How Do You Do Your Coffee?

LNumberEight on 24/06/2020 - 11:20
Last edited 24/06/2020 - 13:34

New time Dad here, I have a feeling I may be consuming a fair amount of coffee over the coming weeks!

I’ve previously gone to local cafes to purchase my daily coffee, but was thinking of trying it at home (especially being down to one income!)

For reference, cafe order is usually a flat white with 1/2 a sugar.

I’ve only really done instant coffee at home, but looking for something a bit closer to cafe coffee. Keen to see how the ozbargain community do their coffee at home. A full machine seems a little expensive for a first timer.

For bonus points, do you froth your milk beforehand, straight from the carton, or otherwise?

Poll Options

  • 362
    At Home - Coffee Machine
  • 127
    At Home - Instant
  • 111
    At Home - Capsules
  • 78
    At Home - French Press/Plunger
  • 49
    At Home - Stovetop
  • 36
    At Home - Pour Over/Chemex
  • 23
    Cafe
  • 9
    At Home - Cold Drip
Food & Grocery Coffee

Comments

  • Oofy Doofy on 24/06/2020 - 14:14

    Instant (when feeling lazy) and drip filter machine.

  • Belistic on 24/06/2020 - 14:21
    +2

    Delongi fully automatic… no time to stand and wait… lol

    For me, it's all about the beans. Cheaper beans can be nicer than expensive ones, just depends on your taste buds and budget.

  • admira on 24/06/2020 - 14:28
    +1

    I bought a sunbeam EM3820 for $160 or so when coronavirus hit and I was sure cafes would be shut - which they never were but I've probably saved 4 times the value of the machine in at time. I went for the cheapest one I could find that seemed OK since I wasn't sure I'd be into making my own coffee. Turns out I am and I quite enjoy it, whipping out 4 coffees and 4 babycinos a day with it. I am looking to upgrade sometime to a grinder (currently buying pre ground) and a better machine.

  • c64 on 24/06/2020 - 14:31
    +1

    no "intravenously" poll option? very disappointing …

  • jv on 24/06/2020 - 14:33

    How Do You Do Your Coffee?

    Kopi luwak, all the way…

    • dasher86 on 24/06/2020 - 16:14
      +1

      that's a shi* answer

  • Janoy Cresva on 24/06/2020 - 14:34
    +1

    Nescafe Gold, does the job

    • E C on 26/06/2020 - 10:07

      not as good as my favorite cafe, Bacino, in North Sydney, but I think this is better than most cafe's. Been my staple for about 30 years or so.

      Instructions:
      1. cup full of milk, no water in the microwave for 90 to 120 seconds
      2. add the right amount of instant. too much and its better, too little and its weak. You will find the sweet spot in a few days.
      3. stir, pause for the unmixed flakes to float, stir again. All mixed up, you should see a thin layer of white froth and not the light brown coffee underneath.
      4. enjoy

      note: not sure how it goes with sugar .. I am not a big fan of sugar in coffee for some reason.
      Also - If you have black coffee - this formula does not work.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/06/2020 - 14:37
    -1

    Nespresso machine + pods give you the best at home coffee, the full barista setup is a bit much imho

    • spaceflight on 25/06/2020 - 23:40
      +3

      Nespresso machine + pods give you the best at home coffee

      No it doesn't

      • [Deactivated] on 26/06/2020 - 09:48
        -1

        For the non-(profanity) it does

  • jimdotpud on 24/06/2020 - 14:47
    +1

    I've tried all types, had a machine in the past and a pod one. I just drink plunger coffee at home now
    I drink it black with no sugar. I can't understand why people put sugar in coffee
    instant coffee is shit

    • bargdebarg on 26/06/2020 - 10:17
      +1

      Sugar is the only way to fix bad coffee. If I'm forced to have instant, half a teaspoon of sugar can improve the taste a little. Mind you I drink it will cows milks most of the time.

    • Mosher on 26/06/2020 - 18:18
      +1

      instant coffee without sugar is shit

  • funeste on 24/06/2020 - 15:01

    I drip on the Hario v60 with Daiso filter paper. Daiso's plastic cone for $2.80 is just as good. I use the collapsable metal one when travelling. Very little washing up, ready moments after the kettle boils and I can make each coffee as strong/weak as I want. Particularly good with light roasts. Occasionally I'll make a cold brew if I have really good beans on hand.

