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Beverages are one of life’s little pleasures, especially when it comes in the form of a steaming cup of hot coffee. Real coffee lovers will tell you that the only thing better than drinking a fresh cup of hot coffee is first preparing it yourself, particularly when it includes grinding your own coffee beans.

In order to grind your own coffee beans you first need to know a bit about the different types of grinds. There are three basic types: fine, medium and coarse.

1) Coarse Grinds

Coarse grinds are best for your typical percolating coffee maker. You should only use your coffee grinder to grind the coffee beans for approximately 10 seconds.

2) Medium Grinds

In order to make medium ground coffee beans, which also work well in regular coffee makers, you should only grind the beans for a maximum of 5 seconds.

3) Fine Grinds

If you have your very own espresso maker you will want to make sure you use your coffee grinder a little bit longer, for about 30 seconds. Espresso makers require very fine grinds in order to work properly.

Now that you have the types of grinds down you next need to know the options you have when it comes to grinding your own coffee beans. There are two main types of coffee grinders: burr coffee grinders and blade coffee grinders.

1) Burr Coffee Grinder

There are two types of burr coffee grinders, the wheel burr and the conical burr:

Conical Burr Coffee Grinders

Although a little more expensive of the two types of burr coffee grinders, the conical burr is considered one of the best. The conical burr runs at a lower speed, usually below 500 rpm, than the wheel burr. This lower speed in turn produces less noise and creates less mess. And because of the lower speed the conical burr coffee grinder has less of a chance of clogging and can achieve a more uniform grind.

Wheel Burr Coffee Grinders

The wheel burr coffee grinder is the less expensive option of burr grinders. What sets the wheel burr apart from the conical burr grinder is speed. The wheel burr tends to run at a faster speed and that in turn makes the grinder very noisy and messy. With the faster speed, there is also a chance of scorching or heating which will change the flavour of the coffee beans. Depending on the amount of coffee you are grinding wheel burr grinders are still well suited for grinding small amounts of coffee as long as there is no time for heat to build up. 

2) Blade Coffee Grinder

One of the cheapest types of coffee grinders is the blade type. Blade coffee grinders are similar to a blender where the only use one flat blade that spins. The downfall of this type of coffee grinder is that they tend to heat up quite easily and in turn heat the coffee beans, which will result in a scorched taste. So if you are going to use a blade coffee grinder you should only grind your coffee beans in very short bursts to insure that there is no loss of flavour.

Now that you have a little bit of a better handle on the types of grinds and options for coffee grinders, get out there and start grinding your own beans. You won’t believe how fresh your morning cup of coffee will taste after you mastered the art of grinding your own coffee beans.

With a great selection Espresso Machines, check out Morning Coffee Shop’s website, Morningcoffeeshop.com

One of the most popular beverages in North America is a cup of hot coffee. Many North Americans consume these beverages every day, and so few know anything about the history of coffee or even how it is produced. The following 20 facts, from the very well known to the obscure, will give you a little bit of insight into that morning beverage we all love to consume – coffee:  

 1) Coffee is a hot beverage brewed from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant.  

2) The seeds are harvested from the fruit of coffee plants, which are called coffee cherries.  

3) These seeds are harvested twice a year; Once from the south of the equator between April and May and the second time from the North of the equator between September and March.  

4) Once ripe, the coffee cherries are picked and the seeds are extracted. The seeds, referred to as green coffee, are then roasted where they double in size and turn into the dark chocolate brown colour to form the familiar coffee bean.  

5) Roasting only begins when the temperature inside the seed reaches 200°C.  

6) Once roasted the coffee beans are sorted into categories and labelled as light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark, or very dark.  

7) Darker roasts are smoother in flavour because they have less fiber content and more sugar. Lighter roasts have more caffeine and may taste bitterer.  

 Decaffeinated coffee is produced when the coffee seeds are still green by soaking the seeds in hot water or steaming them, then using a solvent to dissolve the caffeine containing oils.  

9) The majority of decaf coffee is only 97 to 99% decaffeinated.  

10) Coffee drinking is reported to have originated in Ethiopia in the 9^th century, although the earliest credible evidence of beverages made with coffee appears in Yemen in the middle of the 15^th century.  

11) Coffee was used in Muslim states as an alternative to wine in religious ceremonies. As a result many Christian nations originally banned the ‘Muslim’ beverages.  

12) Coffee became more widely accepted after Pope Clement VIII deemed it a Christian beverage in 1600.  

