Some thoughts: first -- Little Hawk I think that avoiding the consumer culture would make an excellent thread: everyone could contribute their ideas on how to do so.

Second: this thread started as a desire to learn how to make European coffee, not just good coffee. Does anyone know any more secrets to making European coffee?

Third: I am locally famous for my apple pie. (Modest bow.) Even my stepsons (who detest me) ask me to make it, and my family asks for it for Christmas dinner dessert. It took years of messing around before I got it right. To thank you all for your coffee suggestions, I am quite willing to share the recipe, if anyone is interested, (both pastry and filling); please let me know.