BS: World's Best Coffee?

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Aug 11 - 07:59 AM

ollaimh-

Here's the summary on Arthur Rimbaud's residency in Harar and his death in France from wikipedia:

"Abyssinia (1880–1891):

In 1880 Rimbaud finally settled in Aden, Yemen as a main employee in the Bardey agency.[42] In 1884 he left his job at Bardey's to become a merchant on his own account in Harar, Ethiopia, where his commercial dealings notably included coffee and weapons. In this period, he struck up a very close friendship with the Governor of Harar, Ras Makonnen, father of future Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie.

Rimbaud's grave in Charleville:

In February 1891, Rimbaud developed what he initially thought was arthritis in his right knee. It failed to respond to treatment and became agonisingly painful, and by March the state of his health forced him to prepare to return to France for treatment. In Aden, Rimbaud consulted a British doctor who mistakenly diagnosed tubercular synovitis and recommended immediate amputation. Rimbaud delayed until 9 May to set his financial affairs in order before catching the boat back to France. On arrival, he was admitted to hospital—the Hôpital de la Conception, in Marseille—where his right leg was amputated on 27 May. The post-operative diagnosis was cancer.

After a short stay at his family home in Charleville, he attempted to travel back to Africa, but on the way his health deteriorated and he was readmitted to the same hospital in Marseille where the amputation had been performed, and spent some time there in great pain, attended by his sister Isabelle. Rimbaud died in Marseille on 10 November 1891, at the age of 37, and was interred in Charleville."

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 09 Aug 11 - 11:42 PM

Hey Jack .... correction ... the car Tim Horton fatally crashed was a (Brazilian) Pantera .... the car which Punch Imlach offered as a bonus when he signed Horton on for one more year.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: ollaimh
Date: 09 Aug 11 - 11:12 PM

i like harrar when i can get it from what ever local merchants are available where ever i'm living.

rimbaud was a general trader in harrar that included guns, but he gave away too much money to the poor to make the nest egg he planned to return to france with. he returned broke then went back and died there i believe==DRINKING GREAT COFFEE

now i'm a tea drinker mostly. i preferthe nova scotia tea MORSE'S OF COURSES or ceylon, twinning ceylon breakfast is much more robust than most teas, morse's is positively black like coffee

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 09 Aug 11 - 10:22 PM

I don't like anything about Starbucks. There are dozens of places with cofee good enough for me.

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 09 Aug 11 - 06:15 PM

Downing Starbucks- they have done more to popularize good coffee than any other company.
Often the only local source of excellent coffees in the bean.

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 09 Aug 11 - 05:01 PM

I would rather have instant coffee than Starbucks.

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Bert
Date: 09 Aug 11 - 04:46 PM

Best Sumatra mandheling
Worst Starbucks

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 09 Aug 11 - 03:57 PM

He also wrapped a Juguar around a tree. That did not improve the coffee. LOL

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: olddude
Date: 09 Aug 11 - 03:52 PM

Yea jack but Tim Horton played in the NHL so that is close enough LOL !!

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 09 Aug 11 - 03:32 PM

Hadn't thought of that. No I was thinking of the Catskills and Blue Ridge varieties!

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 09 Aug 11 - 03:13 PM

aHA! yE MEANS kONA AWR pUERTO rICAN

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 09 Aug 11 - 01:56 PM

Yeah! Give me coffee grown right here in the USA! None of that imported Tim Horton's Canadian coffee!

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: olddude
Date: 09 Aug 11 - 10:32 AM

Ok Bobster ya just lost your hero status with me ... you ain't no redneck ... I means what next you will be wearing after shave and talking about the stock market ...

I am now depressed ... I mean what good ol hillybilly drinks that ferien grown fancy named coffee ... give me the old eight o'clock grind your own or the gas station brew or the old hockey Tim Horton guys ..

Now they know good old American coffee .. Next ya will be telling me ya like Kenny G.

