BajaNomad

Brewed Coffee?

Santiago - 9-10-2008 at 07:48 AM

In the 15 years or so that I've been driving Baja I'm starting to notice a general upgrate in the coffee available. Most decent-sized towns have brewed coffee in the larger Pemexs. On my last trip down I stopped in a Pemex in south Ensenada and asked if the coffee was any good and the guy shook his head and pointed to the OXXO across the street. On the way north I stopped for desayuno at a small cafe just south of the first toll booth and they had brewed coffee - looked like the old Farmers set-up that was common in the states a few years back.
Is there a change going on in Baja regarding brewed vs. instant?
Is this moving to the road-side truck-stop places like Chapala (still instant as of this Spring)?
Is the practice of re-using grounds still prevalent or was that just bogus fireplace talk?
I am not a coffee snob in the least, but I don't like instant.

bajabound2005 - 9-10-2008 at 08:07 AM

Me thinks Mexico is discovering it's own product! Good Mexican grown coffee!

vandenberg - 9-10-2008 at 08:09 AM

I don't feel alive without my morning coffee.
So, we carry a fancy 2 cup (large) coffee maker, which works wherever there's power.
There's a large variety of these and it pays to buy a good one.

Edit: Forgot to mention that some come with large insulated cups, which keep the brew hot for hours.

[Edited on 9-10-2008 by vandenberg]

DianaT - 9-10-2008 at 08:32 AM

We have also found that fewer places are serving the Nescafe instant. In a way we miss the instant. At least we could make it a lot stronger.

Most of the brewed coffee is so weak---but we find that to be true here in the states. Just the mention of Farmers---:barf::barf:

We would love to find Mexican coffee beans that we really like----so far, no luck.

Diane

CaboRon - 9-10-2008 at 08:34 AM

On my La Paz supply run (every other month) I always go downtown to Cafe Batalia right on the corner of 5 de Mayo and one block from the square. Same street as Baja Biscuits .

The owner imports the green coffee beans from Tabisco (I believe) and roast them right there.

Good dark roast ( you can also get the sugar coated) and the price is around 180 pesos for 2 kilos ... good value.

CaboRon

Diver - 9-10-2008 at 08:37 AM

We've always carried a battery powered grinder and a drip filter.
But yes, there seems to be brewed coffee in many more places now.
You can even get Late' and all that in places like La Ventana, Barriles, etc.
Sorry Diane, no suggestions, we always bring our beans.

Baja's Best Bed & Breakfast

David K - 9-10-2008 at 08:47 AM

Starbucks comes to Baja!

Photo of the side facing Hwy. 1, El Rosario

406 017r.JPG - 40kB

DianaT - 9-10-2008 at 08:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Starbucks comes to Baja!



But he mixes it with a cheaper brand. ---still quite weak.

CaboRon - 9-10-2008 at 09:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Starbucks comes to Baja!



But he mixes it with a cheaper brand. ---still quite weak.


In La Paz and CSL they have what I call the mock Starbucks ...

Nicely painted in the same green and white starbucks pattersn...

Coffees, pasteries and internet access ....

Unfortunately, I can't remember the name because I always thought of them as the immitation Starbucks :lol:

CaboRon

bajajudy - 9-10-2008 at 09:34 AM

A friend who has a cafe used to advertise Starbucks coffee, which is what he used, until he got a cease and desist order from an attorney in DF. There is a Starbucks coming to San Lucas so I guess that they are looking around for anyone claiming to be a starbucks and/or using their logo.

not likely, but DK you may want to remove that picture to protect those people.

bajajudy - 9-10-2008 at 09:40 AM

I love the Mexican coffee beans. We use Cafe Marino(29 pesos a small bag, not cheap) and grind it fresh every morning. I actually prefer Batalia but cant find it here anymore. It is a really dark roast.

