652012 Sun Sep 13 09:25:49 -0700 2009 5 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 5026280 The Chowhound Team moved this discussion from the Los Angeles board * * * * * I am by no means a an expert on coffee, but after comparing more run of the mill coffee (Starbucks) to Intelligentsia or LA MILL, I notice to obvious things. First, the 'good' coffee is much, much smoother and lacks a bitter/acidic aftertaste which I much appreciate. However these coffees seem visible and palpably quite oily in the cup. I personally dislike that component of the texture, favoring a more rich, almost creamy cup of coffee. Moreover, I think there's a certain, I want to call it green or underripe flavor that's accompanying this oiliness. Is this something intrinsic to the beans used, the type of roasting, and/or how the coffee is brewed? My goal is a cup with the smooth, rich non-bitter flavor, but not the oily, greenness I seem to dislike. Sun Sep 13 09:25:49 -0700 2009 138296 drpynchon 1 5026580 If we are talking about brewed coffee, and NOT espresso. The difference is that run of the mill coffee is brewed with a paper filter, which does not allow oils into the brew. Any place serious about coffee will put paper-filtered coffee near at the bottom of brewing methods. Since oils carry aromatics, they are a necessary component of good coffee. Sorry, not sure what you mean by a rich, creamy coffee that doesn't have oils. Sun Sep 13 12:02:40 -0700 2009 5026280 74905 jaykayen 2 5026604 >>Any place serious about coffee will put paper-filtered coffee near at the bottom of brewing methods.<< I don't know if I can fully agree with that statement. I know where you're coming from but at the same time, everyone has their own preferences. I don't consider myself a connoisseur of coffee but I do enjoy a good cup. And my favorite methods of brewing a cup are via either an Aerobie or Chemex. Arno Holschuh of Blue Bottle has recommended the Chemex in the past as well as demonstrated the proper way to brew coffee using a paper filter, as opposed to a screen: http://www.chow.com/restaurants_and_bars/7864 http://www.chow.com/stories/11067 Sun Sep 13 12:19:09 -0700 2009 5026580 64003 bulavinaka 3 5026833 Some people like a clean cup, have health reasons for using paper filters, or just have always drank filter drip. But this is Chowhound: ultra high fat cultured butters, barista whole milk, and how to get and render lard. Taking away the fat for less flavor is not the mainstream Chowhounder's way. Sun Sep 13 14:52:15 -0700 2009 5026604 74905 jaykayen 4 5027300 >>Some people like a clean cup, have health reasons for using paper filters, or just have always drank filter drip.<< Other than liking a clean cup, I don't see Arno making a rec on a Chemex or a paper filter for those other reasons in general. But I do agree about a stand for things whole, full, and ultra where it really counts. Sun Sep 13 18:16:27 -0700 2009 5026833 64003 bulavinaka 1 5026916 What do the beans look like? I home roast and can tell you that oil migrates to the surface as the bean is over roasted and as the beans age. I remember when first getting into coffee I would buy beans that were dark and shinny. Came to realize that they were over roasted. Sun Sep 13 15:29:55 -0700 2009 5026280 89493 scubadoo97