Posts Tagged ‘drinks’
Is It Easy To Set Up Your Own Espresso Bar
Monday, November 9th, 2009If you have recently purchased your own home espresso machine, you might be looking for accessories for it. There are some basic “must haves” and there are some really fun add-ons as well. Pick a few from this list to get you off on the right brewing foot.
Let’s start with the espresso grinder and the espresso tamper. The most important accessory to your espresso machine is your coffee grinder. A poor grinder can actually burn your coffee prior to brewing so a good grinder can actually improve the taste of your coffee. The better quality grinders are burr grinders. Don’t skimp on your grinder.
The tamper is a pretty simple tool that is used to press down on the coffee grinds prior to brewing. If you have a new espresso machine, a tamper probably came with your machine and it probably sucks too. If you upgrade your tamper make sure it fits will and that it feels and looks good to you.
A steamer or frothing pitcher makes you look like you know what you are doing. Many espresso drinks (lattes, mochas, cappuccinos, etc) call for either steamed or frothed milk so this will be a required item. You don’t need to get a giant pitcher; one the size of a can of soda pop is good enough for home use.
Now we come to espresso and latte cups. There is a huge variety of designs and styles to choose from. One of my favorites is the simple espresso shot glass. These are made with special heat resistant glass and double walled construction to retain as much heat as possible. The other really cool avenue to explore with espresso cups are the porcelain designer cups. These are short production run cups with unique art from known designers (famous artists, architects, etc). These espresso cups can become very collectable once they are out of production.
You will also want to get sets of espresso spoon and latte spoons to go along with your cups. Espresso cups and spoons are geared toward drinks that are 1 to 2 ounces, while latte and cappuccino cups are usually 6 to 12 ounces in size.
Until you master a multitude of espresso drinks, you will want to have a coffee recipe book. These recipe books can contain hundreds of recipes for coffee beverages (wow!). Basic espresso drinks that you will want to master include the latte, the mocha and the cappuccino.
Once you have the basic espresso drinks mastered you can start adding flavored syrups. There are dozens of flavors and even some that are seasonal (example: pumpkin). You can easily get carried away with too many choices so try them out at your local coffee shop before you buy a multi-year supply in a 750ml bottle.
Actually your options for accessorizing your new espresso machine are nearly endless. Add new items when they make sense to you and you will enjoy brewing your own home made espresso drinks for a long time.
Must-have Features of A Great Coffee Grinder
Sunday, November 8th, 2009In the last couple of years, coffee has become a very popular drink to purchase. There are many various kinds of coffee, so it doesn’t matter what type of coffee you like, it is available anywhere. You can purchase hot mocha cappuccinos and iced coffee lattes. So many different kinds are available, that if you don’t drink coffee, you will probably feel left out.
If you are a serious coffee drinker then most likely, you don’t drink instant. In fact, if you like coffee you have to have a coffee pot to brew your own. Once you have a coffee maker, the next step is to buy a good coffee grinder like a conical burr coffee grinder.
Grinding coffee beans daily will ensure that you’re drinking quality coffee. Coffee fans all over the world accept this as true. Although you can purchase ground coffee, it won’t taste the same. After you’ve bought the best beans, you should then buy a good coffee grinder.
The conical burr coffee grinder is one of the best coffee grinders you can purchase. Although these coffee grinders can cost a lot, you should invest in one if you would like to drink good coffee on a daily basis.
There are two basic kinds of coffee grinders, there is a blade grinder or a burr grinder. A blade grinder is much cheaper but because they use a metal blade your coffee doesn’t grind evenly. If you want the coffee really fine, then you may get a burnt taste from the metal blade running too long. The burr blade is much better. It actually crushes the beans between a wheel and a flat surface, so you can more easily get the consistency that you’re looking for.
There are two different kinds of burr blade grinders. These are a conical burr and a wheel burr. The wheel burr does not cost as much, but it causes a mess and is noisy. A conical burr costs more, but it does a better job and spins much slower.
If you love coffee then you have to try a conical burr coffee grinder. The features of the conical burr are just not comparable to your run of the mill coffee grinder. The way they grind the beans is the key to having the best tasting cup of coffee that you have ever had.
