Every restorer's most important tool

[Doug Nelson]

I am, of course, speaking of coffee. The elixer of life.

I'm partial to a Kona blend I get at the grocery store (I know, true afficianados will be cringing here). I used to make it in a french press, but it didn't make enough (!) and it got cold too soon, so I switched over to the ubiquitous Mr. Coffee (more cringing).

I did buy a coffee mill, though. A real one, with conical burrs, not one of those bladed chopper gizmos, so now I grind my own and keep the whole beans in the freezer.

Without coffee and netradio (another essential) I'd never make it through the simplest restore.

[vogonpoet]

I would have to say coffee in the morning (helps me wake up) and then by the time the evening arrives, a nice cold beer helps

~Vp~

[airubin]

Doug,

I strongly object to the concept of “coffee” being the fuel that drives us all. My total consumption of coffee is one sip. This was only because you cannot condemn something if you do not try it.

Since my early childhood, I have not liked coffee flavored items of any kind.

I have nothing against coffee drinkers. In fact, I have been making my wife’s fresh ground breakfast coffee for almost forty years.

I am a tea drinker and I feel that we are always getting second-class treatment relative to coffee drinkers. It is rare when a restaurant offers us additional cups as refills, rather than being charged again. Also, we almost never get brewed tea regardless of the price of the restaurant. I could go on.

I think that it is fine that most people get a fantastic coffee jump-start every day. However, you should all realize that it is not the only game in town, or even the better one.

Maybe we should start of topic for “pet peeves”-----just for fun. I’m sure that I’m not alone in having very strange thoughts on many things. Just ask my wife.

Alan

[DJ Dubovsky]

Alan,

Sounds like you would be in you glory on a visit to Britian where coffee drinkers are the minority. We had a British friend who as for tea and almost choked when it came in a glass with ice and lemon. That's considered sacriligous there.

I love my coffee in the morning but here's a real cringer , I drink DECAF. How bad is that? If I don't, I usually am pretty sorry for it after a few cups and I turn into a human vibrator. Just can't handle the buzz anymore. I'm getting old.

DJ

[paulette conlan]

Just Trying out the Bells and Whistles
I am very lucky. My husband has always makes the coffee( Don Francisco-Hawaiian Hazelnut) in the morning. He wakes up at 5 when he hears the papers being thrown into our driveway and I gratefully accept getting coffee delivered in bed sometime after 6 -hot,cold,stale-whatever as long as it's caffeine.( he prefers green tea). I'm more particular when it comes to the second cup or coffee during the day. I'll tell you a cute story. When I was expecting our kids-way back when- I was nauseated by the thought of drinking coffee. However, once they arrived I think I requested a cup of coffee before I even asked whether it was a girl or boy( we have one of each). We also have two grandcats but that's another story.Okay, time to get to work on the new challenge! Paulette

[airubin]

DJ,

You are right about the English tea. I have relatives in London that we have visited many times. I like the way the English use a cozy to keep the pot warm.

However, there is more to good tea than English tea. I get some of my best teas in a great teashop in NYC’s Chinatown. Some sell for as much as a$1000/oz. Fortunately, it is so light that it does not cost very much. Many of these are not every day teas, but the are such a treat when you are in the mood for something special.

Alan

[DJ Dubovsky]

To Paulette,

Arn't you the spoiled pampered one. I am green with envy!! Coffee in bed....oh that would be a treat.

To Alan,

My favorite teas are actually chinese teas. I love oolong and a tea called gun powder, don't know if you heard of it. My husband likes Lapsong shuchong (?spelling?) but I could never get past the old shoe smell.

DJ

[Chris W.]

Okay I'll fess up...I'm addicted to cappucino preferably the english toffee flavor.. when I go to town I treat myself to the biggest cup I can get. It's just the best!... When at home though it's nothing for me to whip through a pot of coffee all by myself then on to diet pepsi... and no I'm not bouncing off the walls yet..lol.
I guess caffeine just doesn't affect me like that, I just enjoy the taste and flavor.

[DJ Dubovsky]

Oh yes, arn't those capaccinos great? My favorite was the Mocha Grande until I found out they were like 400 calories. I started making my own at home and got my Mom hooked on them now. Some of them are more like desserts. I shouldn't have read that one cause now I want one.

DJ

[farron]

Oh!

The very, very best is good thick Cajun chickory coffee....First Choice, French Market, second Cafe du Monde, and any other chicory blend follows.

We are total addicts here at the "cathouse."

Farron

[Chris W.]

Oh DJ,

You would have to mention all the calories in those capaccinos I'd almost forgotten about it...and I tried really hard to forget too..lol.

I also like espresso for those moments when I need a real boost!

[DJ Dubovsky]

Sorry Chris LOL
DJ

[sburris]

Can't stand coffee myself, never could. Even in the Navy when I worked mid-watches and everybody else around me lived on the stuff. I was also low man on the totem pole for about six months and had to frequently make it for our shop.

