Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Seeking a Better Cup of Coffee and Fun with AI
I’ve been drinking the dark brew since high school.
Mom would make coffee in the morning before she went to work, and there was always some left in the pot when I got home after school. I heated it up, added cream and sugar and drank it while reading the sports section to see how my team ranked (usually very well.)
It was an electric percolator, white ceramic with blue flowers and I looked high and low to find a picture to show you but to no avail.
So I thought I’d try the new AI image generator to create a picture for what I remembered – ‘old-fashioned-coffee-percolator-corelle-style-white-with-blue-flowers” and got this in return.
Pretty pot yes, but isn’t something missing?
I tried again.
“1970’s electric coffee percolator white ceramic with blue flowers”
At least a spout was added, but the top’s not right and it’s certainly not electric.
Maybe my instructions were too complicated, so I tried to get a photo of the more commonly used pot.
“‘Electric coffee percolator, silver with clear bulb on top”
Ha! That would be an electrifying start to the day for sure.
Okay, forget the picture. I’m sure you remember coffee percolators, which were used for decades before drip coffee machines came into vogue, starting with Mr. Coffee, then followed by one cup coffee makers requiring the use of a pod.
We’ve used that last method for many years, contributing to waste in the landfills, while not obtaining the best cup of coffee either.
I looked for a better way and found coffee machines reaching into the thousands of dollars.
Then I went to my garage and found this old-fashioned stove top percolator, which made great coffee on many camping trips.
We tried it. We liked it.
I looked for an electric version in the stores but couldn’t find one. But you can find anything online and I did. It was delivered last night. Isn’t it cute?
This morning was the first cup in the new pot.
Success!
No pods necessary. We’re experimenting with all kinds of new coffee, grinding the beans ourselves.
Tell me, coffee drinkers: what is your favorite way to brew a cuppa?
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
Your new pot is so cute! I remember my mom using a coffee pot that made a boiling sound and every few seconds, it made a miniature popping sound inside like a tiny explosion was happening inside the metal pot.
I tried the single serving things, they were okay but not as good as the way you make your coffee, Susanne. I’ll drink it black or with some Stevia in it since I’m diabetic. Sadly, I really shouldn’t drink coffee because it ramps my blood pressure up. Bummer. Happy Tuesday!
Thanks for sharing your coffee experiences, John! 🙂 I prefer black coffee most of the time, but will sometimes add a good creamer. And I love a good latte! Have you found any good decaf? I’ll sometimes make it half and half to limit the amount of caffeine.
Thanks, and I have never tried Decaf because that would be like drinking a beer with no booze in it… 🤭 I enjoy the coffee buzz.
🙂 🙂
One can find practically ANYTHING online, this proves it. 😉 I remember the percolated coffee pots of my youth. Strong coffee! I favor my little espresso maker, but my spouse prefers a cone filter drip style. What do you think of the recent coffee prices? Crazy… who would have thought that coffee would become a ‘luxury’ item?
I was getting bored with my Keurig, as the coffee wasn’t quite hot, or strong, enough. I do like strong coffee, so I think this little percolator will do the job, at least for now! As far as the prices go, I try not to pay too much attention, as this is one luxury item I plan to buy no matter what! 🙂
We have never owned a coffee machine or percolator. I’m not much of a coffee drinker but hubby is. When we do make coffee it is with a French press which we have had for years. No pods, no filters, etc. It is the only way I like coffee when I do have it.
Thanks, Darlene. I’ve also used a French press over the years. Probably the best way to make a single cup. I think the best coffee will always be found in the best coffee houses! 🙂
Love the story, love the AI experiment, and of course, love the mug!
Thanks, John! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I had to laugh when I saw my AI percolator creations! 😉 🙂 And that’s my favorite coffee mug; with a bit of product placement!
Sometimes the pictures that the WP AI makes are just plain funny
That was the first time I ever tried the AI image generator, and the results made me laugh out loud! 🙂 🙂
Thank you for showing us how imperfect that AI is
It’s the first time I ever tried it and I had to laugh at the results. I guess ‘percolator’ is not in its knowledge base!
