|
Despite all the Euro-jabber, the primary difference between American coffee and almost everyone elses coffee is the roast. It's notably lighter.
The fact that it's not as strong as espresso is because it's not made like espresso. You were given lots of advice, mostly knee-jerk criticism (a Euro-Habit when discussing American fare), but the roast and strength are the two characteristics that define it. "Latin-Roast" coffee, which is what I mostly buy, is in between, often favoring a darker side of in-between.
All coffee, despite the over-priced systems, is an elution of ground roasted beans by (normally very hot) water. That, too, makes a big difference:
DRIP - very common - coffee is ground and place in a filter - hot water poured through once.
PERK - Coffee is in a basket and boiling water causes a pumping action that pumps water up to the coffee from where it drips back into the pot. This continues until "done", which is automatic for electric pots and up to your taste for stove-top models. In this method, the coffee is heated and repumped many times - and this strongly influences the flavor.
MUD - Use very finely ground coffee and add boiling water. Stir. Wait. Stir. The finely ground coffee will settle to the bottom in a stable cake (hence very fine grind, like Turkish coffee). Coffee flavor is at its most natural state - and really damn good.
VACCUUM DRIP - a piece of lab-ware for the home. In this device, water is in a lower pot, coffee in an upper funnel that fits air-tight to the lower pot, and has some sort of filter (net or "Cory rod" that allows the free flow of liquid. When the water in the lower pot boils it if forced to the upper pot by steam and there brews the coffee. It can be held there somewhat indefinitely based upon your personal taste - brewing and keeping hot as long as you like without boiling. When taken from the heat source, condensed steam in the bottom causes a partial vacuum which sucks the eluted coffee back to the bottom. I love these and if you can find a glass one, it's awesome.
You know how the espresso-type machines work.
| Ravings en masse^ |
|---|
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for the thorough explanation, I tried almost every italian coffee (except the Napoletana) but I'm terribly ignorant of the others.
* CALL APOGEE, SAY AARDWOLF
* GCS d--- s-/++ a- C++++ U+++ P- L- E-- W++ N++ o+ K- w+++ O? M-- V? PS+ PE- Y+ PGP t++ 5? X R++ tv-- b+ DI+++ D++ G e++>+++ h--- ++>+++ y+++* Weapons extension: ma- k++ F+2 X
* Never pay more than 20 bucks for a computer game.
* I'm a puny punmaker.
|
|
|
|
|
While I can't compete with that detailed description, I can expand on some equipment.
I have one of these: drip coffee maker[^] to brew the coffee.
You also might invest in a burr grinder[^] so you can buy the beans and grind them fresh.
As for the coffee, here's a selfless plug for a local coffee roaster that is excellent: PT's Coffee[^]
if (Object.DividedByZero == true) { Universe.Implode(); }
Meus ratio ex fortis machina. Simplicitatis de formae ac munus. -Foothill, 2016
|
|
|
|
|
Well said... the bulk of the comments have been "If you don't do it the way I like it, it's wrong...", oh, and add milk and sugar.
I like my coffee with a dark roast, and black - no sugar, no milk, no creamer... just water and coffee.
And if others don't like it? Feel free to mix your beverage as you desire.
|
|
|
|
|
That's become my coffee, too.
Alas, I'm a bit of a tea snob. I won't annoy anyone for drinking whatever type they like, but putting milk in tea is truly an abomination. If it's their tea, I'll just sit quietly. However, if I game them the leaves I may protest. Still - once I give it to them, it's theirs to do with as they wish. On the other hand, it's like making a whisky sour with a single malt.
| Ravings en masse^ |
|---|
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
W∴ Balboos wrote: putting milk in tea is truly an abomination.
Burn the Heretic!
W∴ Balboos wrote: making a whisky sour with a single malt.
People have been hanged for lesser offenses! 
If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack.
--Winston Churchill
|
|
|
|
|
Daniel Pfeffer wrote: People have been hanged for lesser offenses!
Then, as now, it is a merciful and well deserved administration of euthanasia for them.
| Ravings en masse^ |
|---|
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
My mother took her tea with milk and sugar.. I like it black, like my coffee.
And hot... I may live in South Carolina, but I still prefer hot tea.
|
|
|
|
|
Tim Carmichael wrote: I may live in South Carolina, but I still prefer hot tea.
That sort of confirms a non-scientific observation I've made.
In hot weather, hot tea refreshes; hot coffee doesn't.
Of all the various herbs available and used throughout the world, those ancient Chinese really selected a good one. Confirmed, perhaps, by the incredible spread of it throughout the world.
| Ravings en masse^ |
|---|
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
I drink hot coffee all day, every day, all year long.
If I am out with my wife, she like hot tea, so we get a pot.
To me, both refresh...
|
|
|
|
|
Well, here in Georgia (US) we like our tea with plenty of ice and lots of sugar. 
