Coffee

[ChrisP]

Double shot 8 oz Flat White, no sugar...

 

[James the Persian]

Coffee throughout the south eastern corner of Europe appears to be the same (as described for Bosnia I mean). Turkish, Greek, Romanian, doesn't matter. Never saw anyone trying to read fortunes with the grounds in Romania, though and nor have I seen anyone trying to drink through a sugar cube - that's something I associate with France. Drinking Romanian coffee for months on end was what got me off putting milk in my coffee. Ever since then I find coffee with dairy products vile. I only ever drink coffee black and slightly sweetened. I don't have a particular favourite brand, but I like a decent dark roast.

Instant coffee is generally not liked in Romania. It's not even referred to as coffee, but nes (from Nescafe). They do, however, and I'm afraid I did try a sip of it once, serve 'nes cu cola' even in restaurants. Utterly vile stuff and exactly what it sounds like - instant coffee made up with coke instead of water!

One thing I find interesting is that Djamila says that Turkish delight (or similar) is rahat lokum in Bosnia. From what I recall, it's just lokum in Turkish and it's certainly just rahat in Romanian. Of course rahat also means crap in Romanian, so it's not exactly a complimentary name for the stuff.

James

 

[Radio Frequency X]

The second word is always either "s***" or "s***ty water" - our term for western coffee.

I've never understood the thick coffee thing. It simply doesn't taste good. While I agree that Americans tend to drink watered down coffee (I mean, what do you call Espresso watered down? Americano) but by and large, the french press makes the best coffee.

 

[equus somnium]

coffeee <3 I've gotten to where I like cappuccino more than coffee but coffee is still good. My dad drinks Community but I've gotten tired of it. My school has a cappuccino machine and I used to get Italian before they got rid of it ;_;. Now they have Mocha <3.. I think it's Douwe Egberts. Weird name but good stuff ^^

 

[Booko]

i prefer it black and with sugar. or, black and with cocoa powder.

Ever tried tossing in a bit of cinnamon when brewing? That's good too.

and i *love* Starbucks. they have some wonderful stuff.

I don't care for Starbucks. Like Radio Frequency, I think their beans always taste overroasted. Heck, until he posted that, I thought I was nuts and the only person who thought that.

I prefer Caribou Coffee, but now am gonna have to do a little more research on the financial aspects.

I just wish there was anything I could eat with my coffee in either place.

If I won the lottery, I would open up a coffee/tea sandwich shop that served yummy organic treats and breads that people with food allergies (and vegans) could actually eat. (I'm looking for a tofu cheesecake recipe on another tab right now. I miss cheesecake.)

 

[Booko]

nor have I seen anyone trying to drink through a sugar cube - that's something I associate with France.

Oh, I associate that with Persia...it's how a lot of Persians drink their tea as well.

Utterly vile stuff and exactly what it sounds like - instant coffee made up with coke instead of water!

Oh...that *is* vile! Might just as well take too many No Doze or find some Jolt! cola.

 

[Radio Frequency X]

If I won the lottery, I would open up a coffee/tea sandwich shop that served yummy organic treats and breads that people with food allergies (and vegans) could actually eat. (I'm looking for a tofu cheesecake recipe on another tab right now. I miss cheesecake.)

The Local is an independant coffee shop near my parents house and they serve wine, bread, delicious sandwhiches, ice cream, and so forth. It's wonderful. In the Wilmington, North Carolina area there are tons of Port City Java's, and they all serve fresh sandwhiches and melts, bread, fruit, and pastries. Those are my favorite coffee shops.

However, my favorite coffee shop was in Blacksburg. Their coffee sucked, but it was this real artsy atmosphere with stone walls and lots of art. You could smoke in the back room, and you'd always find some college kids talking philosophy.

 

[Booko]

I've never understood the thick coffee thing. It simply doesn't taste good. While I agree that Americans tend to drink watered down coffee (I mean, what do you call Espresso watered down? Americano) but by and large, the french press makes the best coffee.

I use a french press when we go camping. Boiling water is not difficult in such circumstances. I don't use it much at home, though. I drink my coffee really slow, which means it needs to be really hot and in a small cup when I pour it, because I don't care for it lukewarm.

The thing about the french press is, by the time it's ready to drink, it's cooled off considerably. I suppose I could brew while leaving the press in a bath of hot water, but I'm much too lazy to bother in the morning.

What do you think of expresso machines? I've considered getting one. I don't care about the cappacino part, since I only drink my coffee black these days anyway.

Oh -- I take that back. If you want to try a GREAT alternative to cream in coffee -- try one of the nut "milks" -- especially hazelnut. Wow -- talk about rich!

Nut milks are found easily in the US these days, in the "health food" section at supermarkets. If you can't find hazelnut -- they'll have it at a health food store. It's worth the while.

 

[Radio Frequency X]

What do you think of expresso machines? I've considered getting one. I don't care about the cappacino part, since I only drink my coffee black these days anyway.

