Ground Coffee

[flubber]

What's the best ground coffee that I can buy for a very discerning American visitor who I shall be entertaining for two weeks next month? I don't somehow think "co-op's own" is going to go down very well so I am looking for really good coffee that I can get and NOT the pod variety that possibly tastes a bit like "good old home" for her.

[Goodsoulette]

Starbucks starbucks starbucks, americans love it and its great anyway.

Go to your local stor and they'll help you

[willa]

Don't know if it's available by you, but Green Mountain is getting very big play here in the Northeast U.S. And - don't laugh - a lot of coffee lovers here swear by (or swear at) Dunkin' Donuts' house brand.

[flubber]

I think I am going to have to look in a supermarket, possibly Sainsbury's or Tesco's and even the food store at M&S.

Nearest Starbucks is 400 miles away and I'm afraid we can't get Green Mountain. I am so ignorant when it comes to coffee (mind you, I am good at tea!)

[Catso]

I would rate Tesco's own-brand java blue mountain (I think) very highly. It's a bit strong though, although very nicely coffeey and not bitter.

[asciwhite]

Hi flubber,
Definately agree about the Java coffee.
My partner is a complete coffee menace and brews his on the hob, does have a wonderful aroma as it's bubbling though.
I'm with you on the tea :-)

[heathfield]

My brother has lived in the States for over 30 years. When he and his partner came on a visit, they both remarked on how good the coffee I gave them tasted. It was Lyons Original, in the green pack. Available in all supermarkets.

[flubber]

ok - I am going to get Java and Lyons then I can't go wrong can I! I have bought an individual coffeemaker to replace the guest room teasmade so I'll have one brand in that and another brewing in the kitchen.

Asciwhite - get your partner a coffeemaker for his Birthday and you will save yourself from killing him up against the kitchen stove.

[asciwhite]

hehe... on my list of things to buy.... ;-) and apparently he wants a dishwasher too lol....

[ali_alic]

Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is the best in the world. It is probably also the most expensive. I gather the japanese buy up most of it, hence the expense when it gets to little ol England. But my G*d, its gorgeous........

[ugly_bob]

You can't beat freshly ground. If you can find beans, Lavazza or anything simliar that they have in cafe's, it is so much nicer than anything you'll buy ready ground.

[Clanad]

As an aside... It's been my experience that you Brits drink coffee from tea cup sized cups, whereas Americans drink it from fairly large cups... 9 ounces or better. It's also been my limited experience that you tend to make coffee as you do tea, by boiling it... Don't do that... if nothing else is available, and old fashioned percolator type coffee maker will suffice, although the new fashioned drip makers with the gold filter are fairly inexpensive... about half of my acquaintences drink it with cream and sugar... never milk... Lastly, we're used to pretty strong coffee from fresh ground beans... about one tablespoon per cup or slightly more is about right. Our choice is Starbucks Kenya but have pretty good luck with the European Gevalia as well... or any darker roast...

[ugly_bob]

Best coffe is the way they make it on the continent. Freshly ground beans, boilling water dripped through. Then either left as that for black, or hot, airated milk added - difficult at home I know.

[flubber]

Ha! I thought I might be starting something when I asked about coffee (starting something being a continental war in the making)

I have to agree with Clanad that we tend to boil water and chuck in some instant and some milk into a small cup or mug and thats coffee for you........I so NOT speak for the discerning British, just for myself at this point. Of course we have coffee makers and we are becoming a nation of coffee drinkers but some of us (like me) prefer tea and can tell the blend and country by sniffing downwind at 500 yards.

When it comes to entertaining a coffee swilling American then of course my mind boggles about coffee. I have to get it right. My life may be on the line.

From what I have read so far I am about to purchase 4 different brands and one is bound to be ok. Failing that I am wondering whether I should invite asciwhite down here on holiday and send my friend up to stay with her partner - they can both kill each other making coffee and asciwhite and I will probably have a great time here in Devon just drinking tea.

[ugly_bob]

sounds like the best plan flubber ;-)

[asciwhite]

sounds like a darned good plan to me :-) so relaxing a good cup of tea....

Have a wonderful time with your friend, you might even change her to a tea drinker, from the pot, as I did with my dear American friend... Earl Grey aswell!!!.... ya never know....

[flubber]

Oh I mentioned Earl Grey to her. She tried it once and said it was like washing up liquid. She and I are still speaking but it took considerable time.

A morning wake up is just not right without Earl Grey. The rest of the day, no - but first thing it is orgasmic and a lovely start to a day. My friends idea of tea is with lemon and iced (shudder) I cannot turn an American into a Brit but I will have a darned good try during the 14 days that she is here.

Talking coffee - I have 4 varieties as is suggested to get but bought myself some Amaretto coffee. I fancied a change from PG Tips.

[asciwhite]

giggles..... Minnesota doesnt know whats hit it....
I do like an after dinner coffee with a good slug of cognac mind....
and, after all.... when in Rome... or Cornwall...
I miss Denise, she loved it here... was here for about 3 years, became terribly British lol...

[flubber]

Ooh that's my answer. get Brandy and Vodka. get any cheap coffee for colouring and add a dash of hot water.

ok - I have it. Thanks everyone for your help and yes I will try and buy all the suggested coffees

[BBWCHATT]

Speaking as an American and from America - if I were coming to visit I would enjoy trying the brands you typically use there more than having what I have at home. If I were really closed minded about trying new things and a coffee fanatic also - I would probably bring my own!!!

[Brownlow]

I've spent a lot of time, over the years, in America, and never had a decent cup of coffee outside the major cities.
I was always being told that we Brits don't like good coffee, but prefer the instant stuff (which they invented).
I always buy a dark roast coffee, such as an Italian roast, and don't make it too strong. The Americans seem to buy light roast and make it strong, which is, to my taste, bitter and quite disgusting.