How To Make The Perfect Espresso

March 11th, 2010 by jamesperry

Follow the five important steps below to produce fantastic tasting espresso.

Keep things hot.

The key thing to remember is that espresso cools quickly as it is a small volume of liquid - therefore it is essential to maintain everything coming into contact with the coffee at a high temperature. Make sure the machine and group handle (porta-filter) are hot by running a few dummy espressos before making one for real. Cups should be kept on the warming shelf on top of the machine. If you are making the first few espressos of the day before the machine has seen much action, it is an idea to warm the cups with a little hot water before commencing.

Crema is King.

The best indication of good espresso is the crema. It should be a light caramel colour with enough consistency to hold half a teaspoon of sugar on the surface for 3 seconds or more. The appearance of the crema is an excellent indication of the quality of your espresso. If the crema is more white than brown, the coffee is under-extracted and needs either a finer grind and/or firmer tamping. If the crema looks burnt or is very dark in the middle, the coffee is over-extracted; perhaps the grind is too fine, the dose too large, the tamping too hard, or too much water has run through the coffee.

Under Pressure.

Tamping the coffee is the process of compacting 7g of ground coffee in the porta-filter with a tamping device. Use the tamper on the underside of the grinder or a hand held tamp. Apply firm pressure - enough to hold the grind when the porta-filter is turned upside down, but not too firm, otherwise this will lead to a longer extraction time.

All in the Timing.

Perfect espresso takes 18-23 seconds plus 2-3 seconds pre-infusion time - too long means your coffee grind is too fine, the coffee should be the texture of coarse sand. If the coffee is too fine your espresso will be harsh and bitter from over-extraction. Less than 18 seconds means either your coffee grind is too coarse or the tamp pressure is insufficient. An under-extracted coffee will result in a thin bubbly crema and weak espresso.

The Mouse’s Tail.

Look at the flow of the liquid when making an espresso - it should be constant and resemble a mouse’s tail. If the tail is too thick, the coffee grind is too coarse or the tamping is too light. If the tail drips and bubbles, the opposite applies.

Follow the above tips and enjoy delicious tasting espresso every time.

Tags : Nespresso C100 Espresso Machine Cuisinart DGB-550BK Coffee maker DeLonghi ESAM3300 Espresso machine

Get A Free Commercial Coffee Maker With 3 Surefire Techniques

March 11th, 2010 by jamesperry

Now, the very first thing you need to know is that commercial coffee maker,e.g. Keurig B3000 or Nescafe Lioness H5 that are being used for offices, is free. That means, if you have it in the office, you would not have to pay for it, unless you are the boss!:)

So, now the focus becomes how to get the commercial coffee maker into the office. Not an easy task, given the shrinking profit margin due to lousy exchange rate and rising cost of goods. And having a coffee machine is an additional expense, something that the management does not think would add to the bottom line of the company.

And it is this bottom line that would be our life saver, the one single component that we would use to convince management that the commercial coffee maker’s expense does indeed improves the bottom line!

Bring these points across and segment it into 3 main pointers: Team work, Morale and productivity. These 3 elements gives you a better work force that is loyal and willing to go the extra mile (say it with some zeal, practice it before presenting to management)

1. Team work

Ask the boss this: do you want a project that can bring the whole department together? Trust me, you would get a resounding YES.

Then tell him the plan to start a pantry project to bring in a commercial coffee maker to better the welfare of the department. Sell on the points of how everyone is working together to better the welfare and how this would be the stage for future collaboration.

If he/she buys the pitch at this point, stop and proceed to “plan” and “team work” for the commercial coffee maker. If he/she is still hesitant, move on to the next point.

2. Morale

Other than the team work, this is a project that the employees are doing for themselves. The bosses can take this opportunity to highlight and impress on the employees, that the management cares for their welfare by providing them a pantry with this commercial coffee maker.

And nothing lingers on more by being exposed to it for a long period of time. Getting involved in a project to get the commercial coffee maker for themselves, the employees would be continually be reminded on the point that the “management cares”.

This is usually something that the bosses want, a group of loyal employees that knows the bosses care for them. At this point, you should get the coffee machine approval.

He/she is still considering? Man…time to use point 3 that should do the trick.

3. Productivity

Highlight to the boss that everyone goes for coffee break and he/she has a choice of an employee taking the break in the office or across the street in a Starbucks.

Time savings would be at least 15 minutes. Employees generally spent lesser time taking break in office, with various factors such as people are watching, saves on the traveling time and bosses might be around.

