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!

Italian Roast Coffee For An Authentic Espresso

Well, with Italian roast you can't go wrong either. Can 50 million plus Italians all be wrong? In fact Italian roast coffee is perfect for bringing a touch of Europe to your home. One of the things people think of with Italy is it's coffee.

The aroma is balanced and complex. It seems to be richer and fuller and has a bit of a bite to it. Generally speaking, Italian Roast coffee is darker in colour than most roasted blends of coffee and consequently develops an intense, full-bodied flavour from the blend of Pacific and Latin American origins.

Why the name Italian Roast when coffee comes from Brazil?

As is known, most of the coffee we drink today originates from Latin America or the Pacific, so where does the name Italian Roast come from?

If served in Illy Collection cups, for instance, you cant go wrong. Naturally it goes without saying, if you grind your own, Italian roast coffee is perfect for making authentic espresso. I think they do. And do the Italians know a thing or two about their coffee? Well, the name Italian Roast derives from the dark roasted blend style that is commonly used in Italy.

There is espresso coffee and espresso coffee, but with an Italian roast blend the difference is clear

In fact, most of today's household names, such as Gaggia, Lavazza and Illy are Italian family companies that have conquered the world with their particular blends of coffee, targeted marketing and wonderful coffee making machines. Gaggia, for instance started business in the 1940's, not so long ago, but they are recognised as a well respected coffee-company in most of the world.

Similar with Lavazza, started in Turin, not only famous for its coffee, but also a prestigious calendar, similar to that of Pirelli. And what espresso lover isn't familiar with the Illy Collection; neat espresso cups with exclusive designs produced in limited numbers.

Italian roast must deserve some of the success of these companies. Do you think all this could have been possible without a deep knowledge and respect for coffee?

Brewing a Perfect Cup of Coffee

Brewing a great cup of coffee depends on a number of things such as the quality of the coffee bean, the quality of the water being used, the type of brewing you are doing in order to make the best coffee possible.

Of course if the grind is too large and the water passes very quickly (like using French press grind in an espresso maker), very little of the caffeine and flavours extracted and will have poor flavour. If coffee is left contacting water for too long for its grind size, unwanted extracts emerge and make the coffee taste bitter. A French press coffee maker can take as much as 4 minutes and uses an extremely coarse grind. Espresso coffee is only exposed to water for 20-40 seconds and as a result is made using extremely fine grind coffee. This means that smaller coffee grinds need less contact with the water, and coarser grinds need longer contact. Generally speaking, the 'soaking' time relates directly to how coarse the coffee is ground.

Metal filters are also more environmentally friendly than the paper alternative. They also do not alter the taste of the coffee flavour, and some people claim they can taste the paper in the final coffee. They have very fine weave and filter out the coffee grinds very well. Metal filters are normally made from stainless steel or gold plated mesh. However they can absorb some of the coffee flavour, and some people claim they can taste the paper in the final coffee. Paper filters are quite good. Paper filters are the most common, but many people are also using metal varieties. Paper filters are the most common, but many people are also using metal varieties. Not only do they keep the grind out of your cup, but they also control how fast the water passes over the grinds. Of course filters play an important role in managing the balance between over and under brewing your coffee.

A decent quality metal filter will last years and save money in the end. Cheap filters often clog or not allow the coffee to brew properly. Whichever you choose, be sure to buy decent quality.

Start with fresh beans and good clean water and then match your brewing style to the proper grind and then mess around with the exact proportions and pretty soon your be brewing killer coffee every time. Brewing a great cup takes a little more understanding, but isn't any harder. Brewing a cup of coffee is not that hard.

Espresso Machines and Espresso Makers - Coffee Made Easy!

Who doesn't love a good cup o' coffee in the morning? Nothing like that quick pick-me-up to jump start your morning and send you out the door with the energy and alertness you need to get through the day. On second thought, you don't want to just get through the day, you want to power through the day. An espresso maker may be the perfect solution to your coffee needs.

Espresso makers create a powerful and strong coffee that can really wake you up in the morning. You see, a shot of espresso is a concentrated coffee drink. Espresso is made by forcing about 1.5 ounces of hot water through finely ground and extremely tightly packed espresso coffee. Generally speaking, a shot of espresso is stronger and has a more concentrated amount of caffeine than your normal cup of black coffee.

With an espresso maker, all these drinks (plus many more) are available to you at your finger tips. Try adding in various syrups, creamers, and other ingredients for the perfect coffee drink that you crave each and every morning! Having an espresso maker was one of the best investments I've ever made. I used to spend at least $30 a week on coffee, but with a small investment of buying my espresso maker, the only expense I have now are the coffee beans and any syrups or creamers I choose to put in. In the long run, buying an espresso maker can save you a lot of money as well as provide you great espresso drinks for life!

The answer is simple: GET AN ESPRESSO MAKER!!! Seriously, a great espresso maker is one of the best investments anyone can make!

Now there are plenty of different espresso makers, espresso machines, and coffee makers out there. You could just run out of the house in a mad dash and buy the first one you see sitting on the shelf at your store of choice, but wouldn't you like to do a little research and find out which espresso maker is right for you? Well, for those of you still here, read on...

Now, if you want to make sure that you get the top of the line, cream of the crop espresso maker, you're going to want to look at some of the features that separate the men from the boys, so to speak. However, if you're just looking for a basic, back-to-basics espresso maker for your everyday coffee needs, there are many choices out there. Many expresso makers have super-neat features like stainless steal exteriors, different size coffee cups (depending on how many you are preparing coffee for), cup warmers, and all come in different shapes, colors and sizes.

