Coffee

The history of the French press coffee maker may give you an idea of the reasons for its growing popularity. The French press pot has a history of brewing the richest coffee most people have ever enjoyed.

Starting in the mid 1800′s balance brewers and vacuum pots were introduced. Although plunger or press brewing systems existed, the ability to make a tight enough plunger/filter was not there. Consequently the coffee was brewed accompanied by grounds in the cup. It wasn’t until the 1900′s that the press pot started to increase in popularity and show up in stores. Later in the 1900′s stainless steel pot and filter were introduced.

The best press pot coffee is made with freshly ground coffee. Your choice of coffee grinder can make the difference between a superb cup of coffee and a so-so cup of coffee. With the coffee press pot, you want large chunks of coffee as opposed to the fine grind of espresso. The proper grinder will give you an even grind and will make the coffee the same size, consequently each morsel will react in the same way to the water and the process.

If the coffee is too finely ground, the press is much more difficult to operate. Most coffee reviewers will recommend a cone type grinder to achieve the even course ground coffee you will enjoy in your French press pot. Other types of grinders will produce uneven grounds and ultimately cause grounds to be the last swallow of that cup. That is not what you are trying to achieve. Sludge free coffee is much more enjoyable. If you don’t mind a little sludge in the bottom of your cup, you can purchase a less expensive grinder. Don’t buy cheap, buy quality.

Another consideration is the filter that you use. There are nylon filters and metal filters. The metal filters will require a course grind of your coffee, similar to coarse pepper from a pepper mill. The nylon filters can better handle an uneven grind or one that is actually too fine for the best taste from the French press coffee maker.

While shopping, consider the coffee you purchase and the water you use. The coffee you use should not be freshly roasted. Because of the carbon dioxide present in early roasted coffee beans, the amount of foam will be larger and therefore go over your filter causing a bit of sludge in your cup of coffee. The larger your pot, the more foam will be produced and consequently the more grounds you will have in your finished product. Not good.

If the water coming out of your faucet tastes terrible to you, so will your coffee. Areas of the country with strong sulfur taste or other undesirable tastes will want to use bottled water to achieve the best tasting coffee that has ever traveled over their lips and taste buds. You would not invest in a French press coffee maker and fine coffee beans and ultimately skimp on the quality of water that you use to brew the pot.

For more help finding the best drip coffee maker and to find additional information on the Braun coffee maker visit our site today.

Author: Norman Burr
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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The history of the French press coffee maker may give you an idea of the reasons for its growing popularity. The French press pot has a history of brewing the richest coffee most people have ever enjoyed.

Starting in the mid 1800′s balance brewers and vacuum pots were introduced. Although plunger or press brewing systems existed, the ability to make a tight enough plunger/filter was not there. Consequently the coffee was brewed accompanied by grounds in the cup. It wasn’t until the 1900′s that the press pot started to increase in popularity and show up in stores. Later in the 1900′s stainless steel pot and filter were introduced.

The best press pot coffee is made with freshly ground coffee. Your choice of coffee grinder can make the difference between a superb cup of coffee and a so-so cup of coffee. With the coffee press pot, you want large chunks of coffee as opposed to the fine grind of espresso. The proper grinder will give you an even grind and will make the coffee the same size, consequently each morsel will react in the same way to the water and the process.

If the coffee is too finely ground, the press is much more difficult to operate. Most coffee reviewers will recommend a cone type grinder to achieve the even course ground coffee you will enjoy in your French press pot. Other types of grinders will produce uneven grounds and ultimately cause grounds to be the last swallow of that cup. That is not what you are trying to achieve. Sludge free coffee is much more enjoyable. If you don’t mind a little sludge in the bottom of your cup, you can purchase a less expensive grinder. Don’t buy cheap, buy quality.

Another consideration is the filter that you use. There are nylon filters and metal filters. The metal filters will require a course grind of your coffee, similar to coarse pepper from a pepper mill. The nylon filters can better handle an uneven grind or one that is actually too fine for the best taste from the French press coffee maker.

While shopping, consider the coffee you purchase and the water you use. The coffee you use should not be freshly roasted. Because of the carbon dioxide present in early roasted coffee beans, the amount of foam will be larger and therefore go over your filter causing a bit of sludge in your cup of coffee. The larger your pot, the more foam will be produced and consequently the more grounds you will have in your finished product. Not good.

If the water coming out of your faucet tastes terrible to you, so will your coffee. Areas of the country with strong sulfur taste or other undesirable tastes will want to use bottled water to achieve the best tasting coffee that has ever traveled over their lips and taste buds. You would not invest in a French press coffee maker and fine coffee beans and ultimately skimp on the quality of water that you use to brew the pot.

For more help finding the best drip coffee maker and to find additional information on the Braun coffee maker visit our site today.

Author: Norman Burr
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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There are many methods of coffee preparation. Each method has its own unique traits suited to a variety of tastes and lifestyles. Here are some of the more popular and interesting coffee preparation methods, and the types of machines or apparatus for each.

One of the most familiar manners of brewing coffee is the use of the PERCOLATOR. Boiling water is repeatedly filtered through the coffee grounds. This is an old favorite, particularly when used with very mild coffee. One drawback of percolation is the resulting bitterness of the coffee which is caused by prolonged overboiling.

