Sunday Morning (Coffee) Drinking Thread

Submitted by 901 P on

At this point we know about the Friday/Saturday night adult beverage preferences of the MGo crowd. I'm guessing some of the folks here are pretty obsessive about their morning beverages as well--especially how they make/drink their coffee. I'm no connossieur: I have a pretty basic drip coffee machine. I go with about a 50-50 mix of dark roast (usually Starbucks French roast or espresso) that I grind, combined with pre-ground coffee from the grocery store. Mostly this is a way to keep down costs, as I tend to drink quite a bit of coffee. I brew it relatively strong and take it with cream.  

So before we purge the board of such mundane topics: what are you drinking this morning? (Other than the obvious: whole milk.) Coffee, tea, or a little something to help your hangover? French press? AeroPress? Keurig? Pour-over? Any particular type of beans? Or do you grab it from Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts or a local coffee shop? Black, cream, sugar? Any other additives? 

MGoBoard

kevnblue

August 23rd, 2015 at 5:38 PM ^

I would disagree with this, as it relates to pour over coffee. Although the learning curve can be a little steep for something like a V60 pour over, there are multiple brew methods that make a well-balanced cup without much struggle. Even though I try to make coffee at home as much as possible, I do go to Espresso Bar in A2 a few times a week because their espresso game is way better than I could ever hope mine to be. Espresso's hard, man.

My favorite simple brew method is the Clever Dripper (http://www.amazon.com/Coffee-Shrub-Clever-Dripper-Ounces/dp/B00EOM5RN0/…). Put a filter in, run water through it, dump the fresh grounds in, fill to the top with water, wait 3 minutes. Really, really good!

Still, you can learn the common coffee shop techniques fairly easily, especially if you drink coffee most mornings.

Joined: 02/20/2011

MGoPoints: 366

kevnblue

August 23rd, 2015 at 10:46 PM ^

I'll typically drink capps, cortados (might see them called gibraltars at some shops), or espresso shots. 

The more milk in the drink, the more milk you're going to taste, but whatever tastes best to you is what's best for you to drink.

Joined: 02/20/2011

MGoPoints: 366

bluelaw2013

August 23rd, 2015 at 10:28 AM ^

Typically Intelligentsia beans, within a week of the roast date, ground at setting 17 on my 40-setting conical burr grinder, and brewed with 202 degree water. I have also have a nice espresso machine (and took a class at Zingermans to learn some new tricks), and it makes great shots, but I rarely use it due to maintenance. The Chemex is just so easy to rinse and clean. One product that is fantastic, cheap, and underrated is the aeropress. Espresso grind, 185-degree water, 20 seconds of stirring, and press; add hot water in the cup for an americano-ish cup that really lets the flavors out. Easy cleanup and low maintenance too. This is my go-to preferred method when just making a cup for myself.

Joined: 09/24/2013

MGoPoints: 1893

DanInTexas

August 23rd, 2015 at 11:13 AM ^

Had my first chemex experience just two days ago at the Starbucks reserve. That's a really cool place! Having the barista explain the chemex process was really interesting, but the result wasn't my favorite. I had the same coffee (Costa Rican) brewed on their clover machine as well and liked the clover results a lot better: one of the best coffees I've ever had. I also got to watch the barista brew one using the siphon method for another customer. I don't know how it tasted but it sure was fun to watch! At home, I quite enjoy my Nespresso machine. I would rather spend my time enjoying my coffee than brewing it, and the Nespresso is quick, delicious, and easy to clean. I like making a lungo rather than coffee, and I also make lattes and cappuccinos that in my opinion turn out better than the ones I get at Starbucks.

Joined: 09/30/2014

MGoPoints: 165

kevnblue

August 23rd, 2015 at 5:41 PM ^

The thicker Chemex filters do reduce the ability to get the fullest flavor profiles, but in exchange you avoid more bitterness. I am all about the Clever dripper, though! Siphons are expensive, but I could probably convince myself to buy one someday.

Joined: 02/20/2011

MGoPoints: 366

MGoBrewMom

August 23rd, 2015 at 9:21 AM ^

I also enjoy coffee in the am. we get this stuff we had in Costa Rica while on vacation. I don't think it's all that exotic, but we like it and found it on Amazon. grind it fresh (1/2 decaf, 1/2 regular) and make it strong. I like mine with some candy-ass milk. I also enjoy it before the rest of my people get up. Quiet house, sun coming up...me, my 3 dogs and the first cup of coffee- probably my favorite time of day.

Joined: 08/13/2009

MGoPoints: 22969

Njia

August 23rd, 2015 at 9:48 AM ^

Taking my family there for the first time next year for Spring Break. My wife is nervous as hell because she doesn't speak a word of Spanish (though our son and I speak enough to get what we need). We'll be staying in the Central Pacific coast area about an hour from San Jose. Any advice is much appreciated.

Joined: 09/15/2009

MGoPoints: 35773

well.....

