Automatic Coffee Maker

You Can Roast Coffee at Home!

2010-01-19T13:45:00.000-08:00

If you are interested in a more hands-on coffee drinking experience, then why not try roasting coffee beans at home? This is not as complicated a process as you may think, and you can also buy small home roasters that are affordable and easy to use. Otherwise, you have the opportunity to learn how to home roast coffee in a number of different methods, including with a hot air popcorn popper, on the stovetop, or even in the oven.

Again, many of these methods are quite simple to try, especially using a hot air popcorn popper. This will provide an even roast to the beans, and there are also small coffee roasters for sale that work in the same manner. Using a hot air popcorn popper will take less than 10 minutes, and it provides an even roast to the beans without burning them.

One of the main benefits to home roasting coffee is the sweet fragrance that it will provide to your home. If you are roasting a lighter roast for your coffee beans, then you will be pleased with the subtle aromas that are characteristic to the region that the beans were grown in. If you are roasting a darker roast, then it will have a smokier charcoal smell to the beans. It is always best to roast in a well ventilated area or on a porch to prevent excessive smoke within your home.

Keep in mind that roasting coffee beans will produce chaff, which is the skin that is removed from the beans during the roasting process. It is important to collect this chaff to prevent a mess, but if some gets ground up with your coffee beans, that is not a big issue. To begin roasting at home, make sure that you are completely organized in the process. You need items to cool the coffee beans after they have been roasted, such as a colander, so make sure that you have all of your supplies on hand before you get started.

There are many different methods that you can use to roast, and it can be simple or quite complicated, depending upon your goal. It is relatively easy to roast on the stovetop, or you can also purchase a professional roaster to cultivate different flavors and tastes in the beans. Make sure to always clean hot air popcorn poppers and roasters well to remove the essential oils of the coffee beans that can easily build up. One thing to keep in mind if you decide to use a hot air popcorn popper to roast is that it completely voids the warranty when you use it for that purpose!

When you begin roasting, you can expect the beans to turn from green to yellow and have an astringent aroma. The beans will soon start to steam, and you will hear them crack, which signifies a lighter roast. When the beans get to the second crack, that will offer a darker roast and have a deeper and smokier flavor.

By Mark Ramos

Coffee - Why People Love Espresso Coffee So Much

2010-01-19T13:43:00.001-08:00

If you are a coffee drinker then chances are that you have some sort of an opinion about espresso. Many caffeine drinkers love espresso, but then there are some other folks who can not stand the taste of it. All in all, though, there are probably more espresso drinkers in the world today than there are regular coffee drinkers. In fact, however, espresso is actually the main coffee drink in many parts throughout Europe today! There are plenty of reasons why there are so many espresso drinkers throughout the world. Here are just some of the many favorite reasons that a lot of people cite when discussing why they love espresso.

One reason is because it is very tasteful. Many people simply love espresso because it has been known to have more of a flavor than regular coffee or cappuccino. There are many reasons for this, too, but one of the main reasons that espresso is more tasteful than regular coffee is because it is thicker and it usually contains a lot more flavor as well as well as a high content of other ingredients like caffeine! In addition, many people like to sip the foam, or cream, that sits right on top of the coffee drink, oftentimes sprinkled with a little bit of cinnamon or other sweet herb on top of the espresso drink!

There are many variations to espresso coffee. Perhaps another reason why many people love espresso throughout the world is that it has so many variations, thus is more appealing to a wide variety of people. For example, did you know that some of the variations of espresso include Alexandrino, Affogato, Americano, Cafe Bonbon, and Breve? In fact, there are actually well over 20 different kinds and variations of espresso to choose from depending on what part of the world you live in, but these are some of the more popular ones. Affogato is an espresso drink that is typically served over a type of gelato, like vanilla, and Alexandrino is one of the variations of espresso that includes a layer of condensed milk, and this type of drink is actually served with a fresh cinnamon stick to add more flavor to the drink!

One serving of espresso is called an espresso shot. This shot, though, packs a wallop, especially if you are the one drinking it! The Shot of espresso is actually about a 1-ounce size drink. Many people say once they have had 2 or 3 espresso shots then they are all ready for the day to start! Unlike regular coffee, espresso actually has a lot more caffeine per ounce, which makes the shots a perfect start for your morning or a perfect end to your evening!

These are only just some of the reasons why, of course, people love to drink espresso all over the world. The reasons vary from person to person about why they love espresso, but you can definitely be sure that espresso has been popular and loved for many centuries and will continue its popularity throughout the years.

By Samantha G

Antique Coffee Grinder - Topping the Coffee Making Competition

2010-01-19T13:40:00.001-08:00

The antique coffee grinder is a very important piece of the entire process of making great tasting coffee, in which there are many steps including the sorting, roasting, grinding, and brewing. By using a grinder you are releasing the maximum amount of freshness in order to make the perfect cup of coffee each and every time.

One of the important factors of grinding coffee successfully with an antique coffee grinder is knowing how long you should allow the coffee beans to grind and the method which is used to do so. The amount of time used to grind the beans will determine the blend of coffee that you are going to produce, and it sill also determine the richness of your coffee to some degree.

If you want to be able to brew your coffee in less time, then you'll want to grind your beans for a longer amount of time. This will produce finer coffee grounds which will shorten the brewing process substantially. This is a popular technique that is often used when making espresso. On the flip side, if you want to brew your coffee a little slower, then you would take less time to grind the beans which would result in a much more coarse grind.

The couple tips mentioned above are just the starting point of grinding coffee beans with an antique coffee grinder. There are a number of different strategies that you can make use of when grinding your own coffee beans, so it will be up to you to explore a little and discover what your grinder can do for you. The important thing to remember is that your efforts of grinding coffee beans will pay off in that you will be able to produce fresh, great tasting coffee with the aroma that simply can't be beat with other methods of coffee making.

If you're looking to produce fresh great tasting coffee, but don't want to use store bought grounds which loose flavor the minute you open the package, then you'll want to look into making your own grounds with an antique coffee grinder.

By Matt LeClair

The Espresso Coffee Maker

2009-10-27T14:45:00.000-07:00

There are about five Coffee espresso makers that can brew espresso for you, but out of it only one is the real espresso. Generally that various brewers appeal various individuals, but if you wish for good espresso then go for ECMP 50.

The five various kinds of Mr. Coffee espresso maker are steam driven safely, the ECMP 50. ECMP 50 is the only one that gives pressure more than twelve bars. Due to the cost factor the stem driven espresso machines are the most obvious ones as they are at times available below $100 going to as low as $ 30. For this I have a question that whether espresso machine is cheaper than a drip filter machine?

Steam driven machine does not have any other value leaving the cost factor. First is that it takes much time to brew a beverage and this is because the beverage speed depends on the heat of the boiler, which is quite slow as the feedback given by the table of Mr. Coffee of steam driven machine.

The slow brewing of machine means for small gatherings or for individuals. People will get frustrated waiting for the drink, if used for parties. As for the frothing it requires to share the steam, only limited beverages can be made and you require to again heating the boiler. For example, you make three espressos; you can just make one cappuccino.

The temperature factor is another essential factor about the steam driven machines. Since it is steam driven, the water used for extracting the ground of coffee is mostly nearer to boiling point resulting in burning of coffee and giving a bitter taste.

You can check free course of coffee in case you want to know about coffee temperature. So do not make an assumption that every bitter coffee is an intense coffee as there is a huge dissimilarity between smooth and burnt extraction.

The best thing is that Mr. Coffee espresso maker is available with ECMP 50 that extracts coffee with a pressure of fifteen bar and use thermal block heater strong frother nozzle for fast heating. With the introduction of Mr. Coffee espresso maker ECMP 50, it looks like my inspection is the same as to others as they are saying the wrong similar to their old espresso machines.

As thought by me automatic espresso coffee machine is not the ideal machine, but is best if you want an espresso with wonderful cream.

By Sean Jr Miller

Espresso Machines - The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

2009-09-10T16:46:00.000-07:00

Although coffee and bread may not have much to do with one another, the invention of the espresso machine has revolutionized the ability to home brew espresso for coffee lovers the world over. The very first espresso machines were being used in homes at the beginning of the 20th century. Patented by Luigi Bezzera of Milan, Italy, in 1901, the first espresso machines were of the piston lever variety, which was powered solely by steam pressure.

These simple espresso machines do not have any moving parts. They sit on your stovetop and the water is heated in the bottom of the machine where the steam forces the water up into the middle section of the machine where the espresso is actually brewed. Although there have been advances in technology since the invention of Luigi Bezzera's espresso machine, these stovetop varieties are still very popular today and can be found in kitchens in the likes of Italy, France, Portugal, and Spain.

More modern espresso machines have since been developed and are being used all over North America, from the home to the coffee house. There are two types of espresso machines, automatic and semi-automatic, the main difference being that with the semi-automatic espresso machine the operator can control the amount of water being used. Where as the automatic espresso machines are a one-touch button system.

If you are new to the world of espresso you may have recognized the classic shot at your local coffee house. The typical espresso is served in a tiny cup and although the amount may seem smaller than the average cup of coffee, espresso contains about two to three times the amount of caffeine. For this reason alone, espresso is the base for other beverages, such as lattes and cappuccinos. Note that espresso is not a specific bean or level of roast but rather it is the simply the method of how you brew the coffee. So in other words any type of coffee, whether it be light roast or dark roast, can be used to make an espresso.

If you would like to make an espresso of your own you must be aware that you cannot use your regular coffee maker. The only way to properly brew an espresso is with espresso machines, whether it is with the stovetop variety or the more elaborate automatic or semi-automatic espresso machines. The reason being is an espresso requires a pressurized brewing process, which allows for a very concentrated cup of coffee.

Other than the concentrated amount of coffee that is produced by this brewing method, one of the other main characteristics of a properly made espresso is the crema that is produced. Crema is the reddish-brown foam that floats on top of the surface of the beverage and is the signature of all espressos.

Since the espresso makers of Luigi Bezzera's time, home espresso machines have increased in popularity. Today, a wide range of home espresso machines, from the stovetop version to the automatic and semi-automatic versions, can be found everywhere, from specialist kitchen and appliance stores, to online vendors, and even department stores.

If you would like to enjoy your own espresso at home, start looking around and compare espresso makers that are available for you to choose. It is important to pick the right version for your coffee drinking requirements.

By Paul Scobie

Different Types of Coffee Makers

2009-09-10T16:45:00.001-07:00

Coffee or the word cafe is all you would like to hear after a long work or right after you wake up. This is the most widely drunk beverage in the world. Coffee ingestion on an average is about a third of that of tap water in North America and Europe . While drinking coffee outside is usually expensive and preferred mostly during conversations or meetings, deals etc., many of us would prefer to make coffee ourselves at home and drink it in the company of our family members or drink it ourselves. Over the years, this art of brewing coffee has been mastered and we can make the best brewed coffee ourselves, but this has been taken over by our need to automate the coffee brewing art so that our work is made easier. Here, you will be taken through the three types of coffee makers in the world and figure out which is the best for you.

Santos Vacuum Coffee Maker , designed by Swedish designer Kass Kleeson:

First we will look at the vacuum coffee maker which is hailed by anyone who has tried it as the best coffee maker of all times. It uses a process that cooks coffee with an extremely strong flavor. The flavor and strength is usually based on how much coffee you use to make it. Today, a lot of coffee makers destroy the flavor by not mixing the components properly, or by not brewing at the right temperature or maybe not brewing for the right amount of time too.

A vacuum coffee maker is made up of two units. The lower and upper pots which are both made of glass. The upper pot is placed directly on top of the lower pot, and both the pots sealed together with the help of a stopper. A tube is attached to the upper pot which runs down to the lower pot as well. A filter is also attached to the upper pot to filter the coffee while it flows down to the lower pot.

Ground coffee, usually of coarse texture, is added to the upper pot. This depends upon how much your taste buds want. Usually, for a strong coffee, 1 tablespoon per cup of coffee will suffice. Then the lower pot is filled with the required amount of water and placed over a heating element or fire. After reaching boiling point, the upper pot is placed on top of the lower pot and the decreased pressure in the lower pot will cause the water to push up itself through the pipe into the upper pot. Here, the coffee is brewed in hot water and after a few minutes (depending upon the strength of coffee you want) the whole apparatus is removed from the heating element. If you are a beginner at using this type of coffee machine, it pays to experiment and figure out the right time duration that produces the coffee of your choice. As the water cools down, a vacuum is built up in the lower pot and coffee is sucked down. The upper pot is removed and the coffee collected in the lower pot is poured into the cups and enjoyed. The greatest benefit of using this coffee machine is that the temperature is perfect and this does not destroy the oils and flavor of coffee which is often the case in other coffee makers. Though this process requires little manual effort to place the apparatus on the heating element and taking it out of the heating element, this manual effort is affordable once you start drinking coffee made by this procedure.

Stove Top Coffee Maker :

This is made up of aluminium or stainless steel. The bottom of the pot contains a reservoir of water and the top has a round basket with a stem reaching to the end of the pot. First, water is filled and the basket of coffee is then added. The pot is heated and as the water boils, it comes in contact with the coffee and the coffee is brewed. The basket must be removed to filter out the coffee beans. Latest types include espresso pots which use steam and water to brew the coffee. This is reported to brew better coffee, but taste buds vary from person to person. Steam is used to produce latte or foam milk for cappuccinos.

Nowadays, we have stove top pots which function similar to the French press which presses the coffee beans to the bottom of the pot to produce a darker and much richer cup of coffee. However, this type of machine requires constant watching as there is possibility of burning the coffee beans in the absence of careful observation.

Drip Coffee Maker:

Almost all the drip filter coffee makers work the same way. They contain a paper or a plastic filter which holds the finely ground coffee. Cold water is poured through a tube from a reservoir and heated before falling over the coffee powder. This brews and extracts the oils and flavor of the coffee into the waiting carafe. This is a simple and reliable method compared to many other models available in the market.

Many companies use these three models with other additional features such as the strength of coffee, sugar adding facility, coffee with milk, number of cups etc. It is up to you to choose the best coffee maker according to the budget and the one which is most appropriate to your convenience. You would not choose the one which adds sugar automatically for an extra price as we can do that for ourselves, unless you are the one who does not know how to spend your money. The bottom line is that the machine must brew coffee at the right temperature for the right time using the right amount of water.

By Fredrick Joy

Coffee Filters - When They Aren't Just For Making Coffee

2009-08-25T20:24:00.000-07:00

Obviously, coffee filters come in various shapes and sizes. If you have lots of them at home, there's no need to throw them out or to leave them forgotten in a cupboard. Filters are among the most useful items you can find at home.

Cleaning Agents
Filters are great for cleaning glass utensils and windows. This is because they are lint free and leave no streaks. They also work well however for cleaning spills on table tops and dust on electronic cables. They can even effectively clean and absorb oil and dirt from human skin.
Small Holders
They can be used to hold a variety of things. Coffee filters are especially useful for holding or serving small snacks during kids' parties. They can however also find their way to the garage where they can be used to conveniently organize nails, screws, bolts and other small handyman items.
Art Materials
Filters are often made of paper. That means they would be perfect for arts and crafts projects for little kids. They can be used for cutting and pasting figures or for applying paint.
Household Tools
Filters have a lot of other uses at home. The most common include serving as deodorizer and rust protector. Baking soda can be placed in filters and positioned in cabinets to absorb odor. They can also be used to absorb moisture in iron skillets to prevent rusting.
There are many other creative ways to use coffee filters. Because they are cheap and made of paper, you should never let them go to waste. Thinking of other ways to put them to good use can help protect the environment.
By Niki Rome

Gevalia Coffee Maker - Committed to Great Coffee Making at Home

2009-07-26T18:50:00.000-07:00

If you have a Gevalia coffee maker, you have access to great coffee even when you're at home. These great coffee making machines are brought to us by Gevalia Kaffe, one of the most well-known companies in the world of coffee. The roots of Gevalia Kaffe can be traced back to Sweden. Over its more than one hundred years of existence, the company has managed to build a reputation of providing coffee beans and teas of unsurpassed quality.

During the amount of time that they have been serving coffee lovers worldwide, they have met countless coffee needs with the main focus of their business: true and genuine coffee beans. But as experts in the coffee industry, they eventually expanded their product list to include high-quality coffee makers optimized for brewing of perfect-tasting coffee.

Why You'll Like Gevalia Coffee Makers

A Gevalia coffee maker can win out over other types of coffee makers hands down, and there are plenty of reasons why. The first reason lies with Gevalia's very own brewing method which ensures that the rich coffee flavor is extracted from ground coffee. That's why coffee lovers dig coffee produced by a Gevalia coffee maker. Such coffee has a great, rich taste that characterizes what coffee should truly be. And to make coffee even better, Gevalia recommends their proprietary coffee beans.

They also have a wide variety of coffee recipes that you can enjoy for an ultimate coffee making experience. Aside from their secret brewing recipe and their secret coffee recipes, Gevalia also produces state-of-the-art coffee makers equipped with great features like automatic off and a programmable timer for your convenient use.

The coffee makers also come with the special pause and serve feature, which a lot of coffee drinkers find very convenient and useful. This feature allows you to pour your cup of coffee anytime, even at the middle of a brewing cycle. This means that you don't have to wait until an entire brewing cycle is completed. Once there's coffee in the pot, you can have it. And for easy and fuss-free maintenance, Gavelia coffee maker models have removable baskets and can be fitted with paper filters. Paper filters also help in optimizing the extraction of flavor from ground coffee, so a Gevalia coffee maker that uses this disposable paper filter concept will certainly churn out better coffee.

And since maintenance is a breeze, you can be sure that the coffee maker stays in top shape for a long time, and when it's in top shape, it can certainly give you nothing but the best-tasting coffee around. Gevalia coffee makers also attract a lot of buyers courtesy of their great-looking appearances. They use a combination of mostly black and white in most of their models.

Special Treat from Gevalia

As a special treat, with every Gevalia coffee maker you buy, you can also avail of a special mug from Gevalia Kaffee. The mug is part of the package of some Gevalia coffee maker models. When buying a Gevalia coffee maker, you have a lot of models to choose from. You can choose from small-capacity coffee makers as well as large-capacity ones that can brew up to twelve cups at once. You can also choose from the standard models priced at a modest level of around $60, and you can also choose more expensive packages if you desire. If you're in luck, you can also catch some of Gevalia's great promotions online that can even win you a free coffee maker.

In fact, you can win products like Gevalia's great 12-cup coffee maker with a programmable timer. As long as you agree to the terms and conditions as well as the shipping details, then you can get your Gevalia coffee maker completely for free. No other company is more bent on giving you excellent coffee brewed right in your own home so as to just give you a free coffee maker but Gevalia Kaffe.

Gevalia's Commitment

With all these, it is clear that Gevalia is one of the best companies in the coffee business and in the art of coffee making. Homemakers will surely find a lot to like about Gevalia coffee makers.

By Mark Van Tuel

What You Need to Know About the Coffee Espresso Machine

2009-07-16T19:00:00.001-07:00

It should come as no surprise that untold numbers of people are coffee lovers or (dare I say it?) fanatics. And is there a greater way to indulge in a coffee obsession than through the use of a coffee espresso machine? Really, the only problem is that there are so many good ones, so it can be hard to choose.

For our purposes, there are usually three categories in which these machines fall. For starters, you have what's called the "fully automatic" maker. Like the words say, machines of these types do pretty much everything for the coffee fanatic. All he or she has to do is fill it with water, coffee and the like and just put the setup button.

A second category is a part manual - part automatic machine. In these machines, part of the process involved in getting the coffee down and into your cup is automated, but the best feature is that a maker such as this gives you the ability to control the coffee extraction process more fully than in a completely automated coffee espresso machine.

Most "true believers" (i.e. coffee lovers of every stripe) prefer instead to go for the totally manually-operated espresso machine. These are stripped down to a handle press and not much more, but there's something sublime about controlling every aspect of taking the coffee from base product to finished nectar, I think.

Now, as far as which manufacturers make a good coffee espresso machine, well...there are a number of them. In some instances, the machines they offer can run thousands of dollars in price. However, for our purposes, you'll find that even the commercial mainstream makers put out great product. Companies like Krups, Bosch, Capresso and several others can deliver the goods in any way a coffee lover would appreciate.

So what to look for in a coffee espresso machine, then? Well, if you want something that's fully automatic look for a machine that has an integrated burr grinder and a bean hopper that can hold a lot of product. It should also come equipped with a heater of high wattage, a good high-pressure pump and the ability to schedule regular cleaning cycles. And never forget the frother to make a good latte.

Good partially-automatic coffee espresso machines all come with quality components of stainless steel, larger boilers and also quality portafilters, to start. The most favored machine by enthusiasts in the know - the manual - tends to deliver both simplicity and quality in an attractive package.

Go with one in stainless steel or chrome for durability and the fact that there's no interaction in any meaningful way with the coffee and the water. To me, plastic and very hot water or coffee should never mix together, for obvious reason. I mean, who wants a heaping helping of polyvinyl chloride with their caffeine fix?

While there are plenty of people out there -- in a pinch -- who are willing to settle for a cup of java straight from the fast food restaurant tap, most real coffee lovers want only the very best coffee espresso machine in their own homes or apartments. Get the best machine you can afford, and you'll find that the initial investment will pay big dividends down the road as you continue to enjoy top-quality coffee for many, many years.

By T. W. Guerra

Capresso Coffee Maker - More Than Meets the Eye

2009-07-14T16:11:00.000-07:00

There is one coffee maker that a lot of coffee lovers trust, and that's the Capresso coffee maker. Every model of Capresso released by the esteemed company has been especially built to provide great coffee with every cup.

These coffee makers promise not just good-tasting coffee but coffee that tastes as great as if you bought it from your favorite café. That's why Capresso coffee machines can be found not only in homes but also in restaurants and cafes. And homemakers take delight in the fact that now, with a Capresso coffee maker, they can start brewing great café-quality coffee at home.

What You Can Get from Capresso

Capresso may not be one of the longest running producers of coffee machines, but that doesn't stop it from proving that quality is more important than a long history. Sure enough, even as a new entrant, with top-quality products, the company was able to line itself up among the ranks of greater and older machines manufacturers in the market. Established in 1994, the company has produced a heap of coffee maker models, and every single one of them was designed to brew richly flavored coffee conveniently.

Their best offer is the exceptional taste of the coffee produced by a Capresso. But aside from providing such wonderful coffee, Capresso machines are also packed with great features and other special traits. Capresso machines are built to last a long time, so once you buy a coffee maker with the Capresso name on it, you're sure to have a lot of cups of great coffee for a long time. The machines also have a brewing capacity that can fill every last drop of craving for coffee you might have.

Their machines are also very easy to use and don't need much effort from users. Most of their models come with features such as backlit LCD displays, charcoal water filters, and digital timers that can be programmed so the coffee maker can just start brewing coffee at the right time to finish brewing at the exact same time when you need a fresh cup of coffee off the pot.

