Coffee

This happens to be a perennial argument among coffee lovers or even those who just need some caffeine jolt – what is the difference between instant coffee and regular coffee? At one look, you’d say to yourself that it is perfectly the same so for coffee addicts like you, instant would be the one that comes in a bottle or pack that you usually buy in the supermarket and when you get home, just add hot water and it’s ready to drink. While the regular coffee would mean that you even though you could buy it at supermarkets, groceries or specialty coffee shops, you have to brew it before you could drink it.

In a nutshell, that would be the simplest definition should you encounter such a question on what is the difference between these kinds of coffee? You will be amazed by the big difference of these two ways to enjoy a decent cup of coffee.

Starting with the Instant Coffee – did you know some people are saying that it is fake coffee? That you only get to smell the so-called coffee beans but when you taste it, it has this weird metallic aftertaste to it? The process of this kind of coffee is done in a different way. It goes through a lot of process such as roasting, grounding, brewing and then it gets spray dried or with what others call it freeze dried.

The reason for the so-called “fake” taste is that you need more than a teaspoon of this kind of coffee to achieve that full bodied taste. When you do so, you will not be able to sleep at all or worst, you will have this severe palpitation.

Coffee drinkers who have already tasted and enjoyed a freshly brewed cup of hot steaming coffee would love to banish Instant Coffee from their vocabularies. Their reason here is that they think that coffee should be enjoyed another way and that where no other additives are present. If you don’t have the buying power to go to expensive coffee shops for their brew of the day then commercially dried coffee would work just fine due to its convenience.

Moving on to the underlying question regarding what is the difference, the latter type still goes through the process of roasting, grounding as well as brewing. The advantage of the regular coffee is that the aroma is stronger and it has the full-bodied flavor that you are looking for without having to go through a bad series of acid reflux.

The technique to a better taste actually is dependent on the equipment used as well as the barista brewing the coffee for you. The higher the quality of the coffee beans, either Robusta or Arabica, the fuller its taste becomes. Then what is the difference? The answer boils all down to the preparation, process and last, the execution of serving a perfect cup of hot coffee.

To learn more about the different techniques of brewing your morning coffee try visiting also single serve coffee maker reviews, where you will find this and a lot more tips including facts and buying tips to choose the right Senseo single serve coffee maker that suits your personal needs.

Author: Pierre Smith
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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A coffee grinder is a must have for anyone who loves coffee, for two simple reasons:

1. Freshness
2. Control over the Coarseness of the Grind

Freshness

To keep coffee as fresh as possible you need to minimise its contact with air. Air is one of coffee’s worst enemies as it destroys delicate flavours by turning the natural oils present in coffee rancid.

If you have a coffee grinder at home you can grind your coffee beans as and when you need them. This preserves their freshness, as a whole coffee bean has a much smaller surface area than that of a ground bean and therefore is less exposed to air.

The actual process of grinding releases many of the coffee’s aromatics; as you grind you can smell this in the air. If you don’t quickly use these grounds then you are going lose this aroma and deprive your cup of valuable flavours. This is another good reason to only grind coffee on demand.

Control over the Coarseness of the Grind

Different coffee makers require a different coarseness of ground coffee. For example: an espresso machine, which has a short brewing time (less than 30 seconds), needs a very fine powder-like grind; whereas a cafetiere, which has a long brewing time (3-4 minutes), needs a much coarser grind.

With your own coffee grinder you get to control the coarseness of the grind as you can adjust the grinder’s setting. So if you find that your coffee tastes bitter, a result of over-extraction, then you can adjust the grind to a coarser setting; and if your coffee tastes flat, a result of under-extraction, you can adjust the grind to a finer setting.

Blade Vs Burr Coffee Grinders

Coffee grinders come into two categories:

1. Blade Grinders
2. Burr Grinders

A blade grinder works in a similar way to a food processor: there is a set of spinning metal blades which roughly cut through the coffee beans. The coarseness of the grind is determined by how long the grinder is left running. Coffee ground by a blade grinder is inconsistent in size as some beans will be sliced through more times then others.

Rather than chopping the coffee beans into tiny pieces, a burr grinder crushes the beans between two pieces of burred metal. A burr grinder produces a much more consistent size of grounds as the coarseness is controlled by how close the two pieces of metal are set to each other: i.e. a smaller distance for fine grounds and a larger distance for coarse. For this reason, burr grinders are far superior to blade grinders.

Why is Consistency Important?

