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How to make a good cup of coffee?

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K

KRS

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Folks,

I have been living in the US for the past 42 years, plus. I have never paid attention to my Coffee, after getting here, and over the years I have had instant coffee (Tasters' choice), drip coffee (Folgers), and now Keurig coffee pods (Timothys French for strong, Italian for medium, and Donut for mild).

But then I saw Sri Kunjuppu Ji's posting about making a mean coffee with a percolator! And I am intrigued. I WANT that coffee!

What percolator I should use? What coffee bean mixture I should use? Should I grind? How do I use what milk? (no fat, 1%, 2% or whole - heated or cold?)

How can I get a coffee that I used to have about 50 years ago?

Any suggestion would be welcome.

Regards,
KRS
 
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KRS said:
Folks,


What percolator I should use? What coffee bean mixture I should use? Should I grind? How do I use what milk? (no fat, 1%, 2% or whole - heated or cold?)

How can I get a coffee that I used to have about 50 years ago?

Any suggestion would be welcome.

Regards,
KRS
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I use a stainless-steel percolator (two compartments) that I bought in Chennai, and use roasted coffee beans which are fine-ground. Put the appropriate amount of coffee powder in the top compartment, add boiling water, and let stand for 10 minutes. Whole milk, heated, is what I personaly use, since I feel it gives the right taste of Madras coffee. These are personal preferences, but I get to drink a great tasting coffee.
 
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Of course, the coffee beans also make a difference. In Chennai, there are two varieties of coffee beans sold in shops - plantation A and plantation B. A type alone gives a very strong decoction, while B type gives a light decoction. And i combine them 1:1 for my taste. In the USA, you have to try it out through trial and error, since there are so many varieties of coffee beans.
 
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Coffee gourmet facts:

1. The blend used by restaurants known for their coffee is plantationA-peaberry, 50:50 with 10% chicory. (from a coffee roaster/grinder retailer).
2. There are other methods to make decoction in addition to the moka type (italian) percolator suggested by RRji.
3. Our traditional south indian coffee filter gives the best coffee as it is gentle. Many restaurants have this .
3. Apart from the quality of beans, roasting to correct brownness is important - otherwise rs 300 per kg and 1000 per kg will taste the same.
4. A burr grinder (plates with serrations) is better than a blade grinder (as it tears the beans). Temperature rise during grinding must be low , otherwise the oils in the beans will deteriorate and spoil the taste.
5. Hot water used must not boil, and must be heated to 80 deg celsius. Else the coffee will become bitter.
6. Coffee machines with 2.5 bar, 15 bar and 25 bar pressure are available for domestic and commercial use. Drip coffee makers are useless for our taste.
7. Coffee day outlets sell a small 2 cup moka machine for rs 200.
 
i have even better news to share.

we get now, narasu's coffee ground, in vacuum packed packages, same as in chennai, with expiry date etc.

for those who have not lived in madras, narasu's coffee is among the connoisseurs of yore. their shops appear seedy and rundown, compared to leo's coffee (run by christian nadars). but the purists loved the tambram owned narasus,

even though narasus has veered away from the straight and narrow path, and committed blasphemy - THERE IS ALSO NARASU'S INSTANT COFFEE :(.

to me that is an oxymoron

narasu's coffee every morning for breakfast - along with upma (ravai, wheat, avil or arisi), dosai, adai or rye toast. a fitting way to feel good both in mind and stomach every morning around 9 am :)
 
All,

Thanks a lot for your input. My wife is currently in India and I am asking her to bring me the proper percolator. (I just became a grand father the fourth time to a baby girl born last Sunday to our daughter who is in India).

I am hoping that Sri Kunjuppu ji will advise me on the coffee bean selection here - I have not found Narasu's coffee yet in Dallas!

I am bowled over be Sri Sarang's detailed tips about the grinder and the temperature os water - I will get and try these as well as as adhering to Naina Maribus Ji's comments about using whole milk.

Does anyone have any recommendation on the amount of coffee powder and water to make two full cups of coffee?

Regards,
KRS
 

From the thread Ideas . . . Ideas!

"Here is an idea to make quick 'degree coffee'! The filter papers used in coffee makers is needed for this.

To make two small cups of degree coffee: Place one filter paper in a cup and put two table spoons of coffee powder.

Pour 100 ml of boiling water. After one minute, gather the tip of the filter paper carefully; drain the decoction.

Add hot milk and sugar to taste. We can make cold coffee with cold milk too! :)"
IMG_3995.JPG


 

This post has no intention to scare K R S Sir! :D

In Boston, my son makes super degree coffee with his expresso coffee machine!
I was as scared as my D I L to operate it, though he convinced me that it is safe! :fear:

Here is the picture of the machine:

CAPSULE-COFFEE-MACHINE-NESPRESSO-espresso-Italian-wholesale-all-one-line-Italian-coffee-machine.jpg


Picture courtesy: Google images.
 
Dear Srimathi RR Ji,

I have a similar 15 bar semi automatic espresso machine also, and I enjoy my espresso now and then, with air heated milk. While good, it does not equate to the Tanjore Degree Coffee!

I think the secret is in the coffee powder and the filter. :)

Regards,
KRS
 
Raji Maam

Whenever we go back to Chennai, we buy "MURUGAN COFFEE" powder from one shop in the road leading to T Nagar Railway station from West Mambalam side; It gives a very good taste ( filter coffee)
Also there are many non branded Coffee powders like Janaki Coffee near Padma Sheshadri Bala Bhavan School, KK Nagar.

Anyway, once we come here to US, or go to UK, we depend upon only Nescafe Classico brand; our son uses a sort of filtered coffee using a bodum coffee grinder and filter.
He takes only black coffee.

Amazon.com: Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder, Black: Kitchen & Dining
 
Raji Madam

My brother's family never want to change from Janaki Coffee!! Probably these shops add lot of Chickory in their powder.
 
So, Sri PJ Ji, Srimathi RR Ji,

What are your recommendations - I have just arranged to get a filter and Narasu's coffee as recommended by Sri Kunjuppu from India - do I need to get Janaki coffee also?

Regards,
KRS
 
KRS said:
So, Sri PJ Ji, Srimathi RR Ji,

What are your recommendations - I have just arranged to get a filter and Narasu's coffee as recommended by Sri Kunjuppu from India - do I need to get Janaki coffee also?

Regards,
KRS
Click to expand...

KRS Sir

Any coffee powder from India will loss its flavor within 10-15 days; what will you do after that?
You must find a permanent solution from your place itself.
Moreover getting coffee powder from Chennai/ or any other place in India will be too costly!
 
Dear K R S Sir,

Janaki coffee is not sold in all the stores like Narasu's coffee.

It is our local store in West K K nagar, where they give the fresh ground coffee when we order! :)

The store is opposite to 'Amman kovil' in West K K nagar.
 
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