How do you like your coffee?

[Parkour]

I have never been to a coffee shop before. I usually just buy instant coffee and have it with milk and sugar (occasionally I get one from McDonald's) . I hate black coffee but I read that it tastes bad because I am using instant coffee for it. I don't really know much else about coffee but I know there is a variety out there so I am curious to know how you lovers of science like your coffee. I will google the names.

 

[collinsmark]

Given the choice, I prefer my coffee in cappuccino form, lately. But any espresso based coffee will do just fine.

Actually, coffee in most any form will do: french press, percolator, automatic drip, they're all fine choices. I even keep instant coffee on hand in case of emergencies, and I'm not ashamed of it. It works fine in a pinch.

Black coffee is somewhat of an acquired taste. That said, you'll find that a simple shot or two of espresso, while pretty extreme in flavor, isn't actually all that bitter. Whatever the case, if you don't like the bitterness (regardless of how coffee is made), a bit of milk or cream will take the edge off. Sugar is fine if you like sweet things. They're all good options.

The only coffee I don't like is "coffee" drinks with a bunch of syrups and syrupy flavors thrown in. That has no business being in the same establishment as proper coffee. But, to each his own, I guess.

 

[Mark44]

I have never been to a coffee shop before.

I go to a local Starbucks, but never hang out there, and have only once ever bought a coffee drink there, what they call a frappuccino. What I always buy is a bag of some dark roast coffee beans, which I have them grind for me. My wife and I have a coffee grinder, but the thing makes lots of noise but doesn't grind the coffee beans very fine.

I have one cup of coffee a day, made from 1/4 cup of ground coffee and one cup of water -- pretty strong. I like a little sugar in it, no cream. Compared to how I brew it, most restaurants make very weak coffee, suitable IMO for infants.

I usually just buy instant coffee

Yuk.

 

[DennisN]

80% medium strong coffee, 20% milk and a little sugar is my preference.
It is my understanding that here in Sweden we are accustomed to quite strong coffee.
When I have visited other countries I have often found the coffee to be a bit weak for my taste .

 

[Rive]

When I have visited other countries I have often found the coffee to be a bit weak for my taste .

Same here.
At home it's a good old moka pot, when away it's espresso or double.
Bit of sugar and bit of cream.

Once we spent a day aimlessly wandering around in a town in Germany till we could find some decent coffee.
We just did not had the energy to get going. Felt like wearing slippers through the day.

I am using instant coffee for it.

You may get the caffeine, but not the taste
Coffee is very different

 

[Frabjous]

Lavazza gold from a moka pot with real cream (not fat free or powdered).
I like a little sugar, but that is personal preference.

 

[hutchphd]

Every morning I make a Cappuccino with a dusting of cinnamon sugar and shaved very dark chocolate. The rest of the day is downhill from that.

 

[pinball1970]

80% medium strong coffee, 20% milk and a little sugar is my preference.
It is my understanding that here in Sweden we are accustomed to quite strong coffee.
When I have visited other countries I have often found the coffee to be a bit weak for my taste .

You have never been to Turkey?

Me neither but I happened upon some Turkish colleagues of a colleague at a work event and we had Turkish coffee over Lunch.

It was black, viscous, quite gritty and unpleasant overall but the after effects were quite striking.

I walked round the rest of the Exhibition a little spaced out checking my pulse every 5 minutes.

I had a similar effect from Italian coffee first time I had it, tiny little cup with a big hit- much prettier overall though. Not as gritty.

 

[Vanadium 50]

Is it wrong of me to think of this?

 

[pinball1970]

I will confess to being an instant guy at home too, just for convenience.
I do like the real stuff when I get the chance.
Culturally we are tea drinkers but with advent of the fast food industry and chain places the younger generation are much more clued up.
Just ordering the damn thing needed a quick lesson from staff first time I went in.
Today if grab one while I am in town it is Americano with a little milk added after, no sugar, no froth. Very nice.

