Something on my personal coffee journey.
"I must offer a word of caution here: don’t invest in an espresso machine at home unless you want a new hobby."
—James Hoffmann
I've had many hobbies. Some cost quite a bit (photography), others an absolute fortune (audiophile vinyl and hifi equipment). Coffee as a hobby began with things I already had, for the most part. I had the means to brew, I had time, curiosity and money to buy good coffee beans. The most expensive purchase was a Timemore hand grinder ($US 70-ish) and a $12 gram scale. It started after my last trip to Hungary in the mid 1990s, when my interpreter and his wife made me the gift of a moka Express moka pot and an appreciation of what home-brewed coffee could be.
Then more recently I discovered James Hoffmann on Youtube, a charming and funny coffee geek, who talked about coffee in a totally different way. I learned about roast styles, the pleasures of single origin coffee. He talked about brew methods, how to grind coffee for different brew methods, how to buy and enjoy coffee. I discovered a roaster at the San Rafael farmers' market who was very enthusiastic. I tried several of his roasts, found one I really loved, and I was hooked. I began to experiment with grind size for my moka pot, tweaking method and recipe to bring out the best of the Columbian roast I was buying. Day by day, week by week, I noticed I was enjoying coffee more and more. i learned to do comparative tastings of his offerings before settling on one that had a balance of traditional coffee flavour and fruity acids (yes, I learned to appreciate some acidity in my coffee, it's a Good Thing!).
In time I began to experiment with different brewing methods. The Aeropress was first, then the French press and finally, pourover coffee. All the while drinking delicious single-origin, hand-roasted small batch coffees from a true enthusiast. I started frequenting cafes that cared about flavour, talking with baristas, roasters, anyone with an opinion.
Then I began writing here about some of the things I appreciated and had learned. I had to acknowledge I had become a snob, and I sort of celebrate it. I recognise that the coffee hobby can result in equipment acquisition; a habit I can't currently afford to justify (though I would!). Meantime, I try new coffees, am learning to identify and appreciate the terroir expressed through the roast and the brewing process. i even invested a massive $7 for a secondhand popcorn popper and roasted my own coffee at home. That was the point at which i genuinely began to appreciate the huge variety of coffee flavours. Where I'd eschewed lighter roasts with their fruity acidity, now i embraced them, began to value the lighter roasts as well as appreciating different processing methods.
Specialty coffee came next, as I discovered local roasters making the best of single-origin coffees. Yes, I know what some say, that "specialty coffee is for namby-pamby people who don't like 'real coffee'"¹, but the falvours! the never-ending surprises of discovery!
It was around this time that disaster struck. In the winter of 2023 I suffered a minor stroke, and on Hallowe'en last year, a significant heart attack (worst trick ever!) and following open heart surgery, was obliged to cut down on caffeine consumption. Undeterred, I embraced decaffeinated coffee, kept calm and carried on.
As I read, listen and learn, my experience widens. One day I will complete my collection of brewers, likely next a vacuum/siphon brewer (I suspect I'll never invest in an espresso machine as that way lies madness and a hobby all its own). I fully intend to embrace as many coffees as I can to expand my horizons and learning further.
Unless you're getting to espresso at home, coffee is not an expensive hobby to start. $8 buys you a pourover filter, add a good grinder and some nice coffees and you're off to the races.
¹ Questionable Content
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