Greetings from Germany

[LiteraryMatcha]

Hi everyone. I'm a long time Darebee lurker. I've used it for years but my goofy ass hadn't realised this community existed until now .Ah well. Better late than never.

Anyway, ahem, hi. I'm in my early 30s, living in Germany (I'm European) and have a very random mix of hobbies. I tend to enjoy playing videogames and chess, as well as reading, cats, spiders, snakes, meditating, exercising at home (isometrics, low impact but mentally challenging routines and novice calisthenics are my jam, especially whilst listening to music).

I also like handwritten journaling, and you'll always find me studying something out of sheer pleasure.
I speak Spanish, English and German (all of them poorly ), so feel free to approach me in any of those languages if you want.
Lately I've considered buying some inline skates, so if any of you are experienced skaters, feel free to info dump me. I used to ice skate as a teen for a few years but I wasn't a pro. I wonder how transferrable the skills are. I love reading people yap about their passions, and the best way to learn is by listening to the advice of veterans, so feel free to drop advice, suggestions, or anything you can think of.

Other random useless facts about me: I adore coffee and tea of all types, long showers, and peaceful, relaxing environments. Lately I've been quite keen on arabic perfumes. The best pleasures are the little things that happen every day.

Anyway, nice to meet you! Please tell me your random facts. I'd love to read about you all.

 

[Dyneti]

Hello and welcome!

 

[Mishmisha]

Nice to meet you too! I, too, have been a lurker for while before realizing community's existence, so let me shake your hand in solidarity.

Recently I've been getting into coffee - I used to make it however was most convenient, but apparently there is a right approach to it (the beans should be recently roasted and freshly ground etc etc etc) which I'm still learning. I've made coffee in a french press for the first time just two days ago, in fact! It's surprisingly easy. I'm not yet at the point where I can taste the subtle flavors in different kinds of coffee beans, but I can definitely smell them. Turns out coffee can indeed smell like apples and berries and cherries all at once, just by itself. That was certainly a surprise... I used to think that coffee only has one smell of "coffee" and two tastes of "bitter coffee" and "sour coffee", but apparently not.

I ended up buying three separate grinders during my coffee journey because of my lack of preparation, though. First it turned out that blade grinder kind of sucks (which I knew but didn't take as seriously as I should've), then the manual grinder was too small and took too much work to clean (which I also knew but I guess I just don't learn?), and finally I landed on electric burr grinder that has different grind settings and isn't horribly difficult to clean up. Unfortunately it doesn't hold the charge as long as advertised, so it's still not perfect. Maybe I'll invest in a higher quality grinder in a few years or so. For now, what I have is fine.

Anyway, that's my random facts. How about you?

 

[Antheia & Colossus]

Hello, @LiteraryMatcha and Welcome!

 

[LiteraryMatcha]

Nice to meet you too! I, too, have been a lurker for while before realizing community's existence, so let me shake your hand in solidarity.

Recently I've been getting into coffee - I used to make it however was most convenient, but apparently there is a right approach to it (the beans should be recently roasted and freshly ground etc etc etc) which I'm still learning. I've made coffee in a french press for the first time just two days ago, in fact! It's surprisingly easy. I'm not yet at the point where I can taste the subtle flavors in different kinds of coffee beans, but I can definitely smell them. Turns out coffee can indeed smell like apples and berries and cherries all at once, just by itself. That was certainly a surprise... I used to think that coffee only has one smell of "coffee" and two tastes of "bitter coffee" and "sour coffee", but apparently not.

I ended up buying three separate grinders during my coffee journey because of my lack of preparation, though. First it turned out that blade grinder kind of sucks (which I knew but didn't take as seriously as I should've), then the manual grinder was too small and took too much work to clean (which I also knew but I guess I just don't learn?), and finally I landed on electric burr grinder that has different grind settings and isn't horribly difficult to clean up. Unfortunately it doesn't hold the charge as long as advertised, so it's still not perfect. Maybe I'll invest in a higher quality grinder in a few years or so. For now, what I have is fine.

Anyway, that's my random facts. How about you?

Thanks buddy. Wow, you seem to be already more experienced about coffee than me for sure. I just know a bit about the roasting grades, the types of beans, some different types and especially In an expert at drinking it .

What types of coffee beans are your favourite?
Is the french press this metal/glass container with a filter press that is often seen used to brew loose leaves tea?
I only attempted making coffee there once, years ago (more like a decade ago ) and it was totally horrible. I did something wrong, because the coffee was delicious when brewed in the machine. So huge respect!