You will also come across a Capresso machine that comes with a packaged grinder so you can just put in beans and let the machine do the grinding, then the brewing. Some models also use thermal pots instead of glass carafes. These thermal pots are very helpful in keeping coffee warm for a longer time. A lot of homemakers consider this as excellent offerings from the great brand.

Another excellent add-on to Capresso machines is the water filter. These filters are specifically added to ensure that the water used in brewing coffee is clean, safe, and tasteless. Any taste that the water, especially chlorinated water, may have might interfere with the taste of the brewed coffee, and with the help of effective water filter, a Capresso coffee maker can retain the pure, unadulterated taste of good and real coffee. Also, Capresso has some large-capacity coffee makers.

To help you get your cup of coffee anytime you need it, the machines also come with the very useful pause-to-serve feature, which allows you to pause the brewing cycle so you can pour yourself a cup right when you need it. So now, with a Capresso coffee maker, you can have good coffee not just anywhere, such as right at home, but also anytime.

Quality both Inside and Out

To top off all these great features, like icing on a cake, Capresso coffee makers are designed with sleek external designs and styles. They use mostly black and silver as the main theme of their coffee makers. These colors tend to give off an air of elegance and class as well as depict a modern look for the coffee machines.

But the best thing, of course, is that these great-looking machines don't just look good. They work as impressively as they look. This is because the design also has something to do with the great results offered by Capresso. As a case in point, Capresso models use special cone-shaped filters which originated from Europe. These filters don't look that way just out of aesthetical consideration. They were specifically designed that way to provide an extra guarantee that the coffee of flavor is thoroughly extracted.

Also, the powerful-looking aluminum casings of the coffee may play a big role in making the coffee makers look great, but their real purpose is to keep dirt away, so you won't need to do a lot of maintenance cleaning. If you are on a quest to find your perfect coffee maker, the impressive looks of Capresso coffee makers will surely attract you, but don't worry. With a Capresso coffee maker, there's more than meets the eye. Just imagine how much more that can be.

By Mark Van Tuel

An Espresso A Day...?

2009-07-13T15:56:00.000-07:00

An Espresso A Day … ?

While many of us enjoy—indeed, rely on—our morning coffee, we haven’t been able to shake the popular theory that the caffeine content makes coffee bad for the body. Espresso, a concentrated beverage, has been especially maligned. But there are numerous health benefits to drinking coffee, some of which may surprise you, and might help you enjoy that freshly brewed cup just a little bit more.

Even the harshest skeptic is aware of the short-term benefits of coffee: the pick-me-up it provides when we’re feeling drowsy, the enhanced sense of mental alertness, and the increased motor activity. The long-term advantages, however, are more far-reaching.

Studies have shown that brewed coffee contains numerous antioxidants, a critical element in disease prevention and control. Specifically, tests have linked moderate coffee consumption with reducing the risk of a diverse range of illnesses, including:
* Alzheimer’s disease
* Asthma
* Cirrhosis of the liver
* Colon cancer
* Diabetes
* Gallstones
* Parkinson’s disease
At the same time, recent research has disproved the prevailing wisdom that excessive coffee drinking can cause birth defects and cardiovascular disease.

This is welcome news to the millions of us who need our morning coffee, whether it’s our preferred freshly ground brew, that scalding paper cup of Joe from the local diner, or an espresso-based nonfat macchiato from Starbucks. However, the negative effects of excessive caffeine intake cannot be ignored. The key is to know what constitutes a “moderate” amount of consumption.

An average cup of coffee has between 100 and 150 milligrams of caffeine, with the average espresso containing 80-120 milligrams. Most experts agree that we can drink up to 300 milligrams of caffeine per day without experiencing any long-term negative effects. As such, two to three cups of coffee daily gives us the most benefit with the least risk. However, the 300 milligrams is a measure of total caffeine consumption. If you drink sodas, which can contain anywhere from 0-60 milligrams of caffeine, you must balance your caffeine intake accordingly.

Those of us who love our coffee can enjoy it with the knowledge that, far from being detrimental to our health, a few cups a day can provide a needed burst of energy and help reduce the risk of common diseases. To find out more about coffee and the best products for your household, visit www.espressozone.com, www.cooking.com, and www.kitchen-universe.com. These comprehensive sites will help you select the best types of coffee, coffee-makers, and accessories to indulge your coffee needs—in moderation, naturally.

By Charlie Voss

Espresso Coffee - Make Great Shots, Cheaply at Home

2009-06-21T16:51:00.001-07:00

Everybody loves a great shot of espresso, but these frothy drinks served at your local coffee houses are one of the extra indulgences we are all trying to cut back on these days because of the expense. You don't have to go without your coffee fix, you simply have to find a more convenient and economical way to get it. One way to solve the dilemna is to buy your own espresso machine.

At about $4 a shot you will spend almost $1500 a year for one shot a day at a coffee house. Purchasing your own espresso machine allows you to have as many shots a day as you like and your espresso maker would pay for itself in a couple of months. The best espresso maker for the money you can buy is the Gaggia Classic Espresso Maker. It has classic design and very rugged build which puts you in mind of a much higher priced commercial machine that would be found in one of the big coffee houses.

Because of its advanced technology, strong construction and great looks this is a machine which will serve you great coffee and last you for many, many years. There is no end to the versatility of a Gaggia Classic Espresso Machine and it is manufactured by 'Gaggia', probably the most respected name in the espresso world. Achille's Gaggia invented the espresso coffee maker that bears his name in 1945 and the company has been known for top of the line quality in their machines ever since.

By Gary Mcquaid

Coffee: What Are The Health Benefits?

2009-06-19T16:46:00.001-07:00

If you are a coffee drinker, you no doubt have asked yourself how much coffee is it safe for you to consume on a daily basis. This is not surprising since so much has been blamed on coffee. Heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, you name it. At one time or another, coffee has been made to blame. Coffee has joined the ranks of red wine and chocolate as a guilty pleasure that may actually be good for you. As much as it is a great way to get that fix in the morning, recent studies have shown that coffee has been found to be rich in antioxidants and contains hundreds of pain-relieving and anti-bacterial compounds. Although one should not drink coffee with wild abandon, it's comforting to know that maybe that cup or two in the morning may be good for you. Here is a statistic to ponder: did you know that there are over 160 million coffee drinkers in the Unites States alone? In terms of consumption, the average American consumes 8.8 lbs. of coffee per year. But consider this: the world leader in terms of consumption is Finland which comes in at nearly 30 lbs per year. That's a lot of coffee!

Another statistic is that there have been well over 19,000 studies done to analyze the effects of coffee. Now, studies can often be skewed to show whatever the author wants, but here is what is generally agreed: consuming 2 to 3 cups of coffee per day is often considered more beneficial than harmful. Recent studies have shown that moderate coffee drinking can reduce the risk of colon cancer (due to it's ability to keep you regular), gallstones, cirrhosis of the liver and more, due to the fact the it is loaded with healthy antioxidants. So loaded, that studies have implied that coffee contains higher levels of antioxidants compared to other commonly consumed beverages, such as tea and fruit juice. Coffee has joined the ranks of red wine and chocolate as a guilty pleasure that may actually be good for you. As much as it is a great way to get that “fix” in the morning, recent studies have shown that coffee has been found to be rich in antioxidants and contains hundreds of pain-relieving and anti-bacterial compounds. Although one should not drink coffee with wild abandon, it's comforting to know that maybe that cup or two in the morning may be good for you. Several studies are also being conducted on Parkinson's and diabetic Patients. Research has shown that just one cup of coffee per day can halve your risk of Parkinson's, the brain disease that causes tremors and affects movement. Caffeine may protect the brain cells typically lost to Parkinson's disease. However, it has been noted that women on hormone therapy do not seem to benefit. It is felt that Estrogen may dilute the effectiveness of caffeine. It has also been found that if a woman drinks three cups of coffee a day, she can reduce her risk of Type 2 Diabetes by twenty to thirty percent. Coffee may help promote the delivery of insulin to the tissues. Experts believe that coffee's antioxidants, such as chlorogenic acid and caffeine acid, deserve the credit. There are also on going studies that are producing favorable reports on coffee helping to fight Alzheimer's due to the caffeine stimulating the cognitive area of the brain. This is just the tip of the ice berg.

People with asthma who drink coffee can have up to 25 percent fewer symptoms because one of the compounds in coffee - theophylline - acts as a bronchodilator. A recent Brazilian study showed that consumption of coffee promotes better sperm mobility - and now studies are in progress to determine whether caffeine can help infertile men. Coffee contains polyphenols, substances that may reduce the risk of cancer and coronary artery disease. Caffeinated coffee, as opposed to decaffeinated coffee, makes you a better thinker. Studies have shown that coffee keeps you focused, particularly when you are doing not-so-pleasant work. A researcher with the U.S. Army stated caffeine improved scores on a range of cognitive tasks, such as decision making, learning, and attention in the sleep-deprived. Coffee can also boost your mood, probably by making you feel more energetic. A little known fact is that coffee contains antioxidants which have been shown to imporve oveall health. Here is a short list of some benefits which have been shown to be present in coffee:

Reduce symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

Antibacterial ingredients

Reduce the risk of developing gallstones

Preserve mental accuity

Reduce risk of developing type 2 Diabetes (if you have diabetes, reduce your consumption

If you are free of hypertension, coffee will not likely produce it

Headache relief

Reduce the risk of some types of cancer

Improve physical endurance

By Aaron Matthews-Morgan

Does Coffee Have Any Antioxidant Benefits?

2009-06-17T20:22:00.001-07:00

Before we get all excited over the recent news about coffee being our new antioxidant, we need to take a look at the entire picture. Is there truly a coffee antioxidant? If there is, how exactly is coffee an antioxidant? Does it become the antioxidant when it's heated? Does the coffee antioxidant benefit everyone? Are there still dangers to drinking coffee? How much coffee is good for us and when does it become bad for us?

Brewed coffee contains many antioxidants and consumption of antioxidant-rich brewed coffee may inhibit diseases caused by oxidative damages. Antioxidants are said to be an inhibitor of certain types of diseases. However, coffee beans are not all a like. Not all coffee beans are of the same quality or even the same make up. Sort of like comparing tennis shoes to sandals. Both go on your feet, but they are not made up of the same components. You can actually break coffee down into several different water-soluble components. The dietary fiber derived from roasted coffee silverskin. This is one component of the coffee bean that has high antioxidant content. This is how the scientists find out about the antioxidant benfits of coffee in their studies. What they do in fact is the break down the coffee beans into different components. They filter out the components that the coffee antioxidant is found in, and then they test lab rats in a variety of experiments to determine how well they survive with or without the various additives in their diet. When they discover something really swell, like a coffee antioxidant, our culture of coffee drinking addicts suddenly becomes a feverorish mob.
For years and years we've heard bad things about coffee. For example: it's bad for your heart, increases blood pressure, may cause breast cancer, probably keeps you awake at night, and my personal favorite, has a poisonous gas when brewed.When the world of coffee addicts even gets a tiny hint that coffee could have something beneficial, believe me they don't just drink more coffee, they try to get everyone to join them. So, here we now have scientific studies proving to us that coffee has antioxidants.

Researchers have identified several compounds in coffee that create a coffee antioxidant. Why would this be of interest to us? Because scientific studies are showing that antioxidants may help prevent cancer. You see the connection here. However, until human studies are done, science cannot state exactly how much coffee must be consumed in order gain this protection against colon cancer or any other type of cancer. Before the coffee is roasted the antioxidant benefits are varied. However, once the coffee is roasted and served as a drink things get evened out. They all seem to have the same degrees of antioxidants.

Some studies suggest coffee having other benefits such as added fertility in men and some benefits for those suffering from diabetes. You'll have to read those studies on your own. The fact that a coffee antioxidant exists may be true, but the reality is that coffee can be just as harmful if your body doesn't like it, if you consume too much, if you have high blood pressure, and if it keeps you awake at night. Is there truly a coffee antioxidant? Yes, but the actual amount needed to be consumed in order to receive the anti-cancer benefits by humans is unknown. How exactly is coffee an antioxidant?

Coffee alone isn't the antioxidant, it's several different components that are part of the coffee bean. Roasting and heating the coffee changes the total antioxidant output. Does it become the antioxidant when it's heated? It seems that although some coffee beans like green coffee beans may be higher in antioxidants that other more common beans, once they are roasted and heated for consumption, the results are the same regarding the antioxidantal benefits. Does the coffee antioxidant benefit everyone? Honestly, this is NOT a question easily answered. In fact, the truth is it is still unknown just how beneficial coffee antioxidants are for humans. Are there still dangers to drinking coffee? Yes, of course there is. If you have high blood pressure and you have seen how coffee enhances this problem, you know it's bad for YOU personally. If you can't get proper sleep or you drive everyone around you nuts because you can't sit still or shut-up, you know coffee is bad for you.

Use common sense and listen to your body. Coffee is not good for everyone and unknown just how good for anyone. How much coffee is good for us and when does it become bad for us? Again drink coffee in moderation, pay attention to your own body. Exercise and good eating habits are a far better way to get healthy than drinking 10 cups of cappuccino a day. All things in moderation. After reading everything about this new thing called a coffee antioxidant I have decided that there are better ways of getting antioxidants into my blood.

Coffee may have many benefits, but so does water and it is possible to drown from drinking too much water. Yes, I know, you have to really drink a lot to accomplish this, but it's the principle of the matter. Too much of anything is not a good thing.

By Aaron Matthews-Morgan

The Best Way To Store Coffee Is To Go "Green"!

2009-06-16T14:47:00.001-07:00

The best way to store coffee is a question that is always on coffee aficinados' mind, but one that is seldom "tackle". Think about it, in most coffee maker reviews, you have the best brewer, best grinder, best roaster and so on, but have you ever heard of a best container?

Folks all over the world are looking for the freshest brew, but not a lot of people are concerned about storing the coffee, which is actually a key element in the coffee experience. Unless, you have access to a coffee store near your house, and would never buy more than that day consumption. If not, you would definitely have to store the coffee.

So, what is the best way to store coffee? Remember the coffee freshness rule and you would know how long you can store that "coffee". Raw green coffee beans can be fresh for years, so they are the easiest to store. Roasted beans, which are what you can easily find in Supermarket, would lose their flavour after a week.

And if you were to ground the coffee, the flavour would be lost within hours. And you probably can forget about keeping brewed coffee as it begins to lose its flavour after minutes.

Based on the above, the easiest to store would be green coffee beans and personally, I think they are the best way to store coffee. All you need to do is to store in a cool location, in a tightly sealed container and you can keep it for more than a year!

Sure, you need to purchase a roaster and a grinder in addition to your coffee maker but you would not have to throw away any unused coffee and you would have the freshest coffee.

For roasted beans, it is similar to green beans, store in an airtight container and try to use ceramic as plastic or metal would contaminate the taste of the beans. Keep away from sunlight and try to store in dark places. This allows you to keep the beans fresh for at least 2 weeks.

And if you really want it to keep a longer time, keeping in the freezer can probably last for another 2 more weeks. To use it, just take it out and grind. Do take note that it is to keep in the freezer and not the fridge, never keep coffee beans in the fridge as it would simply absorb the odour of the other food and spoilt your coffee...

If you really want to store the roast and ground which cannot be store past a few days. Keep it with a good airtight container and away from the sun. This would allow the freshness to stay for a week. For the ground, freezer cannot help much as the surface area is too wide and it would still go stale.

If it is not green beans, the coffee beans would not last more than a month. To me, the best to store coffee is to go "green", however, let me go through the savings and convince you on this as well!

1 kg of Green beans can last you probably for a year and cost about $25.00. Assuming you have a fully automatic espresso machine which comes with a grinder, you would be buying roasted beans. You would have to buy them every month and it cost about $15.00 per 100g.

In one year, your roasted beans would cost you $150.00. So, between the roasted and the green coffee beans, that is a savings of $125.00. Sure, you have to get a roaster, let say you get a "Fresh Roast" roaster for $70.00, you still have a savings of $55.00.

Now, would you not agreed with me that the best way to store coffee is to go "green". Storing the Green coffee beans allows you to buy coffee in bulk (get discount from bulk purchase), roast your own coffee and have the freshest cup possible and not forgetting, it saves you some money in the process...

By Ebenezer Heng

How To Make Cappuccino In 3 Simple Steps!

2009-06-14T18:26:00.001-07:00

Consider this the basic in the how to make cappuccino series. This article would highlight the steps to make cappuccino like the baristas you see in Starbucks and most coffee shops...

Before moving on to the 3 simple steps to make the cappuccino, do you know what is cappuccino? The key to understanding this, would be invaluable to learn how to make it. Knowing the components of a cappuccino enables you to visualize the procedures later.

Cappuccino is actually an espresso filled with 2 types of heated milk, i.e the steamed milk and the frothed milk. And, it is the frothed milk that gives cappuccino that classic look and it is also the "so difficult " frothing that lead world coffee bodies in using the froth to evaluate the skills of baristas.

The proportion of cappuccino is 1/3 espresso, 1/3 heated milk and 1/3 frothed milk. We would not touch on espresso in this article, as it warrants one entire article on how to get a good espresso, here we would highlight the other 2 components, the steamed and frothed milk, to better your learning in how to make cappuccino.

You would get steamed milk when the heat source (usually the steam wand) is injected into the milk, slightly below boiling point. As the injection of hot air is controlled to a minimal, there would not be any change in the milk volume except for a small amount of micro bubbles or froth.

To get more bubbles, i.e. to get frothed milk, place the steam wand at the surface of the milk, and this would creates more of the micro bubbles, remove the steam wand, when the froth has the look and feel of whipped cream.

Now, let's learn how to make cappuccino in 3 simple steps:

i. when using an espresso machine, while waiting for the espresso to brew, steam and froth the milk in a frothing pitcher. Once done, set it aside for approximately 30 seconds.

This is to allow the milk densities to separate. To speed up the process, you can try what Starbucks or most coffee shops' baristas are doing -by knocking the frothing pitcher on the table, this would separate the steam from the froth milk.

ii. Then, take a large spoon to keep the milk foam as you pour out the steam milk. As you pour the steam milk into a mug, do it slowly to prevent breaking the froth, and stop when you reaches 1/3 of the mug.

With the 1/3 steam milk done, spooned up the froth milk and put it on top of the steamed milk, this foamed milk should take up another 1/3 of the mug.

iii. For the last 1/3 of the mug, pour in the espresso down the middle of this foamy sculpture. And there you have it, a foamy cappuccino!

Not that complicated right? No need to ask how to make cappuccino like that Starbucks baristas anymore right? You can do it with 3 simple steps!:)

By Ebenezer Heng

Cappuccino: Basic Information

2009-06-11T14:37:00.001-07:00

Cappuccino is a cup of coffee with fresh milk and milk foam bubbles burst on the top of cup. The milk foam bubbles burst acts as the insulator and keep the heat of the coffee for a longer time. The color of Cappuccino is dark brown. Normally, the cappuccino is served in the porcelain cup. It is better than the glass or paper cup. Cappuccino is a name that from the color of the robe of priest in Roman Catholic called “Capuchin”. It always drinks in the morning with breakfast. And now, cappuccino is modified to serve by the chain stores and the other manufacturing.

Type of Cappuccino

Base on the mixture ratios of the cappuccino

1. Traditional Cappuccino

It is the espresso with the hot foam milk on the top. The Thick of foam milk is about 1 cm.

2. Cappuccino Chiaro (Light Cappuccino or Wet Cappuccino)

There is more milk ratio than the normal cappuccino.

3. Cappuccino Scuro (Dark Cappuccino or Dry Cappuccino)

There is less milk ratio than the normal cappuccino.

How to make a cup of cappuccino

Compositions

1. Roasted bean = 8-10 grams
2. Fresh milk = 4-6 ounces
3. Coffee cup = 6 ounces
4. Chocolate or cinnamon powder
5. Sugar

Method

The important point in making the cappuccino is the milk with foam bubbles. The skilled barista who has acquired some level of expertise in the preparation of coffee should be pay attention while creating the milk foam bubble burst in each type if cappuccino.

1. Use one by tree of coffee volume in a cup.
2. Heat the fresh milk with 60 grade Celsius or lower.
3. Make the fine milk foam bubbles burst in suitable volume.
4. Add one by tree cup of warm milk in the cup.
5. Use a tea spoon for take the milk foam bubbles burst on the top of coffee until the edge of cup.
6. Before serve, sprinkle the top with chocolate or cinnamon powder.

Ice Cappuccino (Cappuccino “Freddo”)

The method is similar to hot cappuccino. Ice cappuccino is cappuccino that serves with ice. The ice has to fine to small molecule. The glass volume should be 8-12 ounces and cylinder shape. Put cappuccino in fine ice and add the milk foam bubbles burst on the top about one of three from the edge of the glass. Before serve, coffee maker ought to wait a moment for cooled glass of cappuccino. And do not forget to put a stick in the glass. The drinkers should drink all in one time because if the ice melt, the taste/flavor will change.

How to drink Cappuccino

1. Never stir Cappuccino with spoon.

2. Normally, no need to add sugar because the Cappuccino is pretty sweet already. But if you want sweeter, add sugar a tea spoon and stir with gentle. Never use syrup as sweetener in Cappuccino because milk and syrup will incompatibility.

3. Smell the flavor of Chocolate or cinnamon powder before drinking.

4. After drinking, the foamed milk will stick at the bottom of the cup. If no foamed milk stick means the method of making coffee is not good enough.

By Kaafae Blanda

Choosing the Right Bean to Cup Coffee Machine

2009-06-10T15:19:00.000-07:00

Bean to cup coffee machines enable the caterer to serve superb tasting fresh espresso coffee drinks and speciality coffee variations at the touch of the button with the minimum of fuss.

Customers demand quality and choice. Gone are the days of offering a choice of a black or white coffee. Nowadays it is important to offer the very best coffee and coffee variations in different cup sizes together with a decaffeinated option.

The most convenient way of supplying this insatiable demand is with a bean to cup machine.

Bean to cup machine capacity (usage) is usually divided into three criteria.

Light volume - serving between to 30-80 cups a day
Medium volume - serving 100-200 cups a day
High volume - serving 250+ cups a day

If your expected number of cups per day is close to the overlap of volume then we recommend that you go for the next model up.

Perhaps the most important thing to consider when choosing a machine is whether to go for a model with a 'built in' milk frother'.

Cheaper models will not have a built in milk frother, but may have the option of an 'add on' unit that froths the milk. The more expensive models have a fully automatic milk frother built into the machine which is also refrigerated to keep the milk cool.

Since a high percentage of drinks served will likely contain frothed milk it only really makes sense to go for the fully automatic built in versions unless your budget is very restrictive. Add-on milk frothers can be clumsy and not function to a consistent basis. There is nothing more frustrating to a busy caterer than a shop full of customers and milk that won't froth!

If your budget is tight it is best to compromise on some other features rather than the fully automatic frother option. If you are happy for you or your staff to froth milk by hand then you might as well go for the more traditional espresso machine instead and froth the milk whilst waiting for the coffee to come through the group head.

Recently there have appeared on the market bean to cup machines which incorporate a canister of powdered milk for those who do not want the inconvenience of fresh milk, although this is a trade off with sacrificing overall drink quality.

Bean to cup machines are big business. There are now a large number of manufacturers of bean to cup machines and the number is growing all the time.

It is best to choose a model from a manufacture that they have been producing for a number of years so that any initial problems have long since been ironed out. Now is not the time to be a guinea pig with a brand new model however fantastic it may seem.

Most manufacturers produce a series of models with different functions and features suitable for low, medium and high volume coffee production.

This is where you pays your money and takes your choice!

Machines are available with one, two, three or even four bean hoppers. This gives extra capacity for busy periods and / or the option of a decaffeinated coffee.

Auditing facilities are also available on the top models where information about the drinks served over any given period can be obtained and maybe downloaded onto a computer for later analysis.

Digital displays, visual looks should also be considered before making your final choice. Note that many of the top models are available in a choice of colours to match the decor of the establishment.

However as already mentioned the two most important things to establish are that the machine can cope with expected demand and that it has a built in milk frother. All other features can be considered secondary.

Before contacting a potential supplier make sure you have decided which size and what features you would like from your machine with reference to this report. That way you will not be persuaded to upgrade or pay for things you do not really require.

Don't forget to pay particular attention to the servicing costs and water treatment systems.

Remember that without a built-in milk frother you will have to froth the milk by hand and that may cause problems.

However a reliable and well maintained bean to cup machine should give many years of profitable service and provide excellent quality delicious drinks to your customers.

By Fenton Wayne

All About Coffee Makers

2009-06-08T20:41:00.001-07:00

Sometimes coffee makers (as nearly everything) get broken for no apparent reason. When everything seems to be ok on the outside, then the problem must be on the inside, so here are some tips to help you identify the most common problems and, if you are lucky, repair your coffee maker yourself.

Problem: The coffee maker does not turn on.
Symptoms: Light on the coffee maker does not lit, there are no sounds coming from it, and it never heats up.
Possible causes and solutions: This may be caused by a burnt fuse, a defective power cord or something more important. If your coffee maker has a fuse and it is burnt then replace it, but always do it with the same type and rate of fuse, to avoid the chance of more severe problems. If you find no fuse, plug your coffee maker to a different outlet, just to be sure this is not the cause.

If it still does not work, replace the power cord (you can do it yourself if you are careful and know the basic electrical concepts, but if you don’t want to do it yourself you can ask a professional to do it). If, after replacing the cord with a new one, it still does not work, contact a coffee maker repairer.

Problem: The coffee maker is turned on but you are not getting any coffee.
Symptoms: The maker is on and heats up, but hot water is not coming out.

Possible causes and solutions: The tubes may be clogged. Sometimes water leaves calcium and other mineral residues on the tubes, clogging them after a while. Try using your coffee maker with vinegar instead of water. If it unclogs, run water through your coffee maker a minimum of three times, in order to wash out the vinegar.

Problem: The coffee maker is turned on but you get only dirty cold water instead of coffee.
Symptoms: The maker sucks water and pours it onto the coffee, but this water is cold.

Possible causes and solutions: The heating coil of your coffee maker may be dead or dying. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do, as replacement coils are extremely difficult to find and install. Consider buying a new coffee maker.

By Tamara Williams

Cleaning Coffee Maker Is Simple

2009-06-06T15:04:00.000-07:00

Cleaning your coffee maker is not something you should over look. If you do not clean it regularly it will adversely affect the quality of each and every cup of coffee that you brew and serve. It's not really worth risking the quality then is it?

It's simple to clean your coffee maker. It's advisable to do so at least once every few weeks depending on your own individual usage rates. Some of the things that you will be washing away are the water mineral deposits, aged oil deposits, as well as any number of other particles that may have found it's way into your coffee cleaner.

Try not to use detergents to clean your coffee maker or it will leave some soap inside the system. A cheap way to effectively clean your drip coffee maker is to mix water and vinegar together and use that solution to clean the coffee maker. This can be repeated as many times as necessary to clean and disinfect the coffee maker parts.
Cleaning your coffee maker every now and then will ensure that you get the most out of each serving of coffee, and also extend the usable life of your coffee maker. Enjoy it while it's hot!

By Steven Sarsgaard

The Coffee Maker

2009-06-06T15:02:00.000-07:00

Most people wake up in the morning and the first thing they do is fire up the old coffee maker. Most models today are very easy to use, all you need is a filter, some coffee, and running water. Press the button and you can have a pot of steaming hot coffee in just a few minutes. Today, nearly every home has a coffee maker in the kitchen. The fact is, the coffee maker has become a must-have for the kitchen. There are many variations on the coffee maker. The basic model is nothing special - it makes a cup of coffee and that's it. However, some advanced models offer much more. Many brands of coffee makers offer automatic shutoff mechanisms. That means that if you leave your coffee maker on for an extended period of time, or forget to turn it off before you leave the house, the machine will shut off automatically after a while. This automatic shutoff mechanism is designed to prevent the coffee maker from starting a fire if left for too long.

Then, there are the more advanced versions of the coffee maker that offer more features. Some advanced models sport timers, which are great for ensuring that you have a pot of steaming coffee before you even wake up in the morning. Set the timer the night before, prepare all of the ingredients, and when you wake up your coffee will already be made. You can shave ten to fifteen minutes off your morning just by having a timer on your coffee maker. People can now enjoy all the coffee they want in the comfort of their own homes. Most people probably thought that with more and more coffee shops opening up, coffee makers at home would probably disappear. However, even though coffee shops are springing up everywhere and are more popular than ever, it will probably be a long time before people throw out their coffee makers.

By Kerry Ng

Starting Your Own Coffee Shop - Important Things to Know

2009-06-04T16:28:00.001-07:00

So you're thinking about going into the coffee/tea business. Here are some insider tips and tricks of the trade that you need to know.

Whether you've got the business plan laid out or are just entertaining the idea of starting toward your dream of opening a coffee shop, there's so much more to the industry than you ever thought possible. But don't worry; I'm going to give you some tips and tricks of the trade to get you on your way to a great business in the coffee/tea world.

Espresso machines are EXPENSIVE. However, the taste of your espresso is one of the most important facets of your business and can make or break you. You don't have to go too crazy on an espresso machine, however keep in mind that this is a worthwhile investment that you don't want to skimp on. Depending on the size of the coffee shop you want, most (if not all) coffee shops can get away with having two brewheads, so you shouldn't need to purchase a machine with three. Also, if you want the true, die hard coffee fanatics, go for a traditional machine rather than an automatic. Unless you're planning on having a line out the door for hours with unseasoned baristas, you'll be able to get through the morning rush on a 2-brewhead traditional machine, and (in my opinion) makes a much better shot of espresso.

Location is very, very key for coffee shops. When searching for a home for your coffee shop, position it within the driving path of morning commuters. Morning coffee drinkers would rather wait and drink the junk coffee at work than go way out of their way to stop for a good cup. If there's a few larger businesses in your city or town, try to position your location near an intersection close by. Even better - set up a drive through window for the on-the-go workers that don't leave much time to stop.

One of the biggest revenue builders for you is going to be the sale of whole bean coffee as well as your coffee beverages. Make a big deal to your customers about what they're drinking and give them tips and tricks for brewing the same beans at home. This might mean they'll skip a few trips to your store, but a bag of beans costs way more than their three cups of coffee for the week. Most times customers will spend more on whole bean coffee if they get hooked, or introduce it to their office. All great opportunities.

Educate your customers. I can't emphasize this enough. When customers feel like they know insider, expert information about coffee or your products, they want to share that information. So they talk to their friends about what they learned at Jack's Coffee earlier that morning - FREE advertising! It makes them feel knowledgeable and gets them engaged in discovering new coffees and continuing their education.

You'll feel the urge to expand your menu to be as large as possible - something for everyone right? Try to resist this urge. Let your customers know that they can customize their beverages and definitely take into consideration any suggestions your customers give you, but don't put too much on the menu. When a menu is too large, people get overwhelmed. Often times people new to coffee will feel intimidated by a large menu of items that they aren't familiar with and this will add to the negative feeling for them. It's also helpful to list out what each item is on the menu. This might come in handy for those are aren't familiar with what a real cappuccino is!

Make sure you offer beverages other than coffee. This may seem silly to some, and a no-brainer to others, but let me explain why. I'm all about the coffee date. Coffee shops are known as a great place to get together and socialize or just sit and read. But many times they become less about coffee and more about the atmosphere. By offering items other than coffee you're ensuring that you're catering to anyone who wants to come hang out! Also, don't be shy about putting LOTS of comfy chairs and couches in your coffee shop. You can never have too much good seating for the readers and relaxers.

By Tiffany Balz

How Big Do Tables Have to Be in a Coffee House?

2009-05-25T14:48:00.000-07:00

If you're starting a small boutique coffee shop then ambience is everything. You need to find a tilt that will set you apart from the corporate sterility of one of those mass "specialty coffee" stores that loves to declare itself hip. One of the biggest concerns should be how big do tables have to be in a coffee house.

What type of tables you choose depends on the look that you're going for. If you want the cozy conversation feel of a French café then look for a small spindly quaint glass table for two. Couples can cuddle up over a cup and have a nice romantic conversation. Ring the tables around the outside wall of the store or out on the sidewalk so your couples can avoid being distracted by others around them.

If you're catering to the harried corporate worker that uses your café as a surrogate office then they'll need a bit more room to lay out the laptop, PDA, cell phone and such things. A bistro table is a bit larger in width. This can let your client spread out. Try and arrange the tables so that each person can have a little privacy when working.

If you want the funky feel of a college art house coffee shop then you'll go for plush comfort. Look for low long coffee tables set in between comfy couches. This lets the crowd sit around, play board games and chat. Your customers can kick back and prop their feet up and listen to poetry slams, local bands, and open mike nights.

If you're looking for the full restaurant experience to go along with your coffee shop then you'll want to set some tables more conducive to eating than sipping. You can put in some standard dining room tables or booths that will accommodate four to six people. You can arrange different sized tables for different sized parties. Be sure to get tables that are an identical height so you can move them together for larger parties.

Setting up a boutique coffee shop is nice but to maximize profit you'll want to mix these elements together. There are a few floor plans available for it. You want to be able to cater to the corporate drone, the cozy couple, and the art crowd.

Set up your more private tables outside, in corners and along the outside walls for privacy. You can then fill in the interior of the café with your larger table set ups. For instance you can use one corner for a couple couches and coffee tables. Then set up another area that is better suited to dining. And leave an open space for a stage and microphone set up. By combining these elements you'll be able to bring in diverse crowds all looking for something better than a mass produced cup of Joe. Setting up the shop involves quite a few elements; one of them is how big do tables have to be in a coffee house. Just plan everything out and pick up the furniture you need.

By Jennifer Akre

Coffee Maker With Grinder - Gourmet Taste From Freshly Ground Whole Beans Made Easier

2009-05-10T16:13:00.000-07:00

Choosing the best coffee maker means deciding whether to get one with a built in grinder. While most machines do not include a grinder, you can find "grind and brew" coffee makers that go from whole bean to delicious brew with the touch of a button.

This type of coffee maker with grinder is one that lets you to place fresh, whole gourmet beans into a hopper, choose your grind, turn it on and let the freshly ground beans fill your your brew basket to start the process.

The biggest advantage of a grind and brew coffee system is that you don't need to purchase a separate maker and a stand along grinder. The other advantage is that you don't need to worry about transferring the ground beans into your coffee maker from the stand alone grinder, without making a mess.

This extra convenience can be the difference between the freshest possible ground beans or grinding your your beans ahead of time and storing it for later. The easier and quicker that you can make the grinding process, the more likely you are to enjoy grinding your beans just before brewing.

Before buying a grind and brew coffee maker, know that cleaning the built in grinder can be trickier than cleaning a stand alone grinder. Also, makers be sure that the grinder holds enough whole beans to grind for a full pot of coffee. For some reason, some of the built-in grinders don't hold enough whole beans to make a full batch of ground coffee.

Experts say that the best grinder is a conical burr grinder. That applies to buying a separate, stand alone grinder or a grinder built into your automatic maker. Why might you buy a grind-and-brew coffee system with a blade grinder? Two reasons. First, the cost is going to be less, and secondly there are very few burr grinders built into makers. Most built-in grinders are the lower cost but noisier and less effective blade grinder type.

For a better grind, chose a machine with a burr grinder built in. First, the burr grinder makes a more consistent grind, which gives better flavor. Secondly, you really want a quiet grinder to that it won't wake you in the morning when you program your first, freshly brewed cup of to be ready for you to meet the day.

One last caution: be careful not to purchase a maker that simply has a grinder attached to the coffee maker. That is not a true grind and brew coffee maker and should be avoided.

For the better grind and brew coffee makers, expect to find a burr grinder built in, along with programmable features, a water filter, and even stainless steel thermal carafes. These extra conveniences will make brewing great gourmet coffee a joy to make and to drink.

By DJ Toman

Drink a Cup of Micro Roasted Coffee

2009-02-24T17:42:00.000-08:00

Have you heard about micro roasting? It's been said that micro roasted coffee might be some of the world's best coffee. The way in which these beans have been roasted is that the correct temperature has been applied during the right amount of time in order to bring out the coffee bean's exotic flavors.

Historically some roasters have treated the beans to simulate a variety of flavors such as hazelnut or vanilla. Drink a cup of micro roasted coffee and you'll realize that it's a very complex flavor. Instead of simply getting a caffeine kick, you're able to enjoy a wonderful flavor. Once you taste a micro roasted cup and the ordinary cup, you will be able to tell the difference as you re-taste that regular coffee. You won't ever go back to that store stuff.

What Sets It Apart

Time met technology and time moved forward evolving big coffee factories utilizing machines, which roast and package huge batches of beans for societal consumption. This kind of mass produced coffee is easy to make and it's cheap. Having tasted a cup of micro brewed coffee, you see the reason for the difference in price. The micro roasted beans are roasted with a close control by a roast master. Relying on their five senses, a highly skilled artisans micro roasts the best coffee.

When a batch of beans gains the perfect degree of roasting. It is checked by taste and judged as a fine wine. The brew master checks the roast by color, smell, and taste. When it comes to micro brewing the connoisseur is the human element in the making of the best coffee on earth. It beats the machine made stuff hands down.

The coffee roasting machine produces roasted beans for the mass market. Micro roasted coffee is produced in a roasting drum that turns continuously ensuring that all the beans are roasted evenly. In the micro roasting process, cooling utilizes air rather than water. This is different than in conventional coffee production. Water in the cooling process will alter the taste and add weight to the beans. The added weight translates into a greater cost for you the customer. It means you're paying for less. Micro roasted coffee benefits you the customer in its attention to detail.

Bear in mind that not all beans require the same amount of roasting. Micro roasting allows the roast master to assure that each batch is roasted proper. Roasting only small batches of beans. Quality of each roast will be maintained. Once you've tasted coffee roasted in micro batches, you won't be able to go back to your regular beans. Another way of stating this is why would you want to give up something this good?

By Cliff Eppalton

Italian Coffee - Drink For All Occasions

2009-02-24T17:39:00.000-08:00

Many people enjoy a cup of coffee, whether it is their morning pick-me-up or an after dinner beverage. And Italian coffee is an essential part of the Italian lifestyle and meal plan. It could be the marketing campaigns, but when many people picture Italy, they picture a finely dressed couple sipping coffee on a terrace.

And while the marketing may be a bit of an exaggeration, it does have some basis in reality. Take a walk down the streets of Milan, Rome, or other major Italian city and you are sure to see many people drinking Italian coffees while reading their paper or heading off to work.

Not An Italian Native

While certain Italian coffees may have earned international recognition, it is important to note that the coffee beans themselves do not come from Italy. The coffee that is so widely popular comes from beans grown elsewhere in the world. In order for coffee beans to thrive, they need a warm, humid climate that cannot be found along the Italian shores. Therefore the producers of Italian coffees are required to get their beans from along the equator, from places in Africa, the Americas, and Asia.

While Guatemala and Colombia are some of the more well known coffee producers, they do not do the bulk that Brazil does. Brazil produces the most of the Arabica beans that are produced in the region. The robusta beans come from the Asian producers, most commonly from India and Vietnam.

The Roasting Process

The Italian coffee that the world knows comes from the skillful roasting and blending that is done at the numerous coffee outlets throughout Italy. The raw beans are shipped in, and the roasted and blended according to the taste. From there the ground beans are left to the skills of the barista, who must control his coffee machine properly in order to get the superior coffee product that most consumers expect.

Coffee Machines

Many enthusiasts of Italian coffee will choose to brew their own at home. However, it takes a serious coffee drinker to afford the fancy equipment that is commonly seen in coffee bars. Even if you have the money and the space to own a commercial machine, it takes years of skill to learn how to operate it properly to get a perfect cup. So if you are not planning on becoming a professional coffee barista, you ought to be able to get a decent cup of Italian coffee using a high quality machine designed for home use. Most of these are relatively easy to use and will allow you to get the most out of your beans without a lot of skill required.

Buying Beans

Of course if you are planning on brewing Italian coffee at home and do not live in Italy, finding the proper coffee beans can be a bit of a challenge. However, thanks to the internet, you can now order beans from around the world. For the best results, order in small quantities. Keep the coffee stored in airtight container in a cool part of the kitchen. This will help to guarantee a fresh cup every time that you brew it.

By Anna Fiori

Popular Types of Coffee - An Introduction

2009-02-11T16:02:00.000-08:00

There are so many different types of coffee available it can be hard to know what to choose. This is especially the case if you are new to the coffee world and not sure what you're going to like. There are two types of beans -- Robusta and Arabica -- with the majority of high quality beans on the market being Arabica. You will see certain brands advertising 100% Arabica due to their superior taste and quality. However under the category of Arabica there are countless varieties of roasted coffee from which you can select.

For example there are light roast, medium roast and dark roast coffees. Light roast is smooth and mild, gentle on the palate and the stomach. Most light coffees are going to be low in acid and therefore easier for many people to drink. However some people may find light roast too bland. Medium roast is a bit more balanced and robust, ideal for any occasion from morning until evening. Dark roast is for those who enjoy a slightly bitter, smoky, strong coffee.

European caffeine beverages like espresso and cappuccino are quite popular with many gourmet drink lovers. Espresso actually refers to a dark roast coffee prepared in a certain way. First made in Italy, espresso comes in small cups usually one ounce in size. Cappuccino is a frothy beverage that takes two shots of espresso on average and features a thick foam on top. If you enjoy a cappuccino you may also enjoy a latte, which is made with espresso and milk. These beverages can be found in coffeehouses everywhere or even prepared at home.

You can prepare your own espresso, cappuccino, latte or traditional coffee using a pod machine and compatible coffee pods. The pod system is preferred by many because it is easier to use than a traditional drip coffeemaker. These machines prepare your brew one cup at a time, with no guesswork and very little mess. Rather than having to dump wet grinds you just toss the used pod in the trash. There are all kinds of different pods out there to ensure every coffee lover gets their favorite type of coffee made by their preferred brand. Pod machines include the Black and Decker Home Cafe, the Philips Senseo and the Tassimo Home Brewer to name just a few.

By Royle Kaufman

Sumatra Coffee - A Satisfying Favorite

2009-02-04T05:54:00.000-08:00

Since the 17th Century, coffee has been raised in Sumatra, one of the thousands of tiny islands that make up Indonesia. In the early days of coffee production, Dutch traders easily identified Sumatran beans by their distinctive dark green or aquamarine color and irregular shapes. Today, most coffee is grown by farmers on tiny plots of clay soil, using no chemicals. Much of the production is now organic and 19 farmers' cooperatives have met international standards to market it as Certified Fair Trade coffee.

Sumatra coffee is well known for its unique taste and subtle flavor differences. Some beans are strong and robust, especially the darker roasts; while others are a bit more delicate with chocolate undertones. Part of the flavor differences in Sumatra coffees are due to the unique ways the coffee beans are dried and processed. In most areas of Sumatra, the farmers remove the coffee beans from the cherries in stages. Their sometimes unorthodox methods of fruit removal and stages of drying decrease acidity, develop body, and the complexity of flavors that distinguish Sumatran coffee.

Varieties Of Sumatra Coffee

There are several different varieties of coffee and some bear the name of their region of origin. There is Sumatra Mandheling, from the northern part of the Sumatra, which is one of the finest coffees. These beans, as well as those from the Lintong region, are washed by farmers using rickety but picturesque machines made from scrap metal, wood, and bicycle parts. The beans are often dried in the farmer's front yard before going to a middleman's warehouse. Here they undergo more drying before being loaded on trucks and taken to the coffee exporter at the seaport of Medan, where there is additional drying time. The extended period of time that the beans are exposed to the pulp of the harvested fruit produces the deep tones in your cup of coffee.

Most Gayo Mountain coffee is shade-grown on hillsides near Lake Tawar on the northern tip of Sumatra. Much of Sumatra has been deforested for sun-grown coffee plantations and biodiversity research is underway comparing these farms to those in Mexico. It has been shown that shade grown coffee farms are sanctuaries for birds and wildlife and farmers are learning the benefits of biodiversity.

The islands of Indonesia from Sumatra to Java and Bali produce coffee which is full-bodied, with sweet overtones and a wonderful aroma. Try the different varieties - you're certain to discover pleasing new favorites.

By Jerry M Stein

Our Sweet Love of Caffeine

2009-02-03T13:29:00.000-08:00

It is generally believed that approximately 90% of adults living in North America consume caffeine on a daily basis. That being said, there are many different ways to consume this highly addictive stimulant. You could get your caffeine through tea, energy drinks or the most popular coffee. You can even get a small amount of caffeine simply by eating some chocolate as well. When it comes to those who are addicted to caffeine, they can't seem to get enough of that yummy cup of joe and praise the many coffee distributors. Caffeine seems to have an effect on all of our lives in some form or another.

Caffeine is highly addictive. Nobody knows this better than someone who has tried and failed or tried and succeeded for that matter, in quitting their coffee. For someone who merely drank one cup of coffee each morning for several years, giving up that morning cup of coffee might be harder than they think. Although they may not realize it, they are hooked on that morning energy rush. The first morning that they give up those wholesale coffee beans might not actually be too bad. It is the next day that is the killer. There is nothing quite like the headaches that go along with caffeine withdrawal. This can make any person crabby and extremely irritable. A good piece of advice if you are trying to quit caffeine is to not go cold turkey. Try brewing weaker and weaker coffee until it no longer tastes good to you. Or you could also try alternating between the days that you drink the coffee and slowly adding more days in between. Then there are some of those people who can simply quit drinking their morning cup of coffee and never feel a difference. You just won't' know which type of reaction you will have unless you give it a try.