I think espresso machines are wonderful, but I prefer to cook my espresso on a stove. I don't have much need for hot milk or anything extra in my coffee though.

 

[Djamila]

Coffee throughout the south eastern corner of Europe appears to be the same (as described for Bosnia I mean). Turkish, Greek, Romanian, doesn't matter.

Yeah, it's all just Arabic coffee, through the Osmanli Empire, to us.

One thing I find interesting is that Djamila says that Turkish delight (or similar) is rahat lokum in Bosnia. From what I recall, it's just lokum in Turkish and it's certainly just rahat in Romanian. Of course rahat also means crap in Romanian, so it's not exactly a complimentary name for the stuff.

James

LOL That's horrible!

 

[Guitar's Cry]

While I agree that Americans tend to drink watered down coffee

Ever try mainstream American beer? The microbrew revolution is a godsend!

 

[Radio Frequency X]

Ever try mainstream American beer? The microbrew revolution is a godsend!

True, I recieve quite an education in beer-drinking when I went to Germany. Now that I'm back in the states I prefer Harp, Bass, Samuel Adams, Becks, and so forth. No more cheap watered down domestic crap for me.

 

[Booko]

True, I recieve quite an education in beer-drinking when I went to Germany. Now that I'm back in the states I prefer Harp, Bass, Samuel Adams, Becks, and so forth. No more cheap watered down domestic crap for me.

Back when my husband still drank, if had had usual domestic beer, and expecially Bud, he'd have 2 days of flu like symptoms. That's with just one beer!

I finally ripped his head off, after yet another wasted 2 days when I got no help on heavy projects around the house, and insisted if he was gonna drink beer, these were the conditions:

1. You have to drink it out of a bottle so you can see the label.
2. You can't drink anything unless it's microbrew or imported.

He never got sick after that.

 

[Radio Frequency X]

Back when my husband still drank, if had had usual domestic beer, and expecially Bud, he'd have 2 days of flu like symptoms. That's with just one beer!

I finally ripped his head off, after yet another wasted 2 days when I got no help on heavy projects around the house, and insisted if he was gonna drink beer, these were the conditions:

1. You have to drink it out of a bottle so you can see the label.
2. You can't drink anything unless it's microbrew or imported.

He never got sick after that.

You are a good wife! o

 

[Dr. Nosophoros]

I ususally drink almost a pot a day (black) in the morning and at work combined, but it is the coffee of haste -LOL.

When I really want to sit down and have a good cup of coffee (and have the time) I prefer a espresso with part of a peel of orange or lemon in it and sweetened, or when I do Turkish in my Ibrik I like either espresso roast or my current favorite zlatna dzezva- again sweetened. Zlatna tasted a little funny at first but I now prefer it over all others.

 

[NoahideHiker]

The rule in my hopuse is, nothiong lighter than Frnech roast and always from fresh ground beans.

 

[ChrisP]

I don't care for Starbucks. Like Radio Frequency, I think their beans always taste overroasted. Heck, until he posted that, I thought I was nuts and the only person who thought that.

Me 3.

The problem with bigger coffee stores (locally and internationally) is their staff tend to be only "adequately" trained, and due to the need for fast coffee making, most of their product comes out as a rush job :sad4:

After sipping latte's in 6 countries, I will always look for the small coffee shops. There is no substitute.

 

[Djamila]

I think Italy is the best country for coffee lovers to visit. Coffee, I think, is a much more important part of the cuisine in Balkan countries, but there's really only one kind of coffee and if you don't love it, you're out of luck.

Italians are almost as serious about their coffee, almost - but they have hundreds if not thousands of different styles - all sorts of coffee bean-based drinks. So it's much more of a success for coffee tourists.

 

[des]

I thought you might appreciate this one, Djamila. I went to Turkey when I was in my first year of college (this was one of those sleeping bag, train station type vacations). One of our favorite little activities was to go the top of the Hilton in Istanbul at about 9, look at the city, and drink Turkish coffee (for the uninitiated this is a very very strong drink where grounds figure prominently). Anyway, I never slept a wink in Turkey, I'm sure that's why.

Now I never drink coffee after maybe 3 Pm.
Maybe camimille tea at bed.

--des

I think Italy is the best country for coffee lovers to visit. Coffee, I think, is a much more important part of the cuisine in Balkan countries, but there's really only one kind of coffee and if you don't love it, you're out of luck.

Italians are almost as serious about their coffee, almost - but they have hundreds if not thousands of different styles - all sorts of coffee bean-based drinks. So it's much more of a success for coffee tourists.

 

[Radio Frequency X]

I think Italy is the best country for coffee lovers to visit. Coffee, I think, is a much more important part of the cuisine in Balkan countries, but there's really only one kind of coffee and if you don't love it, you're out of luck.

Italians are almost as serious about their coffee, almost - but they have hundreds if not thousands of different styles - all sorts of coffee bean-based drinks. So it's much more of a success for coffee tourists.

I think South American coffee drinkers tend to demonstrate a wider appreciation for various coffee styles and qualities.