Based in Manila, Philippines, Dessert Comes First is a chronicle of the food-obsessed food writer, Lori Baltazar. This website is all about desserts, restaurants, coffee, and the pleasures of homebaking. Read more about me My Coffee Odyssey (last of 2 Parts)
Tue, November6th of 2007
5:16 pm
My Coffee Odyssey Part 1
The book that changes my coffee life as I know it is The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Coffee and Tea. The title itself is quite anticlimactic, I know, and it certainly doesn’t suggest a capability of having great impact, but for me it does.
And that’s all it takes.
After reading the book, I gurgle like a newborn to anyone who will listen about the origins and production of coffee, how to brew coffee (and which methods are the best), as well as why the right (coffee) grind matters so much for each brewing method. My friends are amused, my sisters stare silently. During dinner one evening, as I’m bubbling on endlessly, my Bin grins and says, “My goodness, this has become quite a fascination! I might even learn to drink coffee because of you.” (He hasn’t. Yet.)
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my Krispy Kreme donut mug
At coffee shops, I scan the menus with new eyes and wonder if I have the guts to order a lungo, a long shot of espresso that produces two to three ounces per shot as opposed to a single shot which is 1.5 ounces of brew. I study the barista with a watchful eye as she/he prepares my drink. Over at the merchandise counter, I don’t just look at the cups and tumblers anymore, I also pay attention to the bags of whole beans in their snazzy packaging with romantic descriptions evoking liquid dreams from faraway lands.
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knowledge is coffee
Like a maniac lusting for knowledge, I scour my favorite bookshops looking for any books on coffee, and quickly add them to my ever-growing collection. I spend a lot of time reading and absorbing, highlighting pertinent passages and then rushing to the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee and drinking it while I peruse numerous coffee websites.
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which coffee maker shall I use today?
I surprise myself one day when, looking at my 11-year old French press, I decide that I want more than one coffee brewer. In just a few months I add one Italian stovetop espresso maker; one Mukka Express (which brews me a pretty decent cappuccino, surprisingly); and a defiantly simple drip filter with a gold mesh screen. My brewing choice comes down to how much time I’ve got as well as my mood for the day: care for something strong? creamy? Am I harried? or do I have all the time in the world? My French press continues to be near and dear to my heart, however. There’s nothing like the appealing directness of infusion, the way the ground coffee steeps in water, providing thicker body than other brewing methods, save for a real espresso machine. Along the way, I even pick up a fancy Aerolatte (see photo on this page) to froth milk with as well as some coffee stencils for when I’m feeling artsy.
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my Aerolatte
The more I read and the more I know, the more I’m convinced that I need to buy myself a coffee grinder. No longer content with my bags of coffee in various grinds, I have my heart set on grinding my own beans. I don’t just want any coffee grinder either – I want a burr grinder. Unlike their cheaper counterpart, the propeller grinder, a burr grinder’s notched metal discs revolve against each other shredding the beans and producing the same results every time. This relative precision and enormous gain in freshness has me delirious at the thought that this one machine can help me make coffee that borders on perfection.
But when it comes to coffee grinders, there isn’t much choice locally. It’s either the DeLonghi DCG59 Retro Burr Grinder, or for P500 more (total P4,550), there’s the Krups GVX1-14 Burr Grinder in Black, which I ultimately choose. I like that it’s got 17 positions of fineness (from fine to coarse) and its 12-cup quantity selector. The inner burr also detaches so I can clean it easily. And the smell! Ah, the smell of freshly ground beans! I feel (and smell) like a Starbucks has opened in my own home. Grinding my own beans makes brewing the satisfying ritual that it is, not to mention it’s the one best thing I’ve done to ensure better cups of coffee for myself. I just have to stop myself from buying every bag of beans I come across. I already have five bags and there’s no way I can finish those before they go stale.
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coffee beans I have (top-bottom, l-r): Italian espresso roast, Blue Mountain, Café de Manila Barako, Ethiopian Sidamo, 18 Days Philippine Arabica
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what I use to brew. The only thing that’s missing is my digital timer.
My at-home brewing shows me a few things:
- be careful about the freshness of my coffee beans…
- use the right grind and…
- carefully measure the ground coffee and water.
It’s the latter that gets my latent OC (obsessive-compulsive) tendencies acting up. The rule of thumb is 2 tablespoons per 6 ounces of water. I even calculate the precise amount of coffee I’ll need should I need to make 8, 10, and 12 ounces of coffee. At one point, so taken am I with accuracy that I’m weighing out 9 grams of ground coffee per 6 ounces of water, to account for the beans’ varying sizes and density. But I get my sanity back and have now reverted to using a standard coffee scoop.
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measuring out coffee beans
Still, I’m very exacting when it comes to making a cup of coffee: my measuring spoon and my digital timer are my new best friends. I also use hot water just off of the boil to preheat the cup I’m going to use, and if I’m going to use my French press, then I preheat the carafe as well.
