capsual coffee machines road test

[g-boaf]

After having been to America last year and trying a few places to get a decent coffee, I come to the conclusion that Americans think coffee tastes like something else. All the coffees I tried were so so bad, and in most cases didn't even taste like coffee which I don't even know how that's possible.

I've been reading the Patrick OBrian novels - the master and commander series. At one point the two intrepid English hero's are captives in America. Even they complain most bitterly about the weak, watery substance the Americans call coffee...

I know - been there myself up to Bellevue outside of Seattle in the reasonable comfort of the Hilton. The downstairs staff in the coffee place needed an explanation of what a double espresso was. The rooms had machines with Lavazza pods. Not great, but better than the conference coffee in those huge boilers. (Yuck).

You noticed the Europeans there and the Aussies walking down to the conference sessions with the coffee from their rooms... Without exception.

[Mulger bill]

All the coffees I tried were so so bad, and in most cases didn't even taste like coffee which I don't even know how that's possible.

See my previous post regarding the composition of International Roast.
I believe that in the US they use mud from New Yorks East River...

[Cruiserman]

Possibly from the Hudson - ground up aeroplane dissolved in a cup - YUMMY

[herzog]

The other place with dreadful coffee is Japan.

Who ever thought that coffee would come out of vending machines in little cans, bearing brand names such as "Depresso" and "Black BOSS"?

Great for the novelty value, but taste wise absolutely dreadful.

To be fair though, traditionally, they are a tea drinking society as is the case in most of Asia, and they do that well.

The green-tea flavored Haagen daas is pretty choice!

[Jean]

After having been to America last year and trying a few places to get a decent coffee, I come to the conclusion that Americans think coffee tastes like something else. All the coffees I tried were so so bad, and in most cases didn't even taste like coffee which I don't even know how that's possible.

It's no better north of the border, the coffee in Canada is indistinguishable from the American approach. The Brits don't deserve any kudos either, in my experience it takes some hunting to find decent coffee in London, though it can be done.

We're very lucky to have had large scale Italian migration before Starbucks got to us, or we'd be stuffed too probably.

I've been reading the Patrick OBrian novels - the master and commander series. At one point the two intrepid English hero's are captives in America. Even they complain most bitterly about the weak, watery substance the Americans call coffee...

Hooray for Patrick O'Brien. The only scene from the 1998 film Godzilla that has stuck in my mind is Jean Reno's (French) character's quest to find a decent cup of coffee in New York. Still makes me smile.

[WestcoastPete]

OOooo. Timely.

Here's a new option...

[queequeg]

The other place with dreadful coffee is Japan.

Who ever thought that coffee would come out of vending machines in little cans, bearing brand names such as "Depresso" and "Black BOSS"?

Great for the novelty value, but taste wise absolutely dreadful.

To be fair though, traditionally, they are a tea drinking society as is the case in most of Asia, and they do that well.

The green-tea flavored Haagen daas is pretty choice!

Japan basically follows American culture in that regard. As a school kid in Tokyo I did love the coffee in cans because in the middle of winter in the snow, nothing warms your frozen hands like a scorching hot can full of coffee straight out of the vending machine on the platform
Love the name "depresso"! They used to have an energy drink called "Mucos", and yes...that is what it looked like!