Saturday, September 27, 2008

5 Tips on Choosing the Right Commercial Coffee Maker


The choice available today on commercial coffee makers is endless - Coffee urns, plumbed coffee makers, thermo serves, airpots to name a few.

Hence making a checklist of the features you require from your coffee maker becomes a important to do before you go shopping for it.

Is finding a cheap coffee maker your top priority or are you willing to spend premium dollars in exchange for a quality machine? Would you like to have as many variations of coffee flavors as possible or do you just personally prefer a plain brew?

Here is a list of the top 5 tips that you can use:

* Check out which brand of coffee maker manufacturer offers the best line of commercial coffee makers.

Remember that not all long-existing coffee maker brands have a great line of coffee makers for commercial use. To determine which brands are the best, read the online reviews of different brands.

You can gain valuable feedback from the experts who know exactly what to look for You can also read through the actual experience of online users who have bought and actually used a particular model.

* Decide which features are most important for you.

Some coffee makers are all-in-one machines which have grinders, water filters and brewers. There are also commercial coffee makers which are a virtual beverage maker - which can brew anything from a simple cup of black coffee to high-grade tea, to a rich cup of hot chocolate.

Before flipping out that credit card, make sure that you have an idea about the features which are most important to you so that you can get the best value for your money.

* How technologically advanced do you want your commercial coffee maker to be?

There are commercial coffee makers which have digital controls, LCD display screens, auto-off and Pause 'N Serve features. If you want a great coffee maker with nifty features, you may have to pay a premium price for it.

* Determine how many cups of coffee you need the coffee maker to brew at any given time.

This is especially important if you will be using the coffee maker in an office or restaurant.

* Make sure that the commercial coffee maker that you will purchase is easy to clean.

This is one area that most homeowners take for granted. No matter how feature-packed the commercial coffeemaker is, it will be a trouble to maintain if it is difficult to clean. You will actually dread using the commercial coffeemaker that you bought if there are an endless number of steps involved in cleaning the machine.

By Yogi Shinde

Nine Steps to a Clean Coffee Maker


Let's face it, we live in a dirty world. Dirt, dust, molds, bacteria...You name it, and it's out there. What's worse is that it's lurking in one of the most treasured, hallowed places on earth: Your Coffee Maker!

Test your coffee maker. Pour a clean pot of water into the reservoir and 'brew' it.

Now, taste the water. Does it taste like water? Or does it have a strange 'dirty' flavor to it?

Ok, so you know that your coffee maker is dirty. How do you clean it?

Here are nine quick, easy and inexpensive steps to clean your coffee maker with what you already have (most likely) on-hand.

What you'll need:

Vinegar (regular distilled/white vinegar is best, but I've even used cider vinegar)
Dish Soap
Water
Nine steps to a clean coffee maker:
Fill your coffee pot with 1 part vinegar and 3 parts cold water
Pour the mixture into your coffee maker's reservoir and 'brew' the mixture
When the brewing is finished, let your coffee maker cool for 10 minutes
For coffee makers that are exceptionally dirty (you know who you are), repeat steps 2 and 3
Discard the vinegar mixture
Now, 'brew' two full pots of clean water letting the coffee maker cool for 10 minutes between each brewing
Wash the coffee pot with dish soap
Wash the filter basket (the basket comes out of some coffee makers making it easier to clean)
Finally, clean the outside of the coffee maker.
There you have it: Nine Steps to a Clean Coffee Maker...and better tasting coffee.
Now, celebrate! Brew a pot of coffee.

By Jeffrey Dyer

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Jamaican Coffee


Jamaican coffee is one of the most expensive, classy and sought-after coffees in the entire world. It comes from the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. Jamaica blue mountain coffee is sheltered internationally as an officially recognized trademark implying that only coffee qualified by the 'Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica' can be branded as such. It comes from an established cultivating region in the Blue Mountain region of Jamaica, and its nurturing is supervised by the 'Coffee Industry Board.'

