I Am Now Officially Ruined For Coffeeshop Coffee -- And I Didn't Buy A $16,000 Espresso Machine With A Footman To Assist
Gregg bought me both the $25.95 AeroPress coffeemaker, which my sister raved about, and the Capresso frothPRO milk frother from Amazon this week. So, he got these two for under $100, total (he paid about $50 for the Capresso frother -- which is far cheaper than the other lesser and hard-to-clean ones, and got a slew of good reviews -- for good reason).
And the most important detail: I now make about the best cup of coffee I have ever tasted (even in fine restaurants in Paris, New York, and LA) -- and with speed and ease.
The Aeropress looks like a junior high science project, and I love that about it, too.
The AeroPress getting started directions are not the greatest. (I couldn't figure out how to get the two tubes apart -- you unscrew counterclockwise, which wasn't in directions). But after you get the two tubes apart, you just unscrew the cap on the bottom of one of the cylinders (the black cap with the little holes), slip a little paper filter in there (they come with), and make your coffee as directed.
I put in two scoops of coffee (fine-ground), put water up to three mark on the cylinder, and then come out with a double espresso. I fill the 3/4 of the rest (of my big 16-oz cup) with water, and it's still very strong coffee (and I like mine break-a-tooth black). I froth a little over a quarter cup of milk and then pour it into the top. (Detailed directions on how to use the AeroPress at the Amazon link.)
Oh, and actually, still coming out around $100, I have the $30 Aroma electric kettle, which Gregg also got me (nice boyfriend!), which heats the water fast, and apparently, to a nice temperature to make great coffee in the AeroPress. Not being cheffy, I have no thermometers around, save for one for sick people that doesn't go up all that far, temperaturewise (and I'd hate to think of someone with a 150-degree temperature). (Also, it's best that there's no possibility that anyone's stuck your coffee thermometer in their butt.)
When Greg buys stuff from Amazon, does he click through your link?
nonegiven at February 4, 2013 6:07 AM
Proof that things aren't as bad as they could be: When you can say something like, "I could really do with a milk frother." Not being snarky -- I wouldn't mind having one myself, but I doubt I'd have the patience to use it properly.
"Also, it's best that there's no possibility that anyone's stuck your coffee thermometer in their butt." Yes, I'd have to agree with you. That is best.
Oh, by the way, since they're available at Amy's Mall: Are knit ties starting to make a comeback? I used to wear them many years ago, and I think a nice solid-color knit tie would work great with a cream linen sport coat, but what few I've seen have been mostly in gaudy stripe patterns in stores geared toward younger guys. Do you have to be a young hipster to wear them now?
Old RPM Daddy (OldRPMDaddy at GMail dot com) at February 4, 2013 7:12 AM
Now if you really want to get ruined, start roasting your own! A Donald Sensing post got me started sometime in 2003. Except for the occasional emergency Costco Sumatra purchase and Starbucks instant when doing a mission trip to the Philippines; it's been home roast for me.
John C at February 5, 2013 7:15 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2013/02/04/i_am_now_offici.html#comment-3593331">comment from John CNow if you really want to get ruined, start roasting your own!
I only find time to wash dishes because it seems wasteful to throw them away after use.
Amy Alkon at February 5, 2013 7:26 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2013/02/04/i_am_now_offici.html#comment-3593366">comment from Amy AlkonAlso, I don't think my oven works.
Amy Alkon at February 5, 2013 8:14 AM
I have an aeropress and it makes a good cup of coffee but about a year ago I got a french press and I've been hooked ever since. You can get a 2 cup french press on Amazon for about the same price as an aeropress. For my money the french press coffee comes out richer and with a fuller body than in an aeropress. Clean up is definitely easier in an aeropress but not impossible with a traditional french press.
Shtetl G at February 5, 2013 11:51 AM
Argh, Amazon doesn't have the roaster I use, or I'd link to it. As far as dish washing goes - I hear you.
Roaster I use is a Fresh Roast SR500 - I picked it up at Thecaptainscoffee.com. It's about the size of toaster on its end. One batch takes 10 minutes tops. If you like break a tooth black - nothing IMHO beats a dark roasted Yemen at $8.54 a pound. But you can also get a nice Brazilian (NO, not THAT kind of Brazilian!) for just over 5 bucks a pound.
John C at February 5, 2013 4:06 PM
A little trick I use when I don't feel like finding my thermometer: I just boil the water, and I put a little sliver of ice from the freezer into the Aeropress. Comes out just right!
Brian at November 22, 2013 5:25 AM
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