Lets talk about COFFEE

david3558 · Mar 18, 2013

Interesting things in this thread - I've been experimenting with my Clever Coffee Dripper and was wondering if people had some input on success they've had in the actual process. I know it's short and straightforward but I just want to see what others are doing too! I don't have a gram scale so I've just been using 2 or 3 tbsp of beans (very roughly) and throwing it into my grinder before dumping it all out into the wet filter.

Also - how long should one grind the beans for? I have a pretty standard grinder, but since there is no timer, I have no real way of gauging if I'm doing things right. I'm simply doing about 13-14 seconds...

Really appreciate the help from you experts here. :thumbs-up:

lefty · Mar 18, 2013

You can pick up a digital scale for about $15.

Basically, it comes down to taste - if you like what you're drinking don't change a thing. If not, play around with grind size and water temp. Grinding isn't so much a matter of time as it is size.

http://www.sweetmarias.com/clevercoffeedripperpictorial.php

lefty

A Y · Mar 18, 2013

Grinding is a matter of time if you're using a whirly-blade. :devil:

The Sweet Maria's guide lefty linked to is a good start for the CCD. I use the American Weigh SC-2KG, which is around $17 on Amazon, but if you're still using a whirly-blade grinder, I'd get a burr grinder as soon as possible. They aren't too expensive for a decent one: Baratza Encore or Capresso Infinity are both good choices under $100.

BTW, I got some Peet's Sumatra Batak today. It smells great. Will poast later on its taste.

david3558 · Mar 18, 2013

Thanks guys - excuse the ignorance but what are the immediate and noticeable benefits of going with a burr grinder?

patrickBOOTH · Mar 18, 2013

Uniform grind size so the extraction is consistent rather than slower with big chunks and faster with small particles. Also less heat during the grind process.

WhateverYouLike · Mar 18, 2013

david3558 said:
Thanks guys - excuse the ignorance but what are the immediate and noticeable benefits of going with a burr grinder?

If you're looking for one on the cheap, I picked this up. Theres a code floating around which makes this $38 shipped.

http://c1.casa.com/p/jura-capresso-58505-disk-burr-grinder-274480

WhateverYouLike · Mar 18, 2013

I just signed up for Tonx. Since I'm in the middle of nowhere, this seems perfect for me. Does anyone have any tips on how fine to grind beans and how it changes the taste? What else can you play around with?

patrickBOOTH · Mar 18, 2013

Fine grinding beans means faster extraction. It isn't really recommended unless you're making espresso where the grind needs to be very fine.

A Y · Mar 18, 2013

WhateverYouLike said:
I just signed up for Tonx. Since I'm in the middle of nowhere, this seems perfect for me. Does anyone have any tips on how fine to grind beans and how it changes the taste? What else can you play around with?

How are you brewing your coffee? You can play with 4 parameters to affect any brew:

1. grind size
2. steep time
3. water temperature
4. stirring

Most people will play with 1&2, and leave 3&4 alone (but keeping them consistently the same). Depending on how you brew, you can play with some or all 4 parameters.

I'd start with French press AKA press pot, or Clever Coffee Dripper. They each have their proponents, and it depends on your tastes. If you're making coffee for lots of people, a big press pot works very well. Either are pretty cheap, and you will and should spend more on your burr grinder than the brewing device.

lefty · Mar 18, 2013

A Y said:
BTW, I got some Peet's Sumatra Batak today. It smells great. Will poast later on its taste.

SB or SB peaberry? About to order some.

lefty

A Y · Mar 18, 2013

Just the normal one. I had the peaberry last year, and I would probably have a hard time telling them apart in a blind test.

Anyway, the current Batak one is nice, and is what I think a classic Peet's coffee is like: thick mouthfeel, bitter chocolate, caramel flavors. Tiny bit of fruit flavors as accents to the stronger, darker base flavors. Low acid, smooth.

constant struggle · Mar 18, 2013

david3558 said:
Interesting things in this thread - I've been experimenting with my Clever Coffee Dripper and was wondering if people had some input on success they've had in the actual process. I know it's short and straightforward but I just want to see what others are doing too! I don't have a gram scale so I've just been using 2 or 3 tbsp of beans (very roughly) and throwing it into my grinder before dumping it all out into the wet filter.

Also - how long should one grind the beans for? I have a pretty standard grinder, but since there is no timer, I have no real way of gauging if I'm doing things right. I'm simply doing about 13-14 seconds...

Really appreciate the help from you experts here.

I would get a burr grinder, therefore its not a timing thing with blades...

constant struggle · Mar 18, 2013

I just signed up for a month of tonx, I really am craving those interesting flavors I received from my sample order. WIll report back...

david3558 · Mar 19, 2013

constant struggle said:
I would get a burr grinder, therefore its not a timing thing with blades...

Thanks for the suggestion, gonna look into it. Really needing that tax refund.

constant struggle · Mar 19, 2013

In my opinion the best hand grinder you can buy is a Porlex. If you want to stay on the cheaper end of things (i.e. under $75 )

Lets talk about COFFEE

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