Given that each employee has 2 breaks, that would be 30 minutes savings. Based on an executive pay of $50/hour, that would be $25 savings for a day, $125 productivity dollars saved per week or $6500 per year!

Using the productivity variable with shrewd costing should get you the commercial coffee maker, and your next headache would be which coffee makers to purchase to get the best coffee experience in office!

Oh, just in case, all 3 techniques did not succeed in getting that coffee maker, then you should still be pleased!

Imagine, there you are enjoying a cuppa from Starbucks knowing that the time is paid by the company at a cost of approximately $6500/year or more! :)

See Also : Breville 800ESXL Espresso Machine

The One Stop Coffee Maker Buying Guide

March 10th, 2010 by jamesperry

Coffee is perhaps the most important drink that many people across the world need in the morning. Without their daily shot of caffeine many people across the world cannot wake up. Therefore a coffee makes is important utility that one should have in the kitchen to produce fast and effective coffee. There are many coffee makers that are available in the market today. Funding the right kind of coffee maker can be quite the difficult choice. It is important that you choose a coffee maker that best suites your needs. Fist thing that you need to decide is the amount of space you can dedicate to it. The size is an important factor in terms of how much coffee you want to produce and storage of the machine. Also the features that are available on the coffee machine should be an important factor that should be kept under consideration.

The key features of a coffee maker include the several types of filters that are available fore a coffee machine. There can be the removable filter type that is the easiest to change. Also there are the cup cake filters which as the name states are cupcake or cone shaped. If you prefer money over time then this is the perfect choice for you. It can take time for you to clean but will save you money. Other key feature includes small batch or large batch settings. This is can be quite useful if you suddenly get guests in the morning. Also there is the temperature and brew strength controls that will let you prevent bitter or weak brew. Another neat feature is the pause and serve feature. This will let you serve a cup of coffee even if the full pot is not done. This is particularly useful if you are in a hurry or need urgent coffee.

The most important factor that you should pinpoint on before buying a coffee machine is how much you drink or the quantity of coffee that needs to be produced every morning. If you require only one cup of coffee in the mornings then you are better off with a single drip machine than an entire machine. Consider how often you need coffee also. If you require coffee once in every hour, then you should probably buy a full sized coffee maker with thermal storage which will help you keep your coffee nice and warm and give you coffee all night long. Also another important factor is convenience. Models that have higher convenience ratings are more recommended for purchase.

There are various types of coffee makers. The regular coffee makers brew coffee into pots. The pod type will brew coffee by the cup instead of making an entire pot. Also there is the air pot coffee maker that makes coffee into and airpot that will let the coffee stay hotter longer. Other coffee makers include thermal and satellite type. There is also the soft heat and the thermo fresh type coffee maker. For brewing large capacity coffee there is the Urn type coffee maker.

Related : Zojirushi EC-BD15 Coffee Maker Nespresso CitiZ Espresso Maker

How to Use an Espresso Machine

March 10th, 2010 by jamesperry

In order to produce a create coffee drink of espresso - one requires a dedicated machine that delivers a highly pressurized stream of hot water necessary for processing this particular kind of fine, powder-like ground coffee. With a thicker consistency than drip coffee, little amounts of espresso are usually served - often as a shot. However, it is very common to see espresso mixed with other beverages, such as cappuccino and lattes, in an attempt to lessen the strong taste and level of caffeine.

With a history that dates back to the early 20th century in Milan, Italy - espresso has become a famous drink amongst coffee lovers. This trend has prompted an increasing number of people to purchase their own espresso coffee machines in order to bring home the taste they deeply enjoy.

Before you attempt to use your espresso machine (depending on your model), you will probably need to get an espresso grinder and espresso beans, demitasse cups, and water. When approaching the topic of water in regards to using your espresso machine, it is suggested to keep in mind that bottled spring water is not the premium choice for your machine. The amount of minerals found in spring water will spoil your espresso machine. Alternatively, it is preferable to use water that has gone through a process of filtration.

To get an overview of how to use an espresso machine, an example of instructions is posted below:

1) First, you will pour clear, cold water into the water enclosure of your machine. The boiler cap on your unit should be closed. In order to create one shot of espresso - one ounce of water is needed. A double shot requires two ounces. Depending on your espresso machine, you may be able to produce up to four shots at one time.

2) Position the coffee basket in the filter holder, followed by lightly packing in the ground coffee. Most filters will provide a way to measure how much espresso you are creating.

