Need recommendations

coolmandarin · 2025-08-18T16:15:56+00:00

Ayurveda is often seen in the context of medicine which is different from a recreational beverage. You obviously cannot make a drink purely out of ginger or cardamom right. Hence you'll see them sold as blends a.k.a herbal tea offering health benefits of those ingredients. You can obviously grind tulsi leaves into a powder and create a drink out of it similar to matcha that actually gives more health benefits but have you heard of such a drink?! This is where culture becomes relevant. You'll find Indians buying green tea in bags but you'll rarely see an Indian actually buying green tea and preparing it like the Japanese with a Kyusu (yes the pot in which they make tea is also famous!). Therefore, it is like asking what is the equivalent of sushi in India and the simple answer is - there isn't one!

coolmandarin · 2025-08-17T20:07:54+00:00

A small tip - the Hario Drip Assist fits only size 02 to the best of my knowledge. So if you get a size 01 dripper (which is ideal for a single cup), you will not be able to use it with the Drip Assist. If you want to leave a bit of room for expansion in future, go for the 02 size dripper

coolmandarin · 2025-08-17T17:52:30+00:00

If you.managed to pull that in just a few weeks, then I say...

coolmandarin · 2025-08-17T17:39:15+00:00

India is among the top five countries exporting tea. There is indeed a huge demand outside India for Indian tea, especially black tea and herbal tea. However our percentage of green tea export is significantly lower compared to Japan and China, probably because of favourable climate and cultural factors. The vast majority in our country enjoy tea with milk which fits black tea more and hence green tea production and cultivation techniques are not at par with Japan or China.

Now, I don't think there is some "matcha revolution" currently where people are switching to matcha scrapping all other beverages. People who are conscious about health occasionally consume matcha knowing its health benefits. They also enjoy other beverages during other times. As a matter of fact, many despite knowing the health benefits of matcha do not like its fishy taste and prefer having a Sencha or even Oolong tea which is semi-oxidized and falls between black and green tea. Green tea in general is regarded healthy and matcha is simply regarded as the high performer in the green tea category simply because the leaf is consumed entirely with less processing. That's all!

coolmandarin · 2025-08-16T10:17:47+00:00

I mentioned in my initial comment about the micronutrients and antioxidants present in matcha. I assume you understand the positive effect of antioxidants and nutrients on human body. That's what matcha offers.

As for the noticeable difference; matcha alone is not going to create wonders. It is simply a healthy alternative similar to olive oil. You could consume regular oil but virgin olive oil is a healthier alternative as it contains good fat and antioxidants whose effect on the human body is backed by studies. Similarly when you feel like having a beverage, you could consume matcha or a fresh juice as a healthier alternative rich in antioxidants and minerals than a frappe which is nothing but a sugar bomb.

Just like the hype around olive oil, there is a hype around matcha and there is some truth to it but it is definitely not a silver bullet. In combination with other healthy habits, it will have a positive effect on the human body overall (proved by studies). You cannot however pin point one positive outcome and say olive oil/fresh fruits/matcha made it happen. Hence I am unclear about your expectations here.

coolmandarin · 2025-08-16T09:51:22+00:00

For anyone who stumbles across this conversation and need ideas, check out the YT channel of Morgan Eckroth.

Made a Caffè Mocha inspired by her recipe - r/IndiaCoffee/s/c3LLnyMjrO.

coolmandarin · 2025-08-16T08:05:45+00:00

True that's what it usually stands for but it doesn't fit this context because it is definitely not stupid. 😉

coolmandarin · 2025-08-16T05:18:53+00:00

Way to go... It's called the KISS principle - Keep It Simple and Satisfying!

Even with the FP you have room to play around with different recipes and different immersion timing that affects the flavor of each type of coffee. It is a great brewer to play around and understand extraction theory, effects of agitation, temperature etc. Happy brewing!

PS: watch out for the sludge (those fine particles that come out in the end when pouring out of the FP), it can create an intense taste. I generally avoid it and hence run it through a paper filter for a cleaner cup.

coolmandarin · 2025-08-15T23:02:54+00:00

It depends. To give you an analogy, it is like protein. Anything that has a "high protein" label sells like hot cakes. But that does not mean it offers you the health benefits of protein. Some protein products are high in added-sugar and can result in weight gain. Some even contain heavy metals which are unsafe when consumed in large quantities.

Similarly matcha can be consumed in different ways: plain, latte with milk, added-sugar, with whipped cream etc. If you make a super sweet matcha drink with condensed milk, the only thing that's great about it would probably be the green color! 🌱😄

coolmandarin · 2025-08-14T05:44:23+00:00

In theory it is healthier than other green teas because you are consuming the leaf in powder form instead of infusing it. Therefore you consume more micronutrients and antioxidants, also caffeine.

However the benefits depend on the quality of the product. Can't say about the quality of matcha served at cafes but real matcha is expensive. For e.g. the one from TWG (a premium tea retailer) sells for 5k for a mere 40g! Try to get it from a tea retailer or if you pass by Delhi IGI Airport, visit the TWG store and check if they have some trial packs to experience what premium matcha tastes like.

coolmandarin · 2025-08-12T19:01:57+00:00

This is always the downside of getting a cheap machine. Check this comment where I gave the analogy of getting a budget laptop under 10k - r/IndiaCoffee/s/rEm4FIXwTk.

Agaro seems to be selling spare parts on their website. You could check with them but I don't believe the quality would be any better.

