Who has the best COFFEE ?

SuburbanNomad · Veteran Member

Who has the best COFFEE ?

Ron and Shirley · Senior Member

We are both coffee lovers, double short black for me, and the same for Shirley though she dilutes hers with milk, LOL. At home we have a you beaut SEACO machine which is great.

On the road we have tried numerous devices. The drip and plunger types initially and particularly the stove top expresso machine being the favourite for a number of years.

Then many years ago we came across the plunger cup in a hardware/camping store in Hay NSW. The one in this link is similar http://www.gourmetshopper.com.au/shop/product.php?productid=8508

We find these to be brilliant and they are also a thermal mug to keep the coffee warm. They take up little room as you need a mug anyway, plus there is nothing extra to wash up. Strength of the coffee off course depends on how much of the grinds you put into the cup and how long you allow it to stand before you push down the plunger. We also use them for smoko on the road as we pack them in with the thermos.

Years ago we tried many many different coffee blends as there was a number of Coffee houses near where we lived. However we had a particular liking for one of the blends from Coffee Works in Mareeba Qld (well worth a visit for the Coffee and chocolate) which we ordered over the web. However for the amount we used to drink it was a tad expensive.

Now we only use Vittoria Coffee (expresso), beans at home and the ground for on the road (stored in Tupperware type container in the fridge), and buy up heaps when it is on the 2kg for the price of 1kg special.

bill12 · Guru

I dunno, but I must be a philistine, because I reckon the best coffee has a dash of Op Bundy rum in it...................

Benwerrin · Veteran Member

The best commercially bought beans in my opinion are...Vittoria black label (mountain grown) espresso or even better is MICHELLE'S but is too expensive in the small packs that they sell it in, I had shop owner that was selling the store 2kg packs for $60 but the franchise stopped him from selling them...damn!!

SuburbanNomad · Veteran Member

Rod and Shirley,

OMG !!!!!

We will have to meet and push you up one level PLUNGER COFFEE !!!! and you keep it in the fridge? Noooooo.

You want to keep the grinds warm and in the dark, put them in a baggie and store it in your pocket. That way, you are never too far from a sniff.

Bill,

Consider your self moderated !!!!

Coffee is very serious stuff, it has an unbeaten T3 standing as far as addiction goes and is right up there in the obsessive poll as well. Wars have been fought over this commodity and there has almost. been blood spilt here in this home on the occasional time I was less than Barista with my creama shots.

CYA .. off for my fix

Flat White with a Rossetta on top.. if I can do it.

bill12 · Guru

I think I,ll stick to my rum......

Beth54 · Guru

Not much of a coffee lover myself, but I am partial to a half strength soy latte. I know, I hear you! biggrin All the coffee lovers I know are horrified too!

www.coffeeworks.com.au

Anyone been to The Coffee works in Mareeba NQ?

This place is a coffee lovers dream. You can taste test all sorts of coffee. AND chocolate, which suited me better!

petengail · Guru

I was drinking a lot of coffee and it was upsetting my stomach so I gave it up about 3 years ago and have felt much better for it. Now I drink weak black tea, or Milo and hot water in the cooler weather. Like bill I'd go the Bundy but wouldnt pollute it with coffee lol

pauline · Guru

I'm with you Bill, I only have 1 cup a day 1st thing in the morning, unfortunately it is the only addiction I don't have, Ha Ha

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Been to the Coffee Works in Mareeba - lovely place - great coffee - enjoyed it heaps - had lunch in the cafe - very nice.

Esmeralda · Guru

Beth54 wrote:
Not much of a coffee lover myself, but I am partial to a half strength soy latte. I know, I hear you! All the coffee lovers I know are horrified too!
www.coffeeworks.com.au
Anyone been to The Coffee works in Mareeba NQ?
This place is a coffee lovers dream. You can taste test all sorts of coffee. AND chocolate, which suited me better!