AUTOMATIC DRIP brewing tends to take much of the guesswork out of preparing coffee. Cold water is poured into a reservoir and is heated to the appropriate temperature; the water pulses through the ground coffee awaiting it in a filter. Some models have a switch which slows the pulsing of the water to allow a rich brew, even if only a few cups are desired.

MANUAL DRIP coffeemakers use a paper FILTER CONE similar to the one used in the Automatic Drip machine. Water is heated separately, and at first a small amount is poured over the coffee grounds, allowing them to “blossom” – to open up and release their flavor (See “Agony of the Leaves” in Tea Through the Ages – before pouring in the rest of the water to drip through the filter.

COFFEE FILTERS strain grounds out of the brew. PAPER FILTERS are efficient in keeping out some of the strong flavor, leaving a “clean-tasting” cup of coffee. GOLD, GOLD-TONE, STAINLESS, and NYLON FILTERS permit more of the coffee’s flavor to flow through. No matter what type of filter is used, it is not unusual to find minute particles of grounds floating in your coffee.

PLUNGER POTS, otherwise known as FRENCH PRESS coffeemakers, are rapidly growing in popularity for many reasons. They are frequently used at professional coffee tastings as they are as close as possible of making the “perfect” cup of coffee. The
plunger pot permits full contact between water and coffee, extracting more of the rich flavors.You are also in control of bringing the water to its optimum temperature, just below boiling, making for a hot cup and full extraction.

There are a variety of sizes and styles of the FRENCH PRESS, accompanied by a wide range of prices. They have a tempered glass beaker or carafe plus a stainless or nylon filter/plunger. Place ground coffee and hot water in the carafe, stir once, and allow to steep. The strength of the coffee is determined by controlling the steeping time, 3 to 5 minutes. As soon as the pre-determined steeping time elapses, slowly push the plunger down, pressing the filter screen through the mixture. Hold most of the grounds securely at the bottom of the carafe as you pour your hot, extremely fresh coffee.

For those coffee drinkers who prefer their brew stronger, more flavorful and intense, there are ESPRESSO and CAPPUCCINO machines. Electric machines with an internal pump and a cold water reservoir usually produce the best brew.

When making espresso, only a small amount of water is automatically drawn, heated, and then pumped through the coffee grounds at a very high pressure, extracting the essence, richness, and intensity of the coffee. These coffee machines can also produce cappuccino, cafe au lait, hot chocolate, and tea. See wide selections of espresso machines at http://www.niftykitchen.com/site/339522/page/49348.

Cappuccino is espresso, only topped with frothed milk. To get the best froth, use only a small amount of milk, in a small, cold stainless or ceramic pitcher. To make the froth,place the tip of the steaming tube just beneath the surface of the milk and turn on the steam, allowing the milk to aerate by swirling around the bottom of the pitcher.

Many stovetop units are not true espresso machines; one of these is known as a MACCHINETTA, a fairly inexpensive, traditional coffeemaker which dispenses coffee by boiling water and then causing enough steam pressure to climb through the grounds. The payoff for using a stovetop machine is that the higher water temperature creates a cup that is strong but somewhat thin and bitter, as opposed to the espresso from a pump-type machine.

Coffee prepared by the COLD WATER METHOD causes less stomach discomfort to those who are troubled by the acidity in coffee. Using the TODDY COFFEEMAKER, one pound of coarsely ground coffee is steeped overnight in water and the filtered into a carafe. This resulting mixture is combined with water to taste and then heated when ready to serve.

TURKISH coffee refers to both the preparation and grind of this Middle Eastern specialty. It is ground nearly to a powder, mixed with equal parts of sugar, and is then boiled in water several times until it becomes almost syrupy in consistency. The froth is served between boils. Drunk in small cups that usually contain some of the grounds, the brew is exceedingly strong. The coffeemaker used is called an IBRICK.

VACUUM coffeemakers are a double delight, Besides brewing wonderful-tasting coffee, these makers give a great show to watch. Consisting of two carafes, water is held in the bottom while the coffee grounds rest in the top. When the bottom carafe is heated, the water is forced to the top carafe, where it steeps with the coffee. When the heat source is turned off after a couple of minutes of steeping, the “filtered” coffee is forced back to the bottom, ready to be served.

The NEAPOLITAN is one of the more traditional drip coffeemakers. The part without the spout is filled with water, and the special filter fitting in this part is filled with coffee. When a bit of steam comes out of the spout, the heat is turned off and the coffeemaker is then turned upside down. The hot water slowly drips down to the section with the spout. Remove the top part containing the coffee and serve.

For those coffee drinkers looking for the bizarre in coffeemakers, try the COFFEE SOCK. It is usually made of cotton and does look like a sock. Simply put some ground coffee in this intriguing device and infuse it in hot water. You can even use your own socks! This custom of preparing coffee is popular in South America.

Terry Kaufman is Chief Editorial Writer for www.niftykitchen.com, www.niftyhomebar.com, and www.niftygarden.com. 2006 Terry Kaufman. No reprints without permission.

Author: Terry Kaufman
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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