My coffee fix alternative
358298
I did not like my first cup of this tea.  Then after about the 3rd cup, I developed a craving for it.  I have not had coffee all this year, and have tried many teas.  Mainly I enjoy dessert teas.  This is the tea I look forward to in the morning with 5 drops of SweetLeaf (stevia) Sweet Drops Vanilla Crme added to it.  Most days I enjoy another cup of the same a couple of hours later.
2560963
I like trying new things, but I didn't like the brewstation set up (compared to a more typical drip coffeemaker set up).  Fortunately, it just broke so now I have a good opportunity to try something else!
2736068
Let's get to the point:  The product works and I recommend it.  Buy one for yourself.  :)

Need more details?  Ok!  I really like the flavor of the coffee I've made with it.  The first time I tried it I, like many others, was shocked by how DIFFERENT this coffee tasted.  But certainly in a good way!

Taste aside, and regarding the title of this review, it really does change coffee-making into a PAIN in the ARSE.  Used to be I'd pop a paper filter into my automatic, fill it with pre-ground coffee, and brew up a whole pot.  The whole process was simple and easy and clean-up was no problem.

With this CURSE OF A COFFEE PRESS, you're stuck heating up water in a separate container, adding coffee grounds and then water to the press, walking away to kill time for four minutes, then returning and pressing it and serving it, and often microwaving the resulting cup because the water cooled too much in the process.  Once you've enjoyed your re-heated coffee, you get to the cleanup.  For me this involves rinsing all the coffee grounds down the garbage disposal (I'm sure that will make some of you clinch and/or wince), and while getting the grounds out of the glass part isn't bad, it's a PAIN to get them out of the metal screen press part, because they ALWAYS wedge between the screen and the cross-shaped metal piece.  Frankly I often rinse it off and then dump the lot in the dishwasher top rack.  Not sure that's acceptable practice but it works for me.

Also, please note that if you use pre-ground coffee, you're gonna get grounds in your cup.  You get used to it.  If that bothers you, get whole bean coffee and grind it at the coarsest setting of your burr grinder (you ARE using a burr grinder, right?!).  Then you'll still get grounds in your cup, but there will be less of them.
1840664
It works!  NOTE:  This is for the carafe-size brew, not individuals cups
2193615
I love this idea and wish I had known about it ages ago as it would have saved me a lot of money on Keurig cups. (the machine itself I received as a gift, but still had problems with it clogging up, which is something Keurig does not tell you about when you use the washable filter instead of the actual cup, otherwise no one would buy one.)  This method I can make my coffee as strong or weak as I like.  It's Great!...and cost pennies.
2306938
I was tired of my Keurings breaking and the space they took up on the counter. I cold brew overnight and warm up in the microwave in the morning. Probably not the "right" way to make coffee, but tastes good to me!
2747238
Great mate just add hazelnut creamer and it tastes just like coffee. Its caffeine content is a little lower so I add some Taragui
and then I have coffee tasting yerba with a very nice glowing kick. I just had to give up on coffee as it made my Arthritis worse.
1984007
Surprisingly not too bad! Trying to stop my one coffee/latte a day habit in hopes of clearer skin! It looks similar to coffee, but it does not have the delicious coffee aroma. The taste is a bit nutty and reminds me of a weak cup of brewed coffee that you might find at a diner. I have tried it with steamed vanilla soy, steamed egg nog, and used with my reusable Kcup with a bit of flavored creamer. So far I prefer the Kcup. I think this can do the trick!
805594
This is a great way to get your coffee fix when you are traveling, particularly on planes and in hotels. Also a nice option to making another pot of coffee at home.
2260912
I turn caffeine into books and videos for a living. Just got a coffee grinder and have been trying different beans for cold brew coffee. I was very pleased with the volume of beans for the price. I find them indistinguishable from the higher priced ones I started with. I think I screwed up the bag opening process, so it was not easy to reseal, but I usually repackage them anyways.

The guys here:

<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Matcha-Green-Tea-Powder-4oz-Organic-Strong-Milky-Taste-USDA-Certified-137x-Antioxidants-Over-Brewed-Green-Tea-Great-for-Latte-Smoothie-Ice-Cream-and-Baking-Alternative-Coffee-Substitute/dp/B00NYYVWFQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Matcha Green Tea Powder 4oz - Organic Strong Milky Taste USDA Certified - 137x Antioxidants Over Brewed Green Tea - Great for Latte, Smoothie, Ice Cream and Baking & Alternative Coffee Substitute</a>

Challenged me to try Matcha powder as an alternative. Making tea unsweetened was a disaster but then they got me to add sugar and I came up with the whisky idea myself. Has the advantage that I can make the first cup while stumbling through my morning.
766524
Static Update:  The plastic bin does have static issues.  The darker the roast, the worse it gets, probably from lower moisture content in the beans, however there is a really easy fix.  Breathe into the bottom bin before or after like you are trying to fog up a pair of sunglasses to clean them.  That will add just enough moisture to prevent sticking, and you can tap the bin to shake the grinds to the bottom.  Use the top cover to partially cover the opening while pouring to prevent fallout.  I find this a lot easier than using an aluminum foil liner other's suggest.  Enjoy!