Make no mistake about it; if you've read this far you obviously have an interest in the realm of coffee and espresso drinks. The time has come to buy that espresso maker you've always wanted and secretly dreamed of! So take my advice, sit down and think about how much you're willing to spend and exactly what features you need. Make no mistake; buying a quality espresso maker is one of the best investments you'll ever make!

Expresso Maker www.MyExpressoMaker.com

Expresso Maker www.MyExpressoMaker.com

Coffee Pods and Espresso Machines

There's nothing like the perfect espresso . Finely ground, dark roasted coffee, pressed and percolated into a strong, rich coffee drink that delights the senses and perks up your day. In Italy, ordering a coffee means that you're ordering an espresso. The Italians stop in their local bar once, twice, even three times a day for the perfect cup of espresso. But here in America, it's not as easy to find espresso done right. The grind of the coffee, the right temperature, the pressing of the coffee and the foaming of the milk are skills that few people know how to wield properly on this side of the ocean. But now with espresso machines and coffee pods , the guesswork is taken out of making espresso at domestic bars or even in your own kitchen at home.

perfect espresso espresso machines coffee pods

In Italy, most Italians wouldn't recognize what we think of as a coffee maker. They use a "machinetta", a contraption that looks like a metal hourglass that has a top like a pitcher. The machine has 2 chambers. Water and coffee go into the bottom chamber. The machine is placed on the stovetop and heated until the water boils, percolating through the espresso grinds and into the second chamber. The pressure on the grinds between the two chambers insures that the coffee is pressed - the word espresso means "expressed" - and the rich taste comes from getting as much of the flavor out of the grinds as possible. The milk is heated and whipped separately. But it's easy to make a mistake in this process. Either by using the wrong amount of water or coffee , turning the heat on too strong or not using the right timing .

it's easy to make a mistake wrong amount of water or coffee heat on too strong right timing

The growing popularity of espresso has meant that people want an easier, error free way to make it at home. So now you can find espresso machines that let you get the right combination of the necessary steps every time. There is a wide range of models to choose from, with different features and capacity. Some are designed for use in restaurants or bars, capable of producing large volumes of coffee in shorter amount of time. Unless you do enough entertaining at home to justify the cost, these probably aren't the best solution for you.

espresso machines

Models made for home usually produce either one or two "shots" of espresso at a time. If you prefer your espresso "macchiato", with milk, or you want to turn your espresso into a cappuccino, you will want to get an espresso machine with a nozzle that creates the steam and lets you froth the milk. Beyond these choices, you might want to consider a product that lets you use coffee pods . These pods look like large tea bags. They contain the exact amount of espresso to deliver a perfect shot every time. You simply put the pod into its slot, close it, and start the machine. When the cycle has finished, you just throw the pod away. It helps prevent any problems with measuring out the espresso and makes cleaning up absolutely easy.

coffee pods

If you purchase a machine that uses coffee pods , you might want to consider whether or not it can also take either another brand's coffee pods or regular loose espresso. Some machines do, but many will work only with the coffee pods that the same company also designs. Having the flexibility to use either the pod or loose coffee means you can still use it even if you run out of pods, which might need to be special ordered. Until these machines become more popular, it's not likely that the pods will be carried consistently in local grocery stores. Plus, the choice to use either kind of coffee also gives you the freedom to experiment with other roasts or flavors of espresso to further indulge your love of coffee.

machine that uses coffee pods

What is Espresso Coffee?

Espresso coffee is more popular today than it has ever been at any time in its history, perhaps thanks to the marketing power of coffee giants such as Starbucks. Many of the most popular drinks that we consume everyday are made using espresso, rather than the more traditional filter or drip coffee. Drinks such as lattes, cappuccinos, mochas and machiatos.

Given this strong popularity for these espresso drinks, it's surprising that many people don't actually know what an espresso is. For anyone who has never had an espresso, the first taste can be quite shocking. An espresso is very concentrated, and comes in a very small cup. However, it packs a large punch and the flavor can take some getting used to. (In other words, your first impression might be that you just swallowed something vile. But don't worry, it gets better with experience.)

Espresso is made by forcing very hot (not boiling) water through finely ground coffee. The coffee is ground more finely than filter coffee, but is not as finely ground as Turkish coffee, which is more like a fine powder.

Originally, espresso machines used steam pressure to force the water through. Today, a spring piston lever machine is used, which used a piston to generate the pressure and force the water through the coffee. It is important that the temperature does not go too high or low, as this will spoil the beverage. The ideal temperature is 85 to 95 degrees Celsius.

If the water is too hot, the espresso will be too bitter. If it is too cold, it will be too sour. As you can see, making espresso drinks is a very exacting job, and care must be taken to do it right. The people trained to do this are called baristas (which is Italian for barman).

As the water blasts through the coffee, it extracts the flavor, oils, sugars and proteins and dissolves them. This results is a very potent mixture that has a very strong, yet rich and subtle flavor. It also has all the caffeine of a large cup of filter coffee, giving it a strong kick.

To enjoy these drink at its best, it is important to drink the coffee as soon after it is made as possible, definitely within 2 minutes. If you intend to blend it to make espresso drinks, you need to do so within 10 seconds of pulling the espresso.

