Coffee

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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A large percentage of the population loves to drink both gourmet coffee and espresso drinks. We are all aware of the fact that coffee and espresso provide a boost of energy and they also warm your body up on those cold winter days. Most, however, are not familiar with the history of the coffee and espresso machines, themselves. Without these machines, we probably wouldn’t see such a large population that can easily and affordably prepare these common drinks.

Where did the coffee maker come from?

Since the days of the early Egyptians, coffee has been a staple beverage for most people. Though the Coffee bean originated in Africa, it quickly spread to neighboring countries, like Arabia and Egypt. The first method of bean preparation was to roast the beans on an open fire and then added to boiling water for consumption.

It is believed that coffee was probably considered a type of wine and used to barter and trade. Fermented in much the same as grapes, coffee was a source of energy and warmth for most, but some drank it because they loved the taste, too.

A man by the name of Mr. Laurens came up with the first coffee-making machine in 1818. The machine was constantly modified by coffee drinkers. The coffee machine was actually a product that had just as many patents by women as men, that was practically unheard of at that time!

Through the years, the coffee machine has become a reliable, dependable and easy to use product. In the 1960′s, the first filter machines were invented and the modifications have improved even more since then. Coffee making machines began as crude looking inventions, but have evolved into many different styles, making it possible for a Governor and a Harley biker to own the same style! Found in just about every home, the coffee machine is made by many manufacturers, including: Braun, Senseo, Kitchenaid, Krups and Pod.

Where did the espresso machine come from?

Discovered by a goat herder and developed by a tired, hungry traveler, the espresso drink has provided many with the extra energy they may need. The goat herder noticed the goats acting like they had an extreme boost of energy. As he searched for his heard, he noticed they were snacking on a red berry growing from shrubs. Curious, he ate a berry and felt as if he had suddenly gained more energy as a result. At the same time, a tired, hungry traveler witnesses the occurrences and jumped at the chance to try it for himself. Having the same reactions as the herder and goats, he knew that they were on to something. He took some berries and began to add them to drinks for those in his hometown, as the drink seemed to be a good source of energy. The idea took off from there!

The first espresso maker is said to have originated in Italy in 1901, by Italian manufacturing company owner, Lugia Bezzer. He was simply looking for a way to help speed up his employee’s coffee breaks. He figured out that if pressure was applied in the brewing process, the drink could be made in a lot less time. Nicknamed “The fast coffee machine”, the espresso machine patent was sold in 1905. The new owner, Desidero Pavoni developed an espresso machine that used a piston pump to force water through a tube and into the coffee.

Modifications on the espresso machine were halted by the onset of WWII. Production picked up after the war and in 1946, the commercial espresso machine was invented. Since that time, the espresso maker has been produced by many name brand companies, including: Juda, Mr.Coffee, Kitchenaid and Braun. Offering various features, styles, colors and prices, the espresso machine has come a long way!

C V is a freelance writer, providing articles and information on where to buy Bunn coffee makers, coffee roasters, Saeco espresso machines, coffee grinders, and more.

Author: Chris Vorelli
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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When it comes to buying a coffee maker, one that gets you through the morning, there are so many options that it may drive you crazy. Drifting away from Starbucks and the instant stuff, there are machines that can do the job fairly well. But they must pass through a set of criteria.

Simplicity

With coffee makers, as with most machines, simple is always better. You don’t want too many switches and buttons and overcomplicated procedures. All you want is a cup of coffee. A simple machine, one designed and tested to do one simple thing, and be good at it, tends to work better than a complicated one.

Function

You want a coffee maker that does the job all the way through, nothing too much, and nothing left half done. Underachievers that don’t extract enough flavor, and overachievers that boil the water too much that your coffee gets too bitter; you don’t want them.

Type of Coffee

It pays to know what kind of coffee you love to have from your coffee maker. For most brews, drip coffee makers are all right. For espresso, a dedicated espresso machine is the only one that will do. If you want espresso, but don’t want to buy a machine for it, a French press can actually do the trick. Percolators are also good, as they’re tried and tested. The coffee you want tells you what kind of coffee maker you need.