3) Next, you will remove any grounds found on the sides and top of the filter. The filter holder is then placed in the espresso machine.

4) If your machine comes with a glass carafe, this is the time where you position the carafe under the spout. When no carafe is available, a cup is enough. Turn on the machine and in due time - the water is heated to the appropriate temperature and then forced through the coffee grounds.

5) The ideal espresso shot delivers brown foam (referred to as “crema”) to the top of the coffee as it begins to flow into your container. When the foam starts to turn white, this is an indication that the liquid with the best taste is no longer exiting the machine. Quickly remove your cup or carafe.

When looking for the proper beans to use with your espresso machine, you should know that specially selected and roasted options are found at major supermarket chains or coffee specialty shops. Serious espresso drinkers normally purchase an espresso grinder and produce their own ground coffee before brewing.

Tags : Cuisinart EM-100 Espresso Maker DeLonghi ESAM3300 Espresso machine Cuisinart DGB-600BC coffee maker

Hawaiian Coffee - The Flavor of the Tropics

March 10th, 2010 by jamesperry

If you have ever visited Hawaii then you already know how beautiful and picturesque these islands are. They offer fantastic food which can’t be matched anywhere in the world and the Hawaiian coffee is another thing which is highly sought after worldwide. Hawaiian coffee, also known as Kona coffee, offers a rich flavor that is addictive to the discriminating coffee drinker.

Hawaiian coffee is grown on small farms and is typically wet-processed. When coffee is wet-processed it removes the four layers that immediately surround the bean. The result is a cleaner and fruitier coffee that is simply irresistible in taste. There are now many countries that produce fine coffees that also use the wet process. One specific plant known as Typica produces a very low harvest but also produces a very desirable cup of coffee.

The tropical Hawaiian climate is perfect for producing the Hawaiian coffee that is so famous. Clouds usually protect the island from the direct rays of the sun. This, combined with the rich, volcanic soil and the right amount of moisture, provide perfect conditions for the rich, sweet taste of the Hawaiian coffee. People who love this coffee will have to pay an unusually high price in order to be able to enjoy it but most say the price is well worth the taste it offers.

If you usually buy organic products then you will be glad to know that you can also purchase Hawaiian coffee that is grown and processed organically. Organic coffee beans are picked by hand then dried naturally by the sun. There are no chemicals used in growing the organic beans. Many people think the organic bean coffee has the best taste because of the natural growing process.

Finding the Perfect Cup

If Hawaiian coffee is something you desire to drink on a regular basis you will have to find a supplier that can get the coffee for you. This type of coffee is usually not sold in local grocery stores or discount chains. There are several internet sites that offer this coffee through mail order. You can usually buy the whole beans and grind it yourself or you can purchase it already ground. If you have a way to grind it yourself you will be able to enjoy the best flavor since fresh ground coffee releases the essential oils that provide the exquisite flavor. These oils will begin to dissipate over time and the coffee will loose that fresh ground taste.

Regardless of how you drink it, Hawaiian coffee offers a tropical taste experience that coffee connoisseurs say cannot be found in any other beverage in the world.

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Brew Espresso Easy With Briel

March 9th, 2010 by jamesperry

Some people enjoy espresso makers that have every special feature and setting imaginable, while others look for simplicity. Briel espresso machines are perfect for those wanting to create a shot of espresso as easily as possible and are ideal machines for a beginning espresso maker. Briel is a Portugese company that originated in 1978. In 1982, the company created its first espresso machine, and today there are several models on the market that will aid the at-home espresso maker in creating a perfect shot every time.

If you have never made espresso at home before but want to get started, the Briel Lido is a wonderful option. It is a small, basic, and inexpensive machine (it can be purchased online for under $200). The simple features will not overwhelm a beginner, but the lack of “bells and whistles” does not compromise the quality of the espresso it produces. If you enjoy using ESE, or easy serving espresso pods, the Lido can accommodate them, as well as traditional coffee grounds. The Briel Lido’s Crema Master filter is a patented feature that enhances the crema that is produced so that you can create great crema even when you are learning how to become an expert espresso maker.

More advanced users will appreciate the affordability and features of the Briel Chamonix espresso machine. The Chamonix is also small (making it easy to store on a countertop), ESE compatible, and affordable (while the regular retail price is typically set at $250, many online retailers sell the Chamonix at a reduced price). A frothing attachment allows you to use the Chamonix for creating latte and cappuccino in addition to espresso. The Chamonix features an intuitive micro-chip that allows the user to regulate the amount of espresso that is brewed, so you can easily pick a volume between 2 and 8 ounces to suit your needs.