Be careful because these beauties can cost you a pretty penny, but once you taste your coffee you will never go back to a regular coffee grinder again.
A Good Cup of Coffee
Saturday, November 7th, 2009Do you really love coffee? Whether or not you add flavored syrup or steamed milk to make it more like a dessert, coffee is a wonderful treat for many people. Some folks aren’t particular about their coffee and may just desire a lift from the caffeine. There is just something magic about a great cup of Joe, whether you choose a caffeinated or decaffeinated version.
You can use a variety of methods to enjoy your coffee. You can brew it in an old fashioned coffee pot on the stove, use a traditional coffee maker, or try a thermal carafe coffee maker. Although the stove top pot can create a fabulous, strong brew, the small grounds that end up in the bottom of the cup can prevent you from fully enjoying your coffee.
The traditional coffee maker produces granule free coffee if properly prepared, but the draw back from this coffee maker lies in the way you keep the coffee warm. The pot simply sits on a hot plate and continues to somewhat cook the coffee sometimes making the last cup or two taste less delicious than the first.
Another draw back is the continued use of power. While its a small amount, leaving the coffee pot on all day still draws power, and in a time when we are all trying to be conservative, this probably would qualify as responsible use of power any more than leaving the lights on in a room where people are not.
With the thermal carafe coffee maker, you will not have to worry about any of these shortcomings. A correctly made pot of coffee in your thermal carafe coffee maker, much like the conventional coffee maker, will not leave coffee grounds in the bottom of the pot.
The thermal carafe coffee maker also does an excellent job of maintaining the heat of the coffee, without causing the coffee to continue to cook. The reason that your coffee will stay deliciously fresh while maintaining it’s temperature is due to the thermal protection of the carafe, which leads us to another benefit of this coffee maker. The thermal carafe coffee maker automatically turns itself off when the coffee is finished brewing.
Therefore, we have established that there are a variety of ways to get a great tasting cup of coffee. The process by which you arrive at your cup of joe, however, is where the difference lies. You will have to decide which one is right for you.
Understanding the Value of Coffee Maker Accessories
Saturday, November 7th, 2009One of the most renowned beverages around the world is a hot, aromatic and steaming cup of coffee. No matter what time of the day, we coffee aficionados find time to enjoy a sip or two of this wonderful brew. Coffee?s caffeine content is enough to stimulate our nerves and give us a jolt of energy. Wide varieties of coffee are available in the market all around the world with different tastes, blends, textures and aromas.
Coffee beans which are grown mostly in tropical countries are the source of its varying mix. Some of these beans are known for their unique tastes. The most common type of coffee bean are Robusta and Arabica varieties.
Even though instant coffee is an option, most people will want to get their own maker for brewing coffee at home. After you use it for a while, it will become almost vital for your day to day living. Coffee makers are convenient and economical and we can rely on them to provide us with a cup of freshly brewed coffee, day in and day out.
With modern coffee makers comes the need for accessories that can improve their performance. Coffee maker accessories are needed so that it can provide us with great brews just like it promised. The water filter is one of the most important accessories because this catches impurities from regular tap water which can directly affect the taste of the brew. Soft water which is filtered water is the most ideal for a better tasting brew rather than using tap water. Aside from the taste, water filters also provide protection for your coffee maker since it traps solid particles from tap water that may settle in openings and small gaps that can harm your coffee maker.
Other common coffee maker accessories are coffee filters themselves. They separate the ground coffee beans from mixing with your brew. The most common is the paper filter which you can only use once or twice. But the downside of this filter is that it can leave a slight paper taste in your coffee.
A paper filter is the cheapest and most common option although it leaves an aftertaste in the blend. A cloth filter is more economical and eco-friendly because you can recycle it by washing away sifted ground coffee after each use. Gold coffee filters are the rarest and come with a larger price tag. The edges of these filters are lined with actual gold that makes it tougher and long lasting than any other coffee filters.
An additional coffee maker accessory are the millers. If you have these in your home, you will be able to make your own ground coffee by grinding the coffee beans yourself. Its razor sharp edges make it very efficient in grinding and milling hard coffee beans.
Coffee makers are essential and so are the accessories that come with them. No matter how you want your coffee made, these accessories are sure to offer support for you to achieve that most wonderful cup of coffee.
Ways To Enjoy A Great Cup of Coffee
Saturday, November 7th, 2009Don’t you just love coffee? Doesn’t really matter if its flavored or given dessert value by adding various syrups and steamed milk, coffee is definitely a favorite treat for many. While some just want a caffeine jolt, others aren’t particular. Whether its caffeine or decaffeinated, it doesn’t matter, there’s just something about a good cup of Joe.
There are several ways to enjoy a cup of coffee. Brewed old fashioned over the stove or through a traditional coffee maker or perhaps a thermal carafe coffee maker. While the old fashioned coffee pot on the stove can produce a deliciously stout cup of coffee, you may find that the small coffee granules in the bottom cup, definitely keep you from enjoying your coffee to the last drop.
You won’t find any coffee grounds in your cup with a correctly prepared pot of coffee brewed in the traditional coffee maker, but you may find that this method of brewing has another drawback in the way that the coffee’s temperature is maintained. The heat of the hot plate that the pot rests on, will cause the coffee to continue to cook, meaning that several hours after brewing, you may not be very happy with your final cup of coffee.
Another problem is that these coffee makers use electricity the entire time they are turned on. It may only use a small amount, but, in this age of conservation and frugality, leaving the pot on for hours is as irresponsible as leaving a lamp on in an empty room.
With the thermal carafe coffee maker, you will not have to worry about any of these shortcomings. A correctly made pot of coffee in your thermal carafe coffee maker, much like the conventional coffee maker, will not leave coffee grounds in the bottom of the pot.
And a thermal carafe coffee maker maintains the coffee’s temperature without continual cooking. Third, the thermal container keeps your coffee hot and fresh for hours, and that saves energy. You can turn off the coffee maker as soon as the pot is full.
As you see, there are several ways to get a good cup of Joe. Some may work better for you than others. You make the decision.
How To Enjoy A Great Cup of Coffee
Saturday, November 7th, 2009Are you a coffee lover? Coffee is a popular treat for a large number of individuals who enjoy it in flavored varieties, when syrups are added to make a delicious after dinner treat, or just with a little steamed milk added. Your goal may be a bounce of caffeine, other individuals are less discriminating. There is something very appealing about a steaming cup of Joe, whether your taste is caffeinated or decaffeinated.
You can use a variety of methods to enjoy your coffee. You can brew it in an old fashioned coffee pot on the stove, use a traditional coffee maker, or try a thermal carafe coffee maker. Although the stove top pot can create a fabulous, strong brew, the small grounds that end up in the bottom of the cup can prevent you from fully enjoying your coffee.
You won’t find any coffee grounds in your cup with a correctly prepared pot of coffee brewed in the traditional coffee maker, but you may find that this method of brewing has another drawback in the way that the coffee’s temperature is maintained. The heat of the hot plate that the pot rests on, will cause the coffee to continue to cook, meaning that several hours after brewing, you may not be very happy with your final cup of coffee.
Another problem is that these coffee makers use electricity the entire time they are turned on. It may only use a small amount, but, in this age of conservation and frugality, leaving the pot on for hours is as irresponsible as leaving a lamp on in an empty room.
With the thermal carafe coffee maker, you will not have to worry about any of these shortcomings. A correctly made pot of coffee in your thermal carafe coffee maker, much like the conventional coffee maker, will not leave coffee grounds in the bottom of the pot.
Second the thermal carafe coffee maker keeps the coffee warm without cooking it. The thermal protection can keep you coffee fresh and warm a good portion of the day which brings us to a third positive, which is reducing power usage. Once the pot has been filled, the coffee maker can be shut off.
As you see, there are several ways to get a good cup of Joe. Some may work better for you than others. You make the decision.
