Solid Coffee

[starone]

I drink tea but keep a small jar of coffee for visitors who prefer it. The last half of the coffee goes solid. I have managed to get it out of the jar but do not know if it is usable or not as I do not drink it myself. So all you clever people out there, how do I prevent it from going solid and also can I put the jar in the microwave to dry it thoroughly for reuse?

[237SJ]

I do the same thing - I keep a jar for a friend who comes up every December. I don't have too much of a problem with it - it tends to be when the jar has about 1/4 of coffee left. An easy solution would be to buy those little boxes of individual coffee sachets you can buy in the supermarket and then they will stay fresh.

[Old_Geezer]

I find it useable. Just got damp from the air, hasn't it ?
Doubt a microwave would help, it's already fairly dry and stuck as a lump.
Could try to find somewhere airtight / without air in it, before it clumps.

[Old_Geezer]

Or use it up faster.

[rowanwitch]

It s stale, throw it away. Best to buy the sachets or plastic single use cups.

[jennyjoan]

that's happened to me but there has just been a little solidified so only for me - I put boiling water into the jar and make myself another coffee.

Best would be the little tiny sachets or as I call it "the old lady syndrome" - when you are next out dining. Steal all the sachets of coffee, sugar, salt, vinegar. Not for me.

[diddlydo]

Buy some real coffee as opposed to instant and make it fresh for visitors in a cafetiere. Forget the horrid instant stuff.

[Souldarkness]

That's even less cost effective, ground coffee is only good for about 10 days once opened, a month in the freezer. Beans a month open three months frozen and then you need a grinder. Saying that a pack of ground coffee from Aldi or lidl still costs less than one cup in a Costa or Starbucks.

[Old_Geezer]

I find older beans still make a decent cup. Bit of a faff though. Instant's quicker if not being fussy.

[Souldarkness]

If you don't know coffee don't risk serving coffee to people who might. Decanting instant into plastic bags and freezing it in smaller quantities works if you squeeze all the air from the bags.and tie them really tight.

[rowanwitch]

I usually have tea when I visit, have been offered dire coffee by friends.

[diddlydo]

OG - I know instant is quicker but it isn't coffee!

[starone]

I knew you smart lot would come up with an answer for me. Would you believe - I didn't know anything about little sachets for separate cups. I shall look out for them on Monday (tomorrow) when I go to the shops. Incidentally, jennyjoan, I don't mind about it being an old lady syndrome since I am 91 and really like simple things to do. So now as well as tea bags looks as if I shall have coffee bags! Great!

[Mamyalynne]

Hi Starone, I think JJ was referring to the habit of 'ahem' helping yourself to sachets when out and about - my Mum did it.

After she died and we cleared the house I didn't have to buy condiments and sugar for a while, :-)

[jennyjoan]

That's great Starone - 91 years young.

Knew you would understand Mamy LOL.

[rowanwitch]

You can buy individual sachets of instant coffee, ground coffee bags and individual filters the individual filters make the best coffee.

[rowanwitch]

Sainsbury, Tesco and waitrose do them so I expect the other supermarkets do too

[jennyjoan]

Rowan - never knew about coffee bags.

I like my tea and coffee strong. I buy extra strong tea Sainsburys - Red Box - lovely tea - coffee comes from Lidl. Think it is called Columbian. Again really nice.

[rowanwitch]

I buy sainsbury extra strong too, or twinings extra strong 1746 but that's really expensive on my current budget. Instant coffee I use blend 37, Alta Rica, or l'Or but only for friends who find my fresh brew too strong. I like aldis beans now but I do send off for luxury ones near Christmas. Last year I spent more on coffee beans than I did on wine.

[Old_Geezer]

Well you have to if you want to stay awake all night partying !

[Georgiesmum]

Ive always bought Gold Blend coffee, its never let me down!