
I'm not sure when it all began, but I can assure you that my love for coffee is undying! Although my equipment is low budget, I can make coffee and espresso drinks better than any of the local shops. I have used a Starbuck's Barista branded Espresso machine and grinder for a few years now with some great results. It takes patience and persistence but good espresso can come from low end equipment. For coffee I use a Melita single cup pour over brewer, press pot, and the newest member of the family...my Aeropress. I have no preference to which one I use on any given day. Each one brings it's own unique twist to the cup.
My preferred roaster is Intelligentsia in Chicago. When I order online it is roasted and shipped normally within 24hrs. It arrives at my door in a couple days nice and fresh. Original Black Cat is the espresso I usually drink and I generally like to order coffees from Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Honduras.
I used my Toddy cold brewer for the first time today and am impressed with how the coffee turned out. It makes a concentrate that you keep in the refrigerator and use to make iced or hot drinks. I made an iced latte and a regular black iced coffee and loved it.
Okay....I'm done talking coffee.....for now!