Thread for the Coffee lovers

[Fiftyfifty]

Hi,
If you are asking for instant coffee options, many would consider that, in audio terminology, entry level. If you are keen about experiencing true coffee flavour, you could try stepping up in the following sequence:
1. Ground coffee powder mixed with chicory.
2. Ground pure arabica sans chicory
3. Whole beans roasted not more than a week earlier, ground at home on a masala grinder
4. Same as 3 above, but using a burr grinder
Depending on taste and convenience, you can use a variety of brewing equipment including South Indian filter, coffee making machine, French press, aeropress, stove top moka pot, etc.
Apart from Blue Tokai mentioned above, there are less expensive options to source coffee, whether ground or whole beans, e.g. Cothas coffee, among others, that will come up in a web search. Then there are international, very expensive, coffees like Columbian, Venezuelan, Costs Rican, etc.

It's a journey like in audio. Best wishes.

 

[Spinekar]

Hi Anil, not instant coffee but this setup below is a poor mans fresh filter coffee setup

Use this grinder ( burr grinder but manual grinding)

https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B084JPN2S9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Use these beans from blu Tokai ( buy it locally from blue tokai, koramangala) this roast level is for filter coffee

Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters Vienna Roast (Dark Roast) - 250 Gm (Whole Beans) : Amazon.in: Grocery & Gourmet Foods

Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters Vienna Roast (Dark Roast) - 250 Gm (Whole Beans) : Amazon.in: Grocery & Gourmet Foods

www.amazon.in

Use this Chicory powder in a ratio of 15% to 75% of coffee powder ( sometimes, generally it's only coffee powder)

Urban Platter Chicory Powder, 300g : Amazon.in: Grocery & Gourmet Foods

Urban Platter Chicory Powder, 300g : Amazon.in: Grocery & Gourmet Foods

www.amazon.in

to filter the decoction use something like this

Buy JAYANTHI Stainless South Indian Filter Coffee Maker 200Ml, 4-6 Cups Online at Low Prices in India - Amazon.in

Amazon.in: Buy JAYANTHI Stainless South Indian Filter Coffee Maker 200Ml, 4-6 Cups online at low price in India on Amazon.in. Free Shipping. Cash On Delivery

www.amazon.in

 

[skroderider]

Not an expensive coffee connoisseur here, but I love my filter coffee. I have tried the following in the past (and some of them continue)

1. Dark Forest
2. Cafe Coffee Day has these small outlets (in Hyderabad at least) where they grind it before your eyes and sell by weight
3. Bru (stopped)
4. Tata Coffee

 

[Lizard King]

I have strong opinions about coffee. Read them at your own risk.

1. Instant coffee is not coffee. It's a coffee like flavored drink.
2. Chicory ruins coffee.
3. Only 100% Arabica. Robusta is not coffee.
4. Coffee should be like your woman's heart. Dark and bitter. Milk and sugar ruins it.
5. Beans must be ground fresh and consumed same day.
6. 15 bar espresso machine is must. But mokka pot/ French press/ aeropress is also ok, for a different type of taste.

To answer your questions, Blue Tokai, IKEA house brands are good. Starbucks is same thing for more money.
Never grind coffee beans in a normal mixie. A burr grinder is a worthwhile investment.
If you must buy instant, get Nescafe Gold region specials like Cap Columbi or Alta Rica. Davidoff is also not bad. Amazon sells them much cheaper.

 

[arj]

I found the Good Life company to be very good for Instant coffee..far better than nescafe/Bru etc - https://www.tglcompany.com/
They also provide Beans/Ground beans to your specification

For Filter Coffe..favourite has always been Cothas. https://www.cothas.com/product/retail/retail-filter-coffee/specialty-blend/

 

[manav24]

I have strong opinions about coffee. Read them at your own risk.

1. Instant coffee is not coffee. It's a coffee like flavored drink.
2. Chicory ruins coffee.
3. Only 100% Arabica. Robusta is not coffee.
4. Coffee should be like your woman's heart. Dark and bitter. Milk and sugar ruins it.
5. Beans must be ground fresh and consumed same day.
6. 15 bar espresso machine is must. But mokka pot/ French press/ aeropress is also ok, for a different type of taste.

