How do I use actual, proper grown up coffee?

[MumOfGorgeousness]

There's been talk on here about instant vs machines vs filter coffee.

I buy good instant and use a tassimo when I want a treat.

How would I use beans and what do I need? Is that the percolator thing? I've used those at friends houses but never know when to plunge! Also what beans are recommended? Someone I know used to put instant in a percolator is that normal?

I don't want to spend a fortune on fancy gadgets, just a bag of beans and whatever it is I need to brew them!

Can anyone help?

[Gunpowder]

I'd buy a bag of ground filter coffee. After you open it, put a clip on it and stick it in the fridge or freezer.

You need a cafetière. Put one desert spoon coffee per cup required in and then fill up with boiling water. I usually give ita gentle stir. Pop the lid on and leave the coffee to brew for 3 or 4 mins. Plunge. Pour into cups and feel sophisticated.

[Gunpowder]

You can grind your own beans, but it's a big faff.

[MaisieDotes]

The plunge thing is a cafetière, a percolator is a different thing. A cafetière is fine though.

Just to add to what gunpowder said, one desert spoon does make a cup so if you're more of a mug drinker (like me) it's more like two spoons per cup/ mug.

[Cooroo]

Percolator doesn't have a plunger - that's a cafetière. Cafetière is an easy option you don't have to get into grinding and faffing.

[Optimist1]

Gunpowder is on my wavelength! I do exactly the same, and I warm the milk in the microwave whilst the cafetiere is brewing (1min for half a mug of milk, 1.5min for two half mugs).

[MumOfGorgeousness]

Fabulous! Thank you for not laughing! I can get those in the week, then I can tick it off my 'being a grown-up' list.

Any recommendations for the coffee type? I usually buy douge egberts (sorry I know the spelling is bad) (mostly for the jars!), millicano or the Nescafé really fine stuff at a push.

[MrsBertMacklin]

Don't use boiling water, it's over extracts the grounds and makes for a bitter taste. Bring the water to the boil, but only pour it onto the grounds when the water in the kettle is completely still .

[FreeWorker1]

Buy a good ground coffee in tins such as Lavazza to save the faff of grinding and use a Bialetti stove top coffee maker. Two dessert spoons of powder per mug.

Otherwise Nespresso pods for convenience but high cost

[MumOfGorgeousness]

Thanks! Freeworker we already have a tassimo so I won't buy another machine.
The tin of coffee sounds good.

[VulcanWoman]

When I used to have coffee in the cafetiere, I used to put the hot water in the cup as well to warm it through while the coffee was brewing, because by the time I added milk it wasn't hot enough for me.

[FreeWorker1]

Just a word about keeping ground coffee in a fridge. I understand why people do that to keep it fresh but it makes it very cold so the water cools too much when it hits the ground coffee - unless you take it out and leave it to warm up or use absolutely boiling water.

I find if you buy ground coffee in a tin and use it relatively quickly it wont lose too much flavour.

[Ughnotagain]

I like Taylor's of Harrogate coffee.

Cafetière is good, stovetop pots (like Bialetti) also good, though a different tasting coffee. I always drink mine black if making it with either of those methods.

[putthePuffindown]

I'll second Taylors, delicious stuff (even the decaff is palatable) and keep an eye out in Morrisons as they regularly have it on a special

[MumOfGorgeousness]

Maybe these two then? I drink it black.

[putthePuffindown]

They look good . Experiment with strength (as someone said up thread it's 1 dessert spoon per cup, so if you like a mug then use more!). I also like mine black and we use 3 dessertspoons to 2 mugs.

[Minimonkeysmum]

Taylor's is lovely - great to buy on special offer (which it often is in most supermarkets). Lazy Sunday one is a favourite in our house!

[e1y1]

I have an electric perculator which is great., but maily use the Caffitiere as easier. Grinding own beans is fine if you have a nutri or magic bullet.

Yes yes to Taylors of Harrogate Coffee is lovely.

☕

[CottonSock]

Dh loves his drip coffee thing I got him which you place over a mug. I almost got an expensive machine but this makes good coffee with a paper filter so easier to clean than caffetiere.

I got home coffee I found with good reviews called mule or something and he seems happy

[CottonSock]

Clever Coffee Dripper www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00EOM5RN0/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_Oj2uwbYX3809JJ?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Oh and buy ground beans, domestic machines don't do a good enough job.

I hate coffee myself but researched extensively!

[ProfYaffle]

I drink my coffee black and have recently acquired a stove top coffee percolator - it's fab, wish I'd done it years ago! I like the fact that I don't have to buy pods etc, just straight forward coffee grounds. It's really simple to use, takes about 10 mins to make 3 cups of espresso. I pour one cup's worth into a mug then top up with boiling water to make an Americano.

[specialsubject]

grinding your own beans takes a whole 30 seconds, it is the sound of morning in this house. The grinder is an old Moulinex, they make 'em to last.

you also need a kettle and a cafetiere, the later cost about £6 from a supermarket. Boil kettle, grind beans, pour ground beans into cafetiere. Add boiled water. Wait a bit and then push filter thing down carefully. Pour and drink.

Mr Tesco's basic beans are deemed the best, special offer £2.20 sometimes. Bag lasts about 10 days at one, occasionally two brews a day.

if you have a septic tank don't put coffee grounds down the sink. They compost well.

[Vinorosso74]

M&S Christmas coffee is very nice! Also like the Sainsbury's Taste the Difference ones.