I have several questions about coffee for the Yahoo Answers Community could answer. This is a poll and information questions all in one.
1) Is there a right way to drink coffee? Is cream, milk, 1/2 & 1/2, etc bad?
2) If you have a French Press, Espresso Machine, Auto Drip Coffee Maker, or Instant Coffee; which would you use? And Why?
3) If you have a French Press, Auto Drip Coffee Maker, or Instant Coffee; Which do you use for a strong cup of coffee? And How?
4) If you have a big container of pre-grounded coffee or a small bag of whole coffee beans; Which do you use first? What do I do with the other? (All original packaging) What will air-tight containers do to coffee?
5) You have a espresso machine, pre-grounded coffee, and a coffee grinder; is it OK to fine grind the coffee and use it? Will it be better if I use coffee beans?
6) Ignoring cost, Which would you do? Brew your own coffee/espresso or Buy one at a coffee shop?
7) If you want to buy a cup of coffee/specialty drink (Iced or espresso, etc. ) Where do you go: Coffee Shop or Fast Food Restaurant. Why?
Feel free to answer as many of my questions as you wish.
Some other questions or info I forgot to add.
1) Using a French Press, Is it bad to brew for a long time? How long should it take?
2) Is it bad to buy bulk coffee? (300+ cup containers of grounded coffee? If I do have it, what should I do with it?
3) So, If I have bulk coffee (Like from the question above) I can’t use it in an espresso machine? (Finely Ground the grounds. )
4) Iced coffee, is it evil? Is there a right way to make it? (I put hot coffee over a cup full of ice. ) Should I use espresso or strong coffee for it?
5) If I want to make my own espresso specialty drink (Cappuccino, Latte, etc) How much milk do I use to steam per shot?
6) Steam milk, What kind of milk should I use? Whole, 2%, 1%, Skim, or Half & Half? Can I use other kinds? (Ex: Soy, Rice)
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1) I personally drink it black and think it makes life easier – never have to buy extra creamer at the store or stand around at the coffee shop fixing it up – I can just grab and go. But if thats the only way you prefer to drink it, then thats the right way for you!
2) I prefer my auto drip – I think its easier to clean and less trouble than a french press. Instant coffee is disgusting to me.
3) I don’t know if this is “strong”, but I use one tablespoon of grounds for one cup of coffee. That’s what tastes the best to me. It’s just right.
4) Air tight will keep the coffee fresher longer. I would use the pre-ground first. Coffee loses its flavor from the second its ground, so it makes sense to use that up while its the freshest, and then grind the beans.
5) Not sure, but I’m guessing the beans.
6) I’d rather make it at home, that way, I know its the strength/roast I like and I’m in the comfort of my own home. Plus, its much cheaper.
7) Probably a fast food place. I hate Starbucks coffee, and love McDonalds coffee. I’ve never tried Dunkin Donuts (not too many around here), but I’ve heard its amazing. To me, it seems like coffee shops are overrated.
1) There’s no right or wrong way to drink coffee. I drink mine black, but you can drink your coffee however you like it.
2) I would definitely use an auto drip coffeemaker because it’s quick and I think instant coffee is nasty.
3) I’d use anything, but I usually use a drip coffeemaker and I make strong coffee by scooping heaping tablespoons in the coffee filter instead of smooth tablespoons.
4) I’d use the ground coffee first, since already-ground coffee gets stale quicker. I’d store the other in the original container and I wouldn’t open it until the other coffee is gone. Air-tight containers will keep coffee fresh longer.
5) Yeah, you’re supposed to fine-grind the coffee for an espresso maker. Yeah, it would be better to use whole bean coffee because the whole beans lock in the freshness.
6) I would definitely brew my own coffee, since I get to control the strength of the coffee and I wouldn’t want to drain my wallet each day to get a puny little cup of coffee.
7) A fast-food restaurant because the coffee is cheaper there than at a coffee shop. I’d go to a coffee shop to get a gourmet coffee, though.
1) Good coffee is like wine, you drink it straight (Black). People started adding milk, creamer, and sugar to hide the bitter flavor of instant or canned coffee.
2) I have a French Press, Manual drip pot (hotter water than auto-drip), stove top moka pot, vac pot, and an espresso machine. I use all of them, they all have unique flavors from the same beans. Never get tired of new experiences.
3) French press & moka pot give the richest/strongest flavor after the espresso machine.
4) I use the pre-ground as a fertilizer & use the beans for coffee (although pre-ground is good for conditioning new metal coffee pots)
5) Pre-ground beans are totally terrible in an espresso machine and you NEVER regrind coffee. Fresh, fine ground (in a good burr grinder) is the only thing that should ever be used.
6) I’d never buy @ StarBucks (tried it, too burnt tasting) but I’d try small coffee shops (esp. on vacation). I roast & brew my own.
7) If I had to choose, it would have to be a coffee shop (except SB) as I would have a better chance of someone knowing what they’re doing.
Extra credit:
1) About 4 minutes, 3 on the smaller presses.
2) Ground coffee is stale coffee, especially in espresso. It makes great fertilizer, just like used grounds.