A Brief History of Tea and Coffee
Friday, November 6th, 2009Coffee isn?t just a beverage. It?s an art form. The same goes for tea. Tea and coffee are both social beverages which have depth and history behind them. Here?s a look at the two drinks in all their caffeinated glory.
Legend has it that coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia; the local shepherds realized that their herds, after munching on the stuff growing wild all around them, couldn?t sleep at night. Another tale tells of a man who was banished to the desert; this man called Omar, found only the coffee plant and in a bout of desperation, boiled it. The plant saved his life and the residents of a neighboring town, called Mocha, took it as a miracle.
Historians believe that coffee was first drank around 1000 AD. In Yemen (southern Arabia), Sufi monks apparently brewed the drink within their monasteries. The drink traveled to Yemen and Egypt via Ethiopia. As with so many other inventions, we can credit the Arabians for introducing the roasting and brewing technique we are familiar with in these modern times. From the Middle East, the plant spread to Northern Africa by around 1450. It then took off in Europe by way of Italy; from there it spread to Indonesia and then eventually America.
In order to protect their investment, Arabians made their coffee beans infertile by boiling them before shipping them out. According to legend, an Indian man whose name was Baba Budan defied the Arabian measures by sneaking out fertile beans strapped to his stomach. Thus came coffee to Europe through ancient Venice and the beverage boomed.
The Dutch began importing coffee in significant amounts, defying the Arab prohibition in 1616. They then took their crop to Java and Ceylon. Exports of Indonesian coffee to the Netherlands took place around 1711.
Today, coffee is ubiquitous. You really can?t go anywhere without seeing it. The art of brewing the perfect cup is something that is prided by many.
Tea has an equally colorful and varied history. It all starts back in old China. Some 5,ooo years ago, according to ancient tales, the wise emperor Shen Nung happened upon tea somewhat by accident. Shen Nung, being a wise emperor, required that all water be boiled before drinking. As the story goes, on a journey in a distant land, Shen Nung and his court were resting and water was to be boiled by the servants. Some dried leaves from a bush fell into the boiling water, rendering it brown. The emperor, a curious man, tasted the beverage and found it to be refreshing. Thus tea was born.
Tea culture was pervasive in ancient China. In 800 AD Lu Yu wrote the first guide to tea called the Ch?a Ching. The book detailed various tea rituals, cultivation methods and preparation. The work was heralded as a masterpiece and backed by the Emperor himself.
The Japanese weren?t introduced to the beverage until the priest Yeisei brought it back to his homeland from China some years later. After that tea was big in Japan.
Tea was introduced to Europe in 1560 via the Portuguese Jesuit Jasper de Cruz. From there it spread like wild fire.
Coca-Cola vs Pepsi: Who Wins in Taste Tests?
Friday, November 6th, 2009For nearly a century now, people have gone back and forth about Coke and Pepsi, each side of the debate claiming that their brand is the better of the two. Much of it comes down to a matter of opinion in the end, but we can still look at public opinions.
Let’s take a look at four of the more popular types of soda and see who wins the debate in the most recent of taste tests and surveys. Are your favorites their favorites too?
This is based on a collection of surveys as opposed to just one, so while there’s no scientific method behind my findings, you can still take these with a grain of salt. At the end of the day, it all comes down to your personal opinion anyway.
Coke vs. Pepsi. This is the big one, as each main cola is the top seller for the respective brand. Maybe it’s their marketing budget, their history, or their worldwide appeal, but the taste of Coke wins out marginally over Pepsi. Some find Pepsi to taste too sweet.
Diet Coke vs. Diet Pepsi. A huge portion of the population prefers these diet drinks over the regular kinds, as they contain no calories and are therefore more conducive to people on diets. In this test, Diet Pepsi wins out. People state that the diet version of Pepsi simply tastes more like the real thing than Diet Coke does.
Sprite vs. Sierra Mist. There’s 7up on Pepsi’s end too, but it looks like Sierra Mist has been pushed harder in recent years. While Sprite enjoys higher sales (probably due to more recognition and a longer track record), people have preferred Sierra Mist in blind taste tests.
