Zachary's Coffee Corner
A place for me to share my coffee related chronicles. Notes on different brew methods, exciting recent caffeinated adventures, and what I'm looking forwards to in the future. This page is definitely not for everyone and I'm absolutely a complete amateur. Feel free to email me recommendations or tips & tricks!
Notes:
McCafe: Kinda Good? Update 02/21/2025
Coffee is... coffee. So is McCafe. McCafe is coffee. There's no doubt about that. There's also no doubt in my mind that McCafe is perfectly alright. I have no complaints over the form or function of McCafe's Premium medium roast. Honestly! It tastes like any regular gas station level coffee. In some ways, better. For example I know that I can control my brew process (thanks Moccamaster). I use filtered water, I weigh my coffee out every night before going to bed. Also, this medium is closer to a dark than many recent specialty coffee mediums which I've tasted recently. And I like that. I know, I know, if I want a dark I can just choose a dark but it's also a matter of principal. What direction is this brand going in if their mediums are light and their darks are mediums? Does it mean that we're going to have an "extra dark" soon and then later down the line an "extra-extra dark" roast. I don't feel comfortable thinking about the natural conclusion of this...
The 02/20/2024 Update: Part Two
I have too much to share to fit into one update. You may pretend I wrote the following on the 21st or the 19th if two posts in one day seems like an egregious violation of my coffee corner power.- Coffee Corner goes substandard?!?!
- I am officially dismounting form my high horse of dignity, taste, and exclusivity
- This will likely continue until AMD is over $130/share, I stop needing bike products, etc
- As a Coffee King on a budget, my tastes will have to adjust
- I'm not embarrassed to tell readers what I've gotten into: McCafe! (Ok—actually I'm a little embarrassed)
- That's correct! McDonald's licensed their Premium Medium Roast and you can buy about two pounds of this stuff for less than $15 bucks.
So, how exactly did you end up with two pounds of McDonald's Coffee?
Yesterday was my third day in a row without coffee, our second snow day in a row here in Lawrence, KS. By the time I realized the next day wouldn't be a snow day, I knew I was going to need to get more coffee. I'm absolutely not dependent on caffeine, especially on a snow day where I can sleep until 10am. If I need to wake up at 7:00 or earlier? Yeah I'm not sure my natural wiring works that way. A few cups of coffee is probably a minimum... And besides, I learn better when I'm absolutely wired rather than sleepy.
Regardless, coffee supplies would need to be replenished. Let me set the scene: it's about 9pm, negative five degree windchill, and I have a mission. I bundle up and set off to my humble-yet-mighty Ford Focus, which is parked about a half mile away from my dorm room. Five minutes later, I'm in the cockpit and then piloting the Focus down Iowa street, a rare sight to see: the small but strong hatchback jostling for a lane surrounded by four-wheel drive trucks and SUVs on half plowed roads. I get to the store and my intentions were to collect something simple. Pike's Peak, French Roast, or perhaps something from Peet's Coffee. I parked in the snow-coated parking lot, find the coffee aisle and I see the Starbucks, the Peet's Coffee, the Dunkin' Coffee—they all seemed more expensive than I remembered? Back when I only had one hobby I never really looked at the prices. Throw biking into the mix and now I notice these things. Maybe more expensive, maybe not. What isn't debatable is that when I let my eye wander just one row down from these classics (tried & true classics at that), unimaginable value propositions lay, just waiting for a thrifty shopper.
Values. What makes a coffee valuable to me? If it tastes great it has intrinsic value. No matter the external factors, it will hold at least the value which is associated with it's taste. But that's not what McCafe represents. McCafe holds a different kind of value, an extrinsic value. Its value in my eyes is dependent on external factors, such as how much money I spent on bike parts in the last three months! Anyway, 2 pounds of coffee for 14 bucks??? I would be set for weeks. I snatch it off the shelf and go back to the dorm.
All of this is to say: McCafe update coming soon!
ZACH IS BACK FROM COFFEE CORNER SABBATICAL!! The 02/20/2025 update
Maybe you though all the coffee killed me! Maybe you thought KU Housing finally took the Moccamaster (see 10/31/2024). You may have thought I converted to brewing matcha tea (I promise you, there will be more on this later)! Regardless, you were probably wrong! After almost exactly three months of brewing in silence, I am back, coffee corner is back, GENTLEMEN: START! YOUR! HOTPLATES!I'm going to start us all off slowly with classic Coffee Corner bean reflections:
- Trader Joe's Sumatra
- Excellent sumatra bean, I have no idea if it tastes different than Starbucks' Sumatra, perhaps a blind taste test is in my future?
