Sunday, January 24, 2010

Coffee or Espresso?

Coffee refers to a drink prepares by grinding the coffee beans to a powder and mixing with hot but not boiling water till all the flavors of the coffee bean have been extracted. However espresso is prepared by forcing a jet of hot water under pressure through coffee powder. While coffee is lighter in that has the consistency of water with a slight oiliness, espresso is much more thicker and is a concentrated version of coffee. The coffee bean spread from the Middle East to Italy and then to the rest of Europe and subsequently the world. The main reason for the popularity of coffee lies in its stimulating effect mainly due to the compound caffeine. A favorite of workaholics and now health junkies as well. Coffee has been shown to have a number of beneficial effects, especially on the Central Nervous System. Studies indicate that coffee consumption lowers significan'tly the risk of developing dementia, Parkinson's Disease etc. This beneficial effect of coffee has been evident since the discovery of coffee since ancient sources name coffee as a remedy to ailments such as an upset stomach. While coffee has been brewing since its discovery, the espresso is a recent invention of the Italians. The espresso originated in 1821 and since then it has been the foundation for numerous variations. Being really concentrated in the coffee flavors, espresso is often used as the base for the preparation of mochas, lattes and cappuccinos. Topped with vanilla, cream or chocolate, espressos are a long time favorite. However, while a coffee can be prepared at home with a humble pot, to make an espresso, an espresso machine is needed. And due this reason, when the craving for an espresso strikes most people head to the coffee shop round the corner. Maybe that is why I prefer coffee. There is the joy of making it myself coupled with the delicious taste of coffee. But there are also health reasons why you should prefer coffee to espresso. While caffeine is good, coffee also contains lipoproteins. It is these fats and oils which appear on the top layer of coffee upon brewing. Filter coffee to remove these fats. But in an espresso most of these harmful fats are still present and also in higher amounts.
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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Turkish Copper COFFEE POT


Turkish Copper COFFEE POT
SMALL (5.10 oz)
Ibrik - Cezve


TWO Turkish Coffee servings
Volume: 5.10 oz - 150 ml
Height: 3.15 in - 8 cm
%100 Handmade in Istanbul
Hand hammered to give elegant style
Polished and hand painted with enamel colors one by one
Made with heavy thick copper
Tin lined inside for safety cooking and for ease of cleaning
Each coffee pot has unique designes and paintings

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Specialized Gourmet Espresso Machines

Thanks to television and the Internet, we hear all of these wonderful things about gourmet espresso cartridges. Specifically we read rave reviews about their excellent taste, convenience, and clean up. People tend to get so lost in the flavor and convenience that they overlook the important part; price.

Convenience in an Espresso Cartridge

Several companies are jumping on the bandwagon and offering espresso cartridges. These cartridges are great for filling your travel mug, favorite coffee cup or for entertaining. The average price is around $7.50 for a pack of 10 cartridges. Each packet is vacuum sealed and usually contains two cartridges. Price per cup is about 38 cents.

The Expensive Part

Don't stop reading at the mention of the word "expensive" because we're going to break down a few prices for you. The end result may surprise you. You may even decide that investing in an espresso machine up front is well worth the overall savings.

The average cost of a gourmet espresso is $4.50 for a large or grande. Based on an espresso per day for 365 days a year, yearly spending is almost $1,650. That's probably enough to cover your vehicle insurance for a year and have change left over.

The Lavazza Espresso Point Machine has often been referred to as a "coffee shop in a box". It is absolutely loaded with options and functions to create the perfect gourmet espresso every time. Imagine taking 30 seconds out of your day to make an espresso instead of standing in line for 20 minutes. The Lavazza Espresso Point Machine costs almost $700. A refurbished unit will run around $300.

Price Breakdown:
Lavazza Espresso Point Machine, $700
18 packages of cartridges, based on 1 cup a day for a full year, $137
Total Price, $837
Total Savings, $813

The Lavazza Espresso Point EP850 is a smaller version of the $700 machine. This compact machine is perfect for apartments or small office break rooms where space is limited. This machine doesn't hold nearly as much water as the larger machine and requires more frequent refills. For single cup purposes, it's quite possibly the best machine for the cost at around $150.

The Gevalia One Cup Coffee Maker is a more expensive unit and can be customized to fit a large office setting. Employees can easily drop in a few coins and receive precisely what they want, as frequently as they like. With prices starting around $1,800, it isn't the first choice for a home unit. Employers can't go wrong with a great espresso machine in the break room. Their coffee loving employees often spend most of their break standing in line waiting to get a great cup of coffee. Employee productivity is heavily impacted by caffeine, or the lack of it.

Keurig Mini Personal Brewer: This machine costs just under $90 and brews a single cup at a time. Special pods or cartridges make it a very convenient way to enjoy a single cup at a time. Cartridges and pods have the reputation of being more expensive than other brands.

Studies have shown that 5 out of 20 employees who make an average of $40,000 per year leave the office for coffee. These coffee runs average about 15 minutes when the company does not offer refreshments at work. Overall, 39 days of work are lost along with $6,240 per year.

