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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Probably the most common coffee makers are drip coffee makers. Drip coffee makers tend to be considerably less expensive and easier to use than espresso maker coffee machines and come in a host of sizes, styles, color schemes and designs. You should have no trouble finding one that suits your kitchen if you take the time to shop around. Statistics indicate that automatic drip coffee machine sales are approximately 14 million on average.

One of the most prominent automatic drip coffee machines is “Mr. Coffee”. Other highly regarded brands include Cuisinart, Black & Decker, Proctor-Silex and Braun.

Drip coffee makers function by the passing of water through a filter containing an amount of ground coffee. There are two basic filter types for these types of machines, permanent and paper.

Both types of filter can affect the taste of the beverage. Paper filters are disposable, whereas permanent filters are.. well permanent in that they do not need replacing. Permanent filters are usually metal can accommodate coarser grinding of coffee beans than is required in a paper filter.

The features of automatic drip coffee makers vary from model to model depending on how high a particular model sits in the market. Higher end models take care of all the preparation that is needed to go from beans to cup – grinding the beans to brewing the coffee at pre-specified time intervals. Lower end automatic drip coffee machines have a filter basket, water reservoir and warming plate that keeps the pot heated at all times. Most of these coffee makers have a handy filter basket that can be swung or lifted out and have a single control to switch the power on or off.

Some additional features that are included in some models are digital display and/or control panel, timers, clocks, indicator lights, a brew-pause function, automatic shut-off and permanent filters.Higher end makers also include flavor settings, built in grinders and water filtration. Basic single cup machines are offered as well as coffee makers that can handle anything up to 12 cups!

Essential, Commonly Asked Questions (and Answers)

What is the ideal brewing temperature?

General consensus is 200 degrees, although coffee machines in public restaurants do often prohibit temperatures getting this high due to liability risks. If brewing at home it is often a good idea to experiment with different temperatures and test the results.

What are the crucial quality factors affecting a cup of coffee?

There are a number of things that can have an effect on the quality of the final brew. The main factors are quality of coffee beans, time since beans were roasted, the cleanliness of the equipment and quality of water used in brewing.

What is the best way to clean my coffee makers?

You should ensure your coffee machine is cleaned properly on a weekly basis in order to guarantee the quality and taste of coffee brewed and smooth running of the machine. Several common methods have been proposed by various experts. Some suggest using dish washing liquid and water, others mixing a solution of one part vinegar to three parts water through the brewing cycle, followed by plain water to remove waste buildups.

Are you able to use espresso beans in drip coffee machines? Sure. So resolve this for me… where did the term “Cup of Joe” really come from?

Legend has it that alcohol on ships was outlawed by Admiral Josephus Daniels, resulting in sailors drinking coffee as their beverage of choice. Other people will tell you the name is derived from 19 century slang for coffee referred to as “Joe” back then.

Visit our website to learn much more about drip coffee makers, espresso makers, office coffee machines and many more types of coffee machines. Espresso Makers Online.

Author: Charles R. 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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Who doesn’t love a refreshing cup of coffee to start the morning? It can be a great way to warm up during a cold morning, give a needed energy boost early in the day, just be part of your usual morning routine, and – when consumed in moderation – has health benefits. The problem is for about ten percent of people the high acidity level makes it difficult for their stomachs to digest their morning cup. There are solutions available for making low acid coffee. Whether you buy beans that have been specially roasted to produce low acid coffee or if you are using a special brewing technique to reduce the acidity anyone can enjoy a morning coffee regardless of their stomach!

For people looking for a natural approach to low acid coffee, some coffee beans are roasted with mushroom extracts from Ganoderma or Reishi mushrooms to enhance the flavor and reduce the acidity to make the coffee easier on sensitive stomachs. The mushrooms and beans are steamed naturally to reduce the acidity without compromising the flavor of the coffee. This is an herbal roasting method that still leaves the same taste, aroma, and caffeine levels. These mushrooms have been used for thousands of years to improve mood, increase focus, and help detoxify the liver. Chemically altered beans can have the same effect on acidity levels but may have altered taste, aroma, and reduced caffeine.

Besides altering the beans or roasting them with mushroom extracts to lower the acidity, you can change the way you brew to get a more low acid coffee. The toddy maker, also known as Cold-Brew coffee maker, actually makes a cold coffee concentrate. A drip coffee maker involves putting coffee beans into a filter and having hot water pass through the filter slowly to extract the coffee flavors. A press style coffee maker involves steeping the coffee in hot water for several minutes before pressing the grounds to separate them from the coffee and pouring it off. On the other hand, a toddy maker uses concentrated coffee and adds it to hot water. You can store this concentrate in a refrigerator to make your coffee later. This cold brewing methods leads to a lower acidity level in the finished coffee, making this low acid coffee easier for people with sensitive stomachs.

Coffee has a wonderful flavor, can give you a good energy boost in morning, and even has many good qualities for your health. When consumed in moderation without adding unnecessary calories from too much cream or sugar it can be good for your heart, help reduce your risk of cancer, relieve pain, boost your mood, and even help prevent cavities. Even if you have a sensitive stomach you may want to consider having an occasional cup of low acid coffee. Just remember to look for low acid coffee beans or a ganoderma enriched instant coffee.

Just remember to look for low acid coffee beans or ganoderma enriched instant (ready brew) coffee. Remember that the acidity can be reduced artificially and naturally. Or you can try a cold brewing method for low acid coffee. Just look for beans that are specially marked as low acid coffee beans or a toddy maker and even people with sensitive stomachs can enjoy their morning java.

Phillip Bynes is a proud husband, father, licensed massage therapist, and Family First Entrepreneur. As an active member of the health and wellness community, he provides resources to people who absolutely love coffee and embrace an opportunity to replace that unhealthy cup of coffee with a low acid ganoderma enriched coffee that can provide substantial health benefits. Learn more at www.DrinkCoffee4Life.com.

Author: Phillip Bynes
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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The coffee bean roaster is fast becoming a “must have” in today’s kitchens. The flavor and freshness of coffee is at its best when it is roasted in small batches at home.

Roasted coffee is very susceptible to oxygen damage when it sits on store shelves and in café bins for days or weeks at a time. It spells disaster for specialty coffee beans creating stale, flavorless coffee.

Today, the coffee bean roaster is a coffee enthusiasts dream, bringing the freshness and quality of roasting fresh gourmet coffee at home. It is the beginning of a new era in coffee history and a major step in the return of great tasting coffee.

You’ll be surprised to learn how easy and fast it is to roast your own specialty coffee beans at home. Once you experience the flavor of fresh gourmet coffee like this you’ll want to share it with everyone you know.

There are basically two types of home coffee bean roasters: fluid bed roasters and electric, radiant heat drum roasters.

Fluid bed roasters work like hot air popcorn poppers. They have a glass-roasting chamber so you can watch as the coffee beans are roasted and stop at the desired roast. These are good for beginners and a great way to get started in home roasting.

The radiant heat drum roaster is more like the professional coffee roasters use. These do not allow you to watch as the beans are roasted so you have to roast by smell or sound.

How about having a roasting party with friends or the family? Home roasting is a lot of fun. You can try some of the best coffees in the world and roast them just the way you like them. What’s even more fun and tasty is creating your own custom blends.

So if you haven’t tried home roasting, get ready for an amazing treat. Your coffee drinking experience will never be the same once you taste the fresh gourmet coffee you made with your home coffee bean roaster. “Enjoy”

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Author: Gary Gresham
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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