General coffee thread

[Foxhound5366]

Does anyone have a recommendation over where to buy portafilters and unpressurized baskets, both in-person (in Johannesburg) or online?

I've seen a confusing array of items on Takealot, but compatability is my biggest concern. My Morphy Richards coffee machine has the classic "three ears" on the portafilter, but they've got some leveling to one ear of each tab in a way that might give some massive compatability headaches.

 

[Foxhound5366]

Phew, no answers to my question above? That is sad, I thought we might have a couple coffee tinkerers lol.

Anyway, I'm proud to share my new coffee discovery! After getting tired of all the milk I was drinking in cappuccino every day, I decided to pull a double espresso shot directly into a mug, top up with boiling water and add a bit of cold milk at the end. Really tasty! I know I just rediscovered instant coffee in a really complicated style rofl, but it feels healthier than chugging 300ml of milk with every coffee.

 

[SeRpEnT]

Phew, no answers to my question above? That is sad, I thought we might have a couple coffee tinkerers lol.

Anyway, I'm proud to share my new coffee discovery! After getting tired of all the milk I was drinking in cappuccino every day, I decided to pull a double espresso shot directly into a mug, top up with boiling water and add a bit of cold milk at the end. Really tasty! I know I just rediscovered instant coffee in a really complicated style rofl, but it feels healthier than chugging 300ml of milk with every coffee.

You describing an Americano of some sorts.

Our favorite in the mornings (using bean to cup machine) is a double espresso with about half a teaspoon of cream. Yum.

 

[Foxhound5366]

You describing an Americano of some sorts.

Our favorite in the mornings (using bean to cup machine) is a double espresso with about half a teaspoon of cream. Yum.

A double espresso with cream? Phew. Why don't you just inject espresso directly between your fingers? That is hectic.

And yes I meant to write Americano, just forgot.to say it in my excitement.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Phew, no answers to my question above? That is sad, I thought we might have a couple coffee tinkerers lol.

Anyway, I'm proud to share my new coffee discovery! After getting tired of all the milk I was drinking in cappuccino every day, I decided to pull a double espresso shot directly into a mug, top up with boiling water and add a bit of cold milk at the end. Really tasty! I know I just rediscovered instant coffee in a really complicated style rofl, but it feels healthier than chugging 300ml of milk with every coffee.

I only know for Cape Town.

Cape Coffee Beans is my go-to, they do sell online.

 

[FiestaST]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2058067124690546902

 

[FiestaST]

FYI

https://twitter.com/x/status/2058583287942000738

 

[nulkoel]

I'm not an instant coffee drinker, but curious to see how this will do: https://www.terbodore.com/pages/instant-coffee-sign-up

 

[Foxhound5366]

What do you fine people think between these two specials? Neither is ideal for espresso coffee I know, but that doesn't mean they can't be used for it (specifically with more forgiving pressurized baskets on lower-end espresso makers):
A) Bosch bladed grinder (bean smasher)

Bosch 180W Coffee Grinder, Black : Amazon.co.za: Home & Kitchen

Bosch 180W Coffee Grinder, Black : Amazon.co.za: Home & Kitchen

amzn.eu

B) Well-reviewed hand Burr grinder

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.

www.takealot.com

 

[SeRpEnT]

What do you fine people think between these two specials? Neither is ideal for espresso coffee I know, but that doesn't mean they can't be used for it (specifically with more forgiving pressurized baskets on lower-end espresso makers):
A) Bosch bladed grinder (bean smasher)

Bosch 180W Coffee Grinder, Black : Amazon.co.za: Home & Kitchen

Bosch 180W Coffee Grinder, Black : Amazon.co.za: Home & Kitchen

amzn.eu

View attachment 1910561
B) Well-reviewed hand Burr grinder

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.

www.takealot.com

View attachment 1910563

Have the Bosch. Paid around same price. That "special" and discount is a bit sneaky.
Currently using it for french press coffee. Grind the beans for about 20 seconds. Hold in my hands and shake whilst grinding and get a nice even and fine grind. Works well for french press coffee (dark roast beans).

