Darjeeling Puttabong Summer

This is a Black tea from India the region of Darjeeling. I have not liked Darjeelings in the past but i have come around to them as of late.

Taste:
Woody with a light floral after taste, not bitter even with a 5min brew. A very neutral black tea, no malt like characteristics like most black teas.  Brews to a medium amber.

Brew for 5min @212F



You can order this tea here at adagio
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Darjeeling Puttabong Summer by Noah Brewer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Green Anji

This Chinese Green tea is very grassy and  mild. Good for someone who wants a simple green tea. Not much else can be said. Brews to a light gold.

Brew For 3min @ 180F


Note: Green Anji is out of stock as of this posting, adagio says that it will be back in stock summer 2011 
You can order this tea here at adagio
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Green Anji by Noah Brewer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Ooooh Darjeeling

This is an Indian oolong from Darjeeling, not to-many oolongs from that region. I have always found Darjeeling to be a bit too floral for my liking, however this oolong has most of the overarching flavors of black Darjeelings but not as overpowering. I wouldn't call it my favorite oolog but is a nice bridge between the black Darjeelings and itself.

Taste:
Sweet, very floral and not bitter one bit. Brews to a dark amber

Brew for 4min @ 212F (in most cases 212F is a bit to hot however with this oolong the usual 180F yields a tepid cup so go with boiling )




You can order this tea here at adagio
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Ooooh Darjeeling by Noah Brewer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Pallo Coffee tool

    The Pallo Coffee tool is a group head brush. A group head is the receiver for the portafilter, which includes; the screen, the gasket, and the groove. So, why do I need a “group head brush” couldn’t I use any old brush? Well yes, if you like burning your hand and not removing all of the coffee grounds hiding in the group; then ya, go for it. One of the things that makes this a great  tool is the brush itself. Each bristle is a thick round, made of a stiff nylon. Also they are arranged in a circle and the bristles are long, about an inch, so they fit up in the groove where the portafilter fits into. There is also a stainless steal poker which can be used to unclog your steam wands hole or holes. Another great thing is the handle. The handle near the brush has a ribbing that deflects the water down keeping it from traveling down the handle and onto your hand. The handle has a thumb rest and is angled so as you hold it the brush and ribbing remains parallel to the ground while your hand is at a comfortable angle. There is a measuring spoon at the end of the handle which is about one tsp. and is perfect for measuring out JoeGlo a back flushing detergent (also one of Pallo’s products ). Another great feature is that the bristles are replaceable, they just screw in place.  I know that this is the most used espresso machine tool I have, also it is quite possibly the best $9.00 I have spent to keep my machine clean.



Once Again The Pros:
1.Inexpensive Around $9.00.
2.Does a great job at cleaning your group head.                                                                 
3.Comes in 3 colors, red, black, and orange.
4.Very durable.
5.Replaceable bristles.
6.Easy to clean.

And The Cons
1.The replacement bristles are a bit pricey three for around $9.00

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Pallo Coffee tool by Noah Brewer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Assam Harmony

This Black tea from the Assam  region of  India. The tea has a strong bite not that of a malty bite more of a floral one with a trace of a biter fruit finish. Brews to a dark red.

Brew for 5 min @ 212F



You can order this tea here at adagio
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Assam Harmony by James Noah Brewer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Black Cat Project Cups by Intelligentsia Coffee: The Small Latte Cup