This is because the flavor packed volatile molecules in the drink rapidly degrade, both through contact with oxygen and as the heat leaves the drink.

The espresso is made up of 3 different parts, the heart, body and the crema, which is the delicate, creamy foam that naturally forms on the top of the drink. The crema is a sign of good espresso, and care should be taken to ensure it is preserved. To do this, some people use pre warmed shot glasses, which prevents heat loss.

There is no such thing as an "espresso roast" - you can make good espresso from light or dark roast beans. A very dark roast is a bad idea, as it can lead to a burnt, charcoal taste. The only important thing is that the coffee is ground to the correct grade, and that the beans are freshly roast.

Selecting the blend is important when making espresso drinks, as it is for any kind of coffee drinks. The factors to concentrate on are sweetness, aromatics and smoothness.

Also, the type of grinder used is important. The best choice is a conical burr grinder. This will produce a consistent grind (the particles will all be the right size), and will also make sure that the coffee does not overheat as it is ground (this would spoil the aroma).

How to make the best espresso drinks could fill books, as there are many factors to balance. This is why coffee shops spend so much time training their staff. When you find a place that serves excellent espresso, recognize that this is not just a happy accident, and recognize the skill and care that goes into making this most demanding drink.

Malcolm Blake has written more information about gourmet coffee at http://www.coffeewebinfo.com. Come and find out more about gourmet coffees .

http://www.coffeewebinfo.com. gourmet coffees

coffee gifts the ultimate guide to giving coffee gifts

More practically, they're excellent presents for people who you don't know very well, or even for generic gift exchange events. Coffee gifts are great to give to the person who has everything. At some point in time, coffee shops started focusing on selling something other than a hot cup of espresso and moved into the world of merchandising. These days, you can't walk into a coffee shop without seeing hundreds of coffee accessories. Because Starbucks has such a clever marketing scheme, their prices are significantly higher than the market average. While there is a Starbucks on every corner (more than 13,000 in the world), you're going to pay a bit more there than at your local mom and pop shop. Nobody does this better than Starbucks. As a result, if you're looking for an affordable coffee gift of mugs, espresso machines or coffee beans, you may want to steer clear of the green logo. While coffee houses are fantastic places to get specialty beans and teas, if you're going to buy somebody an actual coffee maker you may want to look elsewhere. Department and specialty stores are best for larger item purchases, and you'll save a lot of money if you go to one of those. Coffee houses thrive on impulse buys for those looking for coffee gifts. It's best to be smart about the situation and split up your purchases. For example, go buy the cappuccino maker at the department store, where you'll save up to 30 percent. Then, head over to your local coffee shop and purchase the coffee gifts that you're looking for. Fill up a basket with chocolate covered espresso beans and a bag of fresh coffee. They can be used at any time toward just about any purchase, and they're as easy to use as cash. When in doubt, gift cards make excellent coffee gifts.

More practically, they're excellent presents for people who you don't know very well, or even for generic gift exchange events. Coffee gifts are great to give to the person who has everything.At some point in time, coffee shops started focusing on selling something other than a hot cup of espresso and moved into the world of merchandising. These days, you can't walk into a coffee shop without seeing hundreds of coffee accessories.Because Starbucks has such a clever marketing scheme, their prices are significantly higher than the market average. While there is a Starbucks on every corner (more than 13,000 in the world), you're going to pay a bit more there than at your local mom and pop shop. Nobody does this better than Starbucks.They can be used at any time toward just about any purchase, and they're as easy to use as cash. When in doubt, gift cards make excellent coffee gifts.

filter coffee

Coffee is one of the most accepted drinks in the globe - perhaps because it's so versatile. From simple coffees like espresso and filter coffee, to more composite recipes like cappuccino, coffee can be as simple or as complicated as you want.

The coffee filter is nothing but a glorified strainer. A coffee filter is generally made out of paper or steel frequently steel and is used in coffee brewing devices to filter out the soaked grounds.

A coffee filter can be prepared by using different types of materials. Some examples are paper filters, gold filters, cloth filters, and the normal strainer kind of filters.

When you go to purchase a coffee maker there are lots of choices it's hard to know which one to pick. First, you have to make a decision of what type of filter you want. The major two types of filters are a basket type filter or a cone shaped filter. Each filter has their own compensation but cone type filters are a little less prone to spillage.

There are lots of suggested methods of brewing a high-quality cup of coffee. The filter cone method involves pouring the hot water through ground coffee that has been measured into a filter set inside a cone. Over recent years this method has become more and more accepted. Connoisseurs prefer to use gold-washed metal filters but paper filters are suitable and easy to use.

Garraways supply a broad variety of filter coffee machines for commercial purpose. The range of filter coffee machines includes; pour and serve machines; bulk machines, and air pot coffee machines which all use fresh ground filter coffees.

