Saturday, July 30, 2011

Different Types Of Coffee Makers




You can brew your cup of coffee in a variety of manners and ways. Every method has unique traits to match different tastes, preferences, and lifestyles. But what all coffee makers have in common is that they brew your favorite drink without the need to boil coffee in a separate container. The amount of coffee that you can make depends on the size of the filter, the water container, and the carafe that holds the finished coffee.





Choosing a coffee maker is a matter of features, price, preferences, and brand. These factors, along with what you really need from your coffee maker, should be considered when selecting a coffee maker that will best fit your needs. Among the types of coffee makers and their advantages are:





• Drip Coffee Makers



This type of coffee makers comes in 4 to 12 cup capacities. It is also available in various designs and models at different prices. This is, in general, the most economical type of coffee maker. The 10 and 12-cup coffee makers are among the most popular units in this type. Smaller models are also made available for small families. For hotels and dormitories, 4-cup coffee makers are ideal.





If you’re purchasing a drip coffee maker, you need to make a choice between glass and thermal carafe. You can also prefer models designed for dripping right into a travel mug. This is the most popular type of brewer that even non-coffee drinkers can get just so they have an available coffee maker for guest serving. This can be the type that’s best for people looking for a practical brewer.





• Percolators



This is once the standard coffee brewer. There are people who claimed that it brews richer and tastier coffee than drip models. However, percolators come in limited designs and capacity choices. The common design for individuals who wish to percolate the coffee grounds is glass type percolators which are aimed for stove-top use. But the most popular design for such type of coffee maker is the electric brewer that features automatic settings.





• French Coffee Press



It has been in the industry for a considerable period of time. This brewer works by pushing the coffee grounds into the boiling water to make darker and richer coffee. The disadvantage of such design is it produces smaller capacity and cooktop brewing requires monitoring.





• Single pod or One cup Coffee Makers



In this type, the tea and coffee pod is positioned in the basket. The water coming from the reservoir drops through the pod, to the coffee cup. While this brewer is great in preparing clean specialty teas, coffees, lattes, and herbal beverages, the amount of drink it produces may not be enough for bigger families.





• Specialty Brewers



Coffee machines that prepare lattes, espresso, or cappuccino are usually priced higher than standard coffee makers. These brewers have functions and features that allow users to produce specialty coffees. There are also units that are capable of making regular coffee, making them practical enough for daily use. Among the things you should take into account when purchasing specialty coffee makers are serving capacity, type of brewing, physical size, and function.


Wednesday, July 27, 2011

The Intricacies Of Coffee Makers




It is not unknown to many of us that coffee making has evolved into an art and industry of its own. Coffee businesses are understandably thriving because what they particularly market is the taste and quality of the beverage they sell. What most people do not get is the passion of coffee connoisseurs for the taste, aroma, and creaminess of the drink. While caffeine kick is the most popular and obvious reason for the coffee maker sales, coffee intricacies are catching up and becoming the next reason.





Coffee machines have different forms and kinds and believe it or not, each one delivers a unique coffee taste. The widely used equipment is the "drip coffee maker" and some simply call it the brewer. It is an upright appliance where the ground coffee is placed on a filter paper and basket. The basket is then put above the brewed coffee pot. Water slowly drips into the filter basket and goes on to fill the coffee pot.





Another popular coffee maker is the espresso machine. Large coffee shops use espresso machines with at least three heads, however only one espresso head is necessary for household use. Espresso coffee makers are specifically designed to use espresso beans only. Any other beans used on the espresso machine may give unpleasant results. An espresso head is attached with a portafilter that serves as a mini filter basket, as with the drip machine. A measured amount of ground coffee is pressed on to the portafilter and placed securely on to the head. When the equipment is switched on, pressurized water will seep into the portafilter and the extract drips through the spout into the espresso cups.





The percolator used to be a commonly utilised household coffee maker. But due to its substandard coffee flavour results, and the increasing preference of consumers for great tasting coffee, percolators eventually lost its popularity. Ground coffee and water are combined and boiled together in the percolator jug. Afterwards the beverage is strained and poured on to the coffee cup.





