The macosxhints Forums - Any other coffee fanatics here?

I've never roasted my own, but I'm pretty particular about the coffee I buy -- I always buy fair trade organic coffee from Trader Joes -- my favorites are Cafe Femenino, Ethiopian, and Bolivian. I am very particular, also, about my brewing method. Here are the requisite things necessary for my method of brewing:

1. Good, whole bean coffee -- I've already stated my preferences for this
2. A decent coffee grinder
3. A nice moka brewer
4. A stove
5. An electronic water boiler or a microwave
6. Coffee mugs, of course
7. Oven mitts.

I store my coffee in the freezer to prevent the oils from going rancid; YMMV. Here are the steps I take in making a nice tasty brew:

0. Wash the moka machine -- if necessary.
1. Grind up the coffee -- not too fine, but not too course. 15-16 seconds works pretty well.
2. Fill up the coffee holding thingy in the moka maker -- I tap the sides to even it out. Never, ever pat it down flat. I usually leave 1/8" or so at the top.
3. Boil enough water to fill the moka water boiler part. Microwave or electric water urn.
4. Pour the boiling water into the moka boiler part, and carefully carry the hot moka boiler and place it on a stovetop burner. Turn on the burner, until the water again reaches a nice rolling boil.
5. Remove the moka boiler from the flames, and put together the moka brewer (ideally, this part should be done fairly quickly)
6. Put the moka brewer back on the stovetop
7. After a little less than two minutes (depending on the size of your moka), pour your espresso.

This method provides the shortest brewing time, thus insuring the freshest brew, minimizing the chances that the coffee oils will begin to show their nasty side. It may look like a pain, but it isn't so bad, and it's really worth the extra effort (for me, at least).

I'm upgrading my moka, btw -- here's the one that will be coming to me very soon:
http://www.espressozone.com/7682.html