Author Archives: Guest Writer

Need Your Morning Cup Of Coffee? Read Below!

Posted on April 7, 2013 | 1 Comment

Most adults enjoy a good cup of coffee every now and then, but constantly stopping by your local coffee shop can be quite expensive in the long term. Making your own coffee on the other hand, is not quite as easy as it sounds. Even choosing the right type can be difficult for many. The following article will help you determine what type of coffee you are most likely to enjoy.

When you are storing coffee, try not to store it in containers that are made out of glass. While there may seem to be airtight, the reality is that they are not, and a lot of air will be able to reach the coffee. This will negatively affect the taste.

The water you are using when brewing your coffee maters. Does the water from your tap taste a little funny? If you use it in your coffee, your coffee will taste a bit off as well. If taste is an issue for you, try using filtered water to brew coffee.

If you are using paper filters to brew your coffee, rinse them off first. Giving filters a quick rinse can remove some of the paper fiber that would otherwise wind up in your coffee. This will remove the somewhat papery flavor from the coffee you brew, improving the taste significantly.

The longer your coffee sits in a pot on the warmer, the worse it will taste. Fresh brewed coffee always tastes best. The longer it sits, the more bitter it becomes. This is one of the key reasons why many of the larger coffee makers will throw out coffee if it sits longer than 20 minutes.

Keep your coffee machine clean. Once you are done drinking coffee, you should rinse the coffee pot and remove the coffee grounds. Rinse the machine as best as you can and run hot water through it at least once a week to clean it thoroughly. Do not leave coffee or grounds in your machine for more than an hour.

Purchase a coffee maker that brews into a thermal carafe or pot. If you are the type of person who likes to nurse your coffee, this allows you to enjoy hot coffee for as long as you want to spend drinking it. This also keeps the coffee tasting good and not losing its flavor.

Once you have opened your coffee, it is important that you store it properly. Conditions that are too hot or too cold could take away its flavor. Store coffee in a container that can be sealed tightly and keep it in a room that has room temperature. Keep it away from the stove!

If you want fresh coffee, you should try ordering it online from a fair trade organization or a roaster’s website. The coffee you order will be fresher than anything you can find in a store. Your second best option is to get coffee grounds from your local coffee shop since this is probably the only store that sells enough coffee to get fresh coffee on a regular basis.

Determining what types of coffee to purchase can be a pretty difficult decision. However, when you use the tips and tricks mentioned in the article above, you are well on your way towards making an informed decision that is sure to result in a wonderful cup of joe time and time again.

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Posted in Coffee Brew Methods, Coffee Drinks, Coffee Information

Bosch Tassimo Coffee Maker Review – How Well Does It Work

Posted on December 8, 2012 | Leave a comment

tassimo coffee maker review imageThe purpose of this article is to provide a brief Tassimo coffee maker review to help anyone interested in this machine. I recently bought the Tassimo Coffee Maker machine and figured it was about time to offer up my thoughts on it.

The Bosch Tassimo is a single-serve coffee maker that makes coffee as well as specialty beverages.

The first thing I should emphasize about this machine is that it is super convenient. Making any beverage with this machine is as easy as putting a T DISC into the T DISC holder and pressing a button. No need to warm up the machine.  No need to learn the art of steaming milk

That’s all there is to it – the machine does it for you!  I really like this part — no messy cleanup!

Coffee Selection

There are lots of coffee to choose from with this machine. Some of the most popular ones are Nabob, Maxwell House, and even Dunkin Donuts. Every coffee has a different taste and you can really enjoy waking up to a different coffee every morning.

Beverage Quality

Obviously beverage quality is an important thing to consider with any coffee maker. So far I have that the lattes feature a nice tasting espresso and good foam. Although the foam is a little too bubbly (a hard foam) it is good enough considering it is coming from a totally automated machine.

Many Bosch Tassimo Coffee Maker reviews I’ve come across suggest that this machine would make a good  present. I would tend to agree! I would buy the Bosch Tassimo Coffee Maker again.

