what to look for when buying a coffee maker

That said, not all cups of coffee are created equal; choosing the right coffee maker can make all the difference between an outstanding cup and one that's just alright. Coffee provides the caffeine that some people need to wake up in the morning or to get that extra boost as the day goes on, and research has shown that the antioxidants in coffee may have a variety of health benefits as well. Coffee has become a mainstay of their morning routine. For many people, the day doesn't officially start until that first pot is brewing. While any coffee maker may be capable of making a good cup of coffee, there are some features that you can look for to help your coffee brew right, stay fresh, and taste delicious. So how do you know that you're getting the coffee maker that will best meet your needs and serve up the coffee of your dreams? Essential Features Digital Timer - Though it's reached the point that it's almost difficult to find a coffee maker without some sort of digital timer, you should make sure that the coffee maker the night before you can actually save time in the mornings by having your coffee start brewing just before you wake up. Construction - Stop and take a look at the model of coffee maker that you're considering buying. See how well it's constructed, how easy it is to use, and whether the coffee pot is reinforced or is simply glass. Reinforced coffee pots act like a thermos, keeping your coffee hot and fresh for much longer. Pause and Serve - This is one of the most useful features that your coffee maker can have if you need a pot of coffee. Instead of having to wait for the pot to finish brewing or trying to swap out your cup and the pot (and spilling coffee everywhere), the act of removing the pot closes a valve on the maker and lets you pour yourself a cup before resuming your brew. Optional but Useful Features Water Filter - An optional feature that's becoming more common in coffee makers, having an in-line water filter can really improve the taste of your coffee by making sure that there aren't any impurities in the water you brew with. Keep in mind that this adds a little bit of extra maintenance to your coffee maker as well… you'll need to change the filters regularly. Variable Temperature - Even the cheapest coffee maker heats water up enough to brew with, but if you have a variable temperature gauge you can actually tweak your brewing temperature to suit your tastes. This feature isn't essential, however, so if there's a significant price difference between two coffee makers with this as the only difference, don't feel bad if you choose the one without. Locking Lids - A useful feature that generally comes with coffee makers that use reinforced pots; a locking lid enables you to screw a lid directly onto the pot which makes it easy to take coffee to a neighbors or other destination. Locking lids are often designed so that you can't have both a basket in and a lid on; this way you won't accidentally start brewing when the pot is closed. Other Considerations Drip Type - Most coffee makers that you'll buy will be of the automatic drip variety… this way you don't have to do anything except fill the basket, pour in water, and start the brewing cycle. Be aware that other types of coffee makers do exist, though, including manual drip, percolators, and press pots. Capacity - Sometimes you might only want a little coffee, and sometimes you might want a lot. Stop to think about exactly how much coffee you're likely to need, and make sure that the coffee maker that you choose can handle that amount. If you drink a lot of coffee, you don't want a small coffee maker. Look for coffee makers that feature a variable capacity, so that you can make as much or as little as you need.
Filter Type - When it comes to filters, there are 3 options that you should consider. You can find coffee makers that use the standard paper filters, metal permanent filters, and even "pods" which are pre-packaged coffee discs complete with their own filter. Metal filters generally produce a better taste and are compatible with makers that use paper filters, while pods require that the maker is specifically designed for them.

However, you can usually save some money by buying a separate grinder, so it's a good idea to explore that option as well. Grinder - Fresh-ground coffee tastes better, and some coffee makers have a coffee grinder built in.