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coffee from my stovetop espresso maker
In my effort to recreate the coffee shop experience at home, I’ve come to know this: it can never be recreated, and I shouldn’t expect to. Coffee shops have espresso machines for one, which exert the necessary nine bars of pressure (force of gravity) needed to create that thick, rich brew. My Mukka express and stovetop espresso maker brew at only one and a half to three bars. My at-home brewed cups of coffee come pretty darn close though, to coffee shop-perfect, and they’re served in beautiful mugs too! I’m long gone from the days when I used to dump and stir instant coffee into my cup: I don’t put as much milk in as I used to. I’m also down to just 1½ teaspoons of sugar in every cup (or 1 sugar cube) instead of 1 tablespoon.
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part of my sugar collection
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coffee cup, coffee plate, coffee mud pie
So have I become a coffee snob? Well, I’m seriously thinking about buying that 225-gram pack of Blue Mountain beans retailing at P2,000 and if I ever come across a bag of beans from La Minita in Costa Rica (deemed to be THE perfect cup of coffee), I sure as heck won’t hesitate to plop down serious money for it. Then again, I still like creamer in my coffee, and I’m not ashamed of it. And I wouldn’t think twice about drinking instant coffee if that’s all there was. The best coffee is the coffee one likes best, after all. Now that I think about it, you couldn’t call me a coffee snob. I only drink coffee once a day, and it’s a 6-ounce cup at that!
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ever noticed how a coffee cup handle looks like half of a heart?
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Must get that book.
Sugar collection? You’re wonderful, Lori! Just wonderful!
[Reply]
Comment by Dea — November 6, 2007 @ 5:52 pm
Hi, Lori. Just saw a 250g can of Blue Mountain in Rustan’s Houseware Section (where the espresso makers and coffeemakers are) and it’s retailing at P3000!
[Reply]
Comment by socky — November 6, 2007 @ 6:41 pm
Now i can really say, you really put your heart and soul into anything you do.. how i wish i also have the means to purchase a grinder and an espresso machine (even the smallest available!!!) to produce my own cup of coffee everyday.. i also enjoy coffee from specialty shops, made from the instant coffee available in groceries and even those you can buy in 3-in-1 packs.. i am a self-confessed coffee addict and i plead the 5th for my hubby’s addiction as well into drinking coffee which he only used to have every morning before he knew me.. haay.. coffee.. coffee.. soooo good!
[Reply]
Comment by kaye — November 6, 2007 @ 10:40 pm
I thoroughly enjoyed this post, Lori! I especially liked the last line about the shape of a coffee cup handle. Only you could turn an essay about bitter coffee sound like one about sweet desserts.
Your dedication to learning more about coffee is admirable — kinareer mo talaga!
But I can’t blame you. Few things smell better than coffee grinding or brewing. Have you tried Alamid coffee yet? The aroma and flavor are truly heady!
[Reply]
Comment by Katrina — November 7, 2007 @ 1:28 pm
i can sort of relate to your obsession with coffee as my hubby is also one himself. whenever we go to the bookstore, the first thing he looks for are the books on coffee. at home, he also has a grinder & carefully measures the water & coffee. his day certainly isn’t complete if he hasn’t had his cups of coffee.
btw lori, am amazed with your sugar collection. where can we get that stuff?
[Reply]
Comment by math — November 7, 2007 @ 1:55 pm
Your coffee posts warms the heart! Keep up the great food blog. You’re the best.
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Comment by christy — November 7, 2007 @ 3:02 pm
Its nice to see you have started to fall in love with coffee! If you loved your book, may I recommend another coffee book for you–coming from the founder of starbucks to be exact. Its entitled “Pour your heart into it” by Howard Schultz and Dori Jones Yang. I’ve lent it to more than 8 people already and they all loved it.
While you’re at it, maybe you’d like to try the short 2% latte of starbucks (as is, with no sugar), or the espresso ice shaken (2 shots of espresso with full cream milk, shaken, not stirred). Tell me what you think after you’ve given them a try.
BTW, say hello to Bindoy for me. I’m pretty sure he remembers me back in my unilever days.
[Reply]
Comment by Gary Q. — November 9, 2007 @ 1:13 am
Hey there Lorie,
Its nice to see you have started to fall in love with coffee! If you loved your book, may I recommend another coffee book for you–coming from the founder of starbucks to be exact. Its entitled “Pour your heart into it” by Howard Schultz and Dori Jones Yang. I’ve lent it to more than 8 people already and they all loved it. In my opinion, its one of the best business stories I’ve read.
While you’re at it, maybe you’d like to try the short 2% latte of starbucks (as is, with no sugar), or the espresso ice shaken (2 shots of espresso with full cream milk, shaken, not stirred). Tell me what you think after you’ve given them a try.