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 09 Aug 11 - 09:32 AM

I can buy it for $60.00 for two oz. If I ever get rich... Your description of the smoothness is similar to what I have read. Thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 09 Aug 11 - 08:06 AM

ASDA used to do a fine Cuban Havana; this has now vanished, along with other brands of Cuban Havana, and no one can say why this is. In its stead I've resorded to ASDA's Indian Elephant Farm which is a nice start to my (domestic) working day, but I'd be back on the Cuban Havana in a flash...

Out and about - Subway's pretty good, but take your own demerara.

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Musket
Date: 09 Aug 11 - 07:33 AM

Jack the Sailor wanted to know what I thought about the civet coffee.

Well, to be fair I drank in anticipation of it being something special so I suppose my reaction was different to "Wow, that's good, what is it?"

That said, I felt it was smooth, no harshness and yet at the same time giving a full flavour, at least as much going on with your taste buds as any strong coffee but without the bitter harshness. In fact, I thought it may be the only bean (ground and filtered) that I could drink without a bit of sugar to take the edge off.

I do reckon that if I had been given it, I would be asking what it was in order to consider getting some. As it is, I will limit myself to dropping hints so my youngest doesn't have to think before ordering me a Xmas present each year.

Whether it be the animal's discretion on what it eats or the softening by the digestive track, I have no idea. Cracking coffee, but best milled for filter than espresso. (And that, I assume is because of the softer bean?)

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Crowhugger
Date: 08 Aug 11 - 09:08 PM

I love the one I can smell brewing, then I'm afraid it goes downhill fast from there, the heavenly scent never finding its way into my mouth. [sigh] I used to love many beans, coffee was sort of a hobby for a couple of years and I had my favourite blends--there was a particular mocha java that was my rock--and almost always I preferred light and medium roasts. But I think my tastes physically changed so I became more sensitive to the bitter elements. I still love its incense value, but very rarely drink it. [wistfully fade to black]

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Aug 11 - 07:56 PM

Q-

"We have all become soft."

Maybe so but we're addicts! What else can we do at this point? I'm not about to stick on a caffeine patch.

Addict that I am, I seldom drink more than a morning mug of coffee (2 cups sequestered within). When I went to college, back in the Pleistocene, I drank coffee all day, and bourbon half the night. It wasn't a particularly healthy diet and I did much better when I got sent to Ethiopia to teach with the Peace Corps.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 08 Aug 11 - 02:54 PM

We have all become soft. Whatever happened to that guy, way out thar, drinkin' coffee from a can?

A big can of Chase and Sanborn, Maxwell House, or whatever is cheap prepared by the cocinero at daybreak, 50% grounds if you were lucky.

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Allan C.
Date: 08 Aug 11 - 05:47 AM

IMHO, there is no finer coffee than Dark Sumatra. Now, just to be clear, this refers to French roasted Sumatra. While Sumatra by itself is simply an "okay" coffee, dark roasting brings out all of its finer features and perhaps some that would not otherwise be detected. You can find it here:


Greenberrys.com

You'll also find an interesting writeup about the history of coffee. BTW their description of Dark Sumatra is "Very rich, very dark, very strong" to which I would add, somewhat chocolaty.

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 10:47 PM

Walnut- see fact sheet

http://ohioline.osu.edu/for-fact/0044.html

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Bill D
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 08:36 PM

Jack... a medium to large Black Walnut 'may' be worth something... if you can find a buyer. It is often not profitable for a mill to chase just one tree, unless it is exceptional. Also, many mills shy away from 'urban lumber', as it often has embedded nails or old clothesline hooks.. :>(

In N. Carolina, there are many woodturning clubs, and some might be interested in a decent Walnut. Pecan? Same thing....Pecan is not as common, (I have seen very little)...but not as 'pretty' as Walnut...mostly. If you can find local woodworkers, you might be able to make some deals...or even just trades. Good luck!

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: jeffp
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 07:43 PM

There is a Caribou Coffee shop near me. Much better than Starbucks in my estimation.