That said, not all cups of coffee are created equal; choosing the right coffee maker can make all the difference between an outstanding cup and one that's just alright. Coffee provides the caffeine that some people need to wake up in the morning or to get that extra boost as the day goes on, and research has shown that the antioxidants in coffee may have a variety of health benefits as well. Coffee has become a mainstay of their morning routine. For many people, the day doesn't officially start until that first pot is brewing.While any coffee maker may be capable of making a good cup of coffee, there are some features that you can look for to help your coffee brew right, stay fresh, and taste delicious. So how do you know that you're getting the coffee maker that will best meet your needs and serve up the coffee of your dreams?Essential FeaturesDigital Timer - Though it's reached the point that it's almost difficult to find a coffee maker without some sort of digital timer, you should make sure that the coffee maker the night before you can actually save time in the mornings by having your coffee start brewing just before you wake up. Optional but Useful Features Other Considerations


However, you can usually save some money by buying a separate grinder, so it's a good idea to explore that option as well. Grinder - Fresh-ground coffee tastes better, and some coffee makers have a coffee grinder built in.

gourmet coffee the anti cancer drink maybe

When the Ink Spots sang "I love the java jive and it loves me" in 1940, they could not have known how right they were.
Coffee not only helps clear the mind and perk up the energy, it also provides more healthful antioxidants than any other food or beverage in the American diet, according to a study released Sunday.

Of course, too much coffee can make people jittery and even raise cholesterol levels, so food experts stress moderation.

"The point is, people are getting the most antioxidants from beverages, as opposed to what you might think," Vinson said in a telephone interview.

Antioxidants, which are thought to help battle cancer and provide other health benefits, are abundant in grains, tomatoes and many other fruits and vegetables.

Vinson said he was researching tea and cocoa and other foods and decided to study coffee, too.

His team analyzed the antioxidant content of more than 100 different food items, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, spices, oils and common beverages. They then used Agriculture Department data on typical food consumption patterns to calculate how much antioxidant each food contributes to a person's diet.

They concluded that the average adult consumes 1,299 milligrams of antioxidants daily from coffee. The closest competitor was tea at 294 milligrams. Rounding out the top five sources were bananas, 76 milligrams; dry beans, 72 milligrams; and corn, 48 milligrams. According to the Agriculture Department, the typical adult American drinks 1.64 cups of coffee daily.

That does not mean coffee is a substitute for fruit and vegetables.

"Unfortunately, consumers are still not eating enough fruits and vegetables, which are better for you from an overall nutritional point of view due to their higher content of vitamins, minerals and fiber," Vinson said.

Dates, cranberries, red grapes Dates, cranberries and red grapes are among the leading fruit sources of antioxidants, he said.

The antioxidants in coffee are known as polyphenols. Sometimes they are bound to a sugar molecule, which covers up the antioxidant group, Vinson said.

The first step in measuring them was to break that sugar link. He noted that chemicals in the stomach do the same thing, freeing the polyphenols.

"We think that antioxidants can be good for you in a number of ways," including affecting enzymes and genes, though more research is needed, Vinson said.

"If I say more coffee is better, then I would have to tell you to spread it out to keep the levels of antioxidants up," Vinson said. "We always talk about moderation in anything."

His findings were released in conjunction with the annual convention of the American Chemical Society in Washington.

In February, a team of Japanese researchers reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute that people who drank coffee daily, or nearly every day, had half the liver cancer risk of those who never drank it. The protective effect occurred in people who drank one to two cups a day and increased at three to four cups.

Diabetes risk Last year, researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health found that drinking coffee cut the risk of developing the most common form of diabetes.

Men who drank more than six 8-ounce cups of caffeinated coffee per day lowered their risk of type 2 diabetes by about half, and women reduced their risk by nearly 30 percent, compared with people who did not drink coffee, according to the study in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Bonnie Liebman, nutrition director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, said she was not surprised by Vinson's finding, because tea has been known to contain antioxidants.

But Liebman, who was not part of Vinson's research team, cautioned that while many people have faith that antioxidants will reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and more, the evidence has not always panned out. Most experts are looking beyond antioxidants to the combination of vitamins, minerals other nutrition in specific foods, she said.