Employees would see the benefits of spending 50 cents a cup instead of their usual trip to the coffee house to spend $4.50 a cup. Employers gain back the lost productivity for a very minimal investment. The added convenience of having an espresso machine in the break room is considered a perk; no pun intended.

What type of machine is required for cartridges?

Many people are under the impression that they can lay them into their regular coffee maker and go. This is not the case. To get the best results, you must purchase the cartridge machine.

Why should I buy a machine that takes specific cartridges?

For perfect coffee, of course! Cartridges require a certain amount of pressure in order for the perfect cup of coffee to be achieved. Regular coffee makers simply run water through coffee grounds. Some need a special machine that runs the water in and punctures the cartridge; others must reach a specific temperature before they release the contents to achieve the perfect cup.

Does every brand of cartridge require its own maker?

Most are brand specific, so check the labels. Remember when making your purchase that brand specific cartridges are of a higher quality, like any other product. Is the clean up and preparation difficult? No. Most artisan coffee makers come with detailed, easy to follow instructions to achieve optimum results. Cleanup is as simple as wiping the machine down and tossing the used cartridge. Do cartridge machines and the cartridges cost a lot? No. Our previously mentioned price breakdown shows savings possibilities. Overall savings could easily pay your vehicle insurance or even be put into a savings account.

How versatile are these machines?

Very! You can make a single mug of coffee for yourself, your family, and guests. Suit everyone's needs without wasting an ounce of coffee and without having to completely wash the maker between each cartridge. That is not only versatile, but it is practical and inviting to everyone who loves coffee.

Author Resource:- Gourmet coffee aficionada, Lili Rousso, reviews Gourmet coffees from all around the world. This month she features the Lavazza Gourmet Coffee brand from http://www.aromacafeculture.com
Article From ArticleSlide.com

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

A Coffee Maker For Every Kitchen

Here is a list of the best coffee makers based on a coffee drinker's means, needs and wants.

Home Use - Easy and Cheap:

Krups KM1000 Programmable Coffee Maker for approximately $79

Comments: I know, $79 isn't exactly cheap, but for the price you get a quality Krups brewer that won't break down in a couple of months. It boasts digital controls, water filtration and a programmable 1-to-5 hour auto shut-off system. Krups has been making quality coffee makers for years. They have slipped a bit lately in the last few years, but they are know back on their quality game, and this is one of their newest models.

Home Use - Easy and Semi-Pricey:

Zojirushi Fresh Brew Thermal Coffee Maker for approximately $99

Comments: Zojirushi is not a common brand name, but in the coffee business, they are known for making the best thermal airports and carafes around. Thermal is the way to go for fresher-tasting coffee, and the Zojirushi features boasts a double-wall thermal carafe that is larger (52 oz.) than most other models, the best brewing temperature of any comparably priced model, and it sprays water evenly over the ground coffee to ensure good over-all extraction.

Home Use - Some Work = Great Coffee:

Chemex Classic 10-Cup Coffee Maker for about $50

Comments: No plug, no buttons, just a glass vase. It was invented by a chemist, but looks like a piece of art. All you do is insert a filter, add your coffee grounds and pour very hot water through the grounds. It takes work, but it makes very good coffee because the water and coffee only touch the special Chemex filter paper and glass, so there's no plastic-y or metallic tastes. Most home coffee makers brew at too low of a temperature, which makes the coffee weak and slightly sour - that problem is eliminated with this brewer.

Home Use - Single Serve:

Krups Dolce Gusto for about $169

Comments: In the last couple of years we have moved from first to second generation single serve brewer. Everyone has been entering the market, and the Dolce Gusto is Krups entry. A single serve machine is only as good as the capsules that it uses: The Dolce Gusto uses capsules from Nestle, who have years of experience in both coffee and cocoa.

Small Office - Low Priced:

Bunn VP17-1 for about $240

Comments: Commercial quality and an entry level price. Basic one warmer with lots of stainless steel, and built to make good coffee and last for years. Come with the great Bunn warranty of 2 years parts and 1 year labor.

Small Office - Excellent Coffee:

Bunn CW15-TC Pourover Carafe Brewer for about $330

Comments: For a little more money then the VP17, you get to brew into a thermal carafe. The quality of the coffee will more than make up for the extra money spent. Note: carafes are sold separately, and they run between $30 - $70.

Office or Commercial Use - Waterline Hook-Up:

Bunn SmartWAVE APS Brewer for about $480

Comments: The SmartWave brewers offer a great thermal brewer that can brew into either carafes or airports at a lower price than most automatic (hook into waterline) brewers. Lots of digital controls.

Coffee Shop-Quality Coffee:

Bunn ICB Brewers, Curtis ThermoPro Brewers, Fetco Extractor Brewers for $800 and up

Comments: These are not just for coffee shops - they are also used in offices, restaurants, churches, etc. The coffee is great because the technology is there: they infuse the coffee with hot water to extract the most flavor from the beans, they brew at the correct temperature, they wet the beans evenly, they for for the correct amount of time, etc. Worth the money if you want the best coffee.

Commercial Grind-and-Brew:

Grindmaster Grind' n Brew for about $2000

Comments: Half of the equation for making great coffee is having the coffee freshly ground. These machines complete that equation.

