[Bump] Let's talk about coffee machines

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by Drury18

I saw it mentioned that the Cuisinart SS700 has an Iced Beverage setting and I was just curious if anyone has used it before. I'm looking at one of these for my Mom because she likes the fancy coffees and iced beverages and it seems they have a large selection of them.

Also, if you have made the iced beverages, do you add your own milk to them or is it premixed? (Lactose Allergies in the family so if you can add your own lactose free and soy milk to it, that's an instant selling point for me).

K-cups generally don't have any milk in them. IIRC the only ones that do are the Tassimo pods that have milk-like products in them

So for the iced beverages, I think it just brews slightly stronger coffee, to which you must add your own ice & milk.

[Jawbone Hill]

Originally Posted by Hesla

I got the cuisinart Kuerig as a gift about 5 months ago and love it. I am one cup a day person only and it has saved me money and time by not having to stop at Timmys or a coffee shop.

I am running low on the K-cups I have. I need some recommendations on some good dark roast or Bold coffee's to try. The Van Houte is horrible, but I find the Timmy's ok. Specifically I want to order from that singlecup website.

Thanks

The singlecup.ca website is great. Lots of selection, free shipping over $54 (usually 4 boxes or so), and because they're based in Calgary it only takes a day or two after you order to receive your coffee. From what I've found, the best value is still at Costco (50pk for $25, or $.50 a cup, although you're limited to van houtte or timothy's), but singlecup comes pretty close if you order enough for free shipping (about $.63 a cup). To me it's worth it to order from singlecup as it's a local company and the selection is way better. I'm a cup-a-day person like you, so for me it's still worth the 50-60 cents a day for a cup vs the $2 Timmy's or Starbucks run.

In terms of my favourite dark roasts /bold coffees from single cup, I really like the "Coffee People: Donut Shop" and the "Tully's: Kona" blends. I really want to try the Jet Fuel as well... maybe in my next order. You can order some variety packs as well, which is the best way to sample coffee from a few different vendors before you order a full box.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by Kipper is King

I think you mean "between a latte and a cappuccino". I am not sure how the Tassimo machine does things, but my understanding is that a cappuccino has a lot of foam on top, while a latte has milk that is steamed, but not frothed.

That is what I meant

And that is my understanding of the difference between a latte and a cappuccino. However, I think Tassimo only provides the "latte" creamer product in Canada. I haven't bought any Cappuccino products but both the Chai Tea Latte and the Nabob Latte came with the same latte creamer thing. I'm just wondering what the difference would have been had a bought the Nabob Cappuccino as opposed to the Nabob Latte.

[Reggie Dunlop]

How good are those reusuable K-Cup filters? I like to grind my own coffee.

[amorak]

see below.

[amorak]

Originally Posted by Ducay

freshly boiled water in the preheated unit delivers the optimal brew temp (195-205') Any other cheapo machines just can't get you consistent temperatures and pressure (9bars, not 15) needed for espresso.

From nespresso:

• A good espresso/coffee must also be prepared at a precisely calibrated temperature. Too hot and the coffee will burn, too low and the coffee aromas will not be optimally extracted. Accordingly, Nespresso machines feature a thermoblock: a high precision system controlled by a thermostat to regulate the water temperature. This element ensures that the water is brought to an ideal temperature of 90C (195F), guaranteeing the espresso’s taste and the formation of crema.
• The Nespresso extraction system operates only once the ideal water pressure of 11 bars is reached inside the capsule. Then the capsule is perforated at several points by the exclusive, built-in opening and filtration system. A jet of instantly heated fresh water penetrates the capsule and flows through all of the ground coffee at once, allowing Nespresso’s superior extraction of all the precious, volatile coffee aromas at optimal pressure to produce incomparable body and taste enhanced by smooth crema.

The 11-15 PSI is hitting the grounds with about 8.5-9 per Nespresso, once the pressure loss from the nozzlehead is factored in.

This is why I love Nespresso, other than the lack of bean variety. if I could get the market-wide selection of beans, I'd be in heaven.

I get a perfect 8.5-9 bar across the beans (11 bar at the nozzlehead), allowing the water to flow through the beans and not over, which happens at too high a pressure. I also get a electronically controlled 195F hit of water at the beans. Love it.

[Table 5]

I've never been a big coffee guy (I prefer tea, and the only coffee I've ever liked was in trips to Spain and Italy), but my parents got one of those Nespresso gizmos for Xmas, and I have to say I thought it was pretty good. It's not some fancy Italian cafe machine, but it's also not 30k.

The capsule system is definitely a great business plan. If you're cheap though, you can get 2 (or even 3) uses from one of them. Just don't expect it to taste very good.

