Coffee Grinders Jumpstart Your Java

By Mike Long

All the experts agree. People who want the best flavor in their coffee use coffee grinders. Coffee grinders work so well because they unleash the bean oils and aromas right before you make a pot. It’s like opening a fresh can of ground coffee each and every time you make some "joe".

Of course, besides coffee grinders, there’s also some technique that goes into making a good pot of pick me up. This holds true for both the way your put your coffee in your coffee maker, the kind of coffee maker you have, and the type of water you use.

First, coffee gurus recommend adding two heaping tablespoons of whole beans to the grinder for every six ounces of water you plan to use. To be exact, you probably should measure out your water before you add it to the coffee maker if you are using a drip coffee maker.

What type of maker should I use with coffee grinders?

As for the type of coffee maker to go with coffee grinders, experts say here that a press pot or a machine with a gold cone, or other permanent filter, is best. Picky coffee drinkers do not use paper filters. They have an aftertaste and absorb the special aromatic oils from the coffee beans that are essential for superb taste. If you must use paper filters, try rinsing them with hot water beforehand to wash out the aftertaste.

It is also important to know how long to let your coffee brew. After using coffee grinders, the ground coffee is very delicate. If water contacts it for too long, for instance, your coffee can end with an overly bitter coffee. On the other hand, if water doesn’t contact the coffee grounds for long enough, your coffee may lack its full flavor.

You don’t want to keep your coffee sitting on a burner or hotplate too long either after it’s been through coffee grinders and then brewed. More than 20 minutes after the brewing is done is dangerous because the taste will start to become bitter.

And don’t think of reheating your coffee. Talk about rough on your stomach! Follow these tips, though, and you’ll have a stomach, and taste buds, as well as good cups of coffee every time.

Mike Long is the successful web publisher of Coffee-SuperGuide.com providing valuable

tips, advice, and info about a multitude of Coffee topics including coffee grinders.



His many articles provide the reader with well researched products, money saving tips,

and valuable topical insight.


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Coffee Pots and Carafes: Many to Choose from

By Curtis Miller

All around the world in the morning coffee pots and carafes help us start our day. Coffee drinking is standard practice in almost every culture. From very strong coffee, to very weak with lots of milk it is enjoyed in many kitchens. No matter what one's tastes are, they can find coffee pots and carafes to fit their needs. Drip coffee makers seem to be the most popular coffee machine for most people. Also coffee carafes come in many different shapes and sizes to.

Coffee pots and carafes can be found for casual or formal dining. The selection ranges from the simple to very elegant. Fine china pots and carafes can be found to make any dinner party a success.

Coffee pots and carafes can be found either in a set or sold individually. One can find coffee pots made from fine china to serve with and carafes that will keep coffee hot and ready to drink for a long time. Online buying of coffee pots and carafes is very easy. Replacement carafes for coffee pots can be found at many online stores for great prices.

Proper care for coffee pots and carafes include the following: Wash the pot and carafe thoroughly at least once a week. Bitter oils can stick to both. With drip coffee makers periodic cleansing with a solution of water and vinegar is also good. On coffee pots remove hard water deposits by perking with 1-2 tablespoons cream of tartar dissolved in water; rinse thoroughly. And of course a daily cleaning and rinsing helps a lot to.

Curtis Miller is a successful author and publisher of kitchens 4u

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A Coffee Roaster For All Occasions

By Julie Carter

Coffee roasters and those who roast, brew and serve the ultimate cup of coffee are now esteemed professionals within the social fabric of our community at large. A good coffee roaster is a little like a celebrity chef these days, complete with loyal followings, highly descriptive reviews and the ability to command premium prices for their products and services. As coffee continues to grow in elevation from merely a mundane beverage to something of art form, a good coffee roaster has begun to take on a glamorous aura.

But there is a café on almost every street corner or every suburb now and every barista thinks of him or herself as the best roaster on the block. The professional barista is a now fiercely competitive industry and cafes and restaurants across the globe fight to retain the barista that can produce a coffee that will have customers returning time and time again. So, because roasting is everywhere, how do you choose the coffee roaster for you?

Your first question is whether you're looking for wholesale coffee roasters to supply your business, or retail roasters to keep you happily supplied with beans at home. But for our purposes, let's say you're looking for a retail roaster to feed your coffee habit because you are a die hard coffee lover.

One approach is to decide exactly which coffee beans you prefer. Once you have found the coffee beans that you like you can then search for that specific bean. It might take you some time to research this and you might want to join a coffee club so that you can do some extensive taste testing. They will send you a number of coffee varieties each month for a small fee and this gives you the opportunity to try out blends and pure coffees to see what you prefer.