That is nice. I like the vintage look. My grandmother used to have one similar for the stove. We use a Mr. Coffee and I always have a spare for when it stops working- I must have my coffee. 🙂 XO
It was fun to use AI to try to recreate the old percolator I remember from back in the day. The results made me laugh! We also had a Mr. Coffee, which worked fine. I’m setting aside the Keurig for now, but I too am happy for backups! Gotta start the day with a cuppa coffee!
I have the same stove-top percolator in my camper and it makes the best coffee. Of course, it could just be the fact that I’m camping that makes everything the best.
I wondered if it was the campfire that made the difference, but the percolated coffee tasted much better than my Kuerig. Hotter and stronger, the way I like it.
That first AI image would be perfect for those wanting to cut down their caffeine consumption! I’ve used a French press for years and really like it, but these days I only have coffee in the morning so it’s perfect for that.
Exactly! 😄 I guess AI has no knowledge of what a percolator is! I’ve also used a French press, probably have a couple in the garage.
Bob & I both like 2 cups in the morning, and the new percolator should work well for that.
My grandparents had a percolator, and I used to love the way the coffee smelled while it was “percolating”. My parents had an aluminum coffee pot where you poured hot water into the top part, then the water would drip through the coffee grounds in the middle part and you would pour the coffee from the bottom part. But when my mom would heat up any leftover coffee later in the day, she was always careful not to let it boil. (I guess for my parents that ruined the flavor.) But when she did forget about it and it started to boil, it would smell just like the coffee at my grandparents’ house and I would be there enjoying the smell and all of a sudden realize “The coffee’s boiling!” and someone would have to hurry into the kitchen and turn it off. 😂☕️
Great memories! Boiling makes the coffee nice and thick like tar! 😄 Still better than weak coffee, though!
I loved the coffee ads back in the day where the coffee was percolating, we imitated the jingles.
AI still has a lot to learn! I no longer drink coffee since it began to upset my stomach, but when I did I liked to use a Bialetti stove-top machine. It made very strong coffee, just as I liked it. Best wishes, Pete.
https://heima.uk/products/bialetti-moka-express-stovetop-espresso-maker?srsltid=AfmBOorLC_loaoybqlnuipuXFhIG2FJ6F0huZMKPlBw2HVBw2s7efAeL
Yes, indeed! I laughed at every AI generated attempt. I guess it never heard of a ‘percolator.’ I havent tried the espresso style type of coffee maker, but I may yet. I like strong coffee.
If you decide to try one, get a Bialetti. The king of Italian coffee-makers.
I think I will. Looks perfect for a single cup and the price is right too!
We had an electric percolator when we were first married (a wedding present) but we were never especially happy with the coffee it produced. We switched to a filter which made better coffee but was a bit fiddly. These days we use what I think they call a French press or cafetiere and we’re very happy with it. I drink my coffee strong and usually black, although when we’re in a coffeeshop I’ll sometimes order a double macchiato, and never any sugar!
Everyone had a percolator here when I was growing, until drip coffee makers replaced them later in the seventies. I’m enjoying my new one so far, as the coffee is stronger and hotter than the Keurig makes. I’ve also used French presses but found them a bit messy.
I drink my coffee black for the most part but also love a good latte! If the coffee in a restaurant isn’t that good, I’ll add cream and sugar to make it drinkable! 😀
We both do pour-overs. It does take a minimum amount of effort, but delivers an excellent cup of coffee.
That seems to be a favorite method of many!
Maybe that first one is actually a mug? Some days require a really massive one.
Maybe? 😄 It seems that AI has no idea what a percolator is, or was! Used almost inclusively to make coffee for decades, but now replaced by many other coffee makers.
I’m more of a tea drinker, but at home we have a capsule machine with a few flavors. Since I’m not really a coffee person, I always go for an espresso — short but sweet. 😊☕
Sounds good to me! 😊