Are you a Peetnik?

[sundial]

I just had Peet's coffee for the first time and I am a new convert. I am drinking Major Dickason's blend and it's delicious!! I looked at their other products and the bitter chocolate for coffee looks interesting as well as the travel French press/cup thingy. Anyone lucky enough to have a Peet's nearby? :)

[SadieKate]

OMG, have you tried searching the forum for "Peet's"? Have fun. Let us know when you come up for air. :p

[Andrea]

I just ordered from there for the first time (going for the Major Dickason's) and got the shipping notice today! I've been drinking the pre-ground cheap stuff from the grocery store, so I'm excited to get it!

[jobob]

Hee, hee, just did a search on Peets. There're some great old threads there. :cool:

- jobob likes to reminisce

[sundial]

Andrea, I don't think you'll be disappointed. I don't care for Starbuck's because of the burned aftertaste I get. With Peet's it's strong but smooth. Mmmmmmm.

My all time favorite coffee is Jamaican Blue Mountain. It costs an arm and a leg, but if you ever drink it, you'll understand there is heaven on earth.

[bikerz]

My personal favorite is Peet's Sulawesi Kalossie - either french press or drip - it is so smooth and rich.

I'm sitting with a cup of the Major D in my hand right now from the Peet's across the street from my office. Mmmm.

[boy in a kilt]

My first preference for coffee is the stuff my wife roasts. After that, it's Peet's Major Dickasen's Blend.

[jesvetmed]

Oh yeah... home delivery of Arabian Mocha Java and a decaf blend every few weeks! Right to my door!!!! LIFE IS GOOD!:D

[Pax]

...My all time favorite coffee is Jamaican Blue Mountain. It costs an arm and a leg, but if you ever drink it, you'll understand there is heaven on earth.

Mmmmmmmmmm, Blue Mountain! I had it in Jamaica in 1980 and was bowled over! Funny thing, one of the young women who works for me is from Jamaica, her father works for the coffee board and she's consumed enough Blue Mountain to float a boat...now she doesn't like coffee anymore. :eek:

[GLC1968]

Ok, I'm headed by Peet's on my way back to work after lunch. Major Dickasen's you say? Can't wait to try it!

Oh, and Jamaica Blue Mountain is to DIE FOR.

As an aside: I've been a coffee lover for years, but my husband decided that a move the PNW necessitated that he learn to like coffee. Nothing like trying to pick up a 'bad' habit, huh? ;) Oh, and he's well on his way... :p

[jobob]

speaking of bad habits to pick up

Been to McMenamin's Grand Lodge yet, GLC? :cool:

[GLC1968]

speaking of bad habits to pick up

Been to McMenamin's Grand Lodge yet, GLC? :cool:

We were planning on this weekend, but I'm making the trip to Seattle for the Knot/Wahine bike fitting party instead. Maybe next weekend? I'll have to write it in PEN. I've been dying to go since you all first told me about it in December!!

[boy in a kilt]

speaking of bad habits to pick up

Been to McMenamin's Grand Lodge yet, GLC? :cool:

I used to drill with a Guard unit in Forest Grove. When the option presented itself, I used to head over to the Grand Lodge for beer and dinner. As far as that goes, it's pretty standard McMenamin's fare. Good food, good beer.

One of the coolest things is sitting outside in the summer sipping beer and watching people play frisbee. Or just sitting outside sipping beer.

One of these days, I hope to we can get a chance to stay the night there, get the full Spa treatment, etc.

[crazycanuck]

Ummm..is there a Peets in Seattle?

Gawd, more stuff to buy when i'm in Canada & seattle..:eek: Good thing i'm only travelling with a small bag..I wanna go shopping @ MEC in Van/Calgary/Edmonton :eek:

[jobob]

OK, that was kind of rude of me to cause the thread to drift to another one of my favorite things beer.

So, back to Peet's:

Peet's changed my life. Seriously.

When I was finishing grad school, I got accepted into 3 different labs for a postdoc. One was in College Park MD, one was in Ann Arbor MI, and the third was in Berkeley CA.

Since I was attending the Biophysical Society meeting in San Francisco around that time, a friend & I went over to Berkeley to stay a couple of days with a friend of hers. I went to visit the lab, meet the people, did a little sightseeing.

The following morning, friend's friend told us, "I have to take you to this coffee shop before you leave."

