Black coffee

[El_Capitan]

After reading a bit here, a lot of the posts seemed to be about espresso, latte and other coffee drinks. Are we plain black drinkers a rarity, or am I just not looking hard enough? Although I do treat myself at times to specialty drinks, by and large I drink nothing but plain, black coffee. Anyone else out there an exclusive drinker of black?

Ive searched far and wide, been at every café in West Tennessee that I know of, and it seems the art of brewing a cup of balanced, rich black coffee is becoming a lost art. All the cafés Ive been to use drip machines and paper filters, which is why I now exclusively drink coffee at home, and the quality even at somewhat respectable cafés is so poor that its understandable why so many people shun the true drink for coffee-like beverages rather than true coffee.

[Gilbert]

Re: Black coffee

I dont drink long blacks very often, but not because I dont like them. My current phase of coffee consumption involves espressos and flat whites, but in a few months I could very well be exchanging flat whites for long blacks. I very nearly ordered one today while at my favourite coffee shop in Perth, WA. In fact, I think I will order one next time.

[greenman]

Re: Black coffee

I enjoy an americano (long black) often at home, usually pull a double ristretto and only add about 60ml hot water, it makes a great coffee and as it cools I am able to taste the characteristics of the bean, sort of my informal method of cupping a roast when Im in a hurry!! Good to see another Wet Oz on CS Gilbert.

[El_Capitan]

Re: Black coffee

Ive never had a long black before, but Ill definitely have to try one now and compare it to coffee from a regular machine.

Oh, and since I read somewhere you havent yet bought a coffee machine Gilbert, if you like black coffee, you can get a percolator for fairly cheap, especially if you get a stovetop one. Itd be a nice way to augment your espresso machine.

[Dimal]

Re: Black coffee

My coffee intake black vs. white is probably at around 50/50.

Most of my black coffee these days is made with a Syphon brewer like this one... http://tinyurl.com/5detfb and I have to say, it makes a fabulous brew and is the reason I drink more black coffee these days than I used to. Also use a little device called an AeroPress which makes great black coffee (need to add hot water in a similar way to making an Americano); also great as the basis for milk based coffees too.

When I have access to an espresso machine I really do enjoy an espresso or two (usually doubles) and naturally enough, use the espresso for milk drinks as well. You know what they say, variety is the spice of life and I dont see why it should be any different where great coffee is concerned. All coffee is great so long as you have access to freshly roasted, high quality coffee that is only ground immediately before brewing and observe all the dos and donts for your particular brewing method.

Love my coffee.... 8-)

Mal.

[Gilbert]

Re: Black coffee

El Capitan,  Ive actually just got my first machine (Sunbeam EM6910) but Im interested in all things coffee so no doubt Ill be looking at percolators at some point.  Ive got a coffee plunger buried away somewhere that I should dig out and dust off as well.  It amazes me how many ways there are to brew coffee - 5 years ago I thought all you needed was a kettle, cup and teaspoon!  Now Im reading about Syphon brewers and Aeropresses and all sorts of things Id never even heard of or seen!

Hi greenman - yep, another Perthite enters the fray  8-)

[El_Capitan]

Re: Black coffee

Thats a really odd machine. It looks like something out of a laboratory and reminds me of the pictures Ive seen of scientists drinking colas out of their Bunsen boilers. If I wouldnt knock it down a week after buying it, Id so get one.

[El_Capitan]

Re: Black coffee

Not too sure if double posts are faux pas around here, but to reply to Gilbert, the big difference Ive noticed between a French press and a percolator is the higher amount of crema Ive gotten with French presses (which youll probably like if you like espresso).

[Gilbert]

Re: Black coffee

Thats a really odd machine. It looks like something out of a laboratory and reminds me of the pictures Ive seen of scientists drinking colas out of their Bunsen boilers.

Thats what I thought.  If I had one Id just have to put on a white lab coat scream out "ITS ALIVE! ITS ALIVE!" everytime I poured a coffee from it.

[greenman]

Re: Black coffee

Like Mal said, all coffee is good if made with fresh beans, freshly ground etc.
I quite often enjoy a plunger in the early morning because if I used Silvia and inside grinder I would get hung drawn and quartered by the inhabitants of our residence trying to sleep, so I go out the garage and grind on the trusty EM450 and then enjoy a plunger of some exotic single origin or blend!!!!

[Thundergod]

Re: Black coffee

El Capitan your black coffes I gather are made with a percolator?

My wife prefers long black and I previously based them on a double espresso, similar to greenmans description above.

However since obtaining an Aeropress she now prefers her coffee made with it.

[El_Capitan]

Re: Black coffee

Aye, I use a percolator. The thing I like about it rather than other machines is that it has little to no crema. I dont mind crema in an espresso, but in plain coffee Id rather have it be smoother.

[bolb]

Re: Black coffee

I drink long blacks the majority of the time similar to Greenman but add water first then the espresso (usually a double) stopped at 20sec over the top.
When i get it perfect i get a wonferfull smooth coffee with sweet crema on the top.

A fantastic way to start the day

Mal

[Scorpion]

Re: Black coffee

I only drink black coffee - usually long blacks. Its suprising to me how the right amount of water opens up flavours in coffee that I dont seem to be able to get otherwise.

S

[Dennis]

Re: Black coffee

My coffee intake black vs. white is probably at around 50/50.

<snip>

Love my coffee.... 8-)

Mal.

Yah Mal - Im with you!

I also enjoy long blacks when theyve gone cold as its easier (for me) to identify more of the good and not so good flavours.