But once you know what coffee you are after, the online suppliers can tell you which of the coffee roasters that carry the beans you are looking for, who has the freshest beans and who has most skill in roasting them to perfection. You might also want to look for coffee bean suppliers that are geographically close to you. By doing so you can be confident that the beans can be delivered faster and will therefore be fresher when they reach your door.

But before you make your final decisions, consider organic coffee as an option. Organic coffee is another choice you might want to make. This coffee is certified to have been grown and processed without chemical intervention and is becoming more and more popular with wholesale outlets. It generally has a mild nutty flavor. It is also becoming popular with celebrities who are eager to adopt the coffee cause. Organic coffee, understandably sells very well in Hollywood.

Now all that is left to do is try several brands of coffee to find out which one you like the best. Enjoy your next coffee!

Looking for information about Coffee?
Go to: http://www.dkcoffee.com
DK Coffee is published by Julie Carter
The Complete A to Z Of Coffee Resources
Check out more Coffee related articles at:
http://www.dkcoffee.com/archive

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Personalized Coffee Mugs

Put Your Logo on the Map with Promotional Coffee Mugs
By Paolo Basauri

Crazy for Promotional Coffee Mugs

If you’re looking for a way to get your logo seen and your business in the public eye, consider investing in promotional coffee mugs. Presented as gifts to clients, or as part of a marketing blitz, promotional coffee mugs can help you in spreading the word about your enterprise. More noticeable than pens, and more universal than golf balls, coffee mugs can be used by anyone, anywhere. While coffee drinkers will appreciate the addition of a new mug to their collection, non-coffee drinkers can use it for tea, hot chocolate or soup. Promotional coffee mugs offer an inexpensive, yet highly effective means of advertising your business.

Personalizing Promotional Coffee Mugs and Glassware

From logos to mission statements, personalized coffee mugs are designed by you and custom made to your specifications. Even if you don’t have a business to promote, promotional coffee mugs make great souvenirs of class or family reunions, anniversaries and large scale birthday celebrations. Many suppliers offer photo transfer services that allow your logo and/or images to be permanently affixed to a variety of coffee mug designs. As they are generally purchased in bulk quantities, promotional coffee mugs are extremely cost effective and are adaptable to most budgetary constraints. Don’t let the competition edge you out, get a head start by distributing promotional coffee mugs today.

Styles, Shapes and Sizes – The Variety of Promotional Coffee Mugs

Personalized coffee mugs to advance your business or cause can be found in an abundance of styles and several materials. Whether you’re looking for an acrylic travel mug with a spill-proof cap, a standard ceramic mug with a high gloss or matte finish, or an elegant glass mug with your logo etched into its surface, promotional coffee mugs are available to suit your taste. Specially sized jumbo coffee mugs in flared brim and signature coffeehouse styles lead the current trend in coffee cup promotions. Glass mugs in the traditional pint or Irish coffee styles are also very popular. If you’re on a budget, standard ceramic or acrylic promotional coffee mugs can be a wise choice. Basically the number of options you have for color, size and style is virtually unlimited and subject to your own personal preferences.

Where to Find Promotional Coffee Mugs

The best place to look for high quality, low cost promotional coffee mugs is on the internet. Many printing and business gift companies provide all the information you need to know about ordering, shipping and designing promotional mugs right on their website. Mug designs are implemented with your customizations and shipped directly to your home or business. Using the internet to shop for promotional gifts allows you the freedom to browse a wide selection of options in a short time period from the comfort of your home. If you want to get the most publicity for least amount of money, promotional coffee mugs are the choice for you.

Paolo Basauri is an expert author who writes for Promotional Coffee Mugs

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Making French Press Coffee

By Gary Gresham

Making French press coffee is a way to enjoy an extremely robust and high quality cup of coffee. If you know how to use a French press pot you can make the best tasting coffee you have ever had.

To make French press coffee you will first need a French press pot. Many online sites have good selections of French press pots and will ship one right to your front door.

You will also need a good coffee grinder and a tea kettle to boil the water.

You want to grind the coffee beans slightly larger than you would for drip coffee. Too fine of a grind will produce a bitter cup of coffee. If your grind is too coarse, the coffee will taste weak.

Some people even prefer to roast their own beans when making French press coffee. For French press coffee, many connoisseurs prefer a dark roast when choosing their coffee beans.

Remove the plunger from the press pot and put 1 rounded tablespoon of coarse ground coffee per each 6oz. of water into the pot. You can adjust this to your own taste.