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My Tassimo Single-Serve Coffee Maker

Posted on November 2, 2012 | Leave a comment

tassimo single-serve coffee maker imageThe Tassimo Single-Serve Coffee maker is a coffee making machine that  makes coffee in a simple and short manner. There are many Tassimo Single-Serve Coffee maker reviews from the customers that are using it. Some are happy, while others have a few complaints.

The best part of having this coffee machine is that is very easy to make a cup of coffee, when you want it the most. The instructions are very clear and the machine by itself, is not complicated.

Apart from the ease of making a cup of coffee with this machine, the taste of the coffee is also good and stands at par with the other coffee made in other formats. Also wide varieties of drinks can be made with the Tassimo Single-Serve Coffee maker, like hot chocolate, cappuccinos, chai, tea and many more.

It also has identification marks as to how much water to be used, and how the ingredient gets processed. Based on the kind of machine bought with the required specification, the work is made simple and the choice of your coffee is ready. Also since the machine makes only 1 cup of coffee, the addicts to coffee, slowly could get over with their addiction.

Another Tassimo Single-Serve Coffee maker review states that, this machine is  well built one and makes it much easier for the coffee lover to have a cup of coffee. It is simple and is not complicated to use. You are not required to measure the coffee for making a cup of coffee; the machine does everything for you and moreover it does not make a mess. It automatically reverts to a stand by mode to save the energy.

Based on the Tassimo Single-Serve Coffee maker reviews  by users,  this is the best ever machine that has been introduced for making coffee. Most of the consumers would give a five star rating for this product, because for the ease and convenience in it’s use. Varied products could be made from this single machine ranging from chai to hot chocolate and could be used by people of all ages without any hassle. The cleaning procedure is also simple and hence the Tassimo Single-Serve Coffee maker machine is preferred by most of the people around the world.

The Tassimo Coffee Maker can be purchased either from stores or through online services and you could get the machine delivered to your doorstep. A must have gadget at every home, for the ease of preparation and the taste of coffee that it gives, is beyond explanation. Every sip of the beverage made by this machine is enjoyed by anyone who has experienced a hot beverage from this machine.

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Coffee and Espresso Terms

Posted on April 24, 2012 | Leave a comment

Coffee Terms

 

Acidity: This is what gives coffee that sharp, lively pleasing flavor. Acidity may be high, medium, light in coffee. When it is low or lacking altogether in coffee, this leaves the coffee tasting flat and dull.

 

Altitude: Coffee grown at high altitudes (mountains) are lighter with a more delicately balanced flavor. Low altitudes (valleys) produce the full-bodied coffees.The higher altitude coffees are preferred by more coffee drinkers.

 

Aroma: The fragrance of coffee. Some regions because of soil, sun, rain produce a more aromatic cup.

 

Body: Coffee body may be thin, light, medium, full, heavy or in some cases syrupy in body. Richness in flavor has to do with the impression of weight and texture in the mouth from the body.

 

Bright: Refers to the brisk, high-level of acidity present in the cup.The proper amount can give the coffee a atitude.

 

Earthy: Suggest a slight, sully yet smooth taste.

 

Full City: A very common roast where the oils are just starting to break on the surface of the coffee bean.

 

Pungency: Strong, full-flavor. A pleasing bite you’ll find stimulating to your senses.

 

Rich: Full and mellow in flavor. Terms used to indicate depth and complexity of flavor.

 

Spicy: Strong aroma and flavor giving a zest to the coffee.

 

Tangy: A sharp, distinctive, often lingering flavor.

 

Wild: An exciting flavor with new sensations for your mouth to experience and savor.

 

Winey: Denotes an exhilarating vinous acidity. Also may indicate a thick body and mellow quality.

Espresso Terms

Bar: Is the pressure rating used with pump driven espresso machines. A good espresso machine needs to produce 9 BAR of pressure consistently.

 

Barista: The Italian name for the person that runs the espresso machine. Someone who is proficient at brewing espresso.

 

Burr Grinder: Considered the best type of grinder for the coffee bean. The grinder uses one stantinary disk and one moving disk. The coffee bean is sliced into very fine particles with minimum (friction) heat.