Here's a tip, never make somebody who doesn't drink coffee - make the coffee.

To speed the operation, I would just open the top and dump new grounds in over the old. Only when the lid could not be closed would I dump out the old filter & grounds. :p

[akj]

I guess I'll put my two cents in. I've never been able to drink coffee either. I've tried it a couple times (surely it must be good--everyone loves it) but with zero success. :o My preference in the morning is a tall glass of O.J. (but with no pulp--can't stand pulp!).

For a caffiene fix I usually go for Dr. Pepper.

[kathleen]

hey alan,

we have a nice long growing season down here and many an oriental plant has thrived. (witness friend kudzu). please send me the name(s) of those teas they're getting $1000/oz for.

[Ed_L]

Kudzu tea? I think I'll stick with my java. But who knows? There are all kinds of tea. You might have an idea for a goldmine Kathleen.

Ed

[chris h]

I visit Turkey (Istanbul) quite a bit and as a hardened tea drinker I've had the misfortune to be offered Turkish coffee in private homes. One can't refuse of course. Their coffee is like treacle but one only drinks the first two thirds of the tiny cup the rest is mercifully left alone. Assam tea brewed for five minutes, a little milk is the business. Some people put milk in the cup before the tea but these barbarians are in a minority.

Regards from the UK

[airubin]

Chris,

My wife and I were in Turkey about seven years ago. It was a marvelous experience. She enjoyed the coffee, but was thankful that they barely filled the cup.

Did you get to the 1000 year old Turkish bath? That alone was worth the trip. I would not get one anyplace else.

How is your trip going?

Alan

[Ed_L]

Chris,

I got a kick out of your post. I'll probably never get to Turkey, but if I do I'll remember.

Ed

[chris h]

As regards the trip Alan things progress slowly. It’s my elder brothers idea I’m hoping to tag along. He’s been over your side of the pond many times so is fairly savvy as regards living in the US as well as ‘driving on the wrong side of the road’ etc. Ed is sending me some mapping on CD which will come in very useful. It’s beginning to look like early next year as regards time scale.

The Turkish baths I’ve had number quite a few as well as being tied in knots by the Hamman masseurs. I’ve only ever used the ‘locals’ baths which are still very traditional some of the tourist ones are a bit ‘dodgy’ If anybodies coming over this side of the pond on holiday see if you can fit in Istanbul, its Europe’s best kept secret and also its safest capital city by far.

Regards to all……..

[Doug Nelson]

Caffeine Boosts Memory in Older Adults: Report

[Jill]

Good article, passed it on to my 85 year old Grandma who has been addicted to coffee forever....wouldn't be Grandma's house if it didn't have a pot on every day....none of the fancy stuff just good old folgers for her! I on the other hand I have grown up in the Pacific Northwest were Starbucks started and have my own Latte' addiction!

[d_kendal]

I'm already getting addicted. it started out when I had work shifts at Mcdonalds starting at 5am, and we got free coffee (it wasn't good coffee, but it did the trick) and now, at my new job there's a starbucks inside and I love the mocha frappucinos. my parents have never been coffee drinkers, so there's no coffee machine in the house I'm really feeling the need to go out and buy one. I heard about somebody who created a coffee machine that you can attach to your compter and run off the power supply. I think that would be the ultimate retoucher's computer accesory

- David

[Jakaleena]

I'll confess - I'd just hook up an IV if I could. I lived 10 years in Portland, OR and in the Pacific Northwest you just can't NOT be a coffee drinker (I think it's against the law there or something )

I have a hard time finding good coffee here, so I just drink whatever's handy, but my favorite is about any nice dark roast. And I like it strong. I think I've become immune to caffiene though. I can drink 2 pots of coffee and still fall right to sleep. I'm also hooked on Mountain Dew (cowboy coffee).

But, I like tea too. I used to go to a really nice British Tea Garden when I lived in Portland. As far as tea goes, my favorite is Chai with milk (Chai Latte).

[dcarr]

Hi Alan
I know what you mean. I am a coffee drinker, but my mom was a tea lover. New York is anti-tea in my experience. As you stated, not only is it not an automatic refill, but often even the finer restaurants consider microwaved water "tea".
For a country that started over tea troubles (I know that's not the full reason) we sure have forgotten.
Debbie

[clare]

Tea - ginger biscuits

Also Cyprus coffee is nice - sounds a bit like the turkish type - but served with a glass of water - lovely on those hot mediteranian days - Also serves as a serious caffine boost

[G. Couch]

David - I think this is what you want - The Caffeine Machine

I recently got our espresso machine out of storage and have been starting the mornings off with double shots of espresso!

[d_kendal]

yeah, that's exactly what I was talking about!! If it wasn't so much *work*, I'd actually try to build one..

- David