Coffee is 99% water so use clean filtered or bottled water free from chlorine and other minerals that affect the taste of coffee.

Boil the water and remove it from the heat for five minutes before you pour it. This will give you the 195 to 205 degree water that is ideal to brew with. Now pour the 195 to 205 degree water over the ground coffee.

Stir the coffee to get total saturation of the grounds then place the plunger on top of the pot and let the coffee steep for 3 to 4 minutes.

Depress the plunger slowly to push the grounds to the bottom of the pot.

Serve all the coffee in the pot after the 3 to 4 minutes of steeping. Otherwise the coffee will keep getting stronger.

The difference in taste between regular coffee and French press coffee is night and day.

Ever wonder why restaurant coffee tastes so good? It could be because many fine restaurants use a French press to make their coffee.

Making French press coffee may take a little more time but it is worth it. Many people swear by French press coffee and wouldn't have it any other way.

If you are looking for an extremely robust and high quality cup of coffee and have the right equipment treat yourself and try making French press coffee.

Copyright © 2006 Best-Coffee-Makers-Online.com All Rights Reserved.

This article is supplied by http://www.best-coffee-makers-online.com where you can easily shop and compare the best coffee makers available at great values.

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Which Coffee Maker? Grinding Out the Answer

By Eric Comforth

When you stop at the convenience store or at a local coffee shop for your morning cup of coffee have you ever wondered how your cup of coffee came about? No, not how it was brewed but how it was that you are able to drink a cup of coffee. Sure, the coffee machine plays an important role in making your perfectly brewed cup of coffee, but just how did that coffee maker first come about, or how did the first person who ever sipped the first cup of coffee discover its magic?

Legend goes back to a lonely sheep herder in Ethiopia who noticed his sheep acting strangely every time they ate certain red berries from a certain bush. One has to wonder why he himself decided to give the berries a try. Well that is of no consequence because since that life altering decision man has been enjoying coffee in many different cultures, different countries and different places. Do you know they even drink coffee on the Space Shuttle? I wonder what kind of coffee machine they have.

The one million dollar question is exactly what makes a good cup of coffee? Does buying one of the best coffee makers lead to a great cup of coffee? Not necessarily.. Start with great coffee beans. You can even roast your own coffee beans with the Home coffee roaster machines. Roasting machines allow coffee drinkers to buy premium coffee beans at discount prices and roast them at home. The coffee drinker is in charge of the roasting level; medium or dark roast. Coffee drinkers also advise against buying pre-ground coffee, pre-grinding diminishes the coffee flavor and aroma. Apparently the best part of the coffee bean is found deep within it therefore pre-ground, once the package is opened loses that rich coffee aroma. Grinding your beans before you start percolating your coffee ensures you get the most out of the bean. Talking about grinding the beans there are also two types of coffee grinders; burr and blade grinders, both serve the purpose equally well, so the type of grinder you have does not affect your cup of coffee.

Shopping for coffee makers

There are three different types of coffee makers. There are filter coffee makers that basically drip hot boiling water over the ground coffee beans then filter the coffee over a disposable paper filter. Then there are the espresso/cappuccino coffee makers and finally the combination coffee makers that make both cappuccino and filter coffee. Choose a coffee machine that suits your needs. Take into consideration how much and how often you drink coffee. How much you are willing to spend on seeking the perfect cup of coffee. Remember to look online, you can find many discount coffee makers.

Whether you enjoy your coffee with or without cream or whether you enjoy a robust and flavorful cup of black coffee remember to thank that lowly sheep herder who took a risk and ate the first coffee bean.

Eric Comforth is a consultant who writes on many consumer topics. Learn more about coffee makers at Coffee Maker Central

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Coffee Pods and Espresso Machines

By Jim Cheresly

There's nothing like the perfect espresso. Finely ground, dark roasted coffee, pressed and percolated into a strong, rich coffee drink that delights the senses and perks up your day. In Italy, ordering a coffee means that you're ordering an espresso. The Italians stop in their local bar once, twice, even three times a day for the perfect cup of espresso. But here in America, it's not as easy to find espresso done right. The grind of the coffee, the right temperature, the pressing of the coffee and the foaming of the milk are skills that few people know how to wield properly on this side of the ocean. But now with espresso machines and coffee pods, the guesswork is taken out of making espresso at domestic bars or even in your own kitchen at home.

