To cream or not to cream?

#1: Post by **ben8jam** » January 9th, 2015, 3:08 pm

So espresso aside, do you guys and gals drink cream, milk, soy, almond, powdered, etc in your drip, press, pour over style coffee?

I've been on a french-press binge while I wait for part for grinder and don't enjoy black coffee as much without some half-n-half in it. It always just tastes a tad watery (granted I have a lot to learn in perfecting home brewing).

#2: Post by **bean2friends** » January 9th, 2015, 3:15 pm

Well, I think everything tastes better with cream. After all, ice cream is my number 1 snack. But, there are the calories to consider ...... and my cholesterol, so I avoid it in my coffee for the most part. My go to drink though is an Americano with steamed milk - a double espresso pulled on top of hot water and about the same quantity of steamed milk poured on top. I can even do a little latte art that way.

January 9th, 2015, 5:42 pm

I love Americanos as well. With the french press testing I've been doing, I've been warming a mix of almond milk and half and half to a slight foamy bubble and adding to the pressed coffee).

#4: Post by **aecletec** » January 9th, 2015, 6:33 pm

Nope. Once you go (quality) black, you never go back.

January 9th, 2015, 6:57 pm

Pretty much it. I do enjoy a latte or cafe au laite at times though.

#6: Post by **brianl** » January 10th, 2015, 12:40 am

aecletec wrote:Nope. Once you go (quality) black, you never go back.

+1

Im actually repulsed by the taste of creamer in coffee now. How the times have changed

#7: Post by **Chert** » January 10th, 2015, 12:59 am

I always have some milk in a bit of coffee following making milk drinks using the lever group. Otherwise, black.

January 10th, 2015, 1:49 am

Hmmmm... so black is the consensus.

So wonder why my French Press always tastes on the too weak side and watery. I know it'll never have that creamy texture of espresso, but it's not really a nice drink by itself. The cream seems to give it the thickness I'm expecting.

I am using French Roast (from whole foods, not the best, but they let me buy small amounts at a time). Using these guidelines. I really want my coffee to taste like what I have at family in Europe on their french press, but I've never been able to accomplish it.

January 10th, 2015, 10:29 am

It's a combination of the coffee, water and your brew ratio. Sometimes too filtered water can give a thin body, sometimes people I've seen tend to go a bit light when adding grounds. But most of the time, it's the coffee.

Go for a dry processed coffee from an online roaster and forget about the "French Roast" for French Press.

January 10th, 2015, 8:39 pm

+eleventy