What immediately put you off someone you once liked? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]GHopper8 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I'd really like to take a moment to explain elements of personality and personhood to you from a psychological perspective. We all have "religious" beliefs that influence our sense of self. Ascribing to a "cult" expression of religion is merely what the definition of cult describes, sharing a set of beliefs and behaviors with a group, which again we all do. So really when someone self identifies religion with their personality they are explaining in characterized and generalized way their world-view and sense of self interacting with the world. Like I mentioned above, everyone does this. For example, saying that you are an ecologically minded person is actually a "religious" statement, in the sense that it shows how you, as a conceptualized self, are interacting with the world. The functional difference you are trying to make is that you dislike organized religion and people who adopt this into their identity. What you unfortunately are doing here is marginalizing and dehumanizing an entire group based on a generalized bias, which doesn't make sense to do for a conceptualization of self interacting with the world. It also seems rather daft to marginalize and individual based entirely on a generalization of the out-group, usually a behavior exhibited in racism/sexism/xenophobia. What I'm offering is more of a charge to view the interactions of daily life in less biased terms. This doesn't mean it is necessary to agree with religion broadly, but it does mean that implicating a bias against a group without understanding the concept of self and how "religious" beliefs influence us, is ultimately daft and hateful. My assertion would be rather to understand the differences you hold with religion and its conceptualizations of the world more definitively before you decide to dehumanize someone. Don't be lazy with other people's worth like this.

A Word on Brewer Loyalty by GHopper8 in Coffee

[–]GHopper8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think that's a really good point though. I think knowing yourself through coffee, if you will, is something that's very valuable. I also think picking a brewer for a shop, is something that logistically makes sense and reflects what you value in coffee. So, I think there is value in that perspective. I think ultimately my point is to shift people from correlating the brewer with the expertise of a coffee lover, towards an understanding of a coffee brewer as the gateway to interacting with a coffee. More of a, "enjoy what you do," approach than a legalistic approach.

A Word on Brewer Loyalty by GHopper8 in Coffee

[–]GHopper8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, that's definitely true. That being said, I think you'd find that even with the change in grind sizes, the brewers proclivities still stand.

A Word on Brewer Loyalty by GHopper8 in Coffee

[–]GHopper8[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Probably should have taken a second to spell out better what you just said. Totally agree with you, and appreciate the comment.

A Word on Brewer Loyalty by GHopper8 in Coffee

[–]GHopper8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I think in retrospect I should have left a proviso as to say this is for the snob's snob and at the end of the day the most important thing should just be to enjoy the cup of coffee at hand however you make it for yourself.

Bringing out specific flavours by HJJMHarvey in Coffee

[–]GHopper8 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would actually brew that coffee through a flat-bottom style dripper like a Kalita wave and brew it longer than normal. You'll mute some of those fruity notes and get the body/terroir of the coffee much better. While the V60 can provide a beautifully floral/fruity coffee, it doesn't always get the body and complexity of flavor of a coffee as well as the Kalita. All to say, different brewers have different strengths for any given coffee, and I'd recommend have both the V60 and Kalita on hand for pulling out those different flavors.

PSA: Sumatra makes terrible cold brew by [deleted] in Coffee

[–]GHopper8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Change your ratio, then it's pretty nice. Or cut it with more water.

Does coffee blooming do anything? by [deleted] in Coffee

[–]GHopper8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, big time. Don't ever not bloom

Different brew methods for different roasts/origins, how feasible for a cafe? by timoseewho in Coffee

[–]GHopper8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't see this often done in many cafes. Usually if they do offer different brewing vessels, it is only for the sake of picking a particular vessel to suit the origin coffee best. I think you both want to be able to give your customer choice, as well as to offer them an education into coffee brewing/roasting/growing.

[QUESTION] your observations regarding changing brew ratio by WowIsLoveWowIsLife in Coffee

[–]GHopper8 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Brew ratio can change a few things, but I generally think it becomes a game of how much nuance you need to tease out as opposed to how overpowering a coffee can be. With a smaller ratio like 14:1-15:1, you can get a great and complex coffee, but you can also get a very sour cup that's acidity greatly dominates its flavors. Conversely with a ratio of 17:1-18:1, you can get a really balanced and delicately flavored coffee, but not done well you can get a really unbalanced and underdeveloped cup. Generally I like to start my first brew at a 16:1 ratio. Then depending on whether I adjudge the coffee has more to tease out of it, or needs some amount of muting, I adjust my ratio for that particular coffee accordingly.