    So, Intelligentsia with Notneutral  has come out with a new line of coffee cups. Right now there is three to chose from; the cappuccino cup with a capacity of  6oz, the small latte cup which holds 8oz and the large latte cup that has a capacity of 12oz. I also found on notneutral’s site, that they have an espresso cup and coffee cups coming soon. The “coming soon” cups have the same design as the existing cups offered, excluding the Intelligentsia logo. Now, whether Intelligentsia will have them is unknown to me but I think that it would be a safe bet that they will.
    I bought the small latte cup back in April, at that time they sold them individually, as it is they only offer them in a set of two. Because I bought only one cup at first and now that they are only sold in a set of two I now have an odd numbered set and no way to fix it aside from breaking one. I do plan to buy the other sizes (and buy one more set of the small latte so I will have 4 oh ya 5). I thought I would buy the cup in the middle before the cappuccino or the large latte primarily because I knew I would use the small latte cup the most. I will review the other two sizes separately when I buy them.     
    On to the review. The following is for the small latte cup and saucer only. The cup holds a little over 8oz to the brim, and 7oz comfortably with out worrying about spilling with every little movement. The cups are nice and heavy, between 12ozs and 13ozs and that heft will help hold heat better. They are made of  “fine porcelain” according to notneutral and they look and feel very nice in your hand, definitely not a cheap cup. The handle is well thought out, there is a wide portion to rest your thumb with your index finger in the loop and the middle finger under the loop, supporting most of the weight. The cup has a nice balance in the hand and for me is not fatiguing to hold. Also, the lip has a nice taper and is not to thick making it easy to drink from. As for the durability, well, I have dropped one while washing it in my sink, though not a massive drop it did survive; I have yet to break any. The cups are dishwasher safe but truth be told, I don’t like dishwashers for my nice cups. Some cups will fade and they tend to get scuffs and scratches so I hand wash all my cups. However, the decision is yours whether you “dishwasher” them or not. The small latte cup is perfect for a traditional latte, one part espresso and two parts milk. So for a double shot of around 2ozs, with the milk 4ozs, and the micro foam for some nice latte art (though I struggle at pouring good art) this cup is perfect. Finally, the look of the cup. There is the Intelligentsia red star on the inside at the bottom, and a red stripe on the outside at the bottom around the circumference of the cup. Flip the cup over and the words “black cat project by notneutral” is on the bottom. The saucer is simple, one size really fits all according to Intelligentsia (no first hand knowledge of that) which is cool. The saucers ridge is a nice fit and holds the cup quite well. The saucer has a valley between the rim and the ridge. So, if you spill the liquid it will not get on your table nor will the liquid get to the bottom of the cup and be dripping on you as you drink. Together the cup and saucer have a retro look to them which I like. Overall a great, esthetically pleasing cup to enjoy your coffee from or anything wet really.


                                                                                       
Pros
1.Heavy, holds heat well.
2.Easy to clean, dishwasher safe.
3.Great aesthetic.
4.Does come with matching saucer.
5.Perfect size for a traditional latte.
6.Easy to hold and drink from.

Cons
1.Heavy, could for some, become tiresome with it full.
2.Only is sold in a set of two.
3.Only comes in one color, I thought that the cup would be really cool if it was black with the red stripe(given that it is the “Black” Cat Project)
4.Kinda pricey $34 for a set of two.
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Black Cat Project Cups by Intelligentsia Coffee: The Small Latte Cup by Noah Brewer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Formosa Oolong (#8)

A very floral oolong. The flavor reminds me of Rooibos, it is oxidized a bit more than most oolongs though you couldn’t tell by the taste, its not one bit malty or strong. Brews to a dark red.

Brew for 4 min @212F



You can order this tea here at adagio
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Formosa Oolong (#8) by James Noah Brewer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Snowbud

This is a Chinese white tea and as with most white teas this has a very faint grassy taste and well, not much else. Brews to a light green.

Brew for 5 min @ 195F



You can order this tea here at adagio
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Snowbud by James Noah Brewer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Huang Jin Gui Oolong

This is nice oolong from china, it has a typical grassy taste that most oolongs have. There is a faint sweetness leading to a subdued spice and a floral rose like finish. Brews to a gold green.

Brew for 3 min @195F



You can order this tea here at adagio
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Huang Jin Gui Oolong by James Noah Brewer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Bodum Pavina Double-Wall Thermo Glasses

