Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with coffee

Kiva Han

xanthippe — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:48:18 -0800

Where is the first coffee house in the world? I'm told it's a place called Kiva Han in the suburbs of Istanbul. Has anyone visited, seen, or discovered any details on the history or location of this place?

A dark, rich cup of coffee creme, please!

backseatpilot — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:40:31 -0800

What makes European coffee different from American coffee? While in Europe the other week, I was reminded about how much different their coffee is from ours in America - darker, thicker, richer. I often saw it listed as "Kaffee Kreme" on menus, and regular "drip" style coffee seemed to be nonexistent.

I'd like to recreate that style of coffee at home, but I'm not sure how. It seemed almost, but not exactly, like a large espresso - but espressos were also on the menu, so it seems obvious that it's something different. What's the secret?

I have a normal drip coffee maker, a French press, and a stovetop "Tassimo" pot - can I make European coffee with these? Do I need other equipment?

Bonus: the single serve coffee machines I saw there were awesome - pick a coffee drink and the machine grinds beans and gives you a perfect brew, none of this K-cup crap. Is there anywhere I can buy one of those in the States?

Turkish Coffee: Where's the Foam?

k. — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:08:52 -0800

I tried to make Turkish coffee, but it doesn't foam up like it's supposed to. What am I doing wrong? This is my understanding of how to make Turkish coffee: grind coffee to a really fine powder, put it in a pot with water, and don't stir (so the coffee stays at the top and forms a layer over the surface of the water). Heat until the surface foams up, then remove the pot from heat. Put it back on the stove and do the same thing two more times, then pour it into cups.

When I try to do this, the coffee doesn't foam very much the first time, and it hardly foams at all after that; it just boils. I tried using more coffee than I was supposed to, but that didn't help much. I'm using a small saucepan, since I don't have a real Turkish coffee pot (cezve/ibrik/briki)--I wonder if the problem is that, unlike a cezve, a saucepan has a wide surface area at the top, which thins out the coffee layer. Still, some recipes say it's fine to make Turkish coffee with just a regular pot. Any ideas of what the problem might be?

Someday, I'll get a job where I'm not responsible for the coffee....

anastasiav — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:06:51 -0800

I have to make coffee for 25 people tomorrow morning here at my brand new job, using their big industrial coffee machine. I don't drink coffee. All we have at home is a French Press. HELP! I'm aware this sounds dumb, but I really know nothing about coffee, and the one consistent thing I hear from people here about my predecessor is what GREAT coffee she made.

I'll be using this machine. I've more or less figured out how it works. Tonight I'm going to pick up new filters for this, plus some decent (Green Mountain, Newman's Own) supermarket coffee (I'm restricted to purchasing at the place we have a corporate account).

But -- then what? How much water do I use for how much grounds? Is there some special trick to making sure the coffee is neither too strong nor too weak? (If I have to make coffee at home for guests it normally comes out too strong.)

What is the secret to making really great industrial coffee?

Coffee beans: where and what to buy?

Coobeastie — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:25:02 -0800

UKCoffeeFilter: I know nothing about coffee. My boyfriend is an aficionado. Help me buy him some beans for Christmas that will make him think I'm awesome. Neither of us has a lot of money sloshing around, so he tends to stick to what he knows he likes. What I'd like to do is get him a selection of wee packs of beans (he's got all the grinding kit and so on) so he can try some new types. A variety also means that if I get him something he doesn't like it's not so bad.

I know so little about coffee that I suspect I'm using all the wrong words here. He's managed to instil into me 'beans good, pre-ground bad', but that's about as much as I know. So I need to know where to buy and what to buy!

I'll need to buy the beans online, as there's nowhere in my town that sells proper coffee. Budget probably £30 overall. Thanks in advance coffee fiends!

Oh sensuous coffee

lhude sing cuccu — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:16:46 -0800

Caffeine never, never wakes me up. What do normal people experience? So, I'm sure you've heard that coffee never, ever wakes me up, and it's become more murky as to whether it ever did. I remember bringing my everyday energy drink to school in high school, but then it also seemed like a 50mg caffeine vitamin water drink got me going just as well. It only seemed to wake me up if I haven't been having one for the past week, and I'm thinking it only worked for a few hours.

