Brewing the Perfect Cup of Coffee

It was Sanka for God's sake! What was wrong with a ten year old drinking coffee? I remember sitting in a restaurant with my mother and stepfather asking a waitress for Sanka, and explaining to my mother that I'd had it before and avoiding her disapproving stare. All I remember is that it was powdered and freeze dried and worst of all, decaf. I'm sorry to say that I do. Do you remember your first experience with coffee?

If I asked a girl out for a cup of coffee, it usually meant a Styrofoam cup at a Dunkin' Donuts or a Winchell's somewhere. Coffee; suffice it to say that there was no passion in my coffee. Mixing Tasters Choice in tepid tap water, graduating to Maxwell House and a Mr. My remaining experiences between ten and thirty five were noncommittal and mediocre to say the least.

Back then I was into science fiction and I remember vividly reading 'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott Card while sipping some of the most wonderful coffee from a paper cup. There, I was able to sit in one of their comfortable armchairs, sit back, cross my legs and enjoy a cup of joe while reading a good book. Complete comfort. The most important thing to me was the feeling I got when I walked in there. It was a combination bookstore and coffee shop called the Upstart Crow in San Diego, California. Now that I remember well. Then I stepped into my first Specialty Coffee Shop.

sigh... then I left San Diego for Atlanta and it was back to Maxwell House and Sanka. I spent many a day off sitting in that shop in Seaport Village... Rich and smooth, I fell into it's flavor; jumped actually. Oh that coffee!

I was sent to their training center for intensive classes teaching not only how to promote the product, but how to differentiate the taste between two coffees and most importantly, how to brew the perfect cup of coffee! I was hired and that's where my obsession with coffee renewed itself. Then, simply because I was unemployed and late with the rent I walked into a local Starbucks and asked for an application.

The Fundamentals of Coffee

All coffee, no matter whether you get it from your local coffee shop or the supermarket has four basic fundamentals:

Proportion

Grind

Water

Freshness

Let's look at each of these one by one...

Proportion

The ratio between coffee and water is an important one. Anyone who's ever had coffee that's too weak or too strong knows what I'm talking about. When it comes to brewing the perfect cup of coffee, the proportion should be two tablespoons of ground coffee to every six ounces of water. No more no less. A lot of people try to stretch their coffee for two weeks or more without realizing what a sacrifice to the taste this is. Use too little coffee and it tastes weak. Use too much and it becomes bitter and you risk a terrible nights sleep.

The best way to measure two tablespoons is with a measuring scoop. There are scoops that are specifically measured for two tablespoons but if you don't have one made especially for coffee measuring then you can use a standard 18 cup measuring cup. If you don't have that you can use regular run of the mill tablespoons, but that method isn't as precise. If you want to purchase a coffee scoop, you can get one at a specialty coffee shop or online. Starbucks is a good place to get one.

Grind

The type of grind you use for your coffee depends upon what kind of coffee maker you brew your coffee in. If you use an espresso machine you use a fine grind. For automatic drip coffee makers (such as Mr. Coffee), you use a medium grind and you use a coarse grind for coffee presses (my preferred way of brewing). There are other grinds as well, just as there are other ways to brew coffee such as percolators and Turkish coffees.

If were going to talk about the way a coffee is ground, then we also have to talk about grinders. Basically there are two types of grinders: blade and burr Blade grinders have two blades that rotate at a high speed to grind your beans. The pros of this method is that blade grinders are affordable. The cons are that they generally break down quicker.

Burr grinders grind the beans between two textured plates and the grind is much more consistent than a blade grinder. Also, it's easier to adjust the grind with a burr grinder. To get an espresso grind with a blade grinder, you have to hold the grind button for x amount of seconds. A burr grinder allows you to turn a dial and voila! Your grind is done. Obviously, I prefer a burr grinder.

Water

It's pretty much a good idea to use fresh, clean water to brew your coffee. If at all possible, try not to use tap water; you should always use filtered or bottled water. Before you begin screaming at me that you don't have that kind of money, don't worry. Yes, using nothing but bottled water is not exactly cost effective but there are inexpensive water filters available to purchase. Water filtration pitchers are also a good way to get fresh water for brewing.

Your water should be heated to just below boiling, around 190 degrees. You don't want your water to be too hot. It could overheat the grounds and spoil the taste of your coffee.

