A Guide to Coffee Beans
Comedian Bill Maher once observed that if your favorite drugged state is “wired” and you live in the United States, you are set for life. Starbucks on every corner, coffee aisle in every store. Energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster in every convenience store, and a coffee pot on the burner at every job. Americans may be deficient or ignorant in other matters pertaining to food and beverages, but when it comes to coffee, they’re right up to speed… no pun intended!
However, working in a restaurant or even an espresso cafe isn’t any guarantee that you’ll know more about coffee than the average customer. Most businesses serving coffee in the US know nothing more about it than to pop open a bag of whatever the distributor ships, add water, and brew. So, really knowing one bean from another and something more about brewing will give you a competitive edge.
Coffee trees reach maturity between three and four years when their clusters of fruit turn a deep red. Farmers pluck the ripe cherries, as they’re known, by hand and transport the full baskets by mule or truck to the processing plant. Since the coffee bean is the seed inside of the sweet cherries, the fruit is forced through a manual machine to extract the seeds much like pitting olives. While the cherry pulp is salvaged for use as fertilizer, the coffee beans are soaked in cool water to stimulate a brief fermentation process. Next the beans are spread over mats to dry in the open air. Next, the thick hull of the bean shell is removed to reveal a green coffee bean.
There are several species of coffee trees but most commercial coffee growers use mainly the Arabica and Robusta species. Arabica trees are said to produce the highest quality beans, but they’re harder to grow. However, Robusta trees are more economically viable due to their hearty nature. But before we dive deeper, let’s get some basic terms out of the way.
Coffee lovers mainly judge the quality of a cup of coffee on four criteria; that is body, aroma, snap, and strength. Body is the thickness of the brew, and the feel of the coffee in your mouth; the heavier the body, the thicker the brew. Aroma is the smell of the coffee, similar to how wines are judged. Snap is the acidity of the brew. Coffee with very little acid will be very bland and perhaps too smooth; snap, then, is a judge of how much ‘kick’ the flavor has. Strength is merely how it’s brewed; the greater the ratio of grounds to water, the stronger it is.
And now for the different categories of beans:
Indonesian beans: Indonesian beans produced the heaviest, most full-bodied coffee. They come from Java and Sumatra, and the brew has more body but less aroma. It is a good dessert coffee and is very suitable to flavoring with milk and sugar.
Hawaiian beans: Better known as Kona, Hawaiian coffee is some of the most expensive in the world. Kona offers average snap and body but is in huge demand worldwide because of its powerful aroma and high concentrations of caffeine. To brew espresso with Kona beans and inhale the sweet aroma will bring tears to the eye.
African beans: Growers in Africa produce a coffee of about medium aroma and body with a sharp, tangy snap. Those who like more flavorful coffees will like those from Kenya and Tanzania.
South American beans: Coffee beans grown in Central and South America are the middle of the road in all respects, offering moderate body, aroma and snap. Most of the coffee served in the United States is South American; particularly store-bought brands use Columbian. This is less out of preference and more because it’s cheaper to import from Columbia.
The soil and environment conditions play such a large role in flavoring the beans, that all coffee beans are labeled according to their geographic origins. Kilimanjaro coffee comes from the Tanzanian foothills near Mount Kilimanjaro, Java coffee derives from the Indonesian islands, and so forth.
For many years, consumers bought green coffee beans and roasted them at home. Today nearly all beans are roasted by the manufacturer. Roasting the beans enhances the coffee’s flavor and releases the pungent oils, saturating it with their essence.
The different roasts are a matter of preparation and have nothing more to do with region than the name. American roast produces a medium-bodied coffee, again in the middle of the scale; the standard pot of coffee in the States. Brazilian roast is a slightly darker roast than American. An increasingly popular roast is the French roast, where the roasted beans are the color of dark chocolate. This roast produces a deep, hearty brew and a touch of the bean oil should be visible on the coffee’s surface. The darkest roast is Espresso, where the beans are roasted until they are nearly burnt which gives the roast its distinct, sharp flavor.