 

[ergospherical]

I drink tea, darling.

 

[pinball1970]

I drink tea, darling.

So either British or female and American?

 

[pinball1970]

I drink tea, darling.

Obviously you are not obliged to answer I just wanted to test my powers of deduction

 

[atyy]

I have never been to a coffee shop before. I usually just buy instant coffee and have it with milk and sugar (occasionally I get one from McDonald's) . I hate black coffee but I read that it tastes bad because I am using instant coffee for it. I don't really know much else about coffee but I know there is a variety out there so I am curious to know how you lovers of science like your coffee. I will google the names.

How about the high class coffee from McDonald's? Here in Singapore those McDonald's are McCafes.

 

[bretrigby]

Depends. If I'm in a coffee shop it's a dirty chai tea latte (a chai tea latte with 2 shots of espresso).

If I'm home, we grind our coffee and have a pour over. Teaspoon of sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk.

 

[sandy stone]

I grew up in New Orleans, so I prefer dark roast coffee so strong you really can't drink it without a little cream and sugar. (I also am used to coffee and chicory, but that's a different conversation.) I find it appalling when you can see the bottom of a full cup of coffee.
French drip or French press are the gold standards of preparation, although I have used an Aeropress and it also makes excellent coffee. I received a Nespresso machine for my birthday, and I enjoy that also, however I feel a little guilty about the packaging waste of the pods.

 

[Mark44]

You have never been to Turkey?

Nor have I, but I once had turska kava (Turkish coffee), in Split, in what is now Croatia. It was as you described it: very strong, very sweet, and with plenty of grounds in it.

I find it appalling when you can see the bottom of a full cup of coffee.

Same here. A restaurant where I occasionally had breakfast years ago served coffee in clear glass mugs. The coffee was so week that you could read a newspaper through the sides of a full mug of their coffee.

 

[gleem]

I have been drinking coffee since first grade. At that time with milk and sugar. After grad school, I ditched the cream.

For breakfast black with just enough sugar to begin to taste the sweetness. After dinner often just black especially with dessert.Best little expresso-style, stove-top coffee maker but be sure you use decent coffee.

 

[Charles Link]

I brew mine with a "Mr. Coffee" coffee maker. I often use Maxwell House coffee, and I like it with cream/milk. I also have a Starbucks in my neighborhood, just one block away, and often go there for a cup.

 

[Mayhem]

Black with a cigarette as the sun rises above the horizon.

 

[symbolipoint]

I have never been to a coffee shop before. I usually just buy instant coffee and have it with milk and sugar (occasionally I get one from McDonald's) . I hate black coffee but I read that it tastes bad because I am using instant coffee for it. I don't really know much else about coffee but I know there is a variety out there so I am curious to know how you lovers of science like your coffee. I will google the names.

You CAN have good 'black' coffee, and when the word "good" is used here, this really does mean "very good or excellent flavor". How to get this is, buy unroasted high quality green coffee beans and learn to roast the coffee yourself. Store in sealed jar in cool place for a few hours. When ready, grind and brew what you need as you need. You can use a drip filter, or whatever method. NO cream! NO sugar! No sweetener! The coffee WILL taste great on its own. With only a small bit of practice, YOUR coffee will be better than from any coffee shop; better than from any fast food restaurant.

You just must get high quality beans and roast them yourself.

 

[collinsmark]

Me neither but I happened upon some Turkish colleagues of a colleague at a work event and we had Turkish coffee over Lunch.

It was black, viscous, quite gritty and unpleasant overall but the after effects were quite striking.

Yeah, Turkish coffee too. That's what I'm takin' about. So thick you can tell fortunes after the liquid is gone by the residue left in the bottom of the cup.

I grew up in New Orleans, so I prefer dark roast coffee so strong you really can't drink it without a little cream and sugar. (I also am used to coffee and chicory, but that's a different conversation.) I find it appalling when you can see the bottom of a full cup of coffee.