Machines That Do Everything:

Franke Super-Automatics and Bunn Tigers for $5000 and up

Comments: These machines can make a coffee, espresso, latte or cappuccino in the size you want at the touch of a button. Some of them can even make iced drinks.

We run the website CoffeeMakersEtc.com, and we advise people on coffee makers all day long. People need good coffee. They want a coffee maker that makes great coffee. We know coffee makers, and we are here to help.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Ballenger

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Bunn LCR-2 Liq Refrigerated Disp COFFEE MACHINE MAKER


Bunn Liquid ambient coffee machine maker LCR-2 Refrigerated ;iquid coffee dispenser, Bunn product #34400.0036 ship weight 114 LBS, connector type Scholle 1910LX or specify LiquiBox QC/D II Refrigerated product cabinet extends product flavor profile, maintains 38º- 42ºF in product compartment. Attractive appearance and narrow 12" (30.5 cm) width. Dispense over 125 - 5 oz. cups (1.48 litre) per hour with a 120 volt, 15 amp electrical connection or over 500 - 5 oz. cups (1.48 litre) per hour with a 240 volt / 30 amp electrical connection. Accommodates all .5 gallon (1.9 litre) and most 1 gallon (3.8 litre) bag-in-box (BIB) containers. Refill or rinse LED lights alert the operator when more concentrate or cleaning is needed. Global multi-volt design is easily converted to ratings from 100 to 240 volts (50-60 hertz) eliminating the need to inventory multiple electrical configurations. FlavorGard™ technology continuously monitors extract-to-water ratio and assures flavor consistency. Easy-to-program one touch portion control model is available for self-serve applications. Sanitation listed by ETL to NSF Standard 18 and safety listed by ETL to UL Standard (UL 197) and CSA Standard (C22.2 No. 109 - model LCR-2C)

Friday, October 23, 2009

Coffee Or Tea - Which Is Better For You?

Most people cannot function without either their morning cup of coffee or tea. While, it's mostly the caffeine that gets people going, a side benefit from drinking these beverages is that you may be boosting your immune system and helping to fight disease. While the health benefits of drinking green tea have been much publicized, few people realize that drinking coffee can have health benefits as well but recent studies show that coffee may share some of the healthy attributes that green tea has shown. Like green tea, coffee has antioxidants including quinines, chlorogenic acid and tocopherols as well as essential minerals such as magnesium. All of which help in glucose metabolism and result in those who regularly drink coffee having a reduced risk of diabetes. Both coffee and green tea have been shown to contain compounds which have antibacterial properties that can help prevent tooth decay and may help to fight food poisoning. Green tea has been shown to have a role in the prevention of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, cataracts, and to help boost your immune system. In addition, green tea may also help you lose weight and is said to help lower blood sugar and cholesterol as well as slow the aging process. Coffee is said to contain compounds that boost the activity of enzymes which may protect against colon cancer (according to animal studies published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry). Other health benefits of coffee include a reduced risk of developing Parkinsons Disease, help in relieving asthma symptoms, stopping tension headaches, and inhibiting the formation of gallstones. When it comes to the question of how much coffee or tea you need to benefit the answers can be a bit confusing. While most everyone agrees that the caffeinated should only be taken in small amounts (no more than 3 cups of coffee a day) to avoid the addictive qualities of the caffeine, it's a bit more vague on how much tea is recommended. Some say 10 cups a day, others say you can experience the benefits with 3 cups a day.
Author Resource:- Lee Dobbins writes for Online Gourmet Foods where you can find out more about gourmet coffee and tea.
Article From ArticleshmArticle.com

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Bosch Benvenuto Deluxe Programmable Coffee Grinder


At just the touch of a button, the Programmable Benvenuto Gourmet coffee machine grinds the beans and brews the coffee within seconds. The unique AROMASWIRL brewing system immerses the freshly ground coffee in the ideal water temperature for max flavor. A frothing attachment for cappuccino, instant hot water for tea or hot chocolate adds to this amazing machine's capabilities. And, the Benvenuto automatically cleans itself when needed. Coffee, cappuccino or espresso just like the Italian cafes.

Features: Fully automatic, programmable gourmet coffee machine / Choice of 8 languages / Replaceable water filter / Adjustable Coffee Temperature / Two timer functions: switch off time and auto shut off / 12 different cup-size settings / 6 levels of grind quality / Counter of total brewing cycles / Brewing for one or two cups simultaneously / Thermo block pressure system (15 bar) / Separate chambers for coffee beans and ground coffee / Built-in cup heater for pre-warmed cups and mugs / Individual adjustable settings for strength and size preference / Removable drip tray and grounds container / Automatic cleaning/Automatic descaling / Automatic rinsing / Quiet operation /Economy auto-shut-off (fixed setting: after 3 hrs.) / Easy to use display with programmable function

  • Built-in cup heater for pre-warmed cups and mugs
  • Fully automatic, programmable gourmet coffee machine
  • Two timer functions: switch off time and auto shut off
  • Separate chambers for coffee beans and ground coffee
  • Individual adjustable settings for strength and size preference

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