coffee filter







filter coffee machines

coffee break small daily timeless pleasure

The first coffee in Europe seems to be come even around 900 - 1000 AD thanks to the many ships that brought unknown goods from all parts. Around this drink have created many legends and folk traditions there who says that already the time of Homer, in the city of Troy, used coffee. One thing certain is what he sees sip this dark drink, become, in what is today Yemen, a real custom, even supported by the government that praised its energy quality. At first the coffee was also used for its digestive and medical properties and also for this its price was immediately quite high. For Europe is somewhat 'say that certainly the first coffee came through the Venetian traders, in 1615, especially remembers Prospero Alpini, botanist, physician of Venice’s console, who studied the drink and brought to the knowledge of the Venice’s city. Today we find yet “Caffè Florian”, one of the oldest coffee’s shop, under the arcades of St Mark’s Square, Venice, which even then to disseminate this drink, did distribute a text that praised properties. In today's hectic life can not miss the time for coffee break and is in the workplace as in our homes and in bars has become increasingly demanding, for this reason, coffee machines and drink machines are now becoming increasingly technological equipment and we don’t count more versions and variations, all designed to enhance quality in its various aroma of coffee. We find so espresso professional machines, but also those semi-or for private consumption; are available automatic drink espresso machines that allow enjoy anytime of the day, both in workspace and along a corridor, each variant of espresso coffee, barley, decaffeinated. In the new models of coffee machines for domestic use are lines of innovative and elegant design because the machine also expressed become an object of furniture and enriches every environment, joining an increasingly sophisticated technology in making coffee to a design increasingly minimalist. For use in the workplace, very comfortable and versatile are the drink machines, machines that allow fully automated, simply by inserting coins of small denomination, to have ready in a few seconds a hot or cold drink, depending on the request. In these machines the hot drink sugared already exits, with the amount preset and there is a small stick to turn sugar. Now all distributors have the use of key for those who normally use the machine or give the rest to those who are just passing through. In every place, at home or at work, the coffee break is around the corner, the hot drink that hides traditions and ancient stories is a daily pleasure that today, thanks to technological development in machinery and in drink machines, you can consume comfortably in any environment.

The first coffee in Europe seems to be come even around 900 - 1000 AD thanks to the many ships that brought unknown goods from all parts. Around this drink have created many legends and folk traditions there who says that already the time of Homer, in the city of Troy, used coffee.One thing certain is what he sees sip this dark drink, become, in what is today Yemen, a real custom, even supported by the government that praised its energy quality.At first the coffee was also used for its digestive and medical properties and also for this its price was immediately quite high. For Europe is somewhat 'say that certainly the first coffee came through the Venetian traders, in 1615, especially remembers Prospero Alpini, botanist, physician of Venice’s console, who studied the drink and brought to the knowledge of the Venice’s city.In every place, at home or at work, the coffee break is around the corner, the hot drink that hides traditions and ancient stories is a daily pleasure that today, thanks to technological development in machinery and in drink machines, you can consume comfortably in any environment.

coffeeespresso tips

Here are some recommendations for a new starter of Espresso making to produce heavy crema for the cup in regards to the control of these factors.
1. Fresh beans – contributing to a plenty of quality crema derive from the roasted beans no longer than 7 days in storage. With a longer period of time, this will reduce the crema. In particular, the beans are to be blended only for Espresso making of each time to avoid unproductive crema.
2. Adequate machine – is needed for Espresso making. The machine with ability to produce plentiful whitish foam should force at least 9 bars of water pressure during the process.
3. Adequate tamp – refers to the application of proper packing of coffee in the porta-filter with density described as 30 pounds of force.
4. Adequate grind – is regarded as another necessary factor to obtain fine coffee particles for Espresso. The operation should last 20 seconds for each shot of Espresso.
5. Fresh water – for this process should be well filtered, containing 97-98 % of purity.

Anyone who has all these factors in control deserves to receive a great cup of Espresso with the intense color, nice crema and better taste of authentic Espresso coffee.
read more http://coffee-forlife.blogspot.com

http://coffee-forlife.blogspot.com

coffee grinder espresso coffee machines

A coffee grinder is an essential piece of coffee processing equipment. Grinding the coffee beans is an important step in coffee making. The perfect grind will enable you to enjoy the best cup of stimulating coffee. Grinding of coffee beans should be done just before brewing is important for coffee making.

People who want the best flavor in their coffee use coffee grinders. Coffee grinders work so well because they unleash the bean oils and aromas right before you make a pot.

Coffee grinders were used commercially in the coffee houses that seemed to be sprouting up on every corner in town. The grinding blades could be brought closer together or further apart by tightening or loosening a screw. The innovation of the wall mount happened around this time to. While is seems like a small thing, the grinder no longer had to be held in your hand while you ground it.

Using a grinder helps to prevent the loss of some of the oil that provides the coffee with their flavor. If you were to drink ground coffee that has been open for sometime the intense flavor would be lost as the grounds have begun to lose the oil. But using an espresso coffee grinder prevents this from happening.

Coffee experts recommend adding two heaping tablespoons of whole beans to the grinder for every six ounces of water you plan to use. To be exact, you probably should measure out your water before you add it to the coffee maker if you are using a drip coffee maker.

There are so many Commercial coffee grinders on the market which ones are the best? UK based karas-coffee machine company are commercial coffee machine wholesale suppliers to some of the finest venues across the country. As well as supplying a wide range of coffee makers and espresso machines across the uk.

coffee grinder









Commercial coffee grinders Commercial coffee grinders

latte art coffee cappuccino espresso get yours in style

Coffee is a almost a food group to most people. It gets us going in the morning, keeps us going in the afternoon, and tastes good after a fine meal.

But coffee is no longer just "coffee".. there are so many options now. Have you ever gone to a specialty coffee shop?.. It can be more complicated that getting a takeout burger! Non fat, low fat, espresso, double espresso, cappuccino, latte, low fat latte, chocolate latte.. and the list goes on, as you can add toppings.

