Gene51
Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
My nephew just flew in from Singapore and brought me a Christmas present . . .
Great shot of what looks like an interesting blend. My first legal drink was Haig and Haig Pinch Bottle Scotch Whiskey and I still drink only Single Malt Scotch or Irish Whiskey. My first cup of coffee was Folgers that came vacuum packed in a tin can and 70 years later I still, of choice, drink Folgers. I must be one of the people who miss the good things in life
Gene51 wrote:
My nephew just flew in from Singapore and brought me a Christmas present . . .
An extremely interesting and thoughtful gift. S/B a unique flavor experience. I have used Black Rifle Coffee for the last couple of years. Their excellent 100% Arabica is our favorite, and their logistics are superb - I never run out. Not cheap, but they support important causes with part of their profits.
Gene51
Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
Kopi Luwak has an interesting background. In fact, it is a very specific variety of arabica coffee, unerringly picked at the peak of ripeness, using a very natural process. The critter on the label is a palm civet - a sort of cat - that consumes the coffee berries at their ripest, then poops them out. Plantation workers look for civet scat, which is basically 95% undigestible green coffee beans. The beans are exactly like the ones that are picked by humans, but without the fruit covering. The animal is better at finding the ripest berries that most humans are. The passage through this vegetarian animal's digestive tract "conditions" and ages the beans using natural digestive enzymes. The beans are sanitized, but since the civet is 100% vegetarian, there is little chance of bacterial contamination anyway, and they are roasted or sold as green beans. The result is an uncommonly delicious brew, without the slightest hint of bitterness, a mouth-filling robust flavor and a long chocolately finish, typical of Sumatran coffees (Mocha Java and other varietals). The unique harvesting method and outstanding flavor makes this a pretty rare coffee - and green beans go for as high as $600USD/lb. I am not sure it is worth THAT much, but when you are able to get it locally, the price is more in line with a Jamaican Blue Mountain or a Puerto Rican Yaucono Oro - around $35-$50/lb.
My nephew is my connection - any time he comes to the states, I get some Kopi Luwak - usually beans but sometimes sachets like this. I prefer the beans because I have a decent expresso machine and grinder - and I have the combo fine-tuned to brew at exactly the right temp - between 190°F and 196°F for a dark roasted espresso, and the grind and tamping pressure I use gets me a perfect double shot in 27 secs for a 16 g of grounds.
Gene51 wrote:
Kopi Luwak has an interesting background. In fact, it is a very specific variety of arabica coffee, unerringly picked at the peak of ripeness, using a very natural process. The critter on the label is a palm civet - a sort of cat - that consumes the coffee berries at their ripest, then poops them out. Plantation workers look for civet scat, which is basically 95% undigestible green coffee beans. The beans are exactly like the ones that are picked by humans, but without the fruit covering. The animal is better at finding the ripest berries that most humans are. The passage through this vegetarian animal's digestive tract "conditions" and ages the beans using natural digestive enzymes. The beans are sanitized, but since the civet is 100% vegetarian, there is little chance of bacterial contamination anyway, and they are roasted or sold as green beans. The result is an uncommonly delicious brew, without the slightest hint of bitterness, a mouth-filling robust flavor and a long chocolately finish, typical of Sumatran coffees (Mocha Java and other varietals). The unique harvesting method and outstanding flavor makes this a pretty rare coffee - and green beans go for as high as $600USD/lb. I am not sure it is worth THAT much, but when you are able to get it locally, the price is more in line with a Jamaican Blue Mountain or a Puerto Rican Yaucono Oro - around $35-$50/lb.
Kopi Luwak has an interesting background. In fact,... (
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Actually I knew about the "processing" by Civet, but didn't want to get "visceral".
Had Blue Mountain on the Plantation decades ago in Jamaica, and at the Hotel as well - excellent. Will have to look up the Yaucono Oro, just for a try. Thanks for sharing! Edit: Do have a Krupp grinder, for the rest, Cowboy style percolators on a gas burner. The old coffee machine with gold foil filter on standby for emergencies or guest overflow.
Gene51
Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
Quixdraw wrote:
Actually I knew about the "processing" by Civet, but didn't want to get "visceral".
Had Blue Mountain on the Plantation decades ago in Jamaica, and at the Hotel as well - excellent. Will have to look up the Yaucono Oro, just for a try. Thanks for sharing! Edit: Do have a Krupp grinder, for the rest, Cowboy style percolators on a gas burner. The old coffee machine with gold foil filter on standby for emergencies or guest overflow.
Actually I knew about the "processing" b... (
show quote)
My 25 yr old Wega Mininova - it's getting hard to find parts now, so I will likely be replacing it with a Profitec Pro 600 PID dual boiler with flow control. It's a bit of an upgrade, and it's a good thing my wife is spoiled on the good coffee, otherwise it would be out of the question.
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Gene51 wrote:
My 25 yr old Wega Mininova - it's getting hard to find parts now, so I will likely be replacing it with a Profitec Pro 600 PID dual boiler with flow control. It's a bit of an upgrade, and it's a good thing my wife is spoiled on the good coffee, otherwise it would be out of the question.
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Always amazing stuff - even your "Old / New" way ahead of me!
Gene51
Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
Quixdraw wrote:
Always amazing stuff - even your "Old / New" way ahead of me!
Given my age and how long I tend to keep these things - the next one should be the last espresso machine I will need to buy.
Gene51 wrote:
Given my age and how long I tend to keep these things - the next one should be the last espresso machine I will need to buy.
Personally, I hope you can wear out several more over the years to come!
yorkiebyte
Loc: Scottsdale, AZ/Bandon by the Sea, OR
Gene51 wrote:
My nephew just flew in from Singapore and brought me a Christmas present . . .
Now THAT's a nice present fo' yerself!! VERY nice!! Those are probably fresh beans, I'd guess!
Beautiful present. Enjoy!
Gene51
Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
yorkiebyte wrote:
Now THAT's a nice present fo' yerself!! VERY nice!! Those are probably fresh beans, I'd guess!
This was the first time he brought me already ground coffee in pre-measured sachets for pour over brewing. But it is still very very good.
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