We aren't fancy folk. When it comes to coffee, that is. Both Byron and I, unashamedly, delight in the sugar drinks--the caramel macchiatto, the white mocha, frappuccinos--the drinks coffee snobs refer to as not real coffee drinks. If there is an ounce of coffee--it's a coffee drink! The Griffins shall stand by this. However, we decided to try new things, as that is what we want our marriage to be composed of, new and delightful adventures and mishaps and learning.
We have had several friends work in our local Waco coffee shop, Common Grounds, and known a few coffee connoisseurs that did not don the title of 'barista.' They are the coffee snobs, and they will not be upset for us saying that; they wear that label proudly, like a blue ribbon...like a blue ribbon at a coffee roasters convention or something. And so, to please them, especially the ones who gifted us with a monthly coffee subscription of sorts (three incredible roasters' beans are sent to us for three months!), we have decided to give real coffee a shot. Pun intended.
What we had at home: 3 packs from the gift, 2 bags of beans from trips, and 1 from one of Maggie's crazy, wild bachelorette parties (sarcasm to the max). So, we went to the ole' triple B (Bed Bath & Beyond), as our wedding officiant, pastor, and friend calls it, for a looksie at some coffee grinders. Burr, of course. Not blade. (We do what we are told). The same day, we went back for an electric kettle. How did we decide on our appliances you ask : online review--10%, looks--90%.
Manuals: read.
Appliances: washed and ready.
Coffee: still in bean form.
And so it began.
The Mr. did all the work on this one, measuring out how many beans we needed for a coarse grind for our french press. After lots of math (calculations based on google research) he went for it, and we discovered that 1/4 cup of beans = about 3 tbsp ground coffee. Did that twice. Put it in the french press. Boiled some water. Waited for it to cool. French pressed and we drank it black. That's right, black. It was really lovely! I had read somewhere that you taste more flavors if sipped through the teeth, but Byron said not to yellow them--smart man!
We will no doubt continue to grind and press and boil with our "let's look fancy" appliances, because if not good-tasting, the making of the coffee sure is FUN. We will no doubt try more coffee adventures like pour-over and cold-brew. And we will no doubt return to Starbucks and Common Grounds for the other coffee drinks we enjoy, perhaps with much less frequency, but I mean, come on...delicious.
