Need coffee advice!

[Nli]

Hello TB fans:

Thanks to so may of you for so much great advice on so many topics and to TB for the best bags I've ever had. Now I need coffee advice and hope you all can offer some.

I LOVE coffee and there are two coffee crises in my life: 1) I can't drink caffeine any longer - any great decafs out there? 2) any recommendations on home-brew systems?

Most of my coffee consumption until recently was outside of my home but more home-brewing of 2 cups at a time is in my future. Until recently I had a Keurig with the reusable filters but it just died (and although super convenient, it made not-so-great coffee) and also have a french-press (not a fan of the sludge).

Any advice? Any V60 or Chemex users? Started looking around and there are SO MANY coffee options these days! Weighing beans, weighing water, timing brews - whew!

Have read all old coffee posts and know there are a lot of you coffee lovers out there - hope some can offer suggestions! Thanks very much!

[Moose]

Hi Nli, I can't post links right now but you will find interesting coffee stuff in at least two threads. Tom Bihn coffee nerd kit started by joiedwards on 4.4.12. The other is traveling with coffee started by tCook on 5.3.11.

Personally I use a Melita dripper. Just pop in a filter, coffee, a pinch of salt some water and I'm all set. I don't own a coffee maker. I try to keep things as low tech as I can. I love Matt's Wood Roasted coffee. Very good stuff.
Take care,
Moose

[nsh]

I am not sure if you are located in the US, but there is a great small coffee roastery in Champaign, IL called Columbia Street Roastery Columbia Street Roastery by Herriott's - Champaign, IL. They are a small Mom and Pop shop and I got to know the head roaster, a guy named Alex, when I lived there for a few years. If you live close by they do free coffee cuppings and tours of the place. They have wonderful decaf options of single origin and mixed blend coffees. A lot of folks like the black velvet blend in decaf. They even have flavored decaf if you like. They don't have a great website but you can call them up on the phone and order bags (whole bean or ground) by the pound and half pound. They ship directly to your house.
PS- I don't own a stake in the business I just think they are a super nice and honest business. The kind of place a TB lover might like too.

[Darcy]

You need to be a member to view it, but Shawn Blanc has a whole section of his website devoted to coffee advice.

[dboredom]

Hey Nli-

I've been subscribing to Tonx for about 2 months now and can't recommend them enough. I don't drink decaf but can confirm they have a decaf option. Full disclosure that is an affiliate link. I'll get a t-shirt if you decide to sign up.

As far as brewing systems I've been using the Aeropress and love it. It only makes a cup at a time but once you have boiled some water, the brew time is extremely quick.

Along with that you will want a good grinder. I've been using the Baratza Encore and have no complaints.

Hope that helps and good luck with whatever option you decide.