Another pointless thread

I can recomend the Isomac grinders (if you can find one). A burr grinder is de-rigeur for the coffee enthusiast. I had a blade grinder once (one of those little whizzy ones). I use it for spices now.

We could do - but Gwyn you are not on the way - you'll have to come down to meet us . And err being honest I don't think this is going to be the sort of restful break you need - we have autistic teenagers aged 14 and 17 coming .

BTW some years back we had some Alligators - they were of the bendy variety - hinged /articulated in the middle - but we found we didn't need the extra number of beds in them . They are still running somewhere I believe.

Mazza grinders are probably up there, and the Rancilios are cheerful burr grinders (that's ours, and works a treat)...

Beans need to be fresh to get the best crema and flavour out of them - between 48 hrs after roast to around 10 days old. After that - well...

My Dutch colleagues always used to say they could not get a good coffee in the UK. Mind the coffee they made, especially in the Chemistry Lab., you could stand a spoon up in.

My friends at Peaberries Coffee, New Lambton, grind my coffee for me. Theirs is a rather nice blend, no matter which one you choose. If you're in the neighbourhood, drop in. They're on Alma Road.
Regards

I used to go to Sunday school at New Lambton - Co. Durham

You sure, you see what happened this time

Jo says I must stop this forum romancing as it is not decent for a man of my years - sorry Tech ( and ems ! )too much excitement is detrimental to my dodgy health !

As for coffee - much as I appreciate the idea of freshly ground,percolated,brewed etc , I have to say that the Tassimo System and the Kenco Columbian blend is pretty close to perfection IMHO.
Outlay for machine less than £70,discs about 20p per cup,easy to make and fast too.Other flavours and beverages are available ( as they say on the BBC ).
My buddy Steve was in Chicago last Christmas and he said the coffee was `orrible.Spanish coffee was a taste I quite remember liking,French passable,Toronto coffee shop amazing,Jersey coffee shop ( Bean around the World ) brilliant,and most outlets in this country dodgy to say the least,especially those that serve a small swimming pool of the stuff !

Nearly packed ready for Poole and forward to Jersey - I see the weather is going to be pants !! Expect some soggy shots guys and girls.

Tony

When I was in the USA in December I was warned about the coffee - my host family had good coffee and we brewed it as needed

Tozza27 - you can tell Jo you are quite safe with this oldie - I'm too set in my ways to go romancing

have fun on your trip [ even if it is wet ]

OH perhaps this would help
link

I was sent it from the USA this morning

Hmmm I remember getting a coffee in the US, and spitting out the vile sweet watery liquid they gave me. I asked for a tea instead and was offered chamomile, mint or lemon - at which point I just burst into tears.

I know the feeling

Good job you didn't ask for beer then .

Blimey techno !! I don`t think I have that much protection for myself - lol - if it`s that wet I ain`t goin` out !!

Nice thought though !

Sadly with my medication I can`t even remember what it was I was getting excited about !!

Oh well - it`s a trade off I suppose !!

Tony

I take my own tea to the US. Not that it helps much as you get a cup of lukewarm water . Luckily I prefer Dutch tea (no milk) to English nowadays.

The Pacific Northwest lived up to it's reputation for good coffee though. The beer was good too - lots of lovely micro-brews there.

In US hotels we use the coffee they provide and a third of the water suggested. It just about makes it drinkable. Elsewhere we go for a double espresso. Even then it's not usually a real espresso, but stronger than normal US coffee, and a lot better than a skinny macchiato with a shot of hazelnut and vanilla .

And he hasn`t even got a bell on the bike - lol

Tony

25 Extreme Examples of Laziness link
Some very nice photoshoping link