Java Jim

February 8, 2010

Espresso Making.

Filed under: Coffee — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Thomas Goldman @ 3:02 pm

Espresso is a type of coffee. It is currently most popular in southern area of Europe and some parts of S. America. It was invented in Milan, Italy, around the beginning of the 20th century and initially was produced using pressurized steam, although many methods of making it now use pressurized hot water.

This type of coffee is typically twice as concentrated as other types of coffee and due to this concentration is used as a base for many other types of coffee including the famous cappuccino as well as mocha, latte and macchiato. However, it is commonly served in much smaller portions than regular coffee which means that the actual amount of caffeine per cup is typically less than with other coffees.

The espresso is sometimes served in a pre-heated mug or glass. This helps retain the warmth and the “crema” which is the foam on top and is typically a reddish-brown color.

Many people see coffee beans marketed as “espresso” and thus believe that it’s a different type of bean used than for other coffees. This is not true, as an espresso can really be made using any variety of coffee beans. It is a good idea to try a variety of different beans to make your espresso to see which you like the best, or you could find information on which beans are used to make your favorite espresso on sale. Espresso is not a particular roasting level of beans either, so make sure you try a variety of roasts.

The espresso originally came to America to Cuban communities in Miami. It is now common in America and even more popular in Australia. From Miami, the drink spread to Seattle, and from there across the rest of the USA, spreading as the well-known brands of coffee shops spread. At the time of writing, North Beach, San Francisco is one of the areas where the espresso is particularly popular.

There are many sub-types of espresso with slightly different methods of creation. The Americano is a diluted form made by adding an equal quantity of hot water, and was preferred by American soldiers in the first world war. The cappuccino was traditionally made using one-third espresso, one-third steamed milk, and one-third microfoam. American variations on the cappuccino typically add more foam and more milk resulting in a less concentrated drink.

Want to find out more about Espresso, then visit Thomas Goldman’s site on how to choose the best Espresso Machines and coffees for your espessos.

December 28, 2009

Espresso Coffee Makers And Their Features

Filed under: Coffee — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Richard Phillips @ 10:19 am

There is nothing wrong with being picky about coffee, and if you are like many coffee lovers you want the best of the best, every day. Espresso coffee makers can give you just that, and it will only cost you a fraction of what you spend on coffee each year. You can find these at most interior design or home appliance store, but one thing is for certain: these machines make professional-style coffee each and every day. The great coffee is only one benefit to owning an espresso maker. The best part is not having to spend a few dollars per day at a coffee shop.

You will likely not see one of these at a friend or family member’s house yet, but they are getting more and more popular as time goes on. They haven’t really boomed yet because of the prices. Decent to high quality espresso coffee makers can cost a pretty penny. You may even sometimes find that they are triple or quadruple the price of expensive drip coffee makers. If cost is a huge factor, you may want to hold out until they get a little cheaper. Otherwise, dive right in!

The features that a model may list can be numerous, but it is important to keep your head on straight when reading about what any individual model can do. As these products are not especially common yet, it can be too easy to look at any individual one and think that it is a good buy, but if you move on and look at different models you will most likely be able to find some that are both relatively affordable and packed with special functions.

You can get an espresso machine that uses either ground beans or special espresso pucks. Everyone has used ground beans to make coffee. After all, it is what coffee is made of. However, pucks are compressed bean packets that can be packed full of traditional or more modern coffee flavors for your enjoyment. You can often find pucks with special and unique flavors, but they do also often just come in premium coffee flavors as well.

If you want to make more than just espresso, you can find espresso coffee makers that will allow you to create froth from milk for lattes and cappuccinos. You may or may not want this feature, but you might find that many espresso machines are actually sold with the froth makers. This no longer makes it a luxury, rather it is now just an every day item for you to enjoy.

Years ago, no one would have believed what we have these days when it comes to coffee makers. While the drip models are simply appliances, espresso coffee makers stand as pinnacle of coffee-making technology. As the technology gets more affordable they are also getting to be more common, and pretty soon everyone will have one of their own. Are you going to be one of them?

Want professional coffee in your own home everyday? Find out how espresso coffee makers can give you the best coffee you can get, and how much cheaper it will be.

December 20, 2009

Is Flavored Coffee Any Good?

Filed under: Coffee — Tags: , , , , , , , — Bart Forcey @ 9:35 am

Gourmet flavored coffee can be found everywhere these days. This is because it has become a staple for many people. With so many to choose from, finding your own favorite coffee is definitely possible. Frequently you will find pamphlets in your local gourmet coffee shop explaining all about their coffee’s origin.