Freshness

This is pretty obvious. Once a bag is opened, the freshness lasts about a week. After grinding, it lasts about two days. The best way to keep your beans and ground coffee fresher longer is to keep it in an airtight container like the one shown here. And never, ever freeze your coffee no matter what you've heard or read. Coffee that is frozen is a high risk for freezer burn and take it from one who has experienced the horror: freezer burnt coffee is not a great taste!

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and Happy Brewing! Well those are the basics.

The Types of Coffee Machines

Each has its own special features and most are available in a wide variety of colors, finishes, size and price. When you are craving a delicious, smooth, rich cup of "Joe", you may want to research and take note of all of the different types of coffee machines on the market today.

Whether you need a coffee maker that produces one cup, or 20 cups and more, there are many machines to pick from. There's actually even machines that are combination; they posses both grinder and coffee making capabilities! These machines will either be hot or cold brew coffee makers. There are many types of coffee machines, including: automatic, French press, stove top, espresso, vacuum and the pod.

They can be found to be made of a durable plastic or stainless steel and they usually contain a shatterproof glass carafe. These makers are offered in many colors, including: black, red, white and just about every other color you could want. Many companies manufacture machines used for making coffee, including: Bodum, Bosch, Bunn, Capresso, KitchenAid, Mr.Coffee, Jura, Saeco, Rancilio and Santos.

Coffee machines can also vary in price, depending on your preference and functionality it will need to perform. The features offered include: electric timers, filters, frothing systems, thermal glass carafe, water reservoir, lighted on/off switch, digital/programmable, warming plate (some are metal and some are porcelain) and thermostat.

There are so many different coffee machines out there, you should have no trouble finding one that will be perfect for your home or office! Once you decide your price range, make a list of the features you are looking for. One thing is for sure, when you are craving a great cup of coffee, espresso or cappuccino, you will want to put some thought into the type of machine you will need.

Mr. Coffee Versus Bunn-o-Matic - The Coffee Maker Battle Heats Up

However, if that first cup is too strong or too weak, too hot or not hot enough, you quickly find yourself spiraling into a first-class coffee crisis. If it's brewed up right, you'll feel that extra zing in your step from morning till night. That first cup sets the mood for your entire day, doesn't it? hours by a perfectly brewed pot of coffee. For coffee lovers, there are few things more appealing than being met in the early a.m.

In other words, who is the All-Time Champion of Coffee Makers? But, who makes the best coffee maker today? Sounds simple enough, right? It's simple, buy the best coffee maker on the market made especially for your coffee-drinking needs! So, how do you avoid a coffee catastrophe?

Coffee and Bunn-o-Matic - will meet in the kitchen to crown the undisputed coffee making champion of the world. Ladies and gentlemen, we'd like to welcome you to our title bout of the day where two mighty coffee making titans - Mr.

Introducing The Coffee Maker Contenders

Introducing The Coffee Maker Contenders

Coffee is in great shape with an amazing array of features and settings, including single serve, speed brew, switch, programmable, and thermal models. In fact, Mr. With makers serving up between one and twelve cups, he'll be hard to beat. Coffee currently has over a dozen models on the market retailing from between $24.99 to $89.99. Affordable with many models to choose from, Mr. Coffee - long-recognized as the undisputed champion of home coffee makers. In the green corner, we have Mr.

In the red corner, we have the Bunn-o-Matic - king of the commercial coffee making market. Found in restaurants and chosen by baristas around the world, Bunn-o-Matic is known for his professional-grade machines. With a limited variety (e.g., currently seven models, with one single serve and 6-10 cup models), judges will need to pay close attention to the details to see what kind of punch the Bunn-o-Matic packs. One thing is for sure: with a starting price of $89.95, Bunn-o-Matic definitely tips the scales as a higher-priced option for home consumers.

For those of you who are new to the clash of the coffee makers, here's what the judges will be looking for during the brew-off:

Cup size

Cup size

How many cups can your coffee maker cook up (say that five times fast)? Most brands today have single-serve and multiple cup models, with 10-12 cups being the upper limit for most home coffee makers.

Timer

Timer

If having your coffee pre-made for you when you wake up is important, then a timer is going to be key! Timers allow you to set the time when your coffee maker will start doing its thing and brewing you up your beloved coffee.

Space

Space

If you have unlimited counter space, then this criterion might not matter much to you. But, for those of you for whom counter space is at a premium, deciding upon a model that fits your space as well as your décor might be an important consideration.

