Gaggia Classic Espresso Machine Overview

This video goes into depth on how to use the machine, how the machine is made, and what makes it so special. This is a great video if you are researching on purchasing a new espresso machine and you are not sure which one to purchase. This is also great if you want to know the inner workings of espresso machines.

The video is rather detailed, and talks in great depths over the Gaggia Classic Espresso Machine. This is a great video that really tells you everything you could ever want to know about this espresso machine. After reading lots of rave reviews online, I’m tempted to purchase this one too!

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French Press

If you’re looking for a simple way to make coffee with lots of flavor and body, look no further than the French Press!  It is easy, it is inexpensive, and it makes some seriously freakin’ good coffee.

Here’s what you need to make this divine coffee:

• Some freshly roasted whole bean coffee
• A French Press (DUHHHH)
• A Kettle
• A coffee scoop or scale
• A grinder
• A DESERVING mug.  Something cute that makes you feel happy!

The following video shows step by step instructions on how make coffee using a French Press, which happens to be the method I use daily.  Enjoy the video and go make some coffee with a French Press, like now!

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International Delight Iced Coffee

So today while I was walking the aisles of the grocery store, I decided to pick up some creamer.  Yes, coffee snobs, I have to admit I like to add flavored creamer to my coffee from time to time.  Not everyday, but quite often.  This time I decided to pick up “Cinnabon Creamer” and I’m not ashamed of it!  So what if I like a little cinnamon, cream and sugar in my coffee.  Let me be.  Do I seem defensive?  I sure hope not, but I’ve been shunned before, so I digress.

There I was in the cold section of the store, the dairy section, when I stumbled across International Delight Iced Coffee.  I had to stop in my steps and just stare, dazed and confused.  Why has this not been invented before?  Finding the perfect iced coffee is so hard, and requires so much work.  This seems to good to be true.

So, I stopped and lingered, and I looked.  International Delight offers three flavors:  Original, Mocha and Vanilla.  These are made with 100% premium Arabica coffee,  and are ready to drink.  You simple pour over ice and voilà you have perfectly lovely iced coffee magic.

I decided to purchase the Mocha and promptly returned home where I poured some over crushed ice.  The anticipation was intense.  I plopped in my straw and started sipping.  Honestly, my first thought was this tastes a lot like chocolate milk.  It was sweet, and rich with just a hint of coffee flavor.  I decided to brew a cup of coffee, and once it cooled I added some of it to the iced coffee. Since it was morning I was needing that extra kick.  However, I can see myself enjoy it just as it is in the afternoon or evening for a sweet treat.

Overall, I honestly really enjoyed it!  I think next time I will purchase the vanilla, or perhaps the original flavor.  I’m impressed by the sheer simplicity of it and how it will now be so easy to have iced coffee whenever I damn well please.

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Vacuum Coffee Making

On a recent episode of Bizarre Foods, the host Andrew Zimern, was in Seattle trying different types of coffee, brewed using various methods. One of the most intriguing methods showcased on that show was the use of vacuum coffee making.  It looked more like a science experiment, than coffee making, and was quite impressive!

A vacuum coffee maker brews coffee using two chambers where vapor pressure and vacuum produce coffee. This type of coffee maker is also known as vac pot, siphon or syphon coffee maker, and is said to be invented by Loeff of Berlin in the 1830s. These devices have since been used for more than a century in many parts of the world, and are quite interesting to watch!

Design and composition of the vacuum coffee maker varies. In this episode one of the leading makers of this type of coffee was on the show, Sebastian Simsch.  He has taken coffee making to a true art form and the result is utterly delicious.

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The Slayer Espresso Machine

The Slayer Espresso Machine is something I recently heard about on an episode of Bizarre Foods.  This amazing machine sells for an upwards of $20,000 but is supposed to be an amazing machine in the coffee making world.

Slayer is a powerful Industrial Craft-built machine with virtually endless steam capacity plus brew temperature stability on multiple groups even during maximum volume use.  Steam and brew systems are supplied with preconditioned water at 180 degrees F.  All heating is provided by fail-resistant incoloy elements.  Temperature control is maintained by purpose-tuned PID.  Slayer’s brewing system includes both mechanical and electronic components to enable discreet pressure control across the brew band.

The slayer changes the flavor of coffee by simply adjusting the pressure!  The host of Bizarre Foods, Andrew Zimern, tested the espresso and said is was some of the best coffee he had ever had!  After the he tried the coffee brewed using the different methods, he said the flavor completely changed!  I’m dying to try some Joe from a Slayer!

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Customize your coffee: Create personalized beverages at home

(ARA) – Home personalization has extended to new heights, going beyond the trend of creating customized kitchens to creating customized beverages. Consumers are brewing up personalized specialty coffee drinks on par with those in high-end restaurants and coffee shops. In fact, “do-it-yourself flavor” is among the top 10 beverage trends of the year, according to The Food Channel, a leading online source for food industry trends.