To be called Jamaican coffee, the beans are required to grow above 2000 feet and normally, the Jamaican coffee plantations grow above 5000 feet all over the region. The higher the elevation of the plantation, the higher is the value, quality and demand of the coffee. The most preferred Jamaica coffee is roasted on an open fire in a pan.

Coffee connoisseurs describe Jamaican coffee as rich and savory, with low acidity, a tinge of sweetness and a bold aroma. A pound of this coffee in a coffee shop usually costs around $45. In Jamaica, it costs from $15 - $25 per pound. Other types of Jamaican coffee include High Mountain Supreme, Jamaica Prime and Jamaica Select. These are also as famous as the Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. Jamaican coffee is in a class all by itself in the world of coffee. While Italian coffee makes up most of the widely used types of coffee, Jamaican coffee is the most widely desired. Sadly, most coffee lovers can't afford it.

The Jamaican Coffee has also done wonders to the Jamaican government by increasing exports in huge bounds. Many countries have attempted cultivating similar coffee plantations, but there is no comparison to the original Blue Mountain coffee from Jamaica.

By Alison Cole

Sunday, September 21, 2008

All About Black and Decker Coffee Maker


Drinking coffee has been part of people’s morning treat. Some may even want to witness its aroma in the afternoon or evening.

But whenever you want to have it, enough time should be set aside just to prepare a good cup of brewed coffee. 
But what if a coffee lover does not have ample time to spare just to do the ritual of brewing a coffee?

Well, a new home appliance has now been created which is called coffee maker. This appliance will make a hot brewed coffee automatically for you.

If you are thinking of buying one, you may want to consider a Black and Decker coffee maker.

Black and Decker has already established its name in the market since 1910. They make high-quality products and exert effort to further enhance them.

Thus, their home gadgets receive good reviews from consumers, which built up their credibility and reputation as home appliance manufacturers.

Then, later on (in the 80’s) they introduced the Black and Decker coffee maker.

Black and Decker coffee maker is a quality-guaranteed home appliance. It is a heavy-duty gadget made to meet your coffee maker standards (or at times, may even exceed your expection).

Any apprehension you have about using coffee maker to brew your coffee such as overheat, breakout or burnout can be alleviated if you opt to use this brand.

One of the great features of Black and Decker coffee maker is its small size making it a portable gadget. This is true for single-cup Black and Decker coffee maker.

A portable coffee maker allows you to easily carry it on your way to your workplace. People that are always on the go such as commuters, professionals or newlyweds, can take advantage of this feature.

With Black and Decker coffee maker, there is also no need for you to buy paper filters because it has permanent and reusable mesh filters.

It also has a sensor (power light) that will tell you when the brewing is done and coffee is ready.

Moreover, brewing coffee with lid on it is possible in this appliance. Additionally, this coffee maker can be used to heat water for tea or chocolate.

Black and Decker coffee maker comes in different sizes such as single-cup, four-cup, four-cup, ten-cup and twelve-cup sizes. There are also different types such as Digital, Programmable, VersaBrew, EuroBrew, Thermal and SmartBrew.

If you drink your coffee at the same time everday, then the Digital or Programmable Black and Decker coffee maker is best for you.

If you are too eager to have a cup of coffee even before the brewing is finished, then consider getting the VersaBrew. And SmartBrew is ideal to those who hate a messy kitchen, because you can pour the coffee without any leak.

So to the coffee lovers, who have hectic schedules, give Black and Decker coffee makers a try. It offers different options to enjoy a cup of coffee anytime of the day and the way you would like it to be!

By Dave Poon

Coffee, the World's Most Popular Drink


A lot of people enjoy drinking coffee in the morning. I know that I can wake up without having first cup of coffee. Sometimes I get up at 6 a.m. and by seven I already have 2 cups of coffee finished. Coffee is a drink that is roasted from seeds that come from the coffee plant. Generally speaking it served hot but sometimes it served over ice. I like my coffee black and hot, my wife enjoys having an iced coffee with a little cream in the middle of the afternoon. Something that's really interesting is the fact that coffee is the second most commonly traded item in the world, only petroleum leads it.