It is apparent why the Briel Lido and Briel Chamonix espresso machine are appealing to a beginning espresso brewer. As stated previously, both machines are available for purchase online.

Tags : Cuisinart DCC-1100 Coffee maker

The Many Methods of Brewing Coffee

March 9th, 2010 by jamesperry

A long time ago, in a forgotten era, the world hand only one way to make coffee: the percolator. In those days, housewives in pearls and pumps would sit and gaze as the water heated, until the rising pressure forced it through a narrow tube which filtered the water over the coffee grounds. There was no fancy way to brew coffee back.

It really was a fascinating process, though, but the problem was that it did not make very good coffee. Boiling the coffee, and then running liquid over grounds multiple times can produce an unappetizing batch of coffee.

Thankfully, conditions improved by the end of the 1970s. The drip method of coffee production was introduced to the world. This little machine was cheap, fast and made better-tasting coffee. As one could imagine, it caught on quickly. Just pour some grounds into the coffee filter, wait a couple minutes as the heated water filters through and then enjoy a delicious pot of coffee.

Eventually, coffee “pods” made their way onto the market, which made coffee even easier. Improvements in many coffeemaker components gave the average brewer more control over the result. Internal spouts were developed to filter the water evenly through the grounds, and so quality became more consistent.

Espresso makers took off in the 1990s as Americans decided to adopt European culture. American engineering lowered the expense of the machines without sacrificing flavor. Hot water pressured through aromatic grounds produces a delicate drink for connoisseurs.

Slap on a dollop of frothed milk, and suddenly you have discovered a cappuccino. Espresso makers allow the average consumer to experiment with his or her own ideas to make up a new and exciting drink, depending on his tastes.

The French press is another European technology that Americans happily adopted. A metal rod runs through the center of a cylindrical glass container with a handle on top. At the other end of this rod is the filter, fits perfectly around the inside perimeter of the glass.

Simply dump in quality grounds and fill the rest with boiling water. In this method, the grounds float around in the water until you push down on the rod and force the filter through, pressing the grounds into the bottom of the container. Then, simply pour and enjoy.

None of these methods is really an innovation. Rather, they are new to us here in America. However, the methods described in this article were invented hundreds and hundreds of years ago. One Turkish invention may be one of the oldest. Water gets heated in copper receptacle that features a long handle and a curved tongue for pouring. The grounds get put directly into the heated water. From there, they are poured into your cup, unfiltered. The result is famously strong.

When it comes to preparing your cup of coffee, experiment with these options from around the world!

Friends Link : Espresso machines Cuisinart DCC-1100 Coffee maker Nespresso C100 Espresso Machine

Coffee Makers - The Wonderful Coffee Brewing Machines

March 8th, 2010 by jamesperry

A coffee maker is a kitchen appliance, which is used to brew coffee. In most common appliances, coffee grounds are placed in a metal or paper filter which is located inside the funnel of the appliance. The funnel in turn is set over a ceramic or glass coffee pot. Cold water is poured into a separate chamber of the device. The water is heated up to its boiling point, and then directed into the funnel. This process of making coffee is called automatic dip brew.

Several variants of coffee makers are sold into the markets under different brand names. 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. Percolators were first introduced in the mid-nineteenth century. In these devices, gravity pressure is used to bring the water in contact with the coffee grounds for a sufficient amount of time. This process infuses an acceptable amount of flavor into the brewing solution.

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. Invention of safe & secured electric fuses and heating elements popularised the use of electric coffee makers during second half of the twentieth century. The electric coffee makers met the standards of temperature and coffee brewing time for the first time in history.

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.

Visit : Espresso machines Cuisinart EM-100 Espresso Maker DeLonghi ESAM3300 Espresso machine

Choosing A Coffee Maker - Tips On Finding The Right Features

March 8th, 2010 by jamesperry

Choosing a good coffee maker is not a decision to be taken for granted. If you are going to spend money on your favorite coffee, you will want to make sure the coffee maker you choose is of good quality and has the features you want. The majority of coffee makers are generally quite good and you will notice no difference in the taste of your coffee from one brand to another. There are some basic features to look for when choosing a coffee maker and some luxury features that may give you a better tasting cup of coffee

The first decision you must make in choosing a coffee maker is what type of filter you would prefer. You can choose a basket type filter or a cone shaped filter, the difference in the two being different contact times between the coffee grounds and the water. A basket type filter seems to provide a longer contact time between the water and the coffee grounds, so if a basket filter is your preference, make sure you use coffee grounds that are fairly large. Cone type filters are generally less prone to spillage. If you are considering a gold tone filter, it will give your coffee a richer taste, but the upkeep may not be worth the small difference.

