Coffee

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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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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For those who love coffee, you know that you can distinctly tell the quality of the coffee just by the aroma you get from the brew. But for the average coffee drinker, brand names usually reign supreme when it comes to sipping their favorite cup of Joe.

With the growing market of delicious coffee, people continually search their local area for the best coffee that’s convenient. While some may argue that Whole Food has everything you need for the perfect brew, there are gourmet coffee brands that some might dismiss.

It would help those looking for a great brew to experiment and try these higher ticketed beans to get a better sense of what is out there. This article will cover the top five brands of coffee in America today. Some range from the everyday to the premium merchant names that we have all come to admire.

Starbucks

Coming in at number one, Starbucks still remains at the top of the list. With loyal followers nationwide, some argue this is the best coffer brand worldwide. However, this fame to glory can also be attributed to the marketing and public perception of Starbucks Coffee. Its trendiest and cozy couches do help draw in customers day in and day out.

Coffee is embedded in daily culture and it’s no longer a breakfast thing. It’s has become a social engagement as well. It caters to both young and old, across all demographics.

With humble roots back in Seattle, Starbucks has grown internationally with over 16,000 stores worldwide. They also have expanded their product line for coffee lovers to experience the prefect brew at home. One of their more famous creations is the latte and blended coffee being sold in sachet packs.

Pee’s Coffee

Another homegrown coffee brand from Seattle, Peet’s coffee has grown into a 500 million dollar business as of 2009. Its coffee is also sold in groceries stores nationwide. A little history shows a relationship with Starbucks coffee house.

The founders of Starbucks sued to be able to for Peet’s and ended up introducing their own specialty coffee blend.

Dunkin Donuts

On the other side of the coin, Dunkin Donuts ranks in the top five of coffee brands in the United States. The allure of a simple plain good ol’ cup of black coffee has its appeal. Made fresh daily and consistently, Dunkin Donuts still brews a favorite fresh cup of java for its loyal and frugal customers. Some argue it’s just as good as the fancy Starbuck brand.

The simplicity of cream, sugar and coffee is a winner everyday at Dunkin Donuts and their revenue shows that. After buying the Mister Donut brand, they quickly gobbled up more of the market share.

Maxwell House Coffee

The fourth popular coffee brand on consumer favorites is Maxwell House Coffee. Many coffee aficionados claim that their coffee rivals that of Starbucks and can be it in a blind taste test. As a household name, Maxwell house continues to serve its client base every quarter. This Kraft owned brand continues to brew coffee that’s good to the last drop.

Caribou Coffee

Caribou coffee is the second largest retailer of coffee and espresso in the United States to Starbucks.

One of their popular blends is their Rainforest Blend that gives the coffee brew a unique flavor of fruitiness.

So whatever brand fills your cup of coffee, there are a wide range of taste, textures and price ranges to suit your mood. Be sure to also visit your local supermarket for additional selections.

Want the Perfect Brew?

Check out my blog for Breville Espresso and other Breville Espresso Machines. Timothy Schwartz, The Coffee Brewster, reviews and puts his tastebuds and wallet on the line.

Author: Timothy Schwartz
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Gourmet coffee is the latest craze, and if you have ever sipped a premium gourmet cup of Joe, then I am sure that you know why. Gourmet coffee is primarily made of Arabica coffee beans, which are the higher-quality choice in coffee beans on the market. Gourmet coffee is also often called specialty coffee, and you will find it crafted by a variety of roasters, including artisan roasters and micro-roasters.

To find out more about how gourmet coffee is made, it is important to note the roasting process. The longer that your coffee beans are roasted, the darker they will become in color. The long roasting process will also cause a higher shrink rate, meaning that it will take more of the coffee beans to make 1 pound. This does vary depending on whether or not it is a light or dark roast.

A light roast is roasted for a shorter period of time, so it will not be as dark, and it will not shrink as much. A darker roast will be roasted for a longer period of time to develop smokier and deeper flavors, so the beans will shrink more as a result. Therefore, if you have a dark roasted gourmet coffee, then it will take more coffee beans to make a pound. When gourmet coffee is roasted, it will normally shrink 20%, and a darker roast can shrink as much as 25%. Lightly roasted coffees have the potential to shrink up to 11% during the roasting process.

In truth, most specialty coffee is under roasted to cut costs in production. Gourmet coffee sales have shown that many customers do prefer fully roasted coffee, but many roasters still do under roast their coffee beans to save money in the process. When coffee is being roasted, it does have an optimum degree to which it is roasted, which will bring out the best characteristics and flavor profile for each individual coffee bean. This is the part of the process that will offer you the best taste and aroma, so it is an important aspect of roasting.

You will be able to tell if your coffee is under roasted because it will have a flat and green flavor with astringent undertones. If your coffee is over roasted, then it will taste more burnt and smoky as a result. When a specialty coffee is over roasted, it also has the detrimental effect of losing all of its unique flavors from the region that it came from. Any coffee connoisseur will be able to tell you the specific flavor characteristics of a coffee based on the region in which it was grown in, but when a gourmet coffee is over roasted, then the ashy and charcoal flavors will overpower those unique flavor characteristics so that it is difficult to set apart.

For the best tasting specialty coffee, take the time to research the roaster so that you can trust that your coffee beans will be roasted to perfection. It truly is the only way to enjoy a delicious gourmet cup of Joe!

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Author: Mark Ramos
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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The aroma of freshly roasted and delivered overnight pure kona coffee invigorates and tantalizes your senses. The first sips of your morning coffee hang in your breath and lingers until the caffeine rush overwhelms you. This is the everyday ritual of ultimate sensory enjoyment that only a gourmet coffee connoisseur appreciates.

So if your relationship with your beloved coffee spring more from a need to keep you awake and feel alive, and that you have no special preferences on any specific coffee brands, you are obviously not a coffee connoisseur and do not need to order your coffee beans direct from the roasters.

When the Gourmet coffee connoisseur orders his coffee bean direct for the roasters, great benefits abound. You are guaranteed freshness for overnight delivery and never miss a beat on promptness. As a regular client to coffee bean direct roasters, they are more willing to give better prices, especially when he buys by bulk, that is, at whole sale pricing thus giving him better value for money.

Some people simply enjoy the overwhelming coffee bean aroma which appeals to the senses and prefer to buy their coffee beans direct personally. The true blue coffee connoisseur will never buy their coffee off the shelf at any supermarket since the coffee could have been ground for months and lost its freshness.

For the less picky coffee drinkers like myself, I would give one week as my personal stamp on freshness. As coffee drinking is a very personal affair to say the least, the degree of freshness depends on how your sense of taste gauges it.

Amongst the many benefits the Coffee Connoisseur gets are quality and freshness by the fact that you get your coffee beans direct, prompt service, great value for money pricing, and wide selection. But if you simply hope to smell the coffee in the morning as a wake up clock, I am sorry to say that you probably are not a coffee connoisseur just yet.

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Author: Joey Logan
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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