Choose the Correct Coffee Machines

But I am not alone. As time goes by I am sure to gather more Coffee Making equipment as I am a self confessed coffee addict. One Coffee Machine that is out permanently and two Coffee Machines that like it in the cupboard! Personally I have three. Most kitchens will have some sort of Coffee Machines in them.

Then there are the new fangled pod coffee machines, which infuse hot water through coffee pods, and the top-notch espresso makers. You can still get the old-fashioned drip machines, but the even more old-fashioned presses and hand brew machines are back in style. Not only do you have to choose among the dozens of franchise coffee shops, coffee types, espresso, cappuccino, and all other kinds of java, you also have to worry about what kind of coffee machines to work with. Nowadays, coffee is all the rage.

Honest! You may have to clean the filters after each use, but this little bit of extra work is well worth it. Permanent filters make sure that the flavor molecules from the coffee grinds pass through into the water, but more importantly, the permanent filters do this without adding unwanted flavors. The key to these machines is using a gold, nylon, or other type of permanent filters. They use a method of brewing that can create the most delicious coffee. Drip coffee machines, though, are still one of the easiest types to use for beginners and coffee aficionados alike.

If you absolutely have to use paper filters try rinsing them with hot water first as this helps to wash away some of the after taste. They impart an aftertaste into the finished product, and they absorb some of the special flavor molecules and aromatic oils from your coffee beans, which are what gives your cup of joe its tantalizing taste. What is wrong with paper filters for coffee machines?

This means water temperatures that are between 195 degrees and 205 degrees to ensure the best flavor extraction from the coffee grounds. Be sure to only add the right temperature water to the mix. When using drip coffee machines, stick with medium to fine grinds of coffee.

And if you want to follow the most expert rules for using drip coffee machines, you should remove the grounds from the filter before the last couple of drops of water have filtered through. This prevents your coffee from being over-extracted and overly bitter. One last thing. Before you serve this delicious coffee to yourself or to a guest, stir it.

From one coffee addict to the like minded, enjoy! So go choose a coffee machine that will suit you and enjoy your morning pick-you-up or sip your mellow afternoon cup-a-joe!

Secrets to the Perfect Cup of Coffee

How to Make the Perfect Cup of Coffee

How to Make the Perfect Cup of Coffee

A few simple steps will make your coffee taste great every cup. Want to know how to make the perfect cup of coffee?

And buy only the amount of coffee that can be used within a couple of weeks. Water or ice attaches itself to the porous coffee and ruins the taste. Storing it in the refrigerator or freezer will also lead to deteriorating flavor. Keep your coffee at room temperature. Ceramic is best because plastic and metal containers can impart a taste to your coffee or coffee beans. Before you even start, when you bring your coffee home, store it in an airtight container that blocks the light.

Experts advocate using two heaping tablespoons of whole beans to the grinder for every six ounces of water you use. Coffee grinders improve the taste of coffee because they release the oils and aromas of the coffee beans immediately before you brew your coffee. Coffee drinkers who want the perfect flavor use whole coffee beans and grind their coffee just before brewing. Enthusiasts agree.

And if you have control of the temperature of your water, keep it between 195 degrees and 205 degrees to ensure getting the best flavor extraction from your ground coffee. You want the taste of the coffee, not the taste of the water used for brewing. Since coffee is 99% water, use water that is free from chlorine and other minerals.

And what about that coffee maker? Drip coffee makers are easy and can produce terrific coffee. The key to making perfect coffee with a drip coffee maker is making sure to use a gold, nylon, or other type of permanent filter. Permanent coffee filters insure that the flavor molecules from the coffee grinds pass into the water without adding additional flavors. Those disposable paper filters have an aftertaste that they impart to the coffee on the one hand and on the other, they absorb those special aromatic oils from the grinds that are essential for excellent taste. If you must use paper filters, use the unbleached kind and rinse them with hot water before you use them.

When was the last time you cleaned your coffee pot and mugs and cups? Clean equipment can make a tremendous difference in how your coffee tastes. Every so often clean out your mugs and cups with baking soda and water, and rinse them out thoroughly. Every month pour a mixture of 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water into your drip coffee maker and turn it on. Let the mixture run all the way through, turn off you coffee maker and let it cool for a half hour. Pour out the vinegar mixture and run one or two reservoirs full of clear water to rinse it out, letting the pot cool for 15 to 20 minutes between each rinse.