That brings back some memories. I spent some time in New Orleans too. Once acquired, the taste and desire for chicory in the coffee is long lasting. I should check my local grocery to see if they have any chicory. If not, I might have an old friend who can hook me up.

 

[LCSphysicist]

Pure coffe, no sugar.
If it is necessary to add sugar, i would add "organic sugar", not the white one. But i can't buy organic sugar frequently because it is expensive. So, in the end, no sugar.

I drink tea, darling.

May god have mercy on your soul, you heretic! haha

Once a time i went to starbucks, but i didn't like it, and it is expensive too. I think i didn't like beucase i didn't make the ritual... i forgot to take picture and post in all social medials available with some impact description...

 

[symbolipoint]

Pure coffe, no sugar.
If it is necessary to add sugar, i would add "organic sugar", not the white one. But i can't buy organic sugar frequently because it is expensive. So, in the end, no sugar.May god have mercy on your soul, you heretic! haha

Once a time i went to starbucks, but i didn't like it, and it is expensive too. I think i didn't like beucase i didn't make the ritual... i forgot to take picture and post in all social medials available with some impact description...

Good coffee does not need any sugar.

 

[BillTre]

I used to use cream or milk in my coffee.
Now I just take it black with a little bit salt (shaken, not ground).
Bitter coffee is not one of my favorites.

The salt is a trick I learned from some sailors on a ship I used to work on.
These on the bridge would make a jug of coffee at the beginning of a 4 hour watch and it would be on the heater for a long time. A bit of salt reduces the bitterness.
Not sure of the mechanism, but it may involve the bitterness taste receptor, rather than chemistry in the coffee itself.

 

[ergospherical]

Once a time i went to starbucks, but i didn't like it, and it is expensive too. I think i didn't like beucase i didn't make the ritual... i forgot to take picture and post in all social medials available with some impact description...

Haha yeah, and Starbucks coffee tends to be insanely unhealthy as well. That’s another benefit of tea, a nice Earl Grey has nearly zero calories.

The profit margin on coffee is also ridiculous. When I was a barista over the summer we’d frequently give away free coffee to regulars & tradespeople from the same high-street and happily throw away coffee if the “latté art” wasn’t quite right or if people wanted to change their orders, because it costs hardly anything to make a single one!

 

[DennisN]

You have never been to Turkey?

Me neither but I happened upon some Turkish colleagues of a colleague at a work event and we had Turkish coffee over Lunch.

It was black, viscous, quite gritty and unpleasant overall but the after effects were quite striking.

No, I've never been to Turkey. But it rings a bell. I may be mistaken, but there's something that reminds me of a bit of historical connection. Something like coffee culture spreading to Europe from Turkey through the Balkans at some point in history. Time to google it...

 

[collinsmark]

Here's an NPR podcast, Travel with Rick Steves. The episode is all mostly about coffee. Specifically, it's about Berlin, and coffee in Italy (and some non-coffee things).

Some takeaways are that Italians are a bit spoiled when it comes to coffee: they have very good espresso based coffee and it's cheap. When they travel abroad, they'll drink the espresso coffee at coffee shops, sure. But if they decide not to, it's only because they'd go broke; it's so damned expensive outside their country.

 

[Rive]

Turkish coffee ... It was black, viscous, quite gritty and unpleasant overall but the after effects were quite striking.

Honestly, I know what's that about but I prefer coffee which I can drink at least a mouthful without immediate caffeine poisoning
Turkish coffee is something really serious. It's the absinth of coffees.

On the other hand: interesting that both tea and coffee has these special cases flirting with soups

 

[gmax137]

How to get this is, buy unroasted high quality green coffee beans and learn to roast the coffee yourself.

Years ago I worked with a guy from Sri Lanka. He had contempt for the coffee in the break room. Told me how his mother would wake up early to roast the bean and prepare "real coffee."

