By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Wayne_Rasku]Wayne Rasku
A growing number of us these days are considering the question, "How I can choose a single serve coffee maker which best meet my needs at home." In particular, is this a good time to get that Keurig Special Edition machine that has been getting all those great reviews?
Up until recently, we've been a bit restricted in our options, and we've frequently had to brew an entire pot of fresh coffee just to enjoy a single cup, then toss the rest into the sink after it got burned and bitter.
The Benefits Of Single Serve
The benefits of single serve coffee stations are mainly found in the simple reality, as the name implies, that they are able to make just 1 serving of coffee at a time and that they make it quite fast in comparison to multi-cup machines. So, you will not have to waste coffee nor will you have to make much more coffee than you will actually drink.
And, in the event you select among the new single serve k-cup or pod systems as your final option here, then you are able to merely slip a little individual coffee pod into the machine, make your cup of coffee, after which you throw the pod away. So, there is really no mess and nothing to clean up.
You can even pick and choose from many different brands of coffee, because all of the major coffee makers are now making single servings for the various types of coffee makers. Just check the grocer's shelves or look online to see just how many of the big coffee companies are now among the ranks of single serve producers. And there is one that stands above the crowd - Keurig. Special Edition machines are now the "go-to" coffee brewer in a large number of households.
Variety - Isn't It The Spice Of Life?
These machines have become popular now partly simply because they're so handy and dependable but it is also because they permit you to purchase such a wide variety of coffees. Whether you prefer strong or mild, hi-test or decaf, you will not be disappointed in the choices. And you can change the kind of coffee you drink on a daily or even hourly basis. Keep a huge supply of flavors and brands in the kitchen cupboard for use when guests come over, too. Your coffee-loving friends will appreciate your tremendous hospitality.
No longer do you have to buy those large bags of coffee that start to lose flavor as soon as the bag is opened. Single serve containers remain fresh until the probe of the coffee machine makes an incision in the top of the serving. Then, after use, it goes into the recycle bin or trash can. It is fresh every time.
There is one complaint that some folks have about single serve machines. The price per cup is much higher than when you purchase your coffee in bags.
There are a couple of arguments that may offset the higher cost for the K-cups that go into the Keurig Special Edition coffee maker. First, you do not throw away any coffee as you might with a 12-cup coffee pot. That helps justify the higher price. Second, the taste of each cup is the same. There is no need for measuring or guesswork as there is when using bags of loose coffee grounds. And, you can consider using some of the online coffee clubs where you can buy large quantities of servings to save money.
At the end of the day, the choice boils down to whether you want the best cup of coffee that you can make in your house. If you are a real lover of this heavenly beverage and you want to match the quality and taste of the local coffee shop, go for the single serve machine.
There are plenty of folks who have made the decision to use a [http://thecoffeeniche.com]Keurig Special Edition Coffee Brewer. You should click on [http://thecoffeeniche.com/]http://thecoffeeniche.com to see some of their stories.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Keurig-Special-Edition-Coffee-Maker-For-Home-Use&id=6650671] Keurig Special Edition Coffee Maker For Home Use
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Holidays, Special Celebrations And Coffee Drinking: Why People Enjoy Them So Much
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Timothy_S._Collins]Timothy S. Collins
People celebrate a variety of holidays throughout the year for many different reasons: secular, religious, international, personal, or uniquely American. Some days have special meaning to some people such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries, graduation day, or because they are the occasion to participate in a large parade and partying such as Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana. Many holidays are associated with the changing of the seasons.
Celebrations are a reason to get together with friends, family, business associates and to build relationships. Drinking coffee is fun and a great way to sit around a table or on a couch and have a memorable conversation with loved ones. The meaning of the special day becomes greater when you stop to enjoy the moment and contemplate your surroundings. Rushing a holiday moment or a birthday celebration is not something people do on purpose. In fact, people try to enjoy every minute of the special day to have memories they will cherish in the future.
People drink coffee primarily because of the aroma, the taste and the sensory experience. Coffee is a beverage you can keep on drinking throughout the day and day after day. As a coffee lover, you never really have too much coffee. With the increasing availability of new flavored coffees, for example, coffee drinkers have more coffee choices to taste and experience the wonderful flavor of coffee, a gift from Mother Nature coffee lovers appreciate! Hundreds of years ago, people enjoyed blending coffee with nuts and spices to create special flavors which they would savor during special days and celebrations.
With the passing of time, many things can change and look very different after a few months and years. One constant that remains is people's love for special celebrations and adherence to holidays we observe on our calendars. Another constant is drinking coffee as an everyday beverage of choice and, for party revelers with few hours of sleep, a great buzz to stay awake and active. One additional constant is the use of gifts during special day celebrations: flowers, candy, clothes, money, chocolate, music, and coffee.
Yes, indeed, coffee is a favorite choice in gift lists to take as a present for someone hosting a meal or to give to a coffee lover on a specific special celebration. What makes specialty coffee great as a gift choice is that it offers so many choices! Whole beans, ground coffee, flavored, espresso, regular or decaffeinated coffee.
What choices of specialty coffee would you offer someone and for what special day?
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day Celebration: Fun and festivities to see the old year out and to ring in the new year. A time to eat and be merry, to relax and stay late for the beginning of a new year. To many Americans, the ball dropping at Times Square in New York City signals the start of the New Year. This may be past bedtime for many people and drinking a great cup of specialty coffee is a sure way to be alert and celebrate. A New Year's resolution for you: order and enjoy Kona Extra Fancy 'Certified' gourmet coffee, fresh roasted to order and delivered to your home! Flavored coffee recommendation: Macadamia Cream flavored coffee.
