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True Brew
Guidelines courtesy of Alton Brown
Show: Good Eats  Episode: True Brew
Overall User Rating: Overall User Rating


What about the percolator?
12/31/2004 at 03:58pm
User: Anonymous    User Rating:
Why does this writeup on coffee shun the best coffee maker of all - the percolator?




It's not just the beans
12/30/2004 at 05:02pm
User: JOEL from Tucson, AZ    User Rating:
Excellent show Alton; the recipe does not do it justice. Who would have known that people thinking they don?t like strong coffee (really don?t like bitter coffee) so they decide to brew with fewer grounds, which makes it more bitter! My buddy Marty uses the same extraction method on his house boat as you did in the show because of lack of an automatic coffee maker. He uses bottled water and pre-ground beans in individual foil packages, and it still comes out pretty darn good, which after seeing your show, makes me think the water quality, temperature, and extraction time are over 50% of it; fascinating in that we usually don?t even give these parameters a second thought! Thanks Alton Brown!




Wonderful!
12/30/2004 at 01:57pm
User: CASEY from Round Hill, VA    User Rating:
I thought that this episode was a wake up call for me! I didnt think much of how to store, buy or brew coffee, nor did I ever consider it 'cooking'. But Alton definately knows what he is talking about, and now that have seen it, I promptly threw away my old, freezed coffee in the twist bags. Then, went out and bought some airtight canisters. I can really taste the difference, no more bitter coffee for me!




eye opening
11/18/2005 at 02:19am
User: Matthew from Columbia, SC    User Rating:
Thanks to Alton in making something as easy as coffee completely engrossing. After seeing this I threw away my electric coffee maker and bought a single serving french press. I've even started grinding my own beans. This show should be recommended viewing for all coffee drinkers.




Great tips for the perfect brew
11/10/2005 at 02:03am
User: Steve from Independence, MO    User Rating:
My title really sums it up: This was really helpful for me in improving my morning coffee. Only problem is I'm going to start going through twice as many beans (he recommends double the beans from what I usually put in)




An eye opener
10/30/2005 at 10:27pm
User: Shawn from east peoria, IL    User Rating:
You sir are my God!!! lol




Detailed as always
10/24/2006 at 08:20am
User: Anonymous    User Rating:
AB always informs. Everything here is true & correct. As a self-confirmed bean freak, I can say that AB knows what he's talking about.




Wonderful
07/10/2004 at 10:58pm
User: Anonymous    User Rating:
I tried your recipe and made the "Perfect Brew". You really know your coffee!!




More info please...
07/10/2004 at 08:05pm
User: Anonymous    User Rating:
The information contained in this "recipe" was very disappointing to me. When compared to all the knowledge, advise, tips, techniques, and wisdom presented in the show itself, this "recipe" was sadly lacking. There was some information I was hoping to find specifically included at the website that wasn't there. Had I known this was the case, I would have taken notes when the show aired.




Cafe Perfect
07/05/2004 at 03:12pm
User: JOEL from Little Rock, AR    User Rating:
Coffee. One of the greatest drinks in modern life often gets short shrift in the kitchen. Alton takes the joy of coffee and expounds on the reasons and rationale to brew a good mug of coffee. The recipe hits all of the high points and brews a cup of coffee that tastes as wonderful as it smells. Strong, fragrant, and not the least bit bitter. If you think you know your coffee, you must use this recipe at least once.




Finally, I can make coffee!
05/09/2005 at 06:23pm
User: JOANNE from Boston, MA    User Rating:
This was the first time I ever heard about the science of coffee. No more Dunkin Donuts for me! I finally made a good pot of coffee!




Gourmet coffee is more than just coffee!
05/05/2005 at 04:19pm
User: Chris from Coppell, TX    User Rating:
Gourmet coffee is more than the average coffee you get on the shelf in your local supermarket. I never realized this nearly as much until I started really delving into gourmet food in general. This was partly from the impact of shows like Good Eats and the other shows that are presented on The Food Network. The main difference between gourmet coffee and average coffees was spelled out from Alton Brown, when he went to St. Ives Coffee Roasters and pointed out the differences in the roasting processes and how specialty gourmet coffees are packaged to save the freshness of the coffee. He also made several good points about grinding coffee and the importance of when you grind it and how fine it should be ground. I have found this is one of the most important parts of making good gourmet coffee. Thank Alton for the good information and gourmet coffee making tips!




Coffee mayhem
04/26/2006 at 06:41pm
User: city from coffee, TN    User Rating:
This is a poor explanation of good coffee. Good coffee must be brewed between 195-200 degress F. So there are only a couple of coffee brewers that can obtain and maintain this "brew" temp. Also his episode mentioned storing coffee for 30-90 days. Coffee should only be stored for no more than 2 weeks. Yes I am advocating researching your coffee supplier and not purchasing coffee from the "coffee" section of the super market. Coffee blending is primarily done to blend coffee defects and is a common practice by the big coffee sellers and you know who. Also, a blade grinder can be used for coffee, but it does not compare to a burr grinder for consistency and preventing staling. The TV show was not intended to offer every aspect of coffee, but I think a little research on the SCAA website would have offered some help. Regards, Coffeegoof




How about a whole pot?
04/08/2005 at 04:50pm
User: John from Chicago, IL    User Rating:
The coffee at the suggested measurements is great for a cup; but, how about for a whole pot? Would you actually use 24 tablespoons of beans for a 12-cup coffee maker?




true brew
03/13/2008 at 01:52pm
User: Anonymous    User Rating:
the word says it all




Best cup of coffee ever and every time!!!
02/27/2007 at 02:50am
User: Melanie from van nuys, CA    User Rating:
I was brewing my coffee the wrong way - actually, opposite to what Alton suggests. Adding hot water to the pot AFTER brewing has made all the difference. My husband and I love drinking coffee at home now. Great & easy tips to follow. And a really great cup of Joe!




Great coffee
01/28/2006 at 01:40pm
User: Anonymous    User Rating:
Great show! I finally learned how to brew a good cup of coffee.




Is it Coffee yet?
01/25/2006 at 12:31pm
User: Lesley from Santa Maria, CA    User Rating:
Yes, it is Coffee now. Advice to AB-baby fans: Always take notes (or buy the books & DVD's). There's no crying in our coffee. For those that are: 1, Look for Arabica Beans. 2, for flavor & caffine content, go with "Light Roast". As for freezing and fainting Italians, the debate will rage on. This is 5-Star stuff... appriciate it, and enjoy.




Coffee Fun
01/09/2005 at 11:35am
User: GLENN from Lake Jackson, TX    User Rating:
Some of this I knew, some of it you can read on the Bunn coffee maker owner's guide. Note: I said SOME! But it was good to get and SEE it all in one place. Plus there new and interesting information, not to mention Alton's unique and fun way of presenting the information. In particular, what makes coffee bitter. In the Navy we were told to sprinkle salt on the coffe grounds to prevent bitterness. Of course, I may be bias as Alton and Good Eats are my favorites.




True is True
01/05/2007 at 05:05pm
User: Mary from Pembroke Pines, FL    User Rating:
2 heaping scoops to 6 ounces is the key!!!




I just thought I didn't like coffee
01/01/2005 at 11:11pm
User: AMY from Arlington, TX    User Rating:
This was fantastic information! I've never been a fan of coffee, but once this show aired, I had to try it. Lo and behold, I like coffee! Even my husband had to admit that this was one of the best cups he had ever had. Thank you, darling Alton! You've made a coffee drinker out of me!