I am sure you've heard all about this before. I wouldn't be surprised if coffee companies start producing TV commercials promoting the health benefits of coffee because of antioxidants -- they probably have! In any case, how true is this? Is coffee really good for our health because of the amount of antioxidants it contains? There have been different studies about this matter but here is one done by Joe A. Vinson, a chemistry professor at the University of Scranton, Pennsylvania. According to his study: "The average adult consumes 1,299 milligrams of antioxidants daily from coffee. The closest competitor was tea at 294 milligrams. Rounding out the top five sources were bananas, 76 milligrams; dry beans, 72 milligrams; and corn, 48 milligrams. According to the Agriculture Department, the typical adult American drinks 1.64 cups of coffee daily." What's this again -- in English, please? Coffee does contain a high amount of antioxidants. The question that remains is whether the antioxidants are enough to offset some of the possible negative effects of coffee. Don't get me wrong -- I can't survive without coffee. But I also know that too much coffee (I don't want to admit that there is something such as too much coffee, really) can induce hyperacidity, among other things. Some people feel jittery. Others (naturally) have a hard time falling asleep. The effects are different with different people. I am no scientist but at this point, if they say coffee has antioxidants and that it can be good for you, I take it as a good thing. Whether or not it has antioxidants, I still love this drink, don't you?

Boake Moore founded Mission Grounds Coffee to help impoveished children around the world. Its a non profit which has used 100% of its profits to build schools and orphanages in China; Russia; Venezuela and Africa.

how gourmet coffee can be beneficial for your health

Between the negative attentions that it has garnered due to its caffeine content and a few misreported findings that hinted at health problems caused by drinking coffee, many people believe that coffee is not good for you. Coffee has gotten a bad reputation over the years. With the surge in popularity of gourmet coffees, it has been discovered that some of these gourmet roasts can actually have an even greater health benefit than standard coffee roasts. Actually, not only is this generally untrue but drinking coffee has several health-related benefits. The perception is that coffee is great for a pick-me-up but it can cause health problems down the road. These antioxidants have a variety of health benefits ranging from an improved immune system to healthier skin, teeth, and hair. Because gourmet coffees are usually more carefully roasted than standard coffees which will be powdered or freeze-dried, more of the oils that are rich in antioxidants will be preserved throughout the roasting process and make it in to your cup of coffee. Coffee beans tend to be quite high in antioxidants, and many gourmet coffees have even higher antioxidant content. Contrary to what was believed for many years, drinking coffee can actually be quite good for you, provided that it is done in moderation. Though there are a number of artificial and non-dairy creamers available, many people still prefer to use milk, cream, or half-and-half for their coffee. Gourmet coffee shops tend to use real dairy products in lattes, cappuccinos, and other coffee drinks. By using real milk or dairy products instead of a non-dairy substitute you can gain the additional health benefits of milk and dairy when you have your coffee. This includes added calcium and fatty acids, with the calcium being good for your bones and joints and fatty acids helping to keep your brain healthy and your memory strong. Various studies have found a number of health conditions that coffee can help to prevent. Some of the most prominent of these include serious health concerns such as Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and even some types of skin cancer. In addition to the preventative effect that antioxidant-rich coffee can have when it comes to these conditions, some studies have even shown that drinking coffee every day can help to slow the progression of some of these diseases if they are already present and may even help to make other treatment options function better. This is not to say that coffee alone will cure these serious conditions, but there is a lot of evidence which shows that it can at least have somewhat of a positive benefit when it comes to both prevention and treatment. Another condition that gourmet coffee can help to prevent has been getting a lot of attention due to a study released in 2007. A link has been found which seems to suggest that drinking coffee daily can greatly reduce the damage which is done to the liver by alcohol and that it can either slow or prevent cirrhosis of the liver both due to alcohol consumption and other causes. At first it was considered to simply be the caffeine contained in the coffee that caused this effect, but a similar prevention was not noted among tea drinkers or others who had similar caffeine intakes; though the specific ingredient in coffee which causes this benefit has not been identified, it is clear that it is a coffee-specific compound and is most likely one or a combination of the antioxidants contained in coffee oil. Since gourmet coffee tends to contain a higher amount of these antioxidants it is likely that it will provide exceptional protection against liver damage. Despite all of the warnings that have been given over the years about how the caffeine in coffee can cause excess stress on the heart and higher blood pressure, newer research has shown just the opposite; it is believed that the caffeine in coffee combined with a number of antioxidants can actually help to prevent some types of heart disease. These implications of are of special importance to the elderly, as the study showed that individuals over 65 who regularly drank coffee were at a significantly reduced risk of heart disease than others who drank decaf coffee or no coffee at all. However, provided that you do not overdo it, coffee can be a great part of your daily routine and can give you a health boost that you were not expecting. Even with all of its health benefits, gourmet coffee can still cause problems if it is enjoyed in too large of quantities or too frequently. Similar to many other things, coffee should be consumed in moderation.

