My neighbor said 'good coffee is just hot bean water' and I can't stop thinking about it

I was walking my dog yesterday and ran into my neighbor, Mike. He saw my travel mug and said, 'Ah, still drinking the hot bean water, I see.' He meant it as a joke, but it really stuck with me. On one hand, yeah, that's literally what it is. It's simple. But on the other hand, that feels like saying a great painting is just colored mud on cloth. It ignores the craft, the origin, the roast, the grind, the brew method. I make a pour-over every morning with a scale and a gooseneck kettle, and that care changes everything. But maybe getting too fancy takes the simple joy out of it? Has anyone else had a moment like this that made you question how deep into the hobby you really are?

3 comments

3 Comments

shane_hernandez1mo ago

My buddy got a fancy espresso machine last year. He started timing his shots, weighing the grounds, the whole deal. His wife called it his "science project." One morning it broke down and he had to use a cheap drip pot. He said the coffee was fine, maybe even good. It messed with his head for a week. He still uses the machine, but he laughs about it now.

tessarodriguez1mo ago

Lol that's a whole mood right there, @shane_hernandez. I spent months picking the "perfect" pour-over kettle only to realize my old busted one makes the same tasting cup. Sometimes the hobby just takes over your brain for a bit.

harper_burns591mo ago

But the right gear can make the hobby way more fun and less of a chore.