Need Coffee 101 information

[LJSquishy]

By "fancy coffee" do you mean lattes and mochas, like from Starbucks and other coffee stands? If so, she needs an espresso machine like the Gaggia Classic which is about as basic as you can go for a real espresso machine.

If she will drink drip-style coffee, the Keurig would be perfect. You can also consider a Nespresso machine which is a capsule type espresso beverage machine (though much less quality than real espresso). Both machines like that are expensive as far as cost per cup.

 

[ski_mom]

By "fancy coffee" do you mean lattes and mochas, like from Starbucks and other coffee stands? If so, she needs an espresso machine like the Gaggia Classic which is about as basic as you can go for a real espresso machine.

If she will drink drip-style coffee, the Keurig would be perfect. You can also consider a Nespresso machine which is a capsule type espresso beverage machine (though much less quality than real espresso). Both machines like that are expensive as far as cost per cup.

Yes, by "fancy coffee" I mean she usually just gets drinks from Starbucks, so maybe I need to be looking into the espresso machine.

I asked her what she orderes and she said caramel frap, caramel latte or iced vanilla latte.

Sorry to be so dense, but as I said I really know nothing about it!

 

[Imzadi]

Yes, by "fancy coffee" I mean she usually just gets drinks from Starbucks, so maybe I need to be looking into the espresso machine.

I asked her what she orderes and she said caramel frap, caramel latte or iced vanilla latte.

Sorry to be so dense, but as I said I really know nothing about it!

Then you need a good espresso machine. You can then get bottles of caramel & vanilla flavored syrups right at Starbucks.

Also buy one of these pump milk frothers if the espresso machine doesn't have a steam frother. They really work great. She won't have to learn the tricks to making froth from a steam frother.

http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-89-Glass-Froth-Master/dp/B0013VALOK/ref=sr_1_8?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1385280236&sr=1-8

 

[The Mystery Machine]

By 'fancy' coffee do you mean flavored or expensive/strong? If she likes expensive or strong coffee the keurig is a bad idea. It makes very weak coffee. If she likes flavored coffee the. It will be fine.

Let me tell you as a strong coffee drinker, they have come up in the world and there are many choices now.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yes, by "fancy coffee" I mean she usually just gets drinks from Starbucks, so maybe I need to be looking into the espresso machine.

I asked her what she orderes and she said caramel frap, caramel latte or iced vanilla latte.

Sorry to be so dense, but as I said I really know nothing about it!

Now, I know nothing about this particular machine but I have heard tons of great reviews from Nespresso. I would go with this system if I were getting a machine to make things resembling Starbucks.

http://www.nespresso.com/us/en/home

 

[bookgirl]

Now, I know nothing about this particular machine but I have heard tons of great reviews from Nespresso. I would go with this system if I were getting a machine to make things resembling Starbucks.

http://www.nespresso.com/us/en/home

Starbucks actually carries a machine and they sell pods that make their coffees.

http://www.starbucksstore.com/veris...p_mt=e&pdv=c&gclid=CMnFqdbW_boCFVaTfgodSHIAww


But to be honest if it's the TASTE she likes than any machine with flavored cups/pods will do.

The expresso and verismo machines have more to do with an extra strong coffee stand alone beverage or the froth and layers that make some speciality drinks look cool. You can get the same taste with out the look.

The lattes are just coffee or expresso with milk and there are plenty of kcups/pods that have that in hot and in icedvarities, the hot ones usually have foam on top and it doesn't add anything to the taste it just looks interesting. The Carmel Frap is a frozen drink (carmel coffee, milk, and ice whirled up in a blender sometimes with whipped cream on top).

It those are her three favorites you are fine with a basic machine and flavored pods and some whipped cream in a can and coffee sprinkles like chocolate or cinnamon.

 

[ChitownFamily]

It those are her three favorites you are fine with a basic machine and flavored pods and some whipped cream in a can and coffee sprinkles like chocolate or cinnamon.

