It all started with the coffee cupping (aka “tasting”) class. That taught me how to evaluate coffee with nose, mouth and tongue. That’s when I realized that I could taste the filter in my cup, which was brewed in the Mr Coffee machine. There was a common component to the flavor in my cup no matter what the grounds were that I used to brew the coffee.
The follow up class was on coffee brewing. We were taken through a half dozen different brewing methods. Our teacher would prepare the brew using each method and we would then taste the result. The difference between brewing methods was huge!
Three of the methods used a paper filter to keep grounds out of the cup. Our teacher would pour hot water over the filter, discarding the water, before putting in the grounds. A light came on in my head.
Back home, I put the paper filter in the Mr Coffee basket and rinsed it with water. With the rinse water discarded, I put my favorite grounds in the damp filter and brewed my coffee. That first cup was completely different than anything I’d ever had through that machine. It was great!
The problem came in the second cup and beyond. That beautiful flavor and those subtle essences were being cooked out as the pot sat on the heating pad. That’s when I remembered what our teacher had said about a vacuum pot. Keeping the coffee on the heat ruins the flavor.
The solution was to use my large vacuum cup. Now, I pour my freshly brewed coffee into that cup which retains the heat. Two small changes made one huge difference in my brew. Thanks Rodney!
An Invitation
Won’t you join me for I Did It! – Monday? Please do and follow the link to the “I Did It!” blog and register your participation. Tell your friends too. Thanks.
Have you tried those gold filters….you know, the ones that are built into the machine and you don’t have to use the paper filters???
No, I haven’t my machine uses throw away paper filters. 😐
In the brewing class, we experienced one brewing method that used a stainless steel filter. It was okay. The metal filters will let through more [small to tiny] solids and that will end up in the cup. I didn’t mind. :angel:
I am a huge coffee lover, but for the past couple of years I’ve brewed pretty much exclusively w/my Keurig (because I’m lazy and the coffee is good!).
Your class sounds like it would be fun.
Being lazy is why I use Mr Coffee. 🙁 I’m considering the Aero Press. :think: It’s what I’d probably go to if I ever ditch Mr C. However, to make good coffee with that you have to forget the manufacturer’s instruction and turn the gadget upside down. After the coffee has brewed (1 minute) you turn the gizmo back over and slowly press (30 sec). This makes very good coffee. :awe: