Iced Coffees - Relief from Summer Heat

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

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

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