Everyday Systems

I have a secret dream of being a coffee connoisseur. You know the kind of person who can pick up all the distinct flavors and tones of various brands of coffee. I am very far from this dream because right now all I drink is Folgers I do want to try some others though. Any suggestions?

I order my coffee online from Britt coffee in Costa Rica.

Tastes vary. We like a dark roast, which we grind at home.

We strongly believe that our food choices should be ethical choices, so we spend a bit of extra money and buy organic, free trade coffee. The growers actually get paid a living wage, and we're not drinking a cup full of pesticides. If we can get shade-grown, that's even better. That means that the coffee growing was done on existing land, and no rainforests were destroyed in the farming process. Shade grown coffee preserves habitat for animals, including birds we think of as North American songbirds. I don't think it's right for humans to rape the planet, in the pursuit of cheap food.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shade-grown_coffee

http://www.faircoffee.com/

http://www.shadecoffee.org/shadecoffee/ ... offee.aspx

Also, I think Starbucks is junk. Their coffee always tastes burnt, and their froofy drinks are disgusting calorie-fests.

They do, however, pay health insurance to part-time workers, which is more than you can say about a lot of workers.

Who, I have the same opinions about Starbucks.

We like a light or medium roast. I too prefer fair trade coffee. I was told by a coffee importer that fair trade tends to be shade grown but if that's important to you then you should find out.

Being a non-US resident I don't know the tste of Starbucks coffe. But I do love Lavazza coffe brand.

I drink (large quanties) of Trader Joe's "Wake up blend."

http://breweddaily.com/2009/03/trader-j ... -reviewed/

Economical, fair trade etc., and pretty darn good.

We grind it fresh, and use a French press, which sounds fancy but is actually quite easy (I find it a lot less hassle for 2 people than a coffee machine).

Our french press:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... aysyste-20

Our coffee grinder:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... aysyste-20

Reinhard

I have been curious about a french press. Always wondered what the coffee taste like.

Our coffee grinder:



It's a vintage German grinder. Works wonderfully! Way quieter than electric.