13) Even though it is now considered the national drink, coffee was originally banned in Ethiopia by the Orthodox Christian Church until 1889.  

14) Coffee is now grown in over 50 countries worldwide.  

15) Brazil is the top exporter of coffee, followed by Vietnam.  

16) As of 2006, green coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world, just behind crude oil.  

17) On average, total coffee intake is about a third of that of water in North America.  

18) It takes approximately 140 litres of water to grow the coffee beans required for one cup of coffee.  

19) The concept of fair trade coffee was developed in the Netherlands by the Max Havelaar Foundation.  

20) According to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, coffee contains more antioxidants than typical servings of grape juice, blueberries, raspberries and oranges.  

Whether you have brewed it from home, or purchased your morning cup of coffee from the local coffee chop, the next time you take a sip of one of North America’s favourite beverages take a minute to reflect upon the 1200 years of its history and be thankful for the process that it takes to get the coffee to your lips. That morning cup of coffee may just be that much more enjoyable if you do.

For freshly roasted coffee with a great selection, check out Morning Coffee Shop’s website, Morningcoffeeshop.com.

Although coffee and bread may not have much to do with one another, the invention of the espresso machine has revolutionized the ability to home brew espresso for coffee lovers the world over. The very first espresso machines were being used in homes at the beginning of the 20th century. Patented by Luigi Bezzera of Milan, Italy, in 1901, the first espresso machines were of the piston lever variety, which was powered solely by steam pressure.
 

These simple espresso machines do not have any moving parts. They sit on your stovetop and the water is heated in the bottom of the machine where the steam forces the water up into the middle section of the machine where the espresso is actually brewed. Although there have been advances in technology since the invention of Luigi Bezzera’s espresso machine, these stovetop varieties are still very popular today and can be found in kitchens in the likes of Italy, France, Portugal, and Spain.

More modern espresso machines have since been developed and are being used all over North America, from the home to the coffee house. There are two types of espresso machines, automatic and semi-automatic, the main difference being that with the semi-automatic espresso machine the operator can control the amount of water being used. Where as the automatic espresso machines are a one-touch button system.
 

If you are new to the world of espresso you may have recognized the classic shot at your local coffee house. The typical espresso is served in a tiny cup and although the amount may seem smaller than the average cup of coffee, espresso contains about two to three times the amount of caffeine. For this reason alone, espresso is the base for other beverages, such as lattes and cappuccinos. Note that espresso is not a specific bean or level of roast but rather it is the simply the method of how you brew the coffee. So in other words any type of coffee, whether it be light roast or dark roast, can be used to make an espresso.
 

If you would like to make an espresso of your own you must be aware that you cannot use your regular coffee maker. The only way to properly brew an espresso is with espresso machines, whether it is with the stovetop variety or the more elaborate automatic or semi-automatic espresso machines. The reason being is an espresso requires a pressurized brewing process, which allows for a very concentrated cup of coffee.
 

Other than the concentrated amount of coffee that is produced by this brewing method, one of the other main characteristics of a properly made espresso is the crema that is produced. Crema is the reddish-brown foam that floats on top of the surface of the beverage and is the signature of all espressos.
 

Since the espresso makers of Luigi Bezzera’s time, home espresso machines have increased in popularity. Today, a wide range of home espresso machines, from the stovetop version to the automatic and semi-automatic versions, can be found everywhere, from specialist kitchen and appliance stores, to online vendors, and even department stores.
 

If you would like to enjoy your own espresso at home, start looking around and compare espresso makers that are available for you to choose. It is important to pick the right version for your coffee drinking requirements.

With a great selection Espresso Machines, check out Morning Coffee Shop’s website, Morningcoffeeshop.com.

A perfect cup of brewed coffee is not solely dependent on a good coffee machine. It also has to do with coffee grounds

Making the perfect cup of coffee usually depends on the unique coffee preference and taste of the ones who will be drinking it. People have individual preferences of brewing method and taste.

Though the taste is largely preferential, there are general guidelines in brewing coffee. First and foremost, it is important to buy the best “fresh roasted” 100% Arabica high quality coffee. It is the most popular coffee ground beans to give the perfect roast.  Or for any kind of beans you prefer,  always choose the top quality ones.

Coffee beans easily lose its flavor when exposed to air. This is why it is packaged in vacuum-sealed containers.  Only ground a small amount of beans you intend to brew for the day.  Keep the rest of the ground beans well-stored.