  • harro112 on 24/06/2020 - 15:04
    +4

    you can get coffee remarkably close to or better than some cafes with a good home setup. I actually have a newborn at home as well and I use my BES920+BCG820 several times a day to make flat whites and espressos; it's worth its weight in gold. for some a bit cheaper maybe try something like the Sunbeam 5300 that was posted the other day - it won't be as good as separate machine and grinder but it'll still be better than a pod machine, and you'll learn a lot.

    • bargdebarg on 26/06/2020 - 10:18

      Totally agree. With some practice, a good machine, good tasting milk and fresh beans I make coffee as good as the best cafes I used to frequent. I must admit though, if I don't take care while making it, it's not as good. There is a fine line when texturing the milk.

      • harro112 on 26/06/2020 - 10:22

        i think people often overlook that the biggest factor that separates commercial machines from con/prosumer machines is the sheer speed they can pump out coffees, rather than the quality (which is still often very good, but not on another planet).

        • bargdebarg on 26/06/2020 - 18:13

          Very true. My machine takes about 45-60 seconds to texture about 200ml of milk, compared to about 15 seconds on a commercial machine.

  • Bourb on 24/06/2020 - 15:13
    +2

    I Drank Instant Coffee for many years, recently purchased a French Press and a Manual Grinder, never going back to Instant :)

  • bobkin on 24/06/2020 - 15:27
    +1

    This sunbeam with built in grinder would be a great choice: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/546941
    +/- milk frother e.g. nespresso aeroccino

  • TChalla on 24/06/2020 - 23:27

    I got the 80 dollar Aldi coffee machine and get the coffee pods from Aldi. I use a Sunbeam milk frother from Big W.

    Go to drinks is a flat white, no sugar. The best!

  • Geoffw on 25/06/2020 - 07:57
    +2

    I couldn't get a coffee I liked with a Nespresso machine.

    I've had the fully automatic machines which grind the coffee, espresso machines and french presses.

    The one I like the most is the Aeropress, which I've been using several times a day for a number of years.

    The cheapest way to get started is with pre ground beans in a saucepan. Almost Turkish style. Gritty, but cheap.

    But pre ground loses its aroma very quickly. Grinding at home is much better.

    A good grinder is important. Burr grinders are apparently the best. A reasonable one will give you a consistent serving size and grind. Whether you go with an espresso machine, french press or Aeropress, you'll need a consistent grinder.

    I've had a Breville machine for maybe ten years, and it hasn't missed a beat, dispensing thousands of cups of coffee. They have them at the usual outlets for $199.

    Some hints on what to look for: https://www.choice.com.au/home-and-living/kitchen/coffee-mac…

    The K-Mart cheap grinder gets some good reviews.
    https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/anko-coffee-grinde…

    And the K-Mart espresso coffee maker at $89 gets some great reviews
    https://www.homestolove.com.au/kmart-coffee-machine-review-2…

  • lew380 on 25/06/2020 - 08:46

    I've come to realise that the threshold for good coffee is quite low, I'm resigned to a cowboy coffee, heat up water on a stove, throw in some coarse grinded coffee, wait three mins and then gently pour it into a cup, a few dregs really isn't that bad!

    A good grinder is a better first investment

  • Speckled Jim on 25/06/2020 - 09:12

    Breville BCM600, bought from a deal here. Lasted nearly three years. Went back to spare Sunbeam dripolator.
    Bought second-hand BCM600 for $6 from a junk shop. Still going two years later.
    Have two old Sunbeams and brand new DeLonghi Clessidra as backups.

    $12/kg Coles ground coffee and harris paper filters complete the cheap coffee picture.

