Coffee

If you travel to the Hexagon you may be surprised to see that coffee in France is a little different then what you may be used to drinking. For one thing, it is usually fairly strong – not as strong as an Italian espresso but certainly stronger then the average cup of American Joe.

When you are served coffee in France, don’t expect a large mug full either. The coffee will most likely be served in small, demitasse cups and, given its strength, this may be all you need. Sugar will be offered, but milk frequently is not. Not that a French host will object to you using a little milk – they just don’t think to offer it.

How do they make their coffee at home?

Drip coffee machine. Called a cafetière, these are fairly common, although the trend is definitely towards home espresso machines.

Stovetop espresso brewer. Commonly called a moka pot, you will find these in the housewares section of even small grocery stores in France.

French press. Despite its name, this way of making coffee is not necessarily a French invention. It is however a very popular and economical way to brew a cup of coffee that tastes very close to what you get when you go to a French café.

Electric espresso maker. – Judging by what’s available in the local French supermarket, I’d say these are the fastest growing segment of the coffee machine market in France. (The undeniable charm of George Clooney may have more to do with this then we imagine.)

What sort of coffee do they use?

Judging once again by what’s available in the French supermarket, most French people are not grinding their own beans. If it isn’t packaged in “dosettes” to feed an electric espresso maker, the coffee generally comes vacuum packed in 250 gram units. Almost all of the coffee available like this is fairly finely ground, although there are some packages of whole beans as well.

You can purchase 100 percent Arabica coffee in the supermarket. Although it may be somewhat higher in price, some people think it makes a superior tasting cup of coffee. Most of the coffee drank in France though is a blend of Robusta and Arabica.

Ordering coffee in France

You may not have coffee in a French home, but if you travel to France you will surely have the opportunity to order coffee in a café. You can also order coffee in most any bar (indeed the distinction between a café and a bar is fuzzy at times). Where ever you are, the names of the various coffee drinks stay somewhat the same. (There are regional differences, but for the purposes of this article we’ll stick to the Parisian terms, which should work fairly well anywhere in France).

• Un Café – A demitasse cup of espresso strength coffee.
• Un Double – Twice the amount of the same coffee.
• Un Crème - An espresso strength coffee with cream (or possibly milk – it depends upon the café)
• Une Noissette - Once again this is an espresso, but there is just a hint of cream or milk floating on top.
• Café au Lait - Coffee mixed about half and half with hot milk. Many times the hot milk is served on the side.
• Café Léger or Café Allongé – Regular strength coffee that has been watered down.
• Café Americaine – This is filtered coffee, similar to what you get from a drip machine.

When is coffee drank in France?

In the morning? Certainly. After lunch? Yes again. Even in the evening, you will see French people enjoying a cup of espresso after a meal. I don’t know how they can do it and sleep. I used to think they were all drinking decaf, but many times this isn’t even available in restaurants. I don’t go there, but you may like to. Part of your personal French coffee experience.

Kim Steele, who’s been making France her home for the past 18 years, has created a fun website based on her many and varied experiences. Easy French Food is for anyone interested in French culture and especially French food. Her favorite way to enjoy coffee in France is from a French Press Coffee Pot. Enjoy!

Author: Kim Steele
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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If you are the owner of a restaurant, coffee house or large business, then it’s time to think about buying coffee in bulk.  You’re probably making large amounts of coffee and buying it in bulk can save you a significant amount of many.  Here are some tips for bulk purchase of coffee.

Looking for Large Volume Purchase Program

A bulk coffee program is a plan that will ship you a predetermined amount of it each month.  The amounts vary, so make sure you find a plan which suits your needs.  Begin by ordering a conservative amount to make sure you aren’t stuck with too much coffee on your hands.  Most of the plans offer a house blend brand of it which may be imported from Sumatra, Kenya, Central America or South America. 