In Italy, most Italians wouldn't recognize what we think of as a coffee maker. They use a "machinetta", a contraption that looks like a metal hourglass that has a top like a pitcher. The machine has 2 chambers. Water and coffee go into the bottom chamber. The machine is placed on the stovetop and heated until the water boils, percolating through the espresso grinds and into the second chamber. The pressure on the grinds between the two chambers insures that the coffee is pressed - the word espresso means "expressed" - and the rich taste comes from getting as much of the flavor out of the grinds as possible. The milk is heated and whipped separately. But it's easy to make a mistake in this process. Either by using the wrong amount of water or coffee, turning the heat on too strong or not using the right timing.

The growing popularity of espresso has meant that people want an easier, error free way to make it at home. So now you can find espresso machines that let you get the right combination of the necessary steps every time. There is a wide range of models to choose from, with different features and capacity. Some are designed for use in restaurants or bars, capable of producing large volumes of coffee in shorter amount of time. Unless you do enough entertaining at home to justify the cost, these probably aren't the best solution for you.

Models made for home usually produce either one or two "shots" of espresso at a time. If you prefer your espresso "macchiato", with milk, or you want to turn your espresso into a cappuccino, you will want to get an espresso machine with a nozzle that creates the steam and lets you froth the milk. Beyond these choices, you might want to consider a product that lets you use coffee pods. These pods look like large tea bags. They contain the exact amount of espresso to deliver a perfect shot every time. You simply put the pod into its slot, close it, and start the machine. When the cycle has finished, you just throw the pod away. It helps prevent any problems with measuring out the espresso and makes cleaning up absolutely easy.

If you purchase a machine that uses coffee pods, you might want to consider whether or not it can also take either another brand's coffee pods or regular loose espresso. Some machines do, but many will work only with the coffee pods that the same company also designs. Having the flexibility to use either the pod or loose coffee means you can still use it even if you run out of pods, which might need to be special ordered. Until these machines become more popular, it's not likely that the pods will be carried consistently in local grocery stores. Plus, the choice to use either kind of coffee also gives you the freedom to experiment with other roasts or flavors of espresso to further indulge your love of coffee.

Jim Cheresly shows you what coffee appliances to use in order to prepare a fine cup of coffee at http://www.madcoffeemaker.com where you'll find more about coffee roasters, grinders, coffee makers and espresso machines.

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Facts About Roasting Coffees at Home

By Randy Wilson

Roasting Coffees at home is a passion with many coffee aficionados, and there are even societies, special interest groups and online mailing lists dedicated to this hobby. But with so many options for pre-roasted, pre-packaged supermarket variety coffee, why would anyone in their right minds want to take the trouble of doing it all themselves?

First, with a little practice you can soon learn to do it just right, to perfectly suit your taste buds. Secondly, you know exactly what goes into your coffee, without needing to depend upon the small print on shrink-wraps. Thirdly, there is of course the satisfaction of being able to roast good coffee yourself, and enjoy the rich taste of a pure home brew. Finally, there's the fact that green coffee beans cost about half the roasted variety. Even if you decide to buy dedicated equipment like a coffee popper instead of using the good old-fashioned gas oven, you can soon recover the hardware costs with Roasting Coffees at home.

Choosing the right beans is a very important step. There are numerous varieties of green coffee beans available; you need to read up a little and also experiment with different kinds before determining what's good for you. How much relative importance you attach to the smoothness, thickness, weight, flavor, complexity or body of your coffee will be the factor behind your choice. For Roasting Coffees at home, always buy Arabica beans rather than Robusta. Arabica, though costlier, is certainly more savoury, and has more richness and complexity.

Depending on whether you prefer a bright, acidy taste or a full-bodied flavor, vary the roasting temperature of your gas oven. Preheat a perforated pan to between 500 and 540 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower temperatures will yield more body, while the higher range tends to produce coffee with more pungency, brightness and acidity. Buying some sample roasted beans of your favourite flavor is good for comparison study in the early stages of your home coffee roasting.

Arrange the beans one-layer deep on the pan and insert in the oven. In about 7 to 10 minutes after you begin the coffee roasting, you should begin to hear the beans popping. Starting 2 or 3 minutes after that, keep peeping in every minute or so, to find out whether the beans are approaching the colour and texture of your sample variety. You'll see that coffee beans nearly double in size during the process, and develop an oily, dark texture.

Conventional wisdom has it that you need to wait for at least 4 hours (and up to a day) after coffee roasting, before you can grind and enjoy your drink. However, fresh roasted coffee directly from the oven is also delicious. Use a conical burr grinder for grinding if possible, because they use an optimal revolution speed. Other grinders that rotate too fast can generate excessive heat, thereby compromising the taste and flavor.