For those of us who simply can't or won't give up our daily caffeine kick, there are many fabulous ways to enjoy it. There is nothing better than those wholesale coffee products brewed up nice and hot by our local barista on a cold day. If it is rather warm outside, you could even choose to have your coffee poured over ice for a nice refreshing blast of cold caffeine. If tea is more your thing, you can choose from many different flavors for your pick me up. You can even have your tea poured over ice and mixed with some refreshing lemonade. Whatever your daily routine is, enjoy your little indulgence. Think of it as your own little slice of heaven on Earth!

By Alice Lane

Coffee Vending Machine Technology - Then and Now

2009-02-02T17:46:00.001-08:00

The technology of coffee vending machines has advanced significantly since the days when 20p could buy you a shot full of pale brown silt-water. As office business grows and companies increasingly find themselves wanting to save money wherever they can, they are constantly trying to offer their employees an obligatory and fair amount of variety. Vending machine makers are competing for this growing custom viciously, and exploring ways to make their machines ever more efficient.

Vending machines of the past were often regarded as flawed because of the drinks they offered being weak, their lack of choice, and the high risk of ingredients tainting other flavours. The former was simply due to the quantity of specific ingredients being increasingly modified by the operator to drive down costs. The reason for a lack of choice was likely because of a general lacking in technology compared to now (as well as the fact that these were developed at a time before fair-trade and green teas were mainstream). Ingredient cross-tainting may have happened because ingredients were added to cup in the machine and through the same mechanisms and tubes.

Vending machines today increasingly utilize technology where the cups are already loaded with the correct quantity of the right ingredients even before they leave the factory. This means that there is no risk of cross contamination between flavours, and the on-site operators are not tempted to cut back on ingredients per cup (instead, machines are now available in a wider variety of workplace-specific sizes to add to their cost efficiency). The quality available today is far more consistent.

Technological advancements in the field have also led to a wider variety of drinks being available in today's vending machines. This has not only included the addition of fair-trade coffee and teas, green teas, soups, and extra-indulgent hot chocolates to satisfy the most specialized palette - but it is also quite normal for machines to offer a range of cold drinks also, such as filtered water and fruit juices.

Hybrid machines have also come on the market in recent years. These offer the best quality bean to cup coffee - as well as an in-cup selection of teas and hot chocolates etc. Unlike, the simple maintenance demanded of 100 percent in-cup machines, hybrid machines demand more care and cleaning that is associated with vending machines of the past.

By Sarah Maple

Coffee Grinders: Grinding Coffee in a Jiffy!

2009-01-26T01:00:00.001-08:00

A coffee grinder is an essential piece of coffee processing equipment. Grinding the coffee beans is an important step in coffee making. The perfect grind will enable you to enjoy the best cup of stimulating coffee. The ‘golden rule’ to coffee making is that grinding of coffee beans should be done just before brewing.

When you shop for your favorite coffee beans make sure that you shop for the right kind of coffee grinder too. You can choose from a wide variety of coffee grinders available in the market in all sorts of shapes and sizes. You’ve got to select the right kind to make yourself a perfect cup of invigorating coffee.

In the majority of American homes the coffee grinder has become a standard kitchen appliance! Most coffee grinders made for home use are simple and easy to operate grinding the coffee beans in a jiffy. To grind the coffee beans into extra fine, fine, medium or coarse, any of the above categories, you can use these electronic gadgets that are fast and give you the perfect coffee grind.

The coffee grinder runs on an electric motor. It is fitted with either one of the following two types of grinding tools - blades or burr plates. Coffee grinding machines fitted with burr plates are more expensive than blade grinders. However, for a better grind you must always opt for burr type coffee grinders.

By Randy Wilson

Warm Your Body and Your Soul With a Great Cup of Coffee

2009-01-26T00:55:00.000-08:00

While a great cup of coffee is always a welcome treat, there are just some days that call out for coffee. You look out the window and see nothing but an expanse of white. Yes, it is snow and more is falling. The wind is howling and no matter what you do, you can't seem to get warm. The coffee maker is just calling your name. But you don't want just any cup of coffee, you want something really special.

What makes a coffee special? What sets certain coffees apart? Great flavor is not enough. You need to feel good about your coffee. After all, who could enjoy a cup of coffee knowing that kids were used harvesting it or that the growers were being taken advantage of by the company that was bringing the coffee to you. How do you make sure your coffee is great and was grown, harvested, and brought to you without exploiting the farmers that grew it?

First, look for coffee that is 100% organic. Just like other foods, coffee that is certified as 100% organic means the coffee is grown without fertilizers, pesticides or other chemical products. Be sure you look for the USDA symbol certifying that the coffee is organic.

Second, check to see if the coffee is Fair Trade Certified. Fair Trade Certified means that the product the farmers were paid a fair price and the workers were paid a fair wage. No child labor was used. These practices result in stronger communities with better education and health care. You can feel good about the coffee you are purchasing.

But flavor is still important. You can't feel good about saving the world when you are still freezing. There are two things that make a superior coffee. Coffee that is shade grown and infrared roasted.

Shade growing gives coffee a better taste and richer flavor. It is also a better environment for wildlife, providing a natural home for birds which help eliminate pests naturally. The shade is also a better environment for farmers and workers as they are protected from the sun.

Last, but not least, is infrared roasting. Most coffee is roasted at high temperatures and with either direct or indirect flame. The roasting is what gives coffee its flavor, but flame roasting can lead to acidity and bitterness in the coffee, which is why coffee causes stomach problems for some people. With infrared roasting, the beans absorb the heat and essentially roast themselves. This eliminates the bitterness and acidity, making a more flavorful cup of coffee that is easier on the stomach.

So go ahead and brew your 100% organic, shade grown, fair trade, infrared roasted coffee. Sit back, watch the snow, and enjoy!

By Robin Rushlo

Organic Coffee - Here's to Your Health and the Health of the Planet!

2009-01-19T22:30:00.000-08:00

We often hear about organic-this and organic-that, but most people don't know what that term means or why is it important to our ever-changing world. In food related matters, organic refers to the way a product is grown. Organic agriculture utilizes conservation practices that protect water, air, and soil - all of which are certainly is an investment in the future of our planet. Additionally, organic products are grown without using chemically based pesticides and fertilizers. By choosing to purchase products such as organic coffee, you are essentially doing a good thing both for yourself and for the planet. Organic coffee growers go to great lengths to insure there are no synthetics, preservatives, or additives in their product. In doing so, they produce some of the best coffee in the world.

Organic coffee is the healthiest form of coffee available. The rich bodied, whole coffee bean is full of antioxidants, has no synthetics, preservatives, or additives, and contains natural enzymes. If that isn't enough, when the organic whole bean is ground and brewed properly, the taste transcends any other conventionally grown coffee bean. Organic coffee growers can be found around the globe, from Kenya, Africa, to Kona, Hawaii. The whole bean product comes to us from Mexico, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Columbia, and Ethiopia. Whole coffee beans can be blended with other flavors and can be caffeinated or not. An amazing product and certainly the best way to start the day!

Deciding how to go about getting the best cup of brewed organic coffee begins with an understanding of the equipment necessary to make the perfect cup. Most people know whether they are looking for a cup of black coffee or something a little more sophisticated, like a latte or espresso. No matter the outcome, it all starts with the bean and the coffee grinder. The grinder is used to turn the roasted coffee beans into a usable form and the consistency of the grinding needs to match the brewing method. A simple rule of thumb is to use a coarse grind for coffee exposed to heated water for a longer period of time. A fine grind is used for brewing espresso coffee. Essentially, when using a coffee grinder, a person can control the length of time and degree of grind, thus ensuring the best cup of coffee for their personal taste.

The next step to the perfect cup of organic coffee is deciding upon the coffee maker or espresso maker to best meet individual preferences. There are lots of great products on the market and it bears researching the top machines available to help produce the award-winning cup of latte, or espresso. There really aren't words to describe the aroma of the perfectly ground and brewed cup of organic coffee. The overwhelming satisfaction of treating yourself to the perfect roast and blend of organic beans is sublime. Experimenting with the different types of organic whole beans available is fun and rewarding as well!

Spend your time and money on the perfect whole beans, the right coffee grinder and a great coffee machine. You won't be sitting in the drive through line at the local coffee joint once you make this investment! Your organic coffee adventure awaits you.

By Chris Robertson

Just Coffee, Please

2009-01-10T19:07:00.000-08:00

People in groups of two, three, or more stroll into coffee shops all across America and utter the phrase, "Just coffee, please" as they take their seats, open their newspapers, or converse with one another. The message that they are conveying is that they don't need a menu, and that they won't be ordering food of any kind. They simply want a cup of coffee.

These folks expect that they will be served a good cup of coffee, and that makes the coffee bean growers, those who harvest the coffee beans, those who transport the coffee beans, those who roast the coffee beans, and those who grind the coffee beans and package the coffee all smile with satisfaction at a job well done, and proves yet again that they all have job security. People drink coffee and they will keep right on drinking coffee.

The process of producing good coffee beans to getting those coffee beans made into coffee and into the cup of a coffee drinker is a long and arduous task that involves a great many people. Coffee is big business...very big business.

Coffee trees thrive only in sheltered, mountainous, subtropical climates. Coffee trees are temperamental -- they must be shaded by larger trees to protect them, and their tender fruit and coffee beans must be harvested by hand. Harvesting coffee beans is a back-breaking job that can only be done by people who can tell a ripe coffee bean from an unripe coffee bean. Ripe coffee beans must be picked, and green coffee beans must be left undisturbed so that they continue the ripening process and can be picked later.

Coffee beans must be carefully handled during transportation to avoid bruising the beans. Roasting must be done under very controlled conditions and grinding under conditions that are equally well controlled.

Think about that the next time that you say, "Just coffee, please."

By Miodrag Trajkovic

I Love the Cafe Belmondo Coffee Club

2009-01-10T19:00:00.000-08:00

There aren't many things that I enjoy as much as that first cup of coffee in the morning. It's simply great to be able to wake up to the smell of coffee brewing and to hover over that first steaming cup and let the scent slowly open your eyes for you. It's like heaven on earth, and there aren't really many words that can describe it. If you feel similar to that wake up cup of coffee as I do then you will love what I am about to tell you. Because every month I get great coffee delivered right to my door. It not only keeps me in full supply of coffee, but when I have extra it's a great thing that I give to friends and family that share my love of coffee.

Many people buy their coffee grounds at the grocery store, and for years I did the same thing. But when you get the taste of some really great coffee and then you realize that the coffee that you have been waking up to in the mornings is less than appealing in comparison you start to wonder how you can fix that situation. I have been getting coffee from Belmondo for a while and all I can say is that I love the taste. The secret is really in how they prepare the beans, and how the roast them. They know their stuff when it comes to choosing the proper beans and then preparing them right. Of course you need the proper brewing equipment to have a superior cup of coffee.

By Tim Shank

The Bodum Coffee Press

2008-12-29T15:18:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a coffee press with an elegant design and superior quality, then look no further than the Bodum Chambord Coffee Press. Americans have become spoiled to the ease and simplicity of auto-drip coffee makers. But as the coffee press gains popularity with Americans, many auto-drip machines are being all but forgotten. No other coffee maker can duplicate the taste and strength that a coffee press delivers. Many casual coffee drinkers have been turned into coffee snobs from their experiences with the French press.

The most well-known brand on the market is the Bodum. Its many sizes include 3, 6, 8, and 12 cups. The Bodum measures in European "cup" size which is only 4 oz instead the typical American cup size of 8 oz. The 6 or 8 cup model is recommended if you prefer to serve more than one cup of coffee at a time.

The elegant, sophisticated design of the Bodum Chambord Coffee Press is unmatched. Its stainless steel frame gives a classy, decorative touch to any countertop. Also, the plunger fits tightly inside the glass cylinder which minimizes the amount of sludge in the coffee. The result is a thick, full flavored cup of coffee. Because there is no filter separating the coarse coffee grounds from the water, the real flavor of the coffee beans is captured. Coarsely ground your choice of coffee beans in a burr mill grinder for best results.

A coffee press will make the best coffee you've tasted at home or in your favorite coffee shop. It is cheap, simple to use and dishwasher safe. Bodum is the premiere manufacturer of coffee presses and maintains its reputation by delivering a beautiful, well constructed product. Many coffee drinkers swear by the coffee press and the robust, full bodied coffee it produces.

By Atica Brewton

Interesting Facts:Coffee Machines

2008-12-29T15:16:00.000-08:00

Drinking coffee is a pastime of millions of people all over the world. Coffee machines make it possible to meet the demand of all these people. Without coffee machines, it would not be possible for millions of people around the world to enjoy a good cup of coffee.

The first coffee machine was invented in 1818 by Mr. Laurens. The machine was continually modified over the years. New versions of the coffee machine continued to emerge until 1960. This is when the first paper filters for coffee machines were put into place. This simple change created an unbelievable increase in coffee machine sales. People had always wanted the product, but didn’t like the time it took to clean up and prepare with the cloth filters. The paper filter saves people time and hassle which makes the coffee machine more appealing.

Coffee machines have changed in design as well over the years. The early ones were just created to do the job; no one really cared what they looked like. Today’s coffee makers come in all colors and sizes to accessorize nicely in any kitchen or living room. There are also many different brands of coffee machines, as each has their own unique looks and design to attract consumers.

Mr. Coffee has been the leading coffee machine in the United States for centuries. This is because the company continually changes or adds new products to meet the needs of the consumer. Bunn coffee makers lead the industry in commercial coffee maker sales.

By Zack

Coffee - The World's Most Favorite Beverage

2008-12-19T13:32:00.000-08:00

Need a New Coffee Maker - Do Your Shopping Comparisons Online

You arise after waking and automatically head for your coffee maker to traditionally start your day with your favorite brew only to find that your coffee maker needs replacing. It was not that long ago, that you would have to personally visit your local shopping centre and compare brands, features and prices and you would find replacing your coffee maker a time consuming and tedious exercise.

However, today things are a lot simpler and all you need to do is log on to your computer and utilize the Internet to comparison shop on-line. On line comparison shopping is so comprehensive - you can review the different brands of coffee maker complete with its individual features and prices and more importantly you can access customer reviews on all the different brands available. Time-wise, it sure beats personally trudging from store to store and the customer reviews are a bonus.

Carafes - Thermal or Glass?

Coffee makers with thermal carafes is the way to go if you like to keep your coffee hot for a longer period of time. If you are the first to arise out of bed and need a cup of coffee and you want to keep the coffee hot for when other family members arise - the thermal carafes keeps the coffee insulated and hot for hours without affecting the quality of the coffee. As the thermal carafe does not need a burner per se to keep the coffee hot, the fact that it is portable is a bonus and you can pour yourself a hot cup of coffee all day long.

However, glass carafes need to be returned to a hot plate or other type of heating device for the coffee to remain hot over a long period. All the reviews point out the most advantageous benefits of the coffee makers available. Should you be looking at glass carafes with their ease of viewing you will be know when the coffee has finished brewing and also be aware of exactly how much coffee remains in the carafe. Some brands feature automatic start and shut down features plus adjustable heating temperatures.

Do the added benefits of a coffee maker make it a viable option where cost is concerned?

Having checked consumer comparison reviews you will agree that most models of coffee makers produce a good quality cup of coffee. Where money and expense is concerned when purchasing a new coffee maker - the more expensive the fancier styling and design and the models with more features are going to cost you more. There are coffee makers available that feature integrated grinders and customized brewing and these feature will naturally be more expensive. It is the quality of the coffee that you put into any coffee maker that determines the quality and taste of the coffee.

The majority of reviews will have the consumer believe that coffee drinkers in the U.S. alone buy 14 million automatic-drip coffee makers each year. This fact alone will predetermine the fact that you will most probably choose an automatic-drip coffee maker.

A Point of Interest Whenever a consumer buys any quality product like a coffee maker it would be wise to select a coffee maker from one of the largest manufacturers with the best known brands. The biggest manufacturers in the industry are Mr. Coffee, Black and Decker and Braun.

Whichever brand of coffee maker you eventually decide to buy - we wish you Happy Sipping!

By Cliff Eppalton

Keurig Coffee Makers Creates Coffee Heaven For Everyone

2008-12-13T15:58:00.000-08:00

Some people can't get through a day without coffee. As a host, having the right coffee maker for visitors is a necessity. Coffee is also a wonderful conversation starter and makes your home smell good in a comfortable, familiar kind of way. Who doesn't love to smell a good cup of coffee brewing?

But here's the thing: everybody likes coffee prepared a different way. Have you noticed that? Some love it straight up. Others prefer mocha, cappuccino, vanilla syrup, irish etc. Starbucks has become very rich because of this fact. As a result, if you are the one serving coffee, it's impossible to have enough (never mind all) of the options to make every one of your guests happy.

That was true, but not any more - because the Keurig Coffee Maker makes it easy for you to provide individual servings for all of your coffee requests.

What is a Keurig Single Serve Coffee Maker?

The Keurig coffee machine is an innovative system that allows you to brew fresh premium coffee, tea or cocoa, one cup at a time, in less than a minute.

It uses something called K-Cups, which are cups that contain a filter with exact portions of previously measured coffee, tea or cocoa, air tight and sealed for protection. All you have to do is insert the K-Cup to the machine and in seconds, pressurized hot water is released at the ideal temperature and brews a single cup of perfect coffee, tea or cocoa. When you're done, just throw away the K-Cup. It doesn't get any easier than that (or more convenient).

Keurig B60 Single Cup Brewer - First off the style design is sleek and you'll feel like you can leave it out on the counter top for people to see.

It comes in 3 cup brewing sizes: 5.25-oz: this size is perfect for a rich bold flavorful cup; 7.25-oz.: regular size cup, traditional brew strength; and a 9.25-oz.: mug size.

The B60 Keurig coffee maker has adjustable brew temperatures, a programmable blue backlit LCD display, and a digital clock and programmable on/off timer. There is a blue backlit, removable 48-oz water reservoir with an easy-to-clean stainless steel drip tray that is removable. And a descale indicator helps you avoid calcium mineral build-up and chrome detailing.

Keurig B40 Single Cup Brewer - The Keurig B40 is the base, no-nonsense model - in other words, no real bells and whistles. It offers just one brew size for a regular mug of coffee. It's great if you want to spend less than $100 for your coffee machine. Choose from 2 cup brewing sizes: 7.25 and 9.25-oz. cups including a removable 48-oz water reservoir. It also has the removable, easy-to-clean drip tray (plastic). This little coffee maker also offers an automatic shut-off option (for the forgetful).

With the Keurig coffee system you get to choose from a variety of different K-Cup flavors that give you hot beverages freshly brewed in less than a minute. It's actually like having 3 machines in one: one for coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. You don't have to mess with filters, grinding beans or even measuring out the coffee. It's easy to use and doesn't make any mess - so you save time and effort.

By Cathy Taylor

Coffee Cups

2008-12-13T15:52:00.001-08:00

I have a dotty old uncle who lives alone and drinks his coffee right out of the coffee pot. He doesn't bother to pour his coffee into a cup...maybe washing a coffee cup just makes more work...who knows?

Most people, however, prefer to drink their coffee out of a coffee cup or a coffee mug. It is the civilized thing to do.

When people buy place settings of fine china of just a set of everyday dishes, the thing that determines their choice is the shape and size of the cup. After all, plates, bread plates, soup or cereal bowls, saucers, and other pieces in a place setting or set of dishes are all pretty much the same. They may come in varying sizes and the patterns are different, but still they are all basically the same design. Only the cups are different. The size and shape of the cup and the handles on the cups is most often the determining factor is the selection of dinner ware.

There are different coffee cups for serving different coffees, as well. Most "regular" coffee cups hold between 6 and 8 ounces of coffee. But there are demitasse cups that only hold between 2 and 4 ounces and big coffee mugs that hold up to 20 ounces. Latte coffee cups must be large enough to hold the frothy milk.

Coffee cups can be purchased separately, or as part of a set of dishes or a piece in a place setting of china. Coffee cups don't all have handles either. There are double-walled cups without handles that are used to serve espresso or cappuccino.

The thickness of the wall of the coffee cup is the determining factor of how long coffee will stay hot in a coffee cup. Remember those old thick-walled white cups of roadside coffee house fame? Coffee would stay hot in those things all the way through the eating of a meal and beyond. On the other hand, coffee in a delicate fine china cup will only stay hot a very few minutes.

By Miodrag Trajkovic

The Cost of Coffee

2008-12-10T15:44:00.000-08:00

Calculating what the actual cost of a cup of coffee is ranks right up there with the necessary mathematical challenges of quantum physics. You might not have even considered what the price of a cup of coffee that you brew at home actually costs.

You don't buy the makings for your coffee by the cup. You buy a pound (we still say a "pound" of coffee even though that "pound" is now 13 ounces rather than 16 ounces) of coffee at your local supermarket. You take it home and store it, and then you make pots of coffee using the ground coffee, but you drink that coffee by the cup -- not by the pot or by the pound or even by the ounce.

So what is the real cost of a cup of coffee that you make at home? I have no idea, and you probably don't, either. The first consideration is the kind and brand of coffee that you buy. Then you must consider the strength of the coffee that you brew (the stronger the coffee, the more coffee grounds must be used).

Next, you have to consider waste. How many cups out of a pot of coffee are drank, and how many end up being poured down the kitchen sink?

Wait a second, Mr. Math Genius -- that isn't all. Now you need to consider the cost of the fuel that was used to make the pot of coffee, and divide that by the number of cups in the pot, and don't forget to include waste in the equation. How about the wear and tear on the coffee maker? Those things don't last forever, you know.

The fact is, we are probably going to drink that cup of morning coffee (and maybe a lot of others) no matter what the cost of it turns out to be. The truth is that the cost of the coffee that you buy at your local grocery store is going to vary from week to week, depending upon the supply-and-demand theory of economics. So just go pour yourself a cup of coffee and don't worry about it.

By Miodrag Trajkovic

Single Cup Coffee Makers - For Your Personal Brewing Pleasure

2008-12-08T05:55:00.000-08:00

Single cup coffee makers are one of the best innovations in the coffee industry. The creation of these coffee makers can be attributed to the innovative nature of some of the best companies in the coffee making world. These coffee makers gave a personal, customized touch to home coffee making. They allow consumers to brew coffee just for one person at any given time.

For households with a lot of coffee drinkers, this may not be the best product. But for your personal brewing pleasure, these coffee makers are the ideal choice. Single cup machines are known for their many benefits. No more brewing for many if you are just one; no more waiting for the brewing to complete; no more wasting; and best of all, no more leaving lots in the pot for a long time. With a single cup, you can have freshly brewed instantly at any time.

Perks of Single Cup Machines

Single cup machines offer a lot of benefits, but there is one that surpasses all other benefits. These coffee makers protect the taste of coffee. Coffee is very vulnerable; the perfect blend can only be achieved when several factors are in place. And the easiest way for a coffee to get stale is to be left in the pot for a long time before you drink it. That's usually what happens with large-capacity coffee makers.

