I have recently began to drink coffee. My wife likes weak coffee but I like it strong. My problem is that we use 8 O'Clock coffee and it has this real bitter (acid?) taste to it right off the bat. I've read reviews on this coffee and it is widely agreed upon that it's a low acid coffee. What is it I'm tasting? I usually drink from a stainless steel coffee mug. The coffee is made with an auto drip Mr. Coffee (i know, I know). Would I be interested in Sumatra, Guatemalan, Colombian, or African? Any suggestions for a smooth, mellow, but strong coffee is much appreciated. Thanks.
Smooth Coffee?
- Thread starter Trendkill
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #2
Anybody?
If there's coffee oil residue in the coffeemaker it will make it bitter; the oils go rancid and taste funny.
Also, try making a pot using bottled water and see if it's any different.
Also, try making a pot using bottled water and see if it's any different.
Last edited:
Based on your post I would say that you have never had a good cup of coffee.
Pre ground canned coffee is garbage, Mr coffee will bring out the worst of it.
How serious are you? are you willing to go to some effort to do this and spend a few bucks?
You need a grinder, pour-over filter cone,thermometer and some beans.
Here is a place to check out near you for beans-
http://www.berresbrothers.com/
ask for a medium roast.
Or order on line from Here
Get these products from here or somewhere else,
Grinder
http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.bodumcmill.php
Filter-cone
http://www.sweetmarias.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=3704
Filters
http://www.sweetmarias.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=3707
This setup is the starter kit and will deliver a good cup at the lowest cost.
After you have your supplies in hand we can sort through what to do.
Pre ground canned coffee is garbage, Mr coffee will bring out the worst of it.
How serious are you? are you willing to go to some effort to do this and spend a few bucks?
You need a grinder, pour-over filter cone,thermometer and some beans.
Here is a place to check out near you for beans-
http://www.berresbrothers.com/
ask for a medium roast.
Or order on line from Here
Get these products from here or somewhere else,
Grinder
http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.bodumcmill.php
Filter-cone
http://www.sweetmarias.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=3704
Filters
http://www.sweetmarias.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=3707
This setup is the starter kit and will deliver a good cup at the lowest cost.
After you have your supplies in hand we can sort through what to do.
+1 on this. When was the last time that you cleaned your coffeemaker?. Run a pint of white distilled vineger through it and flush that out with repeated full pot batches of water. When you first start with the vineger let your machine run for about a minute and then unplug it and let it sit for about thirty minutes to an hour and then plug it back in and let it finish running the vineger through. This will loosen up any coffee residue on the internal parts. Remember to flush it really well .
Clayton
No matter how clean this pot is it will never be able to brew a GREAT cup of coffee. It is incapable of getting and staying hot enough thoroughout the brewing cycle.
Also, don't try to make weak coffee. I'm pretty sure that brewing with too few grounds will cause over-extraction and you'll get bitter flavors. Instead, start with a good strong cup and dilute with hot water to taste.
used to be a 'grind your own' Sumatra fan for years.
but in the last year i've settled on Eight O'Clock 100% Columbian (ground), but with a (slightly) different method. extremely smooth and full power every time.
use one heaping tablespoon of coffee for a large mug, placed in a paper basket filter. then add boiling water to the mug, to about 1/4" from the top, and lower the filter into the mug. water soaking the paper will let you stick it to the sides of the mug and keep it from totally submerging. give the grounds a little stir and start a 5min timer. after 5min, just lift the filter out of the mug and let drain for a few seconds. done.
but in the last year i've settled on Eight O'Clock 100% Columbian (ground), but with a (slightly) different method. extremely smooth and full power every time.
use one heaping tablespoon of coffee for a large mug, placed in a paper basket filter. then add boiling water to the mug, to about 1/4" from the top, and lower the filter into the mug. water soaking the paper will let you stick it to the sides of the mug and keep it from totally submerging. give the grounds a little stir and start a 5min timer. after 5min, just lift the filter out of the mug and let drain for a few seconds. done.
"Acidity" is usually considered to be a good thing, but it's certainly not for everyone.
"Sour" is an entirely different flavor that is the result of under-extraction, and in your case, I would blame the brewer. The water just isn't getting hot enough for an adequate extraction.
"Sour" is an entirely different flavor that is the result of under-extraction, and in your case, I would blame the brewer. The water just isn't getting hot enough for an adequate extraction.