Roasting Coffees at home is easy to do, and you should get the hang of it after only a few trials and errors. In addition to being cheaper and more customizable than supermarket varieties, Roasting Coffees also recaptures some of the romance about this passion that has been forgotten since the coming of mass coffee production and large scale advertising.

If you want to really get into roasting your own coffees, you could purchase a Coffee Roaster. At any rate, your coffee will be much fresher and better tasting if you choose to roast and grind your own coffees.

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

Randy has more articles on coffees and coffee beans such as Coffee Enemas. You can also sign up for the Free Coffees Newsletter at Coffees Newsletter.

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Looking for a Coffee Urn?

I was looking for some today and found some very nice ones, in a WIDE variety of prices, listed starting from the highest and going down...

All-Clad 6-qt. Home Catering CollectionNew Coffee Urn This sleek Coffee Urn is part of the new All-Clad Home Entertaining Line which is essential for elegant and festive home gatherings. This beautiful All-Clad Coffee Urn is perfect for serving coffee, tea or warm cidar. Crafted from high-quality 18/10 stainless steel it offers an elegant curved shape with classic round handles and an easy-to-operate serve spigot.

Farberware Coffee Urn, 55 Cup Farberware Coffee Urn, 55 Cup. The ideal coffee maker for any high volume coffee environment this side of Starbucks. This attractive stainless steel coffee urn percolates coffee at a rate of a cup a minute up to its 55 cup capacity, at which point it automatically switches to "Keep Warm" mode and the "Coffee Ready" indicator light goes on. Features a locking cover to prevent spills, and a drip free spigot for a spot-free tablecloth at the end of the day. Stay-cool handles allow for safe transport of the unit, and stay-cool base ensures no harm will be done to the surface beneath. Makes 12-55 cups. 1150 Watts. Please Note: Expedited shipping not available on this item. Size: 11.4 x 11.4 x 19.4 inches Capacity: 55 Cups Model: FSU255 Manufacturer No.: FSU255

DeLonghi 50-c. Electric Coffee Urn No more stale coffee at the conference, party or potluck! This coffee urn holds up to 50 cups of coffee and features a unique freshness indicator that tells you how long the coffee has been standing. Indicator lights illuminate in increments of one hour each, and after six hours, automatically shuts off. A stainless steel basket and pump pipe ensure great tasting coffee and easy cleaning. Use the adjustable thermostat to adjust the heat between 130 and 210 degrees for the exact temperature you prefer. Lights let you know when it's on and ready to serve. A no-drip spigot prevents tablecloths, trays and serving areas from being covered in a pool of coffee. Other features include cool-touch handles, easy open glass top and coffee level indicator.

West Bend Coffee Urn, Stainless Steel and Black From West Bend, makers of coffee-related products, comes this elegant urn made of highly polished aluminum. It holds 30 cups making it ideal for the office or at home where you can allow guests to serve themselves. A serving light and interior water level markings make coffee-making easier. Has a cool-tip filter basket, twist-to-secure cover and a cord that detaches for added safety.

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What Are Coffee Pods?

By Anthony Tripodi

People drink coffee to stay awake and get more things done. But how can you get more things done if you’re waiting around for your coffee to brew. Oh sure you can go buy a cup of coffee but at some point you going to want a cup at home. With a coffee pod maker you’re only 30 seconds away from an excellent cup of coffee.

Senseo was one of the first coffee pod makers available. And having sold more than 10 million units in four years Senseo is definitely here to stay. A coffee pod looks just like a round tea bag. It works like this. You fill the coffee maker with water, place a coffee pod in the receptacle, hit the button and thirty seconds later you have a great cup of coffee. A patented method that uses a special spray head and mild pressure to balance the ratio of coffee to water while brewing creates a rich frothy cup of coffee.

If you’re looking for great tasting coffee that’s convenient and time saving then try pod coffee. Coffee pods are available in different brew strengths including dark roast, medium roast and mild roast. You can usually buy a package of 72 coffee pods for less than twenty dollars. Since you can also buy a 33 oz can of coffee grinds for about five to 10 dollars at the supermarket, coffee pods are not for budget minded coffee drinkers. That large can will definitely contain a lot more than 72 cups of coffee. But remember you’re paying a premium for a no mess, no measuring, easy cleanup, ready in thirty seconds, cup of a coffee. For some people that’s money well spent.

Cleanup is a breeze, just discard the pod. Since the coffee grinds are enclosed in a pod instead of a filter there’s less of a chance of spilling them all over your kitchen floor. The pod receptacle is even dishwasher safe.