Super Bowl Sunday, first Sunday in February: Every NFL football team wants to make it to the Big Game at the Super Bowl! Millions of fans attend the "Big Party" and make this the second biggest snack day of the year after New Year's. It is also a day when people drink more coffee than usual. When casual sports fans and true aficionados watch the game and celebrate the action, Certified Jamaican Genuine Blue Mountain gourmet coffee is a great coffee choice or, as an alternative, a bolder, heartier coffee such as French Roast. Flavored coffee recommendation: Eggnog gourmet flavored coffee.
Valentine's Day, February 14th: A celebration of love and lovers going back to ancient times when people paid honor to the Roman God of Fertility on the Feast of Lupercalia. A time to exchange cards, small gifts, chocolates, jewelry, and specialty coffee. Interesting trivia: women purchase 75% of all specialty and candy chocolate during the year. However, men make more than 75% of all chocolate purchases the days and minutes before Valentine's Day. So, it is not at all surprising that the favorite flavored coffees for this day are chocolate flavored ones such as Chocolate Fudge flavored coffee, Chocolate Hazelnut flavored coffee, and Chocolate Swiss Almond flavored coffee!
Erin Go Bragh ("Ireland Forever"), Saint Patrick's Day, March 17th: A special day in honor of the Patron Saint of Ireland, who brought Christianity to the Emerald Isles or Ireland. This is a day to celebrate Irish history, ancestry, traditions and customs. There are more than 34 million Americans of Irish descent which is about nine times the population of Ireland! Favorite specialty flavored coffee on this day: Irish Cream flavored coffee, rich and smooth non-alcoholic 100% Arabica bean gourmet coffee.
Easter Sunday, April: To Christians,this is the most special day of the year commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter also has a pagan celebration with the Easter Bunny, colored eggs, jelly beans, chocolate candy, and coffee before and after the family meal. Families dress up in their finest and colorful new spring clothes. Some families have a big brunch feast. Others have a big main meal with baked ham, turkey or other delicacies as the main dish. Brightly colored boiled eggs are popular as is keeping the coffee pot full with freshly brewed coffee. Favorite coffee selections: Hazelnut Cream flavored coffee; French Vanilla flavored coffee, and Colombian Supremo specialty coffee.
Timothy ("Tim") S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him "The Gourmet Coffee Guy." He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.
Come visit the author's website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com
Also visit: http://www.squidoo.com/thegourmetcoffeeguy-lensography
� Copyright - Timothy S. Collins. All Rights Reserved Worldwide
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Holidays,-Special-Celebrations-And-Coffee-Drinking:-Why-People-Enjoy-Them-So-Much&id=6650723] Holidays, Special Celebrations And Coffee Drinking: Why People Enjoy Them So Much
People celebrate a variety of holidays throughout the year for many different reasons: secular, religious, international, personal, or uniquely American. Some days have special meaning to some people such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries, graduation day, or because they are the occasion to participate in a large parade and partying such as Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana. Many holidays are associated with the changing of the seasons.
Celebrations are a reason to get together with friends, family, business associates and to build relationships. Drinking coffee is fun and a great way to sit around a table or on a couch and have a memorable conversation with loved ones. The meaning of the special day becomes greater when you stop to enjoy the moment and contemplate your surroundings. Rushing a holiday moment or a birthday celebration is not something people do on purpose. In fact, people try to enjoy every minute of the special day to have memories they will cherish in the future.
People drink coffee primarily because of the aroma, the taste and the sensory experience. Coffee is a beverage you can keep on drinking throughout the day and day after day. As a coffee lover, you never really have too much coffee. With the increasing availability of new flavored coffees, for example, coffee drinkers have more coffee choices to taste and experience the wonderful flavor of coffee, a gift from Mother Nature coffee lovers appreciate! Hundreds of years ago, people enjoyed blending coffee with nuts and spices to create special flavors which they would savor during special days and celebrations.
With the passing of time, many things can change and look very different after a few months and years. One constant that remains is people's love for special celebrations and adherence to holidays we observe on our calendars. Another constant is drinking coffee as an everyday beverage of choice and, for party revelers with few hours of sleep, a great buzz to stay awake and active. One additional constant is the use of gifts during special day celebrations: flowers, candy, clothes, money, chocolate, music, and coffee.
Yes, indeed, coffee is a favorite choice in gift lists to take as a present for someone hosting a meal or to give to a coffee lover on a specific special celebration. What makes specialty coffee great as a gift choice is that it offers so many choices! Whole beans, ground coffee, flavored, espresso, regular or decaffeinated coffee.
What choices of specialty coffee would you offer someone and for what special day?
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day Celebration: Fun and festivities to see the old year out and to ring in the new year. A time to eat and be merry, to relax and stay late for the beginning of a new year. To many Americans, the ball dropping at Times Square in New York City signals the start of the New Year. This may be past bedtime for many people and drinking a great cup of specialty coffee is a sure way to be alert and celebrate. A New Year's resolution for you: order and enjoy Kona Extra Fancy 'Certified' gourmet coffee, fresh roasted to order and delivered to your home! Flavored coffee recommendation: Macadamia Cream flavored coffee.