Jim is a wise man. I would bet that you have never tasted a good cup of coffee. Coffee...black should never be bitter. Your wife likes weak coffee because you are drinking bad coffee. Pre-ground is undrinkable. Whole bean that you grind yourself with a whirly blade is certainly a step up. But, I highly recommend roasting your own. I use sweetmarias for my bean and machine purchases but there are alot of great sites out there. This morning my wife roasted a nice Ethiopian Kebado...Chocolate, leather base with some berry notes. There wasn't a hint of bitter. If you had a cup you would be ruined. 
My recommendations would be:
1) Get a whole bean coffee shipped fresh...such as the beans from Blackdog coffee. He roasts seals and they are at your place in 2-3 days...perfect for the grind.
2) Its nice if you can invest in a higher level burr grinder...ie rancilio rocky the grind really does make a difference. But a whirly blade is better than buying stale coffee pre ground.
3) You have to get a quality coffee maker and IMO the best bang for the buck is the Technivorm Moccamaster. I like the control I have with this machine with my drip speed.
4) If you like the coffee and want a new hobby starting off roasting is fairly easy with the I-Roast 2. I still use this to roast...easy and good product.
I hope some of that helps.
My recommendations would be:
1) Get a whole bean coffee shipped fresh...such as the beans from Blackdog coffee. He roasts seals and they are at your place in 2-3 days...perfect for the grind.
2) Its nice if you can invest in a higher level burr grinder...ie rancilio rocky the grind really does make a difference. But a whirly blade is better than buying stale coffee pre ground.
3) You have to get a quality coffee maker and IMO the best bang for the buck is the Technivorm Moccamaster. I like the control I have with this machine with my drip speed.
4) If you like the coffee and want a new hobby starting off roasting is fairly easy with the I-Roast 2. I still use this to roast...easy and good product.
I hope some of that helps.
As stated here, "bitter" and "acid" are too different things. I also agree that you won't be getting a good cup (or even a mediocre cup) from a Mr. Coffee. It simply won't get the water to the right temperature.
I would suggest you first decide if you like coffee by not investing too much. As Jim said, a $4 pour-over cone makes one of the best cups of coffee. Also, a French Press can be had cheaply at many B&M stores, even Charbux. Try this, and if you like the coffee you get, then hold on to your wallet because this hobby can eat money like nothing else but.... shaving.
I would suggest you first decide if you like coffee by not investing too much. As Jim said, a $4 pour-over cone makes one of the best cups of coffee. Also, a French Press can be had cheaply at many B&M stores, even Charbux. Try this, and if you like the coffee you get, then hold on to your wallet because this hobby can eat money like nothing else but.... shaving.
Get yourself some green coffee beans from Sweet Maria's and roast them yourself to a light to mid City roast and you'll be set. Cheaper than anything store bought and the coffee is superior.
Of the coffees on your list, I would suggest the Sumatra. You might also like Java Estate coffee. Many of the Africans tend to be a little more flowery and acidic -- maybe not what you are looking for.
I don't know if you need to go as far as roasting it yourself, but buying whole bean coffee and grinding it to your preference with a good burr grinder will certainly give you a better cup than anything pre-ground.
Finally, I love Joe Dimaggio as much as the next guy, but get rid of that Mr. Coffee.
Enjoy!
I don't know if you need to go as far as roasting it yourself, but buying whole bean coffee and grinding it to your preference with a good burr grinder will certainly give you a better cup than anything pre-ground.
Finally, I love Joe Dimaggio as much as the next guy, but get rid of that Mr. Coffee.
Enjoy!
Much good advice from these wise coffee guros. My only suggestion would be to find yourself a nice coffee shop somewhere. A place that makes an excellent cup--not some place with a couple of art school students who pull shots while delivering social commentary. Stop in and order a cup of something you'd like to try. Go back and try something different. Keep doing it. Makes it easier to decide what you want to take home.
All good suggestions here, but here's a test you can do very cheaply, with stuff you can buy in a brick-and-mortar store.
1) Buy the same coffee you usually buy, but whole bean. I bought Eight O'Clock whole bean for a while before graduating to freshly roasted beans.
2) Buy an inexpensive grinder. (Don't break the bank on a top-of-the-line grinder yet. I survived on a Cuisinart blade grinder for a year before moving up into better grinders.)
3) Buy a Bodum French Press, available at Target, BB&B, et cetera.
Grind the beans and brew in the press. You will taste the difference between pre-ground coffee maker coffee, and freshly ground press coffee. This is the test I did when I first switched to a French Press and I was blown away. I sold my Mr. Coffee shortly thereafter.
