Favorite coffee

Just wondering what people's favorite coffee is. I have this discussion all the time with people. Personally, being a full blown cajun, I'm partial to Seaport Dark Roast made by the Tex Joy Company in Beaumont, TX. Another that is just as good is Mello Joy Dark Roast out of Lafayette, LA. However, as its name says, it is a little "mellower" than Seaport. What are your favorites?

We trek to a German deli in Randallstown for a German coffee brand, Jacobs Kronung. It is SO smooth. We also try to keep some 100% Kona on hand, which we usually get at the Whole Foods Market.

My choice for coffee is definately "Mello Joy" dark roast. The only place I can get it is in Lafayette, LA. I buy it and have it shipped to Tennessee.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Sundancer:

If you like Mello Joy, you need to try some Seaport Dark Roast. You can order it through their website www.texjoy.com.

Whatever coffee shop roasts their own. Old City in Philadelphia, Uncommon Grounds in Saratoga Springs come to mind.

I know I am supposed to put something exotic, but my everyday brew (and I drink it by the gallon) is Community Dark Roast. No chicory. If I want boiled acorns I will go to a civil war reenactment. Chicory is good in salads...bad in Coffee

Watch out for that Kona coast coffee - an awful lot of it is fake and sold at an exorbitant price. An article in The times a year or so ago said that the total production of Kona is about 1/3 of the coffee beans shipped from there each year. It seems that beans are imported to Hawaii , packaged and sold as Kona, and that this amounts to about 2/3 of the total sold. Real Kona is great cofee, and if you have a legitimate roaster you are buying from you should be pretty sure you are getting the real thing.

We get good freshly roasted beans at the Hudson Valley Coffee Roaster in Newburgh, NY. He offers about a dozen coffees: some are single estates, some blends. After trying just about everything he has to offer I have settled back where I was when I first started buying from him - Columbian supreme, and sometimes a Guatamalan he offers.
BTW he refuses to handle Kona because of what I described above.

Anything from La Colombe. They're headquartered in Phila., but also available in NYC.

Any coffee as long as it is strong and black and has caffeine !!

I hate flavored coffees and can't stand cream and sugar !!

I do like fresh roasted coffee and especially the strong beans (eg Kenya, Jamaican Blue, Sumatra) .... but I will take anything I can get !!!

Pete's!

Four Seasons and Peaberry had the best, but I'm partial to Seattle's Best since it's more readily available. I love a really well made cafe au lait.

As black and as full flavored as possible. I am partial to Starbuck's French Roast and Allegro House Blend.

I am still partial to Louisiana's oldest and favorite "Mello Joy". I also like it with a creamer instead of creame.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

aggie1995-

A topic after my own heart!
With all of these positive reviews of Mello Joy, I may have to seek this one out.
I have to agree with scbuzz and mousec as far as coffe tastes go. We have a local roaster, Alterra who have great Traditional Dry Brazilian, Kona(very pricey!), and Etiopian Harar. Whenever
out of town, I have to opt for whole bean Starbucks you can buy at the supermarket(I carry a little grinder).
Just some tips for the home brewing Folger's/Maxwell house crowd:

1. Buy quality whole bean and grind yourself.(Even Eight O'clock whole bean licks the dried out pre-ground major brands).

2. If available, find a local roaster who offers a variety of types, and pick your favorites.(Almost all will fresh grind the bean for you if needed.)

3. Since most of us do not have the same equipment at our ready as the coffee houses, here is my favorite little tip: wet down your paper filter before adding the ground coffee. You will end up with a much fuller flavor!

Great topic. More posts please!

BTW- Mayhaw Man: that comment made me laugh so hard, I would have blown the coffee out my nose if I were drinking it!

quote:

Originally posted by EliseT

Pete's!

yeah----the Majors Blend!!!!!----and Thanksgiving Coffee Co out of Mendecino Ca is excellent! Shade grown-fair trade-organic and GOOD too!!

Isn't that Peet's??

quote:

Originally posted by EliseT

Pete's!

scbuzz, in his post above, has the answer for me! No way could I say it better.

