SWR - Coffee

Billy Bolonski · Post by **Billy Bolonski** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 3:10 pm

Fantastic!

Coffee thread on a wine chat room. Hoorraayy!!

I guess this thread demonstrates how much more we can all learn about coffee.

My tips in Sydney are Campos in Newtown, Mecca in the City and Single Origin in Surry Hills.

Coffee has one major benefit over wine. The best coffee you have ever had will almost certainly be as cheap or cheaper than the worst you have ever had.

If only I could say the same of wine.......

Bring on the double ristretto piccolo latte!

Billy B

underwraps50 · Post by **underwraps50** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 8:50 pm

I wonder if it is too late to rejuvenate this thread. I hope not because I would like to get some advice on coffee makers. I do not like or drink instant coffee. When in a hurry I use a Robert Timms coffee bag. When I have time I use an electric dripolator with either Vittoria or Lavazza pre-ground. My perc at work uses filter papers & at home a mesh filter. I was given a little expresso machine but it seemed a lot of trouble to go to for a tiny cup of coffee so I returned it. I do not like tiny, very strong cups of coffee. I like a strong, normal sized cup. (I dont use milk)
Q1. Is it possible (in your learned opinions) to get a decent coffee using the electric dripolator?(or is it time I moved on)
Q2. I have a ceramic stove-top pot with the aluminium 'basket'. Are these any good?
Q3. Where do Plunger type makers sit in the 'quality' stakes?
Q4. Is it possible I have a poor palate because a lot of the coffee I get in seemingly decent coffee shops doesn't taste any better than I make in my dripolator, & some is less palatable.
The comment about the cost of a cup often having an inverse relationship to the quality was one I could relate to.

Daryl Douglas · Post by **Daryl Douglas** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 9:35 pm

underwraps50 wrote:I wonder if it is too late to rejuvenate this thread. I hope not because I would like to get some advice on coffee makers. I do not like or drink instant coffee. When in a hurry I use a Robert Timms coffee bag. When I have time I use an electric dripolator with either Vittoria or Lavazza pre-ground. My perc at work uses filter papers & at home a mesh filter. I was given a little expresso machine but it seemed a lot of trouble to go to for a tiny cup of coffee so I returned it. I do not like tiny, very strong cups of coffee. I like a strong, normal sized cup. (I dont use milk)
Q1. Is it possible (in your learned opinions) to get a decent coffee using the electric dripolator?(or is it time I moved on)
Q2. I have a ceramic stove-top pot with the aluminium 'basket'. Are these any good?
Q3. Where do Plunger type makers sit in the 'quality' stakes?
Q4. Is it possible I have a poor palate because a lot of the coffee I get in seemingly decent coffee shops doesn't taste any better than I make in my dripolator, & some is less palatable.
The comment about the cost of a cup often having an inverse relationship to the quality was one I could relate to.

I use a stainless steel espresso pot at home and a plunger at work. Find the espresso pot the easiest way to get a good cup of coffee but don't expect crema(?). Plungers use more coffee grounds to get the same strength as the pot. I used to have a dripolator before being converted by a flatmate to the virtues of the pot. Couldn't be bothered with a machine either and the pot is quicker than a dripolator. I just rinse the top part well with hot then cold water, the basket and water compartment with just cold. The seal gets replaced every 2-3 years but I mostly only use the pot once a day. Usually clean/clear the filter above the coffee basket when I replace the seal.

cranky · Post by **cranky** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 12:44 am

underwraps50- the coffeeco site mentioned earlier is great, and should answer all of your questions, but you should also check out http://www.espressomyespresso.com/ for some more light-hearted info.

Billy Bolonski · Post by **Billy Bolonski** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 10:15 am

underwraps50

Good questions. Keep trying things until you find what you are after. I promise you will be successful and it is well worth the effort.

It sounds to me like you would most like a Vacuum Brewer.

They create the best large cup of black coffee by far.

The Bodom Santos is easy to find and quite cheap. The best brand I have found is Cona. They cost about $200 but well worth it.