All coffee is best bought in the form of whole roasted beans. The very instant that the beans have been ground, their flavor diminishes. Whole beans should always be stored frozen, where they stay fresh for several months. Ground beans should never be stored, but used immediately. However, grounds can be stored in an air-tight container and not lose too much of their essence for a maximum of seven days.
The foil-sealed bags of brown powder you get delivered to an office job or convenience store just doesn’t qualify as coffee anymore, since the cases of ground bags have sat for six months in the racks of a warehouse somewhere. Sorry to bust your bubble. This needs to be made clear: if the beans were ground more than seven calendar days ago, they are stale. It doesn’t matter after grinding if you freeze them, put them in foil bags, vacuum pack them, freeze-dry them, suspend them in dry ice, crystalize them, or send them to the moon. Yes, you can taste the difference. You can smell the difference. Your body can feel the difference after you drank it.
And now for the different brewing methods. Your average Joe likes straight coffee. The ideal cup of straight coffee depends upon preference, but the standard ratio is two tablespoons of coffee grounds per three-quarters a cup of water. Espresso is made by brewing espresso-roasted beans under high pressure, resulting in a strong, black coffee served in small cups. There’s no shielding you from the naked characteristics of the coffee beans with espresso - the shot delivers the full impact of the body, aroma, snap, and strength.
The remaining varieties of coffee-based drinks involve the same espresso with different things added to them. Machiatto is espresso with a touch of steamed milk, and whatever you do, don’t try to explain this to the Starbucks barista. Cappuccino is composed of even thirds of espresso, steamed milk, and a head of milk foam. Cafe latte is one-third espresso and two-thirds steamed milk. The favorite French drink, Cafe au Lait is made with strong coffee instead of espresso and generous portions of hot milk. The flavored coffees are produced by adding flavored oils, which are usually artificial, to the beans during roasting.
Freelance writer for over eleven years.
http://www.bestbuyuniforms.com
http://www.restaurantuniformsonline.com
http://www.uniformscrubsonline.com
Are Coffee Filters Important In The Overall Taste Test?
Remember those sharp bursts of music so familiar in horror flicks. Short, sharp piercing sounds enough to scare the living daylights out of you. I recently experienced those unwelcome sounds when I went to my cupboard to grab a coffee filter and to my horror, there were none there! My life flashed before my eyes and I started having all sorts of horrible thoughts…like having an instant coffee or trying some of my wife’s decaffeinated!
So, this article is dedicated to that wonderful piece of technology… the coffee filter and I guarantee you will not give it a passing glance ever again!
The History Of The Coffee Filter
It must have been a “Newton” moment for filters back in the 1700’s when a sock was used to make the first cup of filtered coffee. The story goes something like this… a person couldn’t stand the sight of grounds in his cup so used a smelly sock to filter it out. The idea must have had some merit because it caught on and the coffee filter was born. Metal filters followed and of course, present day, it’s the paper filters which adourn the cupboards of most households who indulge in the little “black stuff.”
Which Type Of Coffee Filter Do You Prefer?
Paper, gold or cloth filters? It’s your choice. Paper filters are obviously the most popular and most widely used and given their cheaper nature, the most affordable. Melitta coffee filters are just about the most recognized brand and are adaptable to either automatic or manual coffee makers. Do paper filters give off a paper taste? You know, I haven’t really recognized it but then again, I’m not looking for it. More discerning tastes would probably pick it up.
Apart from Melitta, there are a variety of other coffee filters on the market including Bunn, Krupps and the more specialist versions from Chemex and Cuisanart. Believe it or not, filters really are an important part of the brewing process because without them, you’d end up with a horrible mess of grounds at the bottom of your cup and would be better off drinking instant… perish the thought!
It depends how technical you want to get when selecting a coffee filter. Do you have issues of whether there may be chemical contamination within the paper, whether it’s high quality, whether the filter is lightweight or heavyweight or how evenly the water will flow through the coffee. I don’t know about you but I tend to forget all those issues when the aroma starts to filter up my nostrils!
How about a gold filter? Yes, they will be a lot more expensive and the question of practicality will be raised. But they do last a long time and those devoted users of the gold filter will swear by them.
Cloth Coffee Filters
The environmentalists choice no doubt but they are an excellent alternative to paper and of course, they last a lot longer. In fact, with proper care, a cloth filter can service your needs for several months. Cloth devotees will tell you there is extra flavor through a cloth filter and they are probably right.
