Coffee

The aroma of freshly ground coffee beans is like no other aroma on earth. It is almost intoxicating, and certainly warm and inviting. That aroma that has an underlying nutty essence is unquestionably one of the most pleasant odors on earth.

That wonderful aroma is likely one of the reasons that so many people now own coffee bean grinders and grind their own beans to make every pot of coffee.

Grinding coffee isn’t a new thing. In the old days, people actually used a bowl and pestle to grind coffee as well as wheat and corn. Using a bowl and a pestle to grind coffee required muscle power and time…a lot of time. As mankind got smarter, hand grinders were invented that made the task of grinding coffee much less physically challenging as well as quicker.

Manual coffee grinders were used for many, many years. In most of the old western shoot-em-ups, if you look closely at the general-store scenes you will be able to spot an old-fashioned manual coffee grinder.

Mankind continued to progress. Electricity was harnessed and, of course, coffee grinders became electrified. The old-fashioned hand grinders and the more modern electric grinders operated on basically the same principle. There are two plates. One plate is stationary while the other plate is moveable. Coffee beans are routed between the plates and crushed or ground.

The best of the modern coffee grinders still operate on that same basic principle, but now the plates have burrs, which make the coffee grounds uniform in size. Burr coffee grinders are the best kind to buy, but they aren’t the only choice today.

There are coffee grinders that use blades that chop and re-chop coffee beans until they are chopped fine. The burr coffee grinders produce coffee that is more uniform than the blade coffee grinders.

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Author: Miodrag Trajkovic
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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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
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For the avid coffee lover, there is nothing like a quality burr coffee grinder. The freshest and best flavored coffee comes from freshly ground coffee beans. The aroma and freshness comes from the oil inside the bean. When freshly ground, the oils are very flavorful and aromatic.

A bladed coffee grinder cuts the bean in uneven pieces that get smaller the longer you run the grinder. A burr coffee grinder crushes the bean between a moving part and a non-moving part to get a consistent size of grounds.

The problem with a bladed coffee grinder is that the friction caused by cutting at high speeds, heats up the oils and sometimes, even burns it while grinding, giving the coffee a bitter or burnt taste. The inconsistent size of the grounds also affects the brewing process, where some of the flavor is not fully released and the essential oils are missing from the finer grounds.

The benefits of a quality burr coffee grinder is that not only does it not over-process by heating or burning the essential oils, but the grounds are consistently even, whether you prefer a course or fine grind. Because a burr coffee grinder runs at a slower speed, it does not overheat the coffee beans like a bladed coffee grinder does.

Burr coffee grinders can be adjusted for course or fine grounds, depending on the positioning of the burr or the metal discs that do the grinding. There are two types of burr coffee grinders-a wheel burr or a conical burr.

A Wheel Burr coffee grinder is the least expensive but they can be quite noisy and messy. The wheel spins very fast to grind the coffee, and they are more prone to clog than a conical burr coffee grinder.

The best type of coffee grinder is a Conical burr, although they will be more expensive than other grinders. The burr spins slower than the wheel type of grinder and they are quieter and don’t make as much of a mess. They are great for flavored coffees or oilier types of coffee beans and they clog less than any other model of coffee grinder.

The benefits of a quality burr coffee grinder is that they are built sturdy, and will last through the years. Burr coffee grinders carry different price tags, but the pricier models are leap and bounds above their competitors.

The conical burr coffee grinders allow you to control the fineness of the grind, which greatly enhances the ability to grind to the flavor that suits your taste. For coffee connoisseurs, the heftier price tag is well worth the enhanced flavor and a quality burr coffee grinder is a once in a lifetime investment.

The benefits of a quality burr coffee grinder are enhanced flavor, custom grinds that don’t give your coffee a bitter or burnt taste, like blade type coffee grinders. They are much quieter and less messy, and built sturdy for years of use. For those that love fresh tasting coffee, a quality burr coffee grinder is a must! For more information, visit the experts at http://www.BurrCoffeeGrind.com

Brian D. Hanson is the owner of http://www.BurrCoffeeGrind.com and an avid coffee junkie.

Author: Brian D. Hanson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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The word “coffee percolator” was derived from the word “percolate,” which means “to cause a solvent to pass through.” The percolator is often used in camping and many outdoor activities.

A coffee percolator works by keeping the boiling water up through a tube, then poured on coffee grounds. This process is repeated until the desired result is achieved.

First put water in the carafe and follow it with coarsely ground coffee beans in the basket. The basket should be covered before heating the coffee. The basket is then used in order to keep the coffee dry, from being deposited inside the container. The glass top determines the amount of coffee done. Once the process is completed, you can discard the coffee grounds.

