Coffee Suggestions For Percolators

[oxydolfan1]

I picked up a four-cup Farberware percolator the other day and was wondering what percolator mavens here use as an everyday ground coffee in theirs.

I used original Chock Full O'Nuts in it this morning and the coffee was so-so...

Thanks in advance!

 

[58limited]

I've used regular Folgers and it was good. I haven't paid attention in the last few years, but coffee used to come labeled for either perc or drip use (I'm assuming a different grind coarseness) - don't know if it is still offered this way.

 

[polkanut]

I drink nothing but perked coffee. I use a 50/50 mixture of Maxwell House and Cafe' du Monde's coffee and chicory blend. I brew it in my 1964 Presto Super Speed electric percolator. My wife says it is so strong that it dissolves her fillings.

 

[danemodsandy]

Oxy:

Try A & P Bokar- it's a rich, smooth, winy blend. It can be a little hard to find now that A & P has closed so many stores, but they supply it to other grocery chains now. Down here, Publix has it. A & P also has it available online at www.eightoclock.com.

 

[mickeyd]

Hi Scot, how nice to see you again! Eight O'clock Coffe

is still available in all of the big supermarkets here. I just moments ago arrived with a new bag of 100% Colombian which I grind at the store, then keep in the freezer. It's delicious, as is the Hazlenut, which has a particularly alluring aroma, at least, in the 8 o'clock brand. Interestingly, quite a few years ago, CR's flavor test mavens rated 8 a.m.'s Columbian (not the regular or the flavors) Number One. That's what drove me to try it, and for once, CR got it right, at least for me.

I bet you can get it in NYC, and it's so much fun using those high-powered electric grinders. I always bang it about a little before using to clear it of the last patron's grinds.

Happy coffee-klatching ;'D

 

[launderess]

Love 8 O'Clock Coffe

In Bokar, but just purchased a packet of "French Roast" to shake things up a bit. Several months ago there was a special on 8 O'Clock coffee and really went to town. Suffice to say had large packets of Bokar blend stashed every where and now am wanting a change.

One of my fondest memories was going grocery shopping with Mama, or even Grandma-ma and going to the A&P. They had those HUGE red coffee grinders at the end of each check out line, and the area always smelled of freshly ground coffee!

If anyone can't find 8 O'Clock coffee in their neck of the woods, you let me know; will be more than happy to send a care package. If it goes on sale again, will also let everyone know in case they wish to stock up as well.

Used to love Hazelnut coffee, but the flavouring gunks up my Bodum coffee grinder and it needs to be cleaned out before another flavour can be put in, so went off the flavour.

L.

 

[mickeyd]

They had those HUGE red coffee grinders at the end of each c

...ETC."

LAUNDRESS, The grinders were exactly the same as the regular red-bagged 8 o'clock. The exact same bag is still available today--saw dozens of them hours ago. Amazing isn't it when one appreciates that some things never change. Will have to try the red bag next time. Do give the hazlenut a go, and let me know, even though it sounds as if it will take you years to run out of coffee. ;'D

 

[launderess]

Bag?

Never said the bags weren't there, or did I miss something? *LOL*

IMHO coffee is best when it is freshly ground just before brewing. Always by-pass pre-ground coffee, and shop coffee grinding services.

Have tried the 8 O'Clock hazelnut coffee, it was the one that gunked up my grinder. Indeed all flavoured coffees do, as most if not all are flavoured with artifical flavourings. Starbucks like many upscale coffee places does not use flavoured beans, but flavours coffee post brew with shots of various syrups to add whatever one is seeking. Avoid those as well, as they tend to taste too sweet and or bitter.

L.

 

[sudsmaster]

Grind your own

I've gotten excellent perc results by grinding my own. I've used San Francisco Bay brand whole beans, ground in a burr grinder to a medium-large grind setting. Then I put enough in the big Delonghi 60 cup percolater to make more than enough for the expected guests. It tasted as good or better than the stuff from my drip machine.

IMHO, freshly ground coffee will almost always taste better than canned ground coffee, even the vacuum packed stuff.

Nearly every market offers whole coffee beans for sale, so availability shouldn't be a problem. And a quick whiff will tell you if the beans are fresh enough.

 

[oxydolfan1]

Hilloo, all!

"Always by-pass pre-ground coffee, and shop coffee grinding services."

OOPS!

Just got in from the local Stop and Shop, where, on everyone's recommendation, I purchased one bag each of the Eight O'Clock "red" and 100% Columbian(ground), and one bag of the Bokar (whole beans, but only because they do not carry Bokar pre-ground...this was before I read Laundress's advisory!)

What I guess I'll do is drink up the ground varieties first and save the Bokar for when I dig out my coffee grinder (which is WAAAY back at the end of my small appliance cabinet).

Usually, I buy the "good" coffee (usually "Tchibo Mellow Roast" ) at the deli and use a less expensive type of coffee for my weekday brew.

I've been using the drip machine Gevalia sent me everyday, but I've gotten bored with cleaning the contraption, the filter, etc. every morning. I saw the little Farberware perk and my nostalgia got the better of me, so I bought it for the weekdays and loved it, but was a little disappointed at how the Chock Full O'Nuts came out. I will try these Eight O'Clock coffees and let you know if it brings back any old memories...

"I use a 50/50 mixture of Maxwell House and Cafe' du Monde's coffee and chicory blend."

Polkanut, I did look for Cafe du Monde, but my Stop and Shop apparently doesn't carry it...I'll keep an eye peeled for it elsewhere, though.

