Automatic Espresso Machines – Set it and Forget It

This is a Krups "Vivo F880" espresso...

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Most espresso machines on the market offer a great number of features and deliver delicious tasting espresso. They also have one problem…most espresso machines operate manually. Enter the automatic espresso machine. Automatic espresso machines will grind the coffee beans, put the grounds in the hopper, then fill the reservoir with water, heat the water and then force the heated water through the grounds to produce a perfect cup of espresso every time. Some high-end machines will even dump the used grounds from the hopper when finished so that the machine is ready for the next brewing cycle. [Read more…]

Types of Coffee Machines

Coffeemaker

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Well known for its taste and aroma, coffee is a widely consumed beverage throughout the world. The best coffee is made from freshly roasted and ground beans. Traditionally crude methods were adopted to brew coffee. The beans were dried, roasted and powered before boiling in water to make the decoction. It was a time consuming process. Much of its aroma or flavour will be lost because of the exposure and improper heating. Later coffee making methods underwent many changes. In an endeavour to make tasty coffee, using hygienic methods, machines were introduced. Today there are many types of coffee machines available in the market. Machines adopting different technologies and with varying capacities are introduced in the market to cater the needs of the consumers.

Dip brewing is a very common method. To make a few cups of coffee at a time, a machine with one to four cup capacity can be preferred. Uniform heat will be applied to attain the required temperature for the brewing. In some models, the water holder is detachable. It will facilitate to remove the water holder for the purpose of filling water. In some other models burr grinders are used in the place of blade grinders, to avoid the beans getting burnt due to inherent friction. Some of the machines will provide for detachable grinders, but it will occupy more counter space. To store the prepared coffee for a longer time, it is better to go for a thermal pot. The Insulated pot will retain the heat and aroma of the coffee. Glass pots or carafes are also available. Many new features are incorporated in modern coffee machines. Cone shaped filter baskets will facilitate water to flow evenly and to make the coffee more consistent. Timers are provided in the machines for the convenience of the user. Coffee can be ground and mixed with water before going to bed. The timers which are programmed will enable to start brewing process in the early morning automatically. [Read more…]

Coffee Mugs – Uses For Fun & Profit

The most common use for coffee mugs is to house hot beverages, including coffee and hot chocolate. These are usually found in casual settings and are most often made of ceramic. Coffee mugs are available in a large variety of colors and designs, but they all feature the standard handle that is found on every mug.

Found at virtually any retailer, coffee mugs are very affordable and are even customizable. Even going on step further than World’s Greatest Mom or World’s Greatest Dad,  coffee mugs can now feature personalized photos and/or writing. Perhaps it’s a special occasion, photo of a loved one or just a sentiment that stays close to your heart but, whatever the purpose, a personalized coffee mug adds a special touch to each sip.

With continued advancements in technology, many photo studios allow customers to bring in their favorite photo on paper or disc and order coffee mugs featuring color photos. Many studios allow the customer to crop the photo, add borders and/or perform touch-ups when placing the order. A number of online photo studios offer the same convenience as local studios, but both will ask the customer to allow for additional delivery time on personalized orders. [Read more…]

7 Steps for World Class Gourmet Coffee

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For a change, a good cup of coffee would be nice. It does take some time and some energy to find a great cup of gourmet coffee these days. If you do know of a perfect coffee shop, you are one of the lucky ones. But, did you know that you can basically make a nice cup of coffee on your own from home?

Here are 7 simple steps that you can take to produce the perfect cup of coffee every time.

Start with quality. One of the most critical aspects of coffee drinking is the grade of the coffee that you start off with. If you have a favorite flavor, then purchase whole beans in that flavor. If you can do this, it will allow you to get the most fresh coffee accessible.

Grind away. Purchase a quality coffee grinder. Some of the best grinders available today are easy to use and easy to clean up. By grinding your own coffee beans, youll be able to only grind what you need, meaning that you will have complete freshness in your coffee. [Read more…]