If there's one thing I cannot thole it's sub-standard coffee.
The worst of the lot is that milky vomit they serve up in 'builder' cafes.
Starbucks are a fraud - rarely have I had a decent coffee from them, and they their 'fair-trade' policy is dubious.
The best of the high street coffee bars IMO is Cafe Nero: good quality, decent strength, forgeable loyalty cards - it's genius siting a couple of their branches for the tired traveller in Heathrow and Gatwick.
My setup here at home is: Gaggia espresso machine (permanently set up with the 'double' espresso holder), microwave to warm the milk, and Taylors Hot Lava Java - strength 6 :-)
So - back to my question, are you a coffee connoisseur, do you have a decent set-up or do you just bung a spoonfull of Maxwell house into a mug, slop water onto it and glug?
I'm probably one of your "bung a spoonful ... etc." coffee drinkers, Answerprancer. If I want a drink (of whatever) I can't be bothered with the ritual of warming up, mixing, or whatever. If I'm thirsty, I want a drink, and now, if you don't mind!
i don't like coffee, but my hisband does. I am actually astounded at the amount of money he spends on "real" coffoe. He only uses a cafitiere though, as i refused to allow him to spend 300+quid on a machine he wanted. Strangely i love the smell, and coffee ice cream/cakes
has to be nescafe for me. either made with water and a splash of milk and very strong, or made with all milk and quite weak and sweet.
i'm afraid i just don't get the coffee shop thing, or carrying round a huge paper cup of coffee with a lid on. like bookbinder, if i'm thirsty i just want a drink i can quench my thirst with, which coffee doesn't.
I hate those paper cup setups with that weird 'nipple' thing on top, those are the domain of hurrying late-for-the-office types IMO.
When I go to Cafe Nero, I take my time, sip and watch the world go by ..mmm :-)
At home i drink Carte Noire coffee - couldnt bear to have Nescafe or Birds or any of that crap....
In work i use a Cafetiere and like Answerprancer love the hot Lava Java, or lazy Sunday coffee by Taylors
My ultimate treat is our local Clements coffee shop, hot chocolate, with fresh cream and marshmallows, served in a big bowl with no handles..... yum yum, together with a raspberry and almond slice............ god i want one NOW!!! :-)
I do like a decent cup of coffee, especially if dining out after a lovely meal, a nice cup of coffee rounds off a decent meal I think or even a liquer coffee!. I love Carte Noir for cafetieres..if I have to drink instant - it's Gold Blend or Alta Rica.....
Has to be strong, little drop of milk, no sugar. Cannot stand weak cheap coffee, and absolutely MUST have my cafetiere of freshly made ground coffee first thing in the morning. After 6pm only decaff otherwise I will not sleep!