August 23rd, 2015 at 2:03 PM ^

we went to costa rica for our honeymoon in fall of 2013 and had an absolutely amazing time. we started by dominical over on the pacific coast, so i'm thinking that's south of where you'll be. regardless, there is no problem with not knowing spanish. my husband and i both had taken spanish in high school, but we didn't need it - everyone spoke english or there was someone close by who did. we rented a car and moved around a bit, which was very easy and really enjoyable to see some other parts of the country. it's amazing the variety in landscape and climate in such a small area. tell your wife it's going to be great - a super friendly, beautiful country who does the tourism thing extremely well. 

Joined: 01/20/2011

MGoPoints: 292

pz

August 23rd, 2015 at 9:22 AM ^

Usually I go with Dunkin Donuts (brewed at home).

Also, in certain spots in the midwest (I know near Cincinnati for sure), White Castle actually sells coffee by the pound and the producer is actually a brand called Wallingford. Some of the best out there - you might be able to pick it up at your local Meijer...

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 3765

Optimism Attache

August 23rd, 2015 at 9:27 AM ^

Been making my own iced coffee this summer. It's dead simple, but requires you do to it the night before.

1. Get some light roast beans (personal prefernce) and give them a course grind.

2. Put into french press at about 1.5 - 2 times the ratio you use for hot coffee.

3. Add room temperature water.

4. Let sit 10-12 hours, again, at room temperture.

5. Plunge, pour over ice and enjoy.

Joined: 09/13/2011

MGoPoints: 23980

901 P

August 23rd, 2015 at 9:57 AM ^

I'm a big fan of iced coffee in the summer, and I definitely think cold brewed is far superior to hot brewing coffee and then cooling it after the fact. I use the Toddy iced coffee maker. It's a bit of a pain (you make a huge batch of extra strong coffee using a whole pound of beans), but I think it is worth it. I also add sugar syrup to my iced coffee, even though I take my hot coffee without sugar.

Joined: 01/12/2015

MGoPoints: 9973

wile_e8

August 23rd, 2015 at 9:38 AM ^

Just drip coffee from the big piñón coffee bean bags they have at Costco here. The kids are up too, just got done with an episode of Sheriff Callie, now we're on to Jake and the Neverland Pirates. Hook had cut offer the water to Pirate's Plunge, what will they do?!?!

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 7381

Njia

August 23rd, 2015 at 9:43 AM ^

I always buy whole beans locally roasted if the supermarket has it. The coffee is usually fresher tasting that way. To the OP, I get that coffee can be expensive, but on a per cup basis, spending a bit more on quality beans you like doesn't add much cost. Also, I found that Cantoro's in Plymouth/Northville (Haggerty Rd) has a 1 kg (2.2 lb) bag of Lavazza Gold whole bean for $25. That is a great bargain (although admittedly not locally roasted). I smoked a pork shoulder yesterday and served it with cowboy beans made from scratch with dried pintos. So, breakfast this morning was a twist on huevos rancheros: refried beans, fresh crisp corn tortilla, fried egg, and chipotle salsa; topped with shredded cheese and sliced avocado. There is nothing better in the world with a strong cup of black coffee served up with my morning MGoBlog.

Joined: 09/15/2009

MGoPoints: 35773

Clarence Boddicker

August 23rd, 2015 at 10:05 AM ^

French roast Mexican beans prepared with a French press. Mexican beans are my favorite--they always have a hint of chocolate to them and rich depths. I only drink French roast since that expands the depth. The beans were purchased and ground yesterday, so the coffee is fresh and strong and good. Watching Chelsea play West Brom then Everton vs Man City (Go Toffees). Then a protein bar and a 15 mi bike ride.

Joined: 05/27/2011

MGoPoints: 70518

mm92.

August 23rd, 2015 at 9:50 AM ^

The coffee pot at my work is horrible. So I brew the coffee, freeze them into ice cubes, and then pour milk over. It's actually pretty good.

Joined: 10/10/2012

MGoPoints: 679

uchi

August 23rd, 2015 at 9:52 AM ^

Ann Arbor: Mighty Good ... cappuccino

Chicago (River North): Bow Truss ... an interesting pour over (black) or cappuccino

Joined: 07/23/2015

MGoPoints: -999871

MGoBlue24

August 23rd, 2015 at 9:55 AM ^

Lavazza beans brewed through a Jura Capresso - with milk, with sugar.  Sounds fancy, but that is thanks to my wife:  my second cup at work during the week is whatever is on the Bunn machine. 

Joined: 08/22/2013

MGoPoints: 12900

Doc Brown

August 23rd, 2015 at 9:58 AM ^

I like to make protein smoothies after my morning long run. 1 cup 2% milk, 1/4 Greek yogurt plain, 1 cup strawberries, 1 scoop protein powder. I have found my recovery from my long runs is quicker if I consume a drink with at least 4:1 ratio of carbs to protein. I have also substituted almond milk and bananas if I need more protein and electrolytes.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 11/20/2011

MGoPoints: 5713