Ubermonster Senior Member Joined: 13 Oct 2012 Posts: 3 Location: Indiana Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sat Oct 13, 2012, 7:59am Subject: Brewing high quality coffee?
Hello all. New here. I just ordered some Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. I have been drinking coffee for many years. And I love trying new coffees. That being said, the Blue Mountain is the most expensive stuff I have gone for. I ordered whole bean. I have a small grinder. My biggest question is, what is going to be my best method of brewing it? I have a standard drip coffee maker. I thought about ordering a French Press, but I understand that getting the proper ground consistency is tough. Any tips? thanks
I have been drinking coffee for many years. And I love trying new coffees. That being said, the Blue Mountain is the most expensive stuff I have gone for.
That's true for drip, press, siphon, espresso, and any other type of coffee preparation. The grind is key! Just for one example, take a look at "The 4 M's of Espresso"
So, first, let me ask a very important question: where did you buy the Jamaica Blue Mountain (JBM) beans? The reason I ask is that JBM is one of the two most "problematic" coffees (the other being Kona) when it comes to being real, true, authentic . . . See CoffeeGeek Search: "Jamaica Blue Mountain".
Secondly, not all drip coffee makers are created equal -- some, quite frankly, do an excellent job, while others . . . well, not so much. the same is true of grinders. Thus, my question re: what sort of equipment you have.
Finally (for now), the few times I have had true JBM, I preferred it using an immersion brewer rather than, say, espresso, drip or press. (I've heard it's great in a siphon, but have no personal experience with it that way.) If you're unsure about an immersion brewer, take a look at this Clever Coffee Dripper.
Ubermonster Senior Member Joined: 13 Oct 2012 Posts: 3 Location: Indiana Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sat Oct 13, 2012, 11:12am Subject: Re: Brewing high quality coffee?
I ordered JBM because I wanted to try something on the higher end. I have always enjoyed tipping into pricey category, although like my other hobbies. I realize that is not always necessary.
Grinder is a Hamilton Beach grinder that has two blades.
Coffee maker is just a Black and Decker model. Not sure on its specifics. It does seem to run the water pretty slowly which I understand can be desireable in drip coffee makers.
I purchased the JBM right from http://www.bluemountaincoffee.com/ . I was looking at some at world market, and lol, it was just a blend.
Thanks for all the help so far. Hopefully I am on the right course.
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,100 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Sat Oct 13, 2012, 11:42am Subject: Re: Brewing high quality coffee?
Well, take this with a grain of salt . . .
Your blade grinder should be replaced ASAP with a burr grinder. Blade "choppers" do not grind the beans, and result invery uneven bits and pieces . . . and this is true whether you're using JMB or something far more "common."
You should also think about replacing your Black & Decker with something better. This, too, is true regardless of the coffee you use. If you are at all "serious" about your coffee, look at something like the Bonavita coffee brewer, or brewer of similar (or better) quality.
Your coffee will dramatically improve in taste and quality if you do these two things -- regardless of what beans you use (as long as they are freshly roasted, freshly ground).
But for the JMB, I'd still use the Clever Coffee Dripper . . .
Congrats on having selected the BEST value from the #1 brand in kitchen electronics, as per NPD consumer Tracking Service, units sold, 2006-2010, 12M ending Sept. 2010.
Ubermonster Said:
Grinder is a Hamilton Beach grinder that has two blades.
I would challenge anyone to find a more effective whirly bird, anywhere, than the H.B. Again, you made a wise choice. Now, you came to the right place if you want an even higher quality coffee experience, with your prize beans incoming, because these guys have never steered me wrong. So personally i can safely recommend a vac pot & the baratza 586, it's a solid combo. And it's looking like the go-to brewer recommendation lately is the BehMor BraZen. I've no experience with it, but it's obviously the wave of the future. So get on board, or get out!
Ubermonster Senior Member Joined: 13 Oct 2012 Posts: 3 Location: Indiana Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sun Oct 14, 2012, 9:23am Subject: Re: Brewing high quality coffee?
Thanks. So the Bonavita would be a good brewer to take the plunge into the more serious side? Thanks for tips so far all.
JasonBrandtLewis Said:
Well, take this with a grain of salt . . .
Your blade grinder should be replaced ASAP with a burr grinder. Blade "choppers" do not grind the beans, and result invery uneven bits and pieces . . . and this is true whether you're using JMB or something far more "common."
You should also think about replacing your Black & Decker with something better. This, too, is true regardless of the coffee you use. If you are at all "serious" about your coffee, look at something like the Bonavita coffee brewer, or brewer of similar (or better) quality.
Your coffee will dramatically improve in taste and quality if you do these two things -- regardless of what beans you use (as long as they are freshly roasted, freshly ground).
But for the JMB, I'd still use the Clever Coffee Dripper . . .
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,100 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Sun Oct 14, 2012, 10:43am Subject: Re: Brewing high quality coffee?
OK, realize first that I'm crazy -- or rather, while not as obsessed as some, I am a coffee geek. I have a commercial espresso machine at home, and a "presume" machine in my office (where I couldn't plumb it directly into the water supply). When I do brew coffee, as in pourover, I have a Chemex when I'm making a pot, and the aforementioned Clever Coffee Dripper, which I use for brewing one mug at a time.
BUT . . .
Were I not "into" espresso as much, and focused my attention on pourover (drip) coffee as my main and preferred method of preparation, I would definitely want an SCAA Certified Brewer. My heart wold want the Technivorm, but I'd probably get the Bonavita -- hard to justify the price differential when both are certified brewers.
As far as the grinder goes, I personally think your "best bang for the buck" lies in Baratza. Were I only making drip, I'd probably get their Encore; if, however, I thought I might be getting into espresso sometime within, say, the next five years, I'd get the Preciso. (FWIW, I have their Vario -- see pic below; it's the grinder on the right.)
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