  • Waltervp on 25/06/2020 - 10:02

    I just lost everything I typed… After a lot of experimentation I now buy fully automatic coffee machines. Second hand. Because servicing is quite expensive and can't be done locally I sell them when they need a service which is usually 2 years after I get them and buy another second hand one. The last one I got was a Jura impressa j9 which is absolutely fantastic. Prior to that I had a lot of Saeco machines which were also good but nothing compared to this Jura. If you buy them second-hand make sure you ask for the coffee count which all of them are able to report on if you press the right buttons. My problem with other versions of coffee making is that I can make an enormous mess and forget things like leave coffee makers on the stove or spill coffee everywhere. These fully automatic machines are just brilliant. I press the button about 5 or 6 times every day, and I just add a dash of milk and microwave it for 30 seconds because when you start using the steamer it becomes labor-intensive and messy. Do make sure to take the trouble to custom adjust the machine to your taste.
    The one time I bought a new expensive machine from Harvey Norman it caused me nothing but nightmares and it had to be returned under warranty several times and literally after a year and a half I had to throw it in the bin, something I have never ever done with a $1k+ item, but at that stage gave me a lot of Joy, I wouldn't even sell it second hand.

  • colossus on 25/06/2020 - 10:38
    +1

    My home setup is a grinder and moka stove top pot. I usually have 1 or 2 cups of coffee using this.

    I also like to get a coffee from a cafe. I like that my home and cafe coffees, while both good, are entirely different. Before lockdown, I would get a cafe coffee during lunch and read, getting some sanity in the middle of the day. As a parent speaking to a new parent, I recommend a periodical break for you and your wife in this fashion.

  • adante on 25/06/2020 - 11:17
    +1

    Cold brew. Grind up some beans, put into a french press, leave in fridge for 24 hours (can get away with 12). Basically cold drip with less faffing (you can google the differences, they are largely lost on me)

    Advantages are that you can make up a good size batch at once, and once you've got a pipeline going (transfer coffee done last night to another container, put on a new batch)life's good and the effort-to-output ratio is among the best - comparable if not arguably better than instant coffee

    Disadvantages are you can't do it on demand (if you don't have a pipeline, you can't just have one now).

    Cold brew is comparably smooth - less bitter/acidic than hot coffee. Which may be a good or bad thing depending on your preferences. I used to also drink flat whites, but when I switched to cold brew I was happy to just go with straight black.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/06/2020 - 11:29

    Fresh ground, double espresso in the morning.
    Otherwise if I feel like something a bit longer or have guests I'll make french press.

  • Caped Baldy on 25/06/2020 - 11:34
    +1

    Instant with some condensed milk.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 25/06/2020 - 11:42
    +6

    Aeropress. Long black. Twice a day. No milk, no sugar.

    Tea (90% herbal or decaffeinated) at all other times.

    I used to drink 6-10 coffees a day and trust me it really (profanity) with your productivity and sleep. Never again.

  • OG Puppy Banana on 25/06/2020 - 12:05

    Normally, I do an americano AeroPress in the morning and sip it until lunch (1.5 scoops and a little bit of agitation and let it chill in the filter for 30 seconds before I press).

    If I need another pickup, I'll hit the Pod and Parcel cap in the Nespresso (the missus loves these with milk).

    In summer, I brew a 1lt jug of cold brew in the Hario. I'll usually sip 250mls of that in the morning. No dilution beyond the ice cubes.

  • Brouw3r on 25/06/2020 - 12:07
    +1

    I sold my Breville BES870 and bought an $80 Aldi pod machine with a ~$20 milk frother. The coffee is inferior (but more consistant - at least my wife can use this one and make a half decent cup) but the time to make a coffee and much smaller footprint vastly outweighs the benefits of the Breville.

  • pogichinoy on 25/06/2020 - 12:19
    -2

    Barista cafe.

    Nothing at home compares short of getting a full kit.

    • bargdebarg on 26/06/2020 - 10:21

      Disagree. If you have a mid level machine, fresh beans and practice, you can make it as good as the best cafes. Takes a while to get it right though.

  • serbpie on 25/06/2020 - 12:23
    +1

    Vietnamese drip coffee. Black or sometimes with condensed milk.

  • thanatos350 on 25/06/2020 - 12:26

    I've never found home coffee, instant or machine prepared, to be comparable to cafe coffee.

    I haven't detected much of a difference between low and high end pod machines, oddly enough. I've used Aldi devices through to expensive Nespresso units and they all give you that 'kind of coffee' taste.

  • kaleidoscope on 25/06/2020 - 12:29

    need option; from coffee milk bottle.. (ice break, dare, etc)

    instant coffee goes more with sachets and powdered imo.

