Good (and easy!) Coffee at Anchor

[lustyd]

I bought one of these recently and it only just occurred to me to let the forum know about it; on searching it would seem the forum is completely in the dark on this. I bought the Minipresso NS which uses Nespresso capsules, but they also do ones for ground coffee if you're less lazy and don't mind the mess. Just fill it with hot water from the kettle and pump. It's actually slightly better than the Nespresso machine, albeit terrifying to use the first time as there's boiling water inside. I also got the extended tank to make Lungo drinks.

Travel Coffee Makers - Portable Espresso Machines

I'm sure this thread will degenerate into Nescafe defenders and people recommending their own rusty stove top options, but thought it worth highlighting this excellent boaty product!

 

[Neeves]

At sea we use a plunger aka, French press and a variety of other names (depending on where you live). Its simple, pour boiling water from whistling kettle onto ground coffee (ideally freshly ground), soak, press filter - drink scalding hot.

At anchor we use ones of those vacuum operated devices, boil water in base chamber, boiled water forced into top chamber, remove heat - vacuum sucks hot water through intermediate bed of ground coffee. Requires time to manage the process - not very stable on galley stove top. Part of the ritual of a decent breakfast.

We do have a hand operated coffee grinder (for mornings at anchor and balmy seas).


Sorry but cannot degenerate thread to consider the ersatz substitute - an abomination. Mind you coffee capsules are another abomination - where exactly do you dispose of them when away from the nearest council garbage collection for weeks.

Jonathan

 

[TiggerToo]

For us it is this:

Moka pot - Wikipedia

No wastage (plastic); long lasting; proven technology; very economical.

 

[Neeves]

For us it is this:

Moka pot - Wikipedia

No wastage (plastic); long lasting; proven technology; very economical.

Plastic - ours is a rather flash, almost bling, version of the aluminium version.

Jonathan

 

[lustyd]

At sea we use a plunger aka, French press

I did say good coffee. You didn't go as far as instant but still a french press might as well be when compared to a proper espresso.

 

[dansaskip]

pour boiling water from whistling kettle onto ground coffee (ideally freshly ground), soak, press filter - drink scalding hot.

I have heard that it is better to brew coffee with water just off the boil - something about a better flavour? Just wondering ?

 

[lustyd]

No wastage (plastic)

There's no wastage or plastic in Nespresso either.

 

[lustyd]

I have heard that it is better to brew coffee with water just off the boil - something about a better flavour? Just wondering ?

Yes this is why the Moka pots have been replaced by better thought out solutions which don't ruin the coffee. Unfortunately the physics of those pots requires that the water be boiling to operate.

 

[laika]

I have heard that it is better to brew coffee with water just off the boil - something about a better flavour? Just wondering ?

People used to talk about destroying volatile oils, now the explanations seem to be about speed of extraction but yes. The accepted wisdom is that a temperature below 100 degrees is optimal for coffee making. so boiling point at sea level would not be regarded as being a good temperature for coffee making by purists.

There's no wastage or plastic in Nespresso either.

Is that because you believe those pods get completely recycled? That may or may not be the case but you have a waste management problem until you can get them to your supplier.

Coffee. Hot water. Something to strain it with. Why complicate things?

(not to do that thing of apparently criticising a poster for simply raising awareness of a new product...but this is a topic bordering on religion)

 

[BobnLesley]

Over ten years and a couple of oceans we tried most things before deciding that a basic stainless steel French-press coffee pot was the best option along with - for single cup/really rough day brews - some Lakeland Plastics insulated mugs with a built in press. We did have a stove top espresso and a Levantine/Turkish stove-top pots too as neither took up much space and were an occasional treat at anchor.

 

[harvey38]

£109 for that load of faff, unbelievable!

 

[Neeves]

At home we have a kettle (a gift), matched with a little hot plate, that will provide hot water, just off the boil, at any preset temperature. Less use on a yacht where electricity might be at a premium.

I confess I'm a philistine and cannot tell the difference between coffee made with boiling water and that made with slightly cooler water. The fancy kettle is, now, a conversation piece.

The thought might be considered that if you take boiling water and pour it into a steel jug (let's call it a French press) then the water will no longer be boiling, as the heat will be absorbed by the jug - lowering the temperature of the water.

The flavour of coffee is determined, in my very humble opinion, by the coffee bean (source), its processing (roasting and grinding) and the water. (hard, soft). There is unlikely to be the best cup of coffee - that decision is made by the individual and the decision may vary with time of day, mood of the individual and as the person ages.

There are apparently people who like their coffee with sugar (let's not get into what sugar) and milk (which raises the issues of 'milk' - almond, soy, oat, cows, goats, sheep.......


On the idea of religion...

I'd like to anchor, with decent chain, what is considered 'the best coffee' and then retrieve the idea in, say, 5 years time and view how the zealots have changed their ideas.


I do feel better, though the coffee need not be better, if the coffee is grown in a 'fair' way. It would be nice if coffee tasted acceptable and the coffee farmer fairly rewarded - but that is Utopia.

There is a bit more to coffee than the pot in which it is made and the temperature of the water.


But thanks to lustyd for the introduction and the review, may more offer their opinions - I'm open to new ideas (on coffee etc) one can get set in ones ways

Jonathan

 

[st599]

I know some coffee officianados who swear by an Aeropress when traveling.

 

[Poignard]

Birdseye's post in this thread was short-lived. I was about to respond ( approvingly) to the bit where, if I remember correctly, he said some treat coffee making as if it were a religion, and lo, his post was miraculously gone; leaving no trace but a faint fragrance of incense.

 

[Slowboat35]

What's wrong with a cafetiere - by far the easiest and most foolproof ways of making coffee, albeit not espresso.
Amazed it hasn't been mentioned.

 

[Poignard]

In my opinion, one should endeavour to live as comfortably on board as one does at home.

So for me it's two teaspoonfuls of Kenco instant and a mug of hot water; sweetened to taste.

 

[laika]

What's wrong with a cafetiere - by far the easiest and most foolproof ways of making coffee, albeit not espresso.
Amazed it hasn't been mentioned.

aka "french press" (which has been mentioned and is certainly my solution (steel, not glass, obviously

 

[lustyd]

Is that because you believe those pods get completely recycled? That may or may not be the case but you have a waste management problem until you can get them to your supplier.

They collect them from your door free of charge, and even give you a bag to keep them in until pick up. Personally I drop them into the Nespresso shop in town once a quarter or so. Yes, I believe their business model rests on them showing that they recycle them fully. They're aluminium so highly recyclable, and there's a section of their website dedicated to this.

Of course, with the original product I mentioned, you could choose the one that takes ground coffee too. That does risk pumps and pipes on a boat when washing waste down sinks (depending on boat) but horses for courses. Ultimately the pump method does produce better coffee so handy that they offer a range for people with varying laziness/recycling viewpoints.

 

[lustyd]

£109 for that load of faff, unbelievable!

£40 actually, but if you choose to find the most expensive model they have then go for it.

 

[st599]

What's wrong with a cafetiere - by far the easiest and most foolproof ways of making coffee, albeit not espresso.
Amazed it hasn't been mentioned.

I believe it was implied that that did not count as "good coffee". Hence the aeropress which adds pressure and air and marketing.

Can;t see the fuss about coffee, it's all the same. Decent tea on the other hand.