This of course does not help the waistline any, but man it taste good. If you are unsure of what the basics are of specialty coffees, here is a quick breakdown.

Latte: dark roast coffee made with milk

Cappuccino: dark roast coffee made with steamed milk and milk foam on top

Espresso: caffeine jolt!.. concentrated dark roast espresso coffee.

Each one of the above can be altered with different roasts. So now you have to pick your roast, what type of milk or milk foam, and toppings of course!

You can make these at home, there are many machines on the market now, that will help you create your perfect cup of coffee, what ever form that is. No longer are we dependent on that old coffee percolator our parents or grandparents had, that was hauled out for Sunday breakfast!

With this new surge of coffee and coffee stores out there, there are coffee artists that will make your coffee look to good to drink. Check out the free video clip of a "Latte Artist" and you could get some ideas for impressing your friends with your new found coffee talents!

Who ever thought there would be such a thing as a coffee artist?
latte art free video

latte art free video

4 different coffee brewing methods

Here we explore the four most popular Coffee Brewing Methods: Espresso, French Press, Drip Filtration and Mokta or Stovetop method. Coffee Brewing Methods range from popular Espresso or French Press methods to lesser used methods like Turkish. Espresso The water then finds a path through the coffee grind it is referred to as the 'shot being pulled' through the group. The pressurized infusion process ensures that the water stays in contact with the coffee grounds long enough to draw out much of the coffee ground flavor. Super hot, pressurized water is forced through fine ground, tightly packed coffee. Probably the most popular of the Coffee Brewing Methods in recent times is making an Espresso using a machine. Using a course grind will still produce a good coffee, but it will taste more like a coffee produced using a Drip Filter coffee brewing method rather than true Espresso coffee. And if you didn't catch it when I started talking about Espresso, use a fine grind. Oils break down with time, and so a rich crema will be produced using fresh beans. This is produced by the pressurizing process and the oils of the coffee bean. Crema is the hazelnut foam that sits on the surface of the coffee. The sign of a good espresso, using fresh coffee beans, is the richness of the crema. French Press One of the simplest of all Coffee Brewing Methods is the French Press or Plunger. This is probably the easiest way to make great coffee! The French Press works by directly mixing ground coffee with near boiling water. The coffee flavors get drawn out into the water and then the press or plunger is depressed, separating the exhausted coffee grind from the brew. While the process has a similar taste to the Drip Filtration style, the French Press can extract more flavor from the coffee grind by extending the brewing time. Manual infusion requires you to get your timing right. If you let the brewing process run too long you may end up with a bitter coffee. Conversely, if you brew too quickly you will have a weak tasting coffee. One more point, use a course grind. You don't want fine ground coffee escaping through the metal filter and into the brew. A dusty cup of coffee is not an experience worth having. Drip Filtration
Let's start with the Drip Filtration style. Drip Filtration is probably the most popular method of all. The Drip Filtration machine works by spraying hot water across ground coffee that is held in a conical shaped filter. The hot water then slowly moves through the ground coffee. Once the water reaches the bottom of the conical filter, it drips into a container beneath it. The most widely used conical filters are made of paper, while expensive stainless steel or gold conical filters are also available. When buying paper filters, be sure to use oxygen bleached paper. Chemically treated papers may affect the taste of your coffee. Another point to be aware of with paper filters is that you may also have some of the flavorful coffee oils trapped by the paper filter. It is the oils that produce the rich crema when you make an espresso. The grind is also important with Drip Filtration. If the grind is too fine, you may clog the pores of your filter. You can avoid this by using a course grind (read about grinding here). Finally, if you do not expect to drink the full pot of coffee, either by yourself (all that caffeine....) or with friends, beware the constantly heated coffee. It loses its flavor and may even become bitter. And the golden rule....never reheat coffee.
Mokta Pot/Stovetop The Moka Pot style is also known as a Stovetop coffee pot. Moka pot's come in several sizes including 2, 4 or 6 cup capacities. The Moka Pot a simple 3 piece pot. The water reservoir is at the base, with a coffee basket in the middle and the brewed coffee ends up in the top.
The coffee brewing method is very simple. The pot is placed on a stove top which heats the water in the lower reservoir. As the water reaches boiling point, the steam rises and the water starts to push upward through the coffee grounds. This continues to travel up the central funnel and seeps into the top chamber where it comes to rest. The process finishes when the coffee stops moving into the top chamber. This should only take a few minutes to brew depending on the cup size of the Moka pot.

The grind should be a fine grind, similar or finer to that used in an Espresso machine. If you want to fill the coffee basket the way traditional Italian drinkers do, then heap the coffee grounds high in the coffee basket and screw the two pieces together. Don't worry about compacting the coffee. When the top half of the pot is screwed on, the grounds will be compacted by the filter screen. You should end up with a dry, compacted puck of coffee grounds at the end of brewing.

So there you have it. The four most popular Coffee Brewing Methods.

