Roasting Coffee Beans Is So Easy

If you have every tried to make wine at home you will know how difficult it is, thankfully roasting coffee beans at home is much easier than making wine - and the results are often so good than no-one would know they have been roasted at home.

Although there are a large choice of roasters available you can use general kitchen equipment such as a frying pan or popcorn maker.  Just make  sure that what ever equipment you use is clean becausee if it is not clean the coffee will absorb the flavour of any left over food.

Dark roasts contain a little less caffeine than lighter roasts, but they lack the acid taste of the latter. Be sure to start with quality beans, of course!

Roasting coffee beans need to be heated to between 460F (223C) and 530F (262C).  This may cause quite a bit of smoke in your kitchen.  Therefore make sure you have your windows open and your extraction fan turned on.  The beans will also produce a strong odour, making ventilation very important. 

Turn up the heat and get those beans in the roaster!  (You may need to disable your fire alarms for a short while).

For some roasters, the thermometer is built-in, but you may want to have an extra for when it's open, or for those frying pan experiments. Candy making thermometers work well for the purpose.

How strong you like your roast depends how long you let the beans roast.  The beans start out green, then turn yellow then brown.  The darker brown the bean the darker your roast.

As the bean begins to get hot, pressure will build up on the surface of the bean and after a while you will hear a loud crack as the bean bursts.  This should happen around four to seven minutes after your begin roasting the beans.  This sound is normal so don't be alarmed.  Just remember to keep stirring the beans so they don't stick and get burnt. 

Caramelization of the sugars inside the beans will take place as the roasting continues.  The degree of caramelization is a personal tastes so remember to keep stirring and checking the beans every 30 seconds.

Roast long enough and sometimes a second loud crack will occur. At this stage the beans will be quite dark and for some palates a little overdone. Beyond the second crack you're really just burning the beans and boiling away the sugars. The results will be too harsh for most.

Transfer the beans to a metal colander, then agitate them.  The reason you need to agitate the beans is to remove the fine skin 'chaff' that results from roasting.  Once this skin is removed the beans are ready to use.

Roasting is a trial process.  You will need to try a few batches with different roasting times before you find your perfect roast to get the perfect flavour from your coffee.  It may be an idea to remove the beans for the heat a little early as the heat within the bean will mean they still continue to cook for a little while after you have removed them from the heat.

When you use a popcorn maker to roast the beans make sure you can stir the beans so they don't stick and burn.  If you are roasting the beans on the stove top, cast iron skillets are fantastic.  Remember don't leave the beans for a second and keep stirring.  Roasting coffee beans is very quick.

How To Recruit Office Coffee Service Provider?

 

Do your office staff perform proper monthly maintenance of your office coffee machine? Are they maintaining your brewing equipment clean?

Cleaning of office coffee maker is very important otherwise your coffee probably tastes stale and gritty. It is extremely necessary to exchange your coffee carafes regularly and scrubbing coffee flasks regularly to avoid build-up in your carafes that leads to sludge-like coffee. You should avoid expired coffee product to get a delightful taste of coffee. Your office staff or supplier should rotate and replenish stock every month.

If there is not enough interesting variety of beverages, multiple choices of coffee and tea, people will leave office to satisfy their individual tastes. This is very important aspect for office coffee service.

Can they provide office coffee makers that fit your break room needs? Different size offices require different machines. Single cup coffee makers may be best for one office, volume brewers for another. In addition , you can ask them to supply additional products to ask for include first aid, break room paper goods, condiments, snacks and other beverages.
 

Your route sales representative should do monthly survey to know the general satisfaction level of your people regarding office coffee service and taste of coffee. You should not sign invoice unless a proper signed report is attached.

How to find a reputable coffee service company in your area?

Search engines like Yahoo. MSN, Google are very helpful to locate coffee service companies in your area. Your online search term should inclide city name like NewYoek and state.e.: office coffee service San Diego CA.

You should start your research with established brand names like Farmer Brothers, Custom Coffee Plan, Boyd's and Starbucks.

You should try to select a company who can provide more than coffee? You can outsource entire break room supply service to that company which will save your business time and money.

How to Make the Perfect Cup of Coffee with Today's Automatic Coffee Makers

Coffee produced using an original Turkish Ibrik is propably not for everyone as it is extremely strong.  This was an original method of brewing coffee, an early type of coffee maker, which did not filter the coffee which therefore made it really strong.  Coffee is still brewed using these types of copper containers in the Middle East today.

If you enjoy coffee and would rather drink it than eat it there are a huge selection of automatic coffee makers available.  Some machines are very simple to use whilst others have more features and are more complex.  Before you decide which machine is for you there are a few things you need to consider...