Cup Size

See if the coffee maker makes a decent-sized serving at one go. Decent-sized is relative. If your morning wake up ritual needs two cups, then see that your coffee maker can deliver just that. Some coffee machines limit themselves to serving sizes that are precise, but are annoyingly less or more than what some need. Make sure what you buy neither serves too little nor overflows your cup and wastes all that coffee goodness.

Reservoir

A good coffee maker should hold enough water for a decent amount of servings at one time. Make sure it can hold a good amount without the reservoir being too big that it takes over the machine. Bad coffee makers tend to have big reservoirs, and cheap machine parts within, just so that they can pass as coffee makers. Do not fall for this. Scrutinize, and choose wisely.

Value

Everyone wants a bargain, but remember that there’s such a thing as a balance between the price and the features. Measure the coffee maker’s set of features along with its build and its price. This kind of formula is a good rule of thumb. So this means you’ll need to check out the slightly costly items, and visit the reputable shops to get the best “balanced” value. It’s not just money at stake here, it’s your mornings.

Brand

It may not seem necessary, but buying a coffee maker from a reputable brand is much better than buying some run-in-the-mill counterpart (unless you’ve done a great deal of research behind some new or unknown brands). A branded machine can beat any brandless contraption anytime. That’s another consumer rule of thumb there. More of a guide, not a rule. When it comes to build quality, features, and overall design, brands like Bunn, Black & Decker, Cuisinart, Braun, and so on are the best there is.

Easy-to-Clean

Of course, you have to deal with cleaning issues. You want to maintain your coffee maker’s service life. Make sure that the crucial parts are washable so that you do not get coffee sticking to them over time. As long as you can wash the important parts like the pot and the reservoir with soap and water, you’re good to go.

Portability

You don’t want anything bigger than your counter. If you buy something that can sit snugly at the corner of your kitchen, then you’d want to use it day after day, since it doesn’t “intrude” in your kitchen space.

Safety

Make sure that there are no exposed electric parts; that everything is properly insulated. Sometimes there are spills, and you don’t want a shock when you clean up the spill. See if the handles are cool to the touch and children who fumble with them and won’t get burned.

Coffee makers come in many shapes and sizes. Simplify your search of your best coffee maker by setting your criteria of what you want from your machine before you start looking for your perfect coffee maker.

Yogi Shinde offers coffee maker ratings and reviews on different brands and types of coffee makers. Helping your find the best coffee maker to suit your needs.

Author: Yogi Shinde
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger

The word we use today to describe the popular black beverage, coffee, was once used to describe wine. Indeed, this drink was often interchanged with wine and sometimes used instead of wine in the religious ceremonies of the Mohammedans, because it had the result of keeping believers awake during the long night of prayers.

That’s just one of many, many more amazing coffee facts.

All over the world, people drink coffee, but depending on which country you come from you may drink your coffee a little different. For example, in Italy, Italians drink coffee fast and they sweeten it with sugar. The Germans, Belgians and the Swiss, however, add hot chocolate, while Mexicans favor cinnamon. Austrians like whipped cream, and Moroccans peppercorns, while Ethiopians add salt. The Egyptians and Turks prefer strong and thick coffee with no milk at all.

The story of caffeine

Believe it or not, caffeine is a prohibited substance for the International Olympic Committee. In fact, if athletes test positive to more than around 12 micograms of caffeine per millilieter of urine, which translates to about 5 cups of coffee, they may well be banned from competition.

The human body absorbes about 300 milligrams of caffeine during intake. That translates to about four cups. After four cups, the body no longer absorbs the caffeine, so even if you drink more the body does not display any further stimulation. But the body releases about twenty percent of caffeine intake every hour.

International facts and figures

Germans are now the world’s second largest consumers of coffee. Previously, a German government hired a special force to uncover illicit coffee traders.