Here we explore the four most popular Coffee Brewing Methods: Espresso, French Press, Drip Filtration and Mokta or Stovetop method. Coffee Brewing Methods range from popular Espresso or French Press methods to lesser used methods like Turkish.EspressoWhen the water finds a path through the coffee grind it is referred to as the 'shot being pulled' through the group. And the coffee commences to pour into your cup. The water then finds a path through the coffee grounds. The pressurized infusion process ensures that the water stays in contact with the coffee grounds long enough to draw out much of the coffee ground flavor. Super hot, pressurized water is forced through fine ground, tightly packed coffee. Probably the most popular of the Coffee Brewing Methods in recent times is making an Espresso using a machine.Using a course grind will still produce a good coffee, but it will taste more like a coffee produced using a Drip Filter coffee brewing method rather than true Espresso coffee. And if you didn't catch it when I started talking about Espresso, use a fine grind. Oils break down with time, and so a rich crema will be produced using fresh beans. This is produced by the pressurizing process and the oils of the coffee bean. Crema is the hazelnut foam that sits on the surface of the coffee. The sign of a good espresso, using fresh coffee beans, is the richness of the crema. French Press Drip Filtration



Mokta Pot/Stovetop

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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coffee makers for different coffee types

There is nothing quite like waking up in the morning, stumbling to the kitchen and finding your favorite coffee brewed and waiting for you. Of all the drinks in the world, coffee seems to have universal appeal. But if you have ever travelled you quickly discovered that one person’s coffee can be quite different from another’s.

A World Wide Business—Coffee Types

Coffee is grown on five different continents and dozens of countries around the world. There are coffee plantations in Columbia and much of South America. There are hundreds of plantations in Africa. The growing region expands to the east and west including the West Indies, Sumatra, and Java.

All of the coffee growing regions are in tropical zones within 30 degrees or so of the Equator. While all coffee grows in bean form, there are different types or varieties of coffee plants, hence the many different coffee types.

Roasting and Brewing

Although plant variety can affect the taste of coffee, the way it is handled following harvesting has a great deal to do with the flavor as well.

Some coffee beans are naturally roasted. These generally produce the darker and bitterer tasting coffees. The sun does the roasting and then the grinding and brewing take care of the rest of the flavorful attributes.

There are many different recipes for a great cup of coffee and variations on how they are served. The cooking methods require specific kitchen gadgetry to help make the best rated coffees.

From Coffee Makers to Cappuccino and Espresso

There are different types of cappuccino, espresso and coffee makers on the market. Each of these appliances is designed to make specific coffee types. Cappuccino is a rich, dark coffee whose recipe originated in Italy. It is a milder version of Espresso, but not as light as “city” coffee.

Espresso is made by high heat and pressure which produces a thicker and more potent cup of coffee.

This is usually served in much smaller cups and quantities because of how strong it is.

Electric machines are making their way from the restaurant into many home kitchens. The cleaning and care including the job to decalcify are made easier by the popularity of stainless steel appliances. There are coffee makers also that do all of the jobs of creating the perfect mug of coffee right on your counter top and even while you sleep. The grind and brew combination machines are the ideal way to get the freshest cup of coffee possible.

Decaf and coffee types that contain caffeine can be equally as appealing to the taste buds. An important fact to remember is that just because a coffee type taste strong, it does not necessarily contain more caffeine. On the other hand, a decaf cup of coffee will taste and smell just as good, but without the health concern of having too much caffeine. The process with all of the new recipes available at coffee shops, restaurants and even at home, it is possible for anyone to make the best rated coffee around. This includes caffeine and decaf varieties.
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coffee shop culture in singapore and malaysia a different art of coffee drinking

Before there are Starbucks, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaves, most people in the region of Singapore and Malaysia know only kopi, a Baba Malay language for coffee.  Kopi is basically robusta coffee.  Espresso and cappuccino are extravagant coffee in the early days, meant for the rich, and only available in hotels.

Today, a cup of kopi is only between 70 and 90 Singapore cents.

Latte or long black is unknown in local coffee stalls and kopi tiam.  Tiam means shop in Hokkien, a Chinese dialect.  Instead it is commonly called kopi, kopi-o, and kopi-c.

Kopi is not brewed in coffee maker, but steep in a tall metal pot with a long spout with a cotton coffee filter, a long cone bag, within.  Milk and sugar are not served separately on the table.  When you order your kopi, you have coffee with condensed milk, a sweetener, and sugar, already added.

Kopi-o is black coffee, with sugar added.  O sounds like black in Hokkien.

Instead of condensed milk, Carnation evaporated milk is added to kopi-c, with sugar.  The c stands for Carnation, a brand, even though some have replaced it with other brands.

Most of the early kopi tiam are started by Chinese who are Hainanese.  Today their lingo still stays.  Ask for kopi-c siu tai, it is coffee with evaporated milk and less sugar in the cup.  More sugar, ka tai.  But for no sugar, it is kosong, a Malay word which means nothing.

Sarabat stalls are coffee stalls run by Indians and Malays.  They are famous for their teh tarik.  Teh means tea, and tarik means pull back.  A cup of tea with milk and sugar added is then juggled between two cups at an altitude.  The original purpose is to lower the temperature of very hot tea for easy drinking on a hot day, for the climate in Singapore and Malaysia most of the year is of summer.  However, the action has also produced a foamy top for the tea, much like cappuccino.  This spurs the creation of kopiccino, using the same method but instead of tea, it is coffee.

Many migrants came from China in the old days.  Chinese meal will always have a cup of Chinese tea besides their food.  It is not surprising to find in the local coffee shop and food court, too, that coffee and tea are usually ordered together with meals, much like having a cup of Chinese tea, or ice water in western meal.  But for some, hot kopi is still best reserved after a meal.

Nevertheless, for those who still crave for a piece of cheese cake with gourmet coffee, it is still Starbucks, hotels, or café.  For others with a budget, Ikea offers value for money for a cup of brewed coffee with cheese cake.