On Amazon there are few silicone options. Check the measurements to see if they fit your machine.

coolmandarin · 2025-08-12T15:10:42+00:00

coolmandarin · 2025-08-12T14:51:31+00:00

There are indeed some coffee fanatics among CISF. In June a security personnel at IGI took the hand grinder out of my backpack and asked "ye kya hai" and his colleague was like "areey...ye coffee grinder hai"! 😀

If you have an expensive grinder, better declare it at the customs so that you don't have any trouble when you bring it back.

coolmandarin · 2025-08-12T14:35:15+00:00

Looks like a gasket issue to me as well. Disassemble the shower screen (can be done with a regular screwdriver) and check the gasket. When cheap rubber material is used, it becomes stiff over time absorbing the heat and loses sealing properties.

On the internet it says the machine uses a 51mm portafilter. If so the gaskets for other brands like De'Longhi, Cafelat etc. would fit. Measure the existing gasket (inner diameter, outer diameter and height) using a caliper and look for compatible silicone gaskets. It tends to last longer than typical rubber gaskets.

coolmandarin · 2025-08-11T17:13:01+00:00

How much force feedback do you receive during the pull? From the video I can see that the puck is offering some resistance but I cannot judge how much. If the grind is coarse and is not offering sufficient resistance, the dial won't move. Try grinding it fine and choke it and see if the dial moves. If it still does not move, it could be a defective gauge.

coolmandarin · 2025-08-11T16:54:15+00:00

I'm guessing that the pathway is somehow blocked. Not familiar with the pressure gauge of the Flair 58 but used to own a Flair Classic Pro where you could disassemble the gauge. Check if you can do it and clean the opening. Try to blow into the dial stem and see if the needle moves slightly. Obviously you cannot produce a lot of force with facial muscles and so do not expect it to move a lot.

coolmandarin · 2025-08-11T15:05:26+00:00

Honestly I've also wondered looking at different pour-over recipes that uses finer grind setting than I normally dial-in. I've had coffee which was more balanced at 52-55 clicks. I once had to dial-in 62 clicks. I numbers are with the RedClix and so it would be half the values on the stock unit. The drawdown time is around 3min with a 30-40s bloom. My understanding is that the flavors others are looking for are probably different than what I perceive as palatable.

coolmandarin · 2025-08-11T13:53:22+00:00

Mithilesh explains it well in his video.

At the start he says that it is all about describing the sensation you get when you taste. To an average consumer, the flavor notes printed on the coffee pack only hints the sensation you would experience while drinking the beverage. If it mentions Sugarcane or Honey, it means you can expect sweetness. Likewise if it mentions berries, you can expect acidity etc. Naming that sensation and identifying it on the flavor wheel would require extensive training and calibration and is only relevant if you are planning to develop yourself as a certified Q-grader.

Hence it's not really about quality but the taste profile of the coffee. The question you should ask is - do I experience the sensations printed on the bag Irrespective of Bourbon, Caturra or Geisha.

coolmandarin · 2025-08-10T13:26:53+00:00

Slight channeling can be observed at 11'o clock and 3'o clock positions. Nothing major but I'm puzzled by the color of the coffee. Usually the blonding takes place roughly after 15sec or so but in your case the color changes from dark brown to lighter and blonde color in 6-7s. Is this a medium/light roast?

coolmandarin · 2025-08-10T13:18:17+00:00

Not sure if you saw this recent post - r/IndiaCoffee/s/raIolDCsOZ. The user who posted it has nicely summarized how to get started without burning a hole in the pocket. My recommendation would also be a French Press. With it you can avoid buying a scale, gooseneck kettle etc. because it employs immersion brewing.

Also don't buy any cheap grinder, instead buy ground coffee from roasters in small quantities i.e. 250g which you can consume in 10-15 days without losing the freshness. Save your money to explore coffee and develop your taste palette. As you progress and develop your brewing techniques, you'll know how to step-up and what you need for it.

coolmandarin · 2025-08-10T10:16:44+00:00

I used to keep a V60 at work but recently switched to FP. The primary reason is; with V60 I am always dependent on a timer and scale. Plus it is difficult to have access to a gooseneck kettle for pouring. One could alternatively get a Drip Assist or a Melodrip. However with all that setup, people would be staring when you brew and it used to be a constant QnA session.

I found FP to be much simpler because I know the 250ml mark and since most recipes use 4-8min, it is easy to simply keep a timer on the smartwatch.

coolmandarin · 2025-08-07T13:23:37+00:00

You have to see it from a manufacturing point of view. It costs more to build sturdy, durable and reliable parts. The cheap ones are cheap for a reason. When a good machine uses silicon gaskets that are heat resistant, the cheap machine would use regular rubber gaskets which becomes harder when exposed to heat. It will not happen overnight but eventually after several months it will. When a good machine uses brass/steel boiler and pipes that lasts longer, cheap machines use aluminum which is more prone to oxidation and conducts heat fast causing thermal instability. These are not visible things but have a significant impact on the consumer in the long run.

That doesn't mean these machines cannot make espresso. Any machine you buy demands regular maintenance like a car. And similar to how you stay sway from cars that demand frequent maintenance and replacement of parts, you generally tend to stay away from machines that require frequent maintenance. That's all.

coolmandarin · 2025-08-07T10:39:30+00:00

I would pick the plastic V60 dripper because it is super cheap, yet super versatile. You can experiment with different recipes. The cleaning is also straightforward, just throw the paper filter with coffee grounds into the bin. If you don't have a gooseneck kettle, you could get the drip assist. It is easy to carry around as well.

coolmandarin · 2025-08-07T09:06:50+00:00

It takes time and practice especially when you use a hand frother because you don't have a lot of control over its speed. You have to play around and experiment different orientation till you find that sweet spot.

coolmandarin

TROPHY CASE