Vac Brewers are also very cool to watch. They are perfect for brewing in the middle of the table at the end of a dinner party or tasting.

http://www.coffeegeek.com/reviews/vacpots/cona_size_a_b/sanat/3652

Billy B

KMP · Post by **KMP** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:43 am

The Coffee Culture (click for the link) seems to be a popular topic. The best coffee we get around here is at a local pancake house (no not IHOP), they also make bloody good pancakes as well but typical monster serving - the Poodles luv their doggie bag

Mike

marsalla · Post by **marsalla** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:14 am

I broke my abstinance on the weekend and had a coffee in lygon street, but it tasted like the coffee i used to get in tunisia, is it the beans in oz that hold it back???

Sarg · Post by **Sarg** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 8:29 am

Old thread sorry if it's bad to drag them back.

A good aussie forum to look at that has everything you need to know about coffee. It sells freshly roasted coffee or green beans for roasting your own. The website is coffeesnobs i'm to new so can't put in a link just thought i'd contribute to something a know about.

Just a side note that anything like lavazza,illy,merlot basicaly anyhting that come from a supermarket or pre ground is stale as, if you like your coffee's with that stuff than once you try freshly roasted (ground coffee is stale in 3 minutes and whole roasted beans normally 2 weeks) freshly ground coffee it'll blow your mind.

There are cafes in melb, bris, syd, adel, perth (and probably the other states too) that are equal to anything you'll find in the world and anybody who says otherwise just hasn't sorted the wheat from the chaff or whatever that saying is.

Andrew

Wizz · Post by **Wizz** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 1:15 pm

Sarg wrote:Old thread sorry if it's bad to drag them back.

A good aussie forum to look at that has everything you need to know about coffee. It sells freshly roasted coffee or green beans for roasting your own. The website is coffeesnobs i'm to new so can't put in a link just thought i'd contribute to something a know about.

Just a side note that anything like lavazza,illy,merlot basicaly anyhting that come from a supermarket or pre ground is stale as, if you like your coffee's with that stuff than once you try freshly roasted (ground coffee is stale in 3 minutes and whole roasted beans normally 2 weeks) freshly ground coffee it'll blow your mind.

There are cafes in melb, bris, syd, adel, perth (and probably the other states too) that are equal to anything you'll find in the world and anybody who says otherwise just hasn't sorted the wheat from the chaff or whatever that saying is.

Andrew

Andrew, which ones would you recommend - particularly Brisbane?

monkeyboy · Post by **monkeyboy** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 1:58 pm

Hi Wizz,

regarding Brisbane, I've really struggled to find a decent place that does great coffee(Being from Melbourne I'm spoilt for choice and quality!), however the family are located in that part of the country so have to visit once in awhile and still need to satisfy my cravings

Recently I came across two places that did exceptional coffee in Brisbane.

One was in Fortitude Valley, it was actually a one man show who had a coffee machine and a couple of tables in a little walkthrough off the Brunswick St Mall. Great service and great coffee. Can't quite remember the coffee he used, but my espresso's and strong soy lattes were very good.

The other was in Paddington at a place called Urban Grind. A specialist coffee place. From what I can remember it was pretty much just about the coffee(which was great). Very nice cafe, good service and you can sit on the back of the deck and enjoy your cup of joe.

If you are looking for beans, I found a place near Ashgrove called Kokoda. They import all their beans from PNG, I've noticed that they've included a small coffee stall/cafe to sample their wares I guess. I've not tried the cafe service, but have bought their beans and coffee from them. I last tried their coffee about 12 mths ago and it was good coffee. My brother used to live round the corner in Bardon they pretty much became his pusher of choice(he kept the emergency Vittoria in the freezer). He's since moved to the coast so haven't been back in awhile to check their wares, but could be worth a visit to see if it's still quality coffee. They will also grind and vacuum seal your coffee for you if needed.

Hope this is of some help to you.

cheers

ant

Wizz · Post by **Wizz** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 4:32 pm

Thanks Ant, might go have a look. Paddo/Ashgrove aren't that far out of my way, but strangely I don't go there very often.

