So What’s Up, Guy?

Whenever I’m in experimental mode with my coffee explorations, I seem to have a lot to say on this blog. Whenever I tinker with doing things that could possibly turn my interest into a business, I’m find that I am at a lost for words.

So what am I tinkering with? I’m putting together a number of instructional PowerPoint slide shows that give very easy to follow directions to make coffee in a French press and in a vacuum pot. I regularly use both of these brewing methods. I’ve found what works best for me. Now whether or not to sell these things on their own or with actual French presses or vacuum pots on eBay is what I’m debating about.

The other thing I’ve been tinkering with is the halogen heater that I last posted. Trying to make one that is cheap, with easily replaceable bulbs, and safe so no one gets electrocuted in the process of using it, has been a challenge. I was thinking that it would nice to have something portable that restaurants could bring to your table after a nice dinner. But then again, how often am I able to go out to have a nice dinner, especially with four kids?

The Basics of Making the Best Cup of Coffee

Let me break it down.  There are only three things to deal with when making the best cup of coffee: 1) the beans, 2) the water, 3) the brewing method.

THE BEANS: Buy beans of good quality. Buy beans roasted to your liking. Only use freshly roasted beans. For the perfectionists, fresh roasted coffee only lasts for 2 weeks, then they’re stale. Don’t store them in the freezer or refrigerator – it only makes them taste bad. For the very taste, grind the beans within seconds of adding the hot water to them.

THE WATER: Make sure the water tastes good. I just use a Brita filter. Then make sure the water is hot enough. Most home drip coffee makers, if not all, do not get the water temperature hot enough. So how hot is hot enough? 190-200F. To get this temperature without a thermometer, heat up the water in a kettle until boiling. Then wait for about 45 seconds. Now it’s hot enough.

THE BREWING METHOD: If you got the beans and the water right, then the brewing method becomes a matter of preference. I immediately noticed the difference between drip and French press. I also like Vacuum or Syphon pots. This past weekend I didn’t have any of my coffee makers – so I used the drip basket with the filter paper, placed it over the coffee pot, ground the beans and poured it into the basket, poured hot water into the basket and let it drip. Since the water was hot enough and the beans were fresh, the coffee tasted quite good.

How to Use a French Press

FYI: there are really good directions for using a French Press (for those who read and those who watch).

Here’s what I did:

1. Grind beans and put into the French Press.
2. Boil water – turn off heat and wait 45 sec.
3. Pour in water.
4. Set timer for 4 minutes.
5. At 1 minute mark, stir the coffee.
6. Put the lid on the Press with the plunger up.
7. When the timer goes off at 4 minutes, push the plunger down.
8. Pour yourself a cup of coffee.