With all this talk about "Caffeine doesn't work for you? You must have ADD!" it's made me rethink my relationship with caffeine. Not that I am trying to diagnose myself, but (perhaps it's all in my mind) I have been feeling like I get better concentration, not necessarily alertness, with coffee. However, it has to be espresso, because regular coffee gives me a headache and energy drinks make me want to go to sleep (weirdly contrasted with high school, when I liked to have an Excedrine every morning for the caffeine! Ah reckless youth.).

I've been wondering therefore, what does caffeine do to most people? My mom can drink 10 cups a day and she is always "too tired to do anything". My sister claims that she needs an energy drink a day (just like I did!), but who knows?

I feel like I need my $3.10 latté (or my 87¢ Cuppaccino from Sheetz), but just writing that sentence makes me think I am just kidding myself. If it was true that I can't "concentrate without caffeine" (and like the infamous ADD diagnosis, I love doing menial tasks at work when I have coffee...but I also love to write my 'creative' research papers for school as well), wouldn't plain old energy gum work just as well?

And say I'm too tired to go out and study right now. What would wake someone like me up?

Suddenly, bad coffee

adamrice — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:01:20 -0800

I have a Cuisinart coffee maker that went from making good coffee to making undrinkably bad coffee overnight. Why is this, and can we fix it? Things we have tried:
1. Open a new bag of beans. That's not it.
2. Clean out the coffee grinder as well as we can. That's not it.
3. Make coffee on our Aeropress. That tasted fine, so we're pretty sure it's not the beans or grinder.
4. Clean out the coffee maker with vinegar and water. No help.

The coffee the machine produces just tastes awful. My wife describes it as bitter and metallic, and she says that it has a slightly sandy consistency to it.

Our guess is that there's a dead bug in there, although we don't have any evidence of that. The machine (a Cuisinart model) is snap-together plastic mostly, and doesn't lend itself to disassembly, as far as we can tell. But if the only alternative is replacement, there's not much to lose.

Coffee and Cuisinarts

Kicky — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:12:58 -0800

Can I grind coffee beans in my food processor? My husband asked for ground coffee, but ended up with beans by mistake. We don't have a coffee grinder. Can we use our Cuisinart, or do we need to buy a grinder?

How do you make a "red latte"?

jbickers — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:34:56 -0800

My wife had a coffee drink tonight called a "red latte," and I'd like to be able to replicate it at home. ... although it probably wasn't a coffee drink. We didn't have too much time to talk with the barista (it was busy in there), but he did say that it was a tea drink rather than a coffee drink. But it had the consistency and solidity of a "real" latte, and was served in a big latte-sized mug. It was a rust-colored drink with that lovely creamy swirl design on the top.

I'm guessing it was something made out of rooibos and steamed milk. But they also offered something called a "red americano," and I can't imagine how red tea plus hot water would be worth drinking. So is there more to it than this? Former/present baristas, any idea what this "red latte" was, and how I can replicate it at home? My wife fell head-over-heels in love with it.

(Googling "red latte recipe" yields nothing helpful.)

Good baked goods?

disillusioned — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:56:56 -0800

What great baked goods would make a coffee shop/cafe AMAZING for you? I've got a friend who has an opportunity to bake for a coffee shop that has an emphasis on local, organic, and sustainable stuff (as all good coffee shops should). They're wanting her to come up with some cool and off-the-beaten path baked goods that will work well in display cases and taste great. (And old standards as well!)

Thoughts and recipes and experiences with fun baked-goods selections at coffee places would be great. It'll be relatively limited space and smaller batches, so not a HUGE production, but in general, throw it at us!

Help me find my favorite coffee mug, again

tomwheeler — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:52:28 -0800

Ten years ago I was given the most perfect coffee mug of all time. I'd like to get some more like it, only I don't know where to find them. Someone with experience in promotional items should be able to nail this. Way back in the dotcom days, I got a coffee mug with the Java (programming language) logo on it from the local Sun Microsystems rep. Although I've done a lot of Java development, it's the mug itself, rather than the logo or origin, that makes me want ten more just like it. The mug holds about 14 ounces, fits my hand perfectly and its lip tapers slightly inward so coffee tends not to drip down the side. Perhaps best of all, it's got a rubber base so it's hard to knock over.

Despite my total lack of photography skills, pictures might help to identify it. The front has the Java logo, while the back has the URL 'http://java.sun.com/', just above smaller type which reads 'brewed by Sun Microsystems'. I've also got a picture of the bottom where the ventilated rubber base is visible. The only other marking is the handle's underside which says 'Made' and 'U.S.A.' with an ironically inaccurate depiction of the American flag between those two words.