I first got started drinking coffee whenever I was a land surveyor. One of the other workers and I used to drive up and down the road and he always had a thermos of hot coffee. The funny thing was is that it was the worst coffee that could ever have been made but I got used to it and now I really have an appreciation for a good cup of coffee, but I also can enjoy a lousy cup of coffee too. The coffee maker that we have right now is one of the single coffee cup pod machines. It's really great, and very convenient considering that we have three different coffee drinkers at our house. I'd like to have my cup of coffee first thing in the morning, my wife enjoys having hers chilled in the afternoon, and my father in law enjoys his throughout the day.

Originating in Ethiopia around the ninth century seeking coffee was exported to both Egypt and Europe. Coffee is a strong stimulant, and that is probably why most people enjoy drinking coffee in the mornings in order to wake up. So no matter whether you drink it black, with sugar, or with cream, enjoy your coffee, the world's most popular drink.

By Steve Miers

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Espresso Or Cappucino - How To Add Some "Oomph" Into Your Cuppa!


"Oomph is the intricate inner feeling of that touch of power, unexplained yet real, that comes with the drinking of coffee"

I had been a long term tea drinker, preferring tea to any other beverage for years, until one day, I had a new assistant. I was working as a dealer representative for stocks and shares at that time, and that means in a really stressful environment, being in the trading room all the time. So taking some time off to catch a cuppa and to be back to trading and watching the trading screens for the best prices was the perfect break anyone could hope for.

My new assistant was a young lady in her mid twenties, and it was interesting to see her prepare her drink.

No, she wasn't a tea drinker like me. Instead, she was a coffee fan, perhaps even an addict to coffee, you may say. On her first day at work, she took out of her handbag three packs of instant coffee 3 in 1 - namely instant coffee, sugar and non-dairy creamer, and then proceeded to empty the three packs into one cup,adding hot water, making a strong coffee. She wasn't through yet, because she also opened another pack of chocolate powder and sprinkled the chocolate powder on to her hot coffee, creating a tremendous aromatic smell that pervaded the trading room.

That was some "oomph" in her coffee.

After a period of three months, I found I was suddenly drinking coffee myself and wasn't a pure tea drinker anymore. It was a subtle conversion process, and soon I found I really need that coffee in the afternoon trading session.

Now, looking back, I have learnt a lot of techniques to add more "oomph" to my cup of coffee.

One way is to enhance the taste with some special add-on ingredients.

My most popular add-on ingredient is powdered ginseng. Ginseng is the traditional chinese herb which is a root, and american ginseng is preferred to korean or chinese ginseng. This herb makes one alert when taken, and is normally taken to strengthen one's immune system or body. You can get the ginseng powder from the Natural Herb Store or in the form of capsules that you can empty into a cuppa when you need the "oomph".

Be reminded that the ginseng root powder carries a somewhat bitter taste. So don't equate quantity with more "oomph". You just add sufficient to give you the enhanced aroma and the "oomph" you need.

Another way is to add the "tongkat ali" root powder, which may be slightly harder to obtain. This root is from an original plant in Malaysia and is a well researched herbal root with aphrodiasic features. The aborigines of the tropical jungles of Malaysia use this to enhance their "maniless" and this they prove by having big families. Commercially, you can get a bottle of this Tongkat Ali powder under the brand name "Power Root" throughout the world. Just add a small pinch and you will find the difference in your taste and feel the subsequent well-being.

Now you can have that extra edge and "oomph" when you next take your coffee, irregardless whether it is an espresso or a latte.

By Peter Lim

Gourmet Coffee Beans: The Choice Is Clear


Gourmet coffee beans are that delicious step most vital to creating that morning cup of java. Whether your choice a regular or decaf, coffee beans are those little beans that when ground, boiled, and seasoned to perfection, make our early morning experience more lively and exciting. Of course, not one coffee bean will ever suit everyone, but thanks to coffee bean manufacturers, there is a coffee bean suited to every taste. Around the world, the choices associated with a good coffee bean is determined by the selections of the population served. However, there are a few selections that are universal.