I love your suggestion!! Very clever & perfect. I'm sure many of us coffee drinkers started out drinking the fancy drinks at starbucks. If she is only drinking those drinks, she really isn't a coffee drinker...(let me clarify) she's not really a black pot of coffee kinda of gal...yet Those fancy drinks are coffee/latte etc and lots of sugar via flavored syrups & sugar! ( http://www.starbucks.com/menu/drink...-beverages/caramel-frappuccino-blended-coffee )

Is she interested in drinking these every day? or would a starbucks gift card satisfy her urges? if everyday or more frequently, I LOVE book girl's suggestions!

I think it's adorable that you are trying to figure it out for your daughter!

 

[Hisgirl]

I adore coffee...like Looooove it. Just the thought of a hot pot waiting, gets me out of bed in the morning. We buy high quality organic beans in a very dark roast. None of that burnt Starbuck's coffee, blech!

For that reason, I do not like the K-cup system. I like to buy my own beans. Coffee is one of the most sprayed foods, and buying organic beans is one way to avoid that. Also, we like fresh roasted beans. The k-cups are not organic, are already ground coffee and never strong enough with a rich deep roasted coffee flavor.

For someone who really likes coffee, I like the idea of the aero-press or the pour over method. If she will be serving coffee to guests, then get her a nice drip coffee maker. The best piece of equipment though...which will serve her for years to come, is a nice burr grinder. She can buy beans at her favorite shop and grind them fresh. The burr grinder evenly grinds the bean without imparting heat, which the typical grinder does. Heat degradates the bean to a lower flavor profile.

 

[ChitownFamily]

I adore coffee...like Looooove it. Just the thought of a hot pot waiting, gets me out of bed in the morning. We buy high quality organic beans in a very dark roast. None of that burnt Starbuck's coffee, blech!

For that reason, I do not like the K-cup system. I like to buy my own beans. Coffee is one of the most sprayed foods, and buying organic beans is one way to avoid that. Also, we like fresh roasted beans. The k-cups are not organic, are already ground coffee and never strong enough with a rich deep roasted coffee flavor.

For someone who really likes coffee, I like the idea of the aero-press or the pour over method. If she will be serving coffee to guests, then get her a nice drip coffee maker. The best piece of equipment though...which will serve her for years to come, is a nice burr grinder. She can buy beans at her favorite shop and grind them fresh. The burr grinder evenly grinds the bean without imparting heat, which the typical grinder does. Heat degradates the bean to a lower flavor profile.

Thanks for sharing, i didn't realize coffee is one of the most sprayed foods- that certainly will change the way i purchase my coffee beans.

 

[bookgirl]

I adore coffee...like Looooove it. Just the thought of a hot pot waiting, gets me out of bed in the morning. We buy high quality organic beans in a very dark roast. None of that burnt Starbuck's coffee, blech!

For that reason, I do not like the K-cup system. I like to buy my own beans. Coffee is one of the most sprayed foods, and buying organic beans is one way to avoid that. Also, we like fresh roasted beans. The k-cups are not organic, are already ground coffee and never strong enough with a rich deep roasted coffee flavor.

For someone who really likes coffee, I like the idea of the aero-press or the pour over method. If she will be serving coffee to guests, then get her a nice drip coffee maker. The best piece of equipment though...which will serve her for years to come, is a nice burr grinder. She can buy beans at her favorite shop and grind them fresh. The burr grinder evenly grinds the bean without imparting heat, which the typical grinder does. Heat degradates the bean to a lower flavor profile.

She's 16 and buying flavored Frou Frou drinks. I think an expresso machine, whole organic beans/grinder and specialty brewers/beans/multi step processes are going to be way over her appreciation level.

And honestly as a Christmas present for a beginner I think I'd go cheaper until she decides where she is on the coffee food chain.

 

[Hisgirl]

Thanks for sharing, i didn't realize coffee is one of the most sprayed foods- that certainly will change the way i purchase my coffee beans.

