Nice Coffee for my Cafetiere

[smurfchops]

I always seem to buy bitter coffee for my Cafetiere and I like a nice, soft coffee - almost like instant! What should I buy? Thanks everyone :)

[steve208]

I would go for the Cafe Direct filter coffee, i have tried the instant cafe direct stuff and tis one of the best...ok tis bit more expensive but worth it!

[Fitzer]

Don't buy filter coffee or you'll get a cup full of grounds, you need a medium grind for a cafetiere. Any medium roast Colombian or Kenyan should give you a non-bitter brew. Make sure that you aren't using boiling water or that will scald the coffee and make it bitter. If you boil the kettle, rinse the cafetiere with some boiling water to warm it and leave to stand for a minute, empty the cafetiere and add your coffee, add the water and then stand for 3 to 4 minutes (depends on the coffee and how you like it) and then press the plunger down and you should have a good cup of coffee. Also, always keep your coffee in the freezer as it will keep fresher longer.

[nickmo]

HI JW - Colombian is a mellow bean, try the 'Colombian Excelso', or also Jamaican Blue Mountain - known as a good mild flavour - one of the nicest you can get.

Online order site with some good info on flavours : http://www.realcoffee.co.uk/default.asp or these guys are fairtrade onl;y with cafetiere grind options for their beans.

[Goodsoulette]

oohh....my speciality. Bitter is related to acidity, you will find medium to high acidity in most latin american and most african coffees, this is due to the soil they are grown in. You actually need a very course grind for your french press and i would recommend an indonesain coffee which although can taste nice and rich will also be very smooth and earthy.

Invest in a burr grinder, one where you can adjust the setting to your requirements and so the blade isnt burning your beans making them bitter. A burr grinder is lots of balls bashing the coffee to the right grind. Never buy preground. Whole bean keeps for a month opened but sealed.,.

Starbucks... cant go wrong buying your beans there, I hate to say. Verona is delicious and smooth. You could also try a nice espresso bean in your cafetiere, you will be pleasantly surprised. If you really really like instant coffee though a guatemala antigua might be good.

Dont forget to cleanse your palate, eat the right food with the right coffee.

[Goodsoulette]

Also as for the freezer thing. Moisture is coffees worst enemy a good air tight container will suffice. If you want to keep a bag of preground coffee fresh then by all means freeze it, otherwise you will ruin it. In and out of a freezer, makes me shudder.

[heathfield]

A teensy pinch of salt added to the cup of coffee will help neutralise the bitterness. If you take milk with the coffee, scalding the milk will make the coffee taste sweeter, too. I hate bitter coffee, (like the stuff airlines serve up!), and tend to use Lyons Original (green pack) in my caf�tiere. Being a meanie, I stock up whenever my local Co-op has a two-for-one offer!

[Hermit]

My ex girlfriend worked for Whittard of Chelsea and they sell loads of different types as if it was some kind of religeon. If there's one near you, give them a try. The larger stores are really good at giving out tastings. Not sure why I'm giving them a plug tho -she did dump me afterall.

[smurfchops]

Thanks for all your help ! I will let you know what I decided.

[Fiver]

I always use a little shop in the town where I live a really lovely couple own it and they roast all their own coffee, I always buy their Brazilian Santos for my cafetiere - really smooth and it tastes just like it smells!! and I use their Platinum Blend for Espresso

Support your local independant traders, they are the key to urban survival

You can buy it on line at http://www.morethancoffee.co.uk

They do scrummy chocolates too!