Buying Online

If you buy coffee online in bulk, you should be able to find it at a discount.  This may seem great at first, but don’t forget to factor in the cost of shipping.  The shipping cost may be sizable since coffee ships in bags weighing up to 25 pounds.  One way to cut down on shipping costs is to find a local distributor.  Not only will save you money, but it can also save you delivery time.  The last thing you want to do is to end up paying high overnight shipping costs for 25 pounds of bulk coffee.

Brew it Correctly

If you do own a restaurant, coffee hour or large business and are making a lot of coffee, be sure to use a commercial grade coffee machine for brewing your coffee.  A coffee maker designed for home use cannot make coffee fast enough and it can’t get the water hot enough for optimal brewing.  Really high water temperature is one of the secrets to the great coffee served in your favorite coffee house.

If you’re not making a lot of coffee, then buying it in bulk is really not the answer for you.  A great cup of coffee is brewed from fresh beans, so you only want to buy enough coffee for one month at a time.  You may save money with volume purchase, but if it sits for several months before you use it up, you’ll be disappointed in the quality of your coffee.

Damen Choy, editor of Coffee-Bean-Direct.com Coffee-Bean-Direct.com provides timely information about the coffee market, as well as tips and ideas for coffee lovers and their friends, who can find great java-related gifts for the coffee enthusiasts in their lives. Visit Buy Coffee Direct to learn about the many benefits of buying coffee in bulk for yourself and your loved ones.

Author: Damen Choy
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Likely the most basic type of coffee machine that people might recall from their childhood is the percolator. This machine isn’t really complicated. There is a pot, with a built in filter made of metal and basket with a tube going from the base of the pot up into the basket. When the water in pot’s body boils, the water is sucked up the tube into the basket of coffee. As the boiling water seeps into the coffee grounds, best coffee is made. In the early days these were built to be placed onto a open burner but nowadays they are built for table top use and are plugged in.

An mechanical drip machine is likely the most popular today. They are placed on you bench top and include a glass carafe for the coffee to drip into. There is a heated plate under the jug to keep the coffee warm. You pour water into the tank, and after the machine is powered on, the water is forced through the basket area where the coffee grounds are put in a filter. These are easy to operate and make a decent pot of coffee. But is this the best coffee.

Most people just cannot get moving in the morning without their daily shot of coffee. There are many different types of coffee machines that you can make that first pot of coffee and they all have their pro’s and cons’s. But which one is able of making the best coffee? Do you have to invest a lot of money for a good coffee machine or will a less expensive one work just as well

The latest coffee machine in the shops is the pod system. Every machine has its own particular brand of pod and that is the only type of pod that can be used in that specific machine. The pods themselves come in a reasonably wide variety of flavors so it is not hard to find the coffee you like. Usually a pod will produce one cup of coffee, which is great if you only want a single cup of coffee. If you enjoy having an entire pot available, a pod coffee machine may not be the best machine for you.

Acquiring a machine that works best for you won’t be difficult. There are a fairly wide variety of coffee machines available to purchase and many have very nice features that you may pay extra for, but are probably worth it. Imagine coming home in the evening to a fresh, full decanter of coffee just waiting for you. All you have to do is buy a good quality coffee machine and you’ll be all set.

Ryan Somerton, the owner of Mighty Bean Coffee is passionate about all things related to coffee. Are looking for some tips or even coffee machines to better your coffee drinking endeavors, chances are you can find it at MightyBeanCoffee.com
check out more about Best Coffee Machines.

Author: Ryan Somerton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Coffee beans come in many forms and tastes so thus coffee makers in varying shape and size come with different features. There are automatic coffee machines to brew coffee how you want it when you want it.

There is a coffee machine that will match one’s taste. Whether one like espresso, cappuccino, latte, or simple brewed coffee, all is possible with a touch of a button. Coffee lovers can invest for a good coffee machine which can last for decades if well maintained. It is not really difficult to maintain these automatic coffee machines, for the steps can be as simple as turning them off when not in use. They can also be cleaned by dripping a solution of water and vinegar in one cycle at least once a month.

