Singapore Expats

I am the maker. Just grind, soak & strain... the soak & strain part is the same as for tea.

If you don’t like my way, try a French press - that’s the next best option.

malcontent wrote: ↑

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 7:46 pm

I am the maker. Just grind, soak & strain... the soak & strain part is the same as for tea.

If you don’t like my way, try a French press - that’s the next best option.

I need my coffee before work in the morning but I’m always in such a rush so I don’t have time to make it myself. A machine is the best option for me. Back home in America we use a really lovely Keurig machine. In Singapore, we use a Nespresso machine. Both work great.

I am a bit of a lean freak when it comes to process efficiency. It’s 10 seconds to scoop the ground coffee into the pot, dispense the hot water and cover. I then tell Siri to set a timer for 6 minutes and go take a shower. Once the timer is up, it’s 10 seconds to strain, add milk & stir.

Total time = less than 30 seconds.

malcontent wrote: ↑

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 9:27 pm

I am a bit of a lean freak when it comes to process efficiency. It’s 10 seconds to scoop the ground coffee into the pot, dispense the hot water and cover. I then tell Siri to set a timer for 6 minutes and go take a shower. Once the timer is up, it’s 10 seconds to strain, add milk & stir.

Total time = less than 30 seconds.

What about cleanup? That must take quite a bit of time. My machine is self cleaning, I just do a deep clean once every week.

Good catch, after straining I have to dump the grinds in the trash and rinse the strainer out, that does take an extra 15-20 seconds. I guess I just like the simplicity of the whole operation. If you ever notice how they make coffee or tea in Singapore, it’s a similar operation except they typically use a cloth “sock” strainer and I use an ultra-fine metal one that almost has the same filter density as the cloth. I had considered getting a coffee machine at one time, but that adds clutter and we already have such a wide assortment of kitchen appliances already... waffle iron, electric can opener, toaster, toaster oven, microwave, juicer, blender, hot water dispenser, rice cooker, crock pot. Maybe if they had an under the cupboard coffee maker - - wouldn’t that be a novelty item here?

Hey Mal, there's your chance for the big time and a chance to go on Shark Tank. (Or Kickstarter).

Companies that make coffee makers would probably be out for my blood!

It’s a similar case with oatmeal, many believe it requires cooking. I eat oats at least 3-4 times a week... at the office I got a lot of curious looks, especially after they learn I’m NOT using the quick or instant variety... I just add raw dark brown sugar and hot water from the dispenser, wait 10 minutes and drink it straight from my coffee mug!

I’m not the type to be bound by convention, I always use the back of a spoon to spread butter on my toast - it just works better!

malcontent wrote: ↑

Sun, 14 Mar 2021 1:52 pm

Companies that make coffee makers would probably be out for my blood!

It’s a similar case with oatmeal, many believe it requires cooking. I eat oats at least 3-4 times a week... at the office I got a lot of curious looks, especially after they learn I’m NOT using the quick or instant variety... I just add raw dark brown sugar and hot water from the dispenser, wait 10 minutes and drink it straight from my coffee mug!

I’m not the type to be bound by convention, I always use the back of a spoon to spread butter on my toast - it just works better!

Try overnight oats! Let the oats sit overnight in the fridge in a liquid of your choosing, add toppings, and it’s cold and delicious in the morning! I use milk with a little brown sugar and some fresh fruit (whatever I have on hand).

malcontent wrote: ↑

Sun, 14 Mar 2021 12:07 am

Good catch, after straining I have to dump the grinds in the trash and rinse the strainer out, that does take an extra 15-20 seconds. I guess I just like the simplicity of the whole operation. If you ever notice how they make coffee or tea in Singapore, it’s a similar operation except they typically use a cloth “sock” strainer and I use an ultra-fine metal one that almost has the same filter density as the cloth. I had considered getting a coffee machine at one time, but that adds clutter and we already have such a wide assortment of kitchen appliances already... waffle iron, electric can opener, toaster, toaster oven, microwave, juicer, blender, hot water dispenser, rice cooker, crock pot. Maybe if they had an under the cupboard coffee maker - - wouldn’t that be a novelty item here?

You’re definitely right about the clutter. Between the air fryer, blender, rice cooker, toaster oven, microwave, and coffee machine, my kitchen counter has no room to spare. But it’s the convenience and consistent taste that keeps me from selling the machine. Although there is merit in your method, it’s never good to be too reliant on technology. I had an old machine short circuit a couple years ago, it was a pretty crappy morning.

Last weekend I was in the cold Midwest and making a lot of hot drinks, including hot chocolate which is typically made by heating up milk and adding the chocolate powder.

Because my cholesterol is high and I’ve been looking for ways to cut down, I thought about the sweetened condensed milk I had been adding to my coffee & tea all these years, and wondered — what if I brewed my coffee & tea in boiling milk (fresh, low-fat) instead of my usual or worse - powdered creamer (which is what my parents had on hand). I did an online search, and apparently this is a tradition in some parts of the world. After trying it, I was blown away by how good it was… not exactly the same taste, but amazingly good nonetheless. I just made a cup of Thai tea using the same technique and it’s great.

Much healthier without really compromising much, if anything. I’ve probably made a dozen such cups of tea and coffee using this method and will probably stick with it.