Weaker beans ?

Piliger

Hi

My friend bought my son (21) a nice coffee making kit - pot, grinder etc and several packs of "Kaffe Hela Bonor Morkrost" from IKEA last year.

However my son finds it way too big a hit. He says it knocks him for six for a few hours after.

Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced nice coffee bean that would not produce such a big hit ?

davej

What type of "pot" is it ?

If it is a Moka Pot then it may simply be the case that the type of brew that this pot produces is too strong for your son's tastes. Altering the beans may help a little (eg. try a lighter roast).

Otherwise a different brewing method might be the way to go (eg French Press or Aeropress)

davej

Piliger

Thanks Davej ... yes it is a nice Moka pot like the one you posted. Small. Two cups.

I'll google those two alternative methods ... thanks.

Gran Hermano

He might be better off adding some hot water to dilute the brew from the mocha pot.
A mug full of undiluted coffee from the mocha would have a fair kick.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caff%C3%A8_Americano

Piliger

Gran Hermano wrote: »

He might be better off adding some hot water to dilute the brew from the mocha pot.
A mug full of undiluted coffee from the mocha would have a fair kick.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caff%C3%A8_Americano

I don't know if I explained correctly ... but wouldn't adding more water just make the taste less strong rather than deliver a lesser shot of caffeine ?

Gran Hermano

Piliger wrote: »

I don't know if I explained correctly ... but wouldn't adding more water just make the taste less strong rather than deliver a lesser shot of caffeine ?

Short answer is yes. What your son is drinking is more concentrated than filter/drip coffee so he is having the equivalent of several cups of coffee in one go.
http://coffeegeek.com/forums/espresso/questions/494604

Another suggestion is to have a glass of water. Youll see good espresso bars serving espresso with a glass of water. (Drink before the espresso to cleanse the palate, some drink after to avoid coffee breath - but will also help those who suffer the diuretic effect of coffee).

The IKEA blend he's using is a dark roast which in theory should have less caffeine than a lighter roast but he may find a lighter roast more to his taste. Try a starter pack from an artisan roaster like hasbean or Bailies

http://bailiescoffee.com/productdetails/184/espresso-starter-pack-free-delivery.aspx

http://www.hasbean.co.uk/collections/starter-packs/products/the-new-espresso-starter-pack