The drip coffee machine is one of the most popular type of automatic coffee makers available today.  Water is poured into the top of the machine, it then filters over the coffee grounds after beiing heated by an electric coil.  The filtered coffee then collects in a glass pot that sits on a heating plate at the base of the machine.

However, these are just the basic features.  There are many more options available which you might find nice to have.

Controls have proliferated to the level that many machines look like a modern stereo. LCD screens display the time, the time to brew, temperature, a timer and several options even more unmentionable.

If you have ever been in the unfortunate position of having coffee pouring all over your kitchen bench because you forgot to shut off the coffee machine or you could not wait until the coffee finished brewing and you removed the glass pot just to take a quick cup of coffee, only to have the coffee drip all over the hote plate, then you will understand the importance of the Auto shut-off feature.  Basically as soon as you remove the coffee pot from the hot plate the machine stops brewing the coffee.  This may not be one of the most fancy options but it is certainly one of the most useful!

Today you can control every aspect of your brewing experience.  Many modern machines let you select the strength of the coffee you desire, along with what time you want the brew to start, so it can be ready when you wake-up, presuming you remember to set it up the night before!

Everyone loves the smell of coffee, and it is very comforting to come down into your kitchen on a dark, cold morning and smell the fresh brewing coffee as well as seeing the little illuminated display telling you your coffee is ready.

Cleaning has been made better, too, by the development of coffee 'pods' - small pre-measured paper containers of coffee through which the water flows. They have the added blessing of providing good filtering for grounds. Once the brewing is complete you just pop them out (after they've cooled!) and toss them into the waste basket. Essential for the busy - and averse to cleaning up - coffee drinker.

A water filter can prove to be a really useful addition to your coffee machine.  If the water where you live is not that great then the water filter will only improve the quality of your coffee.  Of course the water filter may increase the price of your coffee machine, but can you really put a price on the perfect cup of coffee?

The traditional coffee filter machines are still in demand but the development of the coffee pod machines have proved very popular.  Debate rages as to whether they affect the quality of the coffee, but this will come down to your own personal choice.  People also question the enviromental impact of the pods but again this is a decision only you can make.

With so many brands to chose from and a bevy of coffee machines available it may seem like an impossible task to finally decide on your faultless coffee maker.  But you can take pleasure in that fact the once you have chosen you can enjoy your perfect cup of coffee whenever your want for a long time to come.

Kona Peaberry Coffee is Pleasantly Aromatic

Kona Hawaii has the perfect climate, elevation and equatorial location to produce one of the best coffee beans in the world, the Peaberry coffee bean.  Kona Peaberry Coffee produces a satisfying rich cup of coffee and is the reason it is one of the most sought after coffee beans.

Kona coffee can only be called that if it is grown within the district of Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is grown in a small area only one mile wide by 30 miles long. Coffee grown in any other area of the islands can only be called "Hawaiian." Even coffee grown in Kona is called "Hawaiian" if it falls below the "Prime" grade.

Because Kona Peaberry coffee has a lower acid content than other beans it brews a smoother tasting cup of coffee.  This rare bean is unusual due to its cylinder shape, producing one bean instead of two, and makes up only five
percent of the coffee crop. Some believe that because of its differences it yields a darker and stronger but smoother bean.

The best way to experience this bean is to brew the Kona Peaberry coffee in a French Press coffee pot.  Melding together the best bean with best process of brewing to yield the smoothest and at the same time, boldest cup of
coffee.  The Peaberry bean can be sampled, thoroughly enjoying its robust flavor. It doesn't get much better than this!

To be sure you are getting Kona Peaberry coffee check the label carefully. It can only be labeled Peaberry if it is one hundred percent Peaberry.  Just because you are spending more and it says "Kona Blend" or "Estate" does not mean it is Peaberry coffee. Most Hawaiian coffees are blends of several different types of coffee berries roasted together to create the blend.

It is well worth the extra cost to buy pure Kona Peaberry Coffee. You will not be disappointed.

To find additional information on coffee visit French Press Coffee Maker

Treat Yourself To Organic Flavored Coffee

Organic Flavored Coffee

With the millions of coffee drinkers worldwide there is a rise in demand for not only organic coffee but also for organic flavored coffee.  Many coffee growers have discovered alternative and safe ways to improve the growing process.  They now use organic fertilizer and other earth friendly ideas to enhance and protect their plants.

Organic flavored coffee means that only 100% natural flavorings (fruit & nut extracts) are used to produce flavored organic coffees. Certified organic coffees must be grown, harvested, and processed without chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Farms that grow certified organic coffees are tested for chemicals by an independent certification agency for three consecutive years.


Natural and organic are not interchangeable. Other truthful claims, such as free-range, hormone-free, and natural, can still appear on food labels. However, don't confuse these terms with "organic." Only food labeled "organic" has been certified as meeting USDA organic standards.