A French press is not popularly used because some people do not quite understand the proper way of using it. French roast beans is the best kind of coffee to brew in this equipment that resembles a big mug. The ground coffee is placed in the cylinder with the water and left to brew for a few minutes. When brewing is done, the grounds are pressed down with a mesh plunger to separate the particles from the water and coffee is poured onto the cup.





The coffee pod is the newest kind of coffee maker. It produces a single-serve cup using ground coffee sealed in a filter bag called a "pod." It is shaped like a percolator with the movable upper part bent forward. The pod is inserted inside the container and the snout is pressed down to extract the coffee.





Nothing beats the freshly brewed taste of coffee and every kitchen must possess one of these coffee makers. Coffee drinking has gone past the thirst quenching and has become a daily treat to anticipate.


Saturday, July 23, 2011

Single Cup Coffee Makers – Mess And Cleanup-Free!




Why do many people prefer single cup coffee makers? If you are reading this article, you are probably one of those people wanting to get a good time out of gourmet coffee prepared from using a single cup coffee machine. These people are those that love gourmet coffees more than the brewed ones. And what makes that type of coffee machine more appealing to them is the fact that as you produce one cup of coffee at a time there is no mess and clean up to deal with after.





Single cup coffee makers offer convenience and good time to the coffee lovers. There are three major types which consumers can choose from should they decide to buy a new one or to replace their old coffee maker.





The first type is the coffee pod brewer. This kind takes coffee pod to prepare the gourmet coffee. You can find various coffee pod brewers in the market which are made by different manufacturers. The second one is the tassimo brewer. In this type, it needs t-discs to work to prepare your beverage of a coffee. You will find this disc in two kinds, the bosch and the braun tassimo discs. And, finally, the k-cup brewers. Obviously, you will need k-cups for this machine to operate. These cups are available in five variations which you can choose from.





Using this type of coffee machine is not an effort. When you have your sealed cup or coffee pod for your specific choice of coffee maker, all you have to do is to put it into the machine after adding enough water on the reservoir. Pressing one button will then enable this machine to brew your coffee and within a minute or a little more, you will have a served brewed cup of beverage, all the convenience without the messy filters you usually get afterwards with the multiple cup serving coffee brewer machine.





If you are an individual who loves to have a cup of coffee every now and then, there is one type of coffee brewer from the choices above that will suit you. It will be ideal if you love drinking gourmet coffee beverage but do not have much time to make a full pot of grind coffee beans. The same thing if you are no fan of preparing coffee with cleanup or mess afterwards. These are the advantages you get when you choose and use the single cup coffee brewer.





However, just like any other machine, there are also disadvantages to expect from single cup coffee makers. The choices of coffees will be limited for you, as in contradiction to the hundreds of types of ground coffee beans to be ground available in the market. The one-cup brewer only offers limited number of gourmet coffees for you to choose from. And since it is a single-cup type, you don't get to offer cups to other people. And the second disadvantage is that it can be costlier than the more economical loose coffee that is brewed in a traditional coffee maker.


Monday, July 18, 2011

Coffeemakers: A Kitchen Investment




If you love your coffee in the morning, then you probably appreciate a good old coffee maker at home. Instant coffee may suffice too, but nothing beats the freshly brewed goodness brought by boiling water and ground beans. Instant powdered coffee is only acceptable when you are in camp and that is highly unlikely. Most household kitchens feature the usual small sized drip machine that can make about four great cups of coffee.





There are those individuals with discerning tastes that would like to have authentic coffee made at home. They can get their fancy caffeine from commercial coffee chains and restaurants, but they sure would love to duplicate it in their own kitchen. It is not very difficult, all you need is more than a drip machine though, and a lot of confidence.





First of all, a great cup of coffee is a result of well purchased and ground coffee beans. You can purchase the beans from your most frequented coffee store. Invest in a good coffee grinder and take the time to read the manuals. The grind setting of your grinder must match the preferred grind of your purchased beans. It is always indicated on the label so you must keep the label.





Another kitchen investment for a coffee enthusiast would be a set of drip and espresso machine with a steamer wand. Drip coffee is alright for flavored cafes, especially if you prefer more coffee than milk or creamer. Espresso, however, is a single ounce versatile ingredient that can add flavour to any dessert or beverage. Espresso extracts can also be used for ice cream and bakery goods. Remember though, that espresso machines may only be used with espresso beans. Using any other coffee roast will result to a substandard coffee taste. The drip machine is not very meticulous; any other coffee roast can be brewed on it.





