How are you grinding, if applicable?

How are you brewing it?

What’s your favorite brand of instant, if applicable?

Are you satisfied with the taste?

Do you need ideas on how to make it better?

  • not_woody_shaw@lemmy.worldEnglish
    5·
    8 months ago

    This week, Sweetshop from Square Mile, and my standard El Carmen decaf from James Gourmet.

    Grinding in Mahlkonig/Baratza Vario, to which I swapped in the Baratza/Ditting steel burrs and steel grind chamber, and every few months I’ll have another go at trying to get the burrs aligned perfectly.

    Brewing as espresso, usually 17g -> 34g, sometimes longer. And V60 20g -> 320g, with varying pours and pour timings.

    Favourite instant is the house brand from Lidl. It’s not good but it’s significantly better than Nescafé. Works well as a low calorie appetite suppressant, with artificial sweetener.

    I’m not satisfied with the taste of the instant, but I don’t drink it for the taste. My “real” coffee tastes f-ing amazing, including the decaf.

    I’d be interested in other brands of instant worth trying, and also in other decafs - I’ve tried a lot and this JG stuff is head and shoulders better than anything else I’ve found.

    • zabadohOP
      1·
      8 months ago

      The instant that I like, aside from Nescafe/Tasters Choice is called Colcafe.

      I only see it in FoodsCo supermarkets, which are owned by Kroger.

      It’s from Colombia, and it’s dark and smooth at the same time.

      But as you say, nothing close to what I can get out of my flavorful french press.

      I would be willing to try some of those Asian instant coffees, but aside from the Japanese UCC and some other brands, they usually come premixed with creamer and sweetener.