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1) It may seem a dumb question but I don’t know how else to find the answer – are stovetop coffee percolators available? They are no longer easy to find here in the US (EVERYTHING) is electric.
2) We want to get a cheap foam mattress to throw on the floor for this trip – where do we find one? Name of store and location would be appreciated – could be San Jose, San Ramon, Ciudad Quesadas – somewhere along that road up to Lake Arenal.
Thank you.
1) You will be able to find stovetop coffee percolators here in Costa Rica at Cemaco, Aliss, Yamuni or Ekono. Why don’t you get a traditional Costa Rica coffee percolator. It’s a cloth in the shape of a sock and tied to a wooden structure in which you put the coffee, pour hot water on it and put your coffee cup underneath. Most coffee in Costa Rica is still served this way and it’s very neat.
2) I think you might find that at Colchones Jiron, Ekono, EPA or a Costa Rica hardware store like El Lagar. Why don’t you buy an inflatable mattress?
The traditional way to brew coffee in Costa Rica was with the “Choreador.” I love mine and it’s great for just one cup. It does look like a sock hanging on a wooden frame. It makes an excellent cup of coffee though.
The percolator is not the best way to brew, because the coffee water just keeps getting recycled over the grounds. Also water at the boiling point is not all that great for true flavor. “Mr coffee” will work just fine or any other drip coffeemaker.
I may sound like a coffee snob, but I do enjoy a good cup.I realize you are right, can’t do the Mr. Coffee thing because we will have no electricity and frankly while I agree the Costa Rican Choreador makes wonderful coffee, I don’t always have the patience to wait for it to drip through (especially first thing in the morning!)
Thanks for the imput.
I know what you mean. One cup at a time is slow, but the Pura Vida pace makes it somewhat easier to deal with. One last suggestion is the French press. Makes up to 8 cups of fabulous coffee and is about as convenient as the percolator.
No electricity, not even a generator? Sounds like you’ll be roughing it, but I guess it could be fun,if not challenging.Buena suerte.
The French press is a great idea – no electricity for this trip (only 10 days) when we move down in September will get a generator if ICE can’t provide us with power. Candle light & lamps, battery powered music & Costa Rican nights – who needs electricity!
Just made 16 cups of Costa Rican coffee with my french press for the fridge. Alfred you’re right…nothing snobby about wanting a good cup of coffee! Also you have those “manual” drip coffee makers. Coffee and filter on to of a glass vessel and pour the water in and let it drip.But the french press is my favorite. Also the old fashioned espresso makers for the stove top are great, then pour a little hot milk in…
I have a 12 cup Bodum stainless thermal French press and love it. It keeps the coffee much hotter than a traditional glass French press – best thing I have purchased recently!
Two quick questions, Megan. Does it really make 12 cups? My Bodum 8 cup glass, only makes about 4. And where can I get one of the 12 cup stainless models in the states?
You may have a store near you, Target also carries them.
http://www.bodum.com/Thanks, Lotus. Nice site, although the company locator did not work. I’ll try again later. I purchased my 8 cup at Linen and Things, but they only carried one model.
Good morning, Alfred –
Not quite a true 12 cup – about 7 – 8 normal sized coffee mugs, but enough to get the two of us jump-started in the AM : ) I bought mine on ebay, but Amazon has them, too –
did a lot of research prior to buying – compared the Bodum to the Nissan, etc…went with this one because of the size and it got decent reviews on Amazon. One thing to note, if you are not going to drink it all right away (within an hour or so) and need it to stay hotter a little longer, suggest pre-heating the carafe by filling it with hot water first before you make the coffee. It will then stay drinkably hot for at least half the day. Have also used it to make tea and mate. Hope that helps!
Megan, Thanks a lot. I think this is the one I’ll be getting. From the description it looks exactly like what I want. I appreciate you having done my research for me. Thanks to you too Lotus. I’m a bit north of NYC, and usually only go there a few times a year.
We definitely have to be coffee freaks to be going on like this about getting a good “Cup of Joe.” lol
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