pnpdollars Senior Member Joined: 22 May 2012 Posts: 11 Location: uk Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Tue May 22, 2012, 11:43am Subject: Re: new starter, needs this forum regulars advice!
this is all good stuff ppl!
so im sold on the needing a good grinder bit. But using my good grinder what do ppl think will make a better mug of coffee, using the grind in a french press or using the machine & using the espresso to make americano?
Posted Tue May 22, 2012, 11:48am Subject: Re: new starter, needs this forum regulars advice!
You can not imagine how many flavors are robbed from the coffee by the filter. Try an Americano and you will be sold forever on espresso. Of course, this is just one person's opinion but I was absolutely floored the first time I tried an Americano.
emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,795 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Tue May 22, 2012, 11:55am Subject: Re: new starter, needs this forum regulars advice!
go to the local shop that makes coffee you like and ask the barista to make you a side by side comparison. then you can make an informed decision based on your taste.
pnpdollars Senior Member Joined: 22 May 2012 Posts: 11 Location: uk Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Tue May 22, 2012, 12:17pm Subject: Re: new starter, needs this forum regulars advice!
emradguy Said:
go to the local shop that makes coffee you like and ask the barista to make you a side by side comparison. then you can make an informed decision based on your taste.
+1 for americano (actually, I think I can vote for my Mom too, as she loves FP, but when she comes to my house and has a choice between that and americano, she always chooses the americano). I used to love FP, but mine now just sits around waiting for guests who have to make their own coffee while I'm at work. One day, I'll bring it here, so I can have good coffee throughout the day.
LOL, the problem with this idea is that you're only finding out what other people like! :-D I can't stand Americanos, but love Caffe Cremas. Between your two choices, my vote would definitely be for drip.
When I drink coffee at work, I only drink FP (I brought my thermal press in to work).
"Just what I need - another 'geek' label..." - my friend Mark, on being told of Coffee Geek's existence
pnpdollars Senior Member Joined: 22 May 2012 Posts: 11 Location: uk Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Tue May 22, 2012, 2:32pm Subject: Re: new starter, needs this forum regulars advice!
i realise its about my preferance but it helps me to get a better idea what to expect reading other ppls opinions so cheers for the suggestions everyone!
tomorow its off to the coffee shops for side by side comparrisons
fredk01 Senior Member Joined: 20 Feb 2012 Posts: 121 Location: Canada Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Saeco Aroma Grinder: OE Pharos
Posted Wed May 23, 2012, 3:46pm Subject: Re: new starter, needs this forum regulars advice!
Fresh ground coffee from fresh roast beans will be a big improvement over what you currently drink. Moving to a French press is not a big expense and, as others have written, will give you time to figure out which way is up in the world of espresso.
Making a good coffee from a French press is dead simple. Making a good Americano requires making a good espresso. That takes some practice and the time to get used to what ever machine you buy.
Who knows, maybe after you try coffee from fresh beans you will decide it's not worth the effort. One step at a time.
Posted Wed May 23, 2012, 6:04pm Subject: Re: new starter, needs this forum regulars advice!
Unless you're sure that you really want espresso I would consider focusing on brewed coffee. Espresso has many more variables and is much more involved. Brewed coffee is much more finite. With a $100-$150 grinder and high quality fresh beans and
1) a French Press or Espro or 2) a Clever Coffee Dripper ($16) or 3) a really good drip machine (?$100-$200) -- more convenient but perhaps a notch below the other methods. you can make top notch coffee.
Then you can later decide if you want to go the espresso route once you have a better handle on the whole coffee thing.
Regarding Americano vs. drip it's a matter of taste but I doubt to many coffeegeeks would recommend getting into espresso primarily for Americanos since you can do so well with brewed coffee.
With espresso your starting budget is probably about $1000 and that's for a very capable but far from top notch set up. If you're sure now that you want to expand into espresso, starting with an espresso capable grinder does make sense.
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