Friend of mine has quarter strength and I have double shot latte. Worst I have heard was a customer before me in a cafe asking for 1/8th strength latte - would have had to whisk the cup underneath coffee machine rather than leave it there to fill up

Beth54 · Guru

Esmeralda wrote:
Friend of mine has quarter strength and I have double shot latte. Worst I have heard was a customer before me in a cafe asking for 1/8th strength latte - would have had to whisk the cup underneath coffee machine rather than leave it there to fill up

Sometimes I have decaf as well, and I can just imagine what the barista is thinking. biggrin

A coffee I had recently was so strong, I told the waitress it was supposed to be half strength, she came back with another and said the Barista said it was half strength! Sheesh!

Old Crofter · Senior Member

Love my coffee and lots of it. Have thought about a MAP pod machine for the MH, 950watts peak so should be ok to run off 1000watt inverter from house batteries when needed, Anyone have any thoughts.

Bob

sucastja · Senior Member

I'm with Bill - black coffee with a dash (large dash) of either kahlua or baileys in it - yum!!! My hubby has his with bourbon or bundy. As we live in Victoria we call it our anti - freeze!! Keeps us nice and warm. Mind you it's only weekends or holidays we have it that way - otherwise might be a little too happy at work.

Elle on Wheels · Guru

This looks like a must have..... it's a bit hard trying to de-clutter when there is so much good gear around. I have a great Italian expresso pot that I bought 20 years ago and still makes wonderful coffee.

Beth54 · Guru

sucastja wrote:
I'm with Bill - black coffee with a dash (large dash) of either kahlua or baileys in it - yum!!! My hubby has his with bourbon or bundy. As we live in Victoria we call it our anti - freeze!! Keeps us nice and warm. Mind you it's only weekends or holidays we have it that way - otherwise might be a little too happy at work.

Yum! Any of those except the rum! Must try...

glassies · Guru

i saw that the guy that runs that or possibly owns that coffee place in mareeba he was on farmer wants
a wife ,nice guy too.

I actualy like those sachets of cappachine you can get 20 in a box now for 10 bucks and we cut one in half
as i find they are nicer that way, otherwise i find them a bit sweet.

but otherwise i do like Moccona coffee too ,and freeze dried coffee.

Cruising Granny · Guru

Beth54 wrote:

Not much of a coffee lover myself, but I am partial to a half strength soy latte. I know, I hear you! All the coffee lovers I know are horrified too!
www.coffeeworks.com.au
Anyone been to The Coffee works in Mareeba NQ?
This place is a coffee lovers dream. You can taste test all sorts of coffee. AND chocolate, which suited me better!

Unfortunately I don't speak fluent coffee, but I have been to the Mareeba factory and enjoyed a drop. I prefer Liqueur Bundy but it's not readily available, so I use it very carefully. I start the day with, wait for it, International Roast instant, and I love it, and so do several of my friends.
Are we becoming coffee snobs with a caffeine addiction?
I don't get all the fuss about coffee machines, plungers, blends and brews.

pauline · Guru

As said before I am not a big coffee drinker at all, hubby drinks a lot more then me but we have been drinking Nescafe Expresso now for at least 20 years, everything else tastes like dirty dishwater to me.

Di-n-Gary · Veteran Member

I like " Harris" brand espresso blend, it's inexpensive and tastes real good (strong that is). I have an auto coffee machine but have also got an Aerobie Aeropress which I find incredibly simple and makes a very smooth strong coffee, it does me!

SuburbanNomad · Veteran Member

I enjoy hearing what people have to say about any experience with coffee tasting, I really do, because it's fun to talk about.

Doesn't mean I don't gag when I read about people drinking instant or Woolies shelf brands coffee. I was there once so I appreciate you sharing your preferences.

But please... if you are going to admit to liking coffee then for gawds sake step up to the challenge and drink something that has been made for you with love.

When you go to a coffee shop i.e. Gloria Jeans or the like and order a latte or flat white .... even a die hard expresso, you have to imagine that you could make this in your own home and do a close to or better job yourself. This is what I'm talking about !

If you want to mix coffee with rum then that's a different topic. Kinda like mixing a single malt whiskey with coke..... why??

