To Brew or Not to Brew.. that is the question!

[FryBoy]

I like my Cuisinart brewer, too, but there are several good brands. I like Peet's, but Starbucks is good, too, and I prefer the darker roasts. I use about 2/3 to 3/4 cup of grounds for a 12-cup pot. The pot and the filter gadget go in the dishwasher.

One plus for spending the extra money on a high-end coffee is that you can let your guests know that -- "Starbucks' Proudly Served Here" brings a lot of good will, but bad coffee will leave a lasting impression of the place.

 

[GB]

One plus for spending the extra money on a high-end coffee is that you can let your guests know that -- "Starbucks' Proudly Served Here" brings a lot of good will, but bad coffee will leave a lasting impression of the place.

That would be enough reason for me to NOT go there. I love good coffee. I can not stand Starbucks. My friends and I have noticed that for a large majority of people who like Starbucks (not all mind you) they are the people who put all sorts of things in their coffee. People who drink black coffee generally do not care for Startbucks. Again I know this is not a 100% rule, but it has been our observation.

 

[bethzaring]

In some respects I am a low tech person. When it comes to coffee, I have a non-electric drip maker. It actually is a 1940's all ceramic drip maker. Simple to use, put the high quality grounds in a coffee filter and put that in the dripper, set dripper on top of the pot, heat fresh water to 185 degrees F, pour through dripper. If it needs a bit of heat, I zap it in the microwave, although the insulated holder sounded ideal. My electricity goes off frequently and I can make coffee without electricity with my method. Years ago I had a non-electric Melitta coffee maker, my current set up is similar to the old Melitta. I can't believe what is on the market for high priced coffee makers these days, not my style.

 

[Ishbel]

I only use a cafetiere when making coffee at home. Lots of restaurants bring cafetiere to the table when ordering coffee. I've also stayed in hotels where it has been served in a cafetiere, especially if my husband decides to have tea at breakfast... It's the most economical way to brew coffee - and tastes the best, so long as the ground coffee is a good flavour.

Don't know where your rude guest originated.... but I wonder if that was the problem? ie - he just wasn't used to the coffee you were using, eg Colombian or Kenyan or Jamaican Blue Mountain.... Or maybe he was just an ignorant pig?

 

[licia]

cafetiere - I don't know what this is. Would someone explain, please.

 

[Ishbel]

It's a French style pot. You put in the filter grade coffee - add boiling water and then plunge the plunger thingy (note the technical details here!) down onto the grounds. Then pour when ready.

 

[licia]

so, the same as a french press?

 

[Gretchen]

Yes, a French press, as the OP showed in her original post.

 

[FryBoy]

That would be enough reason for me to NOT go there. I love good coffee. I can not stand Starbucks. My friends and I have noticed that for a large majority of people who like Starbucks (not all mind you) they are the people who put all sorts of things in their coffee. People who drink black coffee generally do not care for Starbucks. Again I know this is not a 100% rule, but it has been our observation.

I agree with you about the god-awful milkshakes posing as "coffee" at Starbucks, but the same is true at all of the similar outlets these days. Bashing Starbucks is now very trendy, but their actual coffees (i.e., the beans they sell) are good, although not the very best available. That's not just my opinion -- check www.coffeereview.com.

In any case, advertising "Starbucks Served Here" is a very long step up from leaving a can of Maxwell House on the counter, and I doubt it would send many customers running. But the best advertising would be to serve great coffee, regardless of the brand.

 

[FryBoy]

I still have a Chemex Coffee Maker. Makes great coffee, but it gets cold fast.

 

[Half Baked]

Find a coffee that uses pure arubica beans like Barnies, Javarama or Caribou. No one can complain about that drink. Well, I think Starbucks uses it too and someone didn't like that.

Mr HB is in the coffee business and drinks Javarama but like I said, I don't drink it so I can just report.

 

[GB]

Bashing Starbucks is now very trendy, but their actual coffees (i.e., the beans they sell) are good

LOL I have been "bashing" Starbucks since the early 90's when I lived with 6 friends, all of them being Starbucks employees. They each were able to bring a pound home each week so our freezer had nothing, but coffee in it. needless to say, I have drank my fair share of the stuff. In my opinion as well as many other people I know including every single one of those past Starbucks employees, the coffee was garbage. It was only good if mixed with dairy and sweeteners and other things. Now please keep in mind that this is just our opinions. There are people who love the stuff and I say more power to them. Starbucks coffee is roasted too long for my taste. Don't confuse that with strong coffee. I like it is strong and black as I can get it. I do not like it to taste burnt though and that is what that stuff tastes like to me.

In any case, advertising "Starbucks Served Here" is a very long step up from leaving a can of Maxwell House on the counter, and I doubt it would send many customers running.

I know way more people who would much prefer a cup of Maxwell House of Starbucks any day, and we are talking about serious coffee drinkers. Would they not go to a B+B because Starbucks was served? No I am sure that would not influence their decision to stay. They may seek out a local coffee shop though instead of (or in addition to) drinking the Starbucks stuff. Again this is just personal preference. To each their own.

 

[FryBoy]

Let's see, the average Starbucks employee is, what, 18 years old? Real gourmets, I'll bet.

Starbucks makes dozens of different coffees, roasted from mild to very dark. If you find the darkest roasts to have a burned taste, there are others.