I circumnavigated the big island and spent some quality time in Kona on the west side. They sell a lot of coffee from that region although I am not sure where they grow it. I stopped at one neat place high on the hill overlooking the Pacific that grew their own coffee. They indicated they had about 200 acres. Coffee was excellent.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Various Sumatran blends, I am told, are supposed to be excellent.

Living on the East Coast, i have grown fond off Ice Coffee.
I treat myself to a Dunkin Donuts large Ice Coffee each afternoon if possible.
After at least 10 different trips into Montreal, including last week, and close to 200 Dunkin Donuts franchisees, I still can not explain the concept of Ice Coffee to the Quebecois.
Cafe' icee in French translates into coffee ice cream- see my difficulty?
Anyways, some personal favorites are:
Green Mountain roasters--The Harvard blend-mellow-made for the Harvard Club in NYC
Dean's Beans--Marakesh Express (dark, french roast style)-often found at Bread and Circus or Whole Foods stores.
Trader Joe's Bay Area Blend
Trader Joe's Costa Rican La Minita Tarrazu
Eight O'Clock Columbian ( I remember the old A&P Supermarket chain, this was their staple)
Also with the opening of new Vietnamese and Thai restaurants, their versions of ice coffee-french roast with sweetened condensed milk, are making more appearances.
DaveM

My favorite coffee is regular (not decaf) served at the counter of a diner 24 hours a day. Its companion might be a breakfast special, the lunch special, a blue plate special, or a slice of the house specialty pie.

Dave M: that's cafe glace'. but it still wont get you any iced coffee in all of Quebec province.

Best coffee in the world: Brazil. Period.

I was on a birding trip in Costa Rica and the country is covered with coffee. In fact the Marriott facility I stayed at initially in San Jose was a converted and working coffee plantation.

The climate in Costa Rica is particularly mild which is unusual since it is so close to the equator. They call Costa Rica the land of eternal spring. It gets down in the low 70's every evening and the low 80's during the day. Grows a great mild coffee in the volcanic soil. In fact the volcanos are still active in the region. I did my birding in the northern part of Costa Rica in the mountains close to Nicarauga and we heard the volcanos thumping almost constantly.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Sundancer,

As a frequent visitor to Costa Rica (bass fishing at Arenal and beaches at Quepos/Manuel Antonio seem to be our rut) I too have seen coffee growing in every kind of place (including what looks to be backyards by the airport in San Jose), but I have always found the coffee served to be unremarkable, kind of thin, like "hardware store" coffee.
I would be interested to know your thoughts on this. Is it just me?

On the other hand, one of the reasons I keep going back is that you can't get that delicious elixir "Salsa Lizano" in the US. Have you ever had it. Thick like Pickapeppa, but much more flavorful. Tamarinds and hot peppers for the base (I think). It is great on everything. Buy it by the case.

Coffee People's Black Tiger. Caffine and more caffine.

My everday coffee is Dunkin Donuts, black no sugar. The taste is rich and mellow, and beats most other take-out coffee places in NJ.

I'm with Mayhaw Man. I stock up on Community Coffee any time I get within Baton Rouge's distribution range.
Community had a little Starbuck's imitator chain around Dallas last year called "CC's". Has anyone else seen them around? are they making any headway?

You're not imagining things; the best coffee in Central and South America is all exported. Colombians are wacky for Nescafe. Sad, really.

I drink Illy, from Trieste, Italy. It's deep, rich, flavorful, the ground version is as good as the whole beans thanks to the nitrogen packing system, and the body is to die for. I've been known to start and end my day with two triple espresso, one cup, black. God, it's divine.

Eric

Man, there's some great info here. Making notes as fast as I can...

Another one I found a year or so ago is Arbuckle's Ariosa. It's supposed to be the "original cowboy coffee". A little pricy, so I've only ordered it a few times. It's good stuff, though, plus you also get a free peppermint stick! (Said to have been the "bribe" that chuck wagon cooks used to get one of the cowpokes to grind the coffee for them.)

https://id262.securedata.net/arbucklecoffee/index.sphp?

