iamlost - 11:30 pm on Jun 2, 2006 (gmt 0)

digitalghost: I agree, vacuum coffee makers are great.
Essex_boy: <shudder>

Some thoughts about coffee and brewing:
* the water: your typical water main H2O is a chemical soup unfit for consumption beyond survival requirements - invest in a good charcoal (at least) filter. Please note: most bottled water is simply that, bottled. Great coffee, like great whiskey, requires great water (OT: great whisky just requires more iodine).

* the grinder: blender-style grinders mash and smash - invest in a quality mill-type for an even grind. Grind only as needed and use immediately. Store whole beans not ground beans. Clean and rinse (and rinse) after each use: old coffee oil is rancid coffee oil. Never use in-store grinders: you have no control over quality, cleanliness, or anything else.

* the pot: clean and rinse after each use. I recommend baking soda, lemon juice, and water for a real fresh clean.

* the filter (if necessary): if you must use paper it should be unbleached - unless you like ingesting chlorine, bleach, and dye #whatever that likely causes something unhealthy. The reusable gold mesh filters work well - but must be cleaned and rinsed well after each each use to avoid rancid oil buildup - just like the pot.

* the coffee: Bean quality is number one, number two, and number three. Generally price and quality go up together. Otherwise the roaster and the roasting are key. Try any local specialty roasters for best fresh product. Try a variety of roasts and don't hesitate to ask to mix and match roasts (custom blends) you think might be good.
Never buy roasted beans sitting in 'shutes' or in anything but sealed airtight packaging: air exposure soon kills roasted beans rancid. Get those beans out of the freezer before you destroy any more oil: put in an airtight container in a cool (not frozen) dark place. Never heat or re-heat coffee: store extra (why is there extra anyway? make fresh each time!) in a preheated thermal container.

* the flavouring: <all sexist comments removed prior to posting> <all disparaging comments about flavoured instant coffee abominations removed prior to posting> for those to whom essence of coffee is not enough: never buy or use pre-flavoured beans; buy flavour oils/essences and add to your cup to personal taste.

* the cup: ceramic or glass please. Leave those dirty dish water coffee substitute filled paper/plastic/styrofoam environmental catastrophes in the fast crap emporiums where they belong.

Your web site looks just like your coffee tastes.