Diver - 9-10-2008 at 09:41 AM

Some small tiendas like Saul's in Mulege', carry a selection of Costco products like coffee and pistachios but it's usually cheaper in the states.
Unless you live there, than little things like your favorite brand of Coffeemate at Saul's is priceless.

BajaGeoff - 9-10-2008 at 09:44 AM

A few weeks back I got a surprisingly good cup of coffee from the AM/PM in Rosarito. I rarely get coffee from convenience stores here in the states, as there is usually a coffee shop around every corner. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised!

bacquito - 9-10-2008 at 10:38 AM

There is a Starbucks in Ensenada, Mexicalli and Rosarito and I am sure elsewhere. There is a Buzz Cafe in the Walmart mall in Ensenada that serves good coffee and has wireless internet service FREE that says its is
secure. I've used their service and enjoyed the coffee. I have been told that many restaurants in Ensenada offer wireless service-VIP for example.

bajabound2005 - 9-10-2008 at 10:41 AM

When any of you are passing through the Ensenada area, stop into Cafe Bohemia on Mex 1 in Chapultepec. They sell whole beans of Mexican origin.

For the best coffee, on or off the road, we bring our own beans and use a French press. All we need is boiling water. A French press even improves bad coffee beans!

toneart - 9-10-2008 at 11:44 AM

I think the Mexican knock offs should just do as in Mulege:
We have the 11/7 store. Maybe there should be PM/AM, Buckstars, etc.

Yes, brewed coffee is becoming the preferred cafe'. They may produce good coffee, but maybe it is for export. It's not that great within the country. But then, I am a "coffee snob". I bring my own. :smug:

ArvadaGeorge - 9-10-2008 at 02:38 PM

This may come as a surprise to many but one of the best places to buy coffee in the US is McDonald’s and it’s cheep. They pour a good cup of joe.

David K - 9-10-2008 at 03:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajajudy
A friend who has a cafe used to advertise Starbucks coffee, which is what he used, until he got a cease and desist order from an attorney in DF. There is a Starbucks coming to San Lucas so I guess that they are looking around for anyone claiming to be a starbucks and/or using their logo.

not likely, but DK you may want to remove that picture to protect those people.


Judy, that is facing Hwy. 1, but the photo was taken 2 years ago... We arrived at night the other day when we drove into El Rosario, so I didn't notice if the logo was still there. It may be removed?

In any case, Ed Lusk (the owner) is an adult and responsible for how he promotes his business and my photo or others photos on Nomad I have seen of Ed's place aren't a cause for protection. How do any of us know that Ed doesn't have permission from Starbucks to promote their coffee... since he sells it there?

Skeet/Loreto - 9-10-2008 at 03:52 PM

Don't Throw away your Instant Coffee! Remember it is the best to use when you get hit by a Scorpion. Get it a little Damp and spread it on the Sting>

Yes I too noticed in Loreto and Mulege that brewed Coffee is being used.
Mac's is the only place I will stop and have their good Coffee.

I always carry my Percolater{Farberware, I think is the only Company making one}.
Have to have those two Cups of Good Coffee every morning.!

danaeb - 9-10-2008 at 03:57 PM

Another good coffee bean place in La Paz is "La Choya" on Colima between Durango and Chiapas. Great dark-roasted beans and VERY fresh. (Thanks Les!)

Simple Solution- good coffee

thebajarunner - 9-10-2008 at 08:23 PM

I bought one of those little plastic funnel deals that fit the #2 coffee filter.
Before our two week road trip I grind a couple pounds of really good beans at home, put them in a Zip-lock.
(with a plastic measuring scoop on the top)

When I need a good cup of coffee, even on the road, I take my insulated wide-mouth travel mug, set the funnel with filter on the top, measure in coffee to taste and then just pour in hot (hopefully boiling) water.

All the little roadside places have hot water on the stove, and I carry a 12 v. hot pot in the pickup cab in case.

When it has dripped through, just pick out the filter with the used grounds and toss it,

Voila, cleaned up (estilo Baja) and ready for the next time.