 

[DrClaude]

Is it wrong of me to think of this?

Can't say it's wrong as it came to my mind as soon as I read the title of the thread...

 

[onatirec]

At home, I drink strong pour-over coffee. Generally black, though recently I've been cutting it lightly with oat-milk. I much prefer light-roast as the flavor is far superior - and grinding beans at home just before use.

When out: double espresso, black unless at some establishment with terrible coffee (e.g. Starbucks) then cut with cream.

I do miss the Italian cafe, cheap short shots ($0.80-$1.00). Expresso in small town here is $3+tip, but taller and stronger...

In school (not too long ago) I switched for a time from coffee to tea. Four double shots a day started to feel excessive. As far as tea goes, I'd swear by high mountain Oolongs.

 

[symbolipoint]

Years ago I worked with a guy from Sri Lanka. He had contempt for the coffee in the break room. Told me how his mother would wake up early to roast the bean and prepare "real coffee."

Very very understandable. The difference is HUGE.

What I find or the way I find is like this:
Most coffees from, like normal grocery store and fancier specialty grocery store, regardless of labeling, have been roasted to a dark roast or beyond; even if the labeling says "light roast" or "medium"; it is most often still actually too darkly roasted, which reduces the amount of flavor, and often enough also gives a charcoal, burned flavor. Along with this, I suspect most of these supplies was of coffees not of the best quality.

There are occasional exceptions. A new, small coffee bar near us has a brew of coffee they serve or sell to customers, which seems to be possibly a medium level roast and of decent flavor.

 

[pinball1970]

Is it wrong of me to think of this?

Ok I think this will not be deleted now so I can comment.
There is something extremely inappropriate and slightly disturbing with this scene which is probably why it is also very funny.

 

[symbolipoint]

I much prefer light-roast as the flavor is far superior - and grinding beans at home just before use.

That's the way to do it! Light roast means more flavor and better flavor. Also, Most high quality coffees will have a sweetness that is present and easier to sense/taste/find at the light-roast level; which is why I say/said, good coffee doe not need added sweetener.

 

[George Jones]

How do I like my coffee. I like my coffee crisp.



Might have to be Canadian of a certain age to be familiar with these commercials, as I am not sure if this available in the US. I sometimes get this from the vending machines at work to have with my Earl Grey tea.

 

[DennisN]

It was black, viscous, quite gritty and unpleasant overall but the after effects were quite striking.

I walked round the rest of the Exhibition a little spaced out checking my pulse every 5 minutes.

I sometimes overdo my own coffee, and then the effects are definitely felt.
I'm standing there in front of the coffeemaker thinking to myself "Hey, I feel quite tired, let's make some strong coffee this time". I drink the coffee and turn into a nervous wreck, thinking "I'm not going to do that mistake again". But sometimes I do.

 

[symbolipoint]

I sometimes overdo my own coffee, and then the effects are definitely felt.
I'm standing there in front of the coffeemaker thinking to myself "Hey, I feel quite tired, let's make some strong coffee this time". I drink the coffee and turn into a nervous wreck, thinking "I'm not going to do that mistake again". But sometimes I do.

One must learn to drink or use coffee properly or carefully. Using it right just let's you not feel tired. Overdoing it is what you want to learn to avoid.

Something important: How fast to drink the coffee

 

[pinball1970]

One must learn to drink or use coffee properly or carefully. Using it right just let's you not feel tired. Overdoing it is what you want to learn to avoid.

Something important: How fast to drink the coffee

Let's face it, coffee is a drug. We don't tend to talk in these terms but that is what it is.
I drink a lot but stop after lunch as a rule.
Caffeine is ok for the liver apparently so it ticks a couple of boxes for me.

 

[DennisN]

Let's face it, coffee is a drug. We don't tend to talk in these terms but that is what it is.