All gourmet coffee beans are created from selected Arabic coffee beans. Only Arabic coffee beans have the quality necessary for gourmet coffee beans. Arabic coffee beans are grown in selected high, dry, and hot zones around the world. Only these such conditions allow for the perfect Arabic coffee bean that is perfect for gourmet coffee. The opposite is true of the Robust bean. The Robust coffee bean is not the same high quality as the Arabic and therefore is not appropriate for gourmet coffee beans.

All gourmet coffee beans are handpicked. Gourmet coffee beans are always handpicked at the peak of ripeness to insure that they arrive fresh to the coffee drinker. Machinery damages the delicate coffee bean. Therefore, the only option is to handpick each bean. Although handpicking takes significantly more time and effort, the coffee bean manufacturers believe that the consumer deserves only the best.

The coffee retail shops worldwide specialize in providing the coffee drinker only the best for the valued customers. Coffee retail shops offer specialized coffee to their many customers: each with their own individual tastes and favorites. Along with the specialized coffee is the flavored gourmet coffee. With flavors such as Vanilla Mocha and Minty Caramel Chocolate, gourmet coffee shops enjoy tantalizing their coffee drinkers. Many coffee shops will create unique names for their gourmet coffee beans. Then, once named, will package the coffee beans in an appropriately labeled package.

Gourmet coffee is big business. Worldwide, millions of coffee drinkers either buy their own coffee for personal use, or they choose to go to a favorite coffee shop to purchase their daily cup of java. Either choice brings billions of dollars annually to coffee manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and shops. Keeping up with popular flavorings and coffee types allows the coffee industry to stay on top of the customers needs; in essence, keeping up with popular trends in coffee, allows the coffee industry to make additional millions each year in coffee and coffee products.

The important factor in any good coffee is how much you enjoy your coffee when you consume the product. If you are happy with what the coffee industry provides you with, you will keep buying their products. Whether you like flavored or natural, whole beans or ground, Dark or light, smooth or robust, the coffee industry will surely provide you with a coffee bean that will tantalize your sense and keep you coming back for more.

By Tana Ticer

Monday, September 1, 2008

Blue Mountain Coffee Beans


Blue Mountain coffee beans are widely thought to be the pinnacle of coffee. With unmatched taste, richness, and completeness, most who try the blue mountain coffee agree it is one of the best blends in the world. As such, Blue Mountain coffee makes a fantastic gift to any coffee lover, and it is ideal for special occasions.

Unfortunately, Blue Mountain coffee is not the easiest to get. Because of the limited area that the beans grow (the Blue Mountains in Jamaica) the quantities produced are limited. The coffee has also undergone some controversy through its life, starting with the Japanese investing heavily in the industry, causing what many believed to be an overproduction of the coffee, and a subsequent drop in it's quality. The bean was traditionally wet-processed, which took more time than the short-cut versions implemented at a growing number of mills. Blue Mountain coffee became more readily accessible, but the quality dropped.

The Blue Mountain coffee bean has since been making a come back to its previous excellence (and in truth, it was never really a bad roast) through the efforts of the Jamaican Coffee Board. They began allowing individual coffee farmers to produce their own coffee (rather than sending it through a central processing farm) which has resulted in some distinct Blue Mountain area blends. While all the beans are Blue Mountain, there can be subtle differences depending on which estate you buy from.

Which unfortunately brings up another tricky item when buying Blue Mountain beans - many places will do something like put a small percentage of Blue Mountain beans in with another bean, and call it Blue Mountain. They can then sell this much cheaper than real Blue Mountain costs, which fools people into buying inferior coffee. The best way to protect yourself? Make sure that the coffee you buy has the Jamaican Coffee Board seal on it. You can also tell by the price - if it seems like its cheap, it probably isn't pure Blue Mountain. Just remember that you get what you pay for.

By Adrian Titus