Cherry Coke vs. Wild Cherry Pepsi. People were very divided on this issue, though most preferred the taste of fountain Cherry Coke to fountain Wild Cherry Pepsi. This aside, Wild Cherry Pepsi marginally won out in taste tests.
That wraps up my findings. I hope you enjoyed them!
Must-have Features of A Superior Coffee Grinder
Friday, November 6th, 2009In the last couple of years, coffee has become a very popular drink to purchase. There are many various kinds of coffee, so it doesn’t matter what type of coffee you like, it is available anywhere. You can purchase hot mocha cappuccinos and iced coffee lattes. So many different kinds are available, that if you don’t drink coffee, you will probably feel left out.
You probably don’t drink instant coffee if you are a coffee fanatic. Actually, if you enjoy drinking coffee, it’s likely you have your own coffee pot. After you purchase a coffee maker, you should then purchase a quality coffee grinder such as the conical burr coffee grinder.
The best coffee comes from coffee beans that you grind yourself. This is a well known fact for many coffee lovers. You can purchase coffee that is already ground up, but you will not get the same taste. When you get the right beans, you need to get the right coffee grinder.
When you are thinking of coffee grinders, then the best one you can get is the conical burr coffee grinder. They may cost a lot, but if you desire to have good, quality coffee each day, then you have be willing to put in some money.
There are a couple of different types of coffee grinders, a burr grinder and a blade grinder. Blade grinders don’t cost as much, but the metal blade that grinds the coffee will not grind it very evenly. If you wish for your coffee that is exceptionally fine, the metal blade may cause your coffee to have a burnt taste. A burr blade works a lot better. The beans are crushed between a flat surface and a wheel, so the beans will be ground more finely, like you would want.
Burr blades come in two varieties. A conical burr and a wheel bur. The wheel burr costs less, but it is loud and makes a mess. It costs more to buy a conical burr, but it spins more slowly and performs a more thorough job.
You should use a conical burr coffee grinder if you’re a coffee enthusiast. The conical burr offers a lot more than a typical coffee grinding machine. You’ll end up with the most delicious cup of coffee you’ve ever tasted because the beans are ground so well.
Be careful because these beauties can cost you a pretty penny, but once you taste your coffee you will never go back to a regular coffee grinder again.
What Are Espresso Coffee Machines?
Thursday, November 5th, 2009Espresso coffee machines are most certainly one of the more expensive brewers you can buy, but they are worth every penny if you love coffee or need a real jolt of energy in the mornings before work. Espresso is a great drink to inject you with the energy to get up and going, and it is much cheaper than it would be if you went to a coffee house every day.
Espresso coffee machines have been hitting it big since people figured out how much money they could be saving, making them more common that other models these days. This is not really true, but their popularity is soaring. How can you replace a personal shot of espresso in the morning? If you can choose, you absolutely can not. But people also like them because they have become a sort of symbol for style and personal achievement in the kitchen. You should keep that in mind as well: what the brewer says about you.
While the maker itself does say a lot about you, there are more features and factors to look at when looking at the box. Many have features that people couldn’t have even dreamed of a household brewer doing fifteen years ago, so you really need to know that is normal in these types of brewers.
Instead of grounds, espresso is made at home with “pucks,” which are clean and easy to handle. Pucks are easy to use, but you need to keep an eye on the pressure the espresso maker is putting out, or things could turn bad very quickly. Checking how fast the water boils is also essential, if just for convenience purposes.
Aside from the mundane, many espresso coffee machines also have frothers built in for anyone to be able to brew a high quality and frothy lattes and cappuccinos. These are always attachments that can be attached and removed with ease. Some can also act as hot water dispensers at any time of the day, which is a good feature if you like to drink tea as well as coffee.
Many brands also offer add ons and attachments if you would like to do more with your coffee maker later on. While there are not many that do this out right now, and the actual customization choices are limited, it is a good thing to keep in mind.
It’s amazing how much technology has affected coffee machines in the past few years. It used to not even be imaginable to have your own espresso machine at home, but these days it’s possible, affordable, and readily available. Professional-style coffee whenever you want, how ever you want. It truly is a modern marvel.