BTW, say hello to Bindoy for me. I’m pretty sure he remembers me back in my unilever days.
[Reply]
Comment by Gary Q. — November 9, 2007 @ 1:17 am
So that’s what it’s called – aerolatte! I picked exact same thing at Ikea minus the branding for P150! Cool gadget! I’m not a coffee drinker but a tea latte addict… I get to enjoy cheap but great tea latte wannabes at home and the office with my aerolatte!
[Reply]
Comment by Gigi — November 9, 2007 @ 6:31 pm
I am the only one who would take coffee, so I bought myself a French press long time ago. Am so tamad to clean it after, so I end up just having 1 cup. But its just as simple as wishy washy under the tap, right?
After I read this….I had to look for my press. Take out fresh gound beans…and enjoyed a good cup.
I take anything, 3in1, decaf 3in1…but after reading this post, I get that snobbish again and wanted good beans
[Reply]
Comment by solraya — November 9, 2007 @ 7:26 pm
Hi Lori!
I’ve got those frothing gadgets and it’s handy. Take it anywhere and you can use it whenever you need to whip up a latte quickly.
How about doing a review of coffee from various regions in the country? I know I always bring back to the U.S. a couple of bags for Monks Blend. My friends love it.
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Comment by Gaio G. — November 9, 2007 @ 10:31 pm
I don’t know much about the subtleties of coffee but your beautiful pictures and post definitely piqued my interest.
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Comment by Ruy — November 11, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
for me, the three C’s in my life are chocolte, cheesecake and of course, coffee. i am a coffee addict as well and i have been searching for “coffee books”….are these available in our local bookstores?
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Comment by Chie — November 12, 2007 @ 3:49 pm
My new coffee addiction = Dunkin Donuts coffee! =)
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Comment by wysgal — November 13, 2007 @ 1:15 pm
Hi there…love your site! I’m quite firmly addicted to coffee, and have just posted an Espresso cake on my blog! Tripped onto yr page off Jeanna’s. Love the ‘Coffee Odyssey’. Have a nice day!
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Comment by Passionate Baker — November 17, 2007 @ 9:57 am
hi yah, there, may i say, first off, i’m a biog fan, ms. lori?
I myself is a coffee enthusiast (it sounds better than addict, but addict’s the real thing. hehe) but as a student, i cannot afford to buy the appropriate equipment to brew the right cup, but also as a student I am also enhancing my knowledge (I am reading articles about coffee more frequently than I read my text book, haha) on coffee, and also a big Starbucks lover. I have tried almost all their concoctions except the triple shot which I always dare my friends to try it with me, hekhek..
your site rules, ms. lori and i will stay a big fan always, ciao and God bless!
[Reply]
Comment by jonver — November 22, 2007 @ 4:46 pm
I roast small batches at home and order green beans form Sweet Maria’s, a US importer of the world’s best lots. Tried La Minita and other Central Americans. As a Tarrazu it was coffee similar to other Central Americans, in the middle of the spectrum so nothing really jumps out at you. Smooth and a tad on the bright side. I liked Guatemala Huehuetenango better as it had lemony/mango notes. Also Mexican Oaxaca for more pronounced chocolate and nuttiness.
My faves are Ethiopians though: Sidamo, Harrar (blueberries!)and Yirgacheffe, though past Yirg crops have been lacking the delightful citrus notes. Also Yemen Mattari roasted dark, as a machiatto or strong cappuccino; it’s such a rich, deep chocolate you’d swear it was cacao rather than coffee!
I pull shots with a PID’d Silvia (setting brew temps to a tenth of a degree), so am on the far edge of coffee geekdom.
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Comment by Roel Tan Torres — September 12, 2008 @ 9:37 am
I’m not surprised if you will or already have a coffee shop. Such technical skills make the most credible and reliable business owners.
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Comment by kapebarako — September 13, 2008 @ 2:59 pm
La Minita Tarrazu. I have them. I roast them. And more. Yirgacheffe, Harrar, Sidamo. Kona, JBM, La Esmeralda Gesha! All the good stuff! I thought I was the only one bitten by the madness. It is nice to know that I am not alone! Wow!
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Comment by Dante — September 29, 2008 @ 3:20 pm
IMHO, the first steps to coffee nirvana is getting specialty grade green coffee beans (something like the top 5% of the world’s coffee harvest), then roasting them at home. Unless there’s a micro-roaster in the neighborhood who’s honest enough to declare his beans’ origins, and put roast dates on his packaging. You can have the simplest brewing equipment, but your coffee would be better than those brewed in thousand-dollar equipment using stale coffee. My favs are Yemens and Ethiopians.
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Comment by Bobby T. — April 4, 2009 @ 6:55 pm
bo’s coffee once carry the famous coffee alamid. have you tried it? they ran out of stock for the meantime. but do try it once its back in their counters. nothing like it i swear.
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Comment by kim — December 1, 2009 @ 12:18 pm