- Is it fair to say we are all a little tired of light roasts in 2025? I think I am... This dark roast was refreshing compared to some of the new-gen "light roasts" that have as much in common with a lemon as they do a coffee bean (sour).
- This was a christmas gift from my grandma. Thanks grandma!
- Bahati Dark Roast (Kenya)
- So this came from "Bahati, Nakuru County, Kenya". From what I can tell by looking at the bag, Bahati is a sort of collective of independent coffee growers in this region of Kenya, They have a Co-Op Bahati Specialty Coffee Co-Op very cool!
- Great taste, awesome thick, silky texture, very dark. I was impressed by the smell as well. This smells like some proper, classic, dark coffee. Maybe because my parents always made darker roasts I associate them with coffee and waking up?
- Thanks grandpa and Betty!
- I'm going to update this because my parents got me a bunch of coffee and I need to look for the bags at home to remember their names.
11/21/2024
- Recent coffee news:
- Newest coffee: "german brick"
- I bought coffee that is vacuum sealed and formed into a brick shape!
- Coffee corner still exists and I still drink coffee every day in my dorm
- I brew coffee using my hotplate equipped coffee machine
- If KU Housing & Residence life would like me to stop they need to come take it
- Amount of people killed by a hotplate (not allowed): probably less than 100
- Amount of people killed by guns (allowed in dorms): more than 100
- Amount of people killed by bikes (not allowed): probably less than 100
- Amount of people killed by pet sharks (not allowed): probably less than 100
COFFEE CORNER CONCERNING DEVELOPMENT 10/31/2024
- I regret to inform Coffee Corner's wonderful and appreciated visitors that the future of coffee corner as you know it is in danger.
- The University of Kansas Housing and Residence has DEMANDED removal of my most prized possesion: my Teccnivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select
- KU HOUSING AND RESIDENCE LIFE HAS EFFECTIVELY DECLARED WAR ON COFFEE CORNER'S VERY SOVERIGNTY
- The technical "justification" for this demand (as if such evil could ever be justified)
- The Moccamaster has a hotplate to keep coffee hot (like most drip coffee makers) which is banned in dorms
- Supposedly, the hotplate component could pose as a fire hazard
- This is an example of KU Housing targeting specifically yours truly and the wonderful beautiful readers of coffee corner (which there are literally 1s of!)
- Do they not know that the hotplate turns off after 100 minutes?
- DO they not know that I don't use the hotplate because I'm afraid of burning my coffee?
- This is a TECHNIVORM MOCCAMASTER IT COST $400 THIS ISNT A MR. COFFEE!
- The same rules should not apply to me
- Handmade in Norway vs a crappy chinese piece of plastic waste
- Do they understand the concept of NUANCE???
- To me this is a cut and dry case of rules for everyone else affecting me disproportionately
10/21/2024
- Peet's Coffee Major Dickason's Blend is an excellent grocery store coffee
- I think Peet out did Dunkin' and right now starbucks is so far back for me that it's out of the conversation
- I will be giving Alid's one more chance because I can't resist the value proposition but if it doesn't work out, I'm never going back
10/13/2024 - 10/15/2024
- Backpacking trip in central-southern missouri coffee notes:
- Considerations: Aeropress, foldable pourover setup, instant coffee
- I settled on using Starbucks Instant Cafe Via Packets due to weight restrictions
- Aeropress was next in interest level but the idea of carrying my grounds in a bag across multiple days was not attractive to me.
- Really didn't enjoy my Cafe Via packets...
- Despite using two packets which are meant to pair with 8oz of water each in a 12oz cup it was a weak brew at best
- This didn't taste full like coffee usually did and because I consider myself to be only mildly caffine dependent I would probably rather just go without any coffee if this was my only option.
- Next backpacking trip is going to have either an Aeropress and I'll just suck up the extra weight or I might get a Flair GO portable lever-action espresso maker...
- A benefit of an espresso setup is less grounds and I could water it down for an Americano if needed
10/10/2024:
- Yesterday I bought Peet's Coffee Major Dickinsons Blend Decaf
- Now I can have a cup of coffee at night and not worry about sleep
- Also bought whole bean non-decaf Major Dickinson's for non night time cups
10/08/2024:
- Preparing for backpacking trip in 4 days
- Coffee options:
- Starbuck's Cafe Via
- Aeropress and preground coffee
- Portable pourover setup and preground coffee
- Still enjoying my Dunkin' medium roast, can't complain, could be a robust and versatile daily driver
10/06/2024:
- Anshutz Library coffee machine needs to be banned
- Where should we put the disruptive and noisy coffee machine?
- In the quietest corner of the 3rd floor of course!