As with the majority of organic products, organic coffee takes more time to come to term. This means that organic coffee costs more than your general store brands. In some instances, 12 ounces of organic coffee can be sold for $1.00 per ounce.

Organic coffee, like other organic or all natural foods, is sold in an entirely different section of your local supermarket. This type of coffee is sold in caffeinated and decaffeinated as well as flavored with vanilla, chocolate hazelnut or anything else you can think of that regular coffee comes in. Organic flavored coffee (like other all-natural products) must contain a seal indicating it is, in fact, organic. This is an FDA classification and cannot be overlooked.


Organic coffee growers in other countries are free from the dangers associated with working and living in chemically polluted regions. In organic farming cooperatives, streams and underground water supplies are not polluted with chemical fertilizers. Coffee growers do not suffer from chemical poisoning - an all too real side effect of growing coffee the traditional way.

Organic coffee prices will go down over the next few years, analysts predict. This is made possible by the crop rotation practices mentioned earlier by avoiding using fertilizers and pesticides.

When organic flavored coffee is a product that is higher in quality, delivers better taste, and can be offered at the same price as a high-quality non-organic product, why purchase a non-organic product?

Get the latest information on coffee go to French Press Coffee

Tips for choosing the best coffee makers

When purchasing a coffee maker there are many areas that need to be given some serious consideration. Finding the best coffee makers in a market that is simply overflowing with options can be very challlenging. Below is a simple guide to help you on your mission to find the best coffee maker for your needs. It is very important to keep the following statement in mind. Irrespective of all the cofee maker ratings and reviews you need to remember that the best coffee maker for someone else might not necessarily be the coffee maker that is best for you. The whole process of which coffee maker to buy is very subjective. The circumstances and preferences of each individual are of course different, but one facts remains the same, the best coffee makers for others may not be thwe best coffee maker for you.

Consider the following;

1. How often will you be using your coffee machine?

2. How much coffee do you consume?

3.What is your brew of preference?

4. How quickly do you need your coffee fix?

5.Have you the time or inclination to grind your own coffee beans?

6. Is cleaning a coffee maker a real pain for you?

7. . How much space have you available for your coffee maker?

8. How much can you afford to spend on your coffee machine?

Now that you have answers to the questions above we will look at some of the options available to you in your search for the best coffee makers.




Automatic Drip Coffee Makers



Automatic drip coffee machines are probably the coffee makers most favored by Americans. They are relatively inexpensive to purchase and simple to use. Most work on the same principle. There is within the coffee pot there is a filter basket where the coffee grounds are held in a paper filter. Cold water is decanted into the reservoir where it's heated prior to being poured over the grounds. The ensuing coffee flows into a carafe. The brewed coffee is kept warm by the hot surface beneath the carafe.

Keeping the machine and carafe clean, using quality coffee and disposable paper filters will help ensure a better result.

Automatic Espresso Coffee Makers

Automatic espresso coffee makers are available in semi-automatic, fully automatic and super automatic versions. Semi-automatic models tamp the coffee grounds, brew the coffee, fill the cup and eject grounds. Fully automatic models also grind the coffee. Super models offer a wide variety of features, including built in water filters.

French Press Coffee Maker

French Press coffee makers are also known as press pots or plunger pots. The pot is a glass or porcelain cylinder which contains a stainless, mesh plunger that works as a filter.

The user measures coffee grounds into the pot and adds water that is just short of boiling point.. The plunger is put in place but not pushed until the coffee has steeped a few minutes. After steeping, the plunger is pushed and the coffee is ready.

The coffee needs to be served immediately or placed in a thermal carafe as there is no way of keeping the coffee hot.


Percolator Coffee Makers

Percolator coffee makers are available in stove top styles and in electric styles. Most modern ones are both electric and can be programmed. Some models make only one cup of coffee, others can make 12 cups at a time. The massive coffee urns that a lot of organisations use operate on the percolation principle and can brew in excess of 100 cups of coffee at a session.

Percolators are not used as often as they used to be. These machines continuously run the water over the grounds and the water is boiled. Many coffee lovers claim that both actions violate the laws of making good coffee.

Coffee made via percolator tends to be stronger and often bitter tasting than coffee made with other brewing methods.

Stovetop Espresso Coffee Makers

Stovetop espresso coffee machines are simple to use and can be made anywhere there is heat, whether on a stove or over a campfire. Water is put inside the bottom boiler. The funnel filter is then placed in the boiler and filled with coffee. The top is screwed on lightly and the unit is placed over the heat source.

Once the top of the boiler is filled with brewed coffee, the coffee machine is removed from the heat source and the coffee is served.

