Coffee! How do you get your buzz?

[callista]

I'm all about the strongest espressos, so the Ristretto and Indriya have what I've been using lately. I've not attempted to do anything fancy beyond black coffees with my machine...

 

Ah, OK!  I think Ristretto is my fave so far.  

[TakeMyCoffeeBlack]

Hands down, the cheapest, best coffee you will find (assuming you're trying to save money...) is rather simple:

 

1.) Small electric coffee grinder (~$20)

2.) Decent drip brew machine (I have a small 6 cup, which I usually use to make a half pot (3 cups)). Not all brands are equal. Mr. Coffee's cheap machines aren't half bad - they take a bit longer to run the water through the beans than, say, a cheap Hamilton Beach, making a fuller brew (~$20-40 depending on size)

3.) Fresh roasted coffee beans (~$6-12 depending on store, roaster, source, etc.)

 

Far superior than Keurig or Senseo etc. as far as the flavor and robustness of the coffee itself. Sure, I aspire to a top quality machine (and would love an espresso machine someday, too), but this is all you really need to make a coffee better than Starbucks. I also like French Press (key: fresh ground coffee! as in minutes before brewing). I think what's more important than the brewing equipment is the beans and that they are freshly ground. The Keurig type machines are great if you don't have 10 minutes to brew in the morning, but the coffee is about half the quality (my mother has one, and I've been guilty of using it on my way out the door). Here in Germany I use the method I described above, alternating between drip brew and French press.

[wisescience]

I have been brewing pour-over on a Chemex, and I highly recommend it. 

[DerpTastic]

I'm quite new to coffee, but it's kind of grown on me! For Christmas, my dad and I bought my mom a Keurig, and I've grown attached to using it at home. It's really convenient, but pricey for something I would buy on my own. I'm perfectly happy with cheaper set ups.

[michigan girl]

Keurig (when I am home) and Starbucks (when I'm not at home) 

 

I love how you can make coffee, hot cocoa, and tea in Keurig machines.

Edited January 5, 2014 by michigan girl

[PsychGirl1]

What about non-coffee suggestions? Ever since the start of undergrad (many, many years ago), I need caffeine to do things that require a lot of brainpower and/or writing. Over time, my body has come to hate some sources of caffeine- one red bull and my stomach will hurt for a few days. Coffee and espresso are okay (I have a coffee and espresso machine at home) but too many cups in one day (like if I'm sitting at home all day writing) and my body isn't too happy. I've been trying to drink no caffeine or tea on days where I don't need to sit still and write or brainstorm, but does anyone have good suggestions on other sources of caffeine? I picked up a pack of caffeine gum at the deli near me, but it wasn't exactly cheap (but my stomach does appreciate it!). Any other ideas?

 

(Yes, I'm aware that I sound like a caffeine addict, oh well).

[starofdawn]

What about non-coffee suggestions? Ever since the start of undergrad (many, many years ago), I need caffeine to do things that require a lot of brainpower and/or writing. Over time, my body has come to hate some sources of caffeine- one red bull and my stomach will hurt for a few days. Coffee and espresso are okay (I have a coffee and espresso machine at home) but too many cups in one day (like if I'm sitting at home all day writing) and my body isn't too happy. I've been trying to drink no caffeine or tea on days where I don't need to sit still and write or brainstorm, but does anyone have good suggestions on other sources of caffeine? I picked up a pack of caffeine gum at the deli near me, but it wasn't exactly cheap (but my stomach does appreciate it!). Any other ideas?

 

(Yes, I'm aware that I sound like a caffeine addict, oh well).

 

Fun science fact: chemicals with similar-ending names will have similar properties. Caffeine, nicotine, methamphetamine are all stimulants (although I definitely don't recommend meth). They all have the "-ine" ending. 

 

Not all energy drinks have caffeine... try sampling a few non-caffeine energy drinks/supplements and and see which caffeine substitute works for you. Look for ingredients with "-ine" ending. Hope this helps.

[PsychGirl1]

Are you saying it's time to start smoking? :-D

 

Just kidding... that actually makes a lot of sense. Thank you!

[starofdawn]

Are you saying it's time to start smoking? :-D

 

Just kidding... that actually makes a lot of sense. Thank you!

Lol, honestly sometimes if I'm at a bar and I'm feeling a little tired, I'll go outside for a smoke. But it happens rarely, caffeine/nicotine/etc are highly addictive. And I'm happy to help!

[objectivityofcontradiction]

I prefer a flat white (double espresso w. warm milk). 

 

I recently got into the slow pour-over method, which is recommended for those who prefer their coffee black. 

 

It is all about the dark roasts for me. 

Edited January 13, 2014 by objectivityofcontradiction

[Quantum Buckyball]

NoDoz  . 

Edited January 16, 2014 by Quantum Buckyball

[Queen of Kale]

My husband is a coffee roaster (professionally) so he roasts the beans & grinds them at work, brings them home, sets up the coffee pot in the kitchen which has a timer every night, and in the morning at 6am the coffee exists like magic for me.  Strangely he doesn't drink much coffee, so I have almost the whole pot to myself.  Later, when I get to work, my PI has unfailingly already made a pot of coffee.  Really, based on these two things alone my life is pretty sweet right now.