Percolators have three versions, namely electric, stovetop and microwave percolators.
o Electric Coffee Percolator is the most common type using electricity. It gives out a more consistent brew by stopping it automatically when the coffee is done. It then switches to a warming mode when completed. An electric percolator has a built-in heating element that can be cordlessly used.

o Stovetop Coffee Percolators can cause over-boiling, and therefore a tendency to release the bitterness of coffee. This requires more careful usage.

o Microwave Coffee Percolator is more effective, using 42% less electricity.

Three of the popular percolators are the Faberware FCP412 Cup Percolator, Cuisinart 6-12 Cup Classic Electric Percolator Model PRC-12 and the MEDELCO PK008 8 cup Glass Stovetop Percolator

The two basic types of coffee percolators are the pressure type and the gravity type percolators.

Pressure Type

The pressure type is usually made out of metals that can be screwed together when used. It has three main sections:

o Lower Section – The water section.
o Mild Section – The place for the raw coffee grounds.
o Upper Section – The place for the resultant coffee.

Some versions of the pressure type have no upper section. The upper tube can be bent in order to deliver the coffee directly into the cup.

How it works.
The pressure type percolator is then placed on a heat source. If the water reaches the boiling point, a steam is formed. It creates a kind of pressure and forces the water into the coffee grounds through a tube. The mixture passes to the upper section for a concentrated coffee result.

Gravity Type

The gravity type percolator continually cycles the boiling brew through the grounds. It uses gravity to acquire the desired strength of coffee. The components comprises mainly of:

o A small chamber filled with water at the bottom.
o A vertical tube from the bottom chamber to the pot top.
o A perforated chamber with a coarsely grind coffee at the end of the tube.

How it works.
The pot is placed on a heat source with water. The water should be below the bottom of the coffee chamber where it can pass through the vertical tube over the perforated lid. The water is then seeped through the grounds, leaving the coffee chamber. It will drop back into the lower half of the pot and force it upward. The process repeats as it approaches the boiling point. Finally, the perking action stops.

Different types of coffee percolators are enjoyed with great popularity. It is the favorite brewing method that is both convenient and easy to use. Despite the different varieties that have fallen out with some coffee lovers, coffee percolators still offer a distinct brewing quality and nice aroma of coffee.

For more information on Best Coffee Percolators and Coffee Making Tips please visit our website.

Author: David Urmann
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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If you’re not familiar with Vacuum coffee makers then a written description of how they work may have you a little lost. How ever, to those that own or use vacuum coffee brewers you know what a great cup they make, and what a joy they are to watch.

If you’re a fan of using a French Press to brew your coffee each day, then you’ll love the coffee made in a Vacuum maker. It works on a similar principle of boiling water flowing over freshly ground coffee beans then filtering the grounds out of the water leaving behind a wonderful tasting and smelling cup of coffee.

There’s something to be said when a paper filter isn’t used with coffee grounds, it allows all the acids and aromas from the beans to transfer into the water and create a very special tasting cup of coffee. One that can’t really be compared to what your regular drip coffee maker makes.

So how does a Vacuum coffee maker work?

Well unlike some of my friends who thought a vacuum coffee maker was a combo vacuum coffee brewing machine it’s actually quite a small glass or sometimes plastic appliance. There are both electric and stove top models available (For a great electric or non electric vacuum coffee maker check out the Bodum Santos).

There are two compartments an upper and lower. The lower one has fresh water added to it, and the upper fresh coffee grounds. The two are connected with a plastic or glass tube which has a filter in the center. Once heat is applied to the lower area either via stove top or an electric element the water begins to boil. Once boiling that water travels up to the upper chamber where the coffee grounds are stored. The two then mix together and the brewing process begins.

It’s really quite amazing to watch the water move up and spill over the coffee, it’s a lot more interesting then watching the drips come from your regular old peculator. Now this is the real amazing part, after a short period of time the mixed coffee then beings to transfer back to the bottom chamber once all the water has boiled away. The coffee grounds are separated from the coffee via the filter that is in the tube connecting the two chambers.

Depending on the size of the holes in your filter and the coarseness of your coffee grounds you may get a bit of sediment in your coffee. Once all of the coffee has transferred to the lower chamber again you’re done and ready to enjoy. Sounds like quite the process to brew a pot doesn’t it? In real time all of this happens quite quickly, and it isn’t any longer to make then what a French press would be.

If you’re a real coffee enthusiast I highly recommend you either try out the coffee made in a vacuum maker, or consider purchasing one for your own kitchen. While it may not take the place on weekday mornings of your regular drip coffee maker, I’m sure it’ll be the treat for weekends, and you won’t be disappointed.

To learn more about Vacuum coffee [http://www.espresso-and-coffee.com/coffee-makers/vacuum-coffee-maker-interesting-and-tasty-coffee] and other coffee accessories take some time to browse our coffee and espresso [http://www.espresso-and-coffee.com/] website.

Author: Ian Henman
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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