Coffee connoisseurs

[judder]

I have just realised how good real coffee tastes after just drinking instant and tea
This has lead me to looking at getting my own coffee machine.
Now knowing what type of person I am is it a hassle to make then clean your own machine then think its to much trouble and never use it again or as a coffee virgin are the machines that take the pods a safer bet.
Thanks

 

[ianrauk]

If I do drink coffee.. it's the real stuff rather then the dust in jars....

 

[Globalti]

Nooooo!

Get a coffee grinder and grind beans so that you are drinking the freshest coffee with no loss of the volatiles. The next bit is simply to pass boiling water through the ground coffee as slowly as possible, for which one of these does a perfect job:

Boil up half a mug of milk, mix and enjoy. Simples.

 

[siadwell]

We have a Nespresso machine and find it produces consistently good coffee for little effort (including cleaning!). As we don't drink much, we found ground coffee would be past its best by the time we got to the bottom of the bag, and as for grinding your own....

 

[Norm]

I have a Nespresso machine, which uses pods. The coffee is not as good as fresh ground, but I ca only tell the difference if I'm drinking the two back-to-back. Drink a Nespresso on its own and it produces a lovely, strong, rich coffee. As a comparison with the likes of Costa, Starbucks etc, the Nespresso works excellently.

The big benefit for me is that there is no cleaning and very little maintenance, the machine takes up little space and can keep the water up to the right temperature so there is little or no delay - when you want a cup, it's ready within seconds.

Ours has done around 4,000 cups now, with one de-scaling run and a quick rinse every 30 to 40 cups all that has been required. I love it and it's the only kitchen item that we would replace instantly if something did happen to it.

I know many people who have a philosophical issue with the pod machines but I can think of 6 people who have purchased one of their own after trying the coffee from ours.

 

[Berties]

grind the beans to order and use a cefetiere at home and we have a gaggia machine at work,I only drink two cups a day as if i dot drink any for days after drinking loads i can start clucking

 

[rich p]

grind the beans to order and use a cafétiére at home

This^^^

Easy and the best fresh taste.

My personal favourite, if you like strong, tasty coffee, is Sainsburys Continental beans - 5 strength rating.

Black is the only way to go IMHO.

 

[Dayvo]

I prefer tea to coffee, but drink more coffee, strangely.

I use all/most forms of coffee-making appliances, but prefer the simple Vietnamese filter method: http://www.howtobrewcoffee.com/Vietnamese.htm

And it wouldn't be complete without the best coffee in the world, IMO:
http://www.trung-nguyen-online.co.uk/

 

[Peteaud]

I have the Next machine and for the money its pretty good.

 

[Cubist]

Cafetier? Insipid filth. Stovetop espresso pot or a pump espresso machine for me. Fresh ground beans are best, but Lavazza red label (qualita rossa) kept in an airtight container in the fridge is acceptable. At work I use Millicano or Alta Rica, two spoons with full cream UHT milk, a hangover from when I lived in Italy and every bar used it for coffee.

 

[AnythingButVanilla]

I prefer tea to coffee, but drink more coffee, strangely.

I use all/most forms of coffee-making appliances, but prefer the simple Vietnamese filter method: http://www.howtobrewcoffee.com/Vietnamese.htm

And it wouldn't be complete without the best coffee in the world, IMO:
http://www.trung-nguyen-online.co.uk/

I'm also a tea fiend but when I do drink coffee it's always the Vietnamese kind although I make it in a cafetier for two of us or the small metal filter for one cup. I buy the beans from the Algerian Coffee Store in old Compton Street and it's one of my favourite shops in London. Like stepping back in time.

 

[Cubist]

I prefer tea to coffee, but drink more coffee, strangely.

I use all/most forms of coffee-making appliances, but prefer the simple Vietnamese filter method: http://www.howtobrewcoffee.com/Vietnamese.htm

And it wouldn't be complete without the best coffee in the world, IMO:
http://www.trung-nguyen-online.co.uk/

I doubt whether all that pretentious Vietnamese filter bolocks has reached Yorkshire, but I'm going to have to give that a go. The condensed milk and strong coffee thing is intriguing to say the least.

 

[AnythingButVanilla]

I had palpitations the first few times I drank it.

 

[Dayvo]

I doubt whether all that pretentious Vietnamese filter bolocks has reached Yorkshire, but I'm going to have to give that a go. The condensed milk and strong coffee thing is intriguing to say the least.

You will not regret it, I promise you - but I won't refund your expenses!

Although you could send it on to me afterwards if you don't like it!

 

[TheDoctor]

Pump-action espresso machine and Lavazza gold for me.
The Lavazza red is a little raucous for my liking.
I heat the milk up, but only froth it a little. I'm aiming for a Kiwi flat white...