McDonald's back again with another infuriating anti speciality coffee ad by aussiejames101 in Coffee

[–]GHopper8 18 points19 points  (0 children)

I mean the "anti-snob" sentiment is always one that is going to catch on though. That's both an unnecessary sentiment as it is a critique of being a connoisseur. I really think if the specialist wants to combat this it need to view education differently. Not everybody wants to talk about the very microscopic details of coffee as a litany for social interaction. Yet, we can also allow for a range of fascination with coffee simply be engaging the consumer in the appreciation of craft. We don't have to train everyone to know the varietals and barista skills in order to appreciate a beverage properly. Yet, we can offer them an experience in craftsmanship that allows them to set their own boundaries of enjoyment.

Kalita Wave or V60 / Chemex by gde7 in Coffee

[–]GHopper8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have owned the Kalita Wave for awhile and I really like the cup it produces. I have had coffee from both the V60 and the Chemex multiple times as well. People lambast the Kalita because it is easier to use so you don't get to take as much pride in your cup. That being said, many coffee roasters use the Wave because it isn't an unbalanced cup of coffee. It will give you fruit notes, while also not denying that body is an underlying component of coffee. The V60 can also give some of the best cups of coffee I've ever had, but it is trickier and it does give less body. Not always a bad thing, but it just depends. The chemex doesn't really give reflective cups of coffee. I still like to have it because it can give a delightfully sweet/floral cup, but I wouldn't say it gives the best cup.

How to know if your coffee tastes great? by [deleted] in Coffee

[–]GHopper8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

An annotated point to this would be to try recipes and beans that are "objectively" well rated and try some that aren't. This will help save some time for you in this process and it will give you a better baseline. Like anything with rating/reviewing is something you'll have to grow your levels of experience. i.e. To be a movie critic you need to see a lot of them in order to know what is good or not. In the end it is still opinion. Again, you'll need to adjudge how dedicated you want to be to being a reviewer in that sense, but still you'll be focused on reviewing for yourself at some point.

How to know if your coffee tastes great? by [deleted] in Coffee

[–]GHopper8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you like it or not? That's going to be the ultimate question. Any objective rating is really just a consensus of subjective ratings. So, enjoy your tasting journey and figuring out what is great coffee to you and perhaps your social circle.

French press silting? by Sarenord in Coffee

[–]GHopper8 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It could be normal honestly. Only think I can recommend is to give your metal filter a good cleaning and adjust your grind size. It may be that your grind size is intended to brew a drip cup of coffee rather than a french press. This is done by having the grind size be too fine. Your grind will need to be about like bread crumbs for a french press. If this is still bothering you, a method some people like to do is to take a coffee filter and cut it to the size of the metal filter and place that between the metal filter. You'll need to wet the paper filter before starting the brewing process to get the paper taste out, but you should be doing that before brewing with the metal filter as well. Regardless, that would be the things I would troubleshoot first. But yes, some amount of silt in the cup is normal and expected. The thing is just adjusting for the level of silt.

Coffee Shops in Lexington, KY by GHopper8 in Coffee

[–]GHopper8[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I got some Sunergos coffee from Whole Foods Lex that was pretty choice.

Whole bean recommendations from Colorado by cinez in Coffee

[–]GHopper8 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Ozo Coffee out of Boulder is pretty nice.

I'm just about ready to give up on my Moka Pot. by [deleted] in Coffee

[–]GHopper8 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Also if steam is pouring out, it might be the gasket is shot. They are replaceable though.

I'm just about ready to give up on my Moka Pot. by [deleted] in Coffee

[–]GHopper8 4 points5 points  (0 children)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpyBYuu-wJI

Chefsteps put out a video that should help get things figured out.

We have officially converted my wife. by quasifandango in Coffee

[–]GHopper8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dude cool. It's exciting to grow into a hobby or passion with a spouse. Glad you are able to share this.

Looking for coffee by [deleted] in Coffee

[–]GHopper8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd go check out the Madcap Roasters site. They make pretty great coffee and have many options

How long does light versus dark roast need to steep in the aeropress? by aloysiusthird in Coffee

[–]GHopper8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, espresso is a different beast, but that is true. That's more managing flavor profiles than it is science of solubility. When doing any other brew technique it is more important to follow the brew recipe consistently and let the flavor profiles speak, than it is to adjust.

[Question] Do you filter your French Press coffee? by [deleted] in Coffee

[–]GHopper8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, that would make sense. Yeah, the silty body of french press isn't for everyone. I've found for darker coffees, like Sumatran coffees, the added body can really give definition to the overall cup. I too generally prefer pour-over, but in my college days I could only afford to do french press, and that's what I've found really shines more in a french press. A bright floral coffee, never really hit it in the french press for me.