A steam wand is a great treasure in the kitchen. It can produce froth out of milk for cappuccinos and lattes and even for pastries. It can also be used to reheat coffee instead of a microwave oven. Milk or creamer is always better tasting when steamed than boiled, because boiling reduces the liquid and changes the flavour.





When purchasing a personal drip and espresso machine with steam wand, it is necessary to connect it to the filtered water valve. This machine maintains a certain temperature and utilises pressurised water. The temperature valve must be calibrated to ensure that its boiling point is neither lukewarm nor scalding hot.





If you are adventurous in the kitchen then it would be great for you to own one of these fancy machines. Some people are not aware that fancy coffee can also be made at home with just the right equipment. And the correct equipment are already available because of the great demand and the growing number of consumers who have taken the courage to mix their own treat. Gone are the days of the percolating coffee maker that produces bitter and grainy liquid.


Thursday, July 14, 2011

Extract The Full Potential Of Your Coffeemaker With Great Tasting Beans




Coffee making is an intricate art that goes beyond the gastronomic delight. Mechanically, there are coffee makers that press and extract the ground beans that result to a refreshing beverage well favored by all. Coffee makers are just machines that do the grinding and the extraction, sure, there are expensive designs that promise better tasting beverage, however it is not always about the brand; most of the time, it is the coffee treatment that gets it. To achieve the full coffee flavour, it is also necessary to know a few expert tips.





Keeping the coffee beans in airtight containers should be an utmost practice to prevent moisture from affecting the bean's quality and shelf life. Beans come from different regions and named after which for a reason. Different growing conditions also mean difference in acidity, taste and aroma. The beans are packed to ensure that the characteristics stay intact until its best before date. Most often, consumers who purchase the beans only get to experience the full flavour on the first brew; this is because they often fail to keep the packet sealed or leave it in the refrigerator. Doing so destroys the molecular components of the beans and makes the coffee hard and dry.





Although it could prove to be convenient, it is better not to grind the beans if one does not intend to brew it in an hour. There are facilities in supermarkets that provide coffee grinding services at the time of purchase. Some commercial coffee chains that sell whole beans may also grind the whole packet for the customer. However, this will result to unpleasant coffee flavour. Coffee releases and activates its enzymes and breaks down its molecules when it is ground.





This activity makes the coffee bold, full flavored and creamy. The break down process happens quickly and the molecules either dry up or evaporate when it is exposed to air. Pre-ground coffee tastes flat and bitter when brewed. Always grind the coffee when it is about to be brewed to ensure that all the good things are intact to be enjoyed.





Before grinding the beans, take the time to know the grinder grade or level. There are various levels of coffee grinding which result to different flavours. Too coarse may not be great for a French press, too fine is not good for a Columbia roast and an espresso maker. Coffee packages provide grinding and brewing instruction so make sure to read before discarding it, or better yet, keep the label.





Buying a coffee maker is just one of the many things one can do to improve the morning caffeine intake. Try to treat coffee making with a holistic approach. Find the best roast for one's taste and purchase the most suitable coffeemaker for it. Learn about its grinding technique and discover the different results of each by also applying the accurate water temperature. Finally, realize that by applying all these simple tips, one has become a true coffee connoisseur at home with a discerning taste and smell.


Saturday, July 9, 2011

Create Your Own Kitchen Adventure With A Coffeemaker




What difference would a kitchen coffeemaker make? Some people would just probably shrug it off and decide that ordering out for a cup of coffee is more ideal for them than mixing your own drink. However, a lot more consumers have expressed satisfaction with owning their own equipment.





First of all, when you possess your own kitchen equipment like a coffeemaker, it decreases the cost of buying gourmet coffee. Commercial beverages are expensive and filled with fattening ingredients that are not entirely divulged to the consumer. By owning a coffeemaker, you have the liberty to choose your organic ingredients and the quantity to use. Most importantly, you are able to save a lot of money by eliminating the need to purchase readymade coffee every day.