Any ideas where I could find more mugs of this style, regardless of what logo they have?

How do I made delicious coffee?

InsanePenguin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 07:58:32 -0800

Coffeenewbfilter: Good, cheap coffeemaker? Instead of drinking Coke in the morning (irritates my acid reflux,) I've taken to drinking coffee (which I sort of had to force myself to like, but now I do.) Instead of spending money at Dunkin Donuts every morning, or god forbid, Starbucks, I've decided to buy a coffeemaker.

Problem is, I don't know anything about coffee or coffee makers. I like black coffee from Dunkin Donuts. That's pretty much the only coffee I've ever had, but I really enjoy it. How can I get this experience at home for less than $50? I don't need fancy, but I'd like a programmable one so I don't have to wake up earlier than I already have to for work.

Tips for a train trip across the West.

the jam — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 21:00:53 -0800

In September, I've got 10 days to see everything I can see from Minneapolis to Portland, OR along the route of Amtrak's Empire Builder. Know anything about these places? I'm looking for some Metafilter reconnaissance about my route. My vague plans so far:

Camping at the Minnesota State Fair

Camping in Glacier National Park, being eaten by bears

Another yet-to-be-determined stopover in Idaho or Washington

Powell's Books, Stumptown Coffee in Portland

That's all I have so far. While I'm a fan of winging it, I'd still appreciate any suggestions of things to see, hikes to take, sites to camp, friendly coffee shops and bars in the cities, or anything you can throw at me, really -- this is my first time visiting this part of the country.

Coffeed Table.

furnace.heart — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:15:30 -0800

I cannot for the life of me find a photo (or any other mention) of this coffee table. The coffee table is white (or light natural colored wood) with coffee ring stains all over...they start very dense in the middle, and get sparser as you move towards the edges...i'm not sure if the table was made or found.

May have been in MAKE or Readymade magazine? Can't find it on either's online versions though...Flickr is coming up bust too.

I need at least a photo, But i need as much information as possible. Trying to convince Mrs. furnace.heart it would be a worthwhile project, and look good in our home.

Keurig B30 won't brew

jsavimbi — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:21:23 -0800

Has anyone had any problems with a Keurig (K-cup) B30 coffee maker? My mom's is on the fritz and I'm having difficulty fixing it for her. The water heats up but doesn't make it to the cup. I've googled and no luck.

What's the deal with my throat?

Anonymous — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 16:25:23 -0800

I have been drinking coffee regularly, and red wine occasionally, for 10 years. But over the past 2 months, my throat seems to have developed an intolerance for both. When I drink a cup of coffee, my throat feels uncomfortable, as if it's partially closed or has swelled. This lasts about 6 hours.

When I drink red wine, my throat immediately stings when I swallow, and if I drink more than 1 glass, I end up with a horrible sore throat in the morning; it often causes me to be sick. (White wine is the same but less severe).

I don't seem to have this reaction to any other kind of drink or food, which is strange because coffee and red wine are probably my two favorite things on earth to consume.

Could it be an allergy? I have never been allergic to anything in my life before, though.

I am going to see a doctor, but unfortunately I won't be able to do so for several months (in the meantime, I'll just cut out the coffee/wine). I was wondering if anyone had a similar situation or might know what is happening to me.

Do they mind me staying here all day (and tomorrow, and Friday...)?

tristeza — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:45:49 -0800

YANMB (You Are Not My Barista): Do the folks at the coffee shop where I've been working all day mind me taking up space if I'm buying stuff all day and it's not crowded? It's hotter than SHIT in Seattle today and the A/C in my office building doesn't work when temps go over 80.

I've been sitting in the new Starbucks-"inspired" coffee shop in my 'hood (they have beer!!) since 8:30 this morning, consistently buying stuff (including lunch) so I can take advantage of the A/C.

I've never worked in a cafe before, so don't know - is this "legal"? Do they care how long one stays as long as it's not crowded and you're spending $$?

I live in dread fear of inconveniencing people, this is a stupid question, I am sure. However, I need somewhere to work for the rest of the week, and this place is just lovely, I'd like to move in for a few days and spend more money.

Welcome to "_____," would you like a bagel with that?

firei — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:00:00 -0800

If you were opening a cafe that primarily served bagels (and their variations), pastries, coffee (and coffee related drinks), and tea, what would you call it? The wittier the better! (Non-witty are also welcome to apply.) I previously asked a question about opening a bagel store, primarily asking for tips, advice, and ideas. I received a few name recs.