Vacuum Coffee Makers

Vacuum coffee makers look more like chemistry lab equipment than coffee machines. This type consists of two overlapped containers that are connected by a syphon tube. There is a filter in the bottom of the upper container.

The user places water in the lower container and coffee grounds in the upper container. The machine is then put on top of the stove where the heated water vaporizes and passes through the syphon tube into the upper container.

The coffee brewing cycle lasts approximately three minutes. After the unit is removed from heat, the vapor turns back to water and is forced through the filter and back into the lower container. Farberware created the first automatic vacuum coffee machine model while Sunbeam made the first truly automatic modern one.



Hopefully, this quick guide to coffee makers will make your task of choosing the best coffee makers for your circumstances, just that little bit easier.

Built In Coffee Makers

Built In Coffee Makers

Built in coffee makers are changing the way people design their kitchens. They are also changing the way people view the effectiveness of their ordinary, everyday appliances. These machines are making life easier for a lot of people, not to mention the fact that they are more convenient, and also pretty cool. For these and other reasons, built in coffee makers are becoming increasingly popular. Just take a look at all of the information about them that is available on the internet. Of course before we go any further, we should take a look at built in coffee makers and see what they are, and how they can help us achieve that all important caffeine rush.

Built in coffee makers, if the name is not descriptive enough, are coffee makers that are built into your kitchen. They take the place of that almost obsolete, but necessary appliance, the coffee pot. The built in coffee makers work somewhat like a soft drink machine that you would find in a fast food place. They have all of the ingredients already included for a great cup of coffee, water and coffee. The water is plumbed, or tanked straight into the unit, and the coffee beans can be freshly ground to taste. Built in coffee makers can also help declutter your kitchen. Because they are built in to your kitchen instead of sitting on your counter, they give you back some of your counter space. The unit itself is not too big, though some can be up to twenty four inches wide. You might want to seek the advice of a kitchen designer, to see how to best fit a built in coffee maker into your kitchen.

Built in coffee makers are also more convenient than a regular freestanding coffee pot. One of the built in's special features is that it can give out just one perfect cup of coffee at a time. We all know that it is quite time consuming and frustrating to have to wait until the full pot of coffee is made, before we can get one cup out of it. How many times has that happened to you? But with these coffee makers that problem is solved, and some designs even come with a drawer to keep your cups in. So not only will built in coffee makers save you time, they will also save you from wasting that extra coffee.

Built in coffee makers not only give you a perfect sized cup, but they also can give you a better tasting cup of coffee. You have the option of which coffees and grinds are put into your coffee maker. If you choose to put whole beans in it, the coffee maker will grind them to taste. We can all agree that there is nothing better than the smell of roasted coffee beans being made into coffee in the mornings. The best built in coffee makers offer taste and convenience, all in one neat package, and they make a great addition to any kitchen.

Top One Cup Coffee Makers Brands

One cup coffee makers (or single serve coffee makers) are much in demand nowadays. The reason for their growing popularity is that they eliminate the need to bear the hassles involved in brewing a ‘pot’ full of coffee when only a cupful is needed. The preparation of a whole pot of coffee that can be pretty wasteful is thus avoided. The main objectives that the one cup coffeemakers achieve are quick brewing, lessening of flavor and taste loss owing to prolonged retaining of the coffee and of course dispensing of the right amount of coffee that is needed.

 

Now there are even the one cup espresso makers on offer that aim at offering single servings of espresso beverage. This can enable you to brew and treat yourself to the perfect espresso drinks while doing away with the need to brew in excess.

 

There are a number of concerns that offer the single serving coffeemaker models. Notable among these are Phillips and Keurig. Many a model of the one cup coffeemakers of the day are manufactured by Phillipe Senseo and Black and Decker. Consumers who have used these products have praised their functionalities. Hence, these can be deemed to be worthy offerings in the market that you too can think of opting for.

 

Some popular choices among the one cup coffeemakers are the Senseo pods. It is their speed of brewing and delivering and convenience and ease of handling that sets them a class apart. Besides, these require little service. However, it has been learnt that the coffee pods that are used in the machine are not easy to find in the retail stores and they also do not come in a great variety. Shopping for the requisite pods can be made from Melitta or Senseo online is the way out to ensuring securing of the pods.

 

The Black and Decker concern provides some kind of coffee mug too with purchase of their one cup coffee makers. The single serving coffee makers that they provide are comparatively priced lower. The models make use of coffee filters to brew the automatic drip coffee. Some of the most popular one cup coffeemakers are the Senseo Single Serve Coffee Machine, the Black and Decker Brew ‘N Go, the Melitta MES1R, Keurig B50 and Mr. Coffee SSP10. Some among these models are programmable while the others are not. Any of these can be judiciously chosen keeping in with personal preferences of features.