    A cup review….really? Yes. Why not, cups are important. Without cups how would you drink things, ok maybe out of your hands, but try pulling a shot of espresso into your hands. “Warning do not attempt, if you do you’re an idiot, and don’t try to sue me, you have been warned“! Plus you wouldn’t want to serve your cappuccino or a nice cup of Assam tea in a paper cup, we are not charbucks or a gas station. Ok enough of that, on to the review. First off, double wall cups do hold heat better, it has to do with the second law of thermodynamics. The short of it is that heat moves to cold. So how does the cup being double walled help? Well there is a pocket of air. In general air doesn’t conduct heat all that well so it takes longer for it to reach the second(or outer )wall. Verses a regular cup which once the hot liquid is in the cup, it begins conduction as the heat moves from the liquid to the cup and eventually your hand or table. By having only air, and a small rim where the two walls meet you slow the cooling. Also, it works in reverse with cold stuff and there will be no sweating of your drink.
    Ok, I think that is enough science for now. The glasses have a good capacity, in this case 8.5oz’s. They also sell a 2oz and all the way up to a 15oz. They make a good glass for espresso because you can clearly see how much crema you got in your shot, and there is enough room for either a cappuccino or latte. Contrary to the way they look they are quite durable. I have had mine for over 2 years and the only damage is the Bodum name on the bottom has worn away, not really a problem. They are light, but they don’t feel cheap. The glasses feel good in the hand(though I cant help but want to try crushing one in my hand). Also the lip is a good shape, and they are easy to drink out of. They sit rather stable, and you would be hard pressed to tip one. One problem is that there is no saucer made by Bodum. The glasses are mouth blown so each is a little different. I have one that is larger and can hold more than the rest. It’s a little warped, nothing to extreme, but it is noticeable. As for the price its not to bad, two for a MSRP of  $24.00, but they can usually be had for $17.00and as low as $12.00. Over all a nice straightforward glass that holds heat quite well.

And the Pros
1.Stable not easy to tip.
2.Easy to clean. They are dishwasher safe, though I wouldn’t.
3.Relatively strong.
4.Microwave safe
5.No sweating.
6.Holds heat very well.

Yup the Cons
1.Each is slightly different.
2.No saucer.
3.They are only sold in a set of two.
4.Could be broken if you use a metal spoon , as the inner wall is thinner.
5.Kinda of pricey.



Amazon Links:
Bodum Pavina Double-Wall Thermo Glasses, Set of 2

Other places to buy:
greatinfusions 

And
Second law of thermodynamics

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Bodum Pavina Double-Wall Thermo Glasses by Noah Brewer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0

Air blower

    The air blower is another great cleaning tool to have with your gear, it is truly the only scratch free thing out there. It is  great at removing dust or hair, really anything that isn’t wet or…well, greasy(I am not going there). You can also use it to clean the camera body(just please be very careful with the sensor and mirror). You could also use it to clean other things like: keyboards, pc ports, and the like.  I doubt that under normal use it could break. There isn’t much more to be said.

The Pros   
1.Scratch free.
2.No moving parts, not easy to break.
3.Dry air.
4.Cheap under $10.00 depending on the one you get.

The Cons
1.Hard to pack, the bulb is kind of big even with it deflated.
2.Only will remove loose stuff, nothing stuck on.
3.Kinda makes your hand smell like an inner tube.



Amazon Links:
Giottos AA1900 Rocket Air Blaster Large (Black)
Zeikos ZE-BLR Dust Blower (Black)

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Air blower by Noah Brewer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

 

Kukicha

Kukicha is a Japanese green tea. The tea not only has the leaves but it also has stems of the tea. So why would they include the stems? Well, they don’t have much farmland in Japan and adding the steams is a way to  increase the output of the farm without compromising the flavor.

Taste:
There is a slight sweetness, with a faint  nuttiness and there is an unambiguous grassiness to the tea. Brews to a pale green.

Brew for 3min  @ 180F.

You can order this tea here at adagio

Lens Pen

    I hate to start a review with the word “WOW”. I feel like one those high pressure commercials. But, WOW! this is a great little cleaning tool that no photographer should be without. A lens pen will clean your lenses with ease and you will not have to worry about it leaving scratches in its wake. The brush end is fantastic at removing dust and other loose junk on your lens. The little cleaning pad at the tip is better than a cleaning cloth because it can get along the very edge of the lens were you cant get a cloth to go. The pad will extricate finger prints and anything that cannot be brushed away. Another thing is that its very easy to keep in your gear bag or in a pocket. You can also use the Lens pen on binoculars, scopes and other optical gear you have. If you’ve ever had a great photo ruined by some lousy dust or dirt(yea yea I know that you can remove the spot in lightroom but the less editing you have to do the better), do your self a favor and get one. I have the Hakuba Lens Pen, but you could get the Nikon 7072 Lens Pen, its identical to the Hakuba just easer to find.