I agree. And coffee isn't something we really need, but many of us tend to like it. It's a stimulant "drug".

 

[gleem]

Let's face it, coffee is a drug.

And for that matter so is sugar.

 

[pinball1970]

And for that matter so is sugar.

And for that matter so is sugar.

I don't think so. Caffeine is a stimulant. @jim mcnamara @BillTre what is your view?

 

[BillTre]

I don't think so. Caffeine is a stimulant. @jim mcnamara @BillTre what is your view?

For sure caffeine is a stimulant.
Sugar acts as a stimulant with children's behavior at least. But if it would be classified as a drug pharmacologically, I don't know.
Probably depends on how you define drug.

 

[hutchphd]

I have never met a drug I didn't like. Well that's not quite true but irrelevant... I can use them or not. I ceased tobacco smoking many years ago.
But coffee makes life so much better. I am very much enamored and doubtless addicted. As near as I can tell, it has no down side. So don't get between me and my coffee.

 

[gleem]

Sugar may not be a drug per se but it does induce certain drug-like effects like the increase in dopamine, craving and binging.British Journal of Sports Medicine: Sugar addiction: is it real? A narrative review

Abstract​

In animal studies, sugar has been found to produce more symptoms than is required to be considered an addictive substance. Animal data has shown significant overlap between the consumption of added sugars and drug-like effects, including bingeing, craving, tolerance, withdrawal, cross-sensitisation, cross-tolerance, cross-dependence, reward and opioid effects. Sugar addiction seems to be dependence to the natural endogenous opioids that get released upon sugar intake. In both animals and humans, the evidence in the literature shows substantial parallels and overlap between drugs of abuse and sugar, from the standpoint of brain neurochemistry as well as behaviour.

 

[DaveC426913]

Iced.

I almost universally eschew hot liquids. And, yes, that includes soup.

The purpose of a liquid is to cool. A hot drink is an oxymoron.

 

[jim mcnamara]

Table sugar, sucrose, is a glucose-fructose dimer. Humans have extensive biochemistry to support glucose metabolism. Not so, for fructose. Large amounts of dietary sucrose are a problem for the liver, fructose gets metabolized into fat and stays. The acronym NAFLD stands for Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Sucrose consumption is one of the primary drivers for this disease. It is a hallmark for inflammatory associated conditions - metabolic syndrome, type II diabetes. This is why you may see people who think high fructose corn syrup in beveragescontributes to these issues.

This is probably what your phsysican is telling you about when s/he mentions "high liver numbers"

See for NAFLD : https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/nafld-nash

There are also some preliminary studies of the association of sucrose over-consumption and dementias.
Example:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33569566/

Why? Simple answer is humans need Vitamin C. Sweet fruit usually has Vitamin C. So humans evolved a sweet tooth to cope with procuring a very transient and valuable resource in the wild. McDonalds, sugar drink manufacturers et al make sure it is no longer a transient resource.

Today, the average American consumes almost 152 pounds of sugar in one year. This is equal to 3 pounds (or 6 cups) of sugar consumed in one week...

https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/nhp/documents/sugar.pdf

 

[symbolipoint]

Let's face it, coffee is a drug. We don't tend to talk in these terms but that is what it is.
I drink a lot but stop after lunch as a rule.
Caffeine is ok for the liver apparently so it ticks a couple of boxes for me.

Yes. That was my point, and your subpoint is excellent.

 

[symbolipoint]

For sure caffeine is a stimulant.
Sugar acts as a stimulant with children's behavior at least. But if it would be classified as a drug pharmacologically, I don't know.
Probably depends on how you define drug.

Some of us understand what you mean.

 

[symbolipoint]

Not so, for fructose. Large amounts of dietary sucrose are a problem for the liver, fructose gets metabolized into fat and stays.

Like I said earlier, truly good coffee has its own sweetness, or at least a hint of sweetness and therefore needs no additional sugar.