Coffee question,

[eyepaddle]

Does anybody make coffee with a percolator? If so, how does this compare with filter coffee or a french press?

I remember my folks had one when I was a small child, but I don't think I've ever had any coffee made in one. Plus, I am thinking about picking one up to bring on canoe trips.

Thanks all

[jpgray]

1. I love my percolator

I take my coffee black, so it's all I really need.

[MrModerate]

7. This thang is NOT a classic percolator

I'm not sure what it's called, but it passes water through the coffee a single time, without boiling, and avoids the nasty changes in the complex flavor molecules that near-boiling-and-above temperatures cause.

A percolator -- largely obsolete, thank god -- boils and boils the coffee, running it through the grounds countless times until the burnt sludge factor reaches a maximum.

[Heyo]

10. Hmmmm

I'm not sure what it's called, but it passes water through the coffee a single time, without boiling, and avoids the nasty changes in the complex flavor molecules that near-boiling-and-above temperatures cause.

Interesting you say that. I drink instant coffee. I prefer it, mostly because I usually want to make a single cup at a time, not a whole pot. Plus, I like the instant actually. It ain't bad.

But I find when I heat the water too much, and then mix it and then I have t let it cool, the coffee doesn't taste the same as when I just heat it to that just-right temperature and then mix it and drink it.

Maybe I am scalding my flavor molecules! ;(

:dunce:

Heyo

[eyepaddle]

11. I just did a bit of "research"

That thing is a "pressure-type" percolator. Apparently they are the most popular method to home brew coffe in Spain and Italy.

[MrModerate]

14. Also my preferred method in my home in Romania

And I suppose it is -- if you want to get pedantic -- a percolator.

What I was remembering was the traditional Amurrican electric percolator with heating element in the bottom where the already brewed coffee circulated continuously until you turned it off or drank enough of the contents that it could no longer force the hot liquid through the basket of grounds. Nasty.

[eyepaddle]

15. I didn't mean to step on your toes...

I was just curious about what was, and was not, a percolator. The reason I put resaerch in quotes was the fact that all I did was a google search. I wasn't making phone calls and tracking down leads or anything.

I threw the post out just to say that there are different kinds of percolators gravity (recirculating)and Pressure type (non-recirculating) I was just following up what you said--not correcting you. :hi:

[MrModerate]

16. If I sounded like I was suffering toe pain, my apologies

Certainly not intended/no offense taken.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Coffee toddy

My husband uses a coffee toddy. He puts a pound of fresh ground coffee in a funnel and fills the funnel with water (the hole in the bottom is plugged). It sits overnight, and then he pulls the plug. It runs through a filter to catch the grounds, and what he has is coffee concentrate, which he puts in hot water. Since the coffee was not extracted with heat, it doesn't have the acid of regular coffee. He likes making up different types of coffees and having them in the fridge to add to his hot water.

I know it doesn't answer your question, but I thought you might wish to know about this.

[eyepaddle]

3. Feel free to pipe in,

I believe that any hobby worth having, is worth taking just too far! I'm a bit methodical about stuff like this; for instance, a chemist friend of mine (who was also a press pot-kind-of-guy) pointed out that you don't want to bring the water to a full boil in the kettle. The extra hot water will volatilize (evaporate) some complex compounds. You can check this yourself--coffee made with really hot water SMELLS fantastic--however, once you smell it, you won't taste it--those chemicals are now airborne.

He also roasted his own beans in a hot air popcorn popper--just so he could get the roast exactly right. Then I think he let the beans sit in a sealed jar for a day or two to let them reabsorb anything they might have "sweat out."

I still think I'm gonna get a percolator! :hi:

[Lefta Dissenter]

4. I used to use one of those

though I let the coffee steep in the water longer than overnight. Then I'd freeze the concentrate in ice cube trays for later use. It really does make smooooooooooooooooooth coffee.

Thanks for reminding me about it! :hi: I might haul it out and make some cubes to keep in the freezer at work!

[hlthe2b]

6. I do this in the summer for iced coffee. It is kind on the stomach too...

given the less acid created.

[regnaD kciN]

17. I've been using one of those since 1978...

...they really do help take out the bitterness. They are also ideal at making a "poor man's iced latte" -- 1 shot of Toddy coffee, fill glass with 2% milk.

For those too rushed/lazy for the Toddy, there's now a line of pre-bottled coffee concentrates made with the same cold-water method. which can be found in most supermarkets in the NW.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

5. I LOVE percolated coffee

Don't own a stove top percolator anymore but it tastes much richer...

[eyepaddle]

8. Ah, now that is what I am looking for! nt

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

9. If you can find one of the old clear corning ones

you can make your coffee as dark or light as you please. The toddy maker might be better for camping as you can boil water and add so each cup is hot and fresh...used to have one of those too..loved it.

[Floogeldy]

12. I've been very pleased with one cup makers

The ones that use #1 filters. I went through two Melittas, which I don't think they make anymore. Now I have a Black & Decker that works fine. These one cuppers do not boil the water - - - just get it very hot. Good cup.

[freestyle]

13. A bit more flavorful, but more chance to mess up

There is a fine line between pleasantly strong and bitter that you find after a bit of trial and error with a percolator. Filter is reliable and consistent with occassional thorough cleaning. Running a vinegar mix through and then a couple of pots of water works best. I am not a big french press fan as the flavor continues to change even after the plunger is dropped. However, some coffee aficianados claim the press is the only way to go.

[WMliberal]

18. as much coffee as I've had in my life

you'd think I'd have tried some from a percolator...

Nothing beats a french press, IMO.