Coffee

The drip coffee maker was first introduced by the Mr. Coffee company in the early 1970′s and continues to be a popular brand of machines even though there has followed a plethora of coffee brewing options. Mr. Coffee was the prototype of subsequent automatic drip machines that provide a wide array of features and options that meet the particular whims of just about all coffee lovers. Today, choosing the best drip coffee maker generally depends on personal preferences by consumers that are usually dictated by machine features, brewing capacity, and price.

Typical Features

All drip machines are made with heating elements both for heating water for dripping and an element for warming the carafe after it is filled with fresh coffee. Brew baskets are also a common feature among coffee brewing equipment. Baskets usually require either a generic filter or special filter to strain the coffee as it drips through to the carafe below. Some machines are built with a special feature that does not require consumers to purchase disposable filters, but filter the coffee through a stainless steel or plastic grid system. A spray element is also necessary to spew heated water onto the dry grinds.

Optional features include such things as timers to automatically start brewing, built-in coffee grinding systems, and water filtration systems. High end drip coffee systems are more likely to offer these extra features than a basic drip machine.

Brewing Capacity

There are any number of systems that allow for various amounts of cups to be brewed rather quickly. There are single serve coffee makers, 2 cup brewers, 10 cup systems and commercial sized drip coffee machines that will brew for a whole crowd at one time. Pod coffee makers have become extremely popular since they allow a single serving of coffee to be brewed without adding coffee, changing the filter or wasting coffee. These machines operate by holding water in a tank and sending only enough water through the brewing system to make one cup. Pods are manufactured to fit various brewers and are vacuum packed only to be opened by the automated brewing system after the pod is properly placed in the unit. Pod coffee systems are especially preferred by gourmet lovers since various pod flavors can be purchased to be enjoyed at any time.

Price

There are many price variations depending on what drip coffee unit is chosen. A simple, basic unit can easily be purchased for under $10 while a high end pod coffee machine can cost upwards of $400. Of course, there are moderately priced pod systems as well, but generally the more expensive, the more features are included. However, price is not a deterrent for anyone who wants the best drip coffee maker for their own particular needs since a good coffee maker need not cost a lot in order to effectively brew good tasting coffee.

There are many online sales and discounts for quality drip coffee makers if you take time to shop around for the best deals. When choosing the best drip coffee maker for your needs, be sure to compare features, capacity and prices before making your final decision.

P.S. Orr has been writing articles for 6 years on a variety of topics of interest. Come visit the latest website at http://www.singleservecoffeemakerstore.com/ which helps people find the best deals on a personal coffee maker and more information about gourmet coffee machines.

Author: P.S. Orr
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Make PCB

Instant coffee bears little resemblance in taste to freshly brewed coffee. It is commonly made with inferior ‘robusta’ beans. It is the product of a complex scientific process, yet we British love it.

It may be convenient, but do we actually know what we are drinking? Have you ever wondered how they make coffee soluble? After all coffee is made using tough coffee beans that surely cannot be made to dissolve in water.

The truth is that instant coffee does not contain any actual coffee beans; it is simply a dried coffee flavoured solution that is the product of a complex brewing process. Similarly to everything else in the world of food that has been altered by science is coined ‘Frankenstein’; maybe we should start calling instant coffee, ‘Frankenstein Coffee’?

The process

Extraction: The process starts by passing water through a series of cylinders full of ground coffee beans. Each of these cylinders is heated to a different temperature and in at least one of the cylinders pressure is applied to achieve a fuller extraction. One of reasons why instant coffee is bitter is because during this extraction process the coffee grounds become burnt as they are exposed to temperatures of up to 180°C. (The widely agreed optimum temperature, among coffee enthusiasts, to brew coffee is between 90-95°C).

Filtration & Concentration: This coffee solution is then filtered to remove any unwanted particles before the concentration stage. Here water is removed from the coffee solution to increase the flavour. There are several different techniques to do this, one of which involves heating the solution further to evaporate the water.

Dehydration: In this stage the coffee solution is converted to a dry form. There are two commonly used methods; Spray drying and Freeze drying. The spray drying method is quite complex, however the basic principle is to spraying hot air through the coffee solution in order to evaporate the remaining water. Freeze drying involves quickly freezing the coffee solution into blocks which are then broken up into small particles. These particles are then heated in a vacuum where the ice is vaporised and removed.

Aromatisation: All these different stages and the high temperatures used in them, destroy most of the natural flavours that occur in coffee. The dry form of the coffee solution is therefore both stewed and bitter. So to help improve the taste, aromas produced during the various stages of this process are captured and then sprayed onto the dry coffee particles.

