Here is a puzzler. I drink a lot of filter coffee. Often I prefer it over the coffee chain pressure-made coffee. However, sometimes something feels wrong with it. It seems like the liquid is “meshy”, like throwing a blanket over my tongue, as if Spiderman would build a web in my mouth. I have some hints, but would like to know what I have to change in the coffee making routine.
Is the water temperature to high? (Unlikely, since it also comes up when I use the machine.)
Are the coffee grounds not fine enough? Or too fine?
Should I not use low-fat milk?
Any thoughts appreciated.
16 Comments
Christian
Exactly the same sensation has been haunting me off and on for a few weeks now. I’ve tried to explain it to my girlfriend, but I couldn’t get it across.
I think it’s got to with ageing, as the coffee, the milk and the Moka Express are still the same.
Christian
I don’t have that strange sensation today, though.
3 cups of coffee so far…
Sebastian
I seriously hope you are referring to the ageing of the coffee!
Christian
No, well maybe it’s like getting a bad sight or bad hearing? 😉
Sebastian
Grmph.
Saskia
well, here’s some food for thought for the oh-so-old man: i think it has more to do with the milk rather than the coffee itself…you know how you sometimes get a weird, coated feeling on the tongue when consuming dairy products… (btw, i’m the girlfriend who doesn’t get it and who’s gonna enjoy her coffee now) cheerio
Sebastian
Thanks for joining in. If it is the milk, then what about it? Should I heat it? Not use a certain kind of milk?
Saskia
i hope you didn’t feel addressed by the little age concerning innuendo, sebastian. i’m not sure if i can really help you on the milk issue as i’m kind of lacking the experience (if it’s an age thing, i’ll get there eventually…), but i’d always heat it and probably use low-fat.
Saskia
apparently i’m wrong and there’s a crucial difference between the dairy-caused sensation and the one with spiderman dangling around in your(pl.) mouth. Is it comparable to the feeling you get after eating fresh pineapple? if so, it might have sth to do with acid…somehow…(i’m just throwing random ideas in now, i guess.)
Sebastian
Hey, so first of all, of course I felt addressed which I thought was your point. But not offended!
Pineapple? No, not comparable. And no, not like e.g. yogurth. More like when Neo enters the Matrix through the window/mirror and his tongue becomes engulfed with the goo and he cant speak anymore.
Saskia
sorry, i actually only meant to tease the other old man as he brought up the age issue again 😉
don’t think i have any further ideas concerning the coffee problem. guess i have to wait till i get goo-ed (argh) myself.
Wiebke
Even though you claim it has nothing to do with the milk, I think that for regular filter coffee it is a) mandatory to use low fat milk and b) that it should no be heated before you put it into the coffee. Fine for espresso, but not for the good old filter!
Other than that: I am afraid I’m too young for the right mouth feel as well. Oh wait, maybe only men get it!!
Sebastian
Well here is a puzzler, I only use low fat anyway. Never had the taste when using regular. And I don’t like to heat the milk neither. Take that!
Wiebke
Grmpf.
A. Peon
The phrase you are looking for is “mouth feel,” and taking that to Google along with “coffee” will probably find you more food science than you know what to do with.
I’m thinking it’s a combination of dust (fine grounds, leaky filter, …), “external factors” (state of your dairy products), and also the particular microclimate of your tongue at any particular coffee-drinking moment.
Sebastian
Mmh, thanks for the pointer, I’ll take that to Google when I have some time to spare, thanks.