any coffee experts out there?

Question

Hello, i need to learn how to make coffee...anyone have any information on any site that i could learn everything about coffee? From brewing, to serving to recipes and facts? Thanks a lot.

Answer 1

Personally , I like coffee steeped the way tea is .
I picked up a french press ( available at many stores including Ross , about $20 ) and just put too much coffee in .
I get the beans from the bulk area and grind them at the store , set for the next level below espresso .

Pour in boiling water , let sit at least 5 min .
The press filters out the grounds .
Because it is super strong , I then mix with about 50% milk .
Depending on your mood , you can add chocolate or any other spice you like .

Happy drinking !

Oh , to learn , apply for a job at Peets !
>

Answer 2

A few suggestions:

1. DO NOT, under any circumstances, buy ground coffee. Beans, only beans -- and keep then in a cool place in an airtight container. Coffee oxidizes very easily very fast, so this is the main thing you should watch out for.

2. Grind coffee beans just before brewing, for the same reason as above. Throw out any unused ground coffee; grind a fresh batch of beans for the next brewing.

3. Use spring water, never tap.

4. Do not use a traditional pot coffee maker or percolator. Those things invariably overbrew, giving coffee an unpleasant sour aftertaste. If you like American-style coffee, just take a shot of good espresso and add 3/4 cup of hot water -- trust me, it's much better. Also, a French press is a good low-priced choice for a novice barrista (I think Bodum French press with a 4-cup capacity goes for about $25). For a real artist, interested in making Turkish coffee, a jezveh is a must. (And if you want to learn how to brew Turkish coffee, msg me.)

5. Invest in a good, commercial-grade espresso machine. (And, keep in mind, a good espresso machine is not necessarily a pretty one. Stay away from FrancisFrancis -- it's a total fraud.) I know, a good espresso machine is expensive. It's a committment, like buying a Leica camera or a set of Viking cookware. But it's worth it, trust me -- if you are serious about coffee, that is. No matter how great your coffee beans are, a bad espresso machine will ruin them. My husband, who is a coffee fanatic, has an Isomac Venus (about $580) and is very happy with it.

6. Invest in a good grinder. The right grind can make all the difference in the world.

7. Research your beans. Forget supermarket coffee (yuck). Forget Starbucks (they overroast). Illy and Lavazza are borderline drinkable. For the real connoisseur, however, only artisanal coffees will do. Some of them are suprisingly affordable (check out the Costa-Rican Brit varieties, for example).

Here is an excellent resource for coffee-lovers: http://www.coffeegeek.com

Answer 3

http://www.espressoplanet.com/coffee_brewing_tips_and_how_to.htm