 

Cafe Latte: A espresso based drink combined with steamed milk. Flavors can be added for flavored lattes.

 

Cappuccino: Called the drink of thirds. One third espresso, one third steamed milk, and one third frothed milk.

 

Crema: The sign for the purest of a properly brewed shot of espresso. It contains the emulsified oils and forms a golden brown layer of foam on top of the espresso.

 

Demitasse: The small cup that holds the shot of espresso. Normally 3 oz or less in size.

 

Double Basket: Refers to the most common filter basket used with espresso machines. Holds the bed of very fine grounds. Has very fine holes that allows the coffee to seep through.

 

Espresso Beans: Is this interesting article on these beans

 

Extraction: Forcing water from espresso machine boiler through ground coffee. The hot water and pressure extract the flavors and oils.

 

Knockbox: A box with a bar across it that you knock to help get out the spent coffee ground puck from the filter.

 

Puck: Describes the bed of coffee grounds after they have been used to make a shot of espresso. Pressure forces the water out of it at the end of brew to form a dry spent puck.

 

Ristretto: For a ristretto you use the same amount of grounds and brewwing time but less water. Rich beverage with intense flavors.

 

Semi-Auto: Is a espresso machine that controls the pressure and brewing temperature. The operator controls the brewing time.

 

Super Automatic: A espresso machine that controls it all. The grind, tamp, brew time, brew temp, and puck ejection with one push of a button.

 

For more information on espresso machines see this review.

 

Tamp: Pressing and compacting the losse ground coffee. Each espresso machine requires it’s own tamping pressure.

 

Other Resources:

Learn more about the Best Coffee Bean Varieties

Another great article on Storing Coffee Beans

 

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Hamilton Beach Single Serve Coffee Maker Review

Posted on March 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

The Hamilton Beach Single Serve coffee maker has received a lot of attention since it was introduced to the market not too long ago. And as a single cup coffee maker, it features a fairly innovative design.

What follows is a brief Hamilton Beach Single Cup coffee maker review for all you folks interested in buying this new gadget.

Why The Hamilton Beach Single Serve Coffee Maker Different

The first thing you’ll notice about the Hamilton Beach Single-serve coffee maker, is that it doesn’t use any pods or cartridges like other machines in this category. This means you are not constrained by the types of coffee a particularly machine can use.

This is especially good if you grind your own coffee, as this machine only takes ground coffee beans.

What makes it a single-cup machine is the fact that your initiate the brewing process by putting a large scoop of ground coffee directly into the machine. Then you simply press a button, and the machine kicks into action; within a minute you have freshly brewed coffee.

My Hamilton Beach Single Serve Scoop Coffee Maker Review

One of the key things that I like about this machine, is the fact that it is made out of stainless steel. When you consider that this machine only costs $70 (though its $50 if you go to the right place), you are getting a great machine that is also very durable.

Also, unlike other cheap coffee makers, this one actually brews coffee at right temperature. As a result, you get coffee that is full-flavored and hot, right when you drink it.

In my opinion, the Hamilton Beach Single Serve coffee maker provides the most bang for your buck, compared to other machines in this category.

Conclusion: Where To Buy

If you’re looking to achieve premium quality coffee in the comfort of your own home, then you will want to purchase the Hamilton Beach Single cup coffee maker. Not only does it brew coffee at the right temperature, it is sure to give you years of use if looked after.

I have put together a new resource page on how to get the best deal when your purchase this machine. For more information, you will want to check out my feature article on the Hamilton Beach Single Serve Coffee Maker.

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Looking for a Pod Coffee Machine

Posted on March 10, 2012 | Leave a comment

 

Some of my friends are telling me how great the pod coffee machine is and many have urged me to try one out. They all said it is easy to use, just insert the pod, press the button and you will get a great cup of coffee almost immediately. I have certain doubts that this can really be that good, can this match my experience drinking espresso coffee? So I decided to check it out further and run my own research.

Digging further, I found that there are either the K-cup or the T-disc single coffee machine. So which should I pick for my new kitchen that will be ready next month? Certainly I will check both of them up at Best Buy, but I would like to have some information first, so I decided to check the internet.