The ultimate aim when making coffee is to extract the maximum amount of flavour whilst leaving behind bitter compounds and caffeine. This is why different coffee makers require a different coarseness of grounds. However, if your grounds are inconsistent then the larger particles in the grounds are going to be under-extracted, leaving behind flavour, and the smaller particles are going to be over-extracted, releasing bitter compounds and further caffeine into the cup. Unfortunately, the two don’t balance each other out; instead you have a flat, bitter coffee that will keep you awake for hours.

Choosing a Coffee Grinder

The coffee grinder you choose should depend on for what type of coffee maker you’re grinding the coffee. If you’re using a cafetiere or stove-top espresso maker then a hand grinder is perfectly adequate, although they do require plenty of physical effort to get results.

However, for an espresso machine a good quality electric burr coffee grinder is essential. As making an espresso is a pretty intense process (its all over in less than 30 seconds) the margin of error for the grind is very slim. This is why you need a grinder which allows for minuscule adjustments to be made so you can get the grind spot on.

James Grierson is the owner of Galla Coffee – UK based retailer of espresso machines, coffee makers, grinders and cups for the home.

View the original article in its context at: Guide to Coffee Grinders

Author: James Grierson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Buying coffee can be challenging. Why? There are so many coffee brands. If you know good tips on how to shop for coffee, you will be able to find a brand that you truly enjoy. I’d like to share with you some suggestions on what to look for when getting the most out of your next coffee purchase.

But first, let me explain how I learned about buying coffee. When I first tried an inexpensive brand of coffee, I almost spit it out. I thought, “How can people drink this stuff and enjoy it?” Since I was not after the caffeine effect, it was a long time before I’d try another cup of coffee. But I worked in a retail shop that was close to a gourmet coffee shop. I bought many flavored beverages from the shop. One day, I decided to try a flavored coffee. Luckily, I really enjoyed it. If I hadn’t, I don’t know if I would have ever tried coffee again. But drinking a regular cup of coffee didn’t appeal much to me. I became kind of a “fun coffee” kind of person, trying different flavors whenever I felt like a change. It also helped that I was married to a ‘coffee lover’ and learned valuable insight from him. He told me that I shouldn’t have to flavor coffee to get a good taste that I enjoy. My husband is a bit of a coffee snob but he has sort of earned that right. He grew up traveling to Guatemala with his parents to visit relatives. His grandfather immigrated to America from Guatemala and became a citizen of this great country. Because of this connection, my husband would visit the Guatemalan relatives on the family coffee farm as a boy and as an adult. Personally, I have visited Guatemala twice, to meet family, visit the family farm, and learn about coffee production. As you can imagine, coffee drinking is big in his family.

Nevertheless, here are the tips I have learned when looking for a good coffee:

1) Smell the coffee in the bag if you are able. Make sure it has a desirable aroma.
2) Check out the source of the coffee. Where is it from? Is it Estate Grown coffee of a high quality or is it a blend of “leftovers”?
3) How was it processed before it got to the roaster? Was it sun dried for a higher quality?
4) Buy whole bean for the ability to see the beans before your grind. If the beans are broken, have wholes in them or are all inconsistent sizes, don’t buy.
5) What kind of roast is it? Vienna, French or Espresso? Be sure to buy the correct roast for your taste buds or you may get a false impression of the coffee. Vienna is a lighter roast, French is a little darker and Espresso is a very dark roast.

Once you figure out which coffee you like, make sure the brewing is done correctly so that you ensure a smooth delicious flavor. Now you can sit back and really enjoy that coffee taste. Enjoy.

Article written by Michelle Falla, Coffee Distributor for Serenity Cup Coffees. Visit http://www.serenitycup.com for more details.

Author: Michelle Falla
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Most scintillating conversations take place in the coffee house. This is a place where everyone loosens up and tries to just enjoy the aroma and the feel of this wonderful beverage. It is not at all an exaggeration when someone says that “A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent.”

Likewise coffee and romance too go hand in hand. Since the advent of coffee and its subsequent popularity, coffee houses have been an integral part of any town or city. They have been the meeting places of both men and women where they used to gather and discuss a variety of subjects ranging from the more personal romantic ones to the more business related. Coffee houses gave a much needed space for leisurely conversation without the hindrance of the outside world. Many a romances have begun and flourished over a hot cup of coffee. There is a Turkish proverb which says “Coffee should be black as hell, strong as death and as sweet as love. “

This proves to be very true when one visualizes the beverage and the impact it has on the human body and the various sentiments it arouses. It can easily draw similarity because true love is also intense and all consuming. It really rejuvenates one’s body and mind. This mystical drink too has the same effect and people once addicted to coffee can rarely let go of it.

