Who else grinds coffee?

[ET]

The nearest Trader Joe's to me is about 80 miles, so I guess I will have to take a drive over there and see...

 

[John in Covina]

In this neck of the woods Trader Joe's has maybe 8-10 varieties of whole bean coffee. The whole bean comes packed in the can and if you want you use their grinder and the same can to bring it home in. They sometimes have some in the bag / pouch. I need to try the new Peaberry version they have now.

 

[ET]

I got interested enough to take a look at their website and drive over today- bought 3 different flavors/ blends- the Hawaiian, the Volcano, and some Ecuadorian mountain blend. I will grind them at home. I thought that if I had a grocery store, that is what I would like it to look like. Stuff flying off the shelves, busy, friendly people working there, stocking constantly. Other grocery stores make their own house brands look and taste like the stuff you don't want. These people make a house brand "cool" which is just a great marketing concept. I think I will apply for a job at one if they come near- I already have the Hawaiian shirts...

 

[Seraph1227]

I like to grind my own, because I usually only drink coffee at work, and the ready ground tends to go stale.

 

[Panadora]

Guilty

Grinders are important!

 

[sola fide]

Nice setup, looks like a restaurant. I grind my San Franciso brand French roast from Costco($18 for 3 lbs) daily using a Capresso burr grinder and brewing in a basic Krups conicle 10 cup coffee maker. My coffee comes out good every time. I started drinking coffee while in the Navy, didn't taste good, but kept you alert on your 12 hour shifts while at sea.
Mike A

 

[Macbeth]

First post! I'm one of those coffee geeks I suppose. Have a Baratza Virtuoso grinder and a Cona Vacuum Brewer.
I've found that coffee ordered from Paradise Roasters in Minneapolis is absolutely the best I've ever tried. Order, they roast the beans , and promise 3 days from roast to your door. My favorites are Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, Sumatra Dana Toba, and Costa Rican.
I've not yet found a better roaster.
At 71, life is extremely too short for me to waste my time on mediocre coffee.

 

[Picard1138]

I have recently been disgusted with our office Keurig machine, so I brought in my Sunbeam vacuum coffee maker from home to brew a real cup of coffee. Perfect brew of La Colombe; Monaco, late 1950s style.



The next project is to replace that awful toaster oven...

-Max

 

[Michaelshane]

I use an old antique burr grinder,and French press.

 

[Hercule]

I use an old antique burr grinder,and French press.

+1 doesn't get any better than that, though I do quite enjoy using my moka pot on occasion

 

[topango]

The worst cups of coffee I have made for myself, Nescafe seems to have overcome my coffee making insufficiencies it gets a two thumbs up and two big toes up (this being my highest rating)

 

[Tarwater]

I buy whole bean, usually Green Mountain for the house and grind as I go then either French press or cold brew it. I pour my wife one small cup from the press then drink the rest if I'm going that route. Cold brew is nice when you want strong coffee but not the heat or the acid.

Starbucks to me is just coffee. It's stronger than most which gets me through but I don't have any particular fondness for it. My favorite cup is from our local coffee roaster/shop. They grind for each cup and use a pour-over system. It takes a while and is not as hot (though hot enough) but so full of flavor. They know and love coffee. My wife likes espresso so I'll stop at one or the other and we can both have our own that way -- Starbucks in a hurry, local if time allows.

Often I'll end up with more than one round whether that means home brewed and later hitting a coffee shop or just two stops. I find that the days I feel like I don't have the time to stop are the ones I need it most so I stop and make up the time elsewhere...

Coffee to get through the day, whiskey to get past it.

 

[Picard1138]

I have been drinking Monaco, by La Colombe lately in the French press. That stuff is delicious black, but high octane. You can really feel it after one or two cups.



By the way, this is the only proper way to use a Keurig machine; to boil water for your French press:

-Max

 

[robrinay]

I grind Columbian beans - Sainsbury's own brand - it gives a variety of brews depending on the amount used - a dessert spoonful gives a mellow breakfast strength brew, one a a half desserts spoons a stronger after dinner brew and an espresso machine basket full gives a reasonable espresso, latte etc.
I used to collect coffee machines - still got a few. The best coffee I ever made was from a glass Cona - based on a science lab type reflux/syphon system here's a link I found - apparently they started making them again and a good job because they are so fragile and I stopped using mine for fear of breakage.

http://www.cona.co.uk/

However like most of you I default to a french press - simple to use and clean - mine is a stylish stainless (unbreakable) version by Freud. I kept a few machines including a cona rex (a lovely 50's art deco style) and a 60's Italian stovetop called an Atomic ( still made in Australia) - looks a bit like a nuclear power station. I got a handpresso in a charity shop - look them up they are great for picnics but v expensive full price. Lastly I keep a 50's La Pavoni Europiccola for special occasions dinner parties etc. - too fiddly to use for everyday use but stylish and dramatic - sounds like a steam train in a tunnel if you like that sort of thing

 

[robrinay]

Here are the machines I mention above - although it says I can edit the function isn't happening so I can't add the pic directly to the above post.

 

[newsman]

We use a hand grinder and an electric one...but the beans are ground. From time-to-time i'll roast my own beans.

Always use a French press...mostly because it's just that easy!

 

[gear-guy]

Still grinding on my antique grinder. I grind what my wife gives me.

 

[brylcreem boy]

I girnd mine at home almost daily. I don't have anything fancy just a Braun Grinder which is about 14 years old now. Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced grinder??, nothing fancy or expensive.

 

[Dr Roly]

I grind my coffee using an excellent hand powered ceramic burr grinder I got from a coffee specialist in London. I favour Mocha Sidamo beans, and they stay fresh for a lot longer when whole rather than ground.

I still enjoy a Nescafe though; for when I can't be doing with the hassle of making a fresh cup.

 

[DeaconKC]

My wife and I are in Kona, Hawaii right now for our 30th Anniversary and just got back from touring Mountain Thunder Coffee Ranch. Fascinating place and we learned a lot. Wonderful gourmet coffee and some wonderfully nice folks. If you ever get here, you must take the tour! http://www.mountainthunder.com/