Single cup coffee machines allow people to brew their cup of coffee right before their time of drinking. That means you can have freshly brewed coffee at all times. These coffee makers also prepare coffee by the cup using a pre-measured coffee recipe, so you can be sure that your cup will have a great taste. And since brewing is done by the cup, you won't brew coffee that you won't drink. No coffee will be wasted, and you will ultimately be able to save a lot. Another benefit is that single cup machines brew coffee quite fast.

Some models can brew your coffee within minutes. All you have to do is push a button and you will get your perfect cup, unlike when you have a traditional coffee machine that brews for a lot of people and you'd have to wait until the brewing is finished. Also, these coffee makers are very easy to use. You don't need to do any measuring anymore. Coffee is an integral part of many people's lives. These aromatic boosters should help you do what you need to do instead of take up much of your time. Single cup coffee machines are indeed an innovative solution to many coffee making issues a lot of consumers may have.

A Fresh Cup Anywhere You Are

With a single cup coffee machine, you can have your freshly brewed coffee anywhere you go. Single cup coffee makers are usually designed to be very portable and light. Some may be designed to be kept in the kitchen, but most are very compact that they can be brought around to your room or even to your work cubicle. No more going out of your way to get a fresh cup of great-tasting coffee. With a single cup machine, you can get good coffee no matter where you are. That's a tempting offer that a lot of coffee lovers jump at.

Finding the Best One

Single cup machines are also called single-serve machines. Most of the leading brands in coffee maker manufacturing offer their own rendition of this great innovation. As a result, you have a lot of different coffee maker types and models to choose from. Different variants of single cup machines may use different coffee cups. Some models work with thermal cups very useful in keeping coffee warm.

Single cup coffee machines, despite the genius creation that they are, can be bought at very reasonable prices. You can even get a unit at $40. But to find the best single cup machines, don't just look at the price. Compare it with the value that you will get in exchange. Consider the brand, the durability of the product, and its other features and specifications. You can also take the appearance into consideration, as well as consider whether it is compact and portable if you are planning to bring it around with you.

By Mark Van Tuel

Coffee: Solace in a Bottle

2008-12-08T05:52:00.000-08:00

Even if you aren't an avid coffee drinker, you too have the privilege of going on a "coffee break" to do whatever you want, whether it's to buy a pack of gum, or to call a friend, etc.

So yes, coffee is more than a drink. It is solace in a bottle. It allows us to feel human again instead of a monkey trapped in a concrete building all day long. It's the last vestige of freedom during the working hours of 9-5, which has been demarcated by the powers that be to be when we are all drones working to make another person wealthier while we get older.

The only time we have to ourselves is on the weekends and 2 measly weeks out of the year to spend with our families and friends. That is of course if work doesn't get in the way.

But I digress, the bottom line is, we should be grateful that we have these "coffee breaks"- almost like a magical time when we can shut off the world and day dream like when we were in elementary school.

The next time you go buy coffee hopefully you will see it in a different light. It's much more than just a drink to quench your thirst. If you were thirsty you could always get any variety of drink ranging from water, to soda, to tea, or juice. Coffee holds a special place in the food/beverage chain. Shouldn't you be taking care of your coffee?

By Steven Sarsgaard

Perfect Coffee

2008-12-07T18:37:00.000-08:00

There was a fellow that I talked to not long ago that I hadn't seen in a good many years. The first thing that he said to me was, "I remember a cup of coffee that I had at your house about twenty years ago. It was the best cup of coffee that I have ever had in my life!" Of all the things that he could have said, that would have been my last guess. But that is exactly what he said.

There are a few basics that go into making a perfect cup of coffee. First your coffee maker must be kept clean. Making coffee time after time after time without cleaning the coffee maker will make the coffee bitter. All coffee makers must be cleaned regularly -- both drip makers and percolators.

There are two ways to clean coffee makers. The first way is that after every pot of coffee, the coffee maker needs to be rinsed with a little baking soda and water. Then it needs to be rinsed several more times to be sure that the soda residue is completely rinsed away.

Occasionally, a coffee maker needs to be cleaned with cream of tarter. If you have a percolator, put a teaspoon of cream of tarter into the basket with a filter, plug it in, and let it go through the whole coffee-making cycle. If you have an automatic drip pot, put a teaspoon of cream of tarter into coffee basket with a filter, as well as a teaspoon of cream of tarter into the pot, and let it run through the entire coffee-making cycle.

Another secret to a perfect cup of coffee is that the water that you use should be of the bottled variety, unless you are blessed with really good tap water. The chlorine and other chemicals in tap water do affect the taste of coffee.

By Miodrag Trajkovic

A Whole Lotta Latte Coffee

2008-12-06T21:34:00.000-08:00

Can you imagine starting the day without a cup of hot coffee to perk you up? A breakfast get-together with friends or an early business meeting will not be complete without mugs of coffee being passed around.

Coffee if one of the most popular beverages in the world. Its origin can be traced back centuries ago, from Ethiopa where it made its way onto Egypt and Europe. From then on, the preparation of coffee has become a tradition as well as a craze in the modern pop culture.

This stimulant drink is made of coffee beans, roasted to perfection and blended into the perfect hot or cold drink. There are basically two kinds of coffee plants: Robusta and Arabica.

Arabica is the older kind of coffee, which many think tastes better than the other variant.

Robusta, which contains almost half as much caffeine as an Arabica is much bitter tasting than its predecessor.

A lot of farmers in Central America, Africa, and Asian countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia depend on coffee planting as their main source of livelihood. Brazil is the largest coffee-producing country in the world.

Here is a quick run-through on how this addicting beverage is prepared:

1. Coffee plants are grown and once they mature enough, they are picked and harvested.

2. Once the coffee beans or coffee cherries are picked, they are sorted and dried. This is where the term ‘first pick’ came from.

3. After the coffee beans are sorted, they are either dried or aged, depending on the variety of coffee.

4. Then, the beans are either roasted or ground to make instant coffee, or the beans are sold by themselves for coffee to be made in your own home.

There are a thousand and one ways to prepare your coffee. You can use instant coffee and dissolve it in hot water for a quick, reviving cup during a long day.

It can also be prepared using the good old coffee machine where ground coffee is steeped through a paper filter, combined with hot water, to come up with the perfect brew.

There is also the more complicated espresso machines, which give the drinkers an added punch to their caffeine fix. These machines combine steam or boiling water with the ground coffee beans to produce a stronger aroma and flavor.

‘Go Loco over Latte Coffee’

When you go to any establishment specializing in coffee preparation, if you are not a coffee enthusiast, you might get confused with the unique language.

Terms like espresso, macchiato, java, espresso, shot, skim, whip, dry and foam are casually thrown around. They all relate to one’s personal preference on how they like to take their daily caffeine fix.

Café latte is one popular flavor of gourmet coffee.

This refreshing drink has three layers. First, one serving of espresso is poured over the cup or mug. This is followed by a generous serving of steamed milk. Lastly, a spoonful or more of foamed milk or cream adds the final touch to the perfect cup of café latte.

No matter how you prefer to take your coffee, be it black, with cream, or gourmet like cafe latte with all the exquisite and creamy toppings, there is no doubt that this beverage's popularity will not wane anytime soon.

By Dave Poon

Iced Coffees - Relief from Summer Heat

2008-12-05T22:44:00.000-08:00

Is iced coffee different from regular hot coffee? Many people think iced coffee is merely a hot cup of joe poured over ice. This, however, is a popular misconception. Iced coffee is different on many levels, beginning first with the brewing process.

Iced coffees are brewed cold. After the coffee beans have been ground, the grinds are soaked in ice cold water. After several hours, the mixture of cold water and coffee grinds is filtered leaving a concentration of cold coffee grinds. Depending on your personal preference, this concentrate is then diluted with either milk or water.

Iced coffee, also known as "Toddy Coffee", was created by Todd Simpson, hence "Toddy Coffee". In 1964, he patented a coffee machine exclusively for making cold coffee. However, a lot has happened in 30 years and now you can use other types of coffee machines for brewing and making iced coffees rather than using a Toddy brewing machine.

Iced coffee has become a popular drink millions of people around the world enjoy. It is refreshing, smooth, cold and very satisfying. Their are a variety of ways of preparing your iced coffee. Many people prefer a simple glass of iced coffee with crushed or cubed ice, cream and sugar. Others like their iced coffee topped with one or two scoops of coffee flavored ice cream. Some even like their drinks blended with the ice cream topped with whipped cream making their iced coffee smoother and creamier.

For the most part, iced coffee drinks are most popular during the summer time. This cool and refreshing drink relieves the summer time heat and is sure to satisfy the taste buds.

One advantage to making iced coffee is that you can make it at home, rather than spend your hard earned money on a simple drink. The key ingredients to making a iced coffee drink at home are crushed or cubed ice, cream, sugar, coffee mix, milk and cold water. Other ingredients can be added to make a gourmet iced coffee drink. These ingredients include: caramel or chocolate sauce; vanillla, cinnamon or even cardamom powder; ice cream and whipped cream. One disadvantage to making iced coffee is that when crushed or cubed ice is added to the coffee much of the coffee taste, flavor and caffeine are diluted, which is why many coffee experts suggest using dark roast coffee beans. Using a dark roast helps maintain the strength and robust flavor of the coffee.

With the crazy number of health concerns today, why not drink iced coffee instead of those high calorie and high sugar colas and soft drinks. So, instead of grabbing that ice cold soft drink, grab yourself an easy to make iced coffee. Or, better yet, make yourself an iced coffee with honey, iced Jamaican coffee, iced Amaretto coffee, or even an ice coffee soda! All these recipes are easy to find and even easier to make. But, if you love your colas and soft drink but love your coffee at the same time, go for a Coffee Coke Float mixing together ice cream, coffee and cola!

By Michael Russell

Mocha Coffee: Learn About the Source and Try Our Recipes for Making Great Mochas

2008-12-05T22:41:00.000-08:00

Depending on how we look at it, mocha coffee may be the tall drink made of coffee, cocoa and milk, often served with cream or, on the other hand mocha coffee may refer to the source.

Yemen is the source of true Mocha coffee. Some connoisseurs consider the Yemeni beans the best that money can buy. No doubt about it, for one reason or another, it is know the world over. Grown along steep terraced hillsides at an altitude of anywhere from 3,000 to 7,000 feet, the harvested fruit is a small, hard coffee bean.

The name itself originates from the Yemeni port town on the Red Sea. From the varieties available Mocha Sanani and Mocha Mattari are considered the finest. Due to the harsh hot dry climate, the coffee beans are as unique as its distinct taste. No doubt about it, authentic Mocha coffee is a pleasure to drink.

So, whilst many people may not be totally familiar with the origins of Mocha coffee, I think most people have heard about or tried and fallen in love with the drink.

Make your own Mocha coffee and enjoy the unique flavor and aroma

Mocha coffee is really easy to make and we are pleased to offer a couple of recipes to get you on your way. Basically all you need to do is add cocoa, sugar and milk to hot coffee, perhaps experiment with some other tastes and drink. Others prefer to actually mix the cocoa, sugar, milk and coffee in a saucepan and heat until it starts to simmer.

At this point, try adding a little vanilla extract. Pout into cups or glasses and top with whipped cream and cinnamon. The taste will surprise you, you will find the flavor wonderfully rich and very aromatic. In order to make things a little easier, these are the list of ingredients for two servings.

2 cups of coffee

1/3 cup of cocoa

2 cups of milk

1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1/2 cup of whipping cream

dash of cinnamon

Prepare the ingredients as mentioned above and the results will be a fantastic Mocha coffee that will put any coffee house's version to shame.

By Nicholas Webb

Types of Seaco Espresso Machines

2008-12-05T22:39:00.000-08:00

If the idea of being your own barista in the comfort of your kitchen appeals to you, you will be impressed with Saeco espresso machines. The Saeco company was founded by Arthur Schmed and Sergio Zappella in 1981 in Bologna, Italy. Four years later, in 1985, Saeco developed a completely automatic household coffee machine, so that users could relax while the machine ground and measured beans and created single-serving cups of java. This revolutionary machine was followed in 1990 by the TWIN, a two-cup espresso machine. In 1998, Saeco's machines started featuring a digital display, and in 1999, Saeco acquired a new brand and Gaggia espresso machines became a part of the Saeco family.

Saeco automatic espresso machines, as previously noted, were introduced by the company in 1985. These machines essentially take all the steps involved in making a coffee beverage and complete them for you. You don't have to grind your coffee beans, or even measure out the grounds ... an automatic machine will do all these steps for you! Your used coffee grounds will even be deposited into a trash compartment inside the machine. The Saeco Incanto is one of Saeco's popular automatic machines. The Incanto is available in two different styles. The Incanto Classic has two beverage settings; if you are looking for a more luxurious machine, the Incanto Deluxe has three beverage settings. Both styles have a burr grinder that is built right into the machine. Burr grinders feature metal burrs that rub against each other to crush coffee beans into small grounds that are all exactly the same size. Burr grinders are typically considered to be superior to blade grinders because they grind more slowly, allowing for the better preservation of the flavor of the grounds. Another popular model was the Saeco Italia espresso machine. This model was sold at Starbucks and is no longer being produced; however, replacement parts and refurbished machines can be located online.

Perhaps you enjoy performing the steps involved with making a perfect cup of joe. If so, one of Saeco's traditional espresso machines will certainly be appealing. The Saeco Classico espresso machine was one of the company's traditional machine products. It has now been discontinued but has been replaced by the Saeco Aroma. This model includes a steam wand for frothing, and is available in stainless steel or black. If you enjoy the convenience of ESE, or easy serving espresso, cartridges, take note: The Saeco Aroma is ESE compatible! If you have never used ESE cartridges before, illy espresso pods are a great product to try.

It doesn't matter if you like to labor for your coffee or if you prefer to sit back and let your machine do all the work for you, Saeco espresso machines offer something for everybody.

By Steve

6 Delicious Coffee Recipes

2008-11-28T18:09:00.000-08:00

Do you love coffee? Most of us do. In this article we will provide you with 6 recipes to enjoy your coffee a different way. We hope you enjoy it.

Irish Coffee

1 teapsoon of suger
1 jigger of Bushmills Irish Whiskey
2/3 cup of coffee or flavored Irish Creme coffee
1/4 cup of heavy cream, lightly whipped

Prehead the glass with hot water. Dump the water out and add the hot coffee with the teaspoon of suger and stir. Add the jigger of whiskey, and top with the whipping cream. Dark coffee's are best for this recipe.

Spiced Orange Coffee

1 teaspoon fresh, grated orange peel
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
5 whole cloves
Regular amount of your usual coffee or try Swiss Chocolate Orange flavored coffee

Add the above ingredients together and brew as normal. Place a slice of orange at the bottom or your cup. Pour in coffee and add suger and cream to taste. Top with whipping cream and sprinkle with a dash of nutmeg and cinnamon if so desired.

Mint Cocoa Coffee

1 ounce of chocolate mint liquear
Dash of shaved chocolate
Whipping cream (optional)
Regular coffee or try Dutch Chocolate Decaf flavored coffee

Brew your regular coffee, add the 1 ounce of liquear into your cup. Add some whipping cream if desired and sprinkle with shaved chocolate.

Coffee Milkshakes

1 pint of coffee ice cream
2 teaspoons finely ground coffee
1/2 cup light rum (optional)
4 to 6 scoops vanilla ice cream
Instant coffee powder

Spoon coffee ice cream into blender. Add rum and finely ground coffee. Blend on high until creamy smooth. Pour into tall glasses, adding a scoop of the vanilla ice cream to each glass. Sprinkle lightly with instant coffee powder.

Frosty Mochas

1 cup of freshly brewed coffee
1 pint of vanilla ice cream, softenend
6 tablespoons of chocolate syrup
1 cup prepared cold coffee

Blend hot coffee and chocolate syrup in blender. Blend until smooth. Cool the mixture to room temperature. Pour the mixture into a medium bowl. Add the softened ice cream and cold coffee. With a rotary beater, beat until smooth. Spoon into tall glasses and serve immediately.

Nogged Coffee

1 cup of coffee or try Pumpkin Spice flavored coffee
1 egg yoke
1/2 cup of cream
Dash of nutmeg

Beat the suger and egg yoke together. Place cream in a saucepan and heat over low setting, do not burn. Wisk the egg mixture into the warmed cream, heat until hot. Add coffee to mugs and top with the cream mixture. Garnish the coffee with nutmeg.

By Merrie Schonbach

Organic Coffee - Does It Taste Any Better?

2008-11-28T18:08:00.001-08:00

Traditional coffee like Folders and the popular Spanish brand Nescafe have maintained that familiar, consistent great taste over the years. Despite pesticides and fertilizers harvested in the large, commercial coffee plantations they grow on, it manages to suit an average person's tastes as evident by its sales. In justifying the high prices for organic coffee, many people point to its tastes as one of the main reasons. Does organic coffee taste better than traditional coffee?

To begin, organic coffee tastes better than traditional coffee because of the growing methods farmers use. Factors that weigh heavily with improved taste include shade grown and organic farming methods that are in force today that promote healthier soil, clean water, and habitats for birds that provide pest control. As an added bonus, organic coffee receives a taste boost if it is high-grown. Organic coffee under shade trees are the definition of "premium" in that fewer coffee cherries are produces unlike traditional coffee that grow under the sun. Because of this, organic coffee cherries grow slower and finer, and the difference is passed on to your I Love New York mug.

Another reason why organic coffee tastes better is because of the incentives farmers receive for producing it. With an average of 15 cents more per pound, producers are more inclined to keep their trees in top shape and harvest them better. Organic coffee producers also place a higher emphasis on harvesting, many of which is done by hand to assure the best beans are processed. This is a must, considering coffee trees have cherries going through different development cycles. The harvesting process also separates regular beans from the finer ones. All in all, because of the more intricate care placed with growing organic coffee, taste is improved tenfold.

By Scott Wilson

Who Do You Trust To Get Your Coffee Bean Facts From?

2008-11-23T14:58:00.000-08:00

It seems odd that Brazil produces one third of the worlds coffee production. But the weird thing is that most of the coffee connoisseurs shun Brazilian coffee.

To most people, when you mention Mocha they think of a blend of coffee and chocolate. Really though, Mocha is very expensive and it has nothing to do with it because Mocha beans are hard to find and cost a lot of money. When coffee beans were first offered for sale they were sold by pharmacists, of all people. Later on Coffee houses started selling them.

A lot of folks are surprised when you tell them that the primary places where coffee is grown is Central and South America, Africa, and Indonesia. A smaller amount of coffee is grown in Hawaii and around the Red Sea in the middle east.

Kenya produces a coffee that is widely known as African coffee. They also produce many other types of fine coffee. Even though Columbia has tried and tried, they have not been able to come up with a coffee that is highly desirable. The controversy over whether or not coffee is good for you or not still rages on today. There seems to be new information, both pro and con, about coffee coming out every week or so.

Oddly enough, coffee grown in Yemen is grown with wild flowers, which coffee lovers adore. The coffee that is grown here is known as a true Mocha, which is named after a Yemeni shipping port.

By Steve McArthur

Ethiopian Coffee

2008-11-23T14:56:00.000-08:00

Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, yet it is not a country that comes to mind when the average consumer thinks of coffee. The South American countries are much more synonymous with coffee production but coffee did not come to these countries until the early 1700’s, nearly a thousand years after it was discovered. As legend has it, Ethiopian coffee was originally discovered around 600 A.D. by a young boy tending goats. It is not known when the name coffee was applied to the strange plants but an interesting legend places it around 900 A.D.

Shortly thereafter coffee found its way across the Red Sea to Arabia and what is present day Yemen. Arabs embraced coffee and for almost a thousand years were the sole producers and exporters of the highly sought-after product. Today Ethiopian coffee is specialty coffee and favorite among connoisseurs around the world. It is known for its smooth body, delicate acidity and delightful flavor.

The original Ethiopian coffee plant that made its way to Yemen is said to be the plant that was propagated throughout the Arab world and cuttings were eventually transplanted into every main coffee growing region of the world. So, in a sense Ethiopian coffee is in every can and every cup everywhere in some form or another.

By Randy Wilson

Coffee: Specialty Gourmet Coffee For Everyone

2008-11-23T14:52:00.001-08:00

Specialty gourmet coffee quenches the thirst of millions of people a day and billions of servings of gourmet coffee is served yearly. You will find gourmet coffee in any event imaginable from board meetings, to casual meetings between friends.

Gourmet coffee is one of the fasted growing sectors within the food economy. Vendors have found that gourmet coffee beans have been able to satisfy the collective palates of countless individuals around the world.

The beans used in gourmet coffee are generally grown at very high altitudes within Arabic trees and are known to feed and grow upon volcanic ash. These beans need lots of moisture as well as a relatively cool climate.

The very soil in which beans are grown have a distinct effect on how it ultimately tastes in the end. Gourmet coffee has a markedly richer and fuller taste than it's mass produced coffee counterpart.

Gourmet coffee is actually put through a very rigid certification process which helps maintain consistent high levels of quality throughout the batches. The overseeing organization for these standards is called The Specialty Coffee Association of America.

Gourmet coffee is widely available and purchasable via many specialty coffee shops, groceries, coffee shops, and restaurants. Also available via special online coffee shops as well.

By Steven Sarsgaard

Drink Healthier Coffee and Benefit Financially?

2008-11-14T18:54:00.000-08:00

If someone is going to drink coffee anyway, which millions of people worldwide do every single day -- sometimes multiple times per day -- wouldn't it make sense for them to drink a healthier coffee if there was one available? Nowadays, they are mixing everything with everything and making hybrids of all kinds. There are actually coffees out there that are being made, that not only have less caffeine and less harmful ingredients in them, but also an additional 'healthy' ingredient that even further promotes one's overall good health and well-being.

An example of one such coffee, is one that is being made using Ganoderma Lucidum as an additive. This powerful ingredient, has been used for over 5,000 years in traditional Chinese medicine and has been a highly revered ingredient for thousands of years. It is made from the Lingzhi mushroom and is an extremely powerful antioxidant on top of having many other medicinal qualities and properties.

People who drink a cup of this coffee every morning and even throughout the day, feel a million times better than those who drink regular coffee, that is filled with caffeine, toxins, chemicals, preservatives, etc, etc.

So How Would One Benefit Financially From Drinking Healthier Coffee?

Well, certain companies out there have created ways for people to drink healthier coffee, share it with their friends, and then actually earn an income from the people that they share it with. Sharing good coffee that is very healthy for you is not a bad thing to share with people, especially since most people drink coffee, and it is generally looked at as being bad for you!

I could go on and on about healthier coffee and how it has changed my life and the lives of those I have shared it with, not only as far as health benefits are concerned, but also financial benefits such as having residual income come in every month from people that you know are drinking healthier coffee and bettering their lives.

By Shane Natan

Coffee and Caffeine: The Elixir of Health and Happiness!

