Coffee

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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For those who love coffee, I mean really truly love their coffee, as in they are passionate about what makes a good coffee, it can be a dilemma. The coffee aficionado will have their preferred cafe that they frequent because they know the Batista will make the coffee just the way they like it. The passionate coffee connoisseur can tell you if the coffee is burnt, the milk too hot, the type of coffee used acceptable and so it goes on. They know the difference between a Latte and a Cafe au lait, a flat white and a cappuccino.

So what happens when the coffee wise wish to bring the sacred brew into their own home? Many realise that the same results just cannot be duplicated at home. They know and understand the artist that is the coffee Batista and respect his craft. Others however will attempt to produce a great cup themselves and there begins the pursuit of the ultimate coffee making implement.

The truly dedicated coffee lover will have in his or her kitchen an assortment of coffee brewing devices. It is likely they will have a filter coffee machine. This appliance usually takes the form of a heating plate where a tempered glass pot is placed into which the coffee drips as heated water percolates through the coffee grounds, which are contained within a paper filter inside a filter holder. The coffee from these machines, I find is usually quite weak or “watery” and lacks richness or body.

They may also have a plunger or “French press”. Coffee grounds are placed at the bottom of a straight-sided glass jug then boiling water is poured over them. The coffee is then left to brew for a few minutes before the plunger is slowly pushed down forcing the water through a fine strainer. The coffee from this method is far superior to the filter maker in my opinion, but still not up there with my local coffee house.

Then there is the caffetiere. This handy little device is loved by people of European extraction everywhere. Frankly, I never could master the technique of making coffee with this utensil. Again, it is based on the steam and pressure principal. Water is placed in the bottom section with coffee grounds placed in a perforated container above the water. After screwing the top section on the caffetiere is placed over a flame. Once the water reaches boiling point it percolates through the coffee and up into the top section. Once all the water has gone from the bottom section your coffee is made. The caffetiere makes a nice strong coffee just the way I like it. But I was never sure whether I was then supposed to top it up with boiling water or hot milk and in the end I ended up leaving it in the back of my pantry.

Not so long ago I came across a wonderful new product which seems to answer all my wishes. It is called the AeroPress and it is quite an amazing item. It processes the coffee using steam and pressure and the coffee that results is rich and not at all bitter. To add to this is the price. This is an incredibly well priced device. This handy little appliance takes up very little space in my cupboard and I am not restricted in the choice of coffee I can use. What a great find!

To find out more about the Aeropress Coffee And Espresso Maker visit Really Good Coffee

Author: Lynne Schroeder
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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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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Holiday shopping is just around the corner and I’m sure you have your lists – and that special lists of the people you just don’t know what to get. And you either spend weeks finding that perfect gift or you buy something the week of giving the gift just to have a gift. Well here is a way to save the time and energy and worry and to buy something you are proud of. Buy gourmet coffee or teas. And you have so many ways to do it.

We’ve got some gift ideas that gourmet coffee and tea drinkers will undoubtedly love. The best choice is to buy Mission Grounds Gourmet Gourmet coffee. One of the best gourmet coffee available – a great gourmet coffee beyond compare. And they donate all their profits to children. How satisfying will the cup of gourmet coffee be – knowing one of the best gourmet coffee available – donates all its profits to orphans. Great gourmet gourmet coffee as an everyday gourmet coffee and as an espresso gourmet coffee.

Monthly Delivery

One great way is to have the gourmet coffee delivered to their house. Every month. For 3 months or 6 months – even a year. And you can mix and match the coffees – giving them variety and consistency. And they will love you for it. And its the gift that keeps giving.

The Espresso Factor

Gourmet coffee and tea drinkers are quite possibly the easiest group of people to buy for. And which person on your list doesn’t at least drink coffee or tea.If you have a gourmet coffee lover on your Christmas list this year, why not consider getting them an espresso maker? There are espresso makers to fit every budget, so you should be able to find something that you can afford and that your gift recipient will love. Don’t forget to include a package of gourmet espresso too.

