The Beagle Log is a new item under Coffee Chit-Chat. I will be posting new Beagle Log entries four or five times a week. There will be an assortment of topics. There will be pictures (pictures must have been taken by the submitter), recipes (old family recipes are the best), puzzles, trivia, etc. Questions will be asked regarding of the day’s post. The challenge is, can you answer the questions? Your entries are welcomed. Please feel free to add to the topic.

Now for today’s post.

In my time with the Department of Navy, there has been a common element linking the various offices in which I have worked – a coffee mess. Over the years, I have become fond of a good cup of coffee. The brewing of good coffee is an art. Not everyone is up to it. Here is an old Master Chief’s recipe.

Preparation:

- Buy freshly rosted beans in small quantities. Not all beans are equal. You should try several blends to find the one you prefer
- Keep beans in the refridgerator
- Don’t grind the beans until needed

To brew coffee

- Put freshly ground coffee in coffeepot (amount depends on strength you desire, suggest starting with four heaping tablespoons)

- Add a little cold water (~1/4 cup)
- Add some eggshells
- Optional, a pinch of salt
- Stir thoroughly
- Add boiling water (~1 quart)
- Simmer 3 to 5 minutes, low heat

Coffee may be served “black” or with cream and sugar. For my part, I prefer just a little cream and sugar.

How do you brew your coffee?

:wave2: Hi Don & Beagle,

(Well - its is the truth that my Grandma Smith always used to insist on putting a pinch of salt in coffee!! - I always wondered why)
Yep, I like the occasional coffee, sometimes black with just a touch of milk & sugar, but my favourite is milky coffee - & this is how I make it.....

Preparation: Buy one jar of Co-op Fair-trade Gold Roast instant coffee granules.

Keep Jar in the kitchen cupboard, with lid tightly screwed on.
Don't take jar out of the cupboard nor unscrew the lid until needed :ck-wink: (otherwise the steam in the kitchen might just clog it all up)

To brew coffee:
Take one clean mug per person to be served, out of the pots cupboard.
Fill each mug with semi-skimmed milk.
Put mug in microwave, and heat on full power for 1 minute.
If its still not hot enough - just shove it back in for a bit longer (be sure not to overheat it though, otherwise the milk will boil over & mess up your microwave big time, then it'd need a good clean out before you can start again with a fresh mug of milk......well, you lost most of it in the microwave & burned the rest :ck-hrrmm: )

Take jar of coffee out of cupboard & unscrew lid. (if its the first time you've opened that jar, you'll have that paper lid to peel off as well)
Stir into mug of hot milk, one & a half to two teaspoonsful of the coffee granules.
Optional - you can have a bit of sugar if you want.
(one sugar for me in coffee - oh never in tea though)
Stir well.Sit down, put your feet up & enjoy your coffee. aaaah that's good!! phew!

Oops - forgot!!
_______________________________________________________

Sorry I dont drink Coffee,
Never have liked it.

But
I like...

Well to be honest I do deviate from the above just a little. I use a thermal coffee press; I do not simmer. This works great, retains the heat from the boiling water and strains the grounds when you pour a cup.

Carole, the pinch of salt reduces any bitter aftertaste. It also works with beer.

Ha! that explians it then as i dont lke the bitterness of coffee! I need salt not sugar

Well what d'you know!! I never understood why my grandma insisted on putting a pinch of salt in coffee, I'm not sure that she knew the reason why either - I suppose that it was a habit that had been past down from previous generations.

Maxine - in that case - try a coffee with a pinch of salt - & see if you like it any better

if you cant stand the spoon in it unaided its not strong enough, no cream just a touch of skimmed milk please. ahh coffee at its best instant or ground.
Colette.