The color of your coffee maker is not a major concern, but keep in mind that if you choose a color that is pleasing to you, your coffee will seem to taste better. The only real issue involved in the color of your coffee maker is to remember that white stains easily and tends to look old rapidly. A dark color will look new a lot longer than a white coffee maker. Coffee makers with a pot that has a long neck will be harder to clean. If you cannot easily wash the coffee pot with soap and water, your coffee will taste stale over time due to the build up of residue that cannot be cleaned easily. Make sure your entire hand can fit inside the coffee pot to make cleaning easy.

Other than the basic features, which include color, filter, ease of cleaning, etc., there are some additional features that you may want to consider. If you don’t mind your coffee grounds being exposed to air overnight, a timer is a wonderful thing to have. Timers will allow you extra time in the mornings and if you choose a coffee maker with an attached grinder, the noise would probably eliminate your need for an alarm clock. A feature that is often overlooked is the shape of the housing around the coffee pot. Many manufacturers are making the housing larger so that the coffee in the pot stays hotter. The housing area in any good coffee maker should cover at least half of the coffee pot, the keep heat in.

In general, coffee that is freshly ground tastes better. Grinders that are attached to coffee makers are a bit of a hassle. They make the coffee maker harder to clean and the coffee beans are not always ground uniformly. If you want a coffee maker with an attached grinder, look for a burr grinder rather than a blade grinder. You may also want to look into a coffee maker with a built in water filtration system. Filtered water does tend to make the coffee taste better, but purchasing distilled or purified water can serve the purpose just as well as a built in water filtration system.

For the perfect pot of coffee, the water temperature needs to be around 200 degrees Fahrenheit. In general, the less expensive coffee makers do not reach this temperature. Most of the better brand names will advertise the temperature you can expect your coffee to reach while brewing. Choosing the right coffee maker is not easy. Make sure you purchase from well-known manufacturers. You will be able to find replacement parts and will be assured of an acceptable level of quality. Choose a coffee maker that meets your basic needs and any has additional features you desire.

Visit : Nespresso CitiZ Espresso Maker Cuisinart EM-100 Espresso Maker Zojirushi EC-BD15 Coffee Maker

Review of the Krups XP7225 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

March 7th, 2010 by jamesperry

The Krups XP7225 is a fully automatic compact espresso machine that combines technological innovation with an easy to use interface to deliver perfect results in the cup every time.

At the touch of a button the XP7225 grinds, tamps and brews delicious espresso and pressured brewed coffee. The steam wand allows you to easily froth your milk for cappuccinos and lattes. It also includes a hot water wand for quick teas and other beverages.

The Krups XP7225 uses a patented brewing system that includes a professional quality conical bur grinder.It has a stainless steel lined thermal block heating system and a fifteen bar pump. All of these components are designed around an integrated brew chamber making it the most compact machine available on the market today. they also helps to deliver the ideal constant temperature.

It has a bright led display screen with a simple, easy to understand menu which is easy to navigate and customize as well as touch button activation. The Krups fully automatic espresso machine also comes pre-programmed, which takes the guessing out of what settings to use for the perfect cup of espresso.

The dial allows you to select how much you actually want (for small, medium and larger cups) and within thirty seconds you will be enjoying espresso that tastes as if it were made at your favorite cafe by your favorite barista. You can make adjustments to the grinder, brewing temperature and many other features important to the actual making of your beverage. It self cleans and has automatic reminder prompts that tell you when to fill the water tank, get rid of the coffee grounds container as well as the drip tray and change filters.

While the product itself has all the bells and whistles, many consumers report less than desirable results when it came down to reliability. By and large, the biggest complaints were with the poor construction of the unit, with complaints of constant malfunctions, broken burr grinders and things of the sort. it’s compact size and easy to use features does not make up for the frequent manufacturing issues. If you want a great tasting cup of espresso or coffee and that’s all you care about - the Krups XP7225 is for you. If you want a great tasting cup of espresso with a reliable unit that will last for years to come - then you may want to skip past this one. Within this price range, the Delonghi ESAM3300 is the better alternative.

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