If that is not enough to make you switch from a cup of instant coffee to a freshly brewed cup then you may want to consider that instant coffee, in the vast majority of cases, is not fairly traded. In fact, it can be argued that the instant coffee industry, which is mainly made up of large multinational companies, is chiefly responsible for the low price coffee farmers receive for their harvest. They have the power to drive down prices and buy when the market is lowest, leaving the farmer and their family to live a meager existence.

James Grierson is the owner of Galla Coffee: http://www.gallacoffee.co.uk – UK online retailer of designer coffee accessories. Through the Coffee Knowledge section of his website he aims to help people understand more about coffee and give them tips on how to make great tasting coffee in their home.

Check out http://www.gallacoffee.co.uk/acatalog/Coffee_Knowledge.html for more articles or if you have a question send it to: coffeeknowledge@gallacoffee.co.uk

Author: James Grierson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Alternative energy

Coffee, Coffee what a wonderful thing. There is nothing like waking up in the morning to the smell and of coffee in the air and the sensation of that first sip. If you are like me it seems as if, the longer I drink coffee the more I enjoy it. But along with the enjoyment I have become picky about my coffee as well. I guess this is not a bad thing but it sure can get annoying sometimes. There is nothing worse than ordering a cup of coffee at your local coffee shop and having to toss it out as you walk out the door because it tasted like swill. Since I have acquired this coffee snob disease it has forced me to learn a little about what makes a good cup of coffee.

Having taken time to break down the elements that separates a good cup of coffee from a bad cup of coffee, I have narrowed it down to three things. Temperature, extraction time (or brew time), and water quality. Now I know there are some other variables involved here, such as bean quality, coffee freshness, and the coffee grind but for the sake of this article lets stick with strictly the brewing elements.

Temperature:

If you have had the privilege of tasting the same coffee at brewed at different temperatures then you understand this variable very well. It is a amazing that a coffee brewed at 185 degrees can taste completely different than the same coffee brewed at 198 degrees. By having a brewer that you are able to adjust the water temperature opens up another world for the coffee connoisseur.

Extraction Time:

This is the actual time that it takes for the coffee to brew. A lot of times if coffee brews too fast it will leave a sour taste in your cup. If it brews to long it can cause burnt or bitter notes to be present. By controlling this variable we can achieve a wonderful cup of coffee.

Water Quality:

If you have bad tasting water you are going to have bad tasting coffee. The way to correct this is to make sure your water is properly filtered or use bottled water when you brew your coffee.

On my quest to find the best cup of coffee possible I stumbled upon a coffee brewer that is capable of controlling these three variables. It is the Breville brewing system made by Keurig. This brewer allows you to brew one cup at a time using the k-cup coffee technology. Not only can you brew one cup at a time you can adjust the water temperature. Another feature is you can control the extraction time by having four cup size options 6oz, 8oz, 10oz, and 12oz..This allows you to deliver the exact volume of water each and every time your coffee is brewed. This ensures the brew strength and taste is to your liking every time. Last, but not least, this machine comes with 60oz water reservoir that includes a water filtration system. This filtration system improves the taste and smell of your water guaranteeing that you will experience the best tasting coffee.

If you are ready to experience coffee shop quality coffee from the comforts of your own home. Then I would recommend doing some research online about the Keurig K Cup Brewers and about K Cup coffee in general. You will not regret it!

Author: Burke Lane
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Advice on AdSense

Auto-drip coffee makers may be more convenient, but the French coffee press is unmatched in flavor and design. The press makes a thicker, stronger coffee than conventional brewers because the coffee’s essential oils aren’t caught in a filter or lost in the filtration system. Below I will explain how to use a coffee press.

1. You should use coarsely ground roasted coffee beans. A burr mill grinder is recommended because it gives a more consistent grind than blade grinders. The ground coffee should be coarser than that used in an auto-drip machine. If your coffee is too finely ground it won’t get caught in the filter and will make it more difficult to depress the plunger.

2. Boil your water before you start grinding the beans. The water will be allowed to cool to the appropriate temperature and won’t scald your coffee grounds. The temperature of the water should be 195-205° F. To insure the best tasting results, use filtered water.

3. Place the coffee grounds into the coffee press carafe. You should use 1 to 2 tablespoons of coarsely ground coffee per 8 oz of water. You may have to experiment with the amount of coffee in order to achieve your desired taste.

4. Slowly pour the hot water over the coffee grounds. You may gently stir the water with a plastic or wooden spoon. This will cause most of the floating coffee to sink to the bottom of the coffee press.

5. Replace the lid and plunger unit with the filter raised to the top. Allow the coffee to brew for 3 to 5 minutes. The longer the brewing time, the stronger the coffee.

6. Depress the plunger slowly and gently.

7. Pour the coffee slowly into a coffee cup. Let it set for a minute to allow the sediment to
settle to the bottom.

8. Don’t let the coffee sit in the coffee press after it has completed brewing. The coffee will continue to brew, causing it to become bitter. If you are not serving all of it at once, pour the remaining coffee into a thermos.