Whatever method you choose to filter coffee, you need to remember one thing, make sure your filter is suitable for whatever type of machine you are using.
Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster who has a passion for all things coffee. Find out why coffee filters play such an important part in producing great coffee. Plus, get all the latest coffee related news and information at:http://www.coffeemakerheaven.com
Enjoy Your Cup Of Coffee With Essential Coffee Accessories
Many people love a good cup of coffee first thing in the morning. There is a real sense of satisfaction when you can start your day off with a great cup of coffee or espresso. There is more to the coffee experience than just drinking the beverage. You need some well thought out accessories to complete the experience.
With the proper accessories you can make coffee at home that you may enjoy as much as the coffee shop brands. You will need a coffee pot that will do what you want it to do for starters. Add a really nice scoop so you can measure with accuracy the amount of coffee you need each and every time. Once you find the perfect coffee cup you will know it and getting a good travel mug to take your home brew with you on the road is a nice touch. This article will look at a few things to make your coffee drinking more enjoyable.
One of the first things you need to decide on is a coffee pot. There are so many varieties of coffee pots it can be hard to choose which one is right for you. The price range goes from a few bucks to several hundred dollars. You will need to do your research carefully and decide what options you need before you start shopping. The coffee pot you choose does not have to be the most expensive or have the most features. It only needs the features you desire.
A good coffee scoop is an essential item in my thinking. Coffee making is a very personal thing. Some folks like to drink strong coffee and others prefer a different strength drink. Get a good quality scoop and learn to use it so your coffee making will come out the same way every single time.
Most coffee lovers have a favorite coffee cup they prefer over all other cups. There is something about drinking coffee out of the same cup all the time. With all of the new Internet web sites it is now possible to buy a cup from across the world without a lot of trouble. Once you have that perfect coffee mug picked out you need to think about one more item.
A coffee travel mug is a must have for the coffee lover. Most people like to take a drink with them wherever they go. Picking out a quality travel mug is time well spent. Like your favorite coffee cup there is a certain amount of comfort in drinking coffee out of your very own travel mug.
Accessories make the coffee experience a little easier. Take your time and pick out the perfect coffee accessories for you.
For more information on learning how to make a good coffee at home try visiting http://www.coffeebean101.com, a website that specializes in providing espresso and coffee tips, advice and resources.
Topping Off A Gourmet Meal With Coffee
Coffee is not only universal, but controversial.
It is a strange fact that other people’s coffee often seems mysteriously to be more delicious than your own. This is possibly an extension of the basic premise that any meal you did not cook will seem excellent.
There are approximately a hundred ways to make coffee - (yes, there are!) - but there is probably only one way that suits you. Our personal preference is a Chemex - but in the past we have loved percolators - and in our extreme youth, we knew how to make delicious boiled coffee with an egg shell!
So the method of making coffee - and the particular blend that suits you - are a very personal matter with which you must cope experimentally. But since a good cup of coffee is distinctively American, this is worthy of your determined experimentation.
Coffee-makers are not exorbitant in price; you can afford to buy several different kinds for personal testing. (The ones you don’t like will be enormously helpful when you give a big party!)
Nearly all packaged coffees are similar in price; try one after another, until you find the blend you prefer.
Special coffees are a different matter. Generally available is an Italian Espresso coffee. French coffee usually contains a great deal of roasted chicory (in order to stretch the coffee which France does not produce in sufficient quantity), and is therefore slightly bitter.
Turkish coffee is a powder, brewed strong and served very sweet in small cups. It can be bought (by mail, if necessary) from Charles & Co., New York City.
Check out some of these coffee recipes to top off your gourmet dinner.
Cafe Au Lait
The true French cafe au lait is a balance of hot milk and strong coffee.
Heat equal parts of milk and heavy cream very gently in a double boiler - one cup each. Pour the hot cream-milk into one pitcher - and fill a second with fresh strong hot coffee.
Serve by pouring simultaneously from both pitchers into a coffee cup.