Paris is considered the Romantic Capital of the world and since the introduction of the coffee in the late 17th century; the very concept of romance saw a sea change. Many coffee houses or cafes came into existence which served coffee on a cobblestone street which was the perfect setting for people in love. Coffee became an aphrodisiac for the romantics who would spend hours talking over a cup of hot coffee. There is a popular German saying that says “Coffee and love are best when they are hot. “

Can anyone really resist a cup of coffee sitting in front of the fireplace and having a cozy time with one’s beloved? Or can anything be more romantic than the freshly brewed coffee being served by your romantic partner first thing in the morning? One actually enjoys the sound of the coffee grinder when it is being used by your spouse or partner. It doesn’t sound like an intrusion, rather it gives a nice feeling that someone cares about you and is going to such great lengths as to preparing a freshly grounded coffee for you. This is the magic of Coffee.

Coffee always gives a cozy and warm feeling and therefore this drink has become the mainstay of couples round the world and has come to be synonymous with romantic rendezvous. There can be many romantic ideas which include coffee. Some of them are given below for people who would like to surprise their beloved with a romantic gesture. These work for people who are supposedly labeled unromantic by their partners:

Breakfast in Bed including warm delicious croissants and a hot cup of coffee
A cup of hot coffee while it is raining outside
Rendezvous at a cozy coffee shop while sitting in a corner
Long Drive and hot coffee in a village cafeteria
Slow & Soothing music & cup of hot coffee for both
Reading a Book to your Partner while Sipping a cup of Coffee

I am sure that any person who is in love will really love to try out these romantic ideas. If he/she meets with success then the whole credit should rightfully belong to this wonderful drink called the COFFEE.

For more information on Coffee and Coffee Fun please visit our website.

Author: David Urmann
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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If you’re looking for great coffee, freeing up space in the kitchen, and having the choice you want for your coffee.

So, here are some thoughts to consider:

1. are you looking for an improved coffee experience,
2. looking to save money, and
3. are you a regular coffee drinker (you want more than just a cup of coffee).

For improved coffee experience there are several things to consider – selecting the right roast coffee bean (for the flavour), setting the correct grind, and brewing for freshness. All of these are made easier by a grind and brew coffee maker. Its convenient and automated.

A built in grinder is capable of grinding up to 10 – 12 cups of coffee (for the regular coffee drinker). And the best units are able to keep the coffee hot for hours and not have it bitter or burnt.

By grinding fresh the roast coffee beans the aroma adds to the coffee experience, and the flavour is fresh as possible. The difference between the aroma of fresh ground beans compared with stale coffee is… immense. Your nose knows, trust it – you can tell the difference.

Freshness is lost when oxygen in the air comes in contract with the ground beans and oils. With a grind and brew coffee maker – there is minimal contact with air so the flavours are the freshest possible. The full flavour of the bean is released from grind, to brew, to your cup.

If you’re looking to save space in your kitchen then a grind and brew coffee maker is a good option to consider. With both the grinder and the coffee maker in one unit, you don’t need a separate grinder and a separate coffee maker, thereby saving space (and hassle). Also, you don’t need a separate filter as most of these coffeemakers have built in filters.

If you are looking to save money and you haven’t yet purchased a separate grinder yet – wait. For two reasons – better grind quality and savings.

The grinders used for grinding coffee beans should use a burr grinding mechanism to get the best flavour from the coffee beans. With grind and brew coffee makers the burr grinder is incorporated in the integrated into the single unit.. Other grinders may lack in this mechanism and as such may not serve the purpose appropriately.

In addition, you will save money by having the grinder as part of the coffee making appliance. This saving is even better if you are ordering online, as you will save in the shipping costs. This also applies to the coffee filter as well..

Most g&b coffee makers are automated. They have built in timers and other settings which enable you to have freshly brewed coffee just ready for you when you wake in the morning. Do you know what it is like to wake up to the smell of fresh coffee in the morning – next to heaven, and a great way to start the day.

So when is the best time to get a grind and brew coffee maker? When you are looking to replace your existing coffee maker (or looking to get your first) and you are looking for convenience, savings and a better coffee experience.

Greg Rogers is a coffee nut who just loves coffee. He’s used dripolators, plungers, on-cup coffee makers… etc, the lot.

For more information on what to look for in selecting a new coffee maker, go to GrindandBrew-Coffeemaker.com

Author: Greg Rogers
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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