Yes, we just learned this recently. We're in our 50s and figure we have enough years to live and eat where eating organic will sow into our good health. We try to avoid the dirty dozen and only buy organic for coffee, strawberries, (or any berries), tomatoes, potatoes, celery...basically anything where we'll be eating the outside of the food. We buy Sumatra organic at Fresh Market for about 11.99 a pound. It's some gooood strong clean tasting coffee.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I love your suggestion!! Very clever & perfect. I'm sure many of us coffee drinkers started out drinking the fancy drinks at starbucks. If she is only drinking those drinks, she really isn't a coffee drinker...(let me clarify) she's not really a black pot of coffee kinda of gal...yet Those fancy drinks are coffee/latte etc and lots of sugar via flavored syrups & sugar! ( http://www.starbucks.com/menu/drinks/frappuccino-blended-beverages/caramel-frappuccino-blended-coffee )

Is she interested in drinking these every day? or would a starbucks gift card satisfy her urges? if everyday or more frequently, I LOVE book girl's suggestions!

I think it's adorable that you are trying to figure it out for your daughter!

I'm a "fancy coffee" drinker. I prefer a latte to a cup of coffee. When I make coffee at home it is very milky and sweet. I've thought about getting the Starbucks system.

Sent from me.

 

[ChitownFamily]

She's 16 and buying flavored Frou Frou drinks. I think an expresso machine, whole organic beans/grinder and specialty brewers/beans/multi step processes are going to be way over her appreciation level.

And honestly as a Christmas present for a beginner I think I'd go cheaper until she decides where she is on the coffee food chain.

I'm a "fancy coffee" drinker. I prefer a latte to a cup of coffee. When I make coffee at home it is very milky and sweet. I've thought about getting the Starbucks system.

Sent from me.

Bookgirl said more precisely what i was trying to convey.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Nobody here has a Tassimo? So many Keurig fans here. Or maybe Tassimo is a canadian thing? its more popular here in canada anyway.
OP if your DD likes fancy coffee, i'd say go for tassimo or keurig. she can buy all kinds of fancy coffees if she wants. Theyre great little machines! I have one at home and one at work. FYI i've been told that the keurig kcups are a bit more pricey than the tassimo ones.




Tell us how you really feel about flavoured coffeel! Dont hold back now.

Since your DD seems to prefer the flavoured coffees at this point (blech, yuck, ptui ) then I'd probably go with a Keurig type of coffee maker. There are lots of brands of single cup coffee makers that take the K cups. It isn't necessary to go top of the line at this point. When she's ready to graduate to really good coffee, you might want to upgrade at that time.

I didnt read all the posts but I wanted to weigh in here. I have a tassimo and it definitely says NOT to use distilled water. I was surprised too when I heard that!

Really? I never checked that.

Logically that makes no sense since distilled water would be far better for the machine since it is filtered even more than spring water or bottled water.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Nobody here has a Tassimo? So many Keurig fans here. Or maybe Tassimo is a canadian thing? its more popular here in canada anyway.
OP if your DD likes fancy coffee, i'd say go for tassimo or keurig. she can buy all kinds of fancy coffees if she wants. Theyre great little machines! I have one at home and one at work. FYI i've been told that the keurig kcups are a bit more pricey than the tassimo ones.




Tell us how you really feel about flavoured coffeel! Dont hold back now.



I didnt read all the posts but I wanted to weigh in here. I have a tassimo and it definitely says NOT to use distilled water. I was surprised too when I heard that!

Well, I have to called shenanagins on them AND Keurig for that.

Obviously, logically using distilled water in your machine would be better for the machine.

Since typing this I read up on using distilled water and as long as you are using a "commercially prepared" distributor, you are OK to drink it.

The thing about distilled water is that is 100% pure. And everything is removed including beneficial stuff.

That being said, I am not drinking distilled water for my "water", just using it for my coffee maker.

 

[bookgirl]

Well, I have to called shenanagins on them AND Keurig for that.

Obviously, logically using distilled water in your machine would be better for the machine.

Since typing this I read up on using distilled water and as long as you are using a "commercially prepared" distributor, you are OK to drink it.

The thing about distilled water is that is 100% pure. And everything is removed including beneficial stuff.

That being said, I am not drinking distilled water for my "water", just using it for my coffee maker.

I use water from my Brita Pitcher but like you I would think distiller water would be better than tap or spring water. I have a med device that recommends distiller water because tap water can gunk up the insides with mineral deposits.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Bookgirl said more precisely what i was trying to convey.

I know what you meant! I started out as a "social drinker" with only froo-froo drinks and worked my way up to a serious drinker. But I still prefer the froo-froo stuff!

Sent from me.