If you have options in a coffee maker, choose a burr grinder.  It is the most accurate and consistent in producing ground beans.  Blade grinders can also do the job but produces a less consistent output.  It sometimes still requires shaking the grinder.

You can also buy those coarse-medium ground coffees for a Cafetiere or French Press.  A good kind is the Costa Rica Tarrazu.  For a Drio Coffee Maker or Cone Filter,  you can buy those medium-fine ground coffees,  like Yirgacheffe or Breakfast Blend.  For Espresso Machines, you can buy those finely ground coffees, like Brazil Mimoso.

A bitter coffee indicates that the beans were grounded too finely, or were over-extracted.  Flat,  weak coffees are grounded too coarsely or under-extracted.  Adjust the grind by keeping the same dosage of coffee and measuring the coffee by volume instead of by weight.

Next,  also take note of the water content.  The water to coffee ratio is crucial in making a perfect cup of coffee. Basically, about .35 oz or 2 tablespoons of ground coffee is good for each 177 ml or 6 fl. oz. of water. It is also advisable to dilute coffee when it tastes very strong. It is better than using less coffee.  For a weaker type of coffee, you can just add some hot water to it.

Make sure that you only utilize crystal fresh, tap or cold spring water. It is said that in a cup of coffee, about 98% is composed of water. This will definitely affect flavor. If using tap water, allow it to run for a few seconds before you fill your cup. You can use bottled or filtered water if you suspect that there is a strong taste or odor in your tap water. Never use softened or distilled water.

The estimated perfect water temperature for brewing is between 195oF to 205oF.  If you brew using boiling water,  you will lose some of the delicate flavors.

It is advisable to drink coffee right after brewing.  Do not reheat or reuse coffee grounds.  A coffee does not taste the same when reheated.

Do not take for granted cleaning immediately your cups and spoons after finishing the drink. There is an oily film that coffee leaves that makes the cups and spoons rancid if left unwashed for a few days. And of course, coffee is best served in a mug or cup to keep the heat for a longer time.  If you are going to bring it in the office or school,  place it in the thermos as this keeps the coffee freshly hot for a long time also.  If it is cold coffee, it is better to place them in tall clear glasses.

Feature Product

Are you interested in purchasing a Toastess coffee maker? Toastess makes several different models of coffee makers that appeal to different people and may be used in different situations. A Toastess coffee maker is great for your home, and it’s great for the person on the go. Let’s take a look at this available model, I think you’ll see that this is a good selection for coffee lovers and budget keepers alike.

Coffee Maker/ Coffee Grinder Combo

Toastess International has unveiled the delfino brand of upscale, brushed stainless steel small kitchen appliances. The DLFC-381 10 Cup Programmable Coffee Maker / Grinder Combo automatically brews the freshest cup of coffee. The unit features a 24 hour programmable timer, pause and serve anti-drip feature and 2 hour ‘keep warm’ function with automatic shut-off.

• Grinds your favorite beans then automatically brews the freshest cup of coffee
• 24 hour programmable timer lets you wake to freshly ground, freshly brewed coffee
• ‘Keep warm’ plate maintains your favorite brew at the ideal drinking temperature
• Pause & serve anti-drip feature for quick access to that first cup
• 10 cup capacity
• MFG Brand Name : delfino
• MFG Model # : DLFC-378
• MFG Part # : DLFC-378

Slightly smaller in capacity but just as stylish is the Toastess DLFC-378 10 Cup Delfino. This is actually a coffee maker grinder combination, so you can grind up your beans before automatically brewing excellent, fresh coffee. It features a keep warm plate and features an automatic shut off.

Toastess makes great home coffee makers, whether you need to take your coffee on the go or you’re looking for something stylish and with good capacity. A Toastess coffee maker will satisfy your cravings but it won’t break your budget, they come highly recommended by most consumers.

Toastess has been producing top quality small kitchen appliances for over 50 years.

Come on in to Morningcoffeeshop.com and see what we have to offer…

Delonghi Electric Coffee Grinder

Coffee Grinder

Mr. Coffee Precision Coffee Grinders with Chamber Maid Cleaning System. 3 precision grind settings: fine, medium, coarse; exclusive chamber maid clears grounds from chamber walls; grinds 4-12 cups; removable grinding chamber for easy pouring; press and pour wide opening lid with integrated spout for easy filing and dispensing.

Coffee Grinder