Pretty sad to say, but without a large Starbuck's I can't function. Nothing has the kick. Don't even like the taste. It's all about caffeine intake. When driving, I need to know where the local Starbuck's is. I was deprived of strong coffee in Ft. Worth. When I saw a Starbuck's outside Waco, I was fixated like a junkie. As much as I hate their guts, I've become their little robot.

quote:

Originally posted by VibrationGuy

You're not imagining things; the best coffee in Central and South America is all exported. Colombians are wacky for Nescafe. Sad, really.

Eric

Same is true of Jamaicans---lived there a for a while and LOVE the coffee--Blue Mt is truly world class but even the coffee grown at sea level in a friends yard--which his mother would pan poast and then pound into powder with a mortar and pestle--was great---but if you ask anyone for coffee--resteaunt or home--it was almost always Nescafe out of a jar.

Mexico too, go to a cafe, whether it be small or really ritzy, and more than likely you will get some hot water with the jar of Nescafe on a doily. Unless you ask for an espresso or cappucino.

Hillbilly,

There are quite a few CC's, but I think mostly in NO metro area. There was one in Mobile (in Springhill to be more accurate), but it went under after about a year..The CC's in the quarter (on Royal) is my coffee shop of choice in NO. It is right down the street from our apt. and is the coffee has lots of character(as do the patrons which is probably why I like it so much).

WaWa...a 20 ounce cup, every morning.

Vibration Guy-- Question for ya. Illy coffee, I assume that is for use ONLY in making espresso, right? Or can one make 'regular' coffee out of it too (a la a French Press or auto-drip coffee maker, etc)?

I am a big fan of Cafe Caracolillo, made here in Tampa especially for us hardcore espresso nuts. And only $2 and change for a bag!

http://www.cubanfoodguy.com/caracolillo.htm

(I also adore Eight O'Clock's dark roasts)

quote:

Originally posted by rok

Vibration Guy-- Question for ya. Illy coffee, I assume that is for use ONLY in making espresso, right? Or can one make 'regular' coffee out of it too (a la a French Press or auto-drip coffee maker, etc)?

I don't drink drip (not enough flavor for me - I crave big flavors when I want coffee), but guests I've served Illy drip swear it's excellent - I've used both my Krups drip machine and a french press.

Eric

The type of Coffee that i've been drinking for years has Big Flavor, Strength, Character and when purchased at Oriental/Asian Markets a reasonable price. I've always drunk a very strong, French Roast, or Cuban Midnight Roast Coffee, prepared in a Melitta Filter # 6 drip, filled with about 12 Oz of medium/fine Grounds to make a Carafe. When I use a Expresso Maker I generally try 6 Shots to get the oommmph. Years ago I started to enjoy Vietmanesse Drip Iced Coffee at the various Pho Restaurants, even though it was sweet, it tasted pretty good. Most people aren't aware of the fact that during the last few years "Vietnam", has become the worlds second largest coffee producer/grower. But even more important to me was learning that the better Vietnan Places, use and prefer: New Orleans "Cafe Du Monde" Coffee and Chicory in the 15 OZ. Tin I've been using this HAPPILY for the last few years. It's made my way, Strong and Big plus it sell's for only $3.21 per tin at Lum's Seafood Market in Seattle. This is in my case considerable savings, plus it sure does the job. I'm working at getting a local place for "Beignet"s

quote:

Originally posted by VibrationGuy


I don't drink drip

I however, proudly drip my drink.....on the counter, the floor, my shirt, etc., etc., etc...

quote:

Originally posted by jmckee

quote:

Originally posted by VibrationGuy


I don't drink drip

I however, proudly drip my drink.....on the counter, the floor, my shirt, etc., etc., etc...

You've got a moustache too,huh!?

I just got back from a trip to Nova Scotia, PEI and New Brunswick. I have definately developed a taste for Tim Horton's coffee. Their doughnuts ain so hot, but their coffee is wonderful. Not bitter and very nutty.