I hope these instructions on how to use a coffee press have been helpful. Many coffee lovers swear by the superior flavor the coffee press provides. It produces the most rich, full bodied coffee to be tasted. They are affordable and easy to use. The brewing process is a little more involved, but the results are worth it. The intense flavor and smooth taste make the coffee press unbeatable.

The author’s website Coffee Addict Cafe features coffee press news, reviews and instructions.

Author: Atica Brewton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Cool mobile gadgets

Coffee Brewing Methods range from popular Espresso or French Press methods to lesser used methods like Turkish. Here we explore the four most popular Coffee Brewing Methods.

Let’s start with the Drip Filtration style.

Drip Filtration is probably the most popular method of all. The Drip Filtration machine works by spraying hot water across ground coffee that is held in a conical shaped filter. The hot water then slowly moves through the ground coffee. Once the water reaches the bottom of the conical filter, it drips into a container beneath it.

The most widely used conical filters are made of paper, while expensive stainless steel or gold conical filters are also available. Yes I did say gold. When buying paper filters, be sure to use oxygen bleached paper. Chemically treated papers may affect the taste of your coffee. Another point to be aware of with paper filters is that you may also have some of the flavorful coffee oils trapped by the paper filter. It is the oils that produce the rich crema when you make an espresso.

The grind is also important with Drip Filtration. If the grind is too fine, you may clog the pores of your filter. You can avoid this by using a course grind (read about grinding here).

Finally, if you do not expect to drink the full pot of coffee, either by yourself (all that caffeine….) or with friends, beware the constantly heated coffee. It loses its flavor and may even become bitter. And the golden rule….never reheat coffee.

One of the simplest of all Coffee Brewing Methods is the French Press or Plunger. This is probably the easiest way to make great coffee!

The French Press works by directly mixing ground coffee with near boiling water. The coffee flavors get drawn out into the water and then the press or plunger is depressed, separating the exhausted coffee grind from the brew. While the process has a similar taste to the Drip Filtration style, the French Press can extract more flavor from the coffee grind by extending the brewing time. But be careful. Manual infusion requires you to get your timing right. If you let the brewing process run too long you may end up with a bitter coffee. Conversely, if you brew too quickly you will have a weak tasting coffee.

One more point, use a course grind. You don’t want fine ground coffee escaping through the metal filter and into the brew. A dusty cup of coffee is not an experience worth having.

Probably the most popular of the Coffee Brewing Methods in recent times is making an Espresso using a machine.

So how does an Espresso machine make a great cup of coffee? Super hot, pressurized water is forced through fine ground, tightly packed coffee. The pressurized infusion process ensures that the water stays in contact with the coffee grounds long enough to draw out much of the coffee ground flavor. The water then finds a path through the coffee grounds. And the coffee commences to pour into your cup. When the water finds a path through the coffee grind it is referred to as the ‘shot being pulled’ through the group.

The sign of a good espresso, using fresh coffee beans, is the richness of the crema. Crema is the hazelnut foam that sits on the surface of the coffee. This is produced by the pressurizing process and the oils of the coffee bean. Oils break down with time, and so a rich crema will be produced using fresh beans.

And if you didn’t catch it when I started talking about Espresso, use a fine grind. Using a course grind allows the water to ‘brush past’ the grind rather than infuse with it. Using a course grind will still produce a good coffee, but it will taste more like a coffee produced using a Drip Filter coffee brewing method rather than true Espresso coffee.

The most Italian of all the Coffee Brewing Methods would have to be making Espresso coffee using a Moka Pot.

The Moka Pot style is also known as a Stovetop coffee pot. Moka pot’s come in several sizes including 2, 4 or 6 cup capacities. The Moka Pot a simple 3 piece pot. The water reservoir is at the base, with a coffee basket in the middle and the brewed coffee ends up in the top.

The coffee brewing method is very simple. The pot is placed on a stove top which heats the water in the lower reservoir. As the water reaches boiling point, the steam rises and the water starts to push upward through the coffee grounds. This continues to travel up the central funnel and seeps into the top chamber where it comes to rest. The process finishes when the coffee stops moving into the top chamber. This should only take a few minutes to brew depending on the cup size of the Moka pot.

The grind should be a fine grind, similar or finer to that used in an Espresso machine. If you want to fill the coffee basket the way traditional Italian drinkers do, then heap the coffee grounds high in the coffee basket and screw the two pieces together. Don’t worry about compacting the coffee. When the top half of the pot is screwed on, the grounds will be compacted by the filter screen. You should end up with a dry, compacted puck of coffee grounds at the end of brewing.

So there you have it. The four most popular Coffee Brewing Methods.

[http://www.the-java-cafe.com/Coffee-Brewing-Methods.html]

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Author: Craig Barista
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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