Also, there is a great excuse for you to experiment and try out different flavours to perk up your caffeine fix. No matter how often you drop by a coffee shop, it is unlikely for you to actually ask about the composition of your coffee drink. Some consumers feel uneasy asking about those kind of information and some simply do not care. By making your own drink, you are able to improve your kitchen skills and enhance your taste buds. When you are just starting out to learn the kitchen techniques, you work at your own pace. If you feel confident enough, you can entertain your guests to a cup of heart-warming coffee.





Making your own cup of coffee that resembles commercially sold latte will feel like a major achievement. It will boost your confidence in the kitchen and the possibility of serving yet another powdered instant coffee will be written off of your entertaining list. Another great advantage is that you can have an amazing cup at any time of the day without the need to go out and pick one up.



There are four types of coffeemakers your can choose from, drip brewer, espresso machine, French press and percolator. If you prefer brewed coffee that is higher in caffeine, get a drip brewer and use it with lightly roasted coffee beans.





The lighter roasts contain more caffeine for that extra perky kick. If you want richer coffee flavour but pretty easy on the kick, get an espresso machine with espresso beans. The espresso is a dark roast that holds so much flavour that it is a versatile ingredient for lattes and desserts. For a richer and deeper coffee flavour, a French press is perfect and use it with French roast beans. French roast is the darkest roast, however it has lower caffeine content similar to espresso. Usually, the darker the roast, the higher caffeine content is traded in for the roasted coffee flavour.





The last option for a coffee maker is a percolator. It used to be a popular choice in the early years but it often results to a bitter and cloudy liquid with stray coffee grains. If you should buy a coffee making equipment, the top-three should be your priority to ensure a lovely cup of beverage every day.


Monday, July 4, 2011

The Very First Coffee Maker




Coffee makers are common kitchen appliances we use to brew coffee minus the trouble of boiling water separately. Many diverse styles of coffee makers use a lot of various brewing standards. The usual units use coffee grounds which are placed typically in a paper filter in a funnel which is then placed over a coffee pot made of either glass or ceramic.





For many centuries, producing a cup of coffee was a deceivingly trouble-free procedure. During the 19th and 20th centuries, it was regarded as sufficient to put in ground coffee to boiling water, leave it over the heat until the aroma's right and transfer the concoction into a cup.





The earliest modern process of coffee making is also known as drip brewing. It is more than a century old and its blueprint changed only slightly. The Biggin which started off in France in the 1800s has two levels. It has a pot holding coffee in the compartment above where water was poured to empty into the compartment which is the coffee pot underneath. During the same period, a French creator built the pumping percolator. It is a device in which boiling water in a base chamber pushes itself up a pipe and then drips or percolates all the way through the ground coffee back in the base chamber.





The first ever espresso machine was made in France in 1882.





The instant coffee was invented by Japanese American chemist Satori Kato of Chicago in the 1900s. English chemist G.C. Washington created the first bulk-produced instant coffee in 1906. He was residing in Guatemala at the time he made the observation about dried coffee on his carafe. After experimenting, he then developed the Red E Coffee which is the name of the brand for his instant coffee.





The coffee filter paper was patented on June 20, 1908. Before the end of the same year, Mellitta and Hugo Bentz put up the Melitta Bentz Company. The following year, they sold more than a thousand coffee filters in Germany. Also, in 1937, the company patented the filter and in 1962, vacuum packing.





In the year 1938, freeze-dried coffee (Nescafe) was introduced.





Then Ernest Illy developed the first automatic espresso machine in 1933.





Later in 1946, the modern coffee maker was invented by an Italian named Achilles Gaggia. He created a high pressure machine using a spring-powered lever structure.





Even though some coffee makers tended to be standardized in unit forms, some still showed an extensive selection of design variation at the start of the 20th century. Above all, the vacuum brewer, which needed two different chambers connected in an hourglass design, motivated and inspired manufacturing designers.





Later on, coffee makers started to take on a more consistent structure matching a great rise in the level of production necessary to meet consumer demand after the war. Plastic and amalgamated supplies started to replace metal, predominantly in the 1970s. Throughout the 1990s, customers insist on more appealing machine designs to match luxurious contemporary kitchens. This resulted in a fresh trend of newly designed coffee makers which offers a greater array of existing forms and colors.