So we trooped over to this little coffee shop called Peet's in Walnut Square*, just before it opened. There were a bunch of people milling about holding empty coffee mugs, discussing Berkeley politics and such, and then the doors opened and the people formed a nice orderly line to get their morning brew.

(*That was, of course, the original Peet's (http://www.peets.com/who_we_are/history_vine.asp)- this was back in the mid 80's)

We joined the line and soon I had the best cup of coffee ever.

Well, I'd been leaning heavily towards Berkeley anyhow, but when I sipped that coffee, it was a done deal. "I gotta come here!".

So a decision that determined the course of the rest of my life was powered by Peet's. :cool:

[Pax]

Jobob - I LOVE that story! :p

[sundial]

So a decision that determined the course of the rest of my life was powered by Peet's.

That is a neat story, Jobob. Isn't it funny how we choose to let trivial things determine our decisions? Not that Peet's, is, uh, trivial. :D

[jobob]

Well, I was coming from the Boston area, so the lack of winter didn't hurt either. :cool:

[sundial]

Oh, well, you must feel like you're in the Bahamas. :D

[Chile Pepper]

I was always partial to New Guinea until I got my espresso machine several years ago. The espresso forte definitely makes the best cup of espresso. It gets a little complicated keeping my Chilean cupboard stocked with the stuff, but I'm a much better person for it. Just ask my family.

[sgtiger]

Ummm..is there a Peets in Seattle?

Gawd, more stuff to buy when i'm in Canada & seattle..:eek: Good thing i'm only travelling with a small bag..I wanna go shopping @ MEC in Van/Calgary/Edmonton :eek:

Most definitely!:D We have a handful of Peet's retail outlets that you can order your favorite drinks from and pick-up a bag of coffee or two while you're there. Many of the grocery stores carry it, too.

If you're a coffee lover, give Zoka a try while you're in Seattle. There's also Victrola, Cafe Vita, Espresso Vivace, Stumptown, and Lighthouse (I haven't tried it yet, but it's been recommended to me.)

You're coming through Vancouver right? Home of 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters (http://www.49thparallelroasters.com/). I heard much praise for them. In fact, I need to plan a road trip there myself. Maybe I just need to work myself up to being able to do a multi-day tour. I could alternate between locally roasted coffee and locally brewed beer.:D

I've heard specialty coffee is really taking off in Australia. Epic, Velvet Espresso, and Tiger Tiger are some of the Perth cafes I've heard raves about. Have you tried any of them?

[jesvetmed]

Wow, SGTIGER: You are amazing with the listing of all the coffee places! I can't wait to meet you .... great minds think alike! I am never far from a good coffee.... kind of a bad habit that was already discussed on the "nutrition" thread!
Jes

[sgtiger]

Jes, I usually only have one(okay, somewhat big:rolleyes:) cup of coffee in the morning. I just believe in making it a GOOD one. Unless, of course, I've fired up the espresso machine(loud, takes a long time to heat up, NRG hog-PITA for just a couple of drinks) then I like to end my day with a cappa(LOL! my 'puter keeps trying to correct that to cr*pper.) If I find the coffee sub par, I'd rather drink tea.

[Beane]

I went to Peet's website and couldn't find much info about whether they are fair trade/organic/shade grown... anybody know? I would be interested to try it if so.

[KayTee]

Yum, Peet's French Roast! It's darker and more robust than Maj. Dickason's but not burny like Starbucks' dark roasts. DH has his own business and put his office on the twice-monthly Peetnik plan so he can scarf a couple of packages for home use. We alternate that with an Italian dark roast or espresso I get from a local shop that blends and roasts fair trade beans daily. I was so happy to hear a few weeks ago about a research study that links coffee and caffeine consumption to an apparent lessening of dementia in some geriatric adults...wish it would start working for me now....;)

[crazycanuck]

Sg-I was Clare & Brayden's (tiger tiger owners) first customer!! I'm a regular :D :) Yummmmmmyyyy..mmmmmm..

Epic's cool as well but it's not open when i'm on my way to work & are only open Mon-Fri :(

It will be cool to catch up with some of the Seattle chickies for coffeeeeeeeee :D

[jobob]

I went to Peet's website and couldn't find much info about whether they are fair trade/organic/shade grown... anybody know? I would be interested to try it if so.

Haven't the foggiest.

http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/lotsocoffee.gif (http://www.millan.net)

[snapdragen]

My god, I didn't know they made me into a smiley!!!

[jobob]

No, that one's me.