This trend is due, in part, to the uncertain economy. Recent research from the International Food Information Council found that 79 percent of consumers cite price as a key factor in deciding which drink items to purchase in a store. With equipment and recipes readily available today, consumers are embracing this DIY trend and cutting costs by making their own custom drinks at home.

Whatever your taste preference, it’s easy to create personalized beverages for yourself, your family and guests to enjoy all winter long.

Hot-coffee indulgence.
According to the National Coffee Association, gourmet coffee continues to be a significant portion (37 percent) of total coffee consumed. If hot coffee is your way to pamper yourself, endless varieties are available, from classic French roast to Hawaiian Kona and New Orleans chicory.

Choose to brew your way.
To make great coffee, start with the right coffeemaker. Look for one that fills easily and lets you create large or small batches and different brew strengths. For instance, Calphalon’s Quick Brew 12-cup Coffee Maker offers both regular or bold custom brew settings – plus the flexibility to brew up to 12 cups at a time when you have a crowd, or just one to four cups for smaller groups. Brewing up to 25 percent faster than comparable standard coffee makers, the Calphalon Quick Brew 12-cup Coffee Maker won’t keep your guests waiting either.

Add creme to your cup.
Once you’ve brewed your coffee, personalize it further with coffee creamers. They’re available in everything from traditional vanilla, almond or hazelnut to enticing new combinations like honey-vanilla creme and white chocolate caramel latte.

Make it special.
Many specialty coffee drinks are also easy to make at home, such as mocha coffee, gingerbread coffee, almond coffee and Irish coffee. They can often be made with just a few simple ingredients from recipes on websites such as allrecipes.com and others, providing a fun way to top off a dinner party or savor alone by the fireplace.

Create a new blend.
Research shows more coffee lovers are buying whole beans and grinding them at home for a fresher, richer flavor. Take your coffee grinds one step further and become a true “Roastmaster” by creating a whole new blend of your own. Mix and match flavored beans or beans from different coffee-growing countries to develop new tastes and sensations you won’t find in your average cup of coffee. For peak flavor and the ultimate freshness, package your blend in an airtight container and store it in a dark, room-temperature location.

So go ahead and turn yourself loose in the kitchen. It’s easier than ever to customize your cup.

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There are many different types of espresso machines to choose from including the piston-driven machine, semi-automatic machine and the automatic machine. All of these make an excellent espresso and so the decision on which one to purchase will depend on knowing what the differences are and how difficult they are to use when compared to each other. 

Siemens built-in coffee maker from the avantGarde collection.

The piston driven espresso machine more closely resemble the original espresso machines than any other type. This type of espresso machine is harder to use and requires strong arms to pump the lever. As the lever is pumped it forces hot water through the coffee grinds and the resulting liquid is the espresso. The term ‘pulling a shot’ came into being due to the pulling action used to make espresso with a piston driven espresso machine.

The piston driven machine is not used by many coffee shops today but it is considered to be the most authentic espresso machine. Today they are usually found as parts of displays in museums or larger coffee shops who have moved on to automatic or semi-automatic machines.

Semi-automatic coffee machines are almost as obsolete as piston driven machines due to the advancements of automatic machines. The semi-automatic espresso machine, like the automatic espresso machine, has a pump that delivers the water to the coffee rather than it having to be manually pumped.

The automatic espresso machine has the added benefit of grinding the beans, measuring the coffee amount and the water and regulating the temperature all automatically. The automatic machine only requires the user to add the coffee beans to the machine, although there are some with coffee bean storage built in as well.
The automatic espresso machine is the one that most coffee shops use simply due to its ease of use and speed. This allows more espressos to be made faster, which is necessary when running a commercial coffee shop.

Coffee espresso machines are available in many sizes and types. Coffee shop owners have to make the decision on what type of espresso machine to use and how many features they want it to have. Some people believe that the automation process takes away from the espresso while others believe that the automation is a Godsend that allows them to make more espresso faster.

-Sharon Chapman

Also, for more on espresso makers, visit A1 Coffee Makers.

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Espresso machines are more than coffee makers. These machines are highly specialized pieces of equipment that can cost thousands of dollars. On the other hand, there are home versions that can be purchased for individuals to use that cost a few hundred or less. Espresso machines for the home are newer innovations in coffee makers and are making it possible for people to have their cappuccinos and lattes without going to the local coffee shop.

Purchasing a home espresso machine should be done only after carefully evaluating needs, wants and budgets. First, how much espresso will be brewed using the machine has to be determined. This will play significantly into the type of machine purchased. Some home espresso machines are not built to withstand more than a few cups of espresso daily without burning up quickly. If the machine is going to be used often then a higher quality machine should be purchased.