  • jno on 25/06/2020 - 12:57
    +1

    Aeropress - long/short black no suger

  • MrKnowItAll on 25/06/2020 - 13:20

    We went from instant to Nespresso to a cheap Kmart coffee machine to a Breville Barista Pro. Each one is an upgrade on the last but the jump in quality between the Kmart machine and the Breville is out of this world.
    It delivers a pre-shot before final extraction and being a dual boiler gets you steam from the wand in only a few seconds rather than waiting for it to reach a higher temp on the single boiler versions.

    Yes it cost a decent amount (just over $900) but the investment is well worth it for the quality. We've made a good 700 coffees over the last 3 months between the 3 of us - the cost of which at a cafe would be $3k+.. literally pays for itself every month.

    • knk on 25/06/2020 - 13:38

      I've been eyeing the kmart one.

      If you were to compare your Breville to the Kmart for purely black coffee how significant a difference was it?

      • MrKnowItAll on 25/06/2020 - 14:05
        +1

        For black coffee the difference is not too significant, it may be a little more bitter because you can't control the temp with the kmart one and you don't get the pre shot but with fresh and decent beans it's still an incredible coffee.

        I had two issues with ours, one was the steam running out meaning we'd have to froth it twice (wouldn't apply in black coffee) and that it takes a very long time to remove the plastic taste from the water. I'd recommend flushing water / vinegar mix through the group head (what the Portafilter connects into) and the steam wand multiple times to give it a good clean.

        • knk on 25/06/2020 - 14:05

          Well you've pretty much sold me on it then.

          I don't use milk at all so for the price it sounds like I can't go too wrong.

  • JuryWheel on 25/06/2020 - 13:33

    I would have thought the capsule option would be winning, maybe it's an ozb thing with so many Breville owners instead?

    Anyway, I have had a Jura for a number of years and love it.

    • netjock on 25/06/2020 - 15:05
      +1

      OzBargain is full of people making $250K+ they all have expensive coffee machines, drive European cars etc.

    • bargdebarg on 26/06/2020 - 10:23

      No surprise really considering the frequency of Breville deals! They really are an awesome machine for the price. The pods are so wasteful as well.

  • usbc activist on 25/06/2020 - 13:49

    Boil milk on the stove till it starts frothing.
    Take two tumblers.
    Add a required quantity of sugar and two spoons of instant coffee to one of the tumblers.
    Pour the milk into the other tumbler.
    Now pour milk from one tumbler to another until you are satisfied with the colour and frothing.
    Have a lovely delicious coffee.

    It takes few tries to arrive at the best combination of coffee and sugar to your liking.

  • Rhubarb Jones on 25/06/2020 - 14:09

    Congrats & Good luck!

    When I was in your situation I'd take caffeine anyway I could get it: espresso, stove top, plunger, aeropress, cold drip, instant, No Doz Plus, Diet Coke etc.

    I was hitting 8 strong cups a day for a while there.

    Like I said, good luck! It's wild.

  • EyesWideOpen on 25/06/2020 - 14:36
    -1

    Cheapest as an ENTRY to something better than instant, Try Aldi's Expressi pod machine with frother.

    Second is Nespresso subscription plan, machine is token 1 dollar. 50bucks a month including frother and coffee pods delivered. There's a free gift now - travel mug, Nespresso seldom include freebies. Link here. https://www.nespresso.com/au/en/machine-subscription#/

    Next is moka pot and coffee grinder. I have a bialetti brikka for more foam, it's OK for 60 bucks.

    Great coffee machines will not be entry level, ask the italians for the rocket or the like as small entry machine, start from 2k.

  • Emerald Owl on 25/06/2020 - 14:54

    I’d stick with instant at home and use the money saved at the odd cafe.

  • netjock on 25/06/2020 - 15:08

    Cheapest option for short term is coffee pod machine. Aldi one is like $80, Nespresso often on special. 37c a pod. Depends on whether you want the trouble of having a full coffee machine for $500 as quoted from others. Extra $400 is like 1000+ pods just on purchase price.

    I only have 1 coffee a day so it is 3 years for my Aldi machine vs full coffee machine.

  • soggypotato on 25/06/2020 - 15:08

    I'm an uni student and I currently have an Aeropress setup with a manual grinder. Coffee tastes decent and the beans factors a lot in the taste.