This one's you:

http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/mornincoffee.gif (http://www.millan.net)

luvs ya sweetie

[maillotpois]

No, I really think the first one's me.

A 5 shot espresso, every day (only one), whether I need it or not.

[jobob]

OK, I'll share.

[Andrea]

How do you guys grind/brew your Peet's?

I get my first order today, and I have a grinder that I stole from my parents because they never use it, and I can borrow a small French press from my training buddy. I also have the standard paper-filter drip brewer.

Suggestions?

[KnottedYet]

French press makes coffee to delight the senses! (I like it better than paper drip, anyway... I can make the same coffee in both, but coffee from the press seems to be more forthright and emphatic with greater subtlety in the high and low notes and a more nuanced mid-range)

:D

[Blueberry]

Just don't grind the coffee too fine for the french press - otherwise it will clog:eek:

Should be a delight for the senses:)

[IFjane]

Yum, Peet's French Roast! It's darker and more robust than Maj. Dickason's but not burny like Starbucks' dark roasts. DH has his own business and put his office on the twice-monthly Peetnik plan so he can scarf a couple of packages for home use. We alternate that with an Italian dark roast or espresso I get from a local shop that blends and roasts fair trade beans daily. I was so happy to hear a few weeks ago about a research study that links coffee and caffeine consumption to an apparent lessening of dementia in some geriatric adults...wish it would start working for me now....;)

KayTee, how did I not know you & BikeBoy are Peetniks????? I LOVE Peet's! We used to alternate getting French Roast, Maj. Dickason's & Arabian Mocha Java. Unfortunately, had to stop the service & go back to cheap grocery store stuff because of recent finances. :( I can't wait to re-up 'cause I miss having good coffee!

[violette]

I have a French press home but never used it. How long do you leave the coffee sit before pouring it? I'm a coffee-addict. Drink about 5 cups every day.

[jobob]

Even squirrels like Peet's ! :D

Camping in Big Sur, we had a visitor one morning at breakfast who seemed to have a hankerin' for French Roast.

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k186/jobob22/stuff/wired_squirrel3.jpg



Back off, it's MINE

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k186/jobob22/stuff/wired_squirrel1.jpg

[Blueberry]

Jobob-

Those pictures are adorable:D:D

Thanks for sharing:)

[maillotpois]

Oh he's darling!!

[Blueberry]

For Pete's sake, give Peets a chance:D:D

(sorry, I couldn't resist:))

[snapdragen]

How do you guys grind/brew your Peet's?


I walk into the store and order a triple non-fat latte....:D:cool::D

[Irulan]

For Pete's sake, give Peets a chance:D:D

(sorry, I couldn't resist:))


joke aside, I did give Peets a chance. I walked into a Peet's in Oakland next to Lake Merritt, asked for a vanilla latte' and a very snotty barista said, "we don't put flavors in OUR latte's".

Good bye, that was the end of my Peet's experiences.


I.

[Blueberry]

I'm not much of a coffee drinker, so I haven't tried it either....

But that would PO me. I *like* flavors in my coffee (when I drink it). And yes, I can still taste the coffee thankyouverymuchmrsnottybarista.

[bikerz]

I have a French press home but never used it. How long do you leave the coffee sit before pouring it? I'm a coffee-addict. Drink about 5 cups every day.

Here's my method for a perfect cup of Peet's French press:

1. 3 scoops* of coarse grind (#12) coffee in the bottom of the single-cup French press. (* I use the Peet's scoop - I think 1 scoop is 2 Tbs)

2. Bring water to a boil and let come off the boil for a few seconds.

3. Pour a water over the grounds to cover and stir well with something wooden (I use a chopstick) until it looks like a slurry - this lets the coffee "bloom," as they say.

4. Pour the rest of the hot water in, stirring, then press the plunger down about an inch or so and then draw it back up to just below the level of water.

5. Pour a little hot water into the mug to take the chill off.

6. Leave coffee steeping for at least 5 minutes. (My favorite Sulawesi can stay as long as 8-10 minutes with no ill effect; I'm not sure how sensitive other roasts might be to longer steep times.)

