07/03/2004: "In Search of Coffee of the Gods"

I admit to being a coffee snob. The worst slop in the world is a weak cup of restaurant coffee made from god only knows what, being served from the bottom of god only knows what. Fact is, I can hardly abide drinking any coffee other than that which I make. A bad cup of coffee is out of step with the good life.

Drinking a bad cup of coffee is like going to a ball and doing the square dance when the music is a tango. Or another analogy is that a bad cup of coffee is like dating a Kennedy man. Both may look good but both are the dregs --- one of humanity and the other of the pot. And in either case, you come out the loser. The main difference is, as bad as the coffee is, you won't end up dead like some people do who date the Kennedy men.

I have looked far and wide for the perfect makings of a cup of coffee. I love my coffee dark and rich and European. I have discovered that buying beans from Starbucks is the closest I can get to perfect and no, it is not perfect most of the time. Beans are not consistant. But I buy Expresso Roast and grind the beans fresh. I brew it in a special pot that keeps the coffee hot and fresh for several hours in a thermal pot.

I also often use a coffee press, which in my opinion makes the most perfect cup but it doesn't keep it hot long enough. Oh, I know there are electric models and I will invest in one someday.

I also use cold, filtered water to make my coffee. Funny thing is, no matter what I do, I never get a consistantly great cup of coffee.

If you have never had a really good, well-made cup of coffee, you will never know what you're missing. And perhaps that's a good thing. Because once you have had a great cup of coffee, you will never again settle for the brand that's "Good to the Last Drop" or any other kind.

The following was taken from Coffee Times owner, Les Drent.

"After roasting my coffee I store my beans in a well sealed bag in the freezer and grind them only to brew. While there are many excellent ways to make a great cup of coffee I still recommend using a French Press for making the best cup. (Remember to grind beans somewhat course which allows the screen plunger to work properly.) For any method you choose including the popular drip method I recommend using two heaping teaspoons of coffee per ten ounces of water (ten ounces is a standard coffee mug size, or 1 cup measured in your drip coffee maker carafe). After adding hot water I allow the coffee to steep for 3-5 minutes. Before I plunge I stir the coffee which allows the grinds to fully interact with the hot water. When using a drip coffee maker I recommend using a natural paper filter. Metal and cloth filters can also be used but I feel that natural paper is best. (As a test the water must reach at least 190-200 degrees Fahrenheit to properly make a cup of coffee.) If adding sugar or milk I recommend that you use a washed raw sugar from Hawaii and fresh cream only. When making espresso remember to grind espresso or dark roasted beans to fine or extra fine and do not overfill espresso maker."

This is by far the best way to make coffee. But we Americans don't seem to allow time for these finer points of life. And that's too bad. Because life is too short not to enjoy nice things.

I like to enjoy a Krispy Kreme filled with all sorts of fat and calories and several cups of Starbucks on Sunday morning. It's the only decadent thing I do and I only do it on Sundays. But that is the stuff of a life well lived.

It's good to exercise and diet and stay in shape. But sometimes we have to enjoy. Just enjoy. And for me, a great cup of coffee and a Krispy Kreme is a small slice of heaven --- if there were such a thing.