The heavenly nectar that is coffee...

[Xander]

Now I've read things about how you should prepare the cup for coffee and the temperature of the water etc etc but one thing no one seems set on is milk first or second?

Now I mainly speak of the much maligned instant coffee here but the same works for "real" coffee too. Many seem unaware of the phenomena related to actually mixing coffee so I thought that this'd be a good place to go through some of it and see what you guys think.

Now firstly I've always used hot water. I mean just off the boil water. WE have a lot of tea drinkers around our house (well it is England after all) and I use the water pretty much straight after having poured theirs (unless I'm using the coffee machine thingy which uses water at some undefined temperature which I'm not going to measure unless it's vital). I've seen some people use it whilst it's boiling!! This is blasphemy and can often ruin a good cuppa.

Personally I put the milk in last. Some oddballs like to put it in first and this is where the main discrepancy lies because it seems that most people don't even know it changes the taste unless they try it "upside-down". Put milk in first and often you'll get a more milky taste to it, possibly because I find it more difficult to judge and presume that other's find it similarly difficult.

Another problem I find with other's making coffee is they treat it like tea. One or two swishes round with a spoon and they think that it's stirred. This ruins the reputation of instant coffee and can mess up a "real" cup of coffee somewhat too. Basically the more you stir instant coffee, the smoother cuppa you'll get.

So what's your little niggles and which way around do you do the milk?
Are there any authorities?

Oh and yes I totally expect a downpour of "real" coffee drinkers spitting etc but to them I say this, it take me about 30 seconds to make one cup. No filters, no mess, no having to make a pot for one cup. It's called convenience.

(Pre emptive strikes are fun )

[JivinJeffJones]

The milk goes in first, you bloody barbarian.

Putting the water in first is a great way to scald your coffee and ruin the flavour. If you like scalded coffee then put the water in first. And then bugger off and eat furniture or whatever it is you scalded-coffee aficionados do when you aren't ruining coffee.

[Xander]

You use water hot enough to scold coffee????

What are you using? A fricking steam jet from a turbine?

[prplchknz]

I always do coffee in a stove top maker and I like it because it makes just the perfect amount for myself and its strong without being to bitter. I put the cream bottom of the cup add coffee, drink. Of course when I go to Caribou (like Starbucks, but I like it better) I have to put the cream in last as they give you the coffee black then you add sugar or cream.

[INTJMom]

1 empty coffee mug
add 1/4 cup French Vanilla Coffee Mate liquid
add 3/4 cup water
microwave on high for 77 seconds
add one teaspoon instant coffee
sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top
enjoy

[nottaprettygal]

Instant coffee tastes horrible!

My morning coffee ritual:

Curse self for not remembering to set timer the night before
Grind beans of lightly flavored coffee
Put in coffee maker and get that going
Put sugar and cream in two cups
Wait for coffee to finish
Pour coffee for me and my live-in lover

Using really cold milk/cream makes the coffee cooler, and I don't like that. Hence, I set it out for a bit.

[targo]

mmmmmm coffee...............

NEVER instant.... no no no never instant.

Set up coffee maker night before, so it's ready for husband when he awake in the morning. Use Columbian Beans and grind then add to basket with cold water.

in morning take large 16oz coffee mug add 4tbsp international french vanilla and then add coffee, let cool sightly and enjoy.... mmmmm yes enjoy sweet wonderful coffee.

I don't like milk in my coffee only cream. If using cream and sugar, add sugar, then coffee then cream.

[Haight]

Originally Posted by nottaprettygal

Pour coffee for me and my live-in lover

*feels like a piece of meat. And is okay with that.*


EDIT: I like coffee.

[EffEmDoubleyou]

I have never heard of putting the milk in first. Can someone who does this explain what the advantage is?

[wildcat]

Originally Posted by Xander

Now I've read things about how you should prepare the cup for coffee and the temperature of the water etc etc but one thing no one seems set on is milk first or second?

Now I mainly speak of the much maligned instant coffee here but the same works for "real" coffee too. Many seem unaware of the phenomena related to actually mixing coffee so I thought that this'd be a good place to go through some of it and see what you guys think.

Now firstly I've always used hot water. I mean just off the boil water. WE have a lot of tea drinkers around our house (well it is England after all) and I use the water pretty much straight after having poured theirs (unless I'm using the coffee machine thingy which uses water at some undefined temperature which I'm not going to measure unless it's vital). I've seen some people use it whilst it's boiling!! This is blasphemy and can often ruin a good cuppa.

Personally I put the milk in last. Some oddballs like to put it in first and this is where the main discrepancy lies because it seems that most people don't even know it changes the taste unless they try it "upside-down". Put milk in first and often you'll get a more milky taste to it, possibly because I find it more difficult to judge and presume that other's find it similarly difficult.

Another problem I find with other's making coffee is they treat it like tea. One or two swishes round with a spoon and they think that it's stirred. This ruins the reputation of instant coffee and can mess up a "real" cup of coffee somewhat too. Basically the more you stir instant coffee, the smoother cuppa you'll get.

So what's your little niggles and which way around do you do the milk?
Are there any authorities?

Oh and yes I totally expect a downpour of "real" coffee drinkers spitting etc but to them I say this, it take me about 30 seconds to make one cup. No filters, no mess, no having to make a pot for one cup. It's called convenience.

(Pre emptive strikes are fun )

First you have the water running. To have the water running you have to get up from your chair. Okay. Now get up. Then you have to walk to the kitchen. Wait. OK. I forgot to say that when you enter the kitchen you first have to switch the light on because you cannot see in the dark unless you are a cat.

Is the water running? Can you hear it?
Then you do not put water in the kettle. No no, you cannot be hasty. First you have to taste the water. If the water has been running an adequate time it is potable. No no, not the coffee. The water. The water is potable as water. All right.

Now the water in the kettle and the kettle on the stove. No no, you have no time to go back to your computing machine.
You have to because there is Raincrow007? No no! Get back to the kitchen! I do not care if it was the Pope.
Now you have to clean the filter and the jar. Hot water and soap. Yes, soap.
The water is boiling. OK. Balance the filter on the top of the jar and put the cappucino in there. Pour the water through the filter. When the water is in the jar open the fridge and get out the Greek gala. Heat the milk now on the stove.
Not too hot hot. Only hot.
Now you pour the milk. No no, not through the filter.

It is ready.

Before you drink it, brush your teeth. This is God's Nektar.