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

are you able to tell the difference between various types of coffee beans

From the millions of people who drink coffee all over the world every day, how many do you think that are able to tell the flavor difference between various types of coffee beans? Too few, since what we treasure most is the intensity of the caffeine content: yes, we can tell at any moment whether a coffee is strong enough or not, but we are definitely unable to distinguish one flavor from another. However, the very caffeine content is closely connected to the types of coffee beans used in the making of the mixture.

Coffee Arabica, for instance, is the one that is probably the best known variety, on which more than 75% of the world's commerce relies. Arabica coffee beans are sweet and highly flavored, they usually grow in very rich subtropical climates with rich soil and plenty of sun and humidity conditions. It is well known that after being roasted, coffee beans need to be immediately packed or preserved in special conditions so that the aroma doesn't fade away. Among the most advanced technological processes used by coffee manufacturing companies, there is one that includes the freezing of the coffee beans right after being roasted.

Such techniques ensure a long-lasting coffee beans flavor that remains as intense even after opening the package. Though, people find it easier to use and prepare, packed ground coffee doesn't have the same aroma as freshly ground coffee beans. In case you decide to prepare the coffee mix at home you'll have to select the coffee beans very carefully; you should first ask what type of coffee you're buying, what the roasting procedure is and where it is produced. For anyone who likes more intense coffee beans, it is nice to try Robusta variety, growing in the forests of Belgian Congo.

The difference between Robusta and Arabica coffee beans lies in the concentration of caffeine, the former having twice the amount you'll find in the latter. This would explain the more bitter, highly intense taste and the name of Robusta coffee. In terms of geographical specificity, this coffee shrub grows in lower altitudes than Arabica, somewhere between 200 and 800 meters above the sea level; not to mention the fact that it is far less expensive to produce and harvest. African or Java coffee beans, Arabia or Robusta varieties, coffee is present everywhere in our daily lives; after all, this is the drink we get up with.

what is it that interests us so much in the variety of coffee brands

Do coffee brands tell us about coffee quality? How do they manage to enter the market and satisfy customers' needs? The true battle between different coffee brands is fought at the level of business history, special flavors, manufacturing techniques and the relationship price-quality. In time, ever since the introduction of coffee to the Western world, the richness of coffee brands was indisputable, but at the moment, a company needs an incredibly solid name to survive in the business and to gain recognition at the international level.

For instance, one of the most famous coffee brands in the 30s was Eight O'Clock Coffee, but now it faces most serious competition from Nestle for instance. Is the name the only element that differs among coffee brands? Market studies show that there is even a significant caffeine level difference between the products we purchase; right within the same company, two production lines may differ.

Furthermore, laboratory analyses performed for some coffee brands show that even decaffeinated products contain a low level of caffeine in their composition, since a high degree of purity is very difficult to achieve. If some people only use certain coffee brands because they are pleased with the level of quality, there are plenty others who haven't made up their minds yet, and keep changing coffee types.

Little do people know that the very drink that wakes them up in the morning has made a huge journey sometimes twice around the world before getting in their cup. Though we usually associate flavors with coffee brands and the finite product, it would be quite interesting to know that it takes four thousand manually harvested coffee beans to produce one single pound of coffee.

Throughout an entire season, a coffee tree can only give enough beans to make two pounds of roasted coffee; this should tell us something about the complexity of the processes that make coffee brands fight for supremacy on the market.

From the cheapest to the most refined and expensive coffee brands, most companies use primary matter supplied by Brazil, which is the largest coffee producer of the world. The manufacturing processes vary from case to case, however, the most common coffee type made in Brazil uses beans that have been dried in the fruit; moreover the coffee varieties produced here are much sweeter and less acidic than other kinds of coffee cultivated in Africa or Asia.

the major differences between decaffeinated and regular cofee

For anyone who loves coffee flavor, yet cannot stand the physical effects of caffeine, decaffeinated coffee is probably the best viable solution. How is decaffeinated coffee actually produced? There are all sorts of solvents used to eliminate this chemical responsible for adverse reactions such as increased blood pressure, arrhythmias and tachycardia; the result is a substance that preserves the tasty and flavor of real coffee without its potential side effects. Nevertheless, mention needs to be made that there is no 100% decaffeinated coffee on the market, and studies on various coffee brands have reflected the truthfulness of such a statement.

Does decaffeinated coffee taste the same as regular coffee? The answer is definitely yes, though the flavor parameters are slightly lower. By its very nature, coffee is very easily subject to chemical transformation. The flavor loss actually begins the moment roasted coffee beans are ground; this is why most packages are vacuumed to reduce the contact between coffee and the environment to the minimum. Decaffeinated coffee in its turn undergoes a double process: one common with that of regular coffee, and a second one that leads to the elimination of the nervous stimulus known as caffeine.

The competition for decaffeinated coffee is represented by chicory coffee, a substitute substance that is produced in a variety of flavors. Though it does not enjoy the same popularity as decaffeinated coffee, it is nevertheless an alternative almost just as tasty, particularly in its instant-preparation form. Furthermore, another issue worth to be tackled with here is that of partly decaffeinated coffee; as the name definitely suggests, this coffee variety is weaker than regular coffee. Hence, you should not try to make an espresso out of it, as you'll definitely be disappointed. Partly decaffeinated coffee is recommended to people who suffer from heart problems and need to limit the risk of getting hypertension.