The Pros
1.The brush removes dust and other non wet debris.
2.The pad removes finger prints and other wet-ish stuff.
3.Small and easy to carry on your person.
4.Cheap usually under $10.00.

And the Cons
1.It wont last forever. The locking mechanism that holds the brush out failed after 8mo.
2.Not a good choice for removing water from the lens, say, if it is raining.
3.The pad is not a good choice to remove large amounts of sand and the like, it might stick and scratch. The brush is the choice for that.



I hope you found this Review useful.

Hakuba:HAKUBA USA INC KALP1 Lens Pen

Nikon 7072:Nikon 7072 Lens Pen Cleaning System

LensPEN:LensPEN Lens Cleaning System

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Lens Pen by Noah Brewer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

 

Escali Primo Digital Multifunctional Scale

    I use this scale every day, no joke. Its used when I bake and cook, when baking precision is a must. I use it when making espresso, helps get that perfect shot, and I even use it to weigh packages to get perfect postage. This scale is great, its a true multi-tasker. Its simple to use having only 2 buttons, the one on the right is the on/off and tare and on the left is the oz/gram. It is accurate to the gram (I tested it). It uses 2 AA batteries which is great, there is nothing more annoying than trying to find those little coin batteries when they go dead. My only complaint is that the display is a little close the scale platform , no big deal but can be a pain. If you are thinking about buying a scale this one is great and at a great price $25.00. Do it, you wont be sorry.

The Pros
1.Uses AA batteries.
2.Many uses around the house.
3.Simple To use.
4.Very accurate.
5.Good capacity of 11lbs (5kg)
6. Relatively easy to clean.

Enter the Cons.
1.The display is to close to the weighing platform, if u use a plate or something large to place on the platform.
2.The plastic that covers the display has a small gap between it the screen and the body, so grime can find its way there.
3.If you are looking for a scale to weigh heavy packages over 11lbs this one is not for you.



I hope you found this review useful.

Amazon:
All Colors
Escali Primo Digital Multifunctional Scale

Other Places:
escali
espressoparts 
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Escali Primo Digital Multifunctional Scale by Noah Brewer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Dreamfarm Grindenstein Knock box

    Dreamfarm Grindenstein Knock box, “what?” Ok let me explain what a knock box is, basically its used to remove spent pucks from the portafilter of your espresso machine. If you don’t have an espresso machine you don’t know how much of a pain it is to get the puck out of the portafilter, its not fun, and most methods don’t work. Well why do you need a knock box?  Just try washing it out at the sink or trying to shake it out, good luck, either way is a big mess. A knock box is an easy way to remove it,  just give it a good bang and out it comes. The main problem with  knock boxes is that they just don’t last, they can’t take the constant abuse dished out to them, though you would think  the designers would know better. Most are made of metal with a rubber coated plastic or metal bar  that you bang the portafilter on, sounds ok right? Nope, often after a couple of months the rubber tears off leaving only a metal bar which will destroy the portafilter. The rivets/grommets that hold the bar in place will  usually give-up, leaving you to jury-rig it so you can use it. In some cases the metal will began to rust if  it’s not a good stainless steel, say 18/8 or 18/10. Now there are others that will stand the test but they are pricey, like those from Rattleware, your looking at $35+. The Grindenstein Knock box is $23.00 MSRP and can be found for $19.99.

Here R the Pros.
1.Great price.
2.Easy to wash, dishwasher safe.
3.It won’t damage your portafilter, the bar is some type of rubber or soft plastic.
4.It can be stored easily, you can keep it under the group with the portafilter in place on most machines  
5.Will stand the test of time and you, pounding on it.
6.They come in a few different colors.

And the Cons.
1.Its short, if a puck is wet or really dry and if you hit it hard enough it might not keep it all in.
2.It will slide around if your counter is wet.
3.Its kind of small, it does hold 6 pucks so if you make a lot of espresso you may have to empty it daily



I hope you found this review useful.

