Coffee

[carbman 13]

Baked-beans-sized coffee beans!

 

If I have time in the morning, I'll make 2 lattes, one for the missus. I also make lattes when I have guests over. But most of the time nowadays, my go to method is pour-over, paper-filtered coffee. Makes a very good cup in the right hands, but variables such as water temperature, grind size, brew time and coffee dosing add up to an inconsistent experience.

 

It's my favourite method because the best cup I've EVER had was made similarly. At Coffea Coffee, e-Curve Damansara, using (if I recall correctly) Nicaraguan beans.  Artisan Coffee in Sec 12 PJ also makes a good cup, as does Pulp in Bangsar. 

 

However, the tediousness of making a pour-over cup is tempting me to find a decent automated method.

[kotmj 1,326]

A pour over is tedious? Isn't it just grind beans, put grounds into a filter-lined funnel, then pour hot water over?

[carbman 13]

I thought so too, but then there's the water temperature, grind size and brew time that must be kept consistent in order to achieve the perfect cup. Screw up one of these, and the end result may be either bitter or sour coffee or both.

[kotmj 1,326]

Good point. I sometimes drink McD coffee, and still will go to Starbucks, so I will take caffeine in whatever form---sour, bitter, or even room temperature. But good coffee is always a treat.

 

I'm currently in caffe Bene in 1U. Just discovered its existence. I also found out today it's possible to have quite a good vegan lunch in 1U. In the Japanese section opposite the aeon market, I went for a stir fry of broccoli+mushroom+edamame which contains relatively little cooking oil. White rice with it.

[kotmj 1,326]

I found myself at Ikano, which happens a few times a month. Bought ticket for Kingsman, then dropped in to Coffea for a cup of Nicaraguan. But two things:

 

a) the thing is RM22/cup

b ) they were out of stock on Nicaraguan.

 

So here I am with a plain Americano.

[kotmj 1,326]

Their Americano is no better than McD's. Worse than Starbucks'. Two grades below Caffe Bene.

[carbman 13]

Americano is just diluted espresso. Never really liked it.

 

Just watched Kingsman as well, but in Jaya Shopping Centre. O.K., but the first movie was better.

[kotmj 1,326]

 

Colombia Santa Monica drip coffee. I also have started buying premium instant coffee due to convenience, and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of Starbucks'. Trying Caffe Bene's now.

 

In the background, two jackets Coatmaker D handed to me.

 

Sony A6300 + Carl Zeiss Distagon 2/35

[kotmj 1,326]

https://youtu.be/N8meCjVsJWI

[kotmj 1,326]

A forum member suggested I try out a cafe nearby my place in Janda Baik. Pinto Coffee.

The parking lot.

The whole building is the cafe.

Pinto grows its own coffee beans. 

The Banjaran, as they call it, calls to mind whiskey. It has the aroma of a dark liquor. It's definitely, unambiguously a high end coffee. It's full bodied; feels like eating coffee instead of drinking. RM20 for a pourover. They do not sell the beans.

[kotmj 1,326]

While waiting for my aglio olio and coffee

[kotmj 1,326]

I was here last Friday and I'm here now.

[kotmj 1,326]

The beans

[kotmj 1,326]

Went to Pinto Coffee again today. The Americano wasn't such a good choice---too little of it, and a bit too dilute! Going back to the pourover next time.

[kotmj 1,326]

At Pinto Coffee, waiting for lunch and coffee.

[kotmj 1,326]

Coffee arrived

[kenterong 5]

Better than the americano? 

[kotmj 1,326]

Yes. Pour over still better because pekat.

[kotmj 1,326]

[carbman 13]

I get espresso now. I really do. I used to hate it to death; all I could taste was this ultra-bitter, small (thankfully) volume, fancy-looking drink that I was convinced people only tolerated because of the caffeine jolt it gave them.

I understand espresso now. A good espresso is similar to a good pour-over (filter) coffee. You get the acidity and you get the bassy roasted/bitter/chocolatey notes. But its all concentrated into one tiny (volume and drink-time-wise) 1-1.5 ounce shot. Think punch rather than a caress. It's overwhelming at first. But it's not as big a jump as I thought it would be from non-sugar filtered coffee.

Too strong? Try a macchiato; an espresso 'marked' with a bit of foam - this tempers down the flavours a bit, a good 'bridging' drink for non-espresso drinker.

As with other brewing methods, the drinkability of an espresso is highly dependent on the dude making the drink. Which is why I would recommend a few places that I think best represents what an espresso should be:

1. My espresso cafe, USJ 21/11
2. Pulp at Jalan Riong, Bangsar
3. Page 2, Bangsar Shopping Centre

Number (2) also serves very good filtered coffee. Another good filtered coffee joint is Artisan coffee, in PJ.

Do note that I am not affiliated to any of these joints. Heck, I don't even get any special treatment at these joints (Malay dude, helmet in hand, gets the least attention, I guess).

All that being said, I am almost embarrassed to mention my go-to method of having a shot at the office. No a very good shot, but the best compromise, time-wise.

[kotmj 1,326]

Espresso is like whiskey. Filtered coffee is like beer.

Good thing none of the cafes mistook you for a food panda/grab food.

[kotmj 1,326]

Coffee the Rubinacci way

[kotmj 1,326]

Pinto Cafe finally starts selling their beans... Bought this to send to a customer after he sent me some Haru Suke beans.

[carbman 13]

That is some packaging! Just went to their website. Their webmaster needs to be spanked. And not the good kind.