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 06:48 PM

Caribou Coffee is a Chain in Atlanta. That's weird enough.

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 06:02 PM

The name brands for Ethiopian coffee also have become somewhat bizarre. These four were recently reviewed in Consumers Report:

Caribou Ethiopian Finjal Organic
The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Ethiopian Yirgacheffe
Peet's Coffee Ethiopian Fancy
Orleans Coffee Exchange Ethiopian Harrar

I never saw a caribou in Ethiopia. At least I never saw one when I was sober.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 06:01 PM

Must be as fresh as possible, including freshly ground. All hardware, including the cup, must be immaculate.Chemex [drip] works well. There is no excuse for bad coffee when it is easy to make good coffee.

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 03:55 PM

Looked up Machu picchu coffee since it is new to me. In an article about Cuzco, it says it is grown co-op by farmers on 1600 hectares north of Machu Picchu, at 1500-2000 meters above sea level. Only about 2,200 tons are grown. An organically grown coffee, aroma chocolate and nuts.
Have to try some!

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 03:41 PM

Some of the best 19th century American furniture was made with black walnut. A good hardwood, very desirable.

Pecan being used more and more (see it in furniture advs.), probably because of the pecan nut popularity and a fair number of trees. Other than it is a hardwood, I don't know its characteristics or desirability as furniture wood.

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 02:14 PM

We have a black walnut tree cut down in our yard. Is it worth anything? what about pecan?

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Bill D
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 02:10 PM

Cats...ok., think you. I was just concerned that there was confusion about two different items.
(merchandisers commonly 'name' stuff after famous stuff in order to sell inferior or different products. You'd be amazed to see how many woods get named 'rosewood' or 'Walnut', when there is no generic connection. It happens in types of tea, as well as coffee)

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 01:30 PM

And where latte is not pronounced "larrrrtayyyyy"!!!

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 01:28 PM

A good start is somewhere they don't ask you "single or double" as seems to be the habit in the UK for an espresso!

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Cats
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 11:59 AM

Bill D ~ I know Machu Pichu is nowhere near Jamaica! two different sorts of coffee.. Blue Mountain is excellent [i.e. agreeing with other posts] but for an intense flvour try the fairtrade coffee from Machu Pichu [new suggestion].

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 10:53 AM

Tell us more please Ian, was it different?

I have read two theories as to why it is "the best coffee in the world." The first is that the toddy cats (civets) only eat the most perfect beans, the second that their digestive juices, "mellow" the beans. In your opinion is there any evidence of this?

Is it subjectively better than normal coffee in any way? Richer, smoother, "more robust?"

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: GUEST,jeff
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 10:46 AM

Eight O'clock Bean Original, fresh ground, boiling water, French Press, 2 minutes, press sieve...add whatever and enjoy. I've found even the generic grocery chain blends taste better w/this process than even the BEST drip grind.

Now, of course the better the coffee brand the better the brew. A friend gave me a bag of Trader Joe's African Arabica that was out of this world. Didn't specify whether it was from Kenya or Ethiopia, but it was the best I've ever had to this point.

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Musket
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 10:39 AM

My lad bought me some civet coffee for Xmas. Must say, as espresso it was good, as filter it was excellent.

However, day to day, I have a bean to cup machine and after a couple of years only using Illi espresso beans, the Sainsburys ran out an I had to get their own espresso beans. (Without getting off my arse and looking at a packet I don't know where the beans are actually from) and they are great, as good as the Illi and less than half the price.

So... tried the Tesco equivalent and they were rather bland with a harsh after taste.

Must be getting middle class. Suppose there is medication I can take for it.

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 09:52 AM

In the coffee breaks I shared with my neighbors in the Gurage tribal area of Ethiopia the tradition was to roast the freshly picked beans in a waq, grind them up with a wooden mortar and pestle, and pour them into a crockery pot of boiling water to steep. Then we all got a mugful with a dab of butter and salt...