Steve Tahan
Appling, GA, USA
|
|
|
|
|
Cowboy coffee:
1. Boil a couple of mugs of water.
2. Throw in a handful of coffee grounds, no need to wash hand first.
3. Wait a few minutes.
4. Drink
Wimps can strain the mixture when pouring, to remove grounds.
Q.E.D.
Arguing with a woman is like reading the Software License Agreement. In the end, you ignore everything and click "I agree".
Anonymous
|
|
|
|
|
You don't have a Starbucks around the corner?!?!
I thought they were everywhere.
|
|
|
|
|
In Italy? Mwahahahah. We have a coffee shop or 2 at every corner, with peaks of 5 or 6.
A Starbuck's will open in Milan next year. Maybe, if idiots stop complaining before even trying it. We also have an imitation of it but nothing worty and it has standard Italian coffee.
America Graffiti is restaruant chain which serves good american coffee (along with a lot of cajun cuisine and Happy Days themed diners), but they are a few for each city.
* CALL APOGEE, SAY AARDWOLF
* GCS d--- s-/++ a- C++++ U+++ P- L- E-- W++ N++ o+ K- w+++ O? M-- V? PS+ PE- Y+ PGP t++ 5? X R++ tv-- b+ DI+++ D++ G e++>+++ h--- ++>+++ y+++* Weapons extension: ma- k++ F+2 X
* Never pay more than 20 bucks for a computer game.
* I'm a puny punmaker.
|
|
|
|
|
I was under the impression that american coffee is just like the italian, but with 10 times more water or milk.
modified 20-Oct-19 21:02pm.
|
|
|
|
|
I verbosely explain some of the differences, above[^].
The idea of "more milk" - perhaps you've never heard of cappuccino?
Here's some nutshell concepts:
Espresso/demitasse/Turkish etc. are brewed for drinking in small cups
American coffee is brewed for drinking by the mug-full
Espresso roasts are very darkly roasted, nearly black.
American coffee is lightly roasted (restaurant coffee a bit darker)
And, of course, the preparation method: BBQ isn't baking isn't frying isn't microwaving.
| Ravings en masse^ |
|---|
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Now we're talking.
Jeremy Falcon
|
|
|
|
|
I had the Chance to try it one time at a phoenix horse range... and I enjoyed it really after two hours horse ride to the breakfast 
modified 19-Jan-21 21:04pm.
|
|
|
|
|
Not to sound like a grandpa, but sometimes the best way are the slow and old ways though. Maybe, just maybe people can learn stuff in 80s of life. Maybe.
Jeremy Falcon
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks a lot. Now the quest would be finding one in Italy (before giving up and ordering from Amzon).
* CALL APOGEE, SAY AARDWOLF
* GCS d--- s-/++ a- C++++ U+++ P- L- E-- W++ N++ o+ K- w+++ O? M-- V? PS+ PE- Y+ PGP t++ 5? X R++ tv-- b+ DI+++ D++ G e++>+++ h--- ++>+++ y+++* Weapons extension: ma- k++ F+2 X
* Never pay more than 20 bucks for a computer game.
* I'm a puny punmaker.
|
|
|
|
|
Have faith. You can do it man!
Jeremy Falcon
|
|
|
|
|
A couple of things. You can buy Instant Coffee, like Nescafe, and just add hot water.
I know a lot of people in Europe who do this, and I do this since I am the only coffee drinker in the house, and only drink 1-2 cups a day.
Second, in the states, we can buy bags of beans, and grind them fresh at the grocery store. This is my favorite. But I learned the MAGIC of the grind (Coarse to Extra Fine).
The Coarser the grind, the LESS Bitterness you get (Opposite of Starbucks). I like a coarse grind!
The Finer the grind, the MORE Bitterness you get (Starbucks), and the darker the coffee.
Enjoy!
|
|
|
|
|
Kirk 10389821 wrote: You can buy Instant Coffee, like Nescafe, and just add hot water.
Italian Nescafè is different from the one sold elsewhere (tried many times) and it is pure fecal matter.
Kirk 10389821 wrote: The Coarser the grind, the LESS Bitterness you get (Opposite of Starbucks). I like a coarse grind!
The Finer the grind, the MORE Bitterness you get (Starbucks), and the darker the coffee.
That I already knew, it is the same for Italian coffee and Espresso.
* CALL APOGEE, SAY AARDWOLF
* GCS d--- s-/++ a- C++++ U+++ P- L- E-- W++ N++ o+ K- w+++ O? M-- V? PS+ PE- Y+ PGP t++ 5? X R++ tv-- b+ DI+++ D++ G e++>+++ h--- ++>+++ y+++* Weapons extension: ma- k++ F+2 X
* Never pay more than 20 bucks for a computer game.
* I'm a puny punmaker.
|
|
|
|
|
General 
News 
Suggestion 
Question 
Bug 
Answer 
Joke 
Praise 
Rant 
Admin 
Submit an article or tip
