i've become really picky lately and only crave GOOD coffee. Any picks? I had some french press coffee at this little place in brooklyn and NOTHING compares anymore. But they're only open 8am to noon and are always packed.
Do they sell beans or ground coffee at the place you like? I started buying bags of fresh beans at a coffee shop by me that roasts their own. They have excellent coffee but are always packed, so buying some for the house definitely saves time.
My favorites is Batdorf and Bronson, followed closely by Tony's Sumatra Gayland blend. They are both smallish NW roasters tho. They are both nice and strong, without being bitter.
I'd find out what the coffee shop you like uses. They can probably either sell you some for home brewing or tell you what you like.
I always get Intelligensia beans. Some of my fav varieties of Intelligensia are La Perla de Oaxaca and Black Cat Blend. I think this is a Chicago company and I'm not sure if you can get it nationwide.
My most fave is Illy--the one with blue trim on the can, I think that is the "medium" grind. It's rich but really smooth. You can get it at a lot of places, Whole Foods is one. It's kind of expensive but worth it. My second favorite is Peet's Garuda Blend (do they have Peet's nationwide?).
bumblebee wrote: My most fave is Illy--the one with blue trim on the can, I think that is the "medium" grind. It's rich but really smooth. You can get it at a lot of places, Whole Foods is one. It's kind of expensive but worth it. My second favorite is Peet's Garuda Blend (do they have Peet's nationwide?).
I second this. My brother, a trained chef, recommended it. Apparently it's used in lots of really good restaurants. I get the red trim can, which are whole beans and grind them at home.
Just wanted to say that I think all coffee tastes better in a french press! I like starbucks' italian roast - and would like to try out some smaller local roasters as well.
bumblebee wrote: My most fave is Illy--the one with blue trim on the can, I think that is the "medium" grind. It's rich but really smooth. You can get it at a lot of places, Whole Foods is one. It's kind of expensive but worth it. My second favorite is Peet's Garuda Blend (do they have Peet's nationwide?).
I second this. My brother, a trained chef, recommended it. Apparently it's used in lots of really good restaurants. I get the red trim can, which are whole beans and grind them at home.
I love the illy whole beans made in a french press at home! I haven't found the whole beans since I've moved though. Everything will taste better pressed though- the natural oils from the beans dont get trapped in the filter so the coffee has more body.
is a french press expensive? The restaurant i went to has little individual ones for everyone that orders a coffee. If someone can post a link to one they like, that would be great!
nope- you can get a nice one for around $20 if you look around. I dont have any real reccomendations, but ones with a glass carafe are nicer and heat more evenly.
I just tuned into this thread. I am obsessed w/my french press. We even travel w/it so that we can have good coffee while we are on vacation. A friend of mine who is a roaster says that the key to good coffee is good beans that you grind yourself, use filtered water and then brew it in a french press.