Super Bowl Sunday, first Sunday in February: Every NFL football team wants to make it to the Big Game at the Super Bowl! Millions of fans attend the "Big Party" and make this the second biggest snack day of the year after New Year's. It is also a day when people drink more coffee than usual. When casual sports fans and true aficionados watch the game and celebrate the action, Certified Jamaican Genuine Blue Mountain gourmet coffee is a great coffee choice or, as an alternative, a bolder, heartier coffee such as French Roast. Flavored coffee recommendation: Eggnog gourmet flavored coffee.
Valentine's Day, February 14th: A celebration of love and lovers going back to ancient times when people paid honor to the Roman God of Fertility on the Feast of Lupercalia. A time to exchange cards, small gifts, chocolates, jewelry, and specialty coffee. Interesting trivia: women purchase 75% of all specialty and candy chocolate during the year. However, men make more than 75% of all chocolate purchases the days and minutes before Valentine's Day. So, it is not at all surprising that the favorite flavored coffees for this day are chocolate flavored ones such as Chocolate Fudge flavored coffee, Chocolate Hazelnut flavored coffee, and Chocolate Swiss Almond flavored coffee!
Erin Go Bragh ("Ireland Forever"), Saint Patrick's Day, March 17th: A special day in honor of the Patron Saint of Ireland, who brought Christianity to the Emerald Isles or Ireland. This is a day to celebrate Irish history, ancestry, traditions and customs. There are more than 34 million Americans of Irish descent which is about nine times the population of Ireland! Favorite specialty flavored coffee on this day: Irish Cream flavored coffee, rich and smooth non-alcoholic 100% Arabica bean gourmet coffee.
Easter Sunday, April: To Christians,this is the most special day of the year commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter also has a pagan celebration with the Easter Bunny, colored eggs, jelly beans, chocolate candy, and coffee before and after the family meal. Families dress up in their finest and colorful new spring clothes. Some families have a big brunch feast. Others have a big main meal with baked ham, turkey or other delicacies as the main dish. Brightly colored boiled eggs are popular as is keeping the coffee pot full with freshly brewed coffee. Favorite coffee selections: Hazelnut Cream flavored coffee; French Vanilla flavored coffee, and Colombian Supremo specialty coffee.
Timothy ("Tim") S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him "The Gourmet Coffee Guy." He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.
Come visit the author's website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com
Also visit: http://www.squidoo.com/thegourmetcoffeeguy-lensography
� Copyright - Timothy S. Collins. All Rights Reserved Worldwide
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Holidays,-Special-Celebrations-And-Coffee-Drinking:-Why-People-Enjoy-Them-So-Much&id=6650723] Holidays, Special Celebrations And Coffee Drinking: Why People Enjoy Them So Much
Friday, December 23, 2011
Caffeine: The Pick-Me-Up That Pushes You Down!
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Krista_Braun]Krista Braun
Did You Know?
� The average cup of coffee contains around 135 milligrams of caffeine per cup. Three cups per day means you are consuming more than 500 milligrams of caffeine which is twice the amount considered in a large drug dose.
� Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. Excess caffeine consumption can cause anxiety, nervousness, insomnia or light sleep patterns, stomach and intestinal maladies, and moodiness. Caffeine also stresses the heart leading to heart disease.
� Coffee belongs to the same alkaloid group of chemicals as morphine, cocaine and strychnine.
� "I'll have a Double Toxic Latte Please": The roasting process that brings out the coffee bean aroma converts the oils in coffee into dangerous trans fats which have many detrimental effects on our health. Growers use more pesticides on coffee crops than on any other crops and decaffeinated coffee contains a high concentration of trichloroethylene, a potent liver carcinogen. Nitrosamines naturally occurring in coffee are the same carcinogens found in bacon and other cured meats.
Other Reasons to Limit Caffeine Consumption
� Depletion of vitamins and minerals, mostly vitamin B1 and magnesium. Vitamin B1 is responsible for energy metabolism, protein synthesis and plays a major role in the nervous system. Symptoms of deficiency include fatigue, nervousness, general malaise, general aches and pains, and headaches.
� Caffeine taxes the adrenal glands. Your adrenal glands react to stress and release a hormone called cortisol. Excessive cortisol can cause certain "stress diseases" including decreased immunity, high blood pressure, and possibly stomach ulcers. Not to mention, taxed adrenal glands means hormonal dysregulation and fatigue.
� The sympathetic response that occurs with coffee consumption suppresses optimal digestive system functioning. Instead of resting and digesting, blood is being sent preferentially to muscles, the lungs, and the heart. Any food left in digestive system will then begin to ferment, putrefy and perhaps even turn rancid. When this happens, nutrients and minerals will not be properly absorbed and may lead to deficiencies.
� Interference with blood sugar metabolism by sending blood sugar levels up. The pancreas are forced into action, releasing insulin into system to normalize blood sugar levels. This can cause a huge energy crash later.
� Coffee is highly acidic, resulting in a decrease in healthy bacteria in the intestines leading to many associated health problems: acne, constipation, diarrhea, recurring colds and flu, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia.
Coffee Alternatives
� Green tea - rich in bioflavonoids with powerful antioxidant properties.
� Herbal tea including Roobios, Yerbe Matte - caffeine-free and available in a wide variety that boost energy through antioxidants and non-caffeine mechanisms.
� Grain-and-root coffee substitutes found at health food stores.
As a Treat
� Organic dark chocolate - contains cocoa phenols, which act as an antioxidant and may lower blood pressure.
� A cup of coffee as a treat - use organic beans and grind them fresh to use.