Another need that has to be taken into consideration is space. If the kitchen area is tight on space then the need for an espresso machine with a small footprint is evident. Espresso machines can be large, hulking machines of beauty but if the cabinet area is tight a smaller, more compact espresso maker will be needed.

Wants should be considered as well. Most people want all the bells and whistles they can afford when it is feasible. However, making a list of the extras that are wanted on the espresso machine will be helpful when it comes to budgeting for the machine. Espresso machines can have individual coffee makers that are separate from the espresso maker, giving the machine double duty operation.

Frothers and milk steamers are two more features that many homeowners want their espresso machine to have. These are useful for making lattes and cappuccinos. However, if the machine does not have them all is not lost. Steamed milk can be made in other ways. Temperature regulators, automatic dosers, grinders, coffee bean storage, cup warmers and even waste receptacles are other added features that can be included on espresso machines.
The ultimate decision maker for the homeowner will be their budget. Home espresso machines can be purchased in retail stores for a hundred dollars or sometimes less. However, the quality and longevity of these machines is not very high. If the budget will allow for a couple hundred dollars a better quality machine can be purchased that will last longer. Paring down the list of wants for the espresso machine will help to trim the cost of it considerably.

The coffee espresso machine is an excellent addition to the homeowner’s kitchen and a necessity in the coffee shop. This machine creates the flavor-filled espresso’s that are the canvas on which exquisite coffee drinks are made.

-Sharon Chapman

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Coffee brewers can be single cup brewers like the French Press that simply use hot water and ground coffee without the use of electricity to make one cup of freshly brewed coffee to the modern single-serve coffee makers that use specially designed pods or disposable containers to brew a single cup of the best coffee available at home. These coffee brewers are popular for their ability to create one cup of coffee that is a delight to the senses and a perfection of aroma and flavor.

Percolators are an older type of coffee brewer that remains popular with some people today. Percolators can be either electric or stand-alone that require a heat source. The types of coffee makers use science to force hot water up a tube and over the coffee grounds that are in a basket sitting over the tube. As the heated water drips through the coffee grounds the resulting coffee is dripped into the empty pot below. This method has been used for many, many years and is still used today in many homes and by people who camp or travel and need a way to make coffee using fire as their heating source.

The most popular coffee brewers that were manufactured after the invention of electricity and that are still popular today are the automatic drip coffee makers. These coffee makers heat water that is placed in a reservoir. The water is then pumped into a filter basket that contains the coffee grounds. As the water drips though the grounds the resulting coffee falls into the waiting carafe below which sits on a heating element to keep it warm.

Commercial businesses such as doctor’s offices and business offices typically use the pour over coffee maker or a plumbed version of the drip coffee maker. The pour over coffee maker relies on the user to pour cold water into a holding tank. This water forces the preheated water that is holding up and into the filter basket where it drips through into a waiting pot, much like a regular drip coffee maker.

Plumbed versions of the drip coffee maker do not have to wait for water to be poured into a reservoir. They are attached to a water source that keeps water in the system ready to brew when a switch is flipped.
Coffee brewers have come a long way from boiling coffee grounds in order to get a cup of coffee. Today, espresso, cappuccino or just a single cup of coffee can be made with the touch of a button and who knows what lies ahead for coffee lovers.

-Sharon Chapman

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Coffee K-cups are single-serve coffees that are designed to be used in the Keurig coffee maker. These individual containers of coffee are placed in the Keurig’s hopper which pierces the plastic container from the bottom and the top and allows the hot water that is forced through them to make the perfect single cup of coffee every time.

Coffee K-cups have become widely popular for many reasons. One is the freshness of the coffee that is served. Every coffee K-cup is designed for a one-time use, there is never coffee left sitting in a glass carafe to become stale or scorched due to excessive heating. Another factor in the coffee K-cup’s popularity is that it doesn’t leave a mess behind. Once the coffee is brewed, the plastic cup is removed from the hopper and disposed of in the trash.

Coffee K-cups are not the only types of K-cups. Keurig and other coffee manufacturers realized the popularity of the machine and added hot teas, iced teas and cocoa’s to the K-cup line up. Keurig has changed the way public offices, private offices and even homeowners serve up their coffee. By using K-cups, individuals can choose more than just what they put in their coffee; they can choose the actual coffee they brew each time they reach for a cup of coffee.

K-cups can be purchased through the Keurig website and in many retail shops that carry the Keurig machine. There are also coffee websites that offer routine shipments on a monthly basis at a discounted price for joining. These memberships make it much simpler to keep a stock of K-cups on hand and never run out. That would be the one downside to K-cups, they are not readily available in local grocery stores and although they can be found in a few retail stores, it is a good idea to find out where in the community one is located unless a coffee club membership is purchased.

While K-cups are a major player in the world of single-serve coffee makers, they are not the only player. There are single-serve coffee makers that use pods rather than K-cups. The end result is still an individualized cup of coffee made fresh on demand.

-Sharon Chapman

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