I think it's important to not take things for granted and seek a bit to find something that you truly enjoy. And, I do, too, think that most of what is sold as coffee is pretty much crap. However, instead of grinding my own coffee, I found another (and presumably as labour-intensive) sweet spot.
Maybe there's better coffee out there but this is good enough for me. If anyone's interested...
For the espresso, I've settled for the cheap Lidl flavour sold for €1.99 per 200g; not really for the price but surprisingly the taste. It's the only thing I buy from Lidl: I go there twice a year and buy a plastic bag full of espresso.
Pleasant and strong.
Out of one pot, I get about three regular cups a day. I make my coffee in the morning and use a thermos to keep the remaining hot till afternoon. If I have a long drive to make, I fill up my thermos and drink it during the day since most gas stations here sell bad coffee.
I would never go back to filters or a French press. And I wouldn't buy an espresso machine either: we've got one at work and while it makes fairly good espresso, it's not significantly better or worse than what I make in the moka pot. And mine costs about 20 euros.
Maybe there's better coffee out there but this is good enough for me. If anyone's interested...
I have a six-cup Italian steel moka pot, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moka_(coffee_pot) and espresso-ground coffee. This is what I've been drinking for years.
For the espresso, I've settled for the cheap Lidl flavour sold for €1.99 per 200g; not really for the price but surprisingly the taste. It's the only thing I buy from Lidl: I go there twice a year and buy a plastic bag full of espresso.
Pleasant and strong.
Out of one pot, I get about three regular cups a day. I make my coffee in the morning and use a thermos to keep the remaining hot till afternoon. If I have a long drive to make, I fill up my thermos and drink it during the day since most gas stations here sell bad coffee.
I would never go back to filters or a French press. And I wouldn't buy an espresso machine either: we've got one at work and while it makes fairly good espresso, it's not significantly better or worse than what I make in the moka pot. And mine costs about 20 euros.
The best coffee I've ever made and had.