Dr. Krista Braun, ND is a licensed naturopathic physician practicing at the Inlet Wellness Gallery in Port Moody, B.C. She is licensed in acupuncture and bowen therapy. Dr. Braun's passion in the mind/body connection and background in science and research focuses her practice on whole body healing using gentle and evidence-based treatment. Please visit http://www.drkristabraun.com for more information.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Caffeine:-The-Pick-Me-Up-That-Pushes-You-Down!&id=6642555] Caffeine: The Pick-Me-Up That Pushes You Down!
Did You Know?
� The average cup of coffee contains around 135 milligrams of caffeine per cup. Three cups per day means you are consuming more than 500 milligrams of caffeine which is twice the amount considered in a large drug dose.
� Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. Excess caffeine consumption can cause anxiety, nervousness, insomnia or light sleep patterns, stomach and intestinal maladies, and moodiness. Caffeine also stresses the heart leading to heart disease.
� Coffee belongs to the same alkaloid group of chemicals as morphine, cocaine and strychnine.
� "I'll have a Double Toxic Latte Please": The roasting process that brings out the coffee bean aroma converts the oils in coffee into dangerous trans fats which have many detrimental effects on our health. Growers use more pesticides on coffee crops than on any other crops and decaffeinated coffee contains a high concentration of trichloroethylene, a potent liver carcinogen. Nitrosamines naturally occurring in coffee are the same carcinogens found in bacon and other cured meats.
Other Reasons to Limit Caffeine Consumption
� Depletion of vitamins and minerals, mostly vitamin B1 and magnesium. Vitamin B1 is responsible for energy metabolism, protein synthesis and plays a major role in the nervous system. Symptoms of deficiency include fatigue, nervousness, general malaise, general aches and pains, and headaches.
� Caffeine taxes the adrenal glands. Your adrenal glands react to stress and release a hormone called cortisol. Excessive cortisol can cause certain "stress diseases" including decreased immunity, high blood pressure, and possibly stomach ulcers. Not to mention, taxed adrenal glands means hormonal dysregulation and fatigue.
� The sympathetic response that occurs with coffee consumption suppresses optimal digestive system functioning. Instead of resting and digesting, blood is being sent preferentially to muscles, the lungs, and the heart. Any food left in digestive system will then begin to ferment, putrefy and perhaps even turn rancid. When this happens, nutrients and minerals will not be properly absorbed and may lead to deficiencies.
� Interference with blood sugar metabolism by sending blood sugar levels up. The pancreas are forced into action, releasing insulin into system to normalize blood sugar levels. This can cause a huge energy crash later.
� Coffee is highly acidic, resulting in a decrease in healthy bacteria in the intestines leading to many associated health problems: acne, constipation, diarrhea, recurring colds and flu, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia.
Coffee Alternatives
� Green tea - rich in bioflavonoids with powerful antioxidant properties.
� Herbal tea including Roobios, Yerbe Matte - caffeine-free and available in a wide variety that boost energy through antioxidants and non-caffeine mechanisms.
� Grain-and-root coffee substitutes found at health food stores.
As a Treat
� Organic dark chocolate - contains cocoa phenols, which act as an antioxidant and may lower blood pressure.
� A cup of coffee as a treat - use organic beans and grind them fresh to use.
Dr. Krista Braun, ND is a licensed naturopathic physician practicing at the Inlet Wellness Gallery in Port Moody, B.C. She is licensed in acupuncture and bowen therapy. Dr. Braun's passion in the mind/body connection and background in science and research focuses her practice on whole body healing using gentle and evidence-based treatment. Please visit http://www.drkristabraun.com for more information.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Caffeine:-The-Pick-Me-Up-That-Pushes-You-Down!&id=6642555] Caffeine: The Pick-Me-Up That Pushes You Down!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Gaggia Brera - Style And Simplicity
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Stuart_Riley]Stuart Riley
Gaggia is a company synonymous with Italian espresso heritage, and all the features a coffee aficionado could want are included on this quality bean-to-cup coffee machine from Gaggia.
The Gaggia Brera has a compact design, ease of use and energy saving capabilities allowing you to brew your coffee the barista way in the comfort of your own home, while the Gaggia Brera automatically switches to standby mode after one hour to save you energy when not in use, using less than one watt per hour when in standby mode, while the twin boiler reduces the waiting time between coffee brewing and steam output to just a few seconds.
This Gaggia coffee machine can use either coffee beans or ground coffee, making it ideal for preparing espresso. It also has twin boilers allowing you to brew coffee and add milk to make a cappuccino or latte without having to wait, so with just a turn of the steam knob you can froth milk to make cappuccinos, lattes and macchiato coffee.
The grinder in the Brera is a high-quality ceramic, which retains the purity of the coffee aroma as ceramic material is inert and thus ensures the best results without changing the consistency and flavour of the coffee and is durable and safe in use. The default setting gives you a medium grind but it can be easily adjusted to grind as coarse or as fine as necessary.
Obviously, grinding the coffee more finely produces more flavour from the same volume.
Ceramic grinders are long-lasting, make minimum noise and substantially reduce the amount of coffee residue left in the cup; so the quality of the grinder is extremely important.
It goes without saying that the settings on the Brera can be fully customised The dispensing buttons on the control panel can be programmed to your own personal taste.
You can customise everything to your personal tastes, from the amount of milk that is dispensed to the size of coffee. The Gaggia coffee maker has a finger touch function to save user settings incorporating two buttons which can each be programmed for a personalised coffee. This allows the saving of two individuals' custom settings and means that brewing a morning cup made exactly to your liking is as easy as pressing a button.