Mocha Coffee
4 squares bitter cooking chocolate
1 tsp ground cinnamon
4 cups strong hot coffee
Melt the chocolate and cinnamon in the top of a double boiler; gradually stir in the hot coffee, and distribute among four double-sized coffee cups. Serve with sugar and cream.
Cafe Royale
This is a do-it-yourself for guests: provide each with a large cup of strong hot black coffee - plus a bouillon spoon containing a lump of sugar, floated in brandy (as much as you can get in the spoon).
Light each spoonful of brandy; hold until the flames die, plunge into cup, then stir until the sugar dissolves.
Cafe Diable
An extension of Cafe Royale. This requires a chafing dish. In a heated chafing dish, mix.
5 whole cloves
2 thin slices of lemon peel and orange peel
1 stick of cinnamon
6 lumps of sugar
1 1/2 cup of brandy
Set this afire, and add four cups of strong hot coffee. Stir, and serve (with a ladle) in demitasse cups. As with eggs, every country in the world has its own method of serving coffee.
Austrian Coffee
Top each serving of coffee - either iced or hot - with plenty of sweetened whipped cream.
French Coffee
The slightly bitter, chicory-impregnated coffee used for a demitasse - brew it double strength - serve in the tiny demitasse cups, and provide a stick of cinnamon instead of a spoon. Sissies are allowed a lump of sugar - but cream does not go with this coffee.
Since all of these coffees involve similar ingredients, you can easily ask guests which coffee they prefer and make individual coffees for each.
The Gourmet Shop Online Shows You How To Cook Gourmet Meals And Impress Your Family And Friends
Click here for FREE online ebook!
http://www.gourmetshoponline.com/
Is It Possible That Coffee Is Really Good For You?
Coffee has been a popular start to many people’s day for many years. Though coffee is often looked on negatively due to the caffeine in it there are actually many health benefits to coffee.
Antioxidants are contained in coffee and many people are unaware. Coffee contains these health boosting antioxidants no matter if you are drinking straight coffee or a varied drink such as a cappuccino. Coffee is actually good for you like many things as long as you drink it in moderation.
Often people may avoid drinking coffee due to its effects on the body from the amount of caffeine contained. Caffeine however is not the only ingredient and unfortunately many overshadow the other ingredients in coffee, which are beneficial. The antioxidants in coffee have been proven to boost your immune system and help to ward off illness. Antioxidants are also proven to decrease the likelihood of developing heart disease.
Antioxidants also reduce the risks of developing liver cirrhosis leading to liver cancer. This is good news to many especially when so many medicines increase the risk of liver problems. Drinking coffee is not a replacement for regular checkups and screening from your family doctor. Drinking coffee is however a helpful tool to reduce the likelihood of developing these issues.
Coffee has also been proven to increase alertness and concentration in adults. This is especially good news since many people drink coffee specifically for the reason of staying alert or concentration. It is a common sight to see many people starting their day with a hot cup of coffee.
Although there is many benefits to drinking coffee drinking too much coffee has been related to insomnia, and ulcers. This is mainly due to large excess amounts of coffee. It is recommended that you consume between two and three cups of coffee per day in order to reap the benefits of coffee without causing adverse side effects.
A few other diseases that coffee has been shown to reduce are colon cancer, Alzheimer’s, Type II diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. This is been scientifically proven in various government based studies along with many private health studies.
Due to all the benefits of drinking coffee it is no wonder that coffee has increased greatly in sales in recent years. People are drinking coffee more and more due to the availability and the benefits. As more people realize some of the natural health benefits of coffee it will surely increase in sales once again.
The additional medicinal benefits of coffee are yet to be found. Other countries have recognized the use of coffee as a medicine in the past; with sufficient research it is possible that coffee may prove to be beneficial as an additional source of help for some diseases.
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about this as gourmet coffee gifts at http://www.coffeeandjavashop.com
Discovering Organic Coffee
Many people have turned to organic fruits and vegetables (and even meats) in recent years, striving to live healthier, longer lives. You may be one of these people. But did you know that organic coffee is now available, too? If you can’t find it at your local health food store, then you can definitely find it online.