The other product looks interesting. Would also be interested to hear what that one can do.

 

[spiff]

Durinig the 70's I was fortunate enough to enjoy home brewed coffee from my mothers vacuum siphon coffee maker. one similar to the pic below. Sadly however this come to an abrupt end one day when my father accidently knocked it off the stove. from then on it was ordinary nescafe or something like that.




as luck would have it - thanks to our Italian neighbours - I was exposed to this little coffee maker. can't recall what brand or roast the Italians used but damn it was delicious.



so I bought one for myself recently and clearly I need to brush up on my coffee brewing skills.

any suggestions? on how to brew a decent cuppa?

 

[Foxhound5366]

Durinig the 70's I was fortunate enough to enjoy home brewed coffee from my mothers vacuum siphon coffee maker. one similar to the pic below. Sadly however this come to an abrupt end one day when my father accidently knocked it off the stove. from then on it was ordinary nescafe or something like that.

View attachment 1910581


as luck would have it - thanks to our Italian neighbours - I was exposed to this little coffee maker. can't recall what brand or roast the Italians used but damn it was delicious.

View attachment 1910578

so I bought one for myself recently and clearly I need to brush up on my coffee brewing skills.

any suggestions? on how to brew a decent cuppa?

Look no further than Coffee Jesus, James Hoffmann:

 

[Smiggles]

Durinig the 70's I was fortunate enough to enjoy home brewed coffee from my mothers vacuum siphon coffee maker. one similar to the pic below. Sadly however this come to an abrupt end one day when my father accidently knocked it off the stove. from then on it was ordinary nescafe or something like that.

View attachment 1910581


as luck would have it - thanks to our Italian neighbours - I was exposed to this little coffee maker. can't recall what brand or roast the Italians used but damn it was delicious.

View attachment 1910578

so I bought one for myself recently and clearly I need to brush up on my coffee brewing skills.

any suggestions? on how to brew a decent cuppa?

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7608372726457224478

 

[Sopbeen]

Does anyone have a recommendation over where to buy portafilters and unpressurized baskets, both in-person (in Johannesburg) or online?

I've seen a confusing array of items on Takealot, but compatability is my biggest concern. My Morphy Richards coffee machine has the classic "three ears" on the portafilter, but they've got some leveling to one ear of each tab in a way that might give some massive compatability headaches.

You can try partshub - https://www.partshub.co.za/ - They are located in Northern Suburbs, Cape Town. I got a bottomless portafilter for my old Simonelli Oscar through them. They also sold me some gaskets and have most spares that you need to repair/maintain the machine. They also had some very well priced cleaning chemicals for the espresso machines.

 

[Sopbeen]

What do you fine people think between these two specials? Neither is ideal for espresso coffee I know, but that doesn't mean they can't be used for it (specifically with more forgiving pressurized baskets on lower-end espresso makers):

My mom has the bosch one... Its alright for making drip coffee. The grind isn't very even. I wouldn't use it for espresso.

I used to rock the Krups Burr grinder, but their pricing is insane now.

Krups Expert Burr Coffee Grinder, Black : Amazon.co.za: Home & Kitchen

Krups Expert Burr Coffee Grinder, Black : Amazon.co.za: Home & Kitchen

www.amazon.co.za

I got it for less than half that price way back. After it broke I ended up buying a Rancilio Rocky grinder. Probably the best purchase, apart from the Oscar, that I've made. Thing is built like a tank. Grind is super even and it has A LOT of different grind sizes for various brewing methods.

Keep an eye out for a used one. It's incredible value.

 

[Foxhound5366]

My mom has the bosch one... Its alright for making drip coffee. The grind isn't very even. I wouldn't use it for espresso.

I used to rock the Krups Burr grinder, but their pricing is insane now.