These machines can also save you time when you are in a hurry to work or busy attending to the needs of you family. Everything can be set to brew for itself and everyone can enjoy a hot cup of freshly brewed coffee. The options vary when it comes to choosing a coffee maker. The following stand out from the rest and is the common choice of the most discerning coffee lovers:

Jura Capresso makes authentic cappuccino, lattes, espressos, and hot chocolate. This is a Swiss made coffee machine which is popular to coffee enthusiast all over the world. The company is the maker of innovative coffee centers known for their beautiful design, sophistication, and ease of use.

Jura Capresso ensures fresh coffee every time with its high pressure brewing method which creates a particular taste depending on the coffee lovers’ desires. This coffee center has a sixty second standard when it comes to grinding, tamping, and brewing coffee. It also takes only minute to clean the machine.

Espresso machines on the other hand make the traditional Italian espresso coffee. This process is very specific. Espresso is seven to ten grams of grounded coffee densely packed in a specific amount of force plus 200 degree Fahrenheit water. There are also several designs of espresso machines. It can be piston driven which makes use of a lever system to pressurize the hot water sipping it to the coffee. Pump driven machines are a refinement where a motor pumps the machine so brewing can be completed. Steam driven machines works by driving water thru the coffee beans using steam pressure.

Automatic coffee machines how simple or complicated, aims for only one thing: that is a perfect experience for a coffee lover. These machines can make cups in a matter of minutes. Just remember to clean them after so the brewing and coffee aroma will keep on flowing for years.

Caitlina Fuller is a freelance writer. Jura Capresso makes authentic cappuccino, lattes, espressos, and hot chocolate. This is a Swiss made coffee machine which is popular to coffee enthusiast all over the world. Espresso machines on the other hand make the traditional Italian espresso coffee.

Author: Caitlina Fuller
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Pension

A coffee machine has become a very useful and important device in many homes. Many like to chill and relax with a cup of coffee, of their favourite make and taste. Now this can be made available easily, with the quality of the taste getting only better, with a coffee maker! There are many types, shapes and sizes of coffee makers in the market now. Certain factors have to be taken care of, while choosing coffee makers.

One of the main features that a coffee maker should have is the “Pause and Serve” feature. This allows the coffee pot to be removed from the stand, even before the complete coffee is dropped into it, and also without spilling it all over and making the whole place messy. This is a useful feature as the valve closes when the coffee pot is removed.

The latest in-thing in coffee makers is being pod compatible. A pod is a little prepacked disc of coffee powder which makes coffee easily and does not create a mess. Some models also come with a facility of using both pods and loose coffee powder. Also coffee makers have many digital controls in it that make it easier and effective to use. Features like LCD display, timer, if the time has to be set manually, a clock, auto switch-off feature; this reduces the energy usage. If the machine also has lighted buttons, then it would be more useful to view it in the darkness as well.

Some hi-fi machines have water filter that takes off the chlorine and iron tastes from the tap water. This is quite a good addition, but the maintenance costs and repair costs increase, and so is an expensive process. Also adding a permanent coffee filter to the machine, in case it does not have one, is also a good option. It is better to go for a metal or plastic mesh, as they prove more useful than a paper filter, which leaves a paper taste as well to the coffee.

Some machines also come with a coffee grinder attachment. This grinds the coffee seeds for instant use, thus giving fresh and strong flavoured coffee. This can be a very good feature for those who love drinking fresh coffee with that perfect aroma. However, it is expensive, but is definitely worth the cost.

Coffee machines are the perfect way to make a fresh, perfect cup of coffee for all the coffee lovers out there! Simple to use, available in interesting shapes and different sizes, they are definitely a must-have in all households.

Visit exclusive Coffee Machines Review website for Gaggia Coffee Maker, Philips and Morphy Richards Coffee Maker reviews.

Author: Victor Thomas
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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