2008-11-14T18:52:00.000-08:00

Coffee and caffeine go hand in hand. Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. And Americans just can’t think of life without a cup of rich and full-bodied delicious coffee! Coffee contains caffeine that contributes greatly to the stimulating and rejuvenating effect of coffee.

Chemically, caffeine is an alkaloid belonging to the class of organic compounds called methylxanthines chiefly derived from plants. Coffee and caffeine act as potent stimulants. Caffeine contained in coffee particularly stimulates the central nervous system (brain), skeletal muscles of the heart and the respiratory systems as well as delays fatigue. So that is why you feel so refreshed and revitalized after sipping into your cup of Joe!

Coffee and caffeine variations boosts up your senses imparting a soothing effect to your frayed nerves at any point of time! The amount of caffeine actually varies according to the coffee beans and coffee blends. An Espresso is a concentrated form of coffee so you can expect a higher caffeine content in an espresso that’s all the more punching and refreshing!

Caffeine has a characteristicly strong and bitter taste. This bitterness adds the punch to coffee that gives you a high and helps you feel so relaxed! However, as too much of everything is bad for health so also loads of coffee and caffeine can have serious negative impacts on your overall health. So you need to restrict your caffeine intake to healthy limits.

By Randy Wilson

Delonghi Coffee Maker

2008-11-13T17:57:00.000-08:00

Ask the one who knows her coffee what's her favorite kitchen appliance, and the no-brainer answers will include the coffee maker. This should not come as a surprise though since coffee maker makes life easy for the coffee lover. You know what a coffee maker is; it's the device that extracts the flavors from the ground coffee into the water. And the similarities between coffee makers that are available in the market ends there. From that point, coffee maker brands that are available in the market varies from one another in terms of the quality of the coffee produced.

The problem is in choosing the right maker of coffee maker in the market since there are many manufacturers of coffee makers. All of these have a competitive edge over the rest, some brew the best coffee but you have to shell out a large amount, some offer distinctive styling but falls short in delivering great-tasting coffee and some are offered in competitive prices and delivers what you expect. The choice is ultimately yours, and one line of coffee makers worth checking out is the Delonghi coffee maker.

This kitchen equipment is backed by the company's century old reputation for their innovative and provocative products. So what's their edge over the rest? The company's coffee maker is offered with a unique styling and of course the designers of the company are always thinking of things in order to advance the styling of their kitchen equipment. Delonghi coffee makers are offered in many models and your choice of your Delonghi model will depend on your needs, wants and of course your budget.

Consumer Research suggests that one of the best factors to consider when looking for coffee makers should be price, somewhere around $200. If that's the case, some of the Delonghi coffee maker that you can order can pass this hurdle. A number of the coffee makers of Delonghi are priced competitively below $200.

By Melinda Livingstone

The Best Coffee Maker - A Free Coffee Maker?

2008-11-13T17:49:00.001-08:00

When you think of what the idea of the perfect coffee maker do you think of one that cost hundreds of dollars? What do you think of when you think of that perfect cup of coffee? To me the concept of a free coffee maker sounds best because its - well, free. Stop and ask yourself what a $500 coffee pot can do for you that a cheaper free coffee pot can't do? Hopefully you answered; nothing.

I've seen hundreds of coffee pots and coffee maker deals that I simply cannot understand. The idea of a coffee pot costing hundreds of dollars to me just seems absurd. Don't get me wrong I understand that art of a classic espresso machine with all the bells and whistles. I also understand the concept of a french press coffee maker as it allows the coffee to become silky smooth. What I could never figure out is why someone would buy a coffee maker that costs hundreds of dollars outside the specialty pots. I mean what can an expensive regular coffee maker do that a regular free coffee maker couldn't?

The concept has been around for years, mark up sells. You might be asking, what do I mean? Its a precieved value and thats merely it. It is believed that a free coffee maker must be useless and cheap. The belief also holds true that an expensive coffee maker makes better coffee. Again barring specialty coffee makers, a coffee maker is simply a coffee maker. Whether free nor paid they both would achieve the same results. You pour the coffee into the coffee pot add water and brew the coffee withing 10 minutes as there is no difference.

We are taught at a young age about perceived value. Perhaps we've seen all the scams out there and are simply afraid that something labeled as free really isn't free. You may even feel that a free coffee maker is going to somehow be sub-par from the expensive ones. Could it be the design of a coffee maker that could be the draw? Look at Gevalia a company that has been around for years giving away a free coffee maker. Gevalia offers stainless steel coffee makers that match the look of the fancier expensive coffee pots. Or even look more recently to companies like Cafe Belmondo that bring value and a good coffee pot to the table free and have thousands of customers a year signing up to get theirs. No matter how you look at it a free coffee maker is just as useful as a expensive coffee maker. Besides in todays market everyone offers a refund if you don't like something you purchased - even if its free.

By Michael S Brown

What Can You Do With Your Coffee Maker?

2008-11-09T21:34:00.000-08:00

There has been a major upswing in coffee consumption in the United States lately. That doesn't just mean the types and kinds of coffee available, but also the dazzling array of flavors that you can order your coffee in. Now, in addition to frappaccino and mocha latte, we can have raspberry nutmeg or almond crunch coffee. If it sounds like you are eating dessert instead of drinking coffee, don't be concerned. These new flavors are achieved simply by adding flavored syrups to the coffee. They add little to the coffee in the way of calories, and lots in the way of flavor.

This trend towards flavored coffees has been around for only a few years in the United States, but it has been a pleasure that has been enjoyed in other countries for years. Some of the best coffee brewers and coffee shops have traditionally used flavorings to make the ordinary cup of coffee more interesting. Quality coffee shops will use natural ingredients to flavor their coffee and add a richness to it. They try to use pure and natural ingredients in the syrups and flavorings in their coffeemakers. When they blend the espresso in the espresso machine, the ingredients are added before hand so the coffee is infused with the flavor.

Flavored coffee syrups are made from a sugar base to which is added natural flavorings such as fruits, nuts or spices. These are blended in a water mix and then concentrated into a syrup. One of the main reasons that flavored coffees have become such a rage is that they offer sweetness and flavor without contributing to fat or cholesterol intake. The recent craze to avoid fat and cholesterol has contributed greatly to the popularity of flavored coffee syrups.

Low carb diets are another boon to the flavored coffee business. You can feel as though you are eating a chocolate donut when you order a choco-latte, but there are no carbs in this baby. There are also sugar free syrups for those who want to avoid sugar, either because of the calories or because they have diabetes. You can enjoy the same vanilla, hazelnut, almond, caramel, Irish cream, chocolate, raspberry or amaretto coffees without fear of consuming sugar. They usually use a calorie free Splenda to substitute for the sugar taste.

If you enjoy your coffee with a lot of flavor to it, there is no end to the tastes you can experiment with using flavored coffee syrups.

By Johnathan Bakers

How To Make Great Espresso and Latte Drinks

2008-11-09T21:32:00.000-08:00

Coffee drinks are quite the rage these days and the espresso and latte are among the favorites. Sure, you can get them at the local coffee house, but why not save some money and make them yourself?

Here’s some tips on foolproof methods to the best espresso drinks around.

First off, you want to start with a good quality machine. If you are serious about your espresso, you need to spring for the best machine you can get. One thing to look for in a quality machine is to make sure it has a built in grinder as the grind of the beans is key to good coffee.

When you grind your beans for espresso or latte drinks, make sure you give it a good medium to fine grind. If they are too course the drink will be very weak, on the other hand if you grind the beans to fine the drink will taste bitter. A little bit of practice makes perfect!

To brew your espresso should only take 15 to 20 seconds. While your drink is dripping out into the cup, a foam should form on the top. When you see that the water coming out is a whitish brown color it’s time to stop and reap the rewards.

The output should yield 1 ½ fluid ounces. If you have made more than that then your drink may be bitter.

Now that you have your perfect espresso drink, you can use it to make a latte. Lattes are great and can be flavored to taste like the ever popular mocha latte.

A latte is really espresso and frothed milk along with the flavoring. So to make a mocha latte, you will mix in chocolate syrup.

Start with a coffee cup and our about 1 3/4 ounces of choclate syrup into the cup. Next add 2 ounces of espresso and then top that with the steamed milk. Now stir the drink from the bottom so that the syrup mixes in. You can get fancy and put a smidge of whipped cream on top and even some choclate shavings if you have them. Enjoy!

By Lee Dobbins

The Health Benefits of Gourmet Coffee

2008-11-09T21:29:00.000-08:00

Costa Rica is known for being a storehouse of high-quality gourmet coffee and consequently coffee is regarded as the primary drink of this part of the world. It is the healthiest drink that one can ever enjoy. Modern day researches have identified coffee to have highest concentration of useful antioxidants when compared to other popular drinks. These antioxidants help to initiate the healing process in your system and increase your immunity assisting the destruction of the free radicals which can lead to a dangerous disease like cancer.

Drinking coffee is a wonderful remedy for staying away from heart diseases, diabetes and stroke. Recent studies have revealed that gourmet coffee is an extremely good preventive measure for Parkinson's disease. Drinking coffee regularly supplies adequate antioxidants needed for the toxin-release of your body.

However, health benefits are easily achievable if you learn to make a perfect cup of gourmet coffee. This will make your kid drink at least a glass of delicious coffee everyday. Learn different other gourmet coffee recipes, so that the taste of coffee doesn't become monotonous to your child. Desserts like Caramel Macchiato, Cappuccino and Latte can be some nice options for you.

The ultimate buy for all gourmet coffee lovers is a home coffee-roaster. Buy the green coffee beans; roasting your own coffee beans takes around 20 minutes of time. The best thing about this kind is the aroma of fresh coffee, but the most significant fact is that it is even better for your overall health.

Spending a few days of leisure at the magnificent land of Costa Rica is even more valuable due to the abundance of healthy coffee beans.

By Boake Moore

Coffee: Cleaning Made Simple

2008-11-07T02:51:00.000-08:00

It's simple to clean your coffee maker. It's advisable to do so at least once every few weeks depending on your own individual usage rates. Some of the things that you will be washing away are the water mineral deposits, aged oil deposits, as well as any number of other particles that may have found it's way into your coffee cleaner.

Try not to use detergents to clean your coffee maker or it will leave some soap inside the system. A cheap way to effectively clean your drip coffee maker is to mix water and vinegar together and use that solution to clean the coffee maker. This can be repeated as many times as necessary to clean and disinfect the coffee maker parts.

Cleaning your coffee maker every now and then will ensure that you get the most out of each serving of coffee, and also extend the usable life of your coffee maker. Enjoy it while it's hot!

By Steven Sarsgaard

Fair Trade Coffee Is Great For All Coffee Types

2008-11-05T17:33:00.001-08:00

Fair Trade Coffee is an organization that protects the laborers who work hard to bring you great coffee. Fair Trade Coffee is produced a bit differently from regular beans, but still ensures that the beans are of the highest caliber.

In the United States people drink a lot of coffee, from cappuccino to espresso. Most people couldn’t face a day without their morning cup, but most people have no clue how coffee is made. Fair Trade Coffee helps bring information on this process to the many coffee drinkers in the U.S.

In the past many workers who toil to pick and plant the beans have been mistreated. Fair Trade Coffee is made on plantations that have a great record for worker’s rights. The working conditions have to be safe and the employees are paid a fair wage for their work.

Fair Trade coffee focuses on social and economic justice for coffee producers, while also bringing high quality coffee products to the U.S. Those of use who are coffee types will enjoy knowing that their cappuccino consumption is helping others. If the coffee is being produced under poor working conditions the organization will not certify the coffee beans.

Since so many workers suffer from poor conditions and inadequate pay, we should support Fair Trade Coffee by buying the coffee and still helps its workers. Fair Trade Coffee holds the highest standards to its certification process making sure we know what we are getting.

Next time you are sipping on your espresso make sure you know that your coffee didn’t come from a “sweatshop in a field.” This refers to the farmers who own plantations where their workers are mistreated. These farmers are paid poorly and mistreated.

You can find many Fair Trade Coffee suppliers that will fit the need of any coffee types! You can get order off the Fair Trade Coffee website or find some in a shop near you. You will feel good know you are doing what you can to help others!

By Johnathan Bakers

Hot Coffee - Getting The Delicious Taste You Want

2008-11-05T17:29:00.000-08:00

Coffee is everywhere in our society. Many people love the rich delicious flavor of a nice hot cup of coffee as soon as they wake in the morning. In fact, many people prefer to set their coffee makers so that the first thing they will sense when they wake is the fragrant aroma of fresh brewed coffee.

When it comes to keeping coffee hot, there are some steps that you can take to ensure that each cup of coffee is deliciously fresh, aromatic, and refreshing. First, you should make sure that you always brew your coffee fresh when you want some. For some people it may mean choosing a small coffee maker that only brews a cup at a time.

You'll also find that you should use the freshest and purest water for your coffee. Since coffee uses mostly 90 percent water, make sure that you use high quality water. If you use tap water, you can filter it or use special coffee filters that will help remove any impurities before brewing.

You will need to make sure that you measure your coffee grounds according to the amount of brewed coffee you desire. You can purchase coffee according to its strength as well as adjust the amount of coffee grinds that you measure to make the coffee the strength you desire. However, it should be noted that everyone prefers a different strength to his or her coffee, and what may be the perfect cup of coffee to you, may be too strong or too weak to someone else. A standard cup of coffee is basically six ounces of water and two tablespoons of coffee grinds. By using this basic formula, you can determine how many tablespoons you need to brew a perfect pot.

To ensure that your coffee remains hot, choose your choice of coffee mug or thermos carefully. Make sure that it is well insulated. Glass and stainless steel will not affect the taste of the coffee and are recommended as suitable thermos materials. Also, you will find that coffee that has been percolated or brewed in an automatic coffee maker will retain the best flavor.

Coffee that has been brewed in a French Press may not taste as well if it has been kept in a thermos. This in part due to the remaining sediment that exists in the coffee, it will continue to heat and cause the coffee to lose its flavor. The same is true of Espresso coffee. By brewing your coffee fresh and storing it in the proper thermos, you will continue to enjoy fresh hot coffee.

By Adrian Adams

Easy Ways To Travel With A One Cup Coffee Maker

2008-11-04T18:18:00.000-08:00

It would be nice to be able to travel with a one cup coffee maker in one's suitcase or backpack.

The trouble is, machines like the Keurig and Senseo are way too big to fit in even the biggest suitcase.

But it's a nice idea.

At hotels and motels, if you're lucky, you'll get one sachet of coffee to use in the in-room coffee maker.

Failing that, you'll have to go down to the lobby for a coffee, or down the street even.

Fortunately there are a couple of different ways in which you can travel with your own coffee maker. Best of all, both options will fit easily in your backpack.

All you need is the brewer, a small bag of ground coffee and maybe some sugar and long-life creamer.

Your first option is to use a French Press Travel Mug . You simply scoop the ground coffee into the mug, add near-boiling water, put the lid on and, about three or four minutes later, press down the plunger on the lid.

It's that simple. You can then add sugar and cream if you want.

The second option is to get yourself a Bistro Mug Coffee Press by Bodum. It's a rather neat variation on the French Press theme.

Instead of including a travel mug as part of the package, you can use the Bistro Mug Coffee Press with any mug.

Either way, these presses are small enough to fit in your hand luggage or the glove compartment of your car.

So next time you want to travel with a one cup coffee maker, don't despair.

By Nicholas H. Usborne

Senseo Coffee Maker Magic

2008-11-03T04:42:00.000-08:00

The Senseo coffee maker combines a unique brewing method from Philips with convenient Senseo coffee pods from Douwe Egberts. Senseo was one of the first to introduce pod coffee makers a few years ago.

Today, Senseo coffee makers have become one of the most popular pod coffee makers sold. One of the reasons is each individual cup is freshly brewed, so you're always sure of a pure and smooth taste.

To add a European touch, each cup is topped off with a frothy coffee layer, adding depth and a nice visual touch to your coffee experience.

Because the machine uses pre-measured coffee pods, the system is hassle-free and guarantees a flavorful, fresh brew each time.

The Senseo coffee maker is easy and simple to clean because all of the parts of the pod coffee maker are detachable and can be conveniently cleaned in a dishwasher.

The pod coffee maker quickly brews one 4-oz. cup in 30 seconds, or 2 cups or one mug in 60 seconds. To make coffee you use Senseo coffee pods from Douwe Egberts containing gourmet coffees, specialty coffees and espresso.

An exceptional cup of coffee doesn't need to be an occasional treat anymore because it can easily be a part of your daily routine with this Senseo coffee maker.

You get the very best in flavor and aroma plus a frothy coffee layer that is rich and smooth. A Senseo coffee maker allows you to enjoy a perfect cup of coffee whenever you feel like it.

By Gary Gresham

Coffee Makers - Kitchen Gadgets Worth Selecting Carefully

2008-11-02T02:59:00.000-08:00

Drinking coffee in the morning has become an American tradition. Many people partake of this delicious, energizing beverage no matter what time it is. If you want the best coffee, you need to get good coffee beans or grinds of course. However, much about the coffee drinking experience depends upon the type of coffee makers you select.

If you want just one cup of this rich, dark brew you might like to invest in one of the single cup personal coffee makers. When you make just one cup at a time, you do not have to worry about stale or bitter coffee. Philips makes the Senseo models of gourmet single cup machines that guarantee a perfect cup every time. Black and Decker also makes single cup personal coffee makers, some with a decorative cup and others with a travel mug or two.

If you have a small kitchen area, you might not think that you have the space for a traditional 10 or 12-cup coffee maker. Black and Decker has the perfect solution for you, with their SpaceMaker coffee makers. These small systems mount under a counter; yet they can make up to 12 cups of tasty coffee. The secret is in the compact design.

Thermal carafes are good features to look for on coffee makers you want to buy. They can keep the beverage hot and fresh without subjecting it to unreasonably high heats. Instead of sitting on a sizzling warming plate, the coffee retains its heat gently and naturally in the thermal carafe.

One of the unusual coffee makers is the BUNN High Altitude-optimized coffee maker. BUNN coffee makers have unique brewing systems that produce high quality coffee in a short amount of time. This is true of their commercial coffee makers as well. Another special type of coffee maker, that is fairly new on the scene, is the kind of coffee makers that both grind and brew the coffee.

A good cup of coffee is a delight to the senses. If you want to have the very best coffee maker for you, you can find it if you understand the choices. Take the time to look at several different machines before you choose the one you will buy. You will be happier with the result and enjoy your coffee every time you use it.

By Bob Schmitt

Different Views of Gourmet Coffee Pod

2008-11-01T17:32:00.000-07:00

Coffee beans are not beans at all but the seeds from the fruit of a coffee plant. There are two ways to remove these seeds, which are wet and dry extracting. Coffee is one of the most traded commodities in the world passed only by petroleum. It is also the most popular beverage.

Types of Coffee

The two main coffees grown for commercial use are Arabica and Robusta coffee. For a gourmet coffee, Robusta does not fit everyone's taste. Having double the caffeine of Arabica coffee, it lacks the aroma or taste. Arabica gourmet coffee is a superior grade coffee with fabulous aroma and a wonderful taste.

A gourmet coffee pod is a pre-packaged, pre-measured amount of sealed coffee that you drop into your coffee pod maker and just add water. In 30 seconds, you are drinking a fresh, perfect mug of gourmet coffee. No measuring of coffee necessary so this makes them very convenient and fast. Once the gourmet coffee is finished, simply throw the pod away. There are also tea pods for all the tea lovers that work the same way as the coffee pods.

When you get up in the morning, the very last thing you want to do is get out a filter, measure your gourmet coffee, measure the water and wait for the coffee to brew. This is almost torture for a person that cannot function without their first cup of gourmet coffee. Coffee pod makers are a wonderful invention that allows you to have a fabulous cup of gourmet coffee in 30 seconds. You fill the coffee pod maker with water, put a coffee pod in it and push a button. There are coffee pod makers that only make a single cup or some that make several cups. Half a minute later, you are drinking your rich, frothy gourmet coffee. Coffee pod makers are stylish and sleek and look great in a kitchen or breakfast nook.

Flavors of Gourmet Coffee Pods

You can get gourmet coffee pods in several brew strengths such as mild, medium and dark roasted. Although this coffee may cost a little more, it is well worth the extra money spent. Gourmet coffee pods come in many different and unique flavors and sizes such as 14 pod bags and 50 pod boxes. Here are some of the many flavors available:

• Caramel nut crunch

• Chocolate cappuccino

• Mocha cinnamon

• French vanilla

• Hazelnut

• Swiss chocolate almond

• Almond

• Chocolate mint

• Peppermint

• Express

• Irish cream

Gourmet coffee pods are also available in decaffeinated. If you are one of those people that cannot open their eyes or function before they have their first cup of coffee, then a coffee pod is the way to go. By the time you put your gourmet coffee pod in the coffee maker and push the button, it is time to drink your first mug of coffee and wake up to the wonderful aroma and taste of gourmet coffee. Life is great.

By Joseph Then

Caffeine - The Socially Accepted Killer

2008-10-30T07:22:00.000-07:00

Caffeine and nicotine are two legal and socially domesticated drugs only because they are less toxic when taken in standard quantities. The negative health effects of nicotine and its addictiveness are common knowledge. So why are we so reluctant to show caffeine in the same dim light?

Caffeine and nicotine

Caffeine is present in many foods and drugs -- in coffee, tea, energy and soft drinks, candy bars, and over-the-counter cold remedies and analgesics. It is consumed daily by approximately 80% of the world's population. Small doses of caffeine increase alertness, but there are serious health risks from consuming large quantities and from the long term use of caffeine.

It's common knowledge that small doses of caffeine increase alertness, buy why aren't the negative effects of caffeine common knowledge? Smokers wishing to quit have specific treatment programs and therapeutic drugs available that are often covered by insurance. Warning labels are on every pack of cigarettes. Smoking is now a recognized cause of cancer, lung disease, coronary heart disease, and stroke. Nicotine dependence causes more death and disability than all other drug disorders combined (Ogawa & Ueki, 2007, p. 267). Where are the warnings labels about the health risks from consuming large quantities and long-term use of caffeine?

Current research on the effects of caffeine

A study on the long-term effects of caffeine with responses from nearly 6000 people found that caffeine intake was positively associated with higher levels of depressed mood, anxiety and stress (Rogers, Heatherly, & Mullings, 2006).

Recent evidence suggests that little or no acute benefit is gained from regular caffeine consumption because the withdrawal of caffeine, for example overnight, lowers mood and alertness and performance degrades, and while consumption of more caffeine reverses these effects, it does not boost functioning to above normal levels. Caffeine increases anxiety, especially in susceptible individuals (Rogers, 2007).

A recent study that examined the relationship between coffee and the risk of heart attack incorporated a genetic polymorphism associated with a slower rate of caffeine metabolism and provides strong evidence that caffeine also affects risk of coronary heart disease (Cornelis & El-Sohemy, 2007). According to this journal article, diterpenes present in unfiltered coffee and caffeine appears to increase the risk of coronary heart disease. A diet high in caffeine increases calcium excretion in the urine, a contributor to osteoporosis (Wrotny, 2005). Recent studies have shown that a diet high in caffeine, low in antioxidants and high in red meat may contribute to an increased risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis (Oliver & Silman, 2006).