7. Slowly and steadily push the plunger down as far as you can.

8. Dump out the hot water from the mug and fill to the brim with delicious coffee! Enjoy! :)

[Pax]

Here's my method for a perfect cup of Peet's French press:

1. 3 scoops* of coarse grind (#12) coffee in the bottom of the single-cup French press. (* I use the Peet's scoop - I think 1 scoop is 2 Tbs)

2. Bring water to a boil and let come off the boil for a few seconds.

3. Pour a water over the grounds to cover and stir well with something wooden (I use a chopstick) until it looks like a slurry - this lets the coffee "bloom," as they say.

4. Pour the rest of the hot water in, stirring, then press the plunger down about an inch or so and then draw it back up to just below the level of water.

5. Pour a little hot water into the mug to take the chill off.

6. Leave coffee steeping for at least 5 minutes. (My favorite Sulawesi can stay as long as 8-10 minutes with no ill effect; I'm not sure how sensitive other roasts might be to longer steep times.)

7. Dump out the hot water from the mug and fill to the brim with delicious coffee! Enjoy! :)

Do you have to push the plunger thingy down between #'s 6&7?

[bikerz]

Oops - yes! Editing above for clarity!

(Thank goodness for all this helpful QA on my recent posts - I'm out of practice!)

[Pax]

Opps - yes! Editing above for clarity!

(Thank goodness for all this helpful QA on my recent posts - I'm out of practice!)

I've only had french press coffee in my favorite restaurant and they do all that stuff before they bring it to the table...I really wasn't sure what you had to do. :p

[bikerz]

I used to be a little skeptical if all the fuss was worth it, but I am a convert now.

[bmccasland]

Guess I'll have to do a comparison test between my french press and Mr. Coffee (paper filter) this weekend. With Gevalia, I forget which roast is the current one opened - I'm doing the European coffee house series.

[violette]

sorry...1 more question...for 3 scoops (about 6Tbls) of coffee, how much water do you put in the press? I'm going to try it when I get home.

[Trek420]

coffee from the press seems to be more forthright and emphatic with greater subtlety in the high and low notes and a more nuanced mid-range)

:D

A diversity several soil types, sun exposures and coffee bush age creates a sinfully complex coffee. Very fresh and clean but still with notable depth of flavor and palate weight, this coffee shows notes of pumpkin seeds and methanol, with nice accents of green onion and green pepper. With its dark, saturated brown color, the this coffee roars with powerful aromas and flavors.

[Andrea]

A diversity several soil types, sun exposures and coffee bush age creates a sinfully complex coffee. Very fresh and clean but still with notable depth of flavor and palate weight, this coffee shows notes of pumpkin seeds and methanol, with nice accents of green onion and green pepper. With its dark, saturated brown color, the this coffee roars with powerful aromas and flavors.

You guys having fun with the copy & paste feature on your computer?!

I hope I can taste all of the "complexities" :D
It's cloudy & chilly here in Memphris this afternoon, so if it's waiting for me on my doorstep, I'll have to brew a batch immediately!

[Andrea]

I just remembered that I saw a Good Eats episode about coffee... here's a link to Alton Brown's notes for brewing perfect coffee...
True Brew (http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_10020,00.html)

[bikerz]

sorry...1 more question...for 3 scoops (about 6Tbls) of coffee, how much water do you put in the press? I'm going to try it when I get home.

I use a Bodum 4-cup press like this one (http://www.bodumusa.com/shop/line.asp?MD=1&GID=3&LID=10&HID=1924&CHK=&SLT=&mscssid=Q25JK241MF498P0PRKGE5F10H9QMEHL8) which makes just a little more coffee than can comfortably fit in your basic coffee mug.

Three scoops make a single strong cup of coffee. I would much prefer to have a smaller cup of strong coffee than a larger cup of weak coffee.

[GLC1968]

I couldn't get by Peet's yesterday (running too late), so I went today.

One word:

YUM!
note the coffee color I chose? ;)

I had the Sulawesi-Kalosi which is delicious.

[crazycanuck]

Hey Sg-here's the tiger tiger site..http://tigertigercoffeebar.com

They don't do flavours in thier coffeeeeeee.. I thought that was just a Gloria Jeans & big chain shops thing.

A coffee blog spot http://cafe-grendel.blogspot.com/

Brewing @ home http://www.stumptowncoffee.com

I do enjoy visiting out of the way coffeeee shops..Hopefully Ian won't mind being dragged around searching for great coffeee whilst up north. (:oTim Hortons is a must..just cuz..not for the culinary delights but it's a canucklehead thing..)

