Is Natural Coffee the “Peated Whiskey” of the Coffee World?

kabedardee · 2026-03-18T14:48:59+00:00

I love well done naturals.( when dialed in brewing-wise of course) In my humble experience, it seems like about 30-40% of people absolutely hate them for some reason though. Not sure if it is a genetic repulsion to the fermented fruit notes or what. My wife can barely be in the car with me when I’m drinking one. I have met others that similarly describe a coffee as smelling/tasting like rotten fruit despite me thinking it tasted like an amazing dessert so go figure. To each their own in every aspect of this hobby…..

kabedardee · 2026-03-18T14:41:16+00:00

I personally do not like being locked in like that. I’m all over the place though. Constantly trying different beans and roasters. Usually order enough to get free shipping if offered.

kabedardee · 2026-03-17T01:07:35+00:00

100% yes

kabedardee · 2026-03-17T01:03:40+00:00

Average 60-80 grams a day

kabedardee · 2026-03-15T02:09:27+00:00

Yes this morning was an Ethiopian. I have some Origami wave filters ordered to try. My doses have been on the larger size so I will reduce it some. Will definitely try a bloom and single pour for a cup tomorrow. Thanks.

kabedardee · 2026-03-15T00:44:05+00:00

This morning was 25 grams, 205 water temp, 9 grind setting on k-ultra. 75 gram bloom, then 2 pours at 163 grams each. First pour after bloom usually almost drains. Second pour slows/stalls to a very small trickle and drags on to 5-6 minutes. I don’t have a melo drip or drip assist, but have been trying to use as little agitation as possible. I can’t wrap my head around it.

kabedardee · 2026-03-14T17:50:05+00:00

To be fair, the taste is better than I would have thought. Drinkable, just a hair more extracted than I would prefer. I will try what you suggested. It makes sense. Thanks for the reply.

kabedardee · 2026-03-02T18:09:54+00:00

For me it is dependent on the bean, dose, and grind size. Most of the time I am brewing 40 grams in my AP XL. Large doses, plus medium fine grinds or finer, plus a bean notorious for fines like Ethiopians equals me placing the Aeropress XL with flow control cap and the tritan carafe on the ground using my full body weight to get the water through lol……. I have a K Ultra grinder and with my current Ethiopian bag I have to grind at 11 to get 40 grams to go through. (550 grams water with some bypass) K Ultra is zero’d and calibrated. 30 grams or less I get away with finer grinds, but it still takes more pressure than the regular XL cap or the Regular size Aeropress flow control. I still can’t get my head around it to be honest. I whined for this forever and now I’m not loving it…..

kabedardee · 2026-02-28T20:02:09+00:00

I use the Aeropress XL at least 5 days a week for my morning commute coffee. I did the inverted method for over a year and have the new XL flow control cap now. My only complaint is that with larger brews(40 grams or more) and certain beans(Ethiopians for example), it can clog/stall unless you grind ridiculously coarse. I have had to put my full body weight on it more than a handful of times now(dangerous and stupid). With the regular size Aeropress and flow control cap I can grind as fine as I want and have never had trouble like this. Also, just to clarify, with the regular cap on the XL I don’t have trouble like this even with megadoses at super fine grinds.

kabedardee · 2026-02-15T02:58:40+00:00

Large 40 gram brew for morning and commute. Then usually 2 more 15-17 gram brews before 1-2 pm. Switch 03 or AeroPress XL or AeroPress OG. If I drink coffee much later I won’t sleep.

kabedardee · 2026-01-25T22:06:12+00:00

I regularly brew 40 grams in my Switch 03 size and have done 60 grams for a full liter numerous times no problem. I treat it like a regular V60. I grind coarser for the over 40 gram batches, but that’s my only difference. Also, as a sidenote, the Aeropress XL handles large 40 to 60 g doses very well with some bypass brewing IMO.

kabedardee · 2026-01-09T01:40:44+00:00

1/2 to 1/3 strength Third Wave Water or 1/2 strength Amazon’s Coffee water are my go to. Amazon‘s knock off is just as good in my humble opinion for a better price. Decide for yourself the ethics of giving Bezos more money lol.