This test will allow you to see what you're missing, fairly quickly and cheaply. Then you can fuss over whether to home roast and spend $300 on a burr grinder.
1) Buy the same coffee you usually buy, but whole bean. I bought Eight O'Clock whole bean for a while before graduating to freshly roasted beans.
2) Buy an inexpensive grinder. (Don't break the bank on a top-of-the-line grinder yet. I survived on a Cuisinart blade grinder for a year before moving up into better grinders.)
3) Buy a Bodum French Press, available at Target, BB&B, et cetera.
Grind the beans and brew in the press. You will taste the difference between pre-ground coffee maker coffee, and freshly ground press coffee. This is the test I did when I first switched to a French Press and I was blown away. I sold my Mr. Coffee shortly thereafter.
This test will allow you to see what you're missing, fairly quickly and cheaply. Then you can fuss over whether to home roast and spend $300 on a burr grinder.
All good suggestions here, but here's a test you can do very cheaply, with stuff you can buy in a brick-and-mortar store.
1) Buy the same coffee you usually buy, but whole bean. I bought Eight O'Clock whole bean for a while before graduating to freshly roasted beans.
2) Buy an inexpensive grinder. (Don't break the bank on a top-of-the-line grinder yet. I survived on a Cuisinart blade grinder for a year before moving up into better grinders.)
3) Buy a Bodum French Press, available at Target, BB&B, et cetera.
Grind the beans and brew in the press. You will taste the difference between pre-ground coffee maker coffee, and freshly ground press coffee. This is the test I did when I first switched to a French Press and I was blown away. I sold my Mr. Coffee shortly thereafter.
This test will allow you to see what you're missing, fairly quickly and cheaply. Then you can fuss over whether to home roast and spend $300 on a burr grinder.
These are my sentiments exactly. I haven't left this stage yet, having just graduated from coffee-maker to French Press. I doubt I'll leave this stage because I'm happy and can't afford another expensive hobby (between amateur radio, guitar, and wetshaving, I'm all full there). Freshly ground coffee from a French Press is orders of magnitude better than drip.
- Thread starter
- #17
Thank you all for the information. I don't have the money to purchase the high end stuff like a Rocky grinder or Technivorm. The French Press is certainly affordable and I can find a reasonable burr grinder locally.
- Thread starter
- #18
Based on your post I would say that you have never had a good cup of coffee.
Pre ground canned coffee is garbage, Mr coffee will bring out the worst of it.
How serious are you? are you willing to go to some effort to do this and spend a few bucks?
You need a grinder, pour-over filter cone,thermometer and some beans.
Here is a place to check out near you for beans-
http://www.berresbrothers.com/
ask for a medium roast.
Or order on line from Here
Get these products from here or somewhere else,
Grinder
http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.bodumcmill.php
Filter-cone
http://www.sweetmarias.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=3704
Filters
http://www.sweetmarias.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=3707
This setup is the starter kit and will deliver a good cup at the lowest cost.
After you have your supplies in hand we can sort through what to do.
Thanks, Jim. I have a lot of this stuff available to me locally so I should be able to get a good start on this. If my coffee can turn out as good as my tea then I think I'll have a future in this business!
You will surely enjoy the French Press. Next time your at the store we will grind and drink.....
Granted, a Technivorm heats the water better, but even with a cheapo machine and good beans, you can have an pretty amazing cup.
Skip Starbucks... If you have a Target or Wal-Mart nearby, see if they have a no-name French Press. One-third of the cost of Charbucks' Bodum presses. Mine was $14 or so and it's exactly the same as Bodums I've had in the past. Pot. Plunger. Screen. Not much to screw up.
See how it goes from there. Create a coffee fund for yourself and invest in an entry-level roaster like the FreshRoast Plus8 from Sweet Maria's or Burman Coffee. I got my burr grinder and roaster from Burman (better price) and get my beans from Sweet Marias.
Skip Starbucks... If you have a Target or Wal-Mart nearby, see if they have a no-name French Press. One-third of the cost of Charbucks' Bodum presses. Mine was $14 or so and it's exactly the same as Bodums I've had in the past. Pot. Plunger. Screen. Not much to screw up.
See how it goes from there. Create a coffee fund for yourself and invest in an entry-level roaster like the FreshRoast Plus8 from Sweet Maria's or Burman Coffee. I got my burr grinder and roaster from Burman (better price) and get my beans from Sweet Marias.
Similar threads