The Brera offers still more Variety as the ground coffee compartment allows you to brew a different blend without having to change the beans.
Gaggia have helpfully included a 'strength selector' feature to assist you in your decision making process; so you can play around with the coffee strength from very mild to very strong, or anything in between - and altering the settings is a breeze.
Cleaning the Brera is also effortless as it boasts a detachable brewing unit for easy maintenance. Regular cleaning is essential as it removes hard water mineral deposits, residual oils from previously brewed coffee and other impurities that can adversely affect the taste of your coffee. Scale forms while the machine is in use, so it's also necessary to de-scale every three to four months of use.
Enjoying quality coffee in the comfort of your own home is easy with the compact and stylish Gaggia Brera bean-to-cup coffee machine. Professional results are at your fingertips with this compact and lightweight machine which boasts an electronic LED control panel, a 250g bean hopper and a 15 bar pressure pump. It has an integrated ceramic coffee grinder, and is easy to clean due to the detachable brewing unit.
In addition there is a 1.2 litre water tank and a stainless steel boiler.
In short, the Gaggia Brera is an effortless and efficient bean-to-cup coffee machine and would make a great addition to any kitchen.
CoffeeMachineExpert.com is a high-quality online review site covering a large variety of coffee machines, providing genuine and in-depth [http://coffeemachineexpert.com]coffee machine reviews, including this [http://coffeemachineexpert.com/gaggia/gaggia-brera-style-and-simplicity]Gaggia coffee machine. You'll find coffee machine reviews of all the latest brands and models, and every type of machine including bean-to-cup, espresso, and capsule. You'll also find great deals from a host of major suppliers. So whether you're looking for a humble filter coffee machine or a state-of-the-art bean-to-cup machine you can find whatever you're looking for.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Gaggia-Brera---Style-And-Simplicity&id=6643821] Gaggia Brera - Style And Simplicity
Gaggia is a company synonymous with Italian espresso heritage, and all the features a coffee aficionado could want are included on this quality bean-to-cup coffee machine from Gaggia.
The Gaggia Brera has a compact design, ease of use and energy saving capabilities allowing you to brew your coffee the barista way in the comfort of your own home, while the Gaggia Brera automatically switches to standby mode after one hour to save you energy when not in use, using less than one watt per hour when in standby mode, while the twin boiler reduces the waiting time between coffee brewing and steam output to just a few seconds.
This Gaggia coffee machine can use either coffee beans or ground coffee, making it ideal for preparing espresso. It also has twin boilers allowing you to brew coffee and add milk to make a cappuccino or latte without having to wait, so with just a turn of the steam knob you can froth milk to make cappuccinos, lattes and macchiato coffee.
The grinder in the Brera is a high-quality ceramic, which retains the purity of the coffee aroma as ceramic material is inert and thus ensures the best results without changing the consistency and flavour of the coffee and is durable and safe in use. The default setting gives you a medium grind but it can be easily adjusted to grind as coarse or as fine as necessary.
Obviously, grinding the coffee more finely produces more flavour from the same volume.
Ceramic grinders are long-lasting, make minimum noise and substantially reduce the amount of coffee residue left in the cup; so the quality of the grinder is extremely important.
It goes without saying that the settings on the Brera can be fully customised The dispensing buttons on the control panel can be programmed to your own personal taste.
You can customise everything to your personal tastes, from the amount of milk that is dispensed to the size of coffee. The Gaggia coffee maker has a finger touch function to save user settings incorporating two buttons which can each be programmed for a personalised coffee. This allows the saving of two individuals' custom settings and means that brewing a morning cup made exactly to your liking is as easy as pressing a button.
The Brera offers still more Variety as the ground coffee compartment allows you to brew a different blend without having to change the beans.
Gaggia have helpfully included a 'strength selector' feature to assist you in your decision making process; so you can play around with the coffee strength from very mild to very strong, or anything in between - and altering the settings is a breeze.
Cleaning the Brera is also effortless as it boasts a detachable brewing unit for easy maintenance. Regular cleaning is essential as it removes hard water mineral deposits, residual oils from previously brewed coffee and other impurities that can adversely affect the taste of your coffee. Scale forms while the machine is in use, so it's also necessary to de-scale every three to four months of use.
Enjoying quality coffee in the comfort of your own home is easy with the compact and stylish Gaggia Brera bean-to-cup coffee machine. Professional results are at your fingertips with this compact and lightweight machine which boasts an electronic LED control panel, a 250g bean hopper and a 15 bar pressure pump. It has an integrated ceramic coffee grinder, and is easy to clean due to the detachable brewing unit.
In addition there is a 1.2 litre water tank and a stainless steel boiler.
In short, the Gaggia Brera is an effortless and efficient bean-to-cup coffee machine and would make a great addition to any kitchen.
CoffeeMachineExpert.com is a high-quality online review site covering a large variety of coffee machines, providing genuine and in-depth [http://coffeemachineexpert.com]coffee machine reviews, including this [http://coffeemachineexpert.com/gaggia/gaggia-brera-style-and-simplicity]Gaggia coffee machine. You'll find coffee machine reviews of all the latest brands and models, and every type of machine including bean-to-cup, espresso, and capsule. You'll also find great deals from a host of major suppliers. So whether you're looking for a humble filter coffee machine or a state-of-the-art bean-to-cup machine you can find whatever you're looking for.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Gaggia-Brera---Style-And-Simplicity&id=6643821] Gaggia Brera - Style And Simplicity
Monday, December 19, 2011
Coffee Stains - How to Get Rid of Them
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Shawn_Dunaway]Shawn Dunaway
Whether or not you drink coffee all the time, accidents happen, and every now and then, you may find yourself having to deal with a coffee stain. It could be a fresh stain on your clothes, carpet, upholstery, or even set-in stains on your favorite mug, your brewing pot, or coffee appliances. Either way, a stain is a stain, and you may want to learn a few tips to effectively tackle coffee stains.
