When I'm on Vacation I like a Really Strong Coffee to Start the Day. But when I got home I cant make anything like it. Any Ideas for that Perfect Brew?
Garry
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When I'm on Vacation I like a Really Strong Coffee to Start the Day. But when I got home I cant make anything like it. Any Ideas for that Perfect Brew?
I'm more of an espresso drinker than a coffee drinker. But I've read that it's best to make coffee using freshly ground beans, rather than packaged grinds. Also, do not store your beans or grinds in the fridge! I don't know why people do this, but it diminishes the flavor.
I really like coffee and am usually satisfied with whatever is in my cup. But the original questions was "Where's the world's best coffee?" In my experience, the answer is Kenya.
Brewing at home; Cafe Bustelo in a percolator (2 -3 large scoops; bring a cup milk to a boil - use a strainer for both...pour equal amounts (or as desired) into a cup and Voila - Spanish coffee at its best.
I'm pretty fussy about my coffee and usually don't order it in restaurants because it's either not strong enough or just doesn't taste quite right. I can make great coffee at home but when at a restaurant in Mexico, I don't hesitate....it's strong, delicious and aromatic.
Storing coffee in the fridge or freezer will dry out the oils in the bean.
I haven't travelled much - hopefully soon I'll have an opinion on where in the world is the best coffee...but...here in Seattle the WORST coffee is from Starbucks (tastes burnt - that's the general opinion; people go to Starbucks because a) they are omnipresent and b) they've heard of it). I prefer Cafe d'Arte. Starting to travel the world finally; wonder how the coffee is in Rio and Spain and Greece and..... can't wait to find out!
I'm thinking the "Really Strong Coffee to Start the Day" would be from Greece, Turkey, Armenia, Vietnam, then Italy. My favorite is Illy from Italy. If you would like a really strong way to brew coffee go to an Asian market to find one of those little metal Vietnamese drip coffee makers that looks like a miniature Italian manual espresso maker. Or get one of the Italian manual espresso makers for the second strongest brew.
Sorry, I thought you wanted suggestions for where to go for coffee on vacation. At home, Medaglia d'Oro is great (also available in instant form); Cafe Bustelo is very good; Dunkin Donuts believe it or not is good; Starbucks is good but must be watered down or heavily diluted with milk (they burn the beans as part of the process, too bitter, but is great for iced coffee.) Otherwise, go to Whole Foods or other "gourmet" type places and have them grind it for you (or buy the beans whole and grind them at home. You can get a small one for about $30)
I know where isn't! Java. My sister and I stayed on a coffee plantation in Java, last September, and were really disappointed in the coffee, which was made from a powder, like instant coffee.
Paul - IMO - this is a good one to keep kicking around. The quick answer - according to an acquaintance of mine in Costa Rica - who owns a coffee finca - is coffee grown at altitude - as the beans (he says they are really more like coffee cherries) tend to be fewer but richer. And his place was up on the side of a Volcan - at altitude - outside of San Jose. He had very good coffee.
And freshly ground beans - that have been well stored beans (vacuum jar/pack - and try to reduce the light on the beans) - also contributes to the good cup of Java. And some say the compression method is better than the drip.
As for where do the best beans come from: Take your choice: Jamaican Blue Ridge, Costa Rican (love Tarrazu), Kona (several good brands), Kauai, Kenya, many good places.
I'm adding to the old thread chiefly for Pheymont, whom I hope finds it.
When you are in Bologna, go to the Caffe Terzi on the via Oberdan (n.10/d) to give its coffee a taste test and see how it stacks up to your memories of K-Paul.
Other places in Italy for a truly great cup of coffee:
Florian's in piazza San Marco in Venice (stand at the bar or risk paying a fortune)
Any branch of Caffe Mexico in Napoli (coffee there is made with sugar, so you must specify "no zucchero" if you take it black)
The main branch of CremCaffe in Trieste in piazza Goldoni
And while I've yet to isolate the best cup of coffee in Torino, it is a great town for coffee lovers.