I found this informative site on a single coffee maker. There is also a post on reviewing various coffee makers for home and office available in the market. I am sharing theses links so you too check them out.

 

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How to Make Superior Coffee

Posted on March 2, 2012 | Leave a comment

creating superior coffeeTruth be told there happens to be many unsophisticated and sophisticated variations that you can do to your superior coffee making regimen which will certainly allow you to consistently make a superior coffee. Experiment to find out what works best for you. I want to thank Filter Coffee Makers for supplying this article for our readers.

Enjoy the read….leave us a  comment…….thanks John

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Superior Coffee Tips

There are essential steps to help you produce far superior coffee. For more coffee tips click this web page link to see some simple steps to you:  Five Different Tips For You To Brew Superior Coffee .

The website shares the critical factors which we feel you need to have in place in order to make your home brewed superior coffee just like the coffee you bought in your own community Starbucks.

See the Process on How to Make Superior Coffee

The process for superior coffee includes simple factors like the freshness of your bean selection, type of grinder, and the condition of water use come in to play. Use and measure exactly the amount of your premium coffee product. And any coffee lover will tell you that fresher is better. The longer that coffee beans sits around after roasting, the more the flavor deteriorates, so buy freshly roasted coffee from a local roaster and grind it yourself.

How Make Coffee Tips

Tip: If your coffee maker produces coffee with bitter or weak flavor, try adding room temperature or hot water to the maker. The water needs to be between 190-200 F when it hits the coffee grounds. With warm water your brewer doesn’t have to work as hard.

Tip: Store whole and ground coffee beans in a air tight container.

Tip: To make superior coffee don’t over grind your beans. Your ground coffee should not look like coffee coco powder, but more like poppy seeds.

Web Master Summary:

I agree with the content of this article. Another how to make coffee tip I have is, do not let the brewed coffee sit for too long. Coffee becomes increasingly bitter the longer you let it sit on heat. Half an hour is pretty much the longest you should let it go without drinking it. Additionally, coffee maintains freshness better in an insulated carafe than a glass carafe on a warming plate.

Hope you enjoyed the read……leave us a comment……thanks John

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Daily Dose of Caffeine

Posted on January 7, 2012 | Leave a comment

daily dose of caffeineFor many members of the work force, a daily dose of caffeine is a necessity in order to function and be productive.

The coffee market has actually turned quite competitive these days. This is no big surprise when you consider the vast array of online wholesale distributors and suppliers out there at this point.

A daily dose of caffeine helps many employees stay awake and alert so that they can perform their duties adequately. It’s no wonder that every morning, the lines at Starbucks are full of commuters and office people who need their daily dose of caffeine to get going.

Brew your own coffee to save money and still get your dose of caffeine

Daily coffee runs to the local shop can really start to hurt your wallet in the long run, especially if you’re already paying out of pocket for daily public transportation services. Say you buy a $2.50 cup of coffee five times a week, one for each weekday. By the end of the month, you have already spent roughly $50. Extend that to a year and you have spent a little more than $600 just on coffee alone!

There are definitely enough local outlets for coffee beans to go around. Now, you may be wondering why anyone would opt to buy coffee beans online. Well, although you may not have known it, getting your coffee dosage is commonly cheaper online by brewing your own coffee. Although gourmet coffee beans can be quite pricey in local coffee houses and supermarkets, you can purchase good coffee beans by the pound at lower rates online. Now, having said that, there is another major reason people choose to buy coffee beans online. This is for the great variety of beans at Cross Country Cafe.

You are limited when you shop local stores and coffee houses for coffee beans to what they carry. Even large supermarkets do not have near as much gourmet coffee bean variety as online coffee distributors.  Just so you are aware, there are many different price ranges when it comes to buying coffee online. While one brand or roast of bean may sell for $9 per pound, another may cost you a whopping $100 a pound. It all depends on what you are looking for. If you want the best beans known to man, you are really going to have to pay for them. Naturally this is going to cost you some serious cash.