Another reason to buy a coffee pod maker, especially a Senseo, is that the machines are so good looking. They are sleek, stylish and will look great on your countertop.

Coffee isn’t just for breakfast anymore, it’s an all day long affair. Why not make coffee pods part of your daily routine?

Anthony Tripodi is the webmaster of EndlessCoffeeBreak.com - The Guide To Coffee. For more information about coffee including speciality coffee drink recipes, ideas and equipment, visit http://www.endlesscoffeebreak.com

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The One Cup Coffee Maker

We recently posted an article one the one cup coffee maker on A1 Coffee Makers, and if you're looking for one of these convenient little machines, here are a few different single cup coffee makers from the top names in coffee makers:

Senseo Single Serve Pod Coffee Maker, White Enjoy a fresh, frothy cup of coffee every 30-60 seconds with the Philips Senseo coffee maker. Combining a unique brewing method with convenient coffee pods (sold separately), this almost animated looking appliance ensures "sensational" flavor and an enticing aroma. The 1450 watt boiler quickly heats to brew into one cup, two cups or one large mug, extracting the best flavor without bitterness. Other highlights include a standby function, auto shut off, water reservoir for up to five cups, stainless steel cup tray and removable parts that are dishwasher-safe. Compatible with Douwe Egberts coffee pods, sold separately. Frequently Asked Questions: Can I use other coffee pod brands in my Senseo Coffee Machine? While we recognize that other manufacturers pods may fit in the Philips Senseo Coffee Maker, the coffee blends are different and will not result in the same premium quality, and consistency on a cup-by-cup basis. Philips and Sara Lee have been working for ten years to perfect this sensational cup of coffee. Can tea be prepared in the Senseo Coffee Machine? No. The Philips Senseo coffee pod system is designed to prepare coffee with the Douwe Egberts coffee pods. What is the difference between the Senseo Coffee Maker and a traditional coffee maker? The Philips Senseo coffee pod system makes it possible to prepare a filtered cup of coffee proportioned perfectly with a delicious frothy coffee layer on top. What is the difference between the Senseo Coffee Machine and an espresso machine? The Philips Senseo Coffee Machine is not an espresso machine. It is a coffee pod system that makes a sensational cup of coffee with a rich frothy layer on top every time.

Melitta 1-c. One:One Coffee Maker, Black Coffee for one, to go? Make one custom cup of coffee with this special appliance by Melitta. It brews one customized cup at a time, right into your cup or mug. Your coffee is always fresh, never scorched. Comes with a six flavor coffee pod sampler. Coffee mug not included.

Mr. Coffee 1-c. HomeCafe Pod Coffee Maker, White For the individual who craves a java fix but doesn't want to make a whole pot that will go to waste, Mr. Coffee gives you a single serve option. Using pre-packed coffee pods, it delivers your own personal favorite brew into a regular 8-oz. mug or 14-oz. travel mug. Brew from home, the office or dorm room. Convenient and quick, it even comes with a Coffee Pod Starter Kit so you can begin enjoying a fresh cup right away. Other highlights include a removable water reservoir, removable drip tray and adjustable cup platform. Note: coffee pods not included, but can be purchased at your local grocery store. Any coffee or espresso pod will work for this machine.

Gourmet Coffee: Coffee for the Connoisseurs

By Randy Wilson

Take a sip of this sinfully pleasurable and intoxicating delight known as Gourmet coffee. You simply can’t resist it. Let the tantalizing aroma and exotic flavors of the choicest Gourmet Coffee beans tickle your taste buds and elevate you to the highest level of beverage satisfaction.

Did you know that globally people consume more than 330 million cups of coffee a day? After water and aerated drinks coffee has toppled tea to become the third favorite beverage of the world. The taste of gourmet coffee is characteristically rich and luxurious. Make your coffee experiences more soothing and satisfying with various striking blends of this premium coffee.

You can select from a wide variety of coffee blends that are made from the choicest gourmet coffee beans. Coffee is predominantly grown in tropical countries. Brazil is the world’s highest coffee producer and produces some of the finest coffee beans. India ranks fifth in the world as a chief coffee-producing region, especially in the southern parts of India.

There are more than 40 varieties of coffee plants out of which only two varieties are preferred for making premium gourmet java. These two exotic varieties are coffee Arabica and coffee Robusta. Arabica coffee beans are more superior quality coffee beans than Robusta. Gourmet Coffee beans are mostly Arabica because of their supreme flavor and smooth texture.