[sundial]

...I found a double walled Bodum French press at Williams Sonoma. It should keep the coffee warmer. Oh, and if you have any problems with your coffee maker (even if you have had it for years), they will replace it free with the same or equal coffee maker. :)

[Andrea]

...I found a double walled Bodum French press at Williams Sonoma. It should keep the coffee warmer. Oh, and if you have any problems with your coffee maker (even if you have had it for years), they will replace it free with the same or equal coffee maker. :)

I just got that one at Target! They have it for $9.99.

I've used it a couple of times, and I'm still somehow getting more than a usual amount of grounds in the coffee after I press it (I'm used to my training buddy's press that just leaves some sediment & an occasional ground or two). I've ground my beans coarsely, and I'm trying my best to make sure the plunger isn't getting any floating grounds on it when I put it in the cup... I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong or if it's just a not-so-great press :confused:

Oh yeah, and even with extra grounds, the Major Dickason is freakin' awesome!! I like it with half & half. I don't think I'll ever go back to "normal" coffee.

[sgtiger]

sorry...1 more question...for 3 scoops (about 6Tbls) of coffee, how much water do you put in the press? I'm going to try it when I get home.

Here's a guide for French press brewing. As it mentions at the top: it's a starting point. Adjust to your taste/preferences.
http://www.sweetmarias.com/brewinstr.frenchpress.html



I've used it a couple of times, and I'm still somehow getting more than a usual amount of grounds in the coffee after I press it (I'm used to my training buddy's press that just leaves some sediment & an occasional ground or two). I've ground my beans coarsely, and I'm trying my best to make sure the plunger isn't getting any floating grounds on it when I put it in the cup... I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong or if it's just a not-so-great press :confused:


What type of grinder are you using? Is it a whirly blade(like a small food processor) or a burr(uses either flat or cone shaped grinding plates) grinder?

With a whirly, it may be hard to get away from the fines entirely(ETA: Well, I guess that's true with this method no matter what. I leave the last bit of coffee behind in the press where most of the sludge tends to be.); but there are nylon screens(sits on top of the mesh screen) available that may help lessen the amount. I've also heard that some people use a fine sieve to remove some of the fines before they brew.

*Scroll down a bit. It's right after the replacement beaker.*
http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.brewers.frenchpress.shtml
FYI - Mine has shrunk a bit with use.

If you have a burr grinder, try going a bit finer. I know that seems counterintuitive, but the burrs wobble less when they're closer together. It's the wobbling that causes the unevenness of the grinds(boulders & fines). This may not be an issue with a quality grinder, but those tend to be $$$. Adjust brewing time: the finer the grind, the less time needed to brew.


CC - Thanks for the links. I'm already familiar with Stumptown:D. They're originally from Portland but have open two shops in Seattle, one with a roaster on site I've heard. I've only been to the one by UW-no roaster. The tiger, tiger site is very cool. I like that their coffee supplier/roaster has close ties to the growers, thereby ensuring quality. That usually means that the farmers are getting a fair price too even if they're not fair trade certified.:cool: The blog looks interesting, Ill have to check it out more thoroughly later.

[shootingstar]

Have nothing to add much since I drink tea at home, but have coffee at work/outside of home.

It's more of a cost factor..since coffee has been free for several workplaces. End up imbibing up to 3-4 c. daily....and prefer it strong.

And no sugar for either coffee or tea...but with milk (except for green/jasmine teas).

[DirtDiva]

Ooooer, a whole thread about coffee! :D

I have an espresso machine at home. It makes coffee that stomps all over plunger coffee. :p

[jobob]

I was wondering when you'd chime in, DD! :)

[boy in a kilt]

It's sort of interesting living with a coffee geek. On the one hand, I've drank pretty of marginal coffee in my life and I've been glad to have it. On the other hand, I like good coffee and living with a coffee geek means there is always plenty of it around.

Of course, we have different views. SG knows way more about coffee than I do. We have an espresso machine but damn if I know how to use it. She can talk at length about different roasts, blends and all that. She can also describe the taste of coffee much more eloquently than I.

And then there is me.

Her: This is good coffee. It has a nice aroma, starts out bright and citrusy then ends with a chocolaty after taste.

Me: This is good coffee. It doesn't taste like burned popcorn and I can't see through it.

[bikerz]

I have an espresso machine at home. It makes coffee that stomps all over plunger coffee. :p

This so tempts me to propose a competition, but the logistics are beyond me! :D

[DirtDiva]

Well. I guess you'll just have to come for a visit then. :p