    I'm also keen to go full espresso machine and an electric burr grinder once I move out and finish uni, as I believe it is more faster than using an Aeropress and the coffee may taste even better.

    • skywards on 25/06/2020 - 16:28

      What beans do you normally buy?

  • NotAnAudiophile on 25/06/2020 - 15:10

    This isn’t for new dads obviously, but what about the age old pick up the hot barista making you that takeaway coffee? (Male or female). Intangible benefit :)

  • giventofly on 25/06/2020 - 15:53

    Depends how I feel.
    Usually aeropress but have been doing espresso short black lately.

    Sometimes I'll do the percolator

  • Tim Mc on 25/06/2020 - 15:58

    Nescafe Gold in a ceramic cup. Fast and cheap. You can heat it up when you finally get some time to drink it.😂

    I prefer to brew using a Kalita Wave but it is tricky to do with a baby under one arm. It might set you back $360 by the time you get a Kalita Wave $35, filter papers $15, measuring scales $100, grinder $100, variable temperature kettle with goose neck $110. And then you've got to get some filter roast beans 250g for ~$18.

  • cardboardbox on 25/06/2020 - 16:07

    Moka pot. ALDI has 6 cup colorful Bialetti moka pots on sale. You will be drinking more than one coffee a day from more on.

    Also buy some instant decaf for wifey if she intends to breastfeed. She can’t drink more than one coffee a day because it passes through to breast milk. Instant decaf isn’t great but makes you feel marginally better.

    • Geoffw on 26/06/2020 - 07:49
      +1

      The ALDI Mika pot is aluminium. Great for most stoves, useless for induction.

  • Cliche Guevara on 25/06/2020 - 16:18

    If you're thinking of going pods, I recommend Podista/Express Pods.

    "Free" machine with pod bundles. I like the Aromatico (as an espresso). Wife likes the caramel pods (espresso or macchiato).

    If you "subscribe" to monthly delivery (you can change or skip at any time) they come down to 40c a pod and free delivery.

    Biodegradable/recyclable pods (not compostable though).

  • skywards on 25/06/2020 - 16:26

    My choices at home:
    Nescafé gold
    Aeropress
    Stove top
    French press but the plastic thing broke so I need to get a new one
    Manual grinder - for when I’m keen to grind my own beans

    • mapax on 25/06/2020 - 16:32

      I’ve had a Kmart French press for a couple years and it is pretty good for the princely sum of $10 ($8 or $9 when I purchased).
      The internals are stainless and coffee doesn’t come into contact with any plastic if you turn the lid backwards and pour slowly.

  • Cliche Guevara on 25/06/2020 - 16:31

    From Dr. Karl. Coffee Grinding

  • Jugganautx on 25/06/2020 - 17:01
    +1

    I like my coffee like i like my women, full bodied and painfully average ;)

    • Mosher on 25/06/2020 - 18:40

      so what is painfully average a D cup?

      • samp e on 26/06/2020 - 08:59

        It will really depend on your taste preferences. My personal favourites are: Campos - Blade Runner and Single O Kenya blend.

  • TEER3X on 25/06/2020 - 17:03
    +2

    Turkish grind, credit card, snort

  • dbun1 on 25/06/2020 - 17:27

    I have a proper machine and grinder setup which makes great coffee. Easily on par with most cafes.
    I also have an Aeropress, V60 and French Press, so my coffee varies depending on what I feel like.

  • Ghost47 on 25/06/2020 - 17:56

    In order of preference: espresso machine > Aeropress > instant.

    Usually Aeropress a long black though, as it's just quicker and easier.

  • JetLi on 25/06/2020 - 18:01

    Instant, milk with no sugar.

    Had a nespresso pod machine but too much mucking around and cleaning

  • aurotaro on 25/06/2020 - 18:02

    Filter Coffee. Steam milk in a pot, pour filtered coffee to milk. Enjoy.

    Also have the Aldi capsule machine which Mrs. Uses for a Mochachinno pod

  • Bargainhunter83 on 25/06/2020 - 18:39

    DeLonghi Dedica - Breville coffee Grinder.. Execellent quality beans! Had the machine for a little over two years and recently swapped the pressurised baskets to non pressurised. You would never have to buy coffee! Unless of course hanging out with friends!!