Cloth Stains: Just because you thoroughly enjoyed your morning cup of coffee doesn't mean that you want to wear it around on your clothes all day. The first thing you want to do when you spill coffee on your clothes is to dab at the stain with a damp cloth; this will help to gently lift out the stain. Rubbing, on the other hand will only make the stain set, and as a result, make it more difficult to get rid of.
If the stain doesn't go away completely, you can always dab at it with some white vinegar. White vinegar can remove fresh stains as well as set-in stains. Baking soda is another household item that can work wonders on coffee stains. Simply dampen the stained area, apply some baking soda, rub it in, and let it sit. After a while, dab at the affected area with a clean damp cloth, and the stain should come right off.
Carpet or Upholstery Stains: While coffee stains on your clothes could be worn as a badge of honor, they are not quite as attractive on your carpet or upholstery. As always, the first thing you should do is to try to absorb all the excess liquid with a cloth or paper towel. Apply baking soda, white vinegar, or a store-bought stain removing agent to the affected region, and let it sit for a while before scrubbing it gently.
Blot it dry, and repeat the process again until the stain is gone.
Coffee Mug Stains: These stains often come about as a result of letting coffee sit in your mug for a while before finishing it. To prevent your coffee mug from staining, don't leave coffee sitting in it for too long, and rinse it out with clean water after you finish your coffee.
To remove already set stains from your coffee mug, fill it up with white vinegar or a baking soda solution, and let it sit overnight. It should be good as new when morning comes.
Coffee Pots and Appliances: Coffee stains on coffee pots can be treated the same way that coffee mug stains are treated; baking soda and white vinegar can go a long way in cleaning coffee appliances.
With any luck, these tips should work and you can stop worrying about your coffee stains, and enjoy your coffee instead.
Shawn Dunaway is the Vice President at CoffeeAM.com, one of the largest online gourmet coffee and tea companies with more than 150000 customers worldwide. CoffeeAM offers a variety of coffee equipment, and pretty much anything that you need to make and enjoy your coffee. To see their full line of products, visit: http://www.CoffeeAM.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Coffee-Stains---How-to-Get-Rid-of-Them&id=6636769] Coffee Stains - How to Get Rid of Them
Whether or not you drink coffee all the time, accidents happen, and every now and then, you may find yourself having to deal with a coffee stain. It could be a fresh stain on your clothes, carpet, upholstery, or even set-in stains on your favorite mug, your brewing pot, or coffee appliances. Either way, a stain is a stain, and you may want to learn a few tips to effectively tackle coffee stains.
Cloth Stains: Just because you thoroughly enjoyed your morning cup of coffee doesn't mean that you want to wear it around on your clothes all day. The first thing you want to do when you spill coffee on your clothes is to dab at the stain with a damp cloth; this will help to gently lift out the stain. Rubbing, on the other hand will only make the stain set, and as a result, make it more difficult to get rid of.
If the stain doesn't go away completely, you can always dab at it with some white vinegar. White vinegar can remove fresh stains as well as set-in stains. Baking soda is another household item that can work wonders on coffee stains. Simply dampen the stained area, apply some baking soda, rub it in, and let it sit. After a while, dab at the affected area with a clean damp cloth, and the stain should come right off.
Carpet or Upholstery Stains: While coffee stains on your clothes could be worn as a badge of honor, they are not quite as attractive on your carpet or upholstery. As always, the first thing you should do is to try to absorb all the excess liquid with a cloth or paper towel. Apply baking soda, white vinegar, or a store-bought stain removing agent to the affected region, and let it sit for a while before scrubbing it gently.
Blot it dry, and repeat the process again until the stain is gone.
Coffee Mug Stains: These stains often come about as a result of letting coffee sit in your mug for a while before finishing it. To prevent your coffee mug from staining, don't leave coffee sitting in it for too long, and rinse it out with clean water after you finish your coffee.
To remove already set stains from your coffee mug, fill it up with white vinegar or a baking soda solution, and let it sit overnight. It should be good as new when morning comes.
Coffee Pots and Appliances: Coffee stains on coffee pots can be treated the same way that coffee mug stains are treated; baking soda and white vinegar can go a long way in cleaning coffee appliances.
With any luck, these tips should work and you can stop worrying about your coffee stains, and enjoy your coffee instead.
Shawn Dunaway is the Vice President at CoffeeAM.com, one of the largest online gourmet coffee and tea companies with more than 150000 customers worldwide. CoffeeAM offers a variety of coffee equipment, and pretty much anything that you need to make and enjoy your coffee. To see their full line of products, visit: http://www.CoffeeAM.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Coffee-Stains---How-to-Get-Rid-of-Them&id=6636769] Coffee Stains - How to Get Rid of Them
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Dolce Gusto From Krups - Quality, Versatility And Style
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Stuart_Riley]Stuart Riley
The Nescafe Dolce Gusto by Krups brings real coffee shop quality coffee into your home in the form of a stylish, multi-coffee capsule system which makes it so easy to enjoy your favourite drink. The Nescafe Dolce Gusto combines the technical brilliance of Krups with great coffee, creating a fantastic match and a must-have kitchen accessory for any coffee lover and is a great example of the new type of single serve capsule coffee makers which are becoming increasingly popular. Capsule coffee makers like this are designed for those who love a good cup of coffee but just want their coffee quickly, without the hassle of grinding beans or spooning out ground coffee.