However, I've since decided that I'd like the business to be part coffee shop, part-bagel store - so all of my names that directly pertained to bagels (and I had pages and pages of name riffing on pop culture, where the word bagel was inserted into popular quotes and movie titles) have become moot.

I know the hive mind is clever, and I want my coffee-shop/bagel-shop/thing to be clever, too!

(If it helps: we'll be located in Carmel, NY, in a plaza off of route 6. I don't know why it would. But then, I'm not very witty.)

Is it possible to be allergic to the smell of Coffee?

grablife365 — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:20:31 -0800

I have an aversion to coffee but I don't know why. If I'm in the same room with it, can smell it no matter how small a cup, I'm gagging. I have never even had a cup of it. What could be causing this and could this be an allergy? This may be a waste of a question that might get no responses but I've been wanting to find out for the longest time and thought I would ask here as well.

I was in a cafe yesterday to meet a few people. I wasn't even in there 2 minutes before my stomach started churning. I wanted to gag and couldn't get out fast enough. For as long as I can remember, I've reacted this way with the smell of coffee, no matter how little of it is around me. Nothing else makes me react that way. I don't eat or drink anything coffee related, I don't generally like to go to coffee shops (though I do try sometimes if I have friends of family interested in going) and have never had a cup due to the smell getting to me. I am not pregnant and don't have any known allergies.

I'm not even sure what I'm asking but I'd like to know if this is an allergy, if it's just a really deep unconscious dislike for coffee, how do I find out more about coffee allergies/aversions. Any information/guidance would be helpful.

Good coffee, in taste and price.

CrazyLemonade — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:54:02 -0800

What’s the best single serve coffee machine for around $100? I want to give one to my husband as a birthday gift, even though he’s a very occasional coffee drinker. I’d like for the machine to be able to brew different types and flavors of drinks. This is what I was going for (we tried it at our hotel room during our honeymoon last year), before my sister told me she tried this at a friend’s house and really liked it (I hate the design, and the price isn't great either, but it does seem to have more variety in the drinks options.....?).

I looked at this question, but it’s too old to matter; this question’s best answers go to pretty expensive machines or things that only make espresso.

I thought I’d ask you all what you thought before making any decisions.

What's the best coffee machine setup for the occasional espresso drinker?

insouciant — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:23:13 -0800

I drink an espresso a day and two or three cappuccinos a week. I want to get a new coffee machine. I value quality of the espresso and price about equally. And I don't want to turn home coffee-making into a science, so ease of use is important.

What's the most fitting system? Capsules - Nespresso, Tassimo, Illy, ...? A semiautomatic/automatic, with or without a grinder? A manual machine or even a stovetop macchinetta?

The Ultimate Coffee Showdown

Autarky — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:09:19 -0800

French Press vs. Aerobie Aeropress -- I'm torn! I've been using a Senseo coffee maker for quite a while now. I've finally decided that enough is enough. The coffee pods are overpriced and not nearly as good as I'd like. The crema looks pretty but tastes exceptionally bitter. After doing a good bit of research it's down to a Bodum french press or an Aerobie Aeropress, and I don't really know which to go for. I'm probably going to spring for a Capresso Burr grinder as well...

MetaFilter, help me choose!

How to make my thermos flask not ruin my coffee?

pompomtom — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:35:20 -0800

How to make my thermos flask not ruin my coffee? I bought a thermos flask, and it is making my coffee taste like dreck - horrible plastic-y dreck. That said, I've only given it two tries so far, and the foul taste seems to be weakening. Is there something I can do/soak with/heat/cool/manipulate to get more quickly to the point where I actually enjoy drinking the coffee?

Coffee Certified By Both Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance?

toomuchkatherine — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:56:21 -0800

Coffee filter (!): Is there any type of coffee available for purchase that's certified Fair Trade and also certified by the Rainforest Alliance?

RIP Coffee Maker, you will be missed

burntflowers — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:29:12 -0800

Help keep my household grumpy-free: recommend a coffee maker that won't give up the ghost after a handful of months. In the two 1/2 years that my husband and I have shared a home, we've gone through 4 coffee makers. The latest one just died this morning.

Each one seems to die the same death: the pump just stops working, usually part way through brewing the first pot of the day.

Do you have a coffee maker that's lasted for years and years? Who made it?

Alternatively, is there something we might be doing or not doing that's killing our poor coffee makers?