Coffee Recommendation?

Mallow

Diamond Member
Jul 25, 2001
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I'm looking for a Birthday present for my Mom. She is an avid coffee drinker and I want to get her something she hasn't had before.

I've heard Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is really good, practically some of the best stuff you can get. I know a 50% blend costs about $80/lbs at Central Market. I don't even want to think about how much a 100% blend would be.

Anyone else have any suggestions on great exotic coffee brands or comments on the Blue Mountain stuff? Thanks.
 

JS80

Lifer
Oct 24, 2005
26,271
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Starbuck's is so damn addicting because they have like triple the caffeine of other coffees.
 

FallenHero

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2006
5,659
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I like the obsidian blend from caribou coffee, and they have a spring flavor out that is pretty good as well. Upscale stuff I have no clue about.
 

Mallow

Diamond Member
Jul 25, 2001
6,108
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Originally posted by: everman
These guys are good.

What's she using to brew it?
She's a straight up regular Folgers Coffee girl. I know she enjoys the expensive stuff just doesn't like to spend the money on herself. I, on the other hand, drink no coffee!
 

IGBT

Lifer
Jul 16, 2001
17,976
141
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..I've had blue mtn.before and it's such a mild medium roast it has nearly no flavor. Kona is the best taste for the buck and much more reasonably priced. (whole bean).
 
Aug 16, 2001
22,505
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Originally posted by: IGBT
..I've had blue mtn.before and it's such a mild medium roast it has nearly no flavor. Kona is the best taste for the buck and much more reasonably priced. (whole bean).

100% Kona @ $40/lbs rulez!
 

Mallow

Diamond Member
Jul 25, 2001
6,108
1
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Originally posted by: IGBT
..I've had blue mtn.before and it's such a mild medium roast it has nearly no flavor. Kona is the best taste for the buck and much more reasonably priced. (whole bean).
Cool, not familiar with Kona. Might do that if no one suggests anything else :)
 
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
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Not great coffee but gevalia (sp??) often has great deals with free coffee makers.. Might make a nice gift, use a temporary credit card to order to avoid re-occuring bills ;)
 

mb

Lifer
Jun 27, 2004
10,233
2
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I know a lot of people like to bash Starbucks, but I love love love their Italian Roast! You can find it at most grocery stores & Wal-Mart.
 

djheater

Lifer
Mar 19, 2001
14,637
2
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Arabian Mocha Sanani for it's wild, winy flavor.

Coffee is easily as complex as wine, though not often appreciated as such. To really perceive this you need a proper extraction method. I would guess if your mom drinks folgers in the morning she doesn't have a good coffee maker that really does the right job for her.

Putting any good coffee through a bad drip maker will make it taste poor so don't buy the really expensive stuff. If you totally want to indulge her, get her the following and show her how to use them.

presto maker which brews at 200 degrees for full extraction
A burr grinder for a good grind.
Swissgold permanent filter.. at the high temp of the presto you can really taste paper.

It's really like night and day. Good coffee tastes wonderful out of this setup, bad coffee tastes terrible...
 

Mallow

Diamond Member
Jul 25, 2001
6,108
1
0
Originally posted by: djheater
Arabian Mocha Sanani for it's wild, winy flavor.

Coffee is easily as complex as wine, though not often appreciated as such. To really perceive this you need a proper extraction method. I would guess if your mom drinks folgers in the morning she doesn't have a good coffee maker that really does the right job for her.

Putting any good coffee through a bad drip maker will make it taste poor so don't buy the really expensive stuff. If you totally want to indulge her, get her the following and show her how to use them.

presto maker which brews at 200 degrees for full extraction
A burr grinder for a good grind.
Swissgold permanent filter.. at the high temp of the presto you can really taste paper.

It's really like night and day. Good coffee tastes wonderful out of this setup, bad coffee tastes terrible...
Good advice and commentary, thanks.
 

dr150

Diamond Member
Sep 18, 2003
6,570
24
81
Originally posted by: IGBT
..I've had blue mtn.before and it's such a mild medium roast it has nearly no flavor. Kona is the best taste for the buck and much more reasonably priced. (whole bean).


I agree Kona coffee is the best in the world for me. But what are you saying that it's the best taste/buck. That stuff is expensive bro!

For good taste at a reasonable price, I'd go with Kirkland Fair Trade brand from Costco (it's Starbucks roasted).
 

virtuamike

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2000
7,845
13
81
Originally posted by: djheater
Arabian Mocha Sanani for it's wild, winy flavor.

Coffee is easily as complex as wine, though not often appreciated as such. To really perceive this you need a proper extraction method. I would guess if your mom drinks folgers in the morning she doesn't have a good coffee maker that really does the right job for her.

Putting any good coffee through a bad drip maker will make it taste poor so don't buy the really expensive stuff. If you totally want to indulge her, get her the following and show her how to use them.

presto maker which brews at 200 degrees for full extraction
A burr grinder for a good grind.
Swissgold permanent filter.. at the high temp of the presto you can really taste paper.

It's really like night and day. Good coffee tastes wonderful out of this setup, bad coffee tastes terrible...

Agreed, burr grinders are the way to go. If all you're doing is drip, then you don't need anything too fancy.

As far as the filter goes, I wouldn't spend money on a permanent. If you're concerned about the paper flavor of regular filters, then give it a rinse with hot water.

Instead of the machine, give manual drip a try. It's what we use at the cafe and it makes insanely good drip. Basic concept is to heat water separately and then pour over the grounds while stirring so you're in control and not wasting any coffee.

Blue Bottle linky
Porcelain filter holder linky, you want porcelain because it retains heat
 

Soapy Bones

Senior member
Dec 4, 2003
397
0
76
I was given Kona, not sure what kind specifically, as a gift and it was pretty much the first coffee i had ever drank on a regular basis and it got me hooked on coffee, it was that good. Now I just drink like maxwell house or something but when my wife and I went to Jamaica for our honeymoon the coffee that they served there was excellent so I bought it. I paid under $30 a pound for the stuff there, too bad I didnt realize just how much more expensive it is here but it was exceptionally good.
 

davestar

Golden Member
Oct 21, 2001
1,787
0
0
Originally posted by: JS80
Starbuck's is so damn addicting because they have like triple the caffeine of other coffees.

starbucks is roasted to hell which greatly reduces the amount of caffeine that is in its coffee...
 
L

Lola

Originally posted by: johnjbruin
Another vote for Kona.

totally. best coffee i have ever had...
MAKE SURE IT IS NOT A BLEND. blend only consists of 10%... and is crap.
Go online and buy direct from the gowers in Kealakekua (kona). Greenwell Farms is my favorite.
 

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
63,014
19,306
136
$80/lb for JBM? Was there a price jump? Last time I checked, a pound of Blue Mountain beans was $50. Kona is damn near as good as JBM, and because of the price difference, I'll pretty much always pick Kona.
 
L

Lola

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
$80/lb for JBM? Was there a price jump? Last time I checked, a pound of Blue Mountain beans was $50. Kona is damn near as good as JBM, and because of the price difference, I'll pretty much always pick Kona.

When we were in Jamaica I tried 100% JBM and thought it was a bit more bitter than Kona but still good. I know there are good and bad coffees of all kinds though.