One of the most outstanding discoveries was connected to the appearance of a coffee variety that is naturally decaffeinated. This species grows in Brazil and represents a great potential for a market that depends on diversity. Though it is in the project phase, the cultivation of naturally decaffeinated coffee is a great step towards combing the authenticity of flavor with the safety of the use. Basically, without the caffeine extraction processes, all natural savor of the coffee beans would remain unchanged; thus, in the coming years, we could actually be the witness of a true revolution in coffee manufacturing.

coffeemaking coffee part ii

Espresso Machine.

 

             Second many person ways have may to ever hear, but may strange? extremely , that be Espresso actually Espresso are not the name of coffee breed or coffee formula  but be the way makes coffee and beverage has that from making like this will call that  " Coffee Espresso "  making is like Espresso must use make Espresso Machine in doing.

             The principle of Espresso machine be will use the pressure compresses the hot water pass by in coffee grinds to are circumspect  which will give coffee smack comes out with full speed more than ahead something hot drop changes coffee. The word is that  " Espresso " as a result  from Latin language " Espressere " which translate that  press  or    push  this way prevent that  be making that appreciate the heart has of coffee seed with full speed ahead , compressing water change coffee will grind to use the pressure about 9 times of atmosphere pressure take time about 18-23 second. The finished  Espresso will do a cup builds a cup , have no doing is unfinished keep to is like making likes  to drop , the time will add very small glass , about one ounce ( coffee usual cup about 6 an ounce if  disremember try compare with the size of can coffee that has to sell in house our freezer ) already must drink all ,Who order Espresso come to sit sip see the scenery does smart show that drink don't be.

             Espresso truly very bitter because coffee grinds that apply to Espresso will change roasting long until ago darkened colour call that Dark roasted coffee seed will that use may is from pure breed coffee or may coffee brand that each a shop does to go up by oneself, thus the smack will have and the smell may differently, although order Espresso alike.

 

Percolator.

           

            The way will that may a little strange for coffee neck, be making by use Percolator. Percolator there is the character is like a jug summarizes general hot. The principle makes coffee of  percolator  be take coffee has boiled already come to change coffee grinds repeatedly many  round  that tell strange because making by  percolator  infringe making coffee rule where two important is:

 

1.       making coffee must don't pull the taste or the smell of coffee too much , coffee grinds then bring to boil or make just round one only , although the waste is will left coffee taste is unfinished no matter.

2.       Coffee has boiled already must bring to drink, prohibit liberate coldly. If the iced coffee will down don't bring to boil or warm repeated because the taste and the smell will wrong originally from two this rule is regarded as important for heavy coffee drinker and the rule where coffee general stall will follow always.

           

           Making coffee by percolator make get bitter many coffees the fragrance is severe because the taste and oil smell kiss from coffee were separated come out smooth until more than other way, which coffee neck will that conserve to like not like.

 

Making like French Press.

 

             The way makes the handle give the smack and the stink of coffee well most are making is like  French Press  or  Bodum  the way makes must use the equipment that calls that  plunger pot  must use first-class coffee grinds rough most , before make must " preheat " by use the hot water pours to get down  plunger before , add coffee grinds 2 the tablespoon builds  1 cup coffee (6 ounce), pour the water has just to is angry down flood coffee , surely that coffee bumps against every hot water , close the lid  plunger  stop 4 minute , then arrive at press  plunger squeeze give coffee changes the screen , coffee which make with the way French Press  should drink 20 within minute.

read more http://coffee-forlife.blogspot.com

http://coffee-forlife.blogspot.com

 

valuable tips on how to store and prepare green coffee beans

If you'd go to a restaurant and you'd be shown some green coffee beans that would have to make you a tasty coffee, you'd surely make a very serious and distrustful face. Save any comments for the moment you'll taste the coffee, and then you're completely entitled to complain, if you still feel like! Many people who have drunk coffee made from freshly roasted green coffee beans have often declared that these strange looking beans make the best drink they've ever tasted. Where's the secret here? There is none actually. The problem with roasted and pre-packed coffee is that it starts losing its flavor immediately after being prepared.

There are coffee drinkers who'd never use processed coffee; many actually improvise and roast the green coffee beans in popcorn machines, then grind and prepare them. However, though with greater flavor qualities, green coffee is almost half cheaper than regular roasted coffee you find in supermarkets; the only problem here would be the availability of the green coffee beans. Normally, they are to be found in special shops, or larger amounts could be ordered on the Internet. Besides offering regular commercial services online, web sites often provide very valuable tips on how to store and prepare green coffee beans.

If you don't have a popcorn popper, a pan would also do for roasting the green coffee beans; yet, true enthusiasts would rather buy special roasters, which though a bit more expensive allow a great control over the roasting level, not to mention that there is much less smoke. In case you don't have time enough to roast and grind the green coffee beans at home, you could simply purchase small amounts of coffee from special shops that grind daily, so as to still enjoy the fresh coffee flavor.

How do you know when the green coffee beans are properly roasted? Under the heat action, the water inside the beans evaporates and causes the appearance of some cracks on the surface of the former green coffee beans. As the aroma spreads all around the house, it will seem like the beans are shrinking; during the entire roasting process, green coffee beans are actually losing almost 15% of their initial weight. There are two stages to recognize in the roasting process: during the first one, the beans have a light brown color, and when ground they resemble cinnamon. On the other hand, the last roasting stage is complete when a full dark color has been resumed and you can almost feel the taste of an exquisite drink.