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
Android phones

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

If you want to taste coffee in a whole new way, try making it with a French Press coffee pot. Most people are used to their coffee being brewed in an electric, drip coffee maker a la Mr. Coffee. This method has one flaw in the brewing process that takes away from the true essence of coffee: the paper filter. The paper retains some of the coffee essence, and deprives you of coffee’s true potential. Granted, we cannot simply dump ground coffee into a cup, pour in hot water and start drinking; the grounds must be separated from the liquid that is consumed. Coffee grounds are bitter, gritty, and stick to your teeth. The French Press method removes the grounds, but lets all of the flavor of the coffee come to life.

Although French Presses come in various shapes, sizes, materials and manufacturers, the Chambord model by Bodum is a good example of a ubiquitous style found throughout the industry . The handle attaches to the holder for the glass carafe. The carafe holds the coffee and hot water. The carafe looks like a beaker from a chemistry lab, with a spout for easy pouring. The “pressing” apparatus of the French Press sits atop the beaker. It consists of a dome which covers the coffee as it brews. The plunger is a skinny metal post with a plastic ball at the top that slides through a small hole in the middle of the dome. At the bottom of the post is the filter, a wire mesh disk.

A quick note about ingredients. A cup of coffee is made of coffee beans and water. Therefore, start with freshly roasted whole beans ground just before brewing. Whole beans maintain their freshness twice as long as ground coffee. The water is just as critical: make sure it is cold, fresh, and filtered.

Let’s assume a 12 oz. cup is being prepared. Using 1-1 ½ tablespoons of whole beans, set your grinder to coarse. This produces the largest grounds possible, and allows water to extract the maximum flavor from the coffee. It also reduces the amount of smaller grounds that will end up in the bottom of the cup.

Dump the ground coffee into the carafe. Before adding hot water, take a moment to inhale the aroma of the dry coffee. The aroma of freshly ground coffee will take you to a better place.

Next, heat your water (12 ounces). The optimal brewing temperature is 195-205 F. If you don’t have a thermometer, simply bring your water to a boil and wait thirty seconds.

Pour the water into the beaker and stir for a couple of seconds. This will agitate the mixture and allow the coffee to brew more completely. Place the plunger apparatus on the carafe, but do not depress. Set a timer for four minutes. This amount of time allows all of the flavor and oils to be extracted perfectly from the coffee.

At four minutes press down the plunger completely, then pour the freshly brewed coffee into your mug.
Look at the coffee before adding any condiments. The coffee will appear more complex (richer) than if it were brewed in a drip coffee maker. There will even be a thin layer of crema (light brown froth) resting on top of the liquid. Put your nose close to the cup and breathe in the aroma. The smell is stronger, more pure than if the coffee passed through a paper filter. Taste the coffee before adding sugar etc. When you reach the end of the cup you will notice some residue. These are simply micro-grounds that made it through the mesh filter.

You can purchase French Presses that double as travel mugs. There are also double-walled glass, and stainless steel thermal units as well. Some are beautifully crafted and look like museum pieces. The reason for this is that coffee made in this manner is the height of the coffee brewing experience. So, if you love coffee, you owe it to yourself to purchase a French Press and make the best-tasting coffee in the easiest possible way. Prices start at around 13 dollars for a two cup (12 oz.) unit.

Brent Kloster is co-owner of Falls River Coffee, which sells fresh roasted coffee, loose leaf tea, and brewing equipment online at http://www.FallsRiverCoffee.com.

Author: Brent Kloster
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Excise Tax

Where did coffee originate? Coffee lovers around the world today may be numbering in the millions, but only a small number could be fully aware on the beginnings of this well-loved beverage. The history of coffee is definitely as rich as its flavor, spanning numerous centuries and dating as far back as 6th century A.D.

The oldest coffee legend

In the 6th century AD, farmers from Yemen were already growing coffee cherries. According to legend, a goat herder in Ethiopia was bewildered to discover that his goats were showing inexplicable energy after consuming a particular kind of cherries. After this goat herder tried the berries for himself and found that he too felt a surge of energy, Muslims discovered a way to extract the brew from the cherries, transforming the beans into a heady beverage. Thus, coffee became a secret beverage of the Muslims for a while, revitalizing them even during lengthy periods of worship. When 900 AD came round, coffee was already commonplace in the entire region of Arabia. From this period until 1500 AD, coffee farming practices were still a well-kept secret, although coffee beans were already exported to other places.

Coffee invasion in Europe

Before long however, Europeans found a way to bring coffee seedlings into their own lands. By 1615, merchants from Venice were able to bootleg a coffee plant out of the Yemen borders and into Europe. This time, coffee was used for its therapeutic purposes, being sold both as a drink and as a health remedy. When the Dutch got hold of the Ethiopian territory, they were able to bring coffee plants into Holland.

