Grinding coffee

[iCe]

Anyone else here grind their own beans? I just started about a month ago. So far I just pick an organic bean from the two that the local (sort of ) HEB offers. I've played a little with blending (failure). Tried French roast (now I know where blackland dirt comes from).

Just curious

[Texun1]

The wife and I have been grinding ours every morning for the past 4 or 5 years. Have tried many different coffees and I can say that most of the time the more expensive the bean the better the cup. We have a HEB store in Plano called Central Market that has a very good selection of beans so we always have a different brew going for the week.

[Jenny Z]

We grind our own... we'd probably roast our own if we had the equipment. :P The hubby is quite the coffee snob.

We get our beans from Cups Cafe in Jackson, MS, where my husband used to work, and a few of my friends work now :D They are goooooood. http://www.cupsespressocafe.com

[Shelby Lane]

Originally Posted by iCe

Tried French roast (now I know where blackland dirt comes from).

Hmmmm... does it bother you that a chick can handle stronger coffee than you? No advice on the grinding. I have never tried it, because I really don't know where to start.

[rexster314]

During the week it's plain Yuban coffee. The weekend we treat ourselves to fresh ground in our KitchenAid Pro grinder, usually Kona or occasionally Jamaica Blue Mountain. Blue Mountain going for around 40/lb, it's a special treat for us.

Rex

[Chief]

Personally like the chocolate hazelnut from our local shop.

And Mike Frech Roast is the worst

Gordon

[newtune3]

I have been grinding my own for 20 years or so. I just get one of three brands: 8 O'clock regular roast (used to be sold by (A&P) as this was my families traditional coffee, Folgers bean, and of course my favorite, Kroger Spotlight. It is a nice light to medium roast. As you can see I am not a coffee snob just like fesh ground.

[dsjsws]

I have been grinding my own coffee for more years than I would like to recall.
My favorites: Southern Pecan and Chocolate Hazlenut.

Try rolling the beans in chocolate and letting them cool on a piece of parchment paper or a silicone mat. Yum!

For those of you that live in Houston - there is a wonderful coffee and tea shop in University Village. I still have my mom bring me "care packages" from there. Try their apricot tea - it makes a wonderful iced tea.


Donna

[acymc]

I grind coffee at work . . . we drink lots of coffee. I like Eight O'Clock or Costco-lumbian and occasionally some more expensive beans for a treat. At home I just use the Tassimo for the occasional cup.

[rdking91]

dude, the only coffee to drink is fresh ground! the problem with "grocery store" bens is the freshness of the beans in my opinion. i have just started roasting my own (a little trickier) remember the old pop corn roasters that had a paddle deal like that sweeps the bottom of the pot? they make great roasters. you have to have time to dedicate to it before roasting is fun, can be very frustrating till you get the hang of it. but it is very satisfying to roast and grind your own special mix....bon appetit

[HeatherLou]

Originally Posted by rdking91

dude, the only coffee to drink is fresh ground! the problem with "grocery store" bens is the freshness of the beans in my opinion. i have just started roasting my own (a little trickier) remember the old pop corn roasters that had a paddle deal like that sweeps the bottom of the pot? they make great roasters. you have to have time to dedicate to it before roasting is fun, can be very frustrating till you get the hang of it. but it is very satisfying to roast and grind your own special mix....bon appetit

Bring me some tonight LOL!!! I'm gonna need it!!!

[DoctorWu]

I grind. Usually I get the "Breakfast Blend" they sell at Albertsons or Kroger (the bag your own kind) good taste. I'm not a coffee puritan though, I like to add french vannilla creamer.

If you ever want to try the best coffee in the world, spring for a bag of Kona, I bought some when I was in Hawaii but I'm pretty sure you can buy it on the interwebs.

[Dobick]

A quick google search turned up a place in LaGrange that has whole bean coffee.

http://www.latteonthesquare.com/

the central american varietals tend to be kinda lively -- if you like that. Or you can try the kenya AA, which will probably be a very smooth, but not too robust flavor (depending on who is roasting it)

You can probably get them to let you sample one or two in store.

While you are there, you might see about trying out a french press -- man that really extracts the full flavor from the brew. makes a right sized amount for carrying with you in the morning. Boil the water, grind the beans, pour the water on the beans, and then 4 minutes later, a very nice cup of coffee. Pour it into your favorite oversized to-go cup, and you are set.

[TXFZ1]

A burr grinder is better than the spice-type whirling blades. More expensive but it allows you to grind to fit the type of brew/filter that you are using. Drip method takes a course grind while the expresso needs a fine grind. A fine grind in a drip filter will produce a bitter coffee. The spice-type whirling blades just does not produce a consistant grind especially if you are expresso. I've used one for a drip and had good results, just needed to get the number of pulses down.

Another factor is the freshness of the roast, find a store that has a high turnover rate and you will get fresh beans. Store the beans in an air-tight container. After roasting the timer is on as your beans are going south and this is worst if ground. Only grind what you need to use.

Get away from Mr Coffee, he does not heat the water to the correct temp. French press or Molita drip with water that has just reached the boiling point. Also the amount of time in the filter/press will determine the bitterness or flavor. The expresso have to be timed for the perfect brew.

It takes some trial and error to determine the best ratio of roast to grind to brew method to produce that perfect cup, but it's worth it.

Kona fancy is my current favorite.

David

[KdLaneJr]

Originally Posted by iCe

Anyone else here grind their own beans? I just started about a month ago. So far I just pick an organic bean from the two that the local (sort of ) HEB offers. I've played a little with blending (failure). Tried French roast (now I know where blackland dirt comes from).

Just curious

Since your are still close to the beginning of your journey, you might look here for more options.