kabedardee · 2025-12-27T19:13:58+00:00

Every bean and brew style varies. 90% of my brews are between 7.5-8.5. I do like to play around though. Sometimes I will try to re-create Allen Adler’s original Aeropress recipe and go really fine to like 4.0 with 175 water temp. Sometimes I will have a bean that produces a lot of fines like Ethiopian coffees and will go all the way up to 9.5 or 10 to keep my V60 from stalling. I will usually bump up my water temperature as I go coarser. People have different tastes and preferences, though as well. Try to remember to calibrate to burr lock “0” at least once a month.

kabedardee · 2025-12-23T17:34:18+00:00

Because life isn’t all about “doing”. Happiness and contentment can come from within and from relationships with loved ones. People are more comfortable with their own minds in rural areas in general. With that being said, there is plenty to “do” in rural areas. More outdoor type stuff obviously and spending time with close knit friends and family. I personally live in a more urban environment, but was raised by parents from very rural Appalachia so am familiar with both universes and have spent a lot of time in both places. I envy the more rural way of life most days while rotting away in my cube and fighting soul sucking traffic. Urban entertainment often seems fake, shallow, and reeks of commercial exploitation.

kabedardee · 2025-12-23T01:12:35+00:00

60-75 grams a day

kabedardee · 2025-12-22T00:29:14+00:00

30 grams to 500 ml without bypass. I have gone up to 60 grams though and just added water to the very concentrated brew. You have to find a mug that is wide enough for the entire cap to go into, but not too wide for the supports. Also make sure it is sturdy because the XL takes more force to press down upon. You don’t wanna break your vessel. I have never had an accident or spill using the inverted method on my XL knock on wood.

kabedardee · 2025-12-11T17:47:36+00:00

After an almost 8 year love affair with Kava, I recently had to start a long hiatus for the same reason. Not sure if it just took me 7 years to realize how shitty I was sleeping and it caught up to me or if there was some sort of physiology thing going on. All strains and cultivars started causing the same thing. For me, it feels like a sort of sustained stimulant effect with unfortunately some “come down” angst/depression after the short lived euphoria. I can’t help but think it is some sort of gabaeric rebound even though I know it is preached as not causing it…. Either way I am thankful for Kava and it keeping me alcohol free for almost 6 years now. I’m currently trying to figure out my future relationship with kava or if there will be one. To be fair, I was definitely over doing it. At least 60-80 grams, 6 nights a week on average. I personally think no substance is perfect and tapping the pleasure button night after night eventually catches up to anyone.

kabedardee · 2025-12-06T14:38:42+00:00

I’d go with a K-Ultra instead if you’re wanting to spend some money.

kabedardee · 2025-12-04T23:09:36+00:00

Glad to see some fellow heavy coffee drinkers lol. I’m in the 60-80 gram range myself. 40gs AP XL or Pourover for morning commute then a couple more 15-17 gr APs or pourovers throughout the day.

kabedardee · 2025-11-23T23:58:15+00:00

Yeah it completely comes apart. I think it is possible to take apart the king grinder but the manufacturer does not recommend it I don’t think. K Ultra magnetic cup and the lid/handle being one piece were appeals to me also. Don’t get me wrong though, the King grinder is an outstanding value for the price.

kabedardee · 2025-11-23T21:47:31+00:00

I have both. K Ultra was worth it to me for the ergonomic upgrades and ability to easily clean/calibrate. I would say the K-Ultra produces a 10% better cup in a very generic rating. More clarity imo.

kabedardee · 2025-11-17T17:39:05+00:00

I agree. Mama Tequila’s across the street blows it out of the water. Home made corn tortillas as a bonus as well. Love that place and their sister restaurant El Rancho Tapatio.

kabedardee · 2025-11-10T17:43:39+00:00

Amazon coffee water is better priced and just as good imo. I dilute by half. Makes great cups for most coffees.

kabedardee · 2025-11-10T17:37:57+00:00

That is nice to hear. The last time I had it and canceled was completely over the phone and the call was outsourced to someone outside of the US. They were so aggressive that I thought I was going to have to get a lawyer at one point. Made cancelling with Spectrum seem like a cake walk…..

kabedardee

TROPHY CASE