The Dolce Gusto coffee pods offer a tremendous variety of flavours, from a frothy cappuccino, or a simple shot of espresso, to a multilayered latte macchiato or a rich coffee lungo; the Dolce Gusto dispenses high quality coffee to suit every taste and all at a much lower price than you'd find in a coffee shop.
It's also extremely easy to use
Everything is done automatically, and even better there's no mess at all.
Just switch the machine on having filled up the removable water tank with cold water straight from the tap. Then just pop a capsule in, press the button, and within seconds you'll have a lovely hot coffee. If you are making a frothy cappuccino, for example, which requires both a milk capsule and a coffee capsule, just take out the first capsule, pop in the second, and repeat.
Like all Krups coffee machines cleaning the Dolce Gusto couldn't be easier either. The water tank is easy to remove and empty when not in use, and you can remove the drip tray and pod holder and wash them individually too. Instructions are provided should you need to de-scale the machine, but this seems to be seldom necessary.
Whatever your personal taste there's certain to be something to suit you with eighteen different varieties of gusto coffee drinks available for the Dolce Gusto. One thing you should note is that if you buy latte or cappuccino capsules half of them will be milk pods so you will only get half as many coffees for your money.
In summary, the Dolce Gusto is a top quality pod coffee machine, with which you can enjoy a coffee house quality coffee at home. The Dolce Gusto is a single serve coffee machine that allows you to customise your favourite hot or cold coffee, chocolate or tea drink at a much lower price than a coffee shop. It uses the specially designed capsules from Nestle which provide a wide variety of choice, including cappuccino, americano, espresso, decaf and mocha to name but a few - and all without any mess whatsoever. The Dolce Gusto boasts a professional 15 bar pressure system, a removable water tank, automatic flow stop function, a magnetic capsule holder, a hot or cold water selector and a timer; giving you the convenience and versatility of higher-end machines at a fraction of the cost.
CoffeeMachineExpert.com is a high-quality online review site covering a large variety of coffee machines, providing genuine and in-depth [http://coffeemachineexpert.com]coffee machine reviews, including [http://coffeemachineexpert.com/krups/nescafe-dolce-gusto-cafe-culture-in-your-home]dolce gusto coffee machines. At Coffee Machine Expert you'll find coffee machine reviews of all the latest brands and models, and every type of machine including bean-to-cup, espresso, and capsule. You'll also find great deals and competitive prices from a host of major suppliers. So whether you're looking for a humble filter coffee machine or a state-of-the-art bean-to-cup machine you can find whatever you're looking for.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Dolce-Gusto-From-Krups---Quality,-Versatility-And-Style&id=6643873] Dolce Gusto From Krups - Quality, Versatility And Style
The Nescafe Dolce Gusto by Krups brings real coffee shop quality coffee into your home in the form of a stylish, multi-coffee capsule system which makes it so easy to enjoy your favourite drink. The Nescafe Dolce Gusto combines the technical brilliance of Krups with great coffee, creating a fantastic match and a must-have kitchen accessory for any coffee lover and is a great example of the new type of single serve capsule coffee makers which are becoming increasingly popular. Capsule coffee makers like this are designed for those who love a good cup of coffee but just want their coffee quickly, without the hassle of grinding beans or spooning out ground coffee.
The Dolce Gusto coffee pods offer a tremendous variety of flavours, from a frothy cappuccino, or a simple shot of espresso, to a multilayered latte macchiato or a rich coffee lungo; the Dolce Gusto dispenses high quality coffee to suit every taste and all at a much lower price than you'd find in a coffee shop.
It's also extremely easy to use
Everything is done automatically, and even better there's no mess at all.
Just switch the machine on having filled up the removable water tank with cold water straight from the tap. Then just pop a capsule in, press the button, and within seconds you'll have a lovely hot coffee. If you are making a frothy cappuccino, for example, which requires both a milk capsule and a coffee capsule, just take out the first capsule, pop in the second, and repeat.
Like all Krups coffee machines cleaning the Dolce Gusto couldn't be easier either. The water tank is easy to remove and empty when not in use, and you can remove the drip tray and pod holder and wash them individually too. Instructions are provided should you need to de-scale the machine, but this seems to be seldom necessary.
Whatever your personal taste there's certain to be something to suit you with eighteen different varieties of gusto coffee drinks available for the Dolce Gusto. One thing you should note is that if you buy latte or cappuccino capsules half of them will be milk pods so you will only get half as many coffees for your money.
In summary, the Dolce Gusto is a top quality pod coffee machine, with which you can enjoy a coffee house quality coffee at home. The Dolce Gusto is a single serve coffee machine that allows you to customise your favourite hot or cold coffee, chocolate or tea drink at a much lower price than a coffee shop. It uses the specially designed capsules from Nestle which provide a wide variety of choice, including cappuccino, americano, espresso, decaf and mocha to name but a few - and all without any mess whatsoever. The Dolce Gusto boasts a professional 15 bar pressure system, a removable water tank, automatic flow stop function, a magnetic capsule holder, a hot or cold water selector and a timer; giving you the convenience and versatility of higher-end machines at a fraction of the cost.
