Brewing Coffee

[Cabaiguan Juan]

I have a french press which i use to make my coffee with. When I'm done, i toss the grinds in the trash but always end up washing some of the grinds down the garbage disposal as i rinse out the press. I've heard that coffee grinds aren't good for garbage dispossals and we just got a new one. Should i try some thing else to prevent the grinds from going down the sink?

[koolhandk]

Here's what you do: when you are done brewing and have all the coffee that you are going to drink pour out the excess water then simply (with the plunger still in the press) lay the press on its side and leave it,and go do something else (like smoke a cigar) when you come back you will have only fairly dried grounds left which you can throw away in the trash. If you are worried about a minute amount of grinds just place a drip coffee filter in your drain to catch all of the grinds. Question, why do you prefer the french press?

[Newfie]

snip... Question, why do you prefer the french press?

Jon, if I may step in here:

Kool, a French Press, when used correctly, will give what is possibly considered the very best full 8-12 oz cup of coffee you can get. Owners of the Aeropress may dispute that, but I don't own one, nor have I ever had the pleasure of having a cup from one, so I can't comment one way or the other. I own 3 Presses, a large one for home and 2 small ones, one at home and one in my office. It's my opinion that the flavours that come through without the bitterness associated with drip coffee is the big selling point.

Personally, I drink drip coffee so rarely that it's probably less that 1% of the coffee I drink. The Press is maybe 25% with the Espresso maching making the huge majority of what I consume.

Also, back on topic, Jon, Kool describes exactly what I do right up to the trash part. I save all the Espresso pucks and semi-dry grinds from the Press and compost 'em. Some say they aren't good for flower beds, but the Brides flowers don't seem to be complaining this year. I've never heard of 'em not being good for garbage disposals though. That's a new one on me.

[stjohnroe]

I would definately second the use of coffee grounds for compost, they are also good for keeping slugs out too.

[koolhandk]

I absolutely agree with the composting statement, granted even if you live in an apartment saving used grounds might be something a friend, relative, or co-worker might benefit from. I also agree with the statement about the french press being the best (as far as tase is concerned) method to brew coffee, but at the same time I am worried about all the reports I have read about the size of the grinds and the nature of the process being significantly more unhealthy than other brewing methods. At this point I only drink french press coffee on special occasions due to the supposed higher LDL cholesterol. Thanks for the info Newfie, but I knew all that already, I was just interested in stimulating some good coffee conversation. I do have a question though, what info do you have on these "increased health risks" of the french press?

Oh yeah and I love espresso too, it is always funny when you talk about drinking espresso or espresso based drinks and people react like "you're hardcore" everyone thinks that espresso is the hard liquor of the coffee world, when in reality a cup of coffee can sometimes have more caffeine than 2 to 3 shots of espresso.

[Newfie]

snip... I do have a question though, what info do you have on these "increased health risks" of the french press?
....snip

None, first I've heard of it. I also didn't know coffee affects LDL cholesterol in a bad way. I'm not sure I believe that though. I know everyone is different, but I go through ~ 1-1/2 lbs of beans a week and my blood reports are basically "Model" (in my doctor's words).

One thing I do know is that while there's virtually no calories in black coffee, it's very bad for a diet. Some how, the body recognizes the caffeine as an artificial stimulant and hoards fat, and in fact, prevents itself from normal "fat burning processes".

Oh yeah and I love espresso too, it is always funny when you talk about drinking espresso or espresso based drinks and people react like "you're hardcore" everyone thinks that espresso is the hard liquor of the coffee world, when in reality a cup of coffee can sometimes have more caffeine than 2 to 3 shots of espresso.

LOL, I find the same thing. People say to me "You drink how many Espressos a day??"