To answer your questions, Blue Tokai, IKEA house brands are good. Starbucks is same thing for more money.
Never grind coffee beans in a normal mixie. A burr grinder is a worthwhile investment.
If you must buy instant, get Nescafe Gold region specials like Cap Columbi or Alta Rica. Davidoff is also not bad. Amazon sells them much cheaper.

Point 3 is not correct as robusta is also coffee, its cheaper than Arabiaca and used worldwide to add favor and mix with Arabiaca. Point 4 depends on personal taste. Point 6 is incorrect, it needs 9 bar pressure to make espresso any machine claiming to have 10 or more bar pressure won't make it any better than a decent 9 bar machine.
Try Home blend coffee beans/ grinded coffee available on amazon, they are great.
After audio and Gin and tonic, I love coffee and own a Delonghi Super Automatic machine and it makes fantastic espresso as well as lattes.

 

[Lizard King]

Point 3 is not correct as robusta is also coffee, its cheaper than Arabiaca and used worldwide to add favor and mix with Arabiaca. Point 4 depends on personal taste. Point 6 is incorrect, it needs 9 bar pressure to make espresso any machine claiming to have 10 or more bar pressure won't make it any better than a decent 9 bar machine.
Try Home blend coffee beans/ grinded coffee available on amazon, they are great.
After audio and Gin and tonic, I love coffee and own a Delonghi Super Automatic machine and it makes fantastic espresso as well as lattes.

I already had a disclaimer

Most of my coffee beans are from Ethiopia. Either Sidamo beans or Yirgacheffe. A popular brand called Robera. Sometimes I blend the two at home. Unfortunately now with travel stopped its difficult to get them.
Technically Robusta is coffee. But it is a matter of taste like SS vs tube amp.
15 bar headroom helps with the machine. I use Saeco 15 bar, but the auto tamping portafilter is modified so that I can tamp as per my mood and taste. Automated machines don't work for me as I want full manual control, right from grinding size of the beans.

 

[manav24]

I already had a disclaimer

Most of my coffee beans are from Ethiopia. Either Sidamo beans or Yirgacheffe. A popular brand called Robera. Sometimes I blend the two at home. Unfortunately now with travel stopped its difficult to get them.
Technically Robusta is coffee. But it is a matter of taste like SS vs tube amp.
15 bar headroom helps with the machine. I use Saeco 15 bar, but the auto tamping portafilter is modified so that I can tamp as per my mood and taste. Automated machines don't work for me as I want full manual control, right from grinding size of the beans.

Yeah manual is heaven but too much effort needed to get a Cuppa heaven early in the morning, so not my cup of coffee! We can control the grind size in Automatic too but not to the level of with electric grinders.

 

[keith_correa]

Like in things audio, I'm a cheapskate when it comes to buying coffee and having tried a lot of brands these are the ones that stand out:

1. The Malnad [3 variants available]

1.1. Pure [No chicory]​

1.2. Double Special [10% chicory] - I like this a lot and it has become a staple at my home.​

1.3 They had another variant but can't see it on Amazon now [I think it has 15% or 20% chicory]​

2. Mysore Concerns

Even though I consider chicory a contaminant, I'm of the opinion that a little [not more than 10%] chicory elevates the flavor of coffee.

 

[Lizard King]

Key variables are grind size and tamping pressure. Manual grind is really painful and beyond me. Now Baratza grinder available in Amazon is quite good.
I didn't know that Dark Forest beans are still available. Those were my first foray into serious coffee. Wonderful beans.
If one is OK with robusta blend, then Lavazza Crema Gusto is a good choice.

 

[Spinekar]

Manual grind is really painful

True that

 

[jaiwant_alex]

Like in things audio, I'm a cheapskate when it comes to buying coffee and having tried a lot of brands these are the ones that stand out:

1. The Malnad [3 variants available]

1.1. Pure [No chicory]​

1.2. Double Special [10% chicory] - I like this a lot and it has become a staple at my home.​

1.3 They had another variant but can't see it on Amazon now [I think it has 15% or 20% chicory]​

2. Mysore Concerns

Even though I consider chicory a contaminant, I'm of the opinion that a little [not more than 10%] chicory elevates the flavor of coffee.

