need frugal coffee advice

[shelbylovesmelby]

Dh just drinks Aldi's brand coffee & I swipe the grounds for my compost, though he does tend to tick me off when I find them in the trash instead of the old coffee can I collect kitchen scraps in.

[markusk]

kealina, my first taste of vietnamese coffee was about 10 years ago at a vietnamese restaurant (in fact, it's called "Vietnamese Restaurant") in Chinatown in Philadelphia.

scrava, I can't wait till I get my hands on the "Melitta grind & brew!" It's was supposed to arrive today (according to amazon's email to me), but it now looks like I will get it monday. If it's only half as good as they say, I will be in coffee heaven!

Homebody, sometimes I'm in the mood for coffee at night, in which case I drink Kirkland brand's decaf -- for the money, it's really yummy. IMHO it's the best tasting decaf out there!

[kealina]

[quote=markusk;106582]kealina, my first taste of vietnamese coffee was about 10 years ago at a vietnamese restaurant (in fact, it's called "Vietnamese Restaurant") in Chinatown in Philadelphia.
QUOTE]

thanks for answering... i am always interested to learn about little things like that and also amazed at how small the world seems sometimes...

[markusk]

So I received "Melitta grind & brew" yesterday and I've used it 5 times so far....because each time, the coffee is too weak and not really drinkable, like drinking brown water!

Each time, I thought I was doing something wrong, but now I'm sure it's the coffee maker: it needs ALOT more beans to get the same flavor I am used to.

The problem, I think is in the soft metal mesh that operates as the container and filter for the coffee beans. First of all, the blades grind the beans and spray them all over the container. Some of the coffee end up on the top lid of the container and all over the walls. When the water drips down the center, it never "sees" the coffee on the sides and the ceiling. Second, the metal mesh that serves as the filter is too porous and the water's contact time with the coffee is minimal (unlike a paper filter).

Normally, I would use between 2-3 scoops of beans per cup of coffee. Using this machine, I have to use at least 6-7 large scoops of beans to get an "okay" 1 mug of coffee.

The price is right ($69.99), but factoring in the taste and the extra cost of beans, it's not worth it. Disappointed, I am returning the item today after work.

[kealina]

that's too bad.... i can't drink weak coffee either.... that's why we bought our machine... cuz it came w/an espresso maker and we like ours pretty darn strong..

[scrava]

oh, that sux markusk!
I just checked w/ my dh and we use 3 scoops for 10 cups.

Better Luck w/ your next machine!