Why do coffee percolators make better coffee?

[DBR]

I bought a percolator about a week ago, and I cannot believe how much better the exact same el-cheapo Costco coffee I've made for years and years tastes when percolated. There is no bitterness, no matter how strong I make it, it smells better...

Why is this? I never thought water driping over grounded coffee beans was such a big deal.

 

[Quinton O'Connor]

I'll have to pass on answering the question since I'm no coffee guru, myself, but a friend is staying with me for a few months and bought a coffee maker; I've been using it and let's just say it's a lot better than the instant crud I was working with before.

More of a tea time kinda guy, though.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I like a plunger. I always think the great advantage to it is all you need is coffee and boiling water, you could use it while camping. I don't know why this is so appealing since I would never voluntarily go camping.

 

[SD70ACe]

Yep, I use a French press as well. I love it!

 

[trekkiedane]

I bought a percolator about a week ago, and I cannot believe how much better the exact same el-cheapo Costco coffee I've made for years and years tastes when percolated. There is no bitterness, no matter how strong I make it, it smells better...

Why is this? I never thought water driping over grounded coffee beans was such a big deal.

That is pretty much the worst way to make coffee (since you're actually boiling the fresh brew -not a good thing to do with something that shouldn't be made with water above 80 °C in the first place)... I'm guessing you don't actually like coffee that much

A short while after the water has boiled (when the temperature has fallen enough) -which gives you time to grind the beans- I pour it into the 'French press' and stir it about a bit every now and then for the next couple of minutes, then skim the foam (which is the thing that makes coffee taste bitter) off the top and, voilà -best possible brew is ready

 

[Mutai Sho-Rin]

I bought a percolator about a week ago, and I cannot believe how much better the exact same el-cheapo Costco coffee I've made for years and years tastes when percolated. There is no bitterness, no matter how strong I make it, it smells better...

Why is this? I never thought water driping over grounded coffee beans was such a big deal.

The question is intriguing but we need to know what you used before. Can't really comment without knowing the comparitive baseline.

 

[Maestro]

Paging FlamingLiberal/Nevermore. Call for you on the white courtesy phone.

She should be able to give you a good answer.

 

[iguana_tonante]

Well, I virtually drink only espresso, so when I'm at home I make my coffee with a moka pot. Can't beat a true espresso machine, tho.

 

[thestrangequark]

Well, I virtually drink only espresso, so when I'm at home I make my coffee with a moka pot. Can't beat a true espresso machine, tho.

My roommate, German born and raised but the daughter of Italian immigrants, introduced me to the moka pot.

My favorite way to make coffee is with a French press. I have no idea about how a percolator affects flavor, but I know that a French press allows the coffee's natural oils through, unlike a drip machine that filters them out through the paper. That's why French press is so much more flavorful.

 

[trekkiedane]

moka pot

Oooh, that's also a very good coffee!

 

[SD70ACe]

I really need to get a moka pot one of these days.

 

[marillion]

Chalk me up as another fan of French press... I wish I knew how to avoid the remnants at the bottom of my cup, however..

My back office mates and I are coffee-snobs to be sure.. We pitched in an bought a higher end coffee maker and tend to go with whole bean coffees.. I'm about to invest in a burr grinder to replace our little blade machine..

 

[SD70ACe]

Chalk me up as another fan of French press... I wish I knew how to avoid the remnants at the bottom of my cup, however..

Don't drink them.

I'm about to invest in a burr grinder to replace our little blade machine..

I've got a blade grinder, and it works fine for my needs. I grind my coffee fresh every morning right before brewing, and it makes all the difference! I'll upgrade to a burr if and when it breaks.

Having said all of this, some places know how to percolate a mean cup of coffee. A few diners I frequent use those industrial urn percolators, and they brew the best coffee I've ever had in my life.

 

[trekkiedane]

In a coffee-thread last year I was called "the most snobbish coffee drinker" by a couple of the other addicts on the board -just because of this!

I don't have the patience for a manual coffee-grinder (got one, just don't use it much) so I used to only 'grind' in a blade-type machine.

Recently I bought one of these though:

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Well, I virtually drink only espresso, so when I'm at home I make my coffee with a moka pot. Can't beat a true espresso machine, tho.

I'm still upset I destroyed mine. Basically, making coffee after just waking up usually involves my brain not functioning. Moka pots don't work well if you forget to put water in it.

Haven't found any place that sells them around here, unfortunately.

 

[nevermore]

^
Bed, Bath & Beyond has them. There are tons of those in & near DC.

Anyway, as people have said, drip makers use water that is too hot and the filters filter out the oils, which makes it bitter. Percs are definitely better, but I'm a french press person myself.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Ooh thanks