Tristram Shandy · Post by **Tristram Shandy** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:42 pm

First of all: instant coffee isn't actually coffee. It is a completely different drink simply masquerading as coffee. I was spoiled permanently when I lived in Italy many years ago. You can't even buy instant coffee in Italy - except in "camping equipment" stores.

Plunger coffee - pulllleeezz! It's just awful. They used to serve it in Czechoslovakia before the big thaw. It's an excuse for coffee at best.

I brought a Gaggia manual machine home from Italy back in the early 90s when it was still a new idea. Bought an automatic one on eBay and traded up last year to a decent Saeco (I love eBay). I understand that the Rancilio is even better for those who like to get their hands dirty and do it the manual way, but I'm lazy and the automatics are just too easy.

Either an espresso or a machiato is preferred, although a good latte is okay with a croissant.

Here in Adelaide, the best coffee is at Cibo. No real contest. Best beans in town are to be found at Rio Coffee.

Don't know what is going on with the Starbucks phenomenon because it is just plain awful. That said, it is still better than most other coffee in the US, which is an indication of how dire it is there.

Australians just don't realise how good we have it here (I'm a citizen now so I can boast). The food is generally of a decent standard, if not always imaginative. You can find a decent cup of coffee without too much of a struggle. And the wine is just plain terrific.

I thank my lucky stars every day I wake up in Adelaide.

Tristram

griff · Post by **griff** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:58 pm

Tristram Shandy wrote:First of all: instant coffee isn't actually coffee. It is a completely different drink simply masquerading as coffee. I was spoiled permanently when I lived in Italy many years ago. You can't even buy instant coffee in Italy - except in "camping equipment" stores.

Plunger coffee - pulllleeezz! It's just awful. They used to serve it in Czechoslovakia before the big thaw. It's an excuse for coffee at best.

I brought a Gaggia manual machine home from Italy back in the early 90s when it was still a new idea. Bought an automatic one on eBay and traded up last year to a decent Saeco (I love eBay). I understand that the Rancilio is even better for those who like to get their hands dirty and do it the manual way, but I'm lazy and the automatics are just too easy.

Either an espresso or a machiato is preferred, although a good latte is okay with a croissant.

Here in Adelaide, the best coffee is at Cibo. No real contest. Best beans in town are to be found at Rio Coffee.

Don't know what is going on with the Starbucks phenomenon because it is just plain awful. That said, it is still better than most other coffee in the US, which is an indication of how dire it is there.

Australians just don't realise how good we have it here (I'm a citizen now so I can boast). The food is generally of a decent standard, if not always imaginative. You can find a decent cup of coffee without too much of a struggle. And the wine is just plain terrific.

I thank my lucky stars every day I wake up in Adelaide.

Tristram

I agree that espresso is the best (have a reasonable nemox myself) but plunger coffee isn't to be sneezed at. It is often used to rate beans. More aromatic but less intense. Most types (even instant) have a time and place

cheers

Carl

Sarg · Post by **Sarg** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 12:18 am

Hey Wizz,

There is a place called Caffine espresso at tenariffe(spell check) probably in the top 3 in brisbane, also Naked espresso they use a naked portafilla's so you can see the coffee extraction fully not just the little spouts and it's all on tv monitors if you can't see the pour first hand and as ant said urban rates well too.

I cant post a link yet but if you go to coffeesnobs ,the australian one there is a dodgy american coffeesnobs as well but ignore that, and scroll down to the general coffee related index and then go to page 11 you will find a coffee and food guide and ubd map for brisbane it has 60 posts reviewing places to go. worth a look.

Don't poke around there too much if you like your coffee or you'll soon have expensive machines and grinders and before you know 15 kilo's of green beans in your linen cupboard, converting your air popcorn maker or bread maker into coffee roasting contraptions the list goes on.

Andrew

Leigh · Post by **Leigh** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 8:28 pm

For a great coffee in Brisbane give 'Jeremys' in Albert Street a go. I have been going their for several years, whenever I get into the city. It is consistently great coffee.

Cheers
Leigh

Jordan · Post by **Jordan** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 10:35 pm

Tristram Shandy wrote:Here in Adelaide, the best coffee is at Cibo. No real contest. Best beans in town are to be found at Rio Coffee.

