Lets talk about COFFEE - Page 3

+1 on Blue Bottle in SF.

Blue Bottle is fantastic. Just make sure you don't have to go to bed early that night because a cup of Blue Bottle is probably equivalent to 3 cups of coffee anywhere else.

Now we're talking ...

Mine is: Home roast Malabar Gold espresso pulled on my Alex Duetto II e61 dual boiler and ground on a La Cimibiali Max Hybrid

If you want some home roast 100% Kona drop me a line ... I won't charge you $50/lb, it won't be a "blend" and it will be some of the best coffee you ever drink.

How does "home" roasting work? I've always wondered this. What I mean is....what goes into it?

Bought them in Portland! ace hotel!!!!

I've been on a Vietnamese coffee kick lately. I get different varieties of whole beans from these people: http://www.vietnamese-coffee.com/index.php I don't do it Vietnamese style, i.e., slow drip, but just dial back a bit either with a French press or a Cuisinart coffee machine when I'm pressed for time in the morning. The coffee goes into a Nissan thermos and it stays warm for 7-8 hours.

What brand of Kona coffee do you guys like? I bought some from this place in Waikiki, called Island Vintage Coffee. We liked it so much that I went off and ordered a 5-pound bag from them. The coffee I received was peaberry coffee, just like what I had previously, but was not as fruity as before. Still delicious, though.

Order my beans from Counterculture Coffee online...I like their espresso blends. I don't like drip coffee -- don't see the point of watered-down espresso when I like the taste of espresso.

An Americana is watered down espresso. Also, brewed coffee has more caffeine than espresso.

I was in Portland in September for a wedding and we stayed around the corner from the ace. My wife and I would start our day at Stumptown. I want a terrarium now too.

Started using a French press recently. Question: How long should I let it steep before pressing?

I have yet to use a French Press, but enjoyed a pressed cup a few years ago at a high-end restaurant. I still remember the depth of that coffee.

I've been quite happy with the Starbucks (gasp!) Cafe Verona recently.

Yes, an Americano (while we're being anal, I'll correct you) is technically watered-down espresso, but drip coffee is essentially the same thing -- you take a coarse grind of beans and slowly pour water over it so the water picks up a just hint of the flavor. And I'm well aware that brewed coffee has more espresso, because you tend to drink 8-16oz of it...not 1-2.

It's not an exact science because different people prefer different degrees of boldness/bitterness. I usually let mine steep for about 10 minutes, sometimes longer if I'm in the mood and/or have time. Make sure you stir up the coffee immediately after pouring in the water so that it doesn't just all settle at the bottom.