How Organic Coffee Differs From Traditional Coffee
The coffee plant has traditionally been grown in the company of shade trees and other food and cash crops. This approach made for healthier soil and prevented water contamination. Unfortunately, many coffee growers have abandoned this approach in favor of larger crops and hence larger profits. However, synthetic pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers have become necessary to maintain these crops, and along with them the taste of the coffee has suffered, the soil has suffered, and no one knows the potential impact they may have on the future health of the coffee consumer.
In addition, the loss of the shade trees has had a direct impact on migratory song birds. While an obvious connection may not immediately come to mind, the relationship has actually been symbiotic. These birds used the shade trees as their habitat as they migrated, and as a result they provided a natural defense against many of the bugs and pests that can ruin a coffee crop. Without them, pesticides must be used to do the job.
Unlike the large, commercial coffee plantations, organic coffees are generally grown on small farms with plenty of shade cover. There are plenty of migratory birds to control insects, and pesticides are unnecessary. In fact, the United States requires that organic coffees be grown on shaded land and be completely chemical free for three consecutive years.
Tips For A Great Cup of Organic Coffee
Whole beans should be used within a week of purchase in order to enjoy the full flavor of the coffee.
Avoid vacuum-packed coffee, even organic vacuum-packed coffee. The process of vacuum packing cannot be done immediately after roasting. The coffee must sit for nearly a week before it can be vacuum-packed. This degrades much of the flavor.
Coffee beans should be stored in an airtight container, not on the shelf in the paper bag you brought them home with from the store. And in order to enjoy the full flavor of the coffee, you should grind only the amount you intend to use just before brewing.
Whole coffee beans that will be stored longer than a week should be placed in an airtight glass container that’s kept in the freezer.
As with any coffee blend, organic or not, grind the beans according to the brewing method you intend to use. Keep in mind that if you grind your beans too fine your coffee may end up bitter and muddy; if you don’t grind them enough, your coffee may end up flavorless.
Often overlooked, many people consider the most important step toward a good cup of coffee to be the proportion of water to coffee. Experts recommend 2 tablespoons for every 6 ounces of water.
In Conclusion
While you will pay more for organic coffee, just as you’ll generally pay more for organic fruits and vegetables, choosing organic coffee promotes the environment, the health of the coffee grower, and your health, too. Just as important for coffee drinkers everywhere: organic coffee tastes as good if not better than non-organic coffee.
D. Silva is the webmaster for Coffee Pleasures (http://coffeepleasures.com), a website about coffee, coffee flavors, coffee makers, and more.
How To Use Reviews To Choose A Coffee Maker
Have you joined the coffee maker revolution yet? Today, there are so many different machines on the market, any decision about which one to buy requires scanning the coffee maker reviews and getting good, professional advice.
It’s important to define exactly what type of machine you are after. If you are single and drink one or two cups day then a single cup machine should accomodate your needs. If you entertain a lot, then you’ll be looking at more robust and mass producing machine and obviously, you’ll be spending a little more!
Let’s take a brief look at some of the variety of machines available to consumers today.
Coffee Maker Reviews
Automatic drip machines come in all shapes and sizes and varying prices. Look for extra features such as a glass carafe and adjustable temperature hot plate. This is important as it allows the user to maintain the coffee at a constant and acceptable temperature which means no re-heating is necessary. The quality drip machines will come with programmable timers so you can set them to brew at your convenience. Also look for an automatic shut-off feature.
Thermal Carafe Coffee Maker
Interesting concept in recent years this particular coffee maker feature is proving to be increasingly popular. The idea is the hot plate is replaced by a thermal carafe and the benefit is that the coffee won’t continue brewing when ready and over cook. How long can it be kept at a reasonable drinking temaperature? Well, anywhere up to 3-4 hours.
Features are a great selling point with many machines however, while they are great to have, the bottomline is you want great tasting drink so don’t be afraid to compare machines. You’ll be surprised at just how good coffee can be produced from cheaper, less featured machines. In fact, if it’s the great tasting end product you’re after, then there are thermal carafe models at less than half the price of their more expensive cousins that will keep the brew hot for several hours and taste just as good!