3) You can use it, but the taste will be horrible.
4) Iced coffee is very good, smooth and low in acidity. Look up the Toddy coffee maker. It steeps the grounds in water over night to make a coffee concentrate. Just add water (hot or cold) to make your coffee.
5) Cappuccino is 1/3 each espresso, steamed milk, and frothed milk. A Latte is 1 shot of espresso & fill mug (8-10 oz) with steamed milk.
6) 2% milk or half and half are best for steaming. Soy tastes OK, but curdles in coffee. Skim for steamed is fine, but skim foam is too dry & flavorless.
1. The right way to make a cup of coffee is the way YOU like it; nobody else’ opinion matters.
2. I have a drip and mostly use that (convenience) I do have an espresso maker but it’s a cheap one and I don’t use it much.
3. I usually have a variety of different strength/flavor coffees on hand to suit my tastes.
4. Whole beans first. As long as it’s in a sealed container the preground will be fine until you want/need it.
5. I find regular coffee has an unpleasant taste when used to make espresso; best to use coffee made just for espresso.
6. Brew my own.
7. Again, I’d rather brew my own.
1) There isnt any “right” way to drink coffee. It really is how u want it. Some add sugar, half&half, syrup, etc and others drink it black.
2) Personally, i would use a French Press. Mainly because I believe that you truly get all the flavor from your coffee. Definitely the freshest way.
3) Also i believe the French Press would make a stronger tasting coffee.
4) I would use the pre-grounded coffee first. If its not sealed in an air-tight container of some sort, it will go stale pretty fast, like within a few weeks. Whole bean coffees stay fresher longer. Id say like a month or so.
5) Hmm, i dont know about that one. I would make sure that the beans i have is an Espresso roast or something along the lines of that. Ive never really used regular coffee in an espresso machine. As for grinding it, if my grinder didnt have a specific setting on it, i would take it Starbucks and have them grind it with the espresso setting, since they grind whole beans for free as long as they arent flavored.
6) If i could brew my own i would. Mainly because im a barista XD
7) Coffee shop. Even if its probably the most expensive, at least you’re getting a higher quality beverage. Plus its their specialty.
1) Individual taste should prevail, but I have always wondered why people put cream and sugar into a perfectly good cup of black coffee.
2) French press probably makes the best tasting cup of coffee, but automatic drip grind is the most convenient, and, really, there is not a great deal of difference in the taste of the 2.
3) This depends on the coffee used. Certain single varietal coffees, flavored coffees and coffee blends have varying degrees of “strength”.
4) Use the pre-ground coffee first, and , hopefully, the beans are in 1-2 pound original packs, therefore, they can be frozen until ready to use. Don’t re-freeze.
5) This probably is not a bad idea, although it is best to start with the bean and do an espresso grind from the start.
6) Brew at home if you want to be sure of the end result being just to your taste. Get it at a shop, by the cup, if you want some social interaction.
7) With both, it depends on how soon you get the cup after it has been brewed. Has it stayed in the urn for an extended period of time? Yuck.
1) its personal preference, but good coffee doesn’t require much if any additives.
2) I use a French Press and an automatic drip. I use my drip in the mornings (5AM) because its easier (it does heat water to 200 degrees). I use my French Press in the evenings, as a special treat. Better tasting.
3) a French Press makes stronger coffee due to its nature.
4) Coffee grounds lose their volatile oils (flavor) very quickly. Air tight seals don’t help. Whole roasted beans lose their flavor in about a week. Sealing doesn’t help. Air tight containers only give the illusion of working.
5) You can’t regrind coffee grounds. Use beans
6) I brew my own coffee, I roast my own beans. Cost is irrelevant.
7) I no longer buy coffee brewed elsewhere. Once you’ve roasted your own, the rest is horrid.
EXTRA:
1) Yes too long will make it bitter. Usually 3-4 minutes is enough. The grind should be fairly coarse though.
2) Yes. Ground coffee loses its best flavors quickly. Roasted beans do too, so you shouldn’t really buy in bulk. Unroasted beans last a long time though.
3)
4) I don’t like it
5) Sorry, don’t remember.
6) ditto
Wow, you have lots of great questions! You will find the answers to the top half in my coffee videos at http://www.CoffeeNate.com Feel free to ask additional questions on my blog as well
Second half answer for #3 is that you should ONLY use finely ground espresso roast coffee in your espresso machine. #4 I like to use espresso, chill it and add cream or milk. Many of your questions come down to personal tastes and will vary. Happy coffee drinking!
The right coffee is delicious black but I still prefer mine with 1/2 and 1/2 and a bit of sugar. I make Kona coffee at home in a French press because it comes out best. I used to go to coffee houses but now I brew my own gourmet java at home. You can put hot coffee over ice for iced coffee but you will make it more watery. When you let the coffee cool a bit, it doesn’t melt the ice cubes as quickly and you enjoy a richer cup of iced coffee. To find out more about brewing and preparing coffee in different ways, check out http://konaluna.com where they also explain why Kona coffee is so good compared to other types.