Amazon:
Dreamfarm Charcoal Black Grindenstein
Dreamfarm Steel Wool Silver Grindenstein
Dreamfarm Fire Truck Red Grindenstein

Other Places:
dreamfarm

 espressoparts RED
espressoparts SILVER
espressoparts BLACK

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Dreamfarm Grindenstein Knock box by Noah Brewer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Tiffen Filter Pouch

    This filter pouch/wallet is great, it keeps all of your filters safe from dirt, scratches and it will keep everything organized in your camera bag. The pockets are about 4 1/2 in. wide and 3 in. deep, you can keep a 62mm with room to spare. The inside material is soft and at least to me, wouldn’t seem to scratch the filters from my use, but i guess that in some weird circumstance it could put a scratch on a filter. The outside is made of nylon. There are pouches that hold 6 filters but they are just to bulky in my opinion.

Here are the Pros.
1.Good price.
2.Will protect your filters from scratches
3.Good way to keep your filters organized.
4.The mesh enclosures make it easy to recognize what type of filter it is with out having to pull it out.

The Cons.
1.Its not hermetic, so dust could find its way to your filters.
2.There are no belt loops or any other way to secure it to your camera bag.
3.It would be better if there were some type of hard backing underneath the cloth and behind the filters, to prevent crushing.
4.The stitching could be better, more even.
5.Only comes in one color, black with yellow branding



I hope you found this review useful.

Amazon:
Tiffen 4 Pocket Filter pouch

Other Places:
tiffen

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Tiffen Filter Pouch by Noah Brewer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

FORLIFE Stump Teapot

    Teapot? Yes a teapot, you cannot make tea without a teapot. Ok you could make tea in a mug, I did that for a while but it is a pain, especially when you try to pour it, a quarter of it ends up on the counter. I personally like to have a  dedicated tea brewing device, I looked at some other teapots like the “Bodum Assam” but I am not to sure of the glass being able to hold on to heat, as it is not double wall like most of  Bodum’s wares(I will buy one anyway and get back to you). There is also the Japanese style Cast Iron Teapots to consider, but they are expensive, well at least the good ones, they will run you about $50+, so I found the forlife company, they have other designs for teapots but I liked the Stump which comes in 12 colors, I got the black graphite. Unfortunately you cannot order from the manufacture directly, you can order “some” of the products on amazon but they don’t carry all of their stuff and finding the color you like is a pain (trust me) , why yes, in theory they have 12 colors, “but the question is are you feeling lucky….. punk”. The pain of finding the one you like aside, the Stump tea pot is a great way to prepare your tea .

And here are the Cons. (ya I put the cons first)
1.The "Stainless" Steel lid, well it stains because of the tannins in the tea.
2.You will need a strainer if you don’t use the infuser.
3.Only serves a max of 2 maybe 3, depending on the size of "cup" you use.
4.The tea infuser is way to small and really should not be used(however I do use it as a strainer when I pour my tea).
5.Kinda hard to get the tea out after brewing.

Now the Pros.
1.Easy to clean.
2.Holds heat well.
3.Comes in a lot of colors.
4.Very durable. Lead-free glazed porcelain
5.Holds about 16oz of water which is perfect for me.




How-To brew Tea
    I use one rounded teaspoon of tea, whatever stays on the spoon goes in. Not the measuring tsp. but the one you use at the table. You could also use weight, but for tea I don’t. For every teaspoon of tea use 8oz of water. Always bring your water to a boil no-matter the temp you use, if you need water cooler than 212 just let it cool down. Also, always preheat your tea pot or infuser that you use, run some hot tap water in to it.
    First, place your tea in the tea pot or whatever you are using , then pour your water in on top of the tea. Next, allow your tea to steep for the recommended amount of time. You don’t want to stir the tea while it is infusing, you’ll just make it more bitter. Finally, pour the tea through a strainer. You don’t have to use a strainer if you don’t mind the leaves in your cup, the tea will sink to the bottom.
    One more note on tea. I personally think that you shouldn’t use an infuser basket. Why? Well tea needs room to bloom which is required for a good extraction. Yes, I know loose leaf tea looks so small. Wait until its wet, it will become as much as 10x the original size, especially with oolongs.