Any opportunities to travel to Singapore and Malaysia, kopi with roti kaya is a must.  Roti is bread in Malay, and kaya is a coconut egg jam.

what is espresso

It was invented in 1843 by Edward Loysel de Santais and premiered at the Paris Exposition of 1855. The coffee is ground so small, it's almost a powder. It is a concentrated coffee beverage that is brewed by forcing extremely hot water (but not boiling) under very high pressure through finely ground coffee beans. What is espresso? When the spring piston lever that was used in the late 1940s to make espresso is the same one that is used today. That said, it was made with steam pressure until the mid 1940s. People in Milan, Italy perfected espresso in the early 1900s. Furthermore, a standard cup of espresso is just one ounce. Also, there are more dissolved solids in espresso than there are in coffee. For example, espresso is thicker. There are several differences between espresso and coffee. Espresso is a chemically complex fluid and is comprised of three different parts: the body, the heart and the crema. The latter is the most distinguishing characteristic of espresso, and is a reddish brown foam that floats on top of the espresso. Made out of proteins, sugars and vegetable oils, crema has elements of foam colloid and emulsion. Essentially, espresso is a more concentrated form of coffee. The flavors are stronger than coffee because of the finely grated beans and the high pressure used during brewing. Because espresso is so intense and concentrated, it mixes well with other liquids to form different coffee based drinks. It turns out, the question of ìwhat is espresso?î is one that takes a longer amount of time than expected to answer. When mixed with milk, hot water, sugar or chocolate, you can turn espresso into lattes, mochas, cappuccini and macchiati.

It was invented in 1843 by Edward Loysel de Santais and premiered at the Paris Exposition of 1855. The coffee is ground so small, it's almost a powder. It is a concentrated coffee beverage that is brewed by forcing extremely hot water (but not boiling) under very high pressure through finely ground coffee beans. What is espresso?The same type of spring piston lever that was used in the late 1940s to make espresso is the same one that is used today. When the spring piston lever machine was invented, commercial success was huge as it pertained to espresso machines. That said, it was made with steam pressure until the mid 1940s. People in Milan, Italy perfected espresso in the early 1900s.Furthermore, a standard cup of coffee is 8 fluid ounces while a standard cup of espresso is just one ounce. Also, there are more dissolved solids in espresso than there are in coffee. For example, espresso is thicker. There are several differences between espresso and coffee.It turns out, the question of ìwhat is espresso?î is one that takes a longer amount of time than expected to answer. When mixed with milk, hot water, sugar or chocolate, you can turn espresso into lattes, mochas, cappuccini and macchiati.

coffee machineskaras coffee

Coffee machines are one of the most significant parts of today's beverage consumer market. Coffee machines come in a wide range of styles, sizes, and have many different options. Nothing starts a day healthier than a hot, fresh brewed cup of your preferred coffee and nothing can spoil a day quicker than a bad cup of coffee. The coffee maker you select can formulate all the discrepancy.

There are various types of coffee machines existing and which one you choose will depend on the features and the price of the device. In a domestic situation, you don't essentially need all the "bells and whistles" that a commercial enterprise would require. But if you want to make special types of coffee, you'll have to buy something fancy.

The espresso machine is typically more adaptable but it might cost more and you'll also need to buy more coffee because espresso is generally stronger than filter coffee. Commonly all coffee enthusiast would like to have the most excellent coffee machine in their own home and office. But different machines are preferred by different people of different regions of the world.

There are many pragmatic variations in coffee machines. You can get automatic coffee machines, espresso machines, Rancilio coffee machines , La Spaziale coffee machines etc. Many of these machines also do the coffee grinding for you.

In addition to variety of colours, these machines are made of different types of materials. The most common materials that are used to compose coffee machines are plastic, stainless steal, glass etc. Finding a coffee machine that works finest for you won't be a very hard task. There are wide ranges of coffee machines on the market and many have very nice features that you may pay extra for it and which will be worthy.

Karas Coffee have a wide and varied range of coffee machines for you to select from, which will give you and your customers all that you desire as far as your favourite drinks are concerned.

Rancilio coffee machines



coffee machines

the story behind senseo and the douwe egberts corporation

The Senseo coffee pod system is the product of a partnership between two world leaders in their field with a common background. When Douwe Egberts, the world's second largest coffee roaster, teamed up with Royal Philips Electric, one of the world's leading innovators in electronic devices, the result was bound to be sensational. It was a match made in heaven, at least if your heaven includes wonderful coffee. Douwe Egberts In 1780, his son joined the family business and together, they expanded their holdings, adding more shops throughout the region. De Witte Os sold coffee, tea and tobacco to the townspeople, and was more than moderately successful. Egbert Douwes opened a small shop in Joure, The Netherlands back in 1753. Familiarly known as Sara Lee/DE, the company is a subsidiary of Sara Lee and employs over 26,000 people around the world. Since then, Sara Lee and Douwe Egberts has become the second largest coffee roaster in the world. In 1978, the company was acquired by international food corporation Sara Lee. Over the next twenty years, the company added sales in Belgium, France and Spain. In 1948, Douwe Egberts began selling coffee, tea and tobacco in Belgium. The company prospered, and continued to grow throughout The Netherlands, but it was not until the mid-20th century that it expanded beyond the borders of its homeland. The Douwe Egberts brands include Pickwick tea, Douwe Egberts coffee, Piazza d'Oro espresso, Cafitesse, Pilao coffee and of course, Douwe Egberts. Royal Philips Electronics In The Netherlands in 1891, Gerard Philips founded a small electronics company focused on making light bulbs and other technical electronic equipment. By the 1920s, the company had begun to expand its line of products and make a name for itself as an innovator in the electronics field. In the 1920s, they began to manufacture vacuum tubes, acquiring holdings in both Germany and England as subsidiaries. In 1939, Philips began marketing their electric shaver, which is sold in the U.S. as Norelco, and which has become the standard bearer for their personal care division. Among the other innovations that have come out of Philips are the audio cassette tape (introduced by Philips in 1963) and the compact disc (developed in partnership with Sony). Philips today is a worldwide leader in manufacture and sale of color television sets, lighting, electric shavers, medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, and one-chip TV products. Since 2001, the company has won over 60 design awards for personal care and electronic appliances. A Beautiful Partnership In 2001, Douwe Egberts teamed up with Philips to introduce the Senseo system, the single serve coffee system that uses a patented pad brewing system to make coffee and other hot beverages. The Senseo was first introduced in February 2001 in The Netherlands, and became available in the US in 2004.

