pure kona wrote:
> On Sat, 21 Aug 2010 20:42:40 -0400, "Jean B." > wrote:
>
>> Catmandy (Sheryl) wrote:
>>> On Aug 20, 8:45 pm, "Jean B." > wrote:
>>>> Doug Freyburger wrote:
>>>>> blake murphy wrote:
>
>>> I like bold but not bitter coffee, too. That's why I'm a Chock Full
>>> o'Nuts NY Roast fan. It's got tons of flavor but it's not bitter. I
>>> am very low tech when it comes to coffee. I have a 4 cup Mr Coffee
>>> machine with a timer. I fill my travel mug with room for milk, which I
>>> drink in the car while commuting. The rest of the pot is what I drink
>>> at home while I'm getting ready. If I used a Keurig machine, I'd have
>>> to run the machine 2 or 3 times to get the same qty of coffee.
>> My problem is that I don't make great coffee. I was doing okay
>> with my Cuisinart grind and brew (or something like that), but
>> then the mechanism acquired something that made the coffee taste
>> bad. I cleaned it and cleaned it, and it still tasted bad.
>> That's when I got the Keurig. I still need to try to get piñon
>> coffee made in K-Cup form.
>
> Lots of aspects to making good coffee. One is be sure the coffee
> maker is clean because old stuff hangs out and that's what you will
> taste. There is a vinegar/water solution that is recommended, half
> and half- pour that into your coffee maker and turn the thing on. It's
> amazing what will settle (and that you can see) in the carafe. Really
> cleans the coffee maker out and doesn't hurt a thing. Supposed to do
> about every 6 months or more if needed. Read the directions that came
> with your coffee maker.
>
> Another thing is the kind of water you use really can affect the
> flavor of the coffee. If you have a hard or soft water, the build-up
> can affect the flavor. (Personally we only have rainwater but I do
> read that other types of water leave deposits- so the cleaning thing
> above too.) Friends who live in town have sort of brackish water and
> the coffee we're used to, does taste different.
>
> And then of course beans. Remnants of old beans that had lots of oil
> will hang out in your coffee maker, so clean it. Flavored beans leave
> miniscule amounts of their flavor too.
>
> Oh yes different coffee makers matter too. Some that have too hot a
> warming plate, where the carafe sits, actually keep cooking the coffee
> and making it less that at its best.
>
> So to make the best you can, have a clean coffee maker, clean water
> and some freshly roasted beans or a fresh can or package of 8 O'clock
> stuff.
>
> Just my $.02 but it all matters, I think if you want to try for the
> best taste.
>
> aloha,
> Cea

Thanks, Cea. I THINK I tried the vinegar, but I will do that
again. If I ever get that thing producing decent coffee again,
I'll have to try yours--and get more pinon coffee.

--
Jean B.