Ok the Time and Temp varies for each tea but in general:

Black teas should be steeped in boiling water that is 212F or 100C for a brew time of 5 minutes.

Oolong teas should be steeped in off boiling water that is 180F or 82C for a brew time of  4 minutes.

Green teas should be steeped in off boiling water that is 170F or 76C for a brew time of 3 minutes.

White teas should be steeped in off boiling water that is 170F or 76C for a brew time of  7 minutes.

Now remember that these temps and times are only rough guidelines only to be used if your tea did not come with any brewing instructions.

I hope you found this review/ How to useful.

I did some of the searching for each color and hear is what I found:

Amazon
Stump Teapot w/ SLS LID & Infuser 16 Oz. - BLACK GRAPHITE
Stump Teapot w/ SLS LID & Infuser 16 Oz. - RED
Stumpteapot w/ Sls Lid & Infuser 16oz - Turquoise
Stumpteapot w/ Sls Lid & Infuser 16oz - Lime
Stumpteapot w/ Sls Lid & Infuser 16oz - Marine
Stumpteapot w/ Sls Lid & Infuser 16oz - Gray
Stumpteapot w/ Sls Lid & Infuser 16oz - Carrot
Stumpteapot w/ Sls Lid & Infuser 16oz - Sage
Stumpteapot w/ Sls Lid & Infuser 16oz - White

Other places
forlifedesign 

Red,White,Black: Harney and Sons

Red,Aqua,Chartreuse,Black: cookinstuff  

For the UK and some European countries, they do not ship to the US: sympathyteas  

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FORLIFE Stump Teapot by Noah Brewer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Tea Tins

These storage tins are great, they have a uv blocking lid that is hinged with a latch which makes an air tight seal, each tin will hold 17.84Cubic inches or about 4oz of tea in the case of Assam Melody and Ceylon Sonata, with out crushing the leaves. the weight of tea that they can hold will differ with the size and shape of the tea. The over all dimensions are 3.5inches in diameter by 3.25inches tall, as best as I could measure.

You can order them here at adagio

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Tea Tins by Noah Brewer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Filtron 1.5 Liter Cold Water Coffee System

    Cold coffee? No cold brew coffee, there is a difference between cold coffee and cold brew. Cold coffee is any drink where in hot coffee is made cold by any means. Cold brew coffee is where the brewing is done cold, the resulting coffee can either be served cold or hot. So why buy a Filtron, cant I make cold brew on my own? Sure, but using a Filtron is much easier every thing is self contained, unlike say using jars and then dumping the coffee through a homemade filter. Doing it that way is fine, except there will be more sediment and to me that is a bit to much trouble when there is an easier way without giving up quality for convince(that is something I would never do).

Here’s the Pros.
1.Easy to wash.
2.Makes a fair amount of coffee in one batch.
3.Thick cloth filter makes a very clean cup of coffee.
4.Lower in caffeine.

The Cons.
1.Slow brew time
2.Both cloth and paper filters need to be replaced.
3.The whole unit is plastic so there can be odor retention.
4.Lower in caffeine.


    How does it taste? The flavor of cold brewed coffee is quite different than the same coffee brewed in any hot method. Cold brewed coffee tends to highlight the roast if it is not a light roast, also it will be what most would describe as “smooth“. To me smooth is a light mouth feel, with little acidity and a non bitter aftertaste, which is why I love it for a good cup of iced cold brewed coffee(cold brewed coffee is nice on those hot summer days, very refreshing).


How to use
    I use 8grams for every 6oz of water, with a water temp of 68F(ok the temp doesn’t matter as long as it is not hot) and I infuse for 18 to 24hours.