Between the negative attentions that it has garnered due to its caffeine content and a few misreported findings that hinted at health problems caused by drinking coffee, many people believe that coffee is not good for you. Coffee has gotten a bad reputation over the years.With the surge in popularity of gourmet coffees, it has been discovered that some of these gourmet roasts can actually have an even greater health benefit than standard coffee roasts. Actually, not only is this generally untrue but drinking coffee has several health-related benefits. The perception is that coffee is great for a pick-me-up but it can cause health problems down the road.These antioxidants have a variety of health benefits ranging from an improved immune system to healthier skin, teeth, and hair. Because gourmet coffees are usually more carefully roasted than standard coffees which will be powdered or freeze-dried, more of the oils that are rich in antioxidants will be preserved throughout the roasting process and make it in to your cup of coffee. Coffee beans tend to be quite high in antioxidants, and many gourmet coffees have even higher antioxidant content. Contrary to what was believed for many years, drinking coffee can actually be quite good for you, provided that it is done in moderation.However, provided that you do not overdo it, coffee can be a great part of your daily routine and can give you a health boost that you were not expecting. Even with all of its health benefits, gourmet coffee can still cause problems if it is enjoyed in too large of quantities or too frequently. Similar to many other things, coffee should be consumed in moderation.

coffee for a better life

Everything else is decadence. To understand coffee, one must understand the core value of tea: that the brewed leaf itself is the only healthful component. The fact stands that tea can only be as beneficial as its preparation, which in some cases may have as much sugar as a can of soda. Tea, its main rival, seems to offer a bounty of better health benefits; a drink for the New Agers and those who want to escape the decadence of the brown, caffeinated drink. Coffee, a drink cherished by many; a drink avoided by others. The bean is the important part. But all of this remains unchanged from tea. Along with cream, sugar waters down the benefits of coffee, where it turns the brew into drinkable candy. And then the all-consuming vice: sugar. Espresso machines, for example, produce a highly concentrated form of ordinary coffee. But the culture of coffee, like the tao of tea, contains a lot of excess trimmings. To that, the coffee bean itself contains a number of benefits to health. A daily cup poses no threat to the average person. Symptoms like these may sound off-putting, but they exist only in the long run for an abusive drinker. And depending on the brew, coffee contains acids that have been linked to stomach ulcers. Coffee is rich in the B vitamin niacin, it in turn restricts the body from other vitamins. But such an alternative could downplay the positive affects of the drink. To those sensitive to caffeine, the obvious alternative can be found in decaffeinated coffee. Serving size also comes into play. Different kinds of coffee (all prepared differently) will yield varied levels of caffeine content. Caffeine can wreak havoc on the nervous system, but that does not make it synonymous with coffee. The pressurized water in an espresso will not keep out most of the volatile acids, The pressurized water in an espresso will not keep out most of the volatile fatty acids in the brew (though some claim it helps the coffee to taste better). The use of a French press, with its lack of a filter, will keep the acids in the brew (though some claim it helps the coffee to taste better). The use of a French press, with its lack of a filter, will keep the acids in the bean. The use of a French press, with its lack of a filter, will keep the acids in the bean. The use of a French press, with its lack of a filter, will keep the acids in the bean. The use of a French press, with its lack of a filter, will keep the acids in the bean. The use of a French press, with its lack of a filter, will keep the acids in the bean. The standard method used by drip machines yield a good amount of caffeine and the filter traps out most of the volatile fatty acids in the bean. And a cup can be prepared several ways.