And one last step. Be sure to drink it while its fresh - more that 20 minutes after brewing is done, your coffee will begin to taste bitter. Now its time to make your coffee.

And now--ENJOY.

coffee drink basics

When you enter a coffee house, you have a multitude of drink choices like latté, cappuccino, straight shot and caffé mocha just to name a few.

Sometimes knowing what to order can be overwhelming unless you know what you are getting. After all, who wants to pay an outrageous amount of money for a mystery drink that you may not even like?

So http://www.perfectcoffees.com has come to the rescue, and after you read this, you'll have a basic understanding of how the most popular coffee drinks are made and what they are made of.

Most coffee drinks start with espresso and espresso is just coffee that is brewed a certain way. It is finely ground to almost a powder then very hot water is forced through the grounds under intense pressure.

The brewing process is timed so that the flavorful and aromatic oils are extracted from the coffee and not the bitter components. This produces a strong flavored, but not bitter, concentrated shot of coffee.

Straight Shot

The straight shot refers to espresso coffee and the secret to good espresso is the extraction time, volume, and golden crema which is a thick light brown layer of frothed coffee oils that float on top of a properly extracted espresso.

The short shot or ristretto is extracted to a volume of three-quarters of an ounce. The shorter restricted pour magnifies the essence of the coffee and the chance of any bitter elements being extracted is minimized. If you have ever ordered an espresso shot in Europe they usually serve the ristretto.

The long shot or lungo is extracted to a volume of one and one-half ounces.

The double shot is a 2 ounce shot using twice as much coffee in the portafilter.

The correct way to serve a straight shot is to extract it directly into a warmed demitasse cup. The warm demitasse cup will keep the straight shot warm and prolong the crema. A straight shot is best enjoyed immediately after brewing.

It is rare to see people drinking straight shots of espresso in the US. Most people here drink variations using steamed milk mixed with the shots to make the different coffee drinks listed here.

Espresso Macchiato

The Espresso Macchiato starts with a shot of espresso and then a small amount of foamed milk is spooned over the shot. Macchiato in Italian means "marked," as the espresso is marked with foam.

Espresso Con Panna

This is an Espresso Macchiato using whipped cream in place of the foamed milk. The drink gets its name Con Panna which means "with cream."

Caffé Americano

The Caffé Americano is a drink similar to American brewed coffee. It is made with a single or double shot of espresso combined with 6 to 8 ounces of hot water out of an espresso machine. The result is a very smooth cup of coffee that is much hotter than brewed coffee.

Cappuccino

Cappuccino is made with a fluffy, wet foam, mixed with espresso coffee upon the pour to create a blend of the two flavors. Cold milk is essential, as is expertise in the foaming process. Cappuccino has a large volume of foam making it a light weight drink and less filling.

Caffé Latté

Caffé Latté is similar to the cappuccino but with much less foam and more steamed milk. A latté is made by holding back the foam with a spoon while pouring the frothed milk from the steaming pitcher. The caffé latté is completed by being topped with a small amount of the held back foam.

Caffé latté gets its name from the addition of coffee to milk. For an iced latté, cold milk is combined with the espresso and then the ice is added.

Caffé Mocha

A caffé mocha is made by adding powdered or chocolate syrup to a hot shot of espresso and blended. Steamed milk is then be added to the espresso-chocolate mixture and usually it is topped with whipped cream.

Iced mochas are made with cold milk and the ice added after the coffee and chocolate have been blended.

Flavored Coffee Drinks

Some popular coffee flavors are: vanilla, Irish creme, almond, hazelnut, caramel and fruit flavors such as orange and raspberry. These drinks usually start with a flavored syrup that is mixed with hot espresso and stirred. Then steamed milk is stirred in like in a latté.

An iced version of these flavored coffees made with cold milk instead of steamed makes a delicious cold drink in the summer months.

So now that you know what's in the basic coffee drinks, try one you haven't tasted yet. Who knows, you might find a new favorite.

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