13
02/10
01:31
French Press Coffee
Ever since I began playing music until all hours and had to be alert for work at 8 A.M., I had been enjoying that morning cup of coffee. But it wasn’t until a couple of years ago when I believe I found how GOD meant for coffee to be enjoyed.
A friend of mine was describing a French Press he had of Cafe Verona blend at Starbuck’s. I just HAD to try it. The experience was a complete sensory explosion. Never before had I tasted such depth and nuance in a cup. I was hooked.
That same friend later blessed me with a French Press of my own, out of the blue! So, for the past 2 years, I have been able to enjoy this delicacy in my home… until I smashed it the day after Christmas
Well, just today I purchased a replacement French Press – this time a stainless steel model (hopefully unbreakable). Now I will be experimenting to duplicate that ’spot-on’ Starbuck’s taste. Currently, my favorite is their Yukon blend.
What’s YOUR favorite cup? Where did you have it? Any tips?
Frank
February 16, 2010
12:52 pm
Wow….from abortion to coffee just to avoid answering a question!
Mike
Why are you a racist? You must be cause you will not answer my questions? Forget about Lilly Love!!!
Please answer this:
Isn’t all life valuable?
How can you support war and Capital Punishment?
C’mon Mike, step up to the plate and rejoice!
Mike
February 16, 2010
1:25 pm
Frank, I sincerely hope you keep posting. I want everyone to see how the “baby killing should be a legal right” crowd reasons through their arguments…
1. Not acknowledging a legal and moral difference between an innocent victim and a perpetrator.
2. Trying to get the questioner (me) ‘off topic’ – take notice I don’t budge…
3. Resorting to name calling and distortion (racist, sexist, etc.) as an avoidance tactic from having to intellectually deal with the substance of my question. (from the previous blog)
4. Not respecting that this blog (a coffee blog, no less) is not the appropriate venue to continue the discussion on a different topic – in light of the fact that I have already provided a blog for that topic of abortion.
So go ahead, Frank. Let the world see your reasoning and your tactics.
But I’ve already edited one of your posts because of a very ’sexist’ comment concerning Lily Love. So you have no ammunition to be throwing bombs and unfounded accusations.
I may not agree with Lily’s perspective, but I respect her as an individual and as a lady… I simply won’t allow degrading comments toward her or any woman on my site. Just ideas, my friend. But you are always welcome to share them
Frank
February 17, 2010
11:57 am
So you condone war and capital punishment, can I get you to admit that?
As far as my stance, I am anti-abortion….I would never advise this choice to anyone but since I’m a man , I will not tell a woman she cannot do it. It is her choice there Michael, not yours or anyone elses. Do you believe making abortion illegal will stop someone if they really want one?
Wake up Michael and realize all life is important, yes even criminals. Are you that righteous to say a murderer should be murdered? Are you that righteous to say Muslims should be murdered because a fellow Muslim flew a plane into a building ?
Again I ask you to take your blinders off and acknowledge all life as equal…..can you?
I’m sure your reply will dance around this simple request as you have done every time I proposed it to you.
Do NOT try to change my words, I do NOT condone abortion .
A true admirer of life
Frank
Tom
February 26, 2010
7:38 pm
Triple vanilla cappuccino… wet!
Tom
February 26, 2010
7:56 pm
… Starbucks btw. But any coffee house should be able to make you a triple cappuccino!
Phil
March 21, 2010
1:24 pm
Mike
Tell me more about this French Press. Where Can I buy one ?
Mike
March 24, 2010
2:58 pm
Well, I’ve had many cups of French Press coffee. And I’m still persuaded that the best is found at Starbuck’s… try a press of their Yukon blend. If that’s too dark, try a lighter blend. When you settle on a blend you like, buy a pound of it, and ask them to grind it special for French Press… unless, of course you have a grinder of your own. French Press grind is generally the largest grind setting on your grinder, because it is being strained, not filtered, and the grains can’t be too small or you’ll end up with too much coffee powder in your brew. Then as the barrista how THEY do it.
If you’d rather not go the Starbuck’s route, just take your current preferred blend of coffee, but get it whole bean. Depending on which store you buy coffee from, some of them have in-store grinders that you can adjust the size of the grind to ‘large.’
I actually bought my French Press from Starbucks – I got the top-of-the-line model that is made of steel, not glass. It cost me roughly $49, plus I got a discount through a card, and they give a free pound of coffee with that, so it wasn’t too bad. But I elected to go this route because the downside of the glass models is that they break. Found that out the hard way. Haven’t broken the steel one yet! Also, the steel model holds heat in a little better, and creates a more robust brew.
I use 5 tlbspoon-sized scoops per 12 oz of water (admittedly strong, but right in line with Starbuck’s proportions). Heat a pyrex measuring cup in the micro to near boiling (but NOT boiling) and pour it in… Place the lid on – in fact I give it a quick plunge and retract, just to get all the beans wet. Then finally plunge after 4 min, or 4:30 if you like stronger.
Enjoy!
Phil
March 24, 2010
8:36 pm
I’m a coffee freak. I love it, drink way too much of it, love it strong ! What you say is so attractive…………… but alas, I would not have the patience to do all the work.
I’m doomed to paying for others to make it for me
Mike
March 24, 2010
11:29 pm
I can understand the time thing. But here’s how I look at it. ..
There was a time when a cup of coffee was an incidental thing in life, like any other thing. But at a time when my life was becoming more sophisticated, so was my appreciation for the finer side of coffee. I began to really notice the subtleties of different roasts and blends – I’m assuming much akin to the manner with which a wine or cigar connoisseur would discuss the nuances of their respective arts.
Emotionally, my consumption of fine coffee began to find its place amidst the sophistication of my days – mini ‘bookmarks’ of reflective pause within an otherwise hectic schedule.
When I internalized it emotionally, the additional prep time became part of the experience… a man’s version of pampering???
So for the eight minutes it takes me to grind and steep, and the 15 minutes it takes to consume, my 2 cups of French Press Yukon per day are no burden, but part of my daily privilege.
Phil
March 26, 2010
3:43 pm
Alright I’m out voted. As I was leaving work today, I got into a conversation about coffee with one of the tech guys. I proceeded to tell him about this blog and your suggestions. He told me he too owned a French Press and it was worth the time. He also has an $89 grinder and grinds his own beans. He buys Wegmans coffee and loves it.
I broke down and ordered a BonJour 8 Cup Montano French Press, Double Wall Stainless Steel from Amazon.
Here’s hoping …….
Mike
March 26, 2010
7:37 pm
Welcome to civilization! It requires a little play at first to get just the cup you like. Be patient… even if you only do this on weekends, I think you’ll find it’s worth it.
Phil
March 27, 2010
11:37 am
I’m off to buy a grinder and whole bean coffee. Next time you come to see us, I’ll bring it and you can have good coffee rather than tea
Phil
March 28, 2010
4:31 pm
My BonJour 8 Cup Montano French Press, Double Wall Stainless Steel arrived. I purchased Starbucks Latin America Whole bean coffee.
I borrowed my mothers grinder and had at it. Mike I can’t agree with you more on how absolutely wonderful it was. My wife, who is not a coffee fan, loved it. She said “I never tasted coffee like this before.” She even saved some and made iced coffee.
I am a believer !
Thank you