But as I said, I prefer Peet's and many of the small roasters I encounter. Starbucks has gotten too big to find the best beans, which are often available only in small quantities.

But it still beats the heck out of Maxwell House, or Foldgers or Yuban or any of the store brands. How can you stand that stuff? It all tastes like wet cardboard! And the slop served at most coffee shops is even worse. Yeah, I know, there are people who think that's what coffee is supposed to taste like. But then there are folks who think Two Buck Chuck is wine!

 

[GB]

Let's see, the average Starbucks employee is, what, 18 years old? Real gourmets, I'll bet.

Well I am not really sure what age has to do with it. I think that is a very short sighted way to look at things.

Actually I just had a friend over last night who in back in school to become a dental hygienist. While on break she is working at Starbucks again to earn a couple of bucks before classes start up again. She is in her 30's and a very intelligent woman, but again I fail to see what age has to do with anything.

But it still beats the heck out of Maxwell House, or Foldgers or Yuban or any of the store brands. How can you stand that stuff? It all tastes like wet cardboard!

That is your opinion and you are welcome to it. That does not make it a fact for everyone. You ask me how I can stand the stuff, but I feel the same way about Starbucks. No matter which type I drink, be it a dark roast or light, they all taste burnt. While Maxwell house may taste like cardboard to you, other people enjoy it. That does not make them wrong and you right.

And the slop served at most coffee shops is even worse.

Then you are just going to the wrong coffee shops. There are tons of great coffee shops out there. Possibly the area you live in does not have anything better than Starbucks, but there are many many many other options out there.

 

[FryBoy]

As I said, some people think Two Buck Chuck is wine.

 

[karadekoolaid]

Well ok, I'll weigh in with an opinion.

I can (literally) go to the park and pick my own coffee beans. RIGHT off the bush. But I don't.
There was huge influx of Italian immigrants here in Venezuela after WWII. One of the things they got stuck into was coffee - it's a local plant, so why not?
If you ask for a "cup of coffee" here, you'll get a glazed-eyed stare. Hey, espresso, black, guayoyo, brown, dark brown, light brown, with milk, tetero, hot, warm, hey, there are 20 ways to serve coffee here, because we KNOW about coffee.
Having said that, forget Starbucks- they only know how to comercialise coffee and I doubt you'd find one in NE England.
Which of course, doesnt solve your problem.
The man was extremely rude. I'd have set Basil Fawlty on him immediately, or dosed his second cup with three tsps of Red Savina ...
(Joking, of course!)
You'll get clients like that. Ignore them as far as possible. NEVER argue with them.
I'd suggest you purchase some fine-ground Colombian coffee, which has a wonderful aroma, and a mild-medium strong flavour. Make it strong - you can always water it down. Never re-heat it because it will go bitter.
I'd avoid Brazilian, Kenyan or Mexican blends - a personal choice, I find them somewhat harsh.If in doubt, go Colombia or Costa Rica.

 

[Ishbel]

Well said, Cliveb.

I buy Colombian and Costa Rican coffee for every day use and espresso and Blue Mountain for entertaining purposes.

I dislike Starbucks with a passion. I think their cofees are pretty ordinary, over-flavoured and over-priced.

Don't be so sure they don't have a Starbucks in NE England, either. There are 3 or 4 in Edinburgh... The company's plan for world domination continues apace.... It is their proud aim to be able to stand at the doorway of any branch and be able to see the NEXT starbucks from that reccy point

 

[Lynan]

" Don't be so sure they don't have a Starbucks in NE England, either. There are 3 or 4 in Edinburgh... The company's plan for world domination continues apace...."

There are altogether too many in New Zealand too! Sorry but I cannot abide the place and the food??? Sheesh.

 

[Ishbel]

We're lucky, we've got lots of little one-off Italian coffee shops. That's where my money goes!

 

[rdcast]

FryBoy's idea of "Starbucks' proudly served here" is a good touch. GB's input that Starbuck Coffee should be flavord and that taken black isn't good is probably true as well. I like my coffee sweet and creamy because I'm sweet and creamy. But when I drink black coffee, it must be clear, fresh, without grounds and never bitter. This goes for any coffee.

Starbucks has an awesome logo and is all you would need to post in your window for Starbucks fans to recognize(check with Starbucks). Don't over do it cause they ain't the last word on coffee. [SIZE=-1]Juan Valdez[/SIZE] and Maxwell House also have compelling logos for coffee drinkers. Some people get there *** on their shoulders and claim they hate one brand or another but Maxwell House is good to the last drop, no joke. Got to love America.

Your volume isn't as high as a gas-convenient store's coffee center but look at how they manage to make it all work and profitable. WaWa and others make millions on coffee and they throw out and brew fresh every 15 min. WOW. Observe their kind of equipment and just scale down. Their success is no accident, they've studied it long and hard.

FryBoy's Cuisinart could be just the ticket. You need something industrially reliable, easy to maintain and clean. Paper filters produce a brighter, cleaner brew compared to permanent metal filters making paper the preference of WaWa and 7-Eleven.

To save money, you must check out Sysco which is the largest food wholesaler in the world which started in Maryland. sysco.com
They sell excellent coffee to businesses at a good price. Don't over stock, coffee will stale.

How many respondents will weigh in on this thing, lmao. You have all the info you need from all these great suggestions. DiscussCooking is an excellent forum.