Over 53 countries grow coffee. Costa Ricans grow a lot of coffee, but the coffee plant was imported by the Spaniard, Navarro, in 1779.

A French national invented the percolator. That was in 1827. An Italian invented the espresso machine. That was in 1903. Greeks and Turks traditionally brew coffee over a strong fire and using a tiny pot called a briki.

Before that, coffee beans were roasted over a charcoal fire. Actually, though we call them coffee beans, they are actually coffee berries. Each year over seven million beans are produced.

More coffee facts and trivia

The Japanese celebrate official coffee day on October 1st. The Japanese are the third largest consumers of coffee in the world.

Germans are more likely to sweeten their coffee than Americans.

Americans kicked off the flavored coffee trend back in the 1970s.

Dark roasted coffees have less caffeine than medium roasts. That’s why espresso has less caffeine than regular coffee.

Centuries ago, coffee was thought of as a meal. Ethiopians mixed coffee beans with animal fat and rolled them into balls, to have an an energy power snack.

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Author: Samantha Evans
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Espresso machine and the filter coffee makers took a turn for the better when they came up with the single cup coffee machine. Everyone was accustomed to the usual coffee machines that would make a whole pot of coffee, but there was always the “no good enough” feelings among the user.

The key complain, is the difficulty in getting the right amount of coffee, it is usually a problem of brewing too much or too little. Sure you could adjust the amount of coffee you wanted to brew but most people find that it is difficult to estimate the exact amount of coffee grounds for the amount of coffee they wanted to drink.

With the single serve machines, the pre-measured single serve allows you to make the perfect measured cup of coffee every time.

There are maybe close to hundred different brands of single serve coffee makers around, and it can be quite frustrating to choose the right one. However, it can be segment into 3 board categories: the K-cups, the T-disc and the pods.

First, is the K-cups where you can get gourmet coffee as well as teas and hot cocoas. You do not have to worry about measuring, filters or even grinding the beans. The K-cups offers over 50 types of beverages and they can be brewed anywhere in less than a minute with the Keurig machine.

The K-cups have their own brands and their own patented technology in sealing the coffee ground to ensure that you get the freshest cup of coffee with every cup. And, their variety range from Starbucks coffee to Twinnings tea, so you can say that they are serving some of the most branded F&B brands. If the above are consideration when purchasing coffee, then the Keurig is your choice.

Then, there is the T-disc that offer cups of pure pleasure such as an espresso or latté with no fuss or mess. However, the advantage of T-disc is definitely its cappuccino, that comes complete with real froth.

Their patented code on the T-disc brew each individual drink differently. The T-disc uses a machine that is called the Tassimo. And, this is the machine that converts the code that it read from the T-disc to a frothy cup of cappuccino.

If you are someone that is particular about how the brew would turn out, then Tassimo is the machine that you should get. Especially, if you want an instant cappuccino.

Lastly, there are the coffee pods machine that are more flexible than Keurig or Tassimo, some single serve are able to take in any range of pods from Douwe Egberts to Nespresso. These pods mitigate a major problem for single cup coffee machine -the closed brand system.

Despite all its convenience and ease of use, the single serve usually can only use its own brand of coffee, for example, Keurig can only use the K-cups and Tassimo can only use its T-disc.

However, with “no brand” pod machine coming into the market, they can use pods from any companies, giving the pod coffee maker the largest range of beverages to choose from. So, pod coffee maker is easy to use, measured to user preferences and have the widest range of coffee.

No matter what your tastes are in hot beverages you can be sure to find a single cup coffee machine within these 3 categories that will make your life easier. The ease of these machines and the variety of choices that you have, will make this a must have to any household, if not now, then in the near future.

Ebenezer Heng, the owner of On Coffee makers does the research for on any machines related to coffee. As long as you are looking for a machines to better your coffee experience, chances are you can find it at http://www.oncoffeemakers.com

Read about coffee stories at http://www.oncoffeemakers.com/coffee-maker-ratings.html

Author: Ebenezer Heng
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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