I purchased a Technivorm coffee maker to go with it and after 3 different coffee's I must say I have no reason to step outside for coffee on weekends.  The markings on the hopper bin are a little large for my maker, but once you have it nailed down they are very useful reference points.  I highly recommend an inexpensive ($30) scale as a way to dial in the perfect pot.

The grinds are consistent and the adjustment easy to use over a wide range, but I have no need for espresso grinds.  I did examine the grinder wheels, and they are in fact true burr wheels, with a unique feature of having larger deeper burrs as well as smaller, more shallow burrs.  It's also really great I can press the button and forget it.  It gets all the beans all the time.  A couple of taps to the side just to make me feel like I did something and I'm done.

One major thing I like about this little grinder is that the plastic parts you interact with are really easy to use.  For instance, the lid on the bottom container is really easy to put on and take off.  Other grinders make this unnecessarily difficult, like building a Lego building.  Disassembling the hopper and grinder adjuster are a little difficult, but once you learn the trick they are quick to take off and put back on.

Update October 19:  I'm using a grind setting about 2 dots finer than medium.  My first bean was Peete's Ethiopian.  It was really dark and the grinds were incredibly consistent.  I've since tried Sightglass Colombian and Blue Bottle Guatemalan Antigua which are super light roasts.  Since the switch I've noticed I get less consistency.  Nothing bigger than expected but I do see more finer grains about between salt granules and flour.  I'm not sure if this is a known by-product  of grinding light roasts but I will say, the coffee is delicious even with this mix, or maybe because of it.
3586797
I don't like that I WANT TO DRINK COFFEE ALL DAY LONG NOW!!!!  Way too much caffeine in our household now.  ;)

Paired with PEETs freshly roasted beans - so amazing!
1129602
Three years ago I gave up most caffeine in my diet but I've never been able to give up that last little bit contained in a good cup of decaffeinated coffee -- until now.  While the flavor is a little different than that of coffee, its close enough to become my new morning ritual.  Here's what I like about this healthy alternative:

  * I brew it in a coffee pot just like usual

  * The drink's consistency is similar to coffee and is dark roasted color

  * It comes in various flavors just like coffee

  * I drink it with about half the raw sugar and cream I used to use

  * I'm totally satisfied with my drink; I don't feel cheated

In addition to cutting on caffeine, I'm also cutting costs.  When I make coffee I use a tablespoon of coffee per cup.  With this stuff I use only a half-tablespoon.
3663401
I absolutely love this. Nice alternative to adding sugar AND creamer to my coffee. Just a spoonful and it takes the bitter edge off the coffee. Sometimes a spoon and a half. But I know it's far less calories than what I was doing before. Sometimes I make a cup of this alone when I don't want coffee. This tastes great! Good to relax with. I do recommend.
4279093
Brewed coffee is too bitter and instant coffee works well for me because I drink it black with a little sugar. Of all the brands I have tried, I liked this the best. Sure, you can find cheaper instant coffee at the grocery store but this is organic and fair-trade.

Just add coffee (and sugar/sweetener if you'd like) in a mug, pour hot water from the kettle, and give it a stir. Haven't tried it with cold water yet.
2116219
I switched to this coffee maker to get away from plastic parts coming in contact with the coffee my family drinks. So far, I'm pleased with my purchase. It's a little more work than a standard drip coffee maker, but worth it to me. I wish it had an auto off feature. I've left the house more than once forgetting to unplug it and having to go back. But, you get used to it.  Makes good coffee.
954037
I adore my personal coffee maker. The local coffee at our job tastes like battery acid, and when I started, I knew I needed a better cup of morning joe.

The maker came with a reusable coffee filter. I've had it now for nearly a year, and it still hasn't started to rust. I'm terrible with my grinds, and only clean them out when it's time for a new cup ... I'm sure that's not the best for it. You need to line the filter up correctly in order for the lid to close right and snot spill water.

I discovered a really cheap and inexpensive way to make a hot latte. Put the milk in your water, swirl, and add to the water container. It super heats the milk making for a tasty latte. Downside is it may get gunky fast, and require a few clear water rinses to clean itself. Not a recommended use unless you really want hot milk in your drink.

The travel mug that comes with it holds just enough hot coffee. I like to fill up the cup and put it in the water dispenser - that way I know I'm not over filling. It's very compact, and I keep it on my shelf next to my desk. Love this more than a Keurig.