  • cycleri3 on 25/06/2020 - 18:46

    I have:
    * Breville BES860
    * V60 pour over and Aeropress for filter long blacks

    Generally have a flat white / latte once a day and a long black style coffee with milk twice a day. I buy fresh beans from coffee roasters exclusively.

    Currently having some Berry Apocalypse from https://www.mycuppa.com.au/products/berry-apocalypse.html

    • TEER3X on 25/06/2020 - 20:38

      Those beans actually smell fruity, right?

      I've smelled a pack of Ethiopian beans before and couldn't believe how fruity they were, like they infused them or something.

  • serpserpserp on 25/06/2020 - 18:56

    Nanopresso with barista kit
    Old Nespresso milk frother
    Ceramic burr grinder

    All up cost around $160. Make such decent coffees with little power and no bench space that I can't even be bothered buying another machine now. Plus this set up travels well (if we ever get to do that again).

  • Fysh on 25/06/2020 - 20:45

    Unsweetened Almond milk latte, remember the calories count when your step count isn't what it use to be. I use barista express

    Get an espresso machine, you can bulk make the coffee shots if you need and heat it up with the steamed milk. If that isnt quick enough you can just mix the cold almond milk together with espresso and carefully microwave when you want (so it doesn't split). This is just as quick as a nespresso machine

    Another alternative is cold brew costco has a machine around $50. Just get your grind right.

  • MessyG on 25/06/2020 - 20:49

    Hand grinder + minipresso + aeroccino + local coffee shop beans. This is what we've landed on after years of going through every permutation of Chemex, cold drip, Nespresso pods etc. If we were going to spend big bucks we'd probably get an espresso machine with a grinder, and stick with an aeroccino.

  • Kamsi on 25/06/2020 - 21:00

    can't we have multiple options.. I drink coffee from the coffee machine and I also have quick instant coffee.

    • TheJoker on 25/06/2020 - 21:09

      From the coffee machine like a bubbler? :)

  • abuch47 on 25/06/2020 - 21:37

    spent $2k 8 yrs ago

    average 4 shots a day at our house

    beans aren't cheap but it was still 60c per cup so a savings were pretty quick.

    also good resale value been meaning to upgrade.

  • kiitos on 25/06/2020 - 22:39

    Got a Nespresso Latissima years ago. I've gone of it now, the coffee tend to be bitter and the milk too bubbly. But still use it when guests are over as it's very convenient. So went to plunger for a while, now on aeropress, thinking about a machine but haven't really for the bench space (my wife's KitchenAid mixer is stored in the dining room and she moves it to the kitchen to use it)

  • coffeerequired on 26/06/2020 - 00:21

    Not a huge fan of most pods, some are hit and miss in terms of the quality but I have found the Starbucks house blend to be my favourite for a while now, in my opinion it's always been consistently good. I like the automatic / semi automatic "grind the bean first" style coffee machines because it's less time cleaning, those manual ones are just a pain if you're making only one coffee or two coffees. If it takes longer to clean than it does to drink the coffee then it's a no for me.

    Oh and I almost forgot, my exception is the Vietnamese style slow drip coffees though, for that I'd clean it!

  • baker bob on 26/06/2020 - 01:02

    I don't regret buying a machine 10 years ago. It cost me $1k but I've definitely made that back up with all the coffees I make at home and all the coffee I brew at home and take to work, picnics, road trips, movies etc. Just make sure you buy a coffee machine and not an appliance. My brother and sister got coffee machine appliances (basically all the crap sold at department stores) and they have long gone into land fill while mine is going 10 years without ever needing a repair.

    If you go down the machine route you can cut even more costs by buying green coffee beans and roasting them yourself in a $30 popcorn maker. It reduces your beans cost by about 50%. Those expensive pods can't compete in price or taste.

  • points4life on 26/06/2020 - 02:40
    +1

    Single-origin beans (either Dukes or Code Black, grind them fresh (using a cheapo Breville) and V60 pour-over. No sugar (try to cut out the sugar and learn to appreciate the coffee, the impact on your health is pretty good), no milk; just black.

  • datafellows on 26/06/2020 - 08:04

    I'm blessed with 3 coffee machines I got from OzB. 2 were free, Lavazza Modo Mio and whatsthatcalled mother's Day special that took the Nespresso capsules. And then the king, Breville single boiler.