Krups Expert Burr Coffee Grinder, Black : Amazon.co.za: Home & Kitchen

Krups Expert Burr Coffee Grinder, Black : Amazon.co.za: Home & Kitchen

www.amazon.co.za

I got it for less than half that price way back. After it broke I ended up buying a Rancilio Rocky grinder. Probably the best purchase, apart from the Oscar, that I've made. Thing is built like a tank. Grind is super even and it has A LOT of different grind sizes for various brewing methods.

Keep an eye out for a used one. It's incredible value.

Yeah, the thing I realise about coffee, there's always another gadget four times the price of whatever you're looking at, which is better enough to be tempting. I've set myself the challenge to get into this as cheaply as possible and rather spend my time tasting different kinds of beans and deciding which flavour profile I enjoy more. That will keep me occupied this whole year rofl.

 

[SeRpEnT]

Yeah, the thing I realise about coffee, there's always another gadget four times the price of whatever you're looking at, which is better enough to be tempting. I've set myself the challenge to get into this as cheaply as possible and rather spend my time tasting different kinds of beans and deciding which flavour profile I enjoy more. That will keep me occupied this whole year rofl.

Yeah this is one game you will never win at.

One of the biggest game changers with coffee I have learnt over the last few years that makes a big difference vs the cost - is the freshness of beans. Freshly ground beans of less than a month (but preferably half that if possible) is much more aromatic and the taste difference will be much better in my humble opinion vs other expensive black holes.
But once your beans are fresh and you are buying a relatively good brand (which could be costly)... then the other options start appearing..... $$$$$$ - to improve even more. But gains for bucks/time searching - bean freshness is top on my list of criteria.

 

[FiestaST]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2059130959392362893

 

[Sopbeen]

Yeah, the thing I realise about coffee, there's always another gadget four times the price of whatever you're looking at, which is better enough to be tempting. I've set myself the challenge to get into this as cheaply as possible and rather spend my time tasting different kinds of beans and deciding which flavour profile I enjoy more. That will keep me occupied this whole year rofl.

Yep. Once you start reading up on "whats recommended" or "good", you always find something "better".... and more expensive. Its a loop that goes on forever.

I definitely understand where you are coming from. I ended up going full circle and I'm back on drip coffee. We used to drink a lot of milk with our cappuccinos, which we eventually cut out. Turns out its easier to make really good black coffee with fresh beans and a drip machine. Espresso with hot water added just doesn't do it for me.

I can definitely attest to the difference that a proper grinder makes with an espresso machine. It was day and night difference. The grind needs to be adjusted per batch of beans that you get. There is no "one size fits all". With grind size under your control, you are one step closer to getting those god-shots. Sometimes when ALL the planets align, you pull a really exceptional shot.

If you're going to be drinking coffee for the forseeable future, do try and squirrel away a few bux a month to treat yourself. A proper grinder is 'expensive', but its only the price of a few kilos of coffee.

 

[Sopbeen]

Yeah this is one game you will never win at.

One of the biggest game changers with coffee I have learnt over the last few years that makes a big difference vs the cost - is the freshness of beans. Freshly ground beans of less than a month (but preferably half that if possible) is much more aromatic and the taste difference will be much better in my humble opinion vs other expensive black holes.
But once your beans are fresh and you are buying a relatively good brand (which could be costly)... then the other options start appearing..... $$$$$$ - to improve even more. But gains for bucks/time searching - bean freshness is top on my list of criteria.

Cannot agree more. Freshly roasted beans are probably the most overlooked part of making good coffee. You can definitely pull better espresso on a cheap machine using fresh beans, vs an expensive machine using old/crappy beans.

There's a bunch of expensive kak and gadgets being marketed as things that will 'improve' your brew. Insanely expensive tampers, filters for your filters. Water additives. Little wire gadgets to 'even out/distribute' your grind. Its endless.

In the end, the most important part is the beans (and how you treat them).

Always buy whole beans if you can. Grinding it freshly means you are guaranteed to still have all of the volatile compounds (and co2) that you pay so dearly for. Certain studies have shown you lose those compounds within hours to days of the coffee being ground.

Always store your beans in a sealed container (oxygen exposure is your enemy). Do not put it in the fridge. Do not put it in the freezer.