Share the cost of a new coffee maker

A new office coffee maker would put a dent in your coffee budget. But remember the $600 that you just spent last year by the cup? Many coffee makers cost about half that. That’s about $300 as opposed to the $9000 that an office full of 15 employees is spending every year on individual coffee runs—30 times less money! Buying a new office coffee maker and sharing the cost of the necessary materials and ingredients has got to cost less than that.

Reasons to have a office coffee maker

The employees morale will be boosted in the office by the money they save, which in turn will make employees more likely to work harder and get more done. Research has shown that happy employees are the ones that report the highest satisfaction and better efficiency results.

So if you haven’t considered purchasing an office coffee maker yet, hopefully you’re convinced. Talk to the other coffee drinkers about lowering their cost of the daily dose of caffeine. Maybe even the company will help with a coffee maker, if the coffee beans would be paid for by the individual employees. The company is nothing without its workforce. It would be in the company’s best interest to comply and help supply that daily dose of caffeine. To look up prices of coffee makers and beans go to Cross Country Cafe.

 

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Espresso Maker Review

Posted on December 16, 2011 | Leave a comment

espresso makerEspresso Maker

Coffee is a wonderful product that is made a lot of different ways. The drip method is the most popular in the world. True coffee espresso lovers know it takes the best espresso maker they can find or afford to produce that perfect cup of espresso.
When you take very finely ground coffee, then compact it with a tamper and force nearly boiling water through the grounds – you have a espresso maker. To make espresso at home you should expect to spend around $550 for a espresso maker setup. For you less frugal you can spend $1,500 to $2,000.
The product a espresso maker makes is a syrupy coffee drink with the solid and dissolved parts extracted from the coffee beans. The espresso maker is known for that foam or crema from emulsifying the oils in the coffee into a colloid which no other product has.
You take the crema along with the high concentration of suspended solids, you get a thicker coffee drink that does not compare to any other brew method. As a result of the espresso maker pressurized brewing process, the flavors and chemicals in a normal cup of espresso are very concentrated.
There has been a battle through the years about the amount and style of ground coffee that should be used, how hard to tamp the finely ground coffee, the correct water temperature, amount of pressure of the water which affects the rate of extraction. This is why the world has so many espresso machine makers all trying to make the best espresso maker.
Espresso is a notoriously beverage to perfect making and thus making good espresso is considered a skilled task. A espresso maker that rated well in a recent review one of the best espresso machines was the Gaggia Classic Expresso machine review.
To make the best espresso shot takes steps:
  • Adjusting the grind of the beans.
  • Determine the dose (amount) ofcoffee to use in the shot
  • Tamping – pressing down the espresso in the basket.
  • Other steps such as leveling, tapping or stirring.
Performed with love and care for that perfect shot!

Is every machine in the market really a espresso machine?
Use caution when looking to buy a espresso maker. Not all are true espressos. The cheaper machines don’t use high pressure hot water but steam, which doesn’t extract as well. A steam machine can produce a strong cup of coffee but no way is it a espresso.

Bars of Pressure Make the ESPRESSO Machine Perform

See the steam pressure machine is only capable of building up to 1.5 to 2 bar or 50- 65 PSI (pounds per square inch) of pressure. With the limited pressure the machine is not going to be able to force the hot water through a lot of compact coffee. The low pressure will not do a good job on the extraction which makes a true espresso.
The better espresso makers have 15 bar but normally operate on 9 bars or 135 PSI pressure. That much pressure is needed to force water through the compact coffee grounds for good extraction.
Most home espresso makers use a pump-driven system to build up the pressure. The best machine to buy is the a 15 bar espresso machine with over 200 PSI. The main thing to remember is that the more you spend the more features, design, longevity or performance you will get with your espresso maker.
Only you can decide your use or what your budget can handle. If you are serious about espresso the formula is easy. The more you are going to use the espresso machine the more you need to spend. The facts show the better espresso machine, the more commercial grade parts it will have. This helps with longevity and ease of repair.

 

Interested in all the reviews on the Best Espresso Machines and the companies that produce them.

More espresso information is available on the post about Espresso Beans

2011 Copyright | Coffee Bean Coffee and Espresso Maker

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