Will you try more methods of brewing coffee or are you content with the french press?

Also. Sorry for being nosy. I clicked on your profile to see your Jojo pfp better (it's so cool) and I realised we share the same birthday and pronouns (and potentially native language).
By the way, if you like perfumes, I think you'd really like a collection I'm currently obsessed with, because it's super affordable and it smells like literal brewed coffee (not sponsored, I just love coffee xD).


And to everyone else @Antheia & Colossus
@Dyneti @neilarey thank you for your warm welcome.

 

[Mishmisha]

Thanks buddy. Wow, you seem to be already more experienced about coffee than me for sure. I just know a bit about the roasting grades, the types of beans, some different types and especially In an expert at drinking it .

What types of coffee beans are your favourite?
Is the french press this metal/glass container with a filter press that is often seen used to brew loose leaves tea?
I only attempted making coffee there once, years ago (more like a decade ago ) and it was totally horrible. I did something wrong, because the coffee was delicious when brewed in the machine. So huge respect!

Will you try more methods of brewing coffee or are you content with the french press?

Also. Sorry for being nosy. I clicked on your profile to see your Jojo pfp better (it's so cool) and I realised we share the same birthday and pronouns (and potentially native language).
By the way, if you like perfumes, I think you'd really like a collection I'm currently obsessed with, because it's super affordable and it smells like literal brewed coffee (not sponsored, I just love coffee xD).


And to everyone else @Antheia & Colossus
@Dyneti @neilarey thank you for your warm welcome.

I don't have a favorite type of beans yet, I'm still experimenting. And yes, that's exactly what a french press is! It's the kind of thing where coffee gets brewed in just a few minutes, and if it stays there for even a minute too long, it gets too bitter. So the most important thing is to pour it quickly once brewed - which takes, like, 5 minutes at most.

Oh, I'm definitely trying other methods. I have a couple of filters that go directly over a mug for a single portion of coffee, cezve, drip coffee maker... Coffee can also be brewed directly in the cup! And there's also my parents' moka pot that I could borrow. I definitely want to try as many ways of making coffee as I can. Unfortunately espresso machines are expensive... Even the cheapest options. So I'm looking into alternatives.

Hell yeah. Solidarity.

Jojo is a big workout motivation for me, so using this art for pfp just felt right

I like perfumes in theory, but I don't wear them much... IMHO the appeal of a nice smell gets lost when you get so used to it that you can't feel it anymore. I might check it out anyway, though, what's the collection?

 

[LiteraryMatcha]

I definitely want to try as many ways of making coffee as I can. Unfortunately espresso machines are expensive... Even the cheapest options. So I'm looking into alternatives.

That's a very wise decision, both financially and even mentally. I am sure you are enjoying trying out different options, coffees and flavours.
At the moment is there a preferred method of brewing that you can recommend?

Jojo is a big workout motivation for me, so using this art for pfp just felt right

This is the way. The small things that bring one joy.

I like perfumes in theory, but I don't wear them much... IMHO the appeal of a nice smell gets lost when you get so used to it that you can't feel it anymore. I might check it out anyway, though, what's the collection?

Absolutely valid. Again, not sponsored (my job is very different from sales, online presence or anything of the sort). Fragrance world, coffee edition. It's a set of 5 or 7 perfumes (I don't remember correctly). Each one is a different type of coffee. Some are more "perfume with a bit of coffee bean scent", others are literally like holding a cup of real coffee.

Hey Dan, welcome! Great mix of hobbies - the isometrics + chess combo is awesome.

Hi @olenna ! thanks for the warm welcome, although I am afraid I have to disappoint you, as I am not named Dan.
And thank you! Actually you just gave me an idea. Perhaps I could try doing chess puzzles whilst holding a plank.
Do you enjoy any of those hobbies? what are you into?
From what I've seen, the community is very diverse. It's awesome.

 

[Princess Fancy]

 

[Damer]

@LiteraryMatcha really good to see you here. We have a Knowledge Base that's risen from nay Q & A sessions and when you have time, diving into it now and again may help you in your fitness journey.

 

[LiteraryMatcha]

@LiteraryMatcha really good to see you here. We have a Knowledge Base that's risen from nay Q & A sessions and when you have time, diving into it now and again may help you in your fitness journey.

Thanks for the warm welcome.
And thanks for the knowledge base posts. I have read a few and I can't wait to read more.
So much good stuff there and so much to learn.
So far, I've read the article about stigmergy, which was fascinating and also subjectively noticeable. It reminded me of a metal song and its lyrics (Amorphis- The Bee).

Have a good one.