Everything else is decadence. To understand coffee, one must understand the core value of tea: that the brewed leaf itself is the only healthful component. The fact stands that tea can only be as beneficial as its preparation, which in some cases may have as much sugar as a can of soda. Tea, its main rival, seems to offer a bounty of better health benefits; a drink for the New Agers and those who want to escape the decadence of the brown, caffeinated drink. Coffee, a drink cherished by many; a drink avoided by others.The bean is the important part. But all of this remains unchanged from tea. Along with cream, sugar waters down the benefits of coffee, where it turns the brew into drinkable candy. And then the all-consuming vice: sugar. Espresso machines, for example, produce a highly concentrated form of ordinary coffee. But the culture of coffee, like the tao of tea, contains a lot of excess trimmings. To that, the coffee bean itself contains a number of benefits to health.A daily cup poses no threat to the average person. Symptoms like these may sound off-putting, but they exist only in the long run for an abusive drinker. And depending on the brew, coffee contains acids that have been linked to stomach ulcers. Coffee is rich in the B vitamin niacin, it in turn restricts the body from other vitamins. But such an alternative could downplay the positive affects of the drink. To those sensitive to caffeine, the obvious alternative can be found in decaffeinated coffee. Serving size also comes into play. Different kinds of coffee (all prepared differently) will yield varied levels of caffeine content. Caffeine can wreak havoc on the nervous system, but that does not make it synonymous with coffee.This along with less cream and less sugar, can make for a risk-free casual cup of coffee. Compared to their quality cousins, instant coffee should satisfy the balanced drinker. All told, for those who refuse to switch to decaffeinated, instant coffee granules contain less caffeine and fatty acids. The pressurized water in an espresso will not keep out most of the volatile acids, and it will also increase the caffeine content. The pressurized water in an espresso will not keep out most of the volatile fatty acids in the brew (though some claim it helps the coffee to taste better). The standard method used by drip machines yield a good amount of caffeine and the filter traps out most of the volatile fatty acids in the brew (though some claim it helps the coffee to taste better). And a cup can be prepared several ways.