[aaronck]

Originally Posted by Smyth's Skate

Sounds to me like your exit needle may be plugged. Take it apart and clean it.

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but

That's what she said...

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by normtwofinger

Best coffee ever!

Every hole in the wall place I ever stayed in Central America made coffee this way. It was amazing every time.

A highlight in my coffee escapades is also good Turkish coffee that I've had in Croatia/Montenegro/Bosnia. I have no idea how they make it (a very fine grind + a small amount of boiling water and decanted, not filtered) but it was very different and very good. Some of the old women even tell your future from the remaining coffee ground residue when you put your cup upside down.

[CMPunk]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

How good are those reusuable K-Cup filters? I like to grind my own coffee.

They work good, just pop put the kcup holder and slide the filter in

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

How good are those reusuable K-Cup filters? I like to grind my own coffee.

Crap. Unless you like coffee all over the walls and grounds in the cup.

[normtwofinger]

It's like a cheese-cloth material. Locals here in Costa Rica say you can use it re-use it for about a week, just rinse it out after each time. Seriously looks gross, but it's the best coffee i've ever had.

[peter12]

The best coffee I have ever had and will ever have is the Turkish coffee served lavishly in small cups in Western Asia.

[Buzzard]

Wow. I just had a Keurig chai latte. AWESOME. Most definitely as good as a Starbigbucks Chai. I got a few different Chai's from Singlecup, as Chai is about the only tea I really like. They were ok, but this particular one was a Celestial Chai. Good stuff.

[J pold]

Got a French Press for Christmas, I'm still working on ratios and heat but man for a low cost unit it such makes some great coffee.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by J pold

Got a French Press for Christmas, I'm still working on ratios and heat but man for a low cost unit it such makes some great coffee.

For home use, the french press is probably the best way to make proper coffee. A plain ol' french press will make better coffee than 98% of home drip coffee makers.

[woob]

Well I picked up my AeroPress from Fratello on Friday and I've got to say it works great. The process is easy, quick, and simple cleanup after. Still experimenting with different amounts of coffee, etc. It makes a very clean cup of coffee which I'm not sure I like 100%. I think I'd like more of the coffee oils to make it into the cup, so I've tracked down a metal filter recommended by the AeroPress fans on coffee geek.

As well, for anyone looking to find a good place to buy beans, I'd highly suggest Fratello. I went in there on Friday and was greeted by Russ who turned out to be one of the owners. He was very informative, helpful (I'm still pretty new to the coffee world outside of supermarket options), and friendly. They are currently building a cafe in the new Farmer's Market called Analog Cafe. www.fratellocoffee.com

[Mad Mel]

Originally Posted by woob

As well, for anyone looking to find a good place to buy beans, I'd highly suggest Fratello. I went in there on Friday and was greeted by Russ who turned out to be one of the owners. He was very informative, helpful (I'm still pretty new to the coffee world outside of supermarket options), and friendly. They are currently building a cafe in the new Farmer's Market called Analog Cafe. www.fratellocoffee.com

Russ and Ange are nice folks and know their coffee. Support your local business providing a quality product instead of perpetuating the horrific toll that companies like Starbucks take on our taste buds.

[hixxes]

Yikes! Wife and I got a Tassimo for Christmas and so far I have to say I'm quite unimpressed. We thought it would be great for us since she's a decaf drinker and I'm a two cupper. We've tried the Nabob Breakfast Blend, Maxwell House, and the Starbucks (expensive!). I'm certainly far from a coffee snob, but the Nabob and Maxwell House seem quite week, and I'm not a big fan of Starbucks in general.

Any suggestions for brand? I thought Seattle Best might be ok but it looks like it's not available in Canada.

[simmonjam1]

Originally Posted by hixxes

Yikes! Wife and I got a Tassimo for Christmas and so far I have to say I'm quite unimpressed. We thought it would be great for us since she's a decaf drinker and I'm a two cupper. We've tried the Nabob Breakfast Blend, Maxwell House, and the Starbucks (expensive!). I'm certainly far from a coffee snob, but the Nabob and Maxwell House seem quite week, and I'm not a big fan of Starbucks in general.

Any suggestions for brand? I thought Seattle Best might be ok but it looks like it's not available in Canada.

I've slowly whittled my way through a few types of Tassimo coffees. I'd recommend:

- Starbucks Cappuccino (way better than Nabob's)
- Nabob's 100% Columbian
- Nabob's Espresso
- Suchard Hot Chocolate
-Nabob Cafe Crema is not too bad either

We haven't tried any teas yet. Nabob Latte isn't very good; milk has a weird taste. The Breakfast blend is too weak and Maxwell House has a bland cardboard type taste to it.