How About Just One

They have so many specialty coffee makers – how about one cup? Another great idea for gourmet coffee lovers is to buy a unit that brews a single cup of gourmet coffee. Sometimes it seems like a chore to make a full pot of gourmet coffee, and the coffee gets bitter and strong after sitting on a hot warming plate ,and many people don’t like instant gourmet coffee. And it keeps the coffee fresher. And allows you to have one cup at nine and one cup at noon and one fresh cup at 8 pm after dinner. The coffee maker that matches our chaoitic lives.

Gift Cards Galore

Gourmet coffee and tea drinkers will appreciate a gift card to a national or local gourmet coffee shop . And it removes the guilt of spending $5.oo on a cup of coffee when so many people in the world are lacking water to drink or food to eat. Whenever your gift recipient buys a cup of gourmet coffee, they’ll remember your generosity. And the people who are starving.

A Bounty of Teas

Tea lovers will enjoy gourmet teas. One good choice for tea lovers is to get them loose leaf tea and a tea maker to prepare it in. Loose leaf tea is a great indulgence. It is tasty and satisfying, but many people don’t bother buying loose leaf tea for themselves. That is why it makes a great gift; it is a nice little luxury. And its so much better than the tea bags. They will truly love you for doing this. You might want to get yourself one too. You can purchase a tea maker for under $20, and it will provides the most convenient way for your gift recipient to prepare loose leaf tea. Make sure you include some loose leaf teas as well. Buy a variety of teas so they can figure out their favorites. And since these are so tasty I’m sure their loose tea favorite is not their tea bag favorite. You might want to include a breakfast tea, an herbal tea, and either a green or red tea. Consider some of the above gift suggestions for the gourmet coffee and tea drinkers on your Christmas list. Gourmet coffee and tea drinkers will be surprised at your creative gift selection and be overwhelmingly pleased with their new gifts. And won’t they be pleased knowing you helped some children.

Boake Moore founded a non profit coffee company called Mission Grounds Gourmet Coffee http://www.missiongrounds.com/ourcoffee.php It donates all its profits and proceeds to helping orphans and impoverished children. We currently are building schools in rural China, orphanages in South America; supporting orphans in Russia and Africa. And helping homeless children in the United States http://www.missiongrounds.com the gourmet coffee, the church coffee, the Costa Rica coffee.

Lets make the world better -

George “Boake” Moore
Mission Grounds
Gourmet Coffee

Author: Boake Moore
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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The most common coffee maker is the drip coffee machine. The drip coffee maker is such named because the hot water is made to drip down freely to the coffee beans. Be mindful that the taste of the brewed coffee will rely on the amount of water that you put inside the water bucket. Too much water will dilute the taste of the coffee while too less of it will result to a stronger brew. There are measurements in ounces and milliliter along the water bucket to serve as a guide.

The water inside the water bucket is heated as it passes along a heat-resistant tube. The tube then goes into the drip area and release the heated water that is just below the boiling temperature. The water is heated by a heating element, the sort of resistive heating coil that gives out heat when electricity is passed through it. This is no different from the heating coil of the toaster oven. The heating element has two purposes: it has direct contact with the water inside the water bucket to boil it for a coffee brew and it keeps the coffee warm with the use of the heating pad where the coffee container is rested.

The coffee container or coffee kettle is a heat-resistant glass supported by a durable polyester plastic handle. The glass is transparent so you can easily check if you are running out of coffee brew. The coffee kettle will be kept warm for more than one hour by the heating pad. By this time, it’s expected that the coffee kettle already needs replenishing. If not, the coffee may be already cold enough to be enjoyed and you have to make a new brew again. The coffee maker is the only coffee machine that has become part of the usual home appliances. Other coffee machines can only be found in coffee shops. Note that other than the coffee maker, however, another coffee machine, the espresso maker, is starting to make its way into household use. With this in mind, it seems that more and more people are getting addicted with coffee. Also, specialty and espresso coffee brews are also becoming popular among coffee lovers around the world.

Today, most models of coffee machines are semi-automatic to automatic. Buttons and switches replaced the manual coffee straining and lever pushing, in case of espresso machines. Also, some are packed with features that will enable one to make any kinds of coffee in mind. Among these special features are built-in coffee bean grinder and frothe maker. With these high-end coffee makers, you can concoct your own coffee recipe.

Jeffery Dodd owns and operates a espresso machine [http://www.espresso-den.com/] shop at [http://www.espresso-den.com/]

Author: Jeffery Dodd
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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