The chain covers the Maitime Providences like the dew. It seems like there is one on every block. They are neat, clean and very quick. They also do breakfast sandwiches which I never tried. I did the honey cruellers. They were fair.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

quote:

Originally posted by tiki

quote:

Originally posted by jmckee

quote:

Originally posted by VibrationGuy


I don't drink drip

I however, proudly drip my drink.....on the counter, the floor, my shirt, etc., etc., etc...

You've got a moustache too,huh!?

And a beard.

And virtually no hand/eye coordination.

quote:

Originally posted by jmckee

quote:

Originally posted by tiki

quote:

Originally posted by jmckee

quote:

Originally posted by VibrationGuy


I don't drink drip

I however, proudly drip my drink.....on the counter, the floor, my shirt, etc., etc., etc...

You've got a moustache too,huh!?

And a beard.

And virtually no hand/eye coordination.

Me too Hey--none of these smile emoticons have facial hair!!!!I protest!

quote:

Originally posted by tiki

quote:

Originally posted by jmckee

quote:

Originally posted by tiki

quote:

Originally posted by jmckee

quote:

Originally posted by VibrationGuy


I don't drink drip

I however, proudly drip my drink.....on the counter, the floor, my shirt, etc., etc., etc...

You've got a moustache too,huh!?

And a beard.

And virtually no hand/eye coordination.

Me too Hey--none of these smile emoticons have facial hair!!!!I protest!

We, the hirsute, shall arise in righteous indignation.....!

I guess that my taste in coffee is very ordinary.........I buy Dunkin' Donuts coffee and store it in the freezer.......find it to be very mellow and smooth. I cannot stand Starbucks over roasted burnt tasting stuff........yuck!

My favorite coffee shop is the Lost Dog in Shepardtown West Va , They are VERY picky about the coffes they use , Small specailty batchs ,
All of there coffees are available in press pots/ french press , to my mind the prefered brewing method as there are no paper filters to absorbe any of the vital oils
They have a wild grown organic Yemen that is well worth the trip,
For iced coffee,I use a Coffee Tody maker , Its a cold process, That makes a concentrated syrup ,
As there is no heat it makes a completely differnt cup,
No acidicness or bitterness as well as higher caffine,
I belive the chain of "Seattles Best " use it for some of there drinks
It makes a very unique coffee experince

quote:

Originally posted by tiki

quote:

Originally posted by VibrationGuy

You're not imagining things; the best coffee in Central and South America is all exported. Colombians are wacky for Nescafe. Sad, really.

Eric

Same is true of Jamaicans---lived there a for a while and LOVE the coffee--Blue Mt is truly world class but even the coffee grown at sea level in a friends yard--which his mother would pan poast and then pound into powder with a mortar and pestle--was great---but if you ask anyone for coffee--resteaunt or home--it was almost always Nescafe out of a jar.

The Jamaicans turned me on to putting sweetened condensed milk in my coffee...mmmmmm

Has anyone had Vietnamese Coffee,
Usally an espresso drip done at the table , Over sweetened condensed milk , Served hot or cold

quote:

Originally posted by EliseT

quote:

Originally posted by tiki

quote:

Originally posted by VibrationGuy

You're not imagining things; the best coffee in Central and South America is all exported. Colombians are wacky for Nescafe. Sad, really.

Eric

Same is true of Jamaicans---lived there a for a while and LOVE the coffee--Blue Mt is truly world class but even the coffee grown at sea level in a friends yard--which his mother would pan poast and then pound into powder with a mortar and pestle--was great---but if you ask anyone for coffee--resteaunt or home--it was almost always Nescafe out of a jar.