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 11:33 PM

My late brother used to roast his own: Antigua, Ethiopia, Sumatra, Kona...he roasted damned fine coffee using (are you ready for this?) an air-pop popcorn machine he got at a garage sale. I have some of his roasts upstairs in vacuum packs in the freezer, and I will ration them because there will never be any more.

Otherwise, whatever you're buying me is okay.

I like the chicory blend at Cafe du Monde; I think it goes with the beinets to make a pair that's unbeatable -- especially if you're outside and watching the Mississippi flow by.

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 09:12 PM

"Colombian" is generic coffee from there, but there are some good Colombian coffees. They tend to the mild side.
Nariño Supremo, sold by Starbucks, is one.

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Maryrrf
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 08:46 PM

The world's best coffee? The first cup in the morning, whatever it happens to be. I don't care what kind/brand it is - I have to have it. Coffee is the nectar of the gods!

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Ed T
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 07:34 PM

Starbucks Dark French Roast, blended with 1/4 freetrade Italian (freshly ground) tastes good to me. Second Cup Paridiso Dark blend is nice. Higgins and Burke Dark Impulse is nice.

Tim Hortons is not a really good coffee, but it will do in a pinch. It is better first in the morning. Quite often they fail to clean their quuipment, and late in the day you get a burnt/rancid taste.

I suspect the country of origin, roasting techniques, blending and grade of coffee is quite important.

Your taste buds and exposure to the different flavours are likely just as important in doing a comparison.

I find the commonly found Colombian origin coffee the most over rated.

http://www.coffeeresearch.org/coffee/drywetflavorcharacteristics.htm

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 06:13 PM

As Josh White used to sing in "Evil-Hearted Man":

Yeh, she even made my breakfast,
And she brought it to my bed;
Well, I took a sip of coffee,
Threw the cup at her head!

Chorus:

Because l'm evil, well, evil-hearted me,
I am so doggone evil, evil as a man can be.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 04:43 PM

My favorite bean for home brew- Starbucks Organic Shade Grown Mexico (from western Chiapas). At most outlets or from their Store.

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 04:26 PM

In New Orleans- Cafe Du Monde.
Try their French Roast (no chicory). A good strong coffee, but not really premium grade. But their beinets are really what one goes there for.

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 04:14 PM

Every city has fine coffee houses.
In Calgary-
Java Express (actually a very small chain)
De Ville
Caffe Rosso (Single cup brewing; Italian style)
Kawa Espresso
And many others
Also tea shops.


Best coffee in Canada (Chains)-

Best Cup is pretty good. No. 2 has to be Starbucks

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 03:58 PM

Coffee is a necessary food, and something that must be available at all times. While consistency is preferred, it's not something to think much about. You make what you've got, and when you drink that you make some more. (Or in our house you turn on the ready pot and prep the one that's just been emptied.)

Because of the amount and regularity of my consumption, a splash of milk (2%) tames the acidity slightly, and I prefer a bit of sugar. I estimated once that 80% of my daily calorie intake is from the milk and sugar, and I have lost a nominal amount of weight "accidentally" once when we ran out of milk and didn't get more for about a week.

In my home YOU DO NOT RUN OUT OF COFFEE.

Since they're not what I'm accustomed to, anything that costs more than $1 per cup (on the road) usually tastes like engine sump sludge, but I've only found one or two instances of anything that was flatly undrinkable. (But then tequila actually tastes just like refiltered No. 8 diesel fuel, but still goes down pretty well - although it's not even remotely close to my preferred JD Black.)

I think I'll have another cup.

John

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 03:25 PM

Tim Horton's .... Best coffee in Canada?

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 03:24 PM

The world's best obviously is a matter of personal preference.


(This was a good thread until someone mentioned Tim Horton's).

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 03:23 PM

That, Jack, is a good working definition.

Subject: RE: BS: World's Best Coffee?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 02:31 PM

Subjectively the worlds best coffee is something I have access to and can afford.