This stuff I'm talking about is an obsession not a drink to warm your hands on a cold day. It's a belief system based on a methodology undertaken to produce a beautiful creama and a topping that is unique everyday event in a form of art.

When someone invites you to have a coffee you may well receive a neighbourly cuppa or you could be part of a religious ceremony that is honoured and favours respect by the recipient.

So next time you ask a mate if they want a cuppa look into their eyes, if there is a moments hesitation in accepting, you can say it's an espresso with Arabica beans you roasted and ground this morning. Ahhhh that's a cuppa !!!

shazartist · Senior Member

Ha ha...That is my sweetie....he is the true coffee king!..my girl friend all love him as he is the best coffee maker and a true gentleman! ...love you sweety...kiss kiss...

Cruising Granny · Guru

I think I've found the ultimate coffee snob. SuburbanNomad you treat coffee and it's brewing with the same passion as a winemaker blends, or a clothing designer designs.
I don't get it. My tastes are too simple I think.
Sure, I enjoy a coffe at Gloria Jeans or Michelle's or wherever, but that's a treat. It still comes down to the blend, but I'll let someone else worry about that. I couldn't be bothered first thing in the morning.
My daughter put me off coffee machines and the brewing. Too hard for me.
Although I have developed a soft spot for spicy chai latte for a very special treat occasionally.

Firefly · Guru

Wow Suburban, I wanna go to your place for a coffee. smile smile

I have a Nespresso pod machine but its packed away. I only drink one a day and can't seem to get the hang of doing the milk I'm afraid.

glassies · Guru

oh cruisin granny im with you there , i have to have my coffee in the morning or i could kill and im serious lol
but i too love the chai latte love it love it love it, all coffee shops make it different and some make it realy nice
however i hate it served in a glass so i always ask for a mug.

Suburban nomad you certainly put some effort in to your coffee making that is for sure sounds nice but
yep im with granny :)

SuburbanNomad · Veteran Member

My heart pumps a bit faster than most as you would assume.

Love your zest Cruising Granny, and Firefly you are most welcome to join us in a coffee anytime, but when I am on the road I will as you, have the pod machine aboard.

I have to admit I am so far gone that when I push the button on the Delonghi Nespresso Citiz and Milk Coffee Machine I imagine I am pulling a shot on my La Pavoni Lever machine back home.

shazartist · Senior Member

I believe I can speak for the suburbanNomad. He loves women that are talented and capable like cruising Granny, and especially loves women that show strength and character.

We all have a talent, some of us chose to please with serving a superb Coffee from home....

ps

All the girls are welcome at our house...and Dave83...for coffee!

03_troopy · Guru

We use a Breville espresso machine at the moment, which I have found is probably no better or worse than any of the 5 or so $200 to $700 machines we have tried so far. As far as beans are concerned we generally pick up either Harris or Vittoria whole beans (usually the darker roasts) and grind them in a burr grinder in lots big enough for a couple of days at a time. On the road we tend to stick to tea and if instant coffee is used, it's got to have rum or bourbon in it. Why use instant coffee at all? because rum or bourbon tastes weird in tea... and a camper trailer doesn't have enough room for coffee machines, except for a firetop percolator that is. Another thing we have tried is to grind half a small dried chilli with the beans (enough beans to fill a double handful) If you are chilli addicts like us, you might enjoy it.

Cruising Granny · Guru

So Suburban Nomad, I know it's off topic, but is that your actual vehicle in which you travel?
I'm fascinated with the picture on your avatar. Tell me (us) more. And I'll accept your invitation to coffee whenever our paths cross.
I actually worked in a cafe'/chicken shop years ago in the 70's and got the hang of a coffee machine which would be an antique by modern-day standards.

SuburbanNomad · Veteran Member

Troopy,

Now you're talking, I can relate to all that!

Those chilli beans in a grinder hmmm this sounds interesting. tell us more....

Cruising Granny, ha ha no, this is not a travel vehicle for me. I did have an Airstream and an Oldsmobile at one time but never thought of this combination.