    • mapax on 26/06/2020 - 08:33

      Not sure if it’s a real thing but I overheard someone claim with a straight face that because flat white coffee is more popular than long black coffee that the names need to be changed… I don’t even understand how that makes sense.

  • coztopia on 26/06/2020 - 08:39

    I got my Breville Dynamic Duo for $600 at the Breville factory outlet her in Brisbane and it's the best purchase of my life

  • soaringphoenix on 26/06/2020 - 09:07

    You could try this: http://www.moccona.com.au/range/moccona-barista-reserve-rich…

    I wouldn't buy it at full price (~$18), but it often is priced at 50% off at Colesworths.

    It's not amazing (doesn't even compare to Nespresso), but it's a bit of a step up from other instant coffee options, in my view.

  • seraphim2017 on 26/06/2020 - 09:28

    Aldi pod machine with their milano pods for convenience/1 handed operation. Cheap as and acceptable taste, not as good as a real coffee, but 38c a cup. Machines can be picked up from scumtree for $20, sometimes with a frother. Ozbargain 101.

    Aeropress for a long black a bit stronger on the weekend. The stuff from aldi (dark) ground or beans is done in Melbourne and due to the rush on it, their current stock on shelves is only 1-2 weeks old so not bad at all as I'm not a coffee snob in any way. Caffeine in my case is a safety measure, for the people around me!

    Nothing after 3pm as even without the stimulant benefit it affects sleep as the 'half life' lets call it, or stimulant in your system takes 6 hours to dissipate enough to reduce sleep interference.

  • SupeNintendoChalmers on 26/06/2020 - 09:33

    Tea. Early Grey

  • schwinn on 26/06/2020 - 10:03
    +1

    Congrats on your new arrival!

    I'm an advocate for a coffee machine at home. It's a morning ritual that helps me get the day started, just making the coffees, frothing the milk for the kids wife and my milo. Yes, since owning a coffee machine, I've had some health issues preventing me from partaking, so I just make myself a milo, a coffee for the missus and straight milk for the kids.

    As others have mentioned, economically, it's the best choice, also from an environmental perspective there's less packaging for coffee beans bought in bulk.

    For $25/kg freshly roasted, try baybeans

    The fun part is you actually get to try frothing breast milk.

  • Hangryuman on 26/06/2020 - 11:18

    I've just reread webpages about coffee and cholesterol and blood pressure - summary - under 6 cups of coffee a day seems to reduce the risk of heart disease, but unfiltered coffee is associated with higher bad cholesterol, and higher blood pressure - not a problem if you have neither of those.

    https://www.today.com/health/here-s-another-yes-coffee-good-…
    https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/body-mind-spirit/hear…
    https://www.healthline.com/health/high-cholesterol/coffee-li…
    https://cholesloreview.com/coffee-and-cholesterol/
    http://www.nbcnews.com/id/6242467/ns/health-heart_health/t/c…

    Paper filters seem to remove the terpene oils associated with these higher risks, but also remove some flavour elements associated with quality -
    https://analyticalscience.wiley.com/do/10.1002/sepspec.14cd7…

    With a recent high cholesterol reading, I'm in the process of switching over from years of paper filter cones (easy - buy ground German Melitta coffee on regular specials from the supermarket, paper filters from DAISO, plastic cone on top of mug, a heaped spoonful of coffee, pour from hot water jug - I used a digital scale so I didn't have to lift the cone to check the cup level - when done, toss the paper cone in the bin, no washing up !

    now back to French press/plunger - small 1 cup - it's more complicated, rinsing used coffee grounds out, rinsing muddy used cup, adding boiling water to preheat both, a spoon of ground coffee into the plunger, boiling water, stir with a wooden chopstick to least cool and speed up brewing, top on, rest wire filter on top, wait 3 minutes, push the plunger down, lift up again to stir, empty warm water from the mug, pour coffee into the mug - I'm avoiding milk as cholesterol - drink - it cools faster than my old insulated huge mug, but coffee has more taste.

    NEW DAD !?!?!?

    Oh that changes everything. Here's a trick I learned from an expensive Austrian restaurant where I worked as a waiter - the boss told me to boil the jug, get a glass Corningware percolator (this was around 1986), add 10 spoons of the cheapest instant coffee (International Roast), fill with boiling water, stir carefully to dissolve all traces of powder, then march out to the dining room full of drunk lawyers holding it high and announce 'who'd like coffee !?'