CoffeeMachineExpert.com is a high-quality online review site covering a large variety of coffee machines, providing genuine and in-depth [http://coffeemachineexpert.com]coffee machine reviews, including [http://coffeemachineexpert.com/krups/nescafe-dolce-gusto-cafe-culture-in-your-home]dolce gusto coffee machines. At Coffee Machine Expert you'll find coffee machine reviews of all the latest brands and models, and every type of machine including bean-to-cup, espresso, and capsule. You'll also find great deals and competitive prices from a host of major suppliers. So whether you're looking for a humble filter coffee machine or a state-of-the-art bean-to-cup machine you can find whatever you're looking for.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Dolce-Gusto-From-Krups---Quality,-Versatility-And-Style&id=6643873] Dolce Gusto From Krups - Quality, Versatility And Style
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Using Coffee As a Plant Fertilizer
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mel_Chan]Mel Chan
People around the world drink coffee and this means that every day millions of pots of coffee are brewed and millions of wet grounds, filters and bags trashed. Many people did not know that coffee by-products have many uses in the garden and in the farm.
Are you wondering how the coffee by-products have so many uses? If you have a garden at home, sprinkle the coffee wet grounds around the plants before it rains or before watering them. This creates a slow-release of nitrogen into the soil. Nitrogen is the most important element for plant development and required in large amounts. It is essential for the chlorophyll in plants, making photosynthesis possible and the green color of plants. Plants lacking nitrogen show stunted growth and yellowish leaves. Just as too little nitrogen causes problems, too much nitrogen can also cause problems.
If there is too much nitrogen, it will produce plants with weak stems. Quality of the produced fruits, such as peaches and apples will be lower and the sugar content in fruits such as beetroot will be lower. In addition, it can lead to nitrate accumulation in edible foliage of plants. Ingesting such high nitrate foods can pose possible health risks for animals and humans.
Though nitrogen is abundant in our atmosphere, plants cannot use it directly, unless processed naturally in the soil. Therefore, by adding the coffee by-product to the soil, results in slow release of nitrogen. This is a perfect gift to your soil and plants. It is like adding fertilizer to the soil. The coffee by-product releases the nitrogen slowly into the soil that makes it so perfect. It is because quick release of nitrogen may cause harm such as burning of the leaf tissue and plant death.
Most people with a garden and a farm tend to forget about their houseplants. I hope that you are not one of them. You can mix the wet grounds into the soil of the houseplants too.
If you prefer to use fast-acting liquid fertilizer, you can mix the wet grounds in water. You can use about half pound can of wet grounds in a five-gallon bucket of water. However, remember to leave it to stand before use for an ambient temperature. Once usable, you can water the plants with this homemade, gentle liquid fertilizer.
Personally, I prefer to place the coffee by-products directly in the soil, as I find it rather cumbersome to make the fast-acting fertilizer.
Find out more about [http://www.bestinstantcoffee.org]Best Instant Coffee, go here: [http://www.bestinstantcoffee.org]http//www.bestinstantcoffee.org
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Using-Coffee-As-a-Plant-Fertilizer&id=6639389] Using Coffee As a Plant Fertilizer
People around the world drink coffee and this means that every day millions of pots of coffee are brewed and millions of wet grounds, filters and bags trashed. Many people did not know that coffee by-products have many uses in the garden and in the farm.
Are you wondering how the coffee by-products have so many uses? If you have a garden at home, sprinkle the coffee wet grounds around the plants before it rains or before watering them. This creates a slow-release of nitrogen into the soil. Nitrogen is the most important element for plant development and required in large amounts. It is essential for the chlorophyll in plants, making photosynthesis possible and the green color of plants. Plants lacking nitrogen show stunted growth and yellowish leaves. Just as too little nitrogen causes problems, too much nitrogen can also cause problems.
If there is too much nitrogen, it will produce plants with weak stems. Quality of the produced fruits, such as peaches and apples will be lower and the sugar content in fruits such as beetroot will be lower. In addition, it can lead to nitrate accumulation in edible foliage of plants. Ingesting such high nitrate foods can pose possible health risks for animals and humans.
Though nitrogen is abundant in our atmosphere, plants cannot use it directly, unless processed naturally in the soil. Therefore, by adding the coffee by-product to the soil, results in slow release of nitrogen. This is a perfect gift to your soil and plants. It is like adding fertilizer to the soil. The coffee by-product releases the nitrogen slowly into the soil that makes it so perfect. It is because quick release of nitrogen may cause harm such as burning of the leaf tissue and plant death.
Most people with a garden and a farm tend to forget about their houseplants. I hope that you are not one of them. You can mix the wet grounds into the soil of the houseplants too.
If you prefer to use fast-acting liquid fertilizer, you can mix the wet grounds in water. You can use about half pound can of wet grounds in a five-gallon bucket of water. However, remember to leave it to stand before use for an ambient temperature. Once usable, you can water the plants with this homemade, gentle liquid fertilizer.
Personally, I prefer to place the coffee by-products directly in the soil, as I find it rather cumbersome to make the fast-acting fertilizer.
Find out more about [http://www.bestinstantcoffee.org]Best Instant Coffee, go here: [http://www.bestinstantcoffee.org]http//www.bestinstantcoffee.org
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Using-Coffee-As-a-Plant-Fertilizer&id=6639389] Using Coffee As a Plant Fertilizer
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)