10/03/2024:
- Ground the beans in the Bartza Encore
- Dunkin' made a bean with a nice level of maybe acidity or like a lemony (not really but close) taste
- Very satisfying cup
- I'm still in love with my Moccamaster
10/02/2024
- Dunkin' Donut Medium Roast
- I have the whole bean medium roast 12 oz. package
- Enjoyable!
- I'll talk more about it tomorrow but I was pleasantly surprised by this coffee!
09/30/2024:
- Is there shame in tossing perfectly good coffee?
- I'm incredibly tired of the ALDIs Guatemalan but I can't justify throwing it out
- Side tangent:
- I've never had a good drink from an on campus Starbucks
- Never and I always fall for their trap
09/29/2024:
- Camping Coffee Session
- Went camping with my family at Clinton Lake very nice
- Brewed coffee using a triangular pour-over setup
- Starbucks French Roast
- Tasty and especially enjoyable on a crisp morning outdoors
09/26/2024:
- This was day two of ALDIs Guatemalan Coffee
- I think I understand it now
- I like it more than the Honduran beans
- Perfect Moccamaster operation this morning
- I get headaches when I wake up until I have coffee now
- Stay tuned for a nighttime update since I'll definitely be brewing a pot before my 8:00 P.M. chemistry test
09/25/2024:
- A human error & analysis:
- Coffee grounds were added to the filter holder without the filter being in place
- Upon realization of the error, measures were taken to minimize spread of damage
- Primary impact was a delayed cup of coffee and an erosion of my faith in my pre-caffinated brain
- A catch-22 scenario: only a person who is fully awake can perform the steps in the correct order however it is impossible to fully wake up without first performing the steps and brewing coffee
- Steps Moving Forwards:
- After the disappointing and frankly embarrassing situation this morning, many on the board are calling on me to resign
- I believe i'm still the best fit for the role (of brewing my morning cup of coffee) and will commit myself to the future of the program
- I pledge a 10 day no mistake period
09/24/2024:
- This morning, the air was crisp and the coffee grinder called my name, urging me to feed it
- I transferred 8 tablespoons into his hopper, satisfying his hunger
- In a game time decision, the grind setting was moved from 14 to 10, with a contract to buy back at 14 tomorrow if results weren’t satisfactory
- Double or nothing will also be discussed by the board in the event of an excellent cup
- Honduras is a cool country I went there when I was little
- ALDIs also went there snd they came back with a medium roast single origin bag of whole beans which I bought from them at their store
- Ethical considerations ALDIs takes?
- I’d like to know - I’m curious
- Practical:
- I’m bumping up coffee intake to 5 cups minimum to receive maximum caffeine benefits
- Plans in the works for tasting every espresso in Lawrence
- Personification of objects in Coffee Corner is here to stay
- Tomorrow I’m going to say I got into an argument with the Dunkin donut medium roast that’s in my drawer
09/23/2024:
- I measured hit water and grounds the night before
- All I had to do in the morning was flip a switch and the aromas were oh so nice
- Last bit of my Sumatra coffee
- Next plan is finish off Honduras aldi beans
- My dad liked the Honduran beans which surprised me
09/22/2024:
- Went out for breakfast and had a cappuccino
- I'm just not a cappuccino guy I fear
- Too milky not enough taste
- Milk was overly foamy
- The restaurant had a nice ambiance
- Should've gotten an espresso instead
09/21/2024:
- Used my parent's Breville Grind Control Machine
- It's the same price as my Moccamaster
- While it has more features than the Moccamaster, it is not SCA approved
- I suspect it has an immersion component in which the water is soaking in the filter holder
- It seems to do a solid job at brewing
- I can't trust the build in grinder and I suspect it's less nice than Encore(??)
- Also used their Bartza Encore grinder
- Ground some of my Simply Organic Honduran Origin beans
- Grind Setting: 14
- 4 TBSP of whole bean, didn't measure difference in whole bean and ground product
- Not sure I'm a fan of these beans
- Possibly too light, despite being labeled as a medium roast
- Almost a weird, vegetable taste buried in it?