    They'd look at the clear glass percolator - go 'freshly brewed ! lovely ! Yes please !' and be charged restaurant price for - instant coffee. No customer ever questioned me about their initial mistaken assumption.

    So that trick is - use two spoons instead of one - and most won't know it's not 'freshly brewed' coffee !

  • Dreamcast on 26/06/2020 - 11:38
    +1

    "For reference, cafe order is usually a flat white with 1/2 a sugar"

    That was me for awhile. I finally made the jump to no sugar. Wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Best thing ever!

    • nubzy on 26/06/2020 - 12:01

      Good coffee shouldn't need sugar, it should be naturally sweet. But the addition of milk should be more than enough sweetness.

  • lysp on 26/06/2020 - 12:39

    Double espresso is the way to go.

    During summer, I also make up some cold brew (course grind at room temperature for 15~ hours). This keeps in the fridge for a week or two. I normally drink it straight, but can dilute it a bit with water, ice or milk.

  • itstuan on 26/06/2020 - 12:46

    I use Nespresso, Espresso manual one, Italian kettle one, Nescafe Instant & the coffee bag at the same time. Guess I got a problem…

  • cimrak on 26/06/2020 - 14:12
    +1

    At work, I'll hit up the free machine provided by the office and get a latte. Its a massive Franke all-in-one unit that does coffee, matcha tea, hot choc etc. Has a built-in bean grinder and fridge.

    At home, I make myself a reverse flat-white (I'm sure its got a proper name);
    - 1x heaped teaspoon of Moccona no5 in a keep cup
    - Add milk until it just covers the head of the Spoon in the cup, and mix
    - Top up with hot water (I use a Breville kettle set to 90c)

  • annyfication on 26/06/2020 - 15:06

    Cold brew can be made in batches, and left in the fridge for a few days.
    "Hunt and Brew" has beautiful coffees bought from the fridge section of supermarkets.

  • markb28 on 26/06/2020 - 15:14

    I only really started getting into coffee when I moved to Australia. Apart from a handful of places, the coffee in London is crap and expensive (can be $7 in a decent place). I started with Bialetti stove tops, then Nespresso, then the Breville discussed here. Quite happy with the Breville and can pull off decent lattes/flat whites. I also did a Barista course which certainly helped with measuring the grind/milk stretching etc early on. I was fairly happy with the Nespresso machine and it was quick, but I wouldn't go back. I'll probably spend more on the next machine when the Breville conks out, probably one with a dual boiler and stronger steam wand. I always buy expensive beans from cafes where I like the coffee (Market Lane, Industry Beans,Padre, etc).

  • MJ90s on 26/06/2020 - 15:25
    +1

    Breville BES870 - quad shot cappuccino (Brazil Adalgisa Vilela beans from Manna or Road Rage from Parramatta Road's in Sydney Coffee & Cocoa store) with jersey milk (extra foamy). Thats my ideal coffee, when i feel like a milky one.

    Breville Youbrew - quality drip filter style coffee with Columbia Isnos from Manna, perfect for when im having an off-dairy kinda day.

    Hario V60 - pour over style coffee with same beans as the youbrew, this is when i have the time & the patience to enjoy a coffee ritual kinda day.

    Electric Moka Pot - if i want to feel like having a traditional european thick type coffee in the morning.

    French Press - for the days when im stuck at the wfh desk on meetings, its simple to just have pour a few cups while not leaving the desk.

    For those of you who settle for pods or instant, why? I just cant even imagine - life is to short to settle for inferior coffee.

    Yea - i love coffee.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/06/2020 - 17:50
    +2

    Moka Pot - $30
    Breville Smart Grinder - $200
    Any milk frother - $30
    500g fresh coffee beans once a month - $20

    That's my setup. My coffee order is a flat white with 1/2 sugar, same as yours basically.

    Moka coffee takes a biiiit of time to get used to but it's delicious when you figure it out, and quite simple really.

    Takes me literally five minutes to make good coffee and set up weetbix then I'm off.

    In my opinion, this is the best setup you can get before you go for home espresso machines (and not the cheap rubbish ones).

    Pods suck. Bad coffee, bad for the environment.

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