When it was discovered that Holland’s climate was not conducive to coffee farming, the Dutch brought the plants to other regions. When the first coffee shop opened its doors to the public in Oxford, England by the year 1650, women were forbidden to enter the shops. It was only three years later, when a teahouse was opened, that women found a place to converge.

The love story behind coffee Arabica

A Brazilian coast guard officer found two things he loved when he visited Cayenne in French Guyana in 1727: one, the coffee and two, the Governor’s wife. It was this affection that led him to acquire a few seeds which he took back to Brazil, initiating the Arabica coffee variety production in the country. Brazil eventually became the world’s largest coffee producer in 1800.

Afterwards, coffee traveled from country to country, spreading its popularity as a principal beverage of choice. The British introduced coffee to Jamaica in 1730. In 1774, Americans expressed a predilection for coffee during the Boston Tea Party, as a sign that they are replacing tea with coffee, due to the exorbitant taxes levied on tea trading. Costa Rica acquired coffee from Cuba, and this eventually spread to Mexico. The Island of Martinique cultivated coffee in the 1700s and Hawaii in 1825.

Present day coffee and coffee houses

Coffee houses are popular in Arabia; however they are as popular in Europe as well. From the 1600′s to the mid 1900s, coffee shops had already proliferated in Paris, reaching to approximately 3,000 in number. Presently, coffee is second to oil in terms of the most traded commodity worldwide.

Yogi Shinde is the webmaster offering coffee maker reviews on various brands of coffee makers like Braun, Krups, Mr Coffee and many others, helping you find the best coffee maker to suit your needs.

Author: Yogi Shinde
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Need a New Coffee Maker – Do Your Shopping Comparisons Online

You arise after waking and automatically head for your coffee maker to traditionally start your day with your favorite brew only to find that your coffee maker needs replacing. It was not that long ago, that you would have to personally visit your local shopping centre and compare brands, features and prices and you would find replacing your coffee maker a time consuming and tedious exercise.

However, today things are a lot simpler and all you need to do is log on to your computer and utilize the Internet to comparison shop on-line. On line comparison shopping is so comprehensive – you can review the different brands of coffee maker complete with its individual features and prices and more importantly you can access customer reviews on all the different brands available. Time-wise, it sure beats personally trudging from store to store and the customer reviews are a bonus.

Carafes – Thermal or Glass?

Coffee makers with thermal carafes is the way to go if you like to keep your coffee hot for a longer period of time. If you are the first to arise out of bed and need a cup of coffee and you want to keep the coffee hot for when other family members arise – the thermal carafes keeps the coffee insulated and hot for hours without affecting the quality of the coffee. As the thermal carafe does not need a burner per se to keep the coffee hot, the fact that it is portable is a bonus and you can pour yourself a hot cup of coffee all day long.

However, glass carafes need to be returned to a hot plate or other type of heating device for the coffee to remain hot over a long period. All the reviews point out the most advantageous benefits of the coffee makers available. Should you be looking at glass carafes with their ease of viewing you will be know when the coffee has finished brewing and also be aware of exactly how much coffee remains in the carafe. Some brands feature automatic start and shut down features plus adjustable heating temperatures.

Do the added benefits of a coffee maker make it a viable option where cost is concerned?

Having checked consumer comparison reviews you will agree that most models of coffee makers produce a good quality cup of coffee. Where money and expense is concerned when purchasing a new coffee maker – the more expensive the fancier styling and design and the models with more features are going to cost you more. There are coffee makers available that feature integrated grinders and customized brewing and these feature will naturally be more expensive. It is the quality of the coffee that you put into any coffee maker that determines the quality and taste of the coffee.

The majority of reviews will have the consumer believe that coffee drinkers in the U.S. alone buy 14 million automatic-drip coffee makers each year. This fact alone will predetermine the fact that you will most probably choose an automatic-drip coffee maker.

A Point of Interest Whenever a consumer buys any quality product like a coffee maker it would be wise to select a coffee maker from one of the largest manufacturers with the best known brands. The biggest manufacturers in the industry are Mr. Coffee, Black and Decker and Braun.

Whichever brand of coffee maker you eventually decide to buy – we wish you Happy Sipping!

Cliff Eppalton’s articles are found on plenty of web publications with information about cabinet mounted espresso machines. You might see his articles on under cabinet coffee maker at http://www.coffee-espresso-maker-tips.com and many different sources for under cabinet coffee maker news.

Author: Cliff Eppalton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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