First insert the stopper in the bottom of the coffee bowl and place the cloth filter on the inside of the coffee bowl, I would boil the cloth filter before you use it the first time, next you can place the paper filter on the inside of the coffee bowl (however, the paper filter is not necessary, they do help, though I stopped using them because I ran out). Now grind your coffee, I use a 5 on my grinder which is what I use for a siphon. Now add the ground coffee to the coffee bowl, next place the grounds guard and place on the inside of the paper filter so that it keeps the filter from falling in on itself. Now you can place the water bowl on top and add the measured water to the water bowl. At this point place the whole system in the fridge, I stir it every now and then. Wait 18-24h, when the time is up remove from the fridge and remove the stopper, now place the coffee bowl on top of the decanter and wait it will filter slowly. It might take up to an hour, if it stops there might be pressure keeping the coffee from filtering, so I place a little piece of folded paper on the rim of the decanter to break the pressure that has built up. After it has finished you can enjoy your cold brew coffee.



You can order it here at espressoparts

Unfortunately you cant get the Filtron at Amazon.com
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Filtron 1.5 Liter Cold Water Coffee System by Noah Brewer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Bodum 8 cup (32 ounces) Chambord French Press

     Why use it? Well a French press or press pot is one of the easiest coffee brewing methods you could use. Also, it is the best day to day method to really taste different coffees, however the absolute best way to taste coffee for differences is cupping. If you would like to learn more about cupping you can go to coffeegeek. A press pot is also an inexpensive way to get into coffee, a press pot and a good burr grinder will only set you back $100ish. A French press can also be used for tea, though I would not use the same French press, as even after washing it, the coffee residue may contaminate the tea.

On to the review

The Pros
1.Easy to clean.
2.Easy to use.
3.Great way to taste the coffee.
4.It can be used anywhere, you don’t need to plug it in.
5.Variety of sizes, from 1 to 6+ persons .
6.Not that expensive.

Now the Cons
1.Easily broken, at least the glass ones.
2.You do need a way to heat the water separate of the press pot.
3.Not the quickest way to make coffee.
4.There is a lot of sediment in the cup.
5.Don’t be fooled by the metal mesh filter, it will need to be replaced eventually.


    Now what about the coffee? Again no brewing device will improve the coffee, it only presents and highlights the flavor profile differently. As for what the press pot highlights, well it is the most rounded in profile. To me, at least, it is the starting point, it presents the coffee for what it is and doesn’t impose itself on the coffee it lets the coffee shine. Like a good roast, you don’t think about the roast if it’s done right, that is, unless you do think about it and that’s because it’s burnt (and it now tastes like char bucks). The same is true for a French press you don’t think about the French press, unlike say a Vacpot where, at times it is more about the “Vacpot Method” than the coffee itself. Why is it a starting point? Well it doesn’t apply anything to the coffee and the infuse time is long (compared to Vacpot or espresso) and little force is applied to the coffee preventing any over extraction.

How-to use
    I use 8 grams of coffee for every 6oz’s of water and a water temp of 190F to 200F, just don’t use boiling water, with a infusion time of no more than 4 minutes, if you want a “stronger” cup increase the amount of coffee not the infusion time or the water temp.
    First heat your measured water and bring it to a boil, when the water is ready grind your coffee you’ll want to grind it coarse, coarser than what you would use for drip (I use an 8 on my macap m4) it needs to be “hear comes that word” coarse, enough not to clog the filter or squeeze through it. Now that you’ve ground your coffee at the proper coarseness and your water is at the right temp add the coffee to the press pot first, then add the water. Now you need to stir the coffee to saturate all the grounds(use only wood or bamboo to stir), now put the plunger assembly on top be sure not to push down on the plunger yet, set the timer. When the timer goes off, slowly and evenly push down on the plunger bar, if you go to fast hot coffee will spew out and you’ll burn yourself….. dummy, now you can enjoy your French press coffee, that is if you didn’t burn your self.



You can order a Bodum Chambord French Press at Amazon

51-ounce Bodum Chambord French Coffee Press
32-ounce Bodum Chambord French Coffee Press
17-ounce Bodum Chambord French Coffee Press
12-ounce Bodum Chambord 3-Cup Coffee Press

Or at espresso parts

34-ounce espressoparts
48-ounce espressoparts
12-ounce espressoparts 

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Bodum 8 cup (32 ounces) Chambord French Press by Noah Brewer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.