Single Cup Coffee Makers
As the name suggests, single cup coffee makers produce one cup at a time and are always searched for when conducting coffee maker reviews. The advantages are obvious for single people who are moderate drinkers. If you are a one or two cup a day person, then these machines are ideal as the need to brew and entire pot is eliminated.
One cup machines come with pods and I’ve found if there is a disadvantage, it’s the fact that certain makes come with pre-packaged pods but when it comes time to replace them, it’s sometimes becomes a case of “trying to find a needle in a haystack.” Therefore, don’t get too hung up about buying a machine you think can only be serviced with a particular kind of coffee pod. Simple truth is, generically produced pods will be just as effective.
More Coffee Maker Reviews
For excellent tasting coffee there is nothing that beats freshly ground beans. If you have a budget at the upper end of the market then give serious consideration to the “grind and brew” style of machine. Not only will these machines automatically grind the beans but in many instances, you can set the grind to different levels such as thick, medium or fine.
In the end, it doesn’t matter how many coffee maker reviews you read or listen too; fact is, determine the level of drinker you are and then purchase a machine that will accomodate your needs. It’s as simple as that!
Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster who has a passion for all things coffee. Know what to look for with these coffee maker reviews before you buy. Also, get the latest coffee related news and information at:http://www.coffeemakerheaven.com
Ten Steps To Help You Find The Most Suitable Coffee Maker
Everyone it seems, has an opinion on coffee. How it’s brewed, when you should drink it, whether to freeze the beans and the list goes on. It also seems that coffee maker reviews can almost generate the same kind of passion given the proliferation of machines on the market today.
There is a whole range of features that make up a good coffee maker however, if you are looking for the perfect model, one that has every feature imaginable, then you are going to be searching for a long time. Why? Because of the nature of coffee drinkers. The beauty about this little black liquid is that it’s taste is an individual thing. What pleases one person may not necessarily sit well with another.
I’m a self confessed caffe addict. In fact, I don’t mind where or how it is brewed, as long as I can taste the coffee. Whether it’s brewed from an automatic drip machine, a single cup maker, a percolator, a french press, heck, even instant, I’ll drink it. But I do appreciate there are some connisseurs out there who are particular about the taste of their brew so in this coffee maker review, I am going to point out a few features to consider when searching for the perfect machine.
Ten Step Coffee Maker Review
The ideal machine will have the following features:
1. At least a two year warranty.
2. A timer that is user-friendly and can program to the precise second.
3. Automatic features such as hands-free shut-off.
4. An automatic bean grinder within the machine.
5. Settings which include brew control.
6. Settings enabling the number of cups to be brewed.
7. Adjustable temperature hot plate. This is important because coffee that is allowed to continue to cook on a hot plate tastes, in a word, horrible!
8. Pause and serve.
9. Easy to clean. Also, many coffee makers while they brew an excellent cup, tend to be a little messy. So add a non-messy feature to your wish list.
10. Automatic milk heating and serving feature.
What Will You Settle For?
How’s that for a wish list? Trouble is, even if you find a machine with everyone of those features, and bear in mind, there are others I’ve left out, it’s probably going to “cost you an arm and a leg.” How serious are you about your brew? If you are like me then a simple functioning machine with several of the features mentioned above would do the trick.
You need to consider how often you’ll use your machine, it’s size, particularly if you are a home entertainer, and most importantly, your budget. There are a lot of things to consider aren’t there? Again, the question has to be asked… how serious are you about your coffee?
Finally, be careful when reading coffee maker reviews as some will certainly show some bias. A good place to check is online such as forums and Amazon reviews. The bottomline will be how much are you prepared to spend and whether your machine will get good use. The last thing you want is for it to become an ornament on your kitchen bench!
Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster who has a passion for all things coffee. Read the latest coffee maker reviews plus coffee related news and information at:http://www.coffeemakerheaven.com
Espresso Coffee Machines What Are The Differences?
Most coffee drinkers if you are anything like me can go broke stopping at the local coffee house along the way to get your favorite cup of espresso. Most of you probably would benefit from owing your very own espresso machine. There are several varieties of espresso machines available. If you don’t know what is going on with the different machines it can be very confusing.