But, to truly separate the two competitors, our judges will also be looking closely at the following four areas:

Ease of Use

Ease of Use

This is self-explanatory - at 6 a.m., you want a machine that is easy to use

Durability

Durability

As you know, coffee makers aren't the most pampered of home appliances. They can get pretty banged up with daily use. Choosing a hardy model is essential.

Ease of Cleaning

Ease of Cleaning

Starting with a well-maintained and cleaned pot is one of the best ways to assure yourself of a great cup of coffee day after day.

Style

Style

Yes, in the end, many of us like our coffee makers to look cool. Sure, while it's true that they are simply functional machines, we want these machines to represent our love for coffee.

The fight is on between the top coffee makers in the world. So, who wins the home coffee maker battle? Bunn-o-Matic definitely has significantly higher priced models and less of a home-based selection, but is known for superior performance and durability. Mr. Coffee has a wider range of home models to choose from and most of their machines are significantly less expensive than even the lowest priced Bunn-o-Matic.

Good luck! Remember, a great cup of coffee are winners. In the end, it's a personal choice for you to decide.

braun coffee the history of braun and their dripolator coffee maker

Designed for commercial use, it changed the way people looked at making a cup of coffee. In 1963, the Braun company had come out with one of the world's first commercially available dripolator machines, the Braun Coffee Maker. Later versions of percolator machines were electric, and could be plugged directly into a socket. From home to commercial use, perking coffee was the only way to get a cup of joe. Before the Braun Coffee Maker, people used a stove top percolator machine to brew their coffee. From there, one simply had to plug in the machine and turn it on. Instead of having to perk coffee, people were able to fill up a separate water reservoir, put coffee grounds into a filter and put the filter into a basket. The difference between percolators and dripolators is what changed the world of coffee as Americans knew it. The water would then heat up in the water reservoir and drip onto the freshly ground coffee. As it made the journey through the grounds, the water would turn into coffee, much like one would brew a cup of tea. By the time the hot water made its way through the coffee grounds and dripped into the empty pot below, it was a perfect cup of coffee. The filter kept the grounds from mixing in with the actual coffee, and a new way to complete a daily task was born. While the Braun Coffee Maker was the first one on the market for commercial use, it wasn't the first one to hit the kitchen counter of the average American citizen. Pitched by former baseball player Joe DiMaggio, the machine became wildly popular in the 1970s and 1980s. Coffee was on store shelves. In 1972, Mr. Coffee did for home use. What the Braun Coffee Maker did for commercial use, Mr.

Designed for commercial use, it changed the way people looked at making a cup of coffee. In 1963, the Braun company had come out with one of the world's first commercially available dripolator machines, the Braun Coffee Maker.Later versions of percolator machines were electric, and could be plugged directly into a socket. From home to commercial use, perking coffee was the only way to get a cup of joe. Before the Braun Coffee Maker, people used a stove top percolator machine to brew their coffee.From there, one simply had to plug in the machine and turn it on. Instead of having to perk coffee, people were able to fill up a separate water reservoir, put coffee grounds into a filter and put the filter into a basket. The difference between percolators and dripolators is what changed the world of coffee as Americans knew it.Pitched by former baseball player Joe DiMaggio, the machine became wildly popular in the 1970s and 1980s. Coffee was on store shelves. In 1972, Mr. Coffee did for home use. What the Braun Coffee Maker did for commercial use, Mr.

mr coffee the history and background of the mr coffee company

Joe DiMaggio, former baseball star, was the first spokesperson for the brand. Coffee was the first drip coffee maker specifically made for home use. Introduced to the market in 1972, Mr. Coffee machine in it. In the 1970s and 1980s, you'd have been hard pressed to find a household that didn't have a Mr. Coffee machine is an electric machine. The Mr. Later models of percolator machines were electric and could be plugged in. Before the automatic drip coffee maker, people would perk their coffee on the stovetop with a percolator. Hot water dripped from the filter down into a pot, where it was ready to be served. To get a great tasting cup of coffee, one only had to fill the water reservoir, put coffee in a coffee filter, put the filter in the basket and turn the machine on. Wildly popular all over the United States, Mr. Coffee has become a bit of a cultural icon. Besides having Joe DiMaggio pitching the brand, years later the machine would be referenced in dozens of movies, songs, short stories and poems. One of the most famous references to Mr. Coffee was in the Back to the Future trilogy. In the movies, instead of Mr. Coffee, it was called Mr. Fusion. Ironically, the machine in the movie wasn't an actual Mr. Coffee machine, but a modified Krups coffee maker. The machine was also in the Tom Hank's movie, Apollo 13. Coffee was mentioned in the Bloodhound Gang's hit song, The Bad Touch. In terms of popular music, Mr. DVD. Coffee is prominently featured, and the DVD version even has another parody reference, called Mr. In the movie Spaceballs, Mr.