The system uses a patented coffee pod (called a pad in some countries) that holds a premeasured amount of coffee or beverage mix and fits into the brewer. The brewer heats water to the correct temperature and dispenses the beverage after brewing. The major innovations in the Senseo were the single cup brewing system and the use of the coffee pad.

Sara Lee/DE's part of the partnership is, of course, coffee. Douwe Egberts offers a wide variety of coffee blends to suit most tastes, as well as tea in pods to fit the Senseo machine. The current blends include Sumatra, Brazil, Kenya and Colombia, each of them with the characteristics common to the named region. In addition, there are selected specialty beverages, including espresso, cappuccino and Cafe Noir, a sweet, dark blend with a chocolate finish. There are also flavored pods, which include Paris (vanilla caramel), Vienna (hazelnut, vanilla and mocha), and a number of limited edition varieties that are currently only available in select European locations. For tea lovers, Douwe Egberts offers Earl Grey and Minty Green T-pods for the Senseo.

Patent-ly Perfect

This allows flexibility in making the coffee or tea of your choice utilizing the Senseo Brewing System. In addition, several pod makers on the market allow consumers to make their own coffee pods. As of 2004, the year that the Senseo was introduced in the US, other companies have the legal right to make and sell coffee pods that fit the Senseo system. The patent was successfully challenged in the Belgian court. In 1998, Sara Lee/DE filed a patent in Belgium to protect their use of the coffee pad system.

The Senseo coffee pod system is the product of a partnership between two world leaders in their field with a common background. When Douwe Egberts, the world's second largest coffee roaster, teamed up with Royal Philips Electric, one of the world's leading innovators in electronic devices, the result was bound to be sensational. It was a match made in heaven, at least if your heaven includes wonderful coffee.Douwe EgbertsIn 1780, his son joined the family business and together, they expanded their holdings, adding more shops throughout the region. De Witte Os sold coffee, tea and tobacco to the townspeople, and was more than moderately successful. Egbert Douwes opened a small shop in Joure, The Netherlands back in 1753.Familiarly known as Sara Lee/DE, the company is a subsidiary of Sara Lee and employs over 26,000 people around the world. Since then, Sara Lee and Douwe Egberts has become the second largest coffee roaster in the world. In 1978, the company was acquired by international food corporation Sara Lee. Over the next twenty years, the company added sales in Belgium, France and Spain. In 1948, Douwe Egberts began selling coffee, tea and tobacco in Belgium. The company prospered, and continued to grow throughout The Netherlands, but it was not until the mid-20th century that it expanded beyond the borders of its homeland.The Sara Lee brands include Sara Lee, Earth Grains, Hillshire Farm, Jimmy Dean, Ball Park, Bimbo, Kiwi, Ambi Pur, Sanex, and of course, Douwe Egberts. Sara Lee sells products in nearly 200 countries. The Sara Lee brands include Sara Lee, Earth Grains, Hillshire Farm, Jimmy Dean, Ball Park, Bimbo, Kiwi, Ambi Pur, Sanex, and of course, the Senseo system. Sara Lee sells products in nearly 200 countries. The Sara Lee brands include Sara Lee, Earth Grains, Hillshire Farm, Jimmy Dean, Ball Park, Bimbo, Kiwi, Ambi Pur, Sanex, and of course, the Senseo system. Sara Lee sells products in nearly 200 countries. The Sara Lee brands include Sara Lee, Earth Grains, Hillshire Farm, Jimmy Dean, Ball Park, Bimbo, Kiwi, Ambi Pur, Sanex, and of course, the Senseo system. Sara Lee sells products in nearly 200 countries. The Douwe Egberts brands include Pickwick tea, Douwe Egberts coffee, Piazza d'Oro espresso, Cafitesse, Pilao coffee and of course, the Senseo system. Royal Philips Electronics A Beautiful Partnership





Patent-ly Perfect

This allows flexibility in making the coffee or tea of your choice utilizing the Senseo Brewing System. In addition, several pod makers on the market allow consumers to make their own coffee pods. As of 2004, the year that the Senseo was introduced in the US, other companies have the legal right to make and sell coffee pods that fit the Senseo system. The patent was successfully challenged in the Belgian court. In 1998, Sara Lee/DE filed a patent in Belgium to protect their use of the coffee pad system.