The Jamaicans turned me on to putting sweetened condensed milk in my coffee...mmmmmm

They put that in everything!!! On a particulary warm and humid summer day a Jamaican friend handed me a tall glass of an iced tan liquid---i took one sip and was amazed--it was great--so i asked him what it was. "Dragon Milk" he replied----Dragon Stout and sweetened condenced milk---it was great!! Can't find dragon Stout here in the states--that i know of anyway--but it works just as well with Guiness!

dragon stout
wow
i have not seen it in years
wonderful stuff
there is no comparing it to guinness tho
the dragon is a milk stout/more like a mackeson's
but not quite
where can one find dragon stout?
i miss it

quote:

Originally posted by paul and louise

dragon stout
wow
i have not seen it in years
wonderful stuff
there is no comparing it to guinness tho
the dragon is a milk stout/more like a mackeson's
but not quite
where can one find dragon stout?
i miss it

Igot it in Jamaica and unfortunately have never seen it here--but there a a coupke of great stouts available that make killer "Dragonsmilk"--if you van call that without Dragon stout---Sierra Nevada make a grat one but i think the distribution is pretty limited---if you do find Dragon---lets me know!!

To the Dunkin Donuts fans, I can only say try the coffee at Krispy Kreme it beats the pants off DD.

J&S Bean Factory in Saint Paul, Minnesota. They roast it right there like many other places, but, they have a brew bar. Ask Steve, the owner, (when he's there after 10:00am) what's fresh? he'll take what he roasted only a few hours ago, take only enough for a cup, grind it right then and there, put a filter paper into a cone filter and pour the hot water over it. It does not get any fresher than that folks. My favorites are: Yemen Mocha, Aged Sumatra, Italian roast Costa rican and kenya AA. Fresher is better.

I have wondered why I always see so many people loading up their baskets with Nescafe til the shelves are empty at a market I frequent that carries hispanic foods.

I used to work with a nurse on night shifts who was born and raised in Jennings,LA. If we were having a really bad night in the ICU, she would take her private stash out of her locker and make us a pot of some kind of heavenly coffee-chicory blend. She was always very secretive about it, so we never pushed in hopes of getting more.

I like Seaport and Community.

quote:

Originally posted by Argent

Has anyone had Vietnamese Coffee,
Usally an espresso drip done at the table , Over sweetened condensed milk , Served hot or cold

I've always had Vietnamese coffee served over ice. It tastes like a "Slowpoke" (a lollipop made out of caramel) to me.

For my "everyday" coffee, I like European coffee. My favorite is a Viennese coffee that I either brew in my press or in my electric drip.

quote:

Originally posted by VibrationGuy

quote:

Originally posted by rok

Vibration Guy-- Question for ya. Illy coffee, I assume that is for use ONLY in making espresso, right? Or can one make 'regular' coffee out of it too (a la a French Press or auto-drip coffee maker, etc)?

I don't drink drip (not enough flavor for me - I crave big flavors when I want coffee), but guests I've served Illy drip swear it's excellent - I've used both my Krups drip machine and a french press.

Eric

quote:

Originally posted by rok

Vibration Guy-- Question for ya. Illy coffee, I assume that is for use ONLY in making espresso, right? Or can one make 'regular' coffee out of it too (a la a French Press or auto-drip coffee maker, etc)?

I'm not Vibration guy, but if you want another 2-cents worth of opinion, I'll tell you that illy is ground as an espresso, but can be used in a paper lined drip cone or a press pot. Use a lot of coffee for that rich deep flavor, but too much will make it bitter, be careful.

This is a very informative thread. My favorites have always been Dunkin Donuts (no Krispy Kreme near here, alas), Fairway, and Orleans Coffee Company (bought some Costa Rican Doka Supreme while in N.O. 7 years ago, now buy from their website). But I am a sucker for Thai and Vietnamese sweet iced coffees.

quote:

Originally posted by Lone Star

I have wondered why I always see so many people loading up their baskets with Nescafe til the shelves are empty at a market I frequent that carries hispanic foods.

I used to work with a nurse on night shifts who was born and raised in Jennings,LA. If we were having a really bad night in the ICU, she would take her private stash out of her locker and make us a pot of some kind of heavenly coffee-chicory blend. She was always very secretive about it, so we never pushed in hopes of getting more.

I like Seaport and Community.

Lonestar,

If she was from Jennings, it may well have been Mello Joy. A coffee that is not only good, but one that has become mythical thanks to the fact that it is hard to get outside of Lafayette. Sort of like when Coors was only in 5 states, but on a smaller scale