I'm a fellow cheapskate and my choice of coffee is something called Continental Malgudi. It's available in two options - 80:20 Coffee Chicory and 60:40.

Have also tasted some good coffee on a visit to Yercaud - Cauvery Peak. Also available on Amazon.

I use both a French press and a Indian 'percolator' and the results are quite good

Will also agree with another posters comment that instant is NOT coffee !!

 

[Yuvaraj_N]

Not much into coffee, but the best coffee I ever had was 'Halliberri' at the Chikmagalur coffee estate where it's grown. I would visit their homestay again just for the coffee and it's complimentary .

 

[Lizard King]

Karnataka has wonderful small producers coffee varieties. If marketed properly they can easily be world beaters. The big brands that are sold in India like Illy and Starbucks are total rip off.

 

[prateekatasniya]

Hi FM,

Please suggest me a good coffee brand that you are currently using.
At present, I am using Nescafe Classic Coffee.

Please also suggest me where I can buy online.

Thanks and Regards
Anil

Continental, davidoff..
Don't know from where my wife buy it ..

 

[hifiramr]

Good question as its a big market now.I have tried various brands across including branded very expensive ones..Finally I got a better one from our country itself without breaking my pocket.Its panduranga coffee brand from Chikmagalur. I got reference from a food blogger named Kripal amanna. For the last 6 months I am using the same brand.They have online site just try it out.

Panduranga Coffee Works | Best Chikmagalur Coffee |Shop Online

Shop Best Chikmagalur Coffee Online from Panduranga Coffee Works. Buy Coffee Powder, Roasted Beans, Tea, Spices, Brewing Accessories.

www.pandurangacoffee.com

 

[anilpatel]

Good question as its a big market now.I have tried various brands across including branded very expensive ones..Finally I got a better one from our country itself without breaking my pocket.Its panduranga coffee brand from Chikmagalur. I got reference from a food blogger named Kripal amanna. For the last 6 months I am using the same brand.They have online site just try it out.

Panduranga Coffee Works | Best Chikmagalur Coffee |Shop Online

Shop Best Chikmagalur Coffee Online from Panduranga Coffee Works. Buy Coffee Powder, Roasted Beans, Tea, Spices, Brewing Accessories.

www.pandurangacoffee.com

I saw the video on Coffee by Kripam Amanna, hence I thought above question.

 

[keith_correa]

'Halliberri' at the Chikmagalur coffee estate where it's grown.

Lovely play on the word.

 

[stevieboy]

I’d second the suggestions to try out proper ground coffee and move out of instant coffee. The benefits are better flavour and more of the health benefits that fresh coffee brings. Amazon is a good place to get different coffee brands and see which one your taste buds prefer, as well as local indie roasteries like blue tokai, third wave etc. you can explore brewing methods like the French Press, Moka Pot or the indian percolator among others. I’ve been down the path you’re on and now roast my own coffee customizing the roast profile to my exact preference. Will be selling ground coffee or beans soon. I learnt to froth coffee and do latte art but now I drink black coffee only. The froth and art is reserved for guests now. And in summers you can cold brew coffee which gives you a very different flavour profile since the cold water extracts different components of the coffee bean and is a less acidic brew also. So much more you can do with real coffee compared to instant. Cheers!

 

[Chulbulee]

Actually it all depends on what you grew along with (like Cadbury dairymilk, no other comes near).
[Most people cannot align with the chocolate flavour foreign brands bring Whey Protein here. Their chocolate flavour is tooo odd, same with cookie-and-cream ... and so on] Last year I saw that Davidoff coffee retailing for Rs 500, but within a month, it was buy 1 get 3 free (total 4 packs)]

I feel Chicory adds good taste, and Bru tastes best. Bru Gold (now discontinued) tasted much better than plain Bru. Even Nescafe classic is good. Now liquid concentrate is also available, but it does not taste that good.