falcon Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2004 Posts: 21 Location: toronto Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Dec 9, 2004, 2:27pm Subject: Desperately Want Feedback from Creative Coffee Thinkers
To anyone who reads this I hope you can help me out with a dilemma. I would like to create a unique coffee experience in a local restaurant. Basically, I want to bring out a particular coffee bean which is very expensive, grind it and press it in front of them. The purhcase of the coffee is of roasted whole bean and it has a very unique story similar to that of Kopi Luwak. I want the customer to savour the different aromas that emanate during grinding, brewing/pressing as well as to appreciate the cup.
My idea: Use a battery operated grinder (or is a hand grind better?) grind it in front of the customer and then use something like a bodum and press it in front of them.
My worry: Noise from the grinder may disturb guests, bodum may get stolen or broken so I do not want the press to be too expensive.
Can anyone suggest a way to create the ultimate coffee drinking experience for guests in a restaurant that is not too time consuming for the wait staff?
If you recommend any type of grinder or press please specify the type and model number so I can then go out and purhcase it.
poison Senior Member Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 1,101 Location: www.westcoastroasting.com Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Silvia? Nah, teh PuLs3R!!! Grinder: Maestro Plus, Super J deal Drip: Cone filter Roaster: RK drum
Posted Thu Dec 9, 2004, 2:30pm Subject: Re: Desperately Want Feedback from Creative Coffee Thinkers
For real old world charm and mystique: Zassenhouse. I've never used one, so I can't recommend a model, but they are good and reasonably priced at $60 or so. SweetMarias has them, so does Ebay.
expobar Senior Member Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 3,003 Location: .
Posted Thu Dec 9, 2004, 2:58pm Subject: Re: Desperately Want Feedback from Creative Coffee Thinkers
Zassenhaus machines are manual, and they're great grinders. Probably, I'd get that if you want a show. However, the "hopper" isn't big enough to do more than a 4 cup pot, as it only fits 5 scoops of beans to the top.
Bodums aren't that expensive, like $16 for a Brazil press 8-cupper. They're pretty much the best presses in the market.
What kind of coffee are you planning on selling? Why not just try to find the very best "normal" coffee possible? Maybe a good Kenyan, Ethiopian, Guatemalan, etc.?
falcon Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2004 Posts: 21 Location: toronto Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Dec 9, 2004, 3:10pm Subject: Re: Desperately Want Feedback from Creative Coffee Thinkers
I would not be grinding up more than two cups at a time.... assuming no one else in the restaurant is ordering it at the same time:)
Thanks for the clarification on the Zassenhaus.
In regards to the bodum I appreciate the model reference. Do you think the press should be a bit "funkier" looking? Should I stick with glass or is stainless better as it won't break. That said will the stainless affect the taste of the coffee?
As for the coffee that I am thinking of selling the brand name is Ayravata. I can not go into too much detail about it as I do not want a lot of press about it. The story is bizarre and after trying the coffee I can say that it it is not the best tasting cup in the world but I hope to make it the best coffee experience. I am also doing this because there is a charitable component to the coffee. Anyway, as this is my first time on any site I do not want to be seen as abusing it by talking about a coffee that I have. FYI, more info will come out in a few months and I will be happy to send you whatever info I have at that time. If you have an email that you would like me to hold onto let me know otherwise feel free to contact me in a few months and then I can disclose more.
Bottom line is that I came on here because I sense the people on this site really appreciate coffee and they are not being paid for giving their opinion for that reason I was hoping to get an honest, maybe outside the box reply as to my dilemma. Any other advice on how I should present the coffee at the table? Do you like the bodum idea?
Posted Thu Dec 9, 2004, 4:17pm Subject: Re: Desperately Want Feedback from Creative Coffee Thinkers
Don't forget...Even with a French Press you'll have a 3-4 minute wait while the coffee steeps. Your wait staff may need a "stand-up routine" to fill that wait period, or go off and do other stuff. Just don't forget or you'll get over extraction.
Sounds like an interesting premis.
-- Tom
"Modesty is for those who have no Talent!" Lazarus Long
The Bodum Stainless presses do not affect the taste. I have the 12-cup columbia press and love it. If you truly want to attract people to your coffee then consider telling people what you are brewing. I know geeks like me will want to know what they are drinking. Just my opinion though...
falcon Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2004 Posts: 21 Location: toronto Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Dec 9, 2004, 7:12pm Subject: Re: Desperately Want Feedback from Creative Coffee Thinkers
Thanks for the advice. I am not very familiar with vacpots. Would an example be the Santos model from Bodum? I am worried about getting a bodum that is too expensive as I have a feeling that the staff or guests at a restaurant may end up "accidentally walking out with it. Also, I have a feeling it is not dishwasher safe which will be a major pain in the butt.
Any thoughts? Or are there cheap vacpots aside from the bodum brand that you can recommend?
As for the water, yeah it is a pain. I just assumed the water would have to be boiled and then brought in. Would a vacpot solve this? I thought you still needed to boil the water first or that it needed to be on a hotstove which would be impossible at a table, unless you suggest I do it over candelight:)
falcon Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2004 Posts: 21 Location: toronto Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Dec 9, 2004, 7:17pm Subject: Re: Desperately Want Feedback from Creative Coffee Thinkers
I apologize timeggers for not coming right out and telling you how the coffee is made. I am not trying to play some juvenile game. It is just that I want to get everything right first and then when I know everything works I will be happy to publicize it. I am afraid that at this point I do not have a professional enough presentation to make the kind of impression that I am after. As you can imagine, this coffee costs over US$300/lbs I can not look like some kind of slacker. Like I said before, you can contact me at garrett1@sympatico.ca to get more info in about 2 months or if you like, and if you are comfortable, please send me an email address so that I can contact you when it is ready to go. Also, I promise no sales pitch:)
That said, I appreciate your comments regarding stainless.
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