Tips To select the Espresso Coffee Machine That Is Right For You
There are several different types of espresso machines available. You need to decide how much control you want over the coffee brewing procedure. There is a fine line between how hard the machine is to operate and how much control you want. In order to make a good choice it is important to understand the differences in each machine.
You can purchase a machine designed to use in your home or one set up for a commercial setting. It is easy to become confused because there are so many choices. You need to pick a model that will suit your needs. To narrow down you choices there are only a few different types of espresso makers when it comes down to it.
Manual Espresso Coffee Machines
The manual espresso machines are the hardest type of machine to use. They require a certain amount of skill but once you have the procedure down it will make a great cup of espresso.
When you use a manual machine you must fill up a portafilter handle and compact down the coffee. Now you brush away any loose grounds and lock the handle. The complicated part is pulling the handle, if you pull at the wrong time your espresso will not be as good as it could be.
The lack of an electric pump is something you will need to consider before purchasing. The manual espresso machines were among the first espresso machines that were capable of producing the espresso we know and love today.
Semi Automatic Espresso Machines
Soon after the manual pump model espresso coffee machine became available out came the Semi auto espresso machine. As you might imagine this model gained ground very quickly.
The semi automatic model makes use of a pump sparing your arm from the task. This pump produces more reliable results than you can get from a manual mode
This model is a whole lot more user friendly than our manual friend. You will have wonderful espresso before you know it.
The Full Automatic Espresso Machines
The full automatic espresso machine was introduced a few years back and is really a hands free device. This machine will automatically cut itself off with no help from you when the right amount of espresso has passed through. A lot of professional coffee houses and cafes use this type of machine.
Super Automatic Espresso Machines.
All of the above machines require you the espresso maker to take charge of the espresso extraction. A new day has arrived in espresso machines where your espresso maker will take charge of the situation. With the press of a simple button everything is programmed into the machine. Out comes the perfect cup of espresso with little help from you. These machines have grown quite popular in the last few years.
For more information on choosing the right coffee espresso machine and more information about the espresso machine try visiting http://www.coffeebean101.com, a website that specializes in providing espresso tips, advice and resources.
An Explanation On How To Use An Espresso Machine
Let’s assume that your machine already has water in it in this article we will explain how to use an espresso machine in order to make the best drink you could possibly want.
So it’s got the water in now you turn the machine on and then wait for the heater light to indicate that the water has been heated to the ideal temperature, which is just below boiling point.
Now you place the ground coffee into the basket and tamp it down. The best coffee to use is one that has been freshly ground as after grinding the volatile oils which were previously protected by the bean are exposed to the air which then oxidize and the coffee becomes stale. Unfortunately this occurs immediately after the coffee has been ground and so it is important that you tamp and extract the espresso as quickly as possible. Whilst you are grinding the coffee beans preheat and warm the group head by turning on the pump for several seconds. Then remove the portafilter and dump out the espresso and then wipe the basket dry with a clean towel. When wiping the basket you are preventing water from finding a path of least resistance and this will help to ensure an even extraction of the espresso.
You now install the portafilter in to the machine by twisting and then place a small cup beneath its spout. Now turn the valve on your machine to the espresso position and this will engage the micro switch, which starts the pump, which in turn pressurizes the heating chamber and hot water to a pressure of 15 atmospheres (220 psi). This pressure forces the hot water through the ground coffee and out of the spout. A good espresso machine will take about 25 seconds to produce a 1.5 ounces of espresso.
Then all you need to do is put the switch back into the middle position and you can now steam and froth some milk for making a latte. To do this you need to place a container with some cold milk under the steam wand so that is submerged. You then turn the valve to the steam position, this will energize the resistive heater, which quickly boils the water in the heating vessel and opens the valve that starts the flow of steam to the nozzle. You will notice that the pump runs intermittently in order to keep the heating vessel supplied with water and the steam will quickly heat up the milk. If you want froth then you need to hold the steam nozzle near to the surface of the milk.
With the instructions shown above on how to use an espresso machine you should be making espresso’s, cappuccino’s and latte’s just like the ones you can buy at your local coffee shop.
For more information on choosing the right coffee espresso machine and more information about the espresso machine try visiting http://www.coffeebean101.com, a website that specializes in providing espresso tips, advice and resources.