how gourmet coffee can benefit health

One week the gourmet coffee you love to drink is good for you, and the very next week it is bad for you. While other reports say that drinking coffee carries health risks. While other reports say that drinking coffee offers many health benefits. Some reports say that drinking coffee offers many health benefits. The reports we hear and see about the benefits and risks of drinking coffee can be confusing. Taking a more cautious stance on the suggested amounts of caffeine that can safely consumed however, many health experts do recommend a limiting of no more than 3 cups of caffeinated coffee per day for coffee drinkers, and reducing caffeine intake from other beverages like teas and sodas. Taking a more cautious stance on the suggested amounts of caffeine that can be consumed daily without risking health, remains to be reached. How much is too much is hotly debated in health circles, and a clear consensus on the allowable amount of caffeine that can be consumed daily without risking health, remains to be reached. But caffeine has also been shown to cause health risks when consumed in large amounts. Caffeine gives you a quick energy boost and may even help you focus more on what you are doing and can help you remember details a little better. It is the caffeine that makes coffee such a stimulating drink. A lot of the confusion begins with the caffeine content found in coffee. Because of these conditions, the beans retain higher amounts of their healthy properties while less-desirable properties such as caffeine are reduced. The Arabica coffee plant is typically grown in elevations ranging from 1000 to more than 5,500 feet above sea level, and in regions with rich soils and climates that foster the healthy growth and development of this plant. It has far less caffeine content than the coffee that is made from the seeds of other varieties of the coffee plant. Gourmet coffee is derived from the seed or bean of the Arabica coffee plant. Lost in the shadows of all the debating over caffeine in coffee are the health benefits that gourmet coffee, for example, offers. The gourmet coffee bean used in the brewing of gourmet coffee for drinking, is full of antioxidants that offer us protection against the radicals that are present in our bodies and that can make us sick and even make us more susceptible to major conditions like heart disease and cancers. The conditions under which the gourmet coffee bean is grown permits less use of pesticides which are harmful to humans, animals, plants, and the environment. When pesticides are used to control insect infestations and plant diseases, they can infiltrate the plant and remain there even after processing, although usually in lesser amounts. But consuming pesticides in any amounts from the foods we eat and the beverages we drink is not good for our health. They can cause serious and even deadly risks to our health when consumed regularly because the level of pesticides grows higher than what our bodies has natural defenses to fight. Other harmful substances are often added to foods and drinks made available for consumers to extend shelf life and enhance appearance, and these can harm our health as well. The antioxidant properties in gourmet coffee can help the body to fight off the harmful affects of the pesticide residuals and added substances we ingest from the foods and beverages we consume. Antioxidants help the body to neutralize these radicals before they can develop into serious and deadly diseases. Other properties in gourmet coffee beans have been shown to reduce the risks for developing heart disease for many coffee drinkers who are at higher risk for heart disease. Caffeine can of course give you a quick burst of energy and this is why many people drink coffee. But the other properties in the gourmet coffee bean and present in the brewed coffee we drink interact with chemicals in the brain to elevate mood, and improve powers of concentration and comprehension. These attributes are viewed as health benefits that can result from the consuming of gourmet coffee. Drinking coffee has long been a social activity and sharing a cup of coffee with a friend or in a group setting benefits us by meeting the basic human need we all have of connecting socially with other human beings. In unfamiliar surroundings and settings, drinking coffee offers the comfort of something familiar to the coffee drinker, which can reduce the stress of being in a new place or with new people. You should be aware of how much caffeine you are consuming daily in other beverages and substitute decaffeinated versions of your favorite gourmet coffee and beverages to keep caffeine consumption levels under control. Two or three cups of gourmet coffee a day should not present a risk to your health. The health benefits gained by drinking gourmet coffee far outweigh the risks associated with caffeine consumption when you take care not to consume more caffeine than is recommended.

One week the gourmet coffee you love to drink is good for you, and the very next week it is bad for you. Some reports say that drinking coffee carries health risks. The reports we hear and see about the benefits and risks of drinking coffee can be confusing.How much is too much is hotly debated in health circles, and a clear consensus on the allowable amount of caffeine that can safely consumed however, many health experts do recommend a limiting of no more than 3 cups of caffeinated coffee per day for coffee drinkers, and reducing caffeine intake from other beverages like teas and sodas. But caffeine has also been shown to cause health risks when consumed in large amounts. Caffeine gives you a quick energy boost and may even help you focus more on what you are doing and can help you remember details a little better. It is the caffeine that makes coffee such a stimulating drink. A lot of the confusion begins with the caffeine content found in coffee.Because of these conditions, the beans retain higher amounts of their healthy properties while less-desirable properties such as caffeine are reduced. The Arabica coffee plant is typically grown in elevations ranging from 1000 to more than 5,500 feet above sea level, and in regions with rich soils and climates that foster the healthy growth and development of this plant. It has far less caffeine content than the coffee that is made from the seeds of other varieties of the coffee plant. Gourmet coffee is derived from the seed or bean of the Arabica coffee plant. Lost in the shadows of all the debating over caffeine in coffee are the health benefits that gourmet coffee, for example, offers.You should be aware of how much caffeine you are consuming daily in other beverages and substitute decaffeinated versions of your favorite gourmet coffee and beverages to keep caffeine consumption levels under control. Two or three cups of gourmet coffee a day should not present a risk to your health. The health benefits gained by drinking gourmet coffee far outweigh the risks associated with caffeine consumption when you take care not to consume more caffeine than is recommended.