- Not bad enough to not finish but likely won't be buying again
- From the perspective of being ALDIs $5.00 beans they aren't unreasonable
- Still excited for my other ALDI beans these were the least liked ones by the internet
09/20/2024 (TURNING POINT):
- Moccamaster arrived yesterday at 5:00pm
- I was waiting at my parents house for it and personally met the UPS driver
- With great care it was transferred inside, assembled and observed/admired
- After taking it back to my dorm I HAD to brew it's maiden cup
- I loaded 4 scoops of Sumatra and 6 cups of water and it got to work, producing a product within four minutes
- The end result was a delicious cup which was unmistakably filtered
- It looks soooo good in my dorm next to my vintage camera collection
- I would buy this for $800
09/19/2024:
- Moccamater package was delayed
- Probably the worst feeling ever when I checked the tracking info yesterday and it was still in Lenexa
- It is absolutely coming today and the tracking info says it's out for delivery
- I didn't have the heart to use the French Press
- Today was supposed to be the day
- Practical Information:
- I had the Nespresso because I was so disappointed I couldn't go do my French Press technique
- Nespresso Vertuo Starbucsk Pike Place pod
- It's crazy how fast the nespresso is
09/18/2024:
- Moccamaster arrives today
- Moccamaster is being delivered to parents house, I'm gonna drive home and get it as soon as it's delivered
- Today I had more sumartra it was fine
- Yesterday I went to ALDI and got Honduras Whole Bean, Peru Ground, Midnight Blend Ground.
- ALDI Coffee is respected by reddit
- They say that it's a great affordable single origin option
- I'd like to try German Medium Blend I didn't see it when I went
09/17/2024:
- Sumatra in french press day
- I think I have the french press fairly dialed in and have concluded it's impossible to have a non-silty cup
- Extremely excited for Moccamaster
- Felt a solid buzz about 500ml into todays drink
- Exploring different mug options
- I'd like to try some more specialty beans
- Secured contract for extended borrowing of Bartza Encore burr grinder from dad
Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select has been purchased!
I did it! I ordered one of the internet's highest reviewed drip coffee makers: the Moccamaster KBGV Select. It cost me just under $400 after tax which is about 333% of my biweekly paycheck (i.e. it would take around 1.5 months to recoup the money if I cared). I couldn't care less! Money will always ebb and flow–like the tide–however I'm planning to use the Moccamaster for at least a year and it could easily last 10+ years (some redditiors have reported 20 years of use). It also is covered by a 5 year warranty out of the box. Moccamaster machines are hand assembled in Norway and in my humble–objective–opinion, the KBGV Select is the best looking non-espresso coffee making implement on the market right now. The design is timeless, functional, and they sell it in a bunch of colors (I got Yellow Pepper!). It isn't some ordinary drip coffee maker, which is probably what makes most people think of it as an unreasonable purchase. No, the Moccamaster KBGV Select is a Specialty Coffee Association approved home brewer. This is an exclusive list, requiring adherence to standards regarding extraction, brewing temperature, hotplate temperatures, and brewing time to name a few.
09/13/2024:
- same method as 9-11
- Also put pumpkin spice nespresso in hydro flask mug for breakfast
- Good
- Not sure if I like it more than veranda
- Cheap
09/11/2024:
- First day of SUMATRA
- 43 g grounds, 700 g water
- 1:16 ratio
- Full bloom this time
- 100g water
- 30 full seconds
- Might try to handle more carully
- Medium pour seed
09/10/2024
- 9/10
- Final day of veranda blend
- Bloomed for 20 secs
- Smaller amount since using last in bag
- 31 grams coffee, 460 grams water
09/09/2024:
- got scale
- 34.8 grams coffee
- 1:15 ratio so 522 ml water
- Pour slightly over 526
- Sorta bloomed but got scared
- Probably 10 sec bloom
09/06/2024:
- French press
- 700ml water, 7.5 scoops of coffee
- Excellent foam scooping technique
- Perfect amount quantity-wise (700ml for my hydroflask)
- Why so sludgy?
- I poured sooooo slow
09/06/2024:
- Used Nespresso pod
- It was very good and the foam is sooo enticing when in glass mug
- Might be better than the original line because of making full cup of coffee if needed
- Didn't have time for French pressing
- Is a French press more expensive?
- 1.20 per pod isn't awful
09/04/2024:
- 7 scoops, ~700ml water
- I thought I did like 600 last time?
- MAJOR CRUST after 4 mins
- Broke up full crust
- Got 90% of foam
- Please don't be silty
- Poured very slowly
- Took about a minute to pour entire thing
- Observed for silt, did not see any
- Tasty
- Im liking the veranda blend now
- Much better than the stuff in the dining hall
- Smoky? What seems a little smoky?
09/03/2024:
- 6 scoops approx 575 ml water
- Waited until water no longer bubbling to pour
- No stirring until 4 mins
- after scoop ALL foam out
- Wait 5 mins more
- Dip filter into top
- Pour (leave like 2 tbsp in carafe)
- Poured kinda quick? not a good thing??
- Tasty, not too strong
- Too much silt for last sip
- NEXT TIME:
- Pour slower
- Continue scooping all foam out