Effects of caffeine

While teaching a graduate course on Human Behavior in the Social Environment, a seasoned social worker who has worked with adolescents for over twenty-five years instructed her class of future counselors, that in counseling adolescents she has found that many overt behaviors disappear by simply eliminating the teenager's caffeine consumption.

Caffeine can produce a clinical dependent syndrome. Symptoms include but are not limited to feelings of euphoria, talkativeness and hyperactivity, feelings of versatility, anxiety and sleep disturbances. In one case report, consumption of 4 or 5 energy drinks a day resulted in interpersonal problems with family and work colleagues, impulsive extravagance, feelings of anxiety and insecurity and dissociative behaviors.

When the energy drink was gradually discontinued, the symptoms completely disappeared and ten years later there has been no recurrence of manic behavior and no intake of the energy drink. In another case, a 40 year-old housewife began taking caffeine to stay awake to visit her hospitalized father three times a week. Within 5 weeks her dose increased to 1,000 milligrams a day of caffeine. She began experiencing feelings of strong anxiety, palpitations, feelings of heat in her cheeks and a rushing of blood to her head, agitation, sleep disturbance and then the inability to perform household chores.

A medical consultation led to a diagnosis of caffeine intoxication and dependence. All negative symptoms disappeared and have not returned in seven years after gradual discontinuance of caffeine (Ogawa & Ueki, 2007). Caffeine can produce a clinical dependence syndrome similar to other psychoactive substances and has a potential for abuse.

Unfortunately children and adolescents receive insufficient information on caffeine so there is a tendency to consume large quantities. In the USA, the permissible limit of caffeine is 200 mg per liter. Energy drinks contain caffeine at levels above the FDA limit for sodas (65 milligrams per 12 ounces) a fact not disclosed on most labels. The caffeine in energy drinks tested at the University of Florida ranged from 33 milligrams to 141 milligrams in a 16-ounce Sobe No Fear. They also found more than the recommended amount in Starbucks' Doubleshot, with 105 milligrams of caffeine (Popkin et al., 2006).

Caffeine makes the heart beat abnormally fast, constricts the cerebral blood vessels, delays the onset of sleep and reduces the total sleeping time. Caffeine also produces gastrointestinal problems. Caffeine is dangerous in pregnancy because it crosses the placenta. The main mechanism of action of caffeine in the central nervous system is antagonism at the level of adenosine receptors. Important secondary effects also occur on many classes of neurotransmitters, including dopamine (Garrett & Griffiths, 1997). Caffeine increases blood pressure, and raised blood pressure in middle age increases risk of cognitive impairment later in life (Stewart, 1999). High caffeine users do not perform as well on verbal reasoning tests according to a study by Dr. Paula Mitchell of Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Excessive caffeine intake overworks the glandular system and can quickly deplete the body of vitamins B, C, magnesium, and several micro nutrients, according to nutritional psychologist Marc David MA (David, 2005).

The health risks from consuming large quantities and from the long term use of caffeine are serious. Currently, not only are there no warning labels on products containing caffeine, but more than the recommended amounts of caffeine are allowed in products that we indulge in frequently. The increased alertness and energy derived from caffeine are not worth the negative health risks. A safe, natural way to increase alertness and energy needs to be substituted for ingesting caffeine. The risks are just too high.

Caffeine causes stress and weight gain

Caffeine aggravates emotional, mental and physiological stress. Caffeine increases the levels of epinephrine, norepinephrine and coritsol (stress hormones) which are responsible for high blood pressure and increased heart rate. Under the influence of these hormones, oxygen to the brain and extremities is reduced and the immune system is inhibited.

Research shows a relationship between habitual caffeine use and excessive levels of the stress hormones. Elevated levels of cortisol appear to cause accumulation of extra fat in the abdomen, as well as an increased appetite and the craving of fat-rich foods. Weight gain in the abdomen also stimulates the release of additional stress hormones.

Caffeine also acts on the sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal glands and causes hypoglycemia. This causes decreased circulation to the brain, immediate and continual constriction of blood vessels throughout the body and a pervasive feeling of low blood sugar. The feelings of low blood sugar cause an increase in appetite and food cravings and further interfere with the maintaining a proper body weight.

Alternative energy therapy

In a preliminary study (conducted by Inhalex.com) of 21 male and female college students between the ages of 19 and 24, researchers found that participants who smelled a specially formulated fragrance experienced an increased perception of energy and in performance scores of recalling historical facts and dates than during exposure to a recognizable food odor or a pleasant neutral odor.

All test subjects were in good health and had normal olfactory ability, as measured by a preliminary medical assessment. Each subject completed a battery of pre and post-trial cognitive, physical and psychological assessments that included; visual acuity, reading ability, sleep and study habits; and rating of feelings of self esteem, self discipline, confidence, etc.

The subjects participated in a one-hour, college freshman level test on U.S. History in a timed, "final exam" setting. The test was conducted after a 2-hour "cramming" study period. A monetary award of $25 was offered to participants that scored 90% and above. During all phases of the blind study, each participant was given a specially designed finger ring that had been infused with one of the particular scents. The subjects were instructed to inhale the scent repeatedly and freely throughout both study testing periods. All subjects underwent three separate U.S. History study periods and tests, one under each odor condition over an eight-day period.

Research findings

The findings showed that the special formulation most effected the participant's performance when recall of exact dates and associated names was required. Remembering lists of items showed moderate improvement. Recalling contextual facts alone showed modest improvement.

An increased sense of wakefulness was reported as was a feeling of improved concentration. A moderate decrease in overall frustration was also noted. Subjects reported themselves feeling more positive about their overall mental abilities and having an increased motivation to perform even under the vigilance of the testing environment.

The study found the participants more able to ignore "disturbances" created during the testing period under the special odorant condition. Participants also reported feeling more satisfied with their results during the special odorant condition and even happier overall afterward.

These findings suggest that the special scent creates a physiological effect that stimulates the nervous and circulatory systems; a chemical effect that triggers the release of dopamine, endorphins and other neurotransmitters; and a psychological effect that elicits behavioral changes in mood, motivation, desire, attention, satisfaction, etc.

The primary goal of this study was to validate the aromatic blends for use in a commercial product. Further study is planned to refine the delivery mechanism before the products will be introduced to the marketplace.

Conclusion

A demand for increased stimulation, alertness and energy is driving the public to search for commercially available products and protocols. However, caffeine is an additive drug and must be treated as such. Abstinence from or at least moderation in its use, labeling of caffeinated products, expanded drug research and even de-socializing its acceptance must be considered as possible measures in dealing with this toxic health killer.

References

Cornelis, M. C., & El-Sohemy, A. (2007, February). Coffee, caffeine, and coronary heart disease. Curr Opin Lipidol, 18(1), 13-9.

Crowe, M. J., Leicht, A. S., & Spinks, W. L. (2006). Physiological and cognitive responses to caffeine during repeated, high-intensity exercise. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 16, 528-544.

David, M. (2005). The slowdown diet: Eating for pleasure, energy, and weight loss (1st ed.). : Healing Arts Press.

Garrett, B. E., & Griffiths, R. R. (1997). The role of dopamine in the behavioral effects of caffeine in animals and humans. Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav., 57, pp. 553-541.

Ogawa, N., & Ueki, H. (2007). Clinical importance of caffeine dependence and abuse. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 61, 263-268.

Oliver, J. E., & Silman, A. J. (2006, May). Risk factors for the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatoid Arthritis, 35(3), pp. 169-174.

Popkin, B. M., Armstrong, L. E., Bray, G. M., Caballero, B., Frei, B., & Willett, W. C. (2006, March). . A new proposed guidance system for beverage consumption in the United States, 83(3), pp. 529-542.

Rogers, P. J. (2007). Caffeine, mood and mental performance in everyday life. British Nutrition Foundation, Nutrition bulletin 32(32 (suppl 1)), 84-89.

Rogers, P. J., Heatherly, S. V., & Mullings, E. L. (2006). Licit drug use and depression, anxiety, and stress. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 20((suppl.) A27), .

Stewart, R. (1999). Hypertension and cognitive decline. British Journal of Psychiatry, 174, pp. 286-7.

Wrotny, C. (2005). Osteoporosis: What women want to know. MEDSURG Nursing, 14(6), pp. 405-415.

By Dirk Cline

Coffee, Energy and Extra Fat

2008-10-29T17:27:00.000-07:00

Coffee: The Busy Mom's Energy Drink of Choice

The Coffee habit is hard to break for many moms who are in search of the energy boosts needed to start the day and keep the day going. Unfortunately this habit becomes one obstacle in the quest to lose the fat and get your body back. The extra calories from sugar and fat quickly add up to stall any fat loss efforts. I have spent many a morning and afternoon in my Favorite coffee shop, Starbucks.

If I had known what I know now, my ability to lose that extra belly fat might not have been so difficult.

Here are some Shocking Calorie Facts about what your favorite energy drink may contain:

Dairy Queen Mocha MooLatte: 590 calories

DQ's French Vanilla MooLatte: 570 cals

Dunkin' Donuts Coffee Coolatta: 350 cals

Dunkin' Donuts Caramel Swirl Latte: 230 cals

Dunkin' Donuts Iced Mocha Swirl Latte: 240 cals

Starbucks Venti Vanilla Creme: 520 cals

Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino, 430 calories

Starbucks Venti Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino: 750 cals

If you are consuming these hard-to-resist treats on a daily basis, you're likely to notice the numbers on your bathroom scale creeping upwards. Hopefully, now that you know you the nutritional information you might think twice about your next coffee run. Now a gourmet coffee every once in a while is perfectly fine. Life without yummy treats like this would be boring and it's a proven fact that deprivation does not make for a nutrition plan that works long term.

If you must drink coffee on a daily basis, you can make healthier choices. Go for black or control the amount of sugar by requesting non-sweetened drinks, or add your own sugar or artificial sweetener if you prefer. I do enjoy my caffiene every morning too, but I do so with a large cup of freshly brewed green tea. I save my trips to Starbucks for those "once-in-a-while" occasions when I treat myself, which usually accompanies a trip to the mall or to the salon.

By Holly Rigsby

Brewing the Perfect Cup of Coffee

2008-10-29T17:14:00.000-07:00

Brewing the perfect cup of coffee can be done by anyone. Knowing how to do brew coffee properly will allow you to enjoy your cup and allow for the natural tastes and flavors to come out.

Preparation

A clean machine

You will want to make sure that your coffee maker and pot are clean.

Brewing

Cold, fresh water

Using cold and fresh water from the start will insure that your coffee tastes good. Coffee is made up of mostly water, therefore this is a key step. Use a clean glass to pour the water into the reservoir. Do not taint the water by using the carafe to pour the water.

Premium coffee beans

Using premium coffee beans will give you the freshest and more flavorful tasting pot of coffee as well. Your beans should be stored in an air tight container. They should only touch air when they are being grinded and then promptly placed into your coffee machine.

Coffee Amount

Use around two rounded tablespoons of coffee per cup of water.

After

Remove the filter immediately

Allowing the filter to sit in your coffee machine means that coffee will continue to drip in to your freshly brewed coffee. Although the coffee is fresh in your carafe, the coffee dripping from the filter will be bitter. Thus, you could ruin a fresh pot of coffee.

Serve it right away

Coffee looses its flavor as soon as it hits the air. Serve your coffee fresh and you will be able to get the most out of it!

By Matthew Payne

Is Coffee Healthy?

2008-10-28T16:01:00.000-07:00

Coffee shops are one of the fastest growing businesses. Leading the high demand for coffee is the United States with 400 million cups of coffee consumed by Americans per day. 14 billion coffee espressos are consumed in Italy each year. So, there is no doubt that coffee is popular, but, is coffee healthy?

Well, if you read the literature, there does not seem to be a clear cut answer to that question. So, we'll address the good and the bad. First, there are some potential health concerns for coffee drinkers. On the flip side, if used in moderation or in certain circumstances, coffee can have health benefits. So, let's find out about these concerns and benefits.

Health Problems Related to Coffee and Caffeine

Adrenal Fatigue can result from over-consumption of coffee. This is when your adrenal glands become exhausted from over-stimulation. The caffeine in coffee is a nervous system stimulant, which causes your body to produce adrenaline. Adrenaline is the hormone that regulates heart rate, blood pressure and respiration. It is the adrenaline rush from caffeine that gives coffee drinkers the extra "go" to keep up with the heavy demands of their busy lifestyles. Becoming dependant on this adrenaline rush is part of what makes coffee and caffeine addictive. Failing to nurture your adrenals can have detrimental side effects. Our adrenals are necessary for producing hormones, which directly influences the operation of other body systems. If the adrenals become depleted and can no longer keep up with the energy demands you are placing on them, your health will suffer and you will be like a car without fuel or a car that has just gone head on into a rock wall.

An acidic pH environment is created in the body when there are too many negative influences from acidic food, thoughts, toxins and stressors. The pH balance of the body can range from alkaline, neutral to acidic. Coffee is very acidic with over 200 different acids including uric acid from the breakdown of caffeine. Many health problems such as arthritis arise in the body when it is acidic.

Mineral deficiency can arise from the over-consumption of coffee. Some nutrients are blocked from absorption and excessively secreted through urination with the consumption of coffee. Necessary minerals for the body such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron and other trace minerals are at risk of depletion for those who drink coffee.

Blood sugar swings such as hypoglycemia can be induced by coffee consumption. Caffeine taxes both the pancreas and the liver by forcing them to produce glycogen and insulin on a double duty rollercoaster. This excessive push of up and down can result in blood sugar swings. Your blood sugar balance is directly connected to hormone balance and fat metabolism.

Health Symptoms that Can Arise from Over-Consumption of Coffee and Caffeine

Fatigue

Anxiety, nervousness, irritability

Irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, diarrhea and other digestive ailments

Yeast overgrowth, candidiasis

Hypoglycemia, diabetes

Dizziness

Gout

Heart palpitations or other heart disorders

High blood pressure

High cholesterol

Insomnia

Heartburn

Liver and gallbladder problems

Bladder and kidney disorders

Headaches or migraines

Ulcers, stomach problems

Osteoporosis

Hormone imbalance

PMS

Severe menopause symptoms

Skin eruptions, rashes, acne, eczema

Urinary tract infections

Weight gain

Fibrocystic breast disease

Infertility

Miscarriage

Low baby birth weight

Enlarged prostate

Arthritis

Fibromyalgia

Memory lapse

Moodiness

Lack of concentration

Okay, now on to the flip side of drinking coffee. What if any are the benefits?

If coffee and caffeine consumption is kept to a minimum and not abused, there are some potential health benefits. Some studies suggest that many people can safely drink one to two cups of coffee per day. However, if you are a coffee drinker, what is safe for you may vary. Listen to your body. If you are noticing any of the health problems noted above, consider that coffee might just be the culprit.

Potential Health Benefits of Drinking Coffee

In some studies caffeine has shown to improve focus and memory.

Coffee and caffeine has been documented to assist athletes in performance and overcoming fatigue.

Coffee consumption helps regulate bowel function.

Coffee contains antioxidants, which are highly beneficial to our body for fighting free radicals.

In some studies, coffee has shown promise in lowering the risk of Parkinson's disease.

Ultimately, whether coffee is healthy or not comes down to your own personal body and how sensitive or not you are to its affects.

If you are a coffee drinker, you might want to access your relationship to coffee. Are you addicted to it? Can you quit for a day or two without negative side effects? Does it cause you to experience negative symptoms? Are you using coffee as a crutch to get through the day instead of for occasional enjoyment? Can you drink large amounts of coffee with little reaction? This may be a sign that your adrenals are overloaded and no longer responding to stimulus.

If you've accessed your coffee consumption habits and coffee is affecting your health in negative ways, first consider giving up coffee or cutting back, and secondly consider supporting your body with some additional nutrients through improved diet and high quality supplements.

With some things in life, a little goes a long way and moderation is the best advice.

By Kelly Hoffman

How to Make an Espresso? The Art of Making Coffee Cuisine

2008-10-28T15:46:00.000-07:00

Espresso coffee is a precise art form of coffee making. There are several factors that must take place to make a quality cup of Espresso. First the fresh roasting of the coffee bean to bring out the truly gourmet coffee flavor that you expect. The grinding is the next procedure that must be done right in order to give you 20-25 seconds of extraction time. Espresso brewing requires the ground beans to be very fine in order to reach that perfect state for brewing. The next important step is the proper temperature of the filtered water that must be passed through the coffee at the specific pressure and timing that is critical to your espresso coffee.

The perfect espresso is created when:

Recipe directions: 1 ½ oz (45 ml) filtered water at the temperature of 195 oF (90oC) passes through ¼ - 1/3 oz (7-9 g) finely ground quality Espresso coffee. This water is forced through the fine coffee grounds by the espresso machine at 900 kilopascals atmospheric pressure (around 132 pounds/60kg per sq in/2.5cm2), with the water being in direct contact with the coffee for approximately 25 seconds.

What should your espresso taste like?

When you are ready to take a drink from your espresso cup, it should leave a pleasant not bitter aftertaste. The flavor should linger for about 10 minutes rolling into an almost nutty flavor.

The crown on your cup of Espresso

The topping on the espresso is know as "Crema", which is the floating dark golden cream free of any white or light brown patches. That is the crown of the perfect espresso coffee. The Crema is formed when the emulsified oils from the coffee are released (because of the high pressure that is put on the ground coffee beans) and mixed with the oxygen in the air. The resulting finish is perfect crema that floats on top of the espresso coffee.

By Daryl Plaza

Try the Tradition of Turkish Coffee and Taste the Difference

2008-10-24T18:34:00.000-07:00

The Europeans got their first taste of Turkish Coffee, and coffee in general from the Ottoman Turks, who brought coffee to the West. They were great coffee drinkers, both at home and in public houses, the forerunners of our cafés, which started to spring up across the Islamic countries. Turkish coffee became part of the Turks life and was known as the "Wine of Islam" and the "Milk of Chess Players and Thinkers".

Turkish coffee is derived from the famous Arabica coffee bean, often the addition of the aromatic Cardamom spice is added to the coffee while it is being ground. Another method boils seeds with the coffee and lets them float to the top when served.

Traditionally Turkish Coffee has six levels of sweetness from ranging from very sweet to black. Sugar is not added to the coffee after it has been served. As the coffee begins to heat, it begins to foam. A rule of the traditional Turkish coffee ceremony states that if the foam is absent from the coffee, the host loses face. Turkish coffee is served hot from a special pot called a cezve.

You wont need a cezve pot to make this Turkish coffee recipe

In order to make your own brew of "Milk of Thinkers", heat water in a pan, add coffee and sugar to taste. Bring to boil. Pour half of the coffee into demitasse cups and return the remaining coffee to the heat and bring back to boil. Spoon off the foam and gently place into each cup without stirring. You'll need 1 1/2 cups of cold water, 4 teaspoons of strong dark roast coffee and about 4 teaspoons of sugar.

You can try adding cardamom if you like the taste. After some experimenting, you'll have an almost authentic Turkish coffee.

By Nicholas Webb

Specialty Gourmet Coffee

2008-10-21T20:10:00.000-07:00

Specialty gourmet coffee is a very hot commodity in today's market. The consumption of gourmet coffee has steadily grown with consumers enjoying the more sophisticated tastes of gourmet coffee beans.

Specialty gourmet coffee, sometimes called premium coffee, is exceptional coffee beans grown only in ideal coffee-producing climates. These coffee beans have unique characteristics because of the soil they grow in which produce very distinctive flavors.

Gourmet coffee has a more balanced flavor and richer taste than the standard mass-produced coffee. Gourmet coffee beans go through a rigorous process of certification that is stricter to help keep the quality high.

In the 1974 issue of the "Tea & Coffee Trade Journal", Erna Knutsen first used the term 'specialty coffee' to describe these unique coffee beans that are produced in special microclimates with these distinctive, exceptional flavors.

In 1982 the Specialty Coffee Association of America was created by coffee professionals to help set quality standards for the specialty coffee trade.

Since the 1990's the growing popularity of the coffee houses and specialty gourmet coffee retailers, have made gourmet coffee one of the fastest growing food services markets in the world. In the United States alone, it nets approximately $8.5 billion a year.

Some have compared specialty gourmet coffee to wine. The aromas and flavors have similarities in how the consumer connects with the two beverages. The characteristics of gourmet coffee however, are more even complex than wine. The coffee bean is more dependent on altitudes, climate and soil variation than with the grapes used for wine.

The history and tradition of the specialty coffee grower makes this a very complex beverage. So pour yourself a cup of your favorite specialty gourmet coffee, sit back and enjoy, you deserve it.

By Gary Gresham

5 Tips On How To Make A Better Cup Of Coffee

2008-10-20T21:10:00.000-07:00

Tip 1: Start Your Brewing With A Fresh Filted-Cold-Water

Coffee is 98% water so it only make sense to use filtered water. If you use tap water, keep a gallon jug of it in the refrigerator. If there are any sediments or impurities, they will settle to the bottom of the colder water. The best temperature to brew coffee is between 195 and 205 degrees F. If you use an electric coffee pot, it should heat the water to the proper temperature. So, the better the water, the better the coffee.

Tip 2: Your Coffee Grinds

Avoid using pre-ground coffee if possible. The flavor oils evaporate quickly after the coffee is ground leaving the taste stale or weak. Think about how long that pre-ground coffee can or bag was sitting on the grocers shelf. Try using whole bean coffee and grind it using either a burr or blade grinder. A medium grind is usually the best grind. If you are using a blade grinder for brewed coffee, you should grind the beans for about 15 to 20 seconds. A burr grinder should have settings for each brew method.

Tip 3: Measuring Your Coffee

Let's do away with a popular myth that using more or less coffee will make your brew stronger or weaker. The intensity of your coffee starts with the beans itself, how they were grown, harvested and roasted. If you want a strong cup of coffee pick a bean that is strong and if you want a light cup, pick a bean that is light. As far measuring is concerned, typically you would use 2 level tablespoons of ground beans or 2 heaping tablespoon of whole beans for every 6 ounces of water.

Tip 4: Brewing Your Coffee

For electric drip coffee makers be sure to use the gold-tone coffee filters in place of the white paper filters. The paper filters leave an after taste and can absorb the coffee's oils. If you use the white paper filter, rinse it first in hot water to help remove the taste of the paper. Coffer taste the freshest and best if drank within the first 20 minutes of brewing.

Tip 5: Storing Your Coffee

A cool, dry place is the best way to store your coffee. Store your coffee in a sealed container or a jar with metal clamps. Many people think a refrigerator or freezer is a good place to store coffee, but they are too moist inside and can taint your coffee beans with the odors of food.