Joe DiMaggio, former baseball star, was the first spokesperson for the brand. Coffee was the first drip coffee maker specifically made for home use. Introduced to the market in 1972, Mr. Coffee machine in it. In the 1970s and 1980s, you'd have been hard pressed to find a household that didn't have a Mr.Coffee machine is an electric machine. The Mr. Later models of percolator machines were electric and could be plugged in. Before the automatic drip coffee maker, people would perk their coffee on the stovetop with a percolator.At the end of its journey, the coffee dripped from the filter down into a pot, where it was ready to be served. Hot water dripped from the reservoir onto the coffee grounds in the basket, brewing coffee as it trickled through the grounds. To get a great tasting cup of coffee, one only had to fill the water reservoir, put coffee in a coffee filter, put the filter in the basket and turn the machine on.The machine was also in the Tom Hank's movie, Apollo 13. Coffee was mentioned in the Bloodhound Gang's hit song, The Bad Touch. In terms of popular music, Mr. DVD. Coffee is prominently featured, and the DVD version even has another parody reference, called Mr. In the movie Spaceballs, Mr.

coffee makers the wonderful coffee brewing machines

This process of making coffee is called automatic dip brew. The water is heated up to its boiling point, and then directed into the funnel. Cold water is poured into a separate chamber of the device. The funnel in turn is set over a ceramic or glass coffee pot. In most common appliances, coffee grounds are placed in a metal or paper filter which is located inside the funnel of the appliance. A coffee maker is a kitchen appliance, which is used to brew coffee. This process infuses an acceptable amount of flavor into the brewing solution. In these devices, gravity pressure is used to bring the water in contact with the coffee grounds for a sufficient amount of time. Percolators were first introduced in the mid-nineteenth century. Vacuum coffee brewer, drip coffee maker and percolators are some of the highly successful variants of coffee brewers that are widely available in the markets these days. Vacuum coffee brewer, drip coffee maker and percolators are some of the highly successful variants of coffee makers are sold into the markets under different brand names. Several variants of coffee makers are sold into the markets under different brand names. The electric coffee makers met the standards of temperature and coffee brewing time for the first time in history. The electric coffee makers during second half of the twentieth century. Invention of safe & secured electric fuses and heating elements popularised the use of electric coffee makers during second half of the twentieth century. The electrification of homes during the twentieth century helped in simplifying the working of percolators to a great extent and made them ubiquitous in American homes. Vacuum coffee makers were first introduced around 1915. Pyrex globes were used in the appliances for the first time instead of the glass ones. It solved the problem of fragility of these devices to a great extent and also helped in making them a commercially viable option. The devices' sleek forms and simple functionality got popular appeal among the masses. "Mr. Coffee," the first automatic drip brew coffee maker was introduced to the public in 1972. The device combined aspects of both the drip brew process and the percolating process. Since then, the shape and size of these appliances have changed to a large extent. A range of light weight and compact coffee makers are available in markets the world over these days.

This process of making coffee is called automatic dip brew. The water is heated up to its boiling point, and then directed into the funnel. Cold water is poured into a separate chamber of the device. The funnel in turn is set over a ceramic or glass coffee pot. In most common appliances, coffee grounds are placed in a metal or paper filter which is located inside the funnel of the appliance. A coffee maker is a kitchen appliance, which is used to brew coffee.This process infuses an acceptable amount of flavor into the brewing solution. In these devices, gravity pressure is used to bring the water in contact with the coffee grounds for a sufficient amount of time. Percolators were first introduced in the mid-nineteenth century. Several variants of coffee brewers that are widely available in the markets these days.The electric coffee makers met the standards of temperature and coffee brewing time for the first time in history. Invention of safe & secured electric fuses and heating elements popularised the use of electric coffee makers during second half of the twentieth century. The electrification of homes during the twentieth century helped in simplifying the working of percolators to a great extent and made them ubiquitous in American homes.