Roasting and grinding of freshly picked green coffee beans are the two very crucial steps in enhancing the rich coffee flavors that’s so very typical of gourmet java. Gourmet Coffee beans are usually lightly roasted so as to retain its exquisite and natural taste. Gourmet beans are usually ground finely to the extent that you can enjoy a flowing, full-bodied cup of rich coffee.

Some of the famous countries from where exotic gourmet java beans are imported to give you that divine cup of pure delight are Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Sumatra, Java, Hawaii, Colombia, Bolivia and Peru.

It takes 3-5 years for a coffee tree to bear fruit or the so-called ‘coffee beans’, which are small reddish brown colored beans resembling cherries. Each tree can yield only 3,500 cherries or one pound of coffee per year. Precious little beans of life. Even in this hi-tech world, harvesting of coffee is done manually almost everywhere to retain its pure flavors and scents.

The natural magic potion contained in coffee that rejuvenates and lifts up our spirits so often is called ‘caffeine.’ Caffeine directly affects the nervous system and helps to relax and soothe our frayed nerves. How about rejuvenating your senses with a cup of perfectly brewed mesmerizing gourmet coffee?

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

Randy has more articles on coffee and coffee beans at Ultimate Coffees Info such as Are Coffee Enemas the Real Thing?

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Coffee Grinders: Grinding Coffee in a Jiffy!

By Randy Wilson

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.

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

Randy has more articles on coffee and coffee beans at Ultimate Coffees Info such as Do Coffee Enemas Really Work?.

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How To Master Your French Press - Plunger Pot Coffee Maker

By Daryl Plaza

The French press produces a very rich, robust coffee. It is the next best brew to an Espresso. Using medium to coarse coffee grounds which when directly infused using slightly cooled boiling water, will create a great blend of aroma and flavor. The French press method is pre-warming the glass beaker with hot water, adding your preferred amount of coffee in the beaker, then adding some slightly cooled boiling water. The plunger cover is then replaced on the beaker. You should then allow the coffee to steep for about four to six minutes. Then you gently press the plunger lid down allowing it to pass through the suspended coffee. This will separate your finished coffee away from the grounds by pressing all the grounds to the bottom of the pot.

Advantages | Disadvantages of your French press

Advantages: Using this technique gives the richest body of coffee (excluding Espresso). The stop time is less, application of pressure is slight, water is hotter, and the ratio of water to coffee is greater. Grounds in this process (steeping) are just under the boiling point, which means no extra boiling or burning which will save the dark, delightful flavor and coffee aroma - with no bitterness. Also there is no paper filter to take away some of the coffee oils - which will help save your delicate aroma.

Disadvantages: The cooling down of the coffee before the steeping pressure has finished. If your coffee beans are ground too fine, it will be harder to press down the plunger lid because of the increased surface tension. And if you do not use the medium to coarse grind, you may have sediment at the bottom of our cup.

Bonus | Using the French press as a foamer to make froth.

Heat a cup of milk (using non-fat has best results) on the stove or in the microwave. Do not overheat; just heat it enough that you cannot put your finger into it. Pour the milk into a rinsed plunger pot. Pump the plunger in the pot for a few minutes and the milk will expand to three to four times its volume creating froth for your cappuccino and latte.

Daryl Plaza is the owner of: All About Coffee - a website focused on helping people to understand more about coffee. For tips on coffee machines, coffee gifts and coffee recipes check out All About Coffee Makers.

Visit A1 Coffee Makers for more on the French press.

History of the Stove-top Espresso Maker

By James Grierson
The story of the stove-top espresso maker begins in 1918, when Alfonso Bialetti returned to his native Italy from France, where he had worked in the aluminium industry, to start a small workshop manufacturing metal household goods.

The actual idea for the stove-top espresso maker came from a simple washing machine. During the 1920s Alfonso Bialetti observed the local women of Crusinallo washing their clothes in a sealed boiler with a small central pipe. This pipe would draw up the soapy water from the bottom of the boiler and redistribute it over the laundry. Alfonso Bialetti hit upon the idea that he could adapt this washing machine and scale it down to make a simple coffee maker that would allow Italians to enjoy real ‘espresso type’ coffee in their private homes.

Alfonso Bialetti began tinkering away, building various prototypes. His prototype stove-top espresso makers were manufactured out of aluminium. This was due to there being an embargo imposed by Mussolini’s government on stainless steel. As Italy had a rich source of bauxite (aluminium ore), aluminium became the ‘National Metal’ of Italy.