The Rio coffee beans are excellent as is Cibo coffee, with the Gouger St Cibo my personal favourite. Must admit though, I have been gravitating to the Illys around Adelaide as well as their beans.

Hill Of Grace · Post by **Hill Of Grace** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 7:49 am

Have a Sunbeam automatic which does the job

Lavazza Crema for the stovetop and Vittoria Oro for the machine

Instant Coffee = reach for the teabags

Red Bigot · Post by **Red Bigot** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 8:27 am

Cosmorex Blue Blend does it for us in Canberra, good espresso via a Gaggia Titanium.

simm · Post by **simm** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 11:28 am

Sharkey wrote:I am very fussy about coffee. I only ever have proper coffe (made from espresso) never instant or even plunger.

At work I buy it from one of several of the decent cafes nearby.

At home we have a Rancilio Silvia machine and a Rancilio Rocky grinder. The secret to really good coffee is fresh beans, freshly ground. We buy beans from a local roaster and sometimes they are so freshly roasted they are still warm. We only buy enough to last a couple of weeks and then still have it packed into two bags with welded seals.

Try giving your beans a week or two for the internal gasses fully release. This allows the flavinoids to develop as they are drawn up through the bean and the less appealing flavours are oxidated out. Makes for a richer rounder coffee.

Although I use a machine I have no issue with plungers. IMO they are far better than stove tops as they don't burn the coffee or produce offensive burnt rubber seal smells. And in a plunger a fresh grind can still give you a good crema which I've never been able to get from a stove top.

michaelw · Post by **michaelw** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 12:44 pm

Red Bigot wrote:Cosmorex Blue Blend does it for us in Canberra, good espresso via a Gaggia Titanium.

So since this thread started, you've changed machines RB? Out with the Saeco and in with the Gaggia?

I've still got my Saeco Magic Deluxe that I bought in 2002 as a graduation present for myself after finishing uni (6 years part time as a full time worker is tough!)

It's still going strong and probably getting more of a workout in the past 18 months since I work from home most of the time.

Red Bigot · Post by **Red Bigot** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:56 pm

michaelw wrote:
Red Bigot wrote:Cosmorex Blue Blend does it for us in Canberra, good espresso via a Gaggia Titanium.

So since this thread started, you've changed machines RB? Out with the Saeco and in with the Gaggia?

I've still got my Saeco Magic Deluxe that I bought in 2002 as a graduation present for myself after finishing uni (6 years part time as a full time worker is tough!)

It's still going strong and probably getting more of a workout in the past 18 months since I work from home most of the time.

Eagle-eye! The thread was started well over a year ago. Yes, changed over to the Gaggia 6 months or so ago, the 13 yo Saeco went into work with Andrea, she is very popular with the coffee-drinkers in her area. Hopefully it will last a few more years until she retires.

The Gaggia actually has the same brew unit as the Saeco, I believe they are essentially the same company. The Gaggia is set to turn on at 0600 so it's rinsed and warm for when Andrea gets up and is still warm and ready for when I get up an hour later.

The only problem with the Gaggia is that if the beans are a little oily (some of the Cosmorex batches are) they don't always feed well into the grinder.

griff · Post by **griff** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 11:41 pm

Red Bigot wrote:
michaelw wrote:
Red Bigot wrote:Cosmorex Blue Blend does it for us in Canberra, good espresso via a Gaggia Titanium.

So since this thread started, you've changed machines RB? Out with the Saeco and in with the Gaggia?

I've still got my Saeco Magic Deluxe that I bought in 2002 as a graduation present for myself after finishing uni (6 years part time as a full time worker is tough!)

It's still going strong and probably getting more of a workout in the past 18 months since I work from home most of the time.

Eagle-eye! The thread was started well over a year ago. Yes, changed over to the Gaggia 6 months or so ago, the 13 yo Saeco went into work with Andrea, she is very popular with the coffee-drinkers in her area. Hopefully it will last a few more years until she retires.

The Gaggia actually has the same brew unit as the Saeco, I believe they are essentially the same company. The Gaggia is set to turn on at 0600 so it's rinsed and warm for when Andrea gets up and is still warm and ready for when I get up an hour later.