They may include everything from what type of beans are used to what flavorings have been added. Ethiopia was the first place known for cultivating the coffee plant, also called “Kaffa”. Coffee rapidly became a desirable drink in Africa. Soon the entire world was working toward acquiring their own coffee plants. Clearly they were successful. These days, many regions of the world grow coffee for exporting.

Do you like to wake up to the smell of that fresh brew filling the room? Or perhaps you are one of those people who does not really feel awake until you have stumbled down to the local coffee shop for your first cup of the day? Are you looking for something unique?

Coffee companies are no exception. One particular gourmet coffee company shares a percentage of their profits with orphans in Costa Rica. Gourmet coffee machines and supplies are not difficult to find anymore.

Many stores sell a lot of these items and keep the shelves well stocked. Gourmet coffee bean grinders are easy to use and come in sizes large enough to grind enormous amounts or very small amounts. Some of these are small enough to keep right on the counter next to your coffee maker.

From it’s early roots coffee was a reason for people to get together and socialize. These days, it’s rare to find a busy neighborhood that doesn’t have a gourmet coffee shop. If you stop by one, chances are you’ll see a friend or neighbor sipping a cup of freshly brewed gourmet flavored coffee.

Gourmet coffee is a perfect compliment to pastry and dessert. It is just about always offered at the end of a meal. Whether mocha, Irish cream, Cappuccino or espresso, whether with cream and sugar, skim milk or black, gourmet coffee cannot be beat. It seems that gourmet flavored coffee is here to stay.

Picking a home coffee machine can be difficult. It isn’t a choice that you should be making unless you are doing many fact finding. Not all coffee machines are right for everyone many people may like coffee pods many may not.

December 4, 2009

Do You Know Which Coffee Espresso Machine To Buy?

Filed under: Coffee — Tags: , , — Bart Forcey @ 9:45 am

Ever imagine what Starbucks would be like if it didn’t have an espresso machine? The famous coffee spot just wouldn’t seem the same. So, where did this machine originate from and who do we thank for this convenience of “foam” coffee? An espresso is nothing more then coffee that is brewed by mixing hot water with ground up coffee beans. Believe it or not, the coffee espresso machine has been in existence for almost 100 years.

The espresso machine began its journey about 100 years ago. There are stories that the machine was developed in Italy; this is definitely not the case. The first coffee espresso machine was developed in France in’22. Mr. Louis Bernard Rabaut had an idea to brew coffee quickly by passing pressurized steam and water through a filter lined with ground coffee beans.

In’55, Mr. Edward Loy Sel de Santias brought his advancement of the espresso machine to the Paris Exposition. While entertaining the crowds at the Exposition he was able to brew 2,000 cups of this foam coffee in one hour. Luiggi Bezzera of Italy brought his espresso machine into the lime light in’01. His machine served the same purpose of Rabauts invention which was created 79 years earlier.

The patent was later purchased by a gentleman of the name of Desiderio Pavoni in’03. By’05 he was manufacturing this foam coffee out of his self named company. Pavoni introduced his remodeled invention to America in’27. Americans loved how fast they could now brew their coffee, but they hated the taste of the burnt beans. The espresso machine evolved even further with the introduction of a piston pump that could force hot water through the coffee then boil it. This advancement was the much needed icing on the cake to make the coffee enjoyable to all those who partook in it.

That changed with the invention of a spring lever for the machine. The purpose of the spring lever enabled the machine to able to apply pressure to the beans. Applying this pressure to the beans instead of simply adding boiling water improved the taste immensely.

Before you enjoy that next sip of espresso or cappucino, think back to those pioneering inventors.Inconsequential as a first cup of coffee may seem, it took their creativity and and vision to bring about an a marvel of ingenuity and still serves its purpose more than a hundred years later.

So much hard work and labor was put into such a deceptively simple contraption that so many take for granted. In this fast paced world that we live in it’s great that we don’t have to wait 10-15 minutes to get a hot cup of coffee. In fact we can enjoy the luxury of a cappuccino right from our own households. The machine does all the work for us, all we have to do is push a single button.

Picking a home coffee machine can be difficult. It is not a choice that you should be making unless you are doing some fact finding. Not all coffee machines are right for everyone some people may prefer coffee pods some may not.

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