"I bet you can get it in NYC, and it's so much fun using those high-powered electric grinders. I always bang it about a little before using to clear it of the last patron's grinds."

Hey MickeyD, I used to do that too, back in the day.

Yep, certain supermarkets here do carry the Eight O'Clock line,
but the supermarkets here in Jersey don't have grinders, even the ones that carry Starbucks and the like.

"Try A & P Bokar- it's a rich, smooth, winy blend."

You know, I actually bought that because my mother is forever going on about that "good coffee that was in the black bag", so I stopped by her place on the way home, and when I gave it to her, she gave me a look as if to say, "Yeah? So? Is this the Holy Grail, or what?".

Parents, lol!

"Starbucks like many upscale coffee places does not use flavoured beans, but flavours coffee post brew with shots of various syrups to add whatever one is seeking."

To be honest with you, L, I'm not a big fan of Starbucks. I DO like some of their sweets, their cold drinks aren't half bad, I do like the decor and the general ambience (it is a nice, neutral, public place to meet up with someone for the first time), but I do not care for their coffee. It all tastes burnt and overroasted to me.

Thanks again, all!

 

[launderess]

Good Coffee Is Very Delicate

You want it fresh, you want it hot, and you want to drink it fast. Coffee goes bad in about an hour, which is why StarBucks and better coffee joints brew fresh pots every hour or less, and chuck the old brew down the pan.

When one really started getting into good coffee, it launched my vacuum pot craze (go ahead, ask me how many vac pots I've got), and learning how to make the best brew. Even went as so far to roast my own beans (using an air popcorn popper if you please), but the smoke and fumes just weren't my thing.

Good coffee does not always have to come from fancy chains. Have had some of my best cups in diners or area cafes.

If one really wishes to make coffee that will curl your toes, try one of those Italian/European stove top expresso pots. Nabbed a vintage MIB stainless steel one from Goodwill, and am here to tell ya, after two cups I was AWAKE! Thing was the coffee went with after dinner dessert,so got no sleep that night! *LOL*

L.

L.

 

[oxydolfan1]

I used to have one of those little Moka stovetop pots when I was in my "Bustelo" phase...

Agree with you on the diners. I think the Georgia Diner in Queens has some of the best coffee in the world.

 

[volvoguy87]

5 types of coffee...

There are 5 types of coffee. They are all important in their own time and place. They are not interchangeable, and I hope we enjoy them all.

1, Gourmet coffee: This is what Starbuck's wants to be. This is the really good stuff.

2. Nice restaurant coffee: This is what you have for dessert. It should be flavorful, but smooth and not overpowering.

3. Regular coffee flavored coffee: Think Maxwell House or anything else you get from the grocery store. This is what you have at home and it's what gets you up in the morning. This is coffee you can enjoy alone, or drink without even noticing. This is probably the most important coffee.

4. Diner coffee: Best with friends at breakfast or at 3:00 in the morning. Possibly the most enjoyable coffee. This is the coffee that really hits the spot. Atmosphere has as much to do with how you enjoy this coffee as the coffee itself. You can go into a diner and have a cup of coffee and everything is alright, at least for a few minutes.

5. Road trip coffee: It's been sitting there, all day. It's strong, often rough, and it will WAKE YOU UP! This stuff can put hair on your chest, regardless of gender.

I think I'll take some inspiration from Launderess and fire up my Sunbeam vac pot for some good #3.
Dave

 

[cadman]

If you're a coffee snob and like a non-flavored brew, beware of the supermarket grinders. Occasionally you can taste the last person's hazelnut or tarted-up what-have-you grind. Not a huge deal to me, but a friend of mine can't stand that.

It's tough to beat Chock Full O' but Dunkin' Donuts has a blend out that's just superb. And even though it's a fine-ground Espresso, I dig Café Bustelo in perc or drip. -Cory

 

[paulg]

Eight O' Clock for me

I have been an Eight-O-Clock convert since Clark Weber advertised it on Chicago radio.
For fun I try different brands occasionally. But honestly I always run back to Eight-O-Clock. And it doesn't gunk up my grinder either. Love it.
I've heard great things about Dunkin'Donuts coffee that you can buy and perk yourself. Haven't tried it though. Saw it at COSTCO and may try.

 

[jasonl]

It's Eight O'Clock somewhere

I made the switch from Maxwell House to 8'o'C and WOW what a difference. Yes, I used the store grinder (don't have a good grinder of my own). There's a French Press setting which is somewhere between Perc and Drip. There's also a "turkish" setting if you have an ibrik. It's aromatic, has a smooth wonderful taste to it.

As much as I LOVE Starbucks latte's, their home coffee is oily and tastes like it's burnt. I just can't get into their home brew stuff.

 

[gyrafoam]

Dunkin' Donuts coffee and a good Farberware electric percolator are a match made in heaven. Other percolators?

 

[paulg]

Funny you should ask...

I love my Sunbeam Coffeemaster, but here is my everyday perk. It only sees Eight-O-Clock and nothing else.

 

[sudsmaster]

I heard on TV that random taste testing found that Starbuck customers actually liked McDonalds' gourmet coffee better. I refuse to pay $4 or more for a cup of coffee so I just drink what I make at home or get at work. Of course the work stuff is from those preground foil packets and nothing to brag about. Most of the time at work I drink an oolong tea.

I love filberts (hazelnuts) but detest the hazelnut flavored coffee and creamer. Yeech. It has a weird aftertaste to it that reminds me of an oil refinery. LOL.