It was not until 1933, after solving many technical problems, that Alfonso Bialetti invented the world’s first stove-top espresso maker; the Moka Express. The distinctive design and octagonal shape of the Moka Express was based on a silver coffee service, popular at the time in wealthy Italian homes. Alfonso Bialetti claimed of his Moka Express that “without requiring any ability whatsoever” one could enjoy “in casa un espresso come al bar” – an espresso in the home just like in a bar (coffeehouse).

Alfonso Bialetti began selling his Moka Express at local, and later regional markets, managing to make and sell around 10,000 units per year. It was not until after WWII, when Alfonso’s son Renato Bialetti joined the family business that sales of the Moka Express really took off. Renato Bialetti realised the potential of the Moka Express and launched a major national advertising campaign. This risk was greatly rewarded, with increased sales, production levels had to be raised to a rate of around 1,000 units per day. The Bialetti Moka Express soon became the market leader in Italy, suppassing sales of the traditional ‘Neopolitan’ percolator style coffeemaker, in which brewing occurs without pressure. Not only did the Moka Express produce ‘espresso type’ coffee, which Italians adored, it was also brewed coffee much quicker then its rivals.

Many companies saw the success the Moka Express was enjoying and copied the design to manufacture their own version of the stove-top espresso maker. This is why, in 1953 Renato Bialetti came up with the idea of adding a company mascot to every Moka Express to help promote the brand identity that is Bialetti. He used a caricature of his father Alfonso Bialetti to invent the ‘Omino Con I Baffi’ – little man with a moustache. This mascot proved popular as it created an image of an Italian father or fond elder relative who had lived their life in the coffeehouse.

The design of the Moka Express has hardly changed in over 70 years of manufacturing. Aluminium is still used to this day, as it is claimed that the residue of coffee from the previous brews, that taints the sides of a Moka pot, adds flavour and depth to future brews. This is why it is recommended that you do not clean your Moka Express too thoroughly.

Bialetti, now the world leader in the manufacture of domestic coffee makers, still strives to offer “in casa un espresso come al bar”. With the improvement in espresso machines in coffeehouses, Bialetti has sought to develop new technologies, creating new stove-top espresso maker models. They now produce: stainless steel models, such as the Venus; an electric model, the Moka Easy; a new pressure system, the Brikka – which produces a ‘crema’ top on your coffee; and now a stove-top cappuccino maker, the Mukka Express.

James Grierson is the owner of Galla Coffee: http://www.gallacoffee.co.uk - Uk online retailer of designer coffee accessories.
Through the Coffee Knowledge section of his website he aims to help people understand more about coffee and give them tips on how to make great tasting coffee in their home.

Check out http://www.gallacoffee.co.uk/acatalog/Coffee_Knowledge.html for more articles or if you have a question send it to: coffeeknowledge@gallacoffee.co.uk

Visit A1 Coffee Makers for more on espresso makers.

Single Cup Coffee Maker: Small Is Beautiful

By Randy Wilson

A good thing is good as long as there isn't too much of it. The one cup coffee maker is living proof of this philosophy.

As much as you might enjoy your morning pot of fresh home-brew coffee, or that late night cup that keeps you going for hours, too much coffee is definitely not a good thing. As in all forms of enjoyment, moderation is necessary so that you might keep enjoying it for a long time. The one cup coffee maker is an invention that lets you do just that.

It also enables you to have your coffee just as you like it, wherever you like it. If you are a connoisseur of good coffee, you will probably want to avoid cheap instant varieties and prefer to brew your own. But if you travel much, that may not be a practical option. Or if you work in a public office, it may be a painful experience to travel to the coffee machine in the foyer each time you need a cup. Then be forced to accept the undrinkable stuff that is usually dispensed in those places.

So how about a small appliance that will sit quietly on your work desk, and make fresh, connoisseur-class coffee for you every time you felt like one?

Or how about a small apparatus that you can easily pack in with your light luggage, something that will provide you with the much-needed refreshment of top-quality coffee at any time, at any location?

Sounds good? In that case what you need is the one cup coffee maker. These things are small, light, streamlined automatic machines that have a programmable interface. You can set the temperature, strength, quantity (usually not much more than what constitutes a reasonable-sized single drink) etc., and it takes only a minute to pour out your desired drink, exactly as you wanted it. They sometimes come with their own cups, but these are often detachable, and you can fit your own favorite travel mug under the tap.

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

Randy has more articles on coffee and coffee beans at Ultimate Coffees Info such as Are Coffee Enemas the Real Thing?.

Visit A1 Coffee Makers for more on one cup coffee makers

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I'm crazy about coffee and will use this blog to post everything I love about coffee, coffee related articles, cool coffee products, and coffee recipes.