine.

Predominately so I can get my Americano fix without having to pop to Starbucks.

Now I'm after some coffee advice.

Firstly what type of ground coffee is best for the perfect Americano? Mild, medium or dark?

Any particular blends I need to consider as well?

The stuff I bought today from John Lewis (for convenience only) isn't great and to be honest didn't differ too much from just boiling the kettle.

In a nutshell despite my love of coffee when it comes to making it I don't have a clue.

Any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated.

We have recently purchased a De Longhi coffee machine, and were using Lavazza strong ground coffee.
As it is quite expensive, we have tried various other brands, but now use Sainsburys own 'double dark' fairtrade ground coffee...number 6
:thumbsup:

matt · Nov 13, 2014

Mutts Nuts said:
Get a Moka pot

This. Plus Illy ground beans. Equals top, top coffee.

Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊

Coffee advice

Well-known member

Seaweed! Seaweed!

Well-known member

Well-known member

Remainer

The most curious thing..

Legend of Garry Nelson

not my real name

Sexy Pete... :D

New member

Well-known member

Remainer

We Got Calde in!!

Well-known member

NOT the Honey Badger

Well-known member

Legend of Garry Nelson

Who's Next?

Trainee Spy 🕵️‍♂️

Well-known member

Share this page