By Joseph Camerlin

The Ideal Coffee Machine for the Coffee Lover

2008-10-20T21:08:00.000-07:00

Coffee machines are a machine that is found in all homes, dorms and offices of coffee drinkers. Different types of coffee machines are built to be used in different places; there are also coffee makers that can be used in a RV, a big rig and to take along with you when you go camping.

The different types of coffee machines in the market today have individual features in a variety of colors, size, price, size and finish. The different types of coffee machines found today are automatic, French press, expresso coffee maker, vacuum, stove top, drip coffee makers and the pod. These different coffee machines are found either as hot or cold brew coffee machines. Some coffee machines are a combination of both grinder and coffee making capabilities.

Nowadays, different companies manufacture different coffee makers; and these coffee machines are known by the company name like delonghi coffee machine, jura coffee machine, sunbeam coffee machine, breville coffee machine, saeco coffee machine and senseo coffee machine. You can find these coffee machines in different colors that include black, white, red and practically any color you want to match your interiors. They are also made of different materials ranging from plastic to stainless steel while most of them come with a shatterproof glass carafe.

You also find coffee machines in the market that produce more than twenty cups of coffee, called the commercial coffee machine. These coffee machines are best for use in commercial establishments like offices and stores. Different coffee machines have different features that may include frothing systems, electric timers, digital/programmable, thermostat, filters and warming plate. The price of the coffee maker varies according to your preference and functionality of the coffee machine.

When choosing the right coffee machine for yourself, you have to look for the coffee machine that first fits your budget. Then you have to consider if the coffee machine has all the features required to make the type of coffee you enjoy drinking like expresso or cappuccino. With the wide range of coffee machines in the market, you are sure to find the right coffee machine that creates coffee that suits your taste buds.

By Samantha Clark

Coffee Pot Extravaganza

2008-10-17T17:36:00.000-07:00

A coffee pot is a coffee pot, right? Wrong! Do you know that there are hundreds of different kinds of coffee pots, made out of a multitude of materials? There are antique coffee pots and glass coffee pots, as well as cleaning coffee pots and vacuum and glass coffee pots... the list goes on and on. There are just as many brand names for coffee pots and makers as there are materials to make them with. Some of the biggest names in coffee are Braun, Cuisinart and Krups, not to mention Bunn and Sunbeam and dozens more.

There are so many different kinds of coffee pots it would be impossible to name them all. Some drip, some brew and some produce coffee like you've never tasted before. Ever use a coffee air pot or a Turkish coffee pot? The number of different kinds of coffee you can make in any style of coffee pot is as varied as the types. Cowboy coffee, gourmet coffee, Turkish coffee, no matter where you are in the world, you can bet that there's coffee there.

A coffee pot can make strong coffee or smooth coffee, depending on the materials the coffee is made of. Some special coffee pots made out of clay enhance the taste of coffee with flavors that can't be found anywhere else in the world. No one knows when the first coffee was brewed in a coffee pot, but today, the coffee industry is booming, and will continue to grow. Like food, most people can't live without their coffee.

The timed coffee pot gets a lot of people up and going in the morning, and for some, a good stiff cup of coffee in the middle of the day helps them get through many a hectic afternoon.

A coffee pot doesn't have to be expensive to brew good coffee, though there are coffee pots and machines that can cost hundreds of dollars. An average coffee pot can be found at your local Wal-Mart for fewer than fifteen dollars. The coffee industry rakes in billions of dollars a year with roasted and gourmet coffees that can be made and enjoyed using a moderately priced coffee pot. A coffee pot can be small enough to brew only one or two cups at a time while others can brew up to twenty. But no matter what kind of coffee pot you buy, you have to keep it clean in order to produce that fresh taste that you've come to savor every morning.

Most coffee pots in the United States are made of glass, which allows them to be easily cleaned. Make sure to run hot water through the water reservoir occasionally however, to keep parts clean and free of buildup.

Some coffee pots made of materials like Pyrex or stainless steel are easy to keep clean while others require a little more care, like an antique coffee pot of a coffee pot made of clay or stone. No matter which kind you buy, one thing is guaranteed: you'll enjoy your coffee, no matter what kind of coffee pot it's brewed in.

By Candice Sabrina

Brazilian Coffee

2008-10-15T21:25:00.001-07:00

Adultery, deceit and politics, all the makings of a modern-day best-seller, yet this story is over 250 years old and what ultimately led to brazilian coffee. In 1727 a Brazilian official named Francisco de Melho Palheta was invited to mediate a heated border dispute between French and Dutch Guiana. Both governments were actively growing coffee in Guiana and closely guarded their financial interests by not allowing the exportation of viable coffee seeds.

Palheta quickly accepted the invitation with hopes of somehow obtaining some seeds for planting coffee in Brazil. While in Guiana Palheta became romantically involved with the French Governors wife. Upon his departure, after successfully mediating a solution to the border issue, the Governors wife presented him with a bouquet of flowers in which she had disguised several coffee seedlings.

The Brazilians quickly learned the rudiments of growing coffee with emphasis on quantity over quality, which is still the prevalent philosophy when it comes to growing coffee in Brazil. Brazil is by far the largest producer of coffee in the world with over forty percent of all coffee coming from this country. However, the vast majority is of marginal quality and what the major commercial processors such as Folgers, Maxwell House etc… rely on as the base product for their blends. By adding small amounts of higher quality coffee they are able to enhance flavor, body and aroma and provide a product that is acceptable to the masses at a reasonable price.

The production of coffee in Brazil had a dark side. As the cultivation of coffee in Brazil grew, so did slavery. Without enough local labor to handle the ever increasing demand for coffee, the Brazilian Government imported slaves by the tens of thousands. By 1828 well over a million slaves, nearly a third of the population, labored on the coffee plantations.

In response to pressure from the British Government, who had outlawed slavery and were boycotting Brazilian slave-grown coffee, Brazil half-heartedly outlawed slavery. Though importation of slaves declined, it did not cease and the two-million or so slaves that were already in the country remained in bondage. It would be another fifty years before slavery was truly abolished.

As production of coffee in Brazil modernized, modern being a relative term for a third-world country. A few growers established a reputation for providing high-quality coffee and edged their way into the American specialty market.

The best coffee in Brazil comes from the region around San Paulo and is named for the port through which it is exported, Santos. Santos is known for its smooth flavor, medium body and moderate acidity. While Santos is the best coffee in Brazil, it is still far from extraordinary when compared to other gourmet coffees of the world.

Even with the reputation of providing low-grade coffee to the masses, the impact Brazil has had on the world coffee trade is undeniable. Without Brazilian coffee to stabilize the market, coffee prices could be three to four times what they are. Imagine paying $15-20 for a one pound can of Folgers. I, for one, am grateful to Brazil for providing the world with cheap coffee.

By Randy Wilson

Italian Coffee

2008-10-13T21:13:00.000-07:00

Espresso, caffè normale and cappuccino are types of Italian coffee, and one might wonder if there are as many types of coffee in Italy as there are pastas. Quite surprisingly, there are and just like pasta, Italian coffee is also an art form linked to many customs and traditions. Be it a caffè corretto shot down like a drink, a cappuccino and brioche that would make a lovely snack, or a granita di caffè con panna to chill off from the hot noon sun, Italy has a coffee drink for every occasion and every mood.

The most famous of the Italian coffees are the cappuccinos -- the café corretto and café latte. Cappuccino is prepared with espresso and milk. A cappuccino is commonly identified as 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk and 1/3 frothed milk. Cappuccino is preferably served in a ceramic coffee cup to retain the heat, instead of glass or paper that is a comparatively poorer heat retainer. Café corretto is a coffee "corrected" with a measure of grappa, cognac or any other alcoholic content. Latte is Italian for milk, and café latte refers to coffee prepared with a larger measure of hot milk in it rather than coffee.

There are many other styles of Italian coffee, and they have all become world famous. In fact, Italy is the coffee house of the world, and has contributed to the entire world many different styles of coffee that have so become a part of our culture and lives. Even espresso had its origins in Italy. It was from Italy that Starbucks got most of their coffee recipes and rose to fame quickly in the West. Despite all the progress and spread of the coffee culture, Italy still remains the coffee capital of the world.

By Alison Cole

Differences Between Organic Coffee Beans and Regular Coffee

2008-10-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

A lot of pesticides are used in regular coffee production, which is one of the main differences between traditional coffee and organic green coffee beans. Normally, coffee plants are treated with pesticides before harvest to safeguard against weeds and insects. After being harvested, traditional green coffee beans are treated with even more chemicals.

In the past, coffee was grown in natural environments underneath shade trees where the plants could grow without human interference. Today, large-scale coffee growers have abandoned this method and instead chop down trees and plant coffee in large fields. This change in methodology has brought forth the need for pesticides and fertilizers to ensure favorable yields. The chemicals with which coffee plants are treated seep into the ground and affect soil quality as well as the quality of the coffee beans.

Organic coffee beans are grown in a completely different way. Instead of destroying shade trees to make room for larger growing plots, organic coffee farmers utilize these trees so that the coffee plants may grow in a protected area. This, and the use of birds to control insects, eliminates the need for harmful chemicals and is known as shade tree farming. The results are higher quality, more flavorful coffee beans.

The USDA has a set of standards for organic foods and in order for a product to be certified as being organic, it must meet the USDA's regulations. Organic coffee growers must not use synthetic pesticides and must rotate their crops every several years to preserve soil nutrients.

Even though organic coffee is usually grown on a smaller scale than traditional coffee and its farmers must adhere to strict USDA guidelines, the cost of organic coffee is actually not astonishingly higher than the price of regular coffee. Keep this in mind when you are choosing a new brand of coffee to try. The easiest way to buy organic green coffee beans is online, where a variety of roasts and flavors may be found.

By Steve Turley

Don't Throw Out Your Old Coffee! Make A Delicious Drink

2008-10-12T18:57:00.000-07:00

I still brew a new pot of coffee everyday, but now I stretch my dollar by saving some of the coffee that would otherwise be dumped down the drain. I used to waste lots of coffee by making a new pot of coffee each morning. Then the next day I would dump the old pot of coffee and make a new one. What can I say I like the great taste of good gourmet coffee. The bitter taste of old coffee wasnt doing it for me. Then one day I had a good idea, I decided to start saving my coffee to make a cold coffee drink later. Since I dont like to drink hot coffee in the middle of a hot summer day, the iced coffee drink worked out perfectly.

Here is what I do to make my iced coffee drink, it cuts down on wasted coffee and saves you money in the long run.

When the coffee has cooled off, pour the coffee into a mason jar. Then put the mason jar filled with cooled coffee in the refrigerator. Now when your looking for a nice cool drink to quench your thirst during the middle of the day, you can make an iced coffee drink.

Here is how I make my iced coffee drink:

Put ice in a glass,

Fill the glass about 3/4 full with your left over coffee,

Add your favorite flavored coffee creamer to taste

Stir it up and enjoy your iced coffee

Also try blending the cold coffee up in a blender with ice cream, its delicious.

By Eric B Gard

Coffee Lovers

2008-10-09T21:49:00.000-07:00

There are countless coffee enthusiasts around the globe. In big cities, coffee drinkers are seen everywhere. From public transportation to city sidewalks to sidewalk cafés, they sip their favorite cup of Joe on the go.

Is there any reason why we see so many coffee drinkers throughout big cities? Of course, there are more people so there is a greater chance of spotting java lovers. Another reason is the large number of coffee houses, delis, coffee bars and restaurants serving up this hot treat. Chicago lovers have countless options as they breeze through the Windy City.

Sometimes you see people rushing with a huge vat of java. Other connoisseurs recognize a smaller cup tastes best with a rich, hot intensity of flavor. Seasoned commuters carry theirs in a special mug with a sealed lid and thermal interior to keep their precious brew fresh. Other folks tote signature paper cups from prestigious local coffee houses or a mass merchant on their daily route.

If you want the best coffee in Chicago in the morning, you are likely to wait on a long line. The finest houses are always packed during the early morning hours as the working public grabs their cup of sustenance. Gourmet java has become increasingly popular since the 1990s, with some people leaving a half hour earlier in the morning so they have enough time to stop for it. Enthusiasts with a flexible schedule often wait until after 10 AM so they miss the rush.

Often connoisseurs choose to get their favorite beverage at coffee houses because they have a passion for a specialty brew. Environmentalists want the best organic blens. Mocha latte is irresistible if you have a sweet tooth. There are also people who simply prefer the presentation at specialty shops.

When you get comfortable at your favorite coffee house, you will start to ask more questions. There are so many different options to choose from. How coffee is grown, harvested and roasted determines its flavor and subtle nuances. When you find your preferred blend, buy it to take home and share with others. Some coffee houses have online ordering to get your best blend anytime and anywhere.

Your favorite coffee house may sell accessories so you can brew a master cup for yourself, your family and your guests. Connoisseur are spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars to have a first-class coffee making set up in their own kitchens. Some even purchase green coffee beans to roast themselves.

By Alice Lane

5 Reasons to Choose a Bunn Coffee Maker

2008-10-09T21:41:00.000-07:00

Bunn coffee maker is one of the foremost names in the coffee world. Bunn has been associated with everything coffee since 1957. Not only do they manufacture state of the art coffee makers but they also manufacture a wide range of coffee maker accessories including carafes and filters. One of their most noted inventions are paper filters, which, as we all know has forever changed the way we drink our coffee.

Bunn coffee makers are very popular in restaurant kitchens and homes around the world and for very good reason too. If you are looking for a coffee maker but are feeling overwhelmed by the sheer plethora of choices available, here are 5 reasons why you should choose a Bunn coffee maker, whether it is for your home or for your restaurant kitchen:

Maintains Constant Temperature - Whereas most other coffee makers heat the water until it boils, Bunn has mastered the technique of maintaining the water at a constant temperature of 200 degrees which is optimal for brewing coffee quickly without sacrificing the taste of the coffee. This means you can be sure you will always get your coffee at just the right temperature anytime and every time.

Saves you Time - When ground coffee is kept for brewing till all the water is used up it adversely affects the taste of the brew. The quick 3- minute cycle that is typical in Bunn coffee makers ensures that you get all the flavor of the coffee without any of the bitterness. It also means that you can get a pot of coffee in just 3 minutes and if all you want just a cup of coffee, you will not have to wait more than 30 seconds.

Creates the Perfect Turbulence - The distinctive, patented sprayhead design creates the perfect turbulence that suspends the coffee beans and then thoroughly soaks the beans when the water that is pushed into the carafe. This process extracts the maximum flavor from the coffee beans, making for a cup of rich-tasting coffee. The sprayhead is just as effective when coffee pods are used.

Good Looking &Longer Lasting - With most coffee maker brands you have to debate over whether you should go in for a glass model, which looks sleek but is more fragile or a stainless steel model, which is durable but is usually clunkier looking. Here again, Bunn puts all dispute to rest with their durable stainless steel models, which are sleek enough to occupy pride of place in your kitchen.

Ease of Cleaning - So you love the thought of waking up and heading straight over to your coffee maker every morning for that first cup of coffee. Your coffee maker is quick and convenient and brews a perfect cup for you to start your day with. However, if you have to content with struggling to clean difficult to reach places, it defeats the purpose. Though, that is in a way the price you have to pay for your have-it-whenever-you-want-it cup of coffee, why get a coffee maker that will take you twice as long to clean as it does to brew the coffee? Cleaning Bunn coffee makers is a breeze. You can relax and enjoy your coffee without thinking of the "high price" you have to pay by way of tiresome cleaning.

Bunn coffee makers offer you all of the pleasures of coffee drinking without any of the pain.

By Yogi Shinde

The Effects of Coffee

2008-10-09T21:33:00.000-07:00

The effects of coffee and the caffeine jolt can temporarily boost alertness, increase performance and may even improve concentration.

Some people feel the “buzz” or the effects of coffee (caffeine) more than others. You should listen to your body and know when to say no to that extra cup of coffee. Just because your friend says he can drink all the coffee he wants and never feel the effects of coffee, doesn’t mean that the effect of coffee and caffeine will be the same for you.

Most research seems to suggest that drinking one to three cups of coffee a day will not cause you to feel any negative effects of coffee, at least in healthy people. However, pregnant women, children and people with heart disease are among those who should not drink coffee, as the effect of coffee and caffeine could have adverse effects.

One should be aware that the caffeine content of coffee varies widely depending on roasting and brewing methods as well as how much coffee you are drinking. This can produce a wide range of the effects of coffee.

Coffee is the main source of caffeine for many people and the effects of coffee and caffeine can be increased if one drinks other sources of caffeine such as sodas, tea, and chocolate.

If you are a regular coffee drinker and you skip your daily java fix, you may experience temporary “caffeine withdrawal” which could result in the form of a headache. These symptoms of the effects of coffee normally go away within 24-48 hours after another dose of coffee with caffeine.

By Ocha Nix

10 Tips on Buying the Best Coffee Maker For Your Home

2008-10-05T18:28:00.000-07:00

When it comes to buying a coffee maker, one that gets you through the morning, there are so many options that it may drive you crazy. Drifting away from Starbucks and the instant stuff, there are machines that can do the job fairly well. But they must pass through a set of criteria.

Simplicity

With coffee makers, as with most machines, simple is always better. You don't want too many switches and buttons and overcomplicated procedures. All you want is a cup of coffee. A simple machine, one designed and tested to do one simple thing, and be good at it, tends to work better than a complicated one.

Function

You want a coffee maker that does the job all the way through, nothing too much, and nothing left half done. Underachievers that don't extract enough flavor, and overachievers that boil the water too much that your coffee gets too bitter; you don't want them.

Type of Coffee

It pays to know what kind of coffee you love to have from your coffee maker. For most brews, drip coffee makers are all right. For espresso, a dedicated espresso machine is the only one that will do. If you want espresso, but don't want to buy a machine for it, a French press can actually do the trick. Percolators are also good, as they're tried and tested. The coffee you want tells you what kind of coffee maker you need.

Cup Size

See if the coffee maker makes a decent-sized serving at one go. Decent-sized is relative. If your morning wake up ritual needs two cups, then see that your coffee maker can deliver just that. Some coffee machines limit themselves to serving sizes that are precise, but are annoyingly less or more than what some need. Make sure what you buy neither serves too little nor overflows your cup and wastes all that coffee goodness.

Reservoir

A good coffee maker should hold enough water for a decent amount of servings at one time. Make sure it can hold a good amount without the reservoir being too big that it takes over the machine. Bad coffee makers tend to have big reservoirs, and cheap machine parts within, just so that they can pass as coffee makers. Do not fall for this. Scrutinize, and choose wisely.

Value

Everyone wants a bargain, but remember that there's such a thing as a balance between the price and the features. Measure the coffee maker's set of features along with its build and its price. This kind of formula is a good rule of thumb. So this means you'll need to check out the slightly costly items, and visit the reputable shops to get the best "balanced" value. It's not just money at stake here, it's your mornings.

Brand

It may not seem necessary, but buying a coffee maker from a reputable brand is much better than buying some run-in-the-mill counterpart (unless you've done a great deal of research behind some new or unknown brands). A branded machine can beat any brandless contraption anytime. That's another consumer rule of thumb there. More of a guide, not a rule. When it comes to build quality, features, and overall design, brands like Bunn, Black & Decker, Cuisinart, Braun, and so on are the best there is.

Easy-to-Clean

Of course, you have to deal with cleaning issues. You want to maintain your coffee maker's service life. Make sure that the crucial parts are washable so that you do not get coffee sticking to them over time. As long as you can wash the important parts like the pot and the reservoir with soap and water, you're good to go.

Portability

You don't want anything bigger than your counter. If you buy something that can sit snugly at the corner of your kitchen, then you'd want to use it day after day, since it doesn't "intrude" in your kitchen space.

Safety

Make sure that there are no exposed electric parts; that everything is properly insulated. Sometimes there are spills, and you don't want a shock when you clean up the spill. See if the handles are cool to the touch and children who fumble with them and won't get burned.

Coffee makers come in many shapes and sizes. Simplify your search of your best coffee maker by setting your criteria of what you want from your machine before you start looking for your perfect coffee maker.

By Yogi Shinde

Hawaiian Coffee

2008-10-03T21:33:00.000-07:00

It is commonly believed that the Governor of Oahu, Chief Boki, was the first to introduce coffee to the Hawaiian Islands in the year 1825. While on a British warship, he acquired the coffee plants from Rio de Janeiro. The first coffee plants were planted and flourished in the Manoa Valley in Oahu. Since then, the growth of coffee plants has spread all over the islands, including the Kona Coast, which now produces the world famous Hawaiian or Kona coffee.

The perfect blend of all the six elements comprising of rich soil, proper elevation, cloud cover, sunshine, rain and a moderate slope helping in the drainage of the roots provided by the Hawaiian islands, have ensured an ideal environment to produce some of the richest coffee in the world. The season of growing coffee starts in January and continues until the month of June. Every year the coffee growers wait patiently for the blossoms after the early rains that eventually produce coffee berries. Under the close watch of the farmers, the coffee berries ripe in the trees before they are individually harvested. Each phase of coffee making is looked after meticulously, starting from roasting and flavoring to dry milling. The typical Hawaiian coffee is rich in its color, density, and acidity with a great flavor.

The Hawaiian Islands, being the only state growing coffee in the US, produce an average of seven million pounds of coffee every year. While the Kona coffee remains one of the most favored around the world, a majority of the other islands have also started growing coffee now. Apart from the Kona coffee, some of the top flavors of the Hawaiian coffee include Kauai's coffee, Ka'anapali Maui coffee, Haleakala Maui coffee, Molokai's coffee, Waialua coffee and Macadamia Cream to name a few.

Due to its taste and overwhelming popularity, the Hawaiian coffee is very expensive, although the experience of tasting a quality cup is worth the money.

By Alison Cole

Make the Perfect Cup of Coffee

2008-10-03T21:21:00.000-07:00

If you love coffee, then you need to know what keeps the flavors at their peek.

For the freshest coffee, you should use your coffee beans within 45 days of roasting, and in half that time if they are already ground. It is for this reason, that you should not buy your coffee beans in bulk!

Coffee should be brewed in 4-5 minutes using 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per 6 ounces of filtered water. Tap water alters the taste of the coffee, so use spring or filtered water.

Make sure the wet the paper filter first (if using a drip coffee machine) as this takes away that paper taste from the filter. Freshly grind your coffee beans using a medium setting, and do not leave the coffee sitting on the warming tray, make enough to consume right away, for the perfect cup of coffee.

If you are using one of those French Presses to make your coffee, then freshly grind your coffee beans using a course setting, remove the plunger, place your ground coffee at the bottom and add your boiled water. Do not pour absolute boiling water over the coffee, the temperature should be about 205 degrees, just under the boiled point. After 4-5 minutes press down the plunger to separate the grounds from the coffee. Making the perfect cup of coffee can take a few minutes, its not something you do while stuffing a donut in your mouth and putting on your coat at the same time! You should not be rushed.

Grab a chair, your newspaper, take a relaxing deep breath, and sip your coffee and enjoy!

By Diane Palmer