The only problem with the Gaggia is that if the beans are a little oily (some of the Cosmorex batches are) they don't always feed well into the grinder.

Yes they are the same company now. The main difference is the group of most Gaggias are a commercial size (58mm) group instead of a domestic (53mm) group. Basically the same otherwise.

cheers

Carl

Sarg · Post by **Sarg** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 12:40 am

If you guys with coffee machines and plungers want some seriously good fresh roasted coffee you should check out http://www.coffeesnobs.com.au. They roast to order and they just one some awards in a recent comp in port maquarie.

Andrew

Sharkey · Post by **Sharkey** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 3:25 pm

Now that I have finally set up an image hosting account I thought I would post a picture of the coffee I make using my Rancilio Silvia.

Craig(NZ) · Post by **Craig(NZ)** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 4:18 pm

Love Coffee too and have set up this year at home with Kitchen Aid Expresso and Burr Grinder. Allpress Rangitoto Blend is my poison of choice

pcjm · Post by **pcjm** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 9:10 pm

I have a Breville 800 series at home, it's manually operated so a little hit and miss but when you get it right the rewards are almost as good as a treasured red that you have nursed since bottling. At work it is what ever the machine decides to give you between recordings of shows.

bacchaebabe · Post by **bacchaebabe** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:29 pm

Funny this thread has come back up this week. Billy clearly has impeccable taste.

Billy Bolonski wrote:Fantastic!

Coffee thread on a wine chat room. Hoorraayy!!

I guess this thread demonstrates how much more we can all learn about coffee.

My tips in Sydney are Campos in Newtown, Mecca in the City and Single Origin in Surry Hills.

Billy B

Time Out this week has a coffee special and Campos (2nd), Mecca (4th) and Single Origin (1st) all make their top ten cafes (Order in brackets). If you're doing something right, you will clearly stay in business.

Since this thread started I've bought a Saeco Incanto deluxe and have done a Barista course. Not that I'm thinking of giving up my day job but I just wanted to refine my coffee making skills. I must say, it's a lot easier and quicker with a commercial machine than a domestic one but I still manage an OK coffee at home but it's never going to compete with a bought one.

griff · Post by **griff** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:35 pm

I was having Campos withdrawal over here (although Fiori is a pretty good subsititute). Luckily there is a cafe in the city now shipping the beans over!

cheers

Carl

Glen · Post by **Glen** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 8:11 pm

Daryl Douglas wrote:
Ratcatcher wrote: There are a number of regional coffee producers around. I was given an insulated plunger mug by a nephew and his wife who live in Mareeba on the Atherton Tableland a few years ago - I ended up breaking the plunger bit . They got it from a place called The Coffee Factory that sources it's beans from producers on the Tableland.

Was there last week. Unfortunately home now after 4 weeks of Reef diving and hiking.

Not a bad coffee at The Coffee Works, but happily declined the 4pm offer to do the tour and taste 21 coffee's!

Funnily enough I didn't start drinking coffee until about 5 years ago in my early 30's. We were at Sydney airport waiting to board a flight for the USA when my partner said I should try one. I said "OK, make it a double espresso, if I am going to try one then I am not going to do it by halves".
I talked for 14 hours straight!

I don't make my own coffee at all, only buy it out at well trusted cafe's, as I don't own a coffee making machine, and couldn't be bothered cleaning it each day for 2 coffee's. However this didn't stop me buying John Doyles great book 'Barista Techniques'.

Double ristretto is now my drink of choice.

Cheers
Glen

Glen · Post by **Glen** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 8:21 pm

Tristram Shandy wrote:Here in Adelaide, the best coffee is at Cibo. No real contest. Best beans in town are to be found at Rio Coffee.

Cibo is like the starbucks of the gourmet cafe's, try Simply Coffee in Kent Town. Peter Roasts in situ and has over 40 beans/blends that he will grind on request for a single coffee. Leagues ahead of the rest.!

I thank my lucky stars every day I wake up in Adelaide.

Watching too much channel 7 here.