Posts Tagged ‘automatic espresso machines’
For the last several months I’ve been writing about the merits of various espresso machines, but it wasn’t until last week that I had the opportunity to experience espresso in its truest form for the first time. During a trip to Italy I discovered why the drink is so inextricably tied to the region—everyone there drinks it. I try to shy away from stereotypes, but in this instance, it’s true. You’ll be hard-pressed to find an energy drink—which have become ubiquitous in the US—anywhere in Italy, as all of the citizens are getting their caffeine fix from these miniature brews.
While cappuccino is the drink of choice in the early morning, when people are looking for something sweet, espresso is consumed throughout the day and night. Unlike coffee shops in the US, in Italy are fast-paced establishments. Once you order your espresso, you’re served at a standing bar, and if you spend more than twenty seconds over your cup, you’re dawdling
Indonesia: Indonesia is comprised of thousands of islands, many of which—like Sumatra and Java—have literally become synonymous with premium coffee. Most coffee production takes place on small farms of just 1-2 acres. One distinct product from Indonesia is their aged coffee, which as a deeper flavor than traditional brews.
Vietnam: In recent years, coffee production in Vietnam has grown exponentially, leading them to become one of the world’s leading producers. Many of the beans grown in the island nation of Robustas, which are best used in a cappuccino maker where you can use the heated milk and flavor add-ins to mask the subpar flavor.
Coffee Around the Globe: African and the Middle East
Ethiopia: Many legends trace the origins of the coffee tree to Ethiopia. The beans from this region have an incredibly rich, bold flavor, making them ideal for use in an espresso coffee maker.
Kenya: Unlike many countries, Kenya has its own grading system for beans to ensure quality. By using this grading system, you can learn the size of the bean and whether or not it was grown on an estate.
Ivory Coast: As one of the world’s leading producers of Robusta coffee, beans from the Ivory Coast typically aren’t considered gourmet and usually find there way into espresso blends.
Hawaii: Coffees from Hawaii have a solid reputation, but when most people talk about coffee from the Islands, they’re referring to Kona Coffee. These beans are grown on the slopes of Mauna Loa on the Big Island, where the climate is ideal for coffee cultivation. When you use Kona Coffee in your Solis espresso machine, you’ll experience a rich cup of 
coffee with medium body.
Mexico: Most coffee from Mexico comes from small, independent farms as opposed to large plantations. Mexican coffee typically comes from the southern regions and features an incredible depth of flavor, which makes it ideal for dark roasts.
Puerto Rico: Although coffee production was hampered by natural disasters and competition for many years, it has seen a revival as of late. Puerto Rico is renowned for its Arabica beans, which feature a balanced body and acidity with a distinctive fruity aroma.
5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Morning Coffee
Yesterday we highlighted the best beans to buy, but how you purchase them is also important. Always purchase whole beans—always. As soon as the beans are ground, they begin to lose there flavor. And who knows how long those grounds have been sitting on the store shelf?
Grinding your own coffee may seem like a hassle, but it’s really not that difficult and the results are palpable. When you grind your own coffee, you also have the opportunity to combine different varieties and roasts of beans to create a blend catered to your palate. Either you can grind all of your coffee on one day — it’s Sunday in my house— or you can keep a mini-grinder on the counter and prepare the beans right before brewing each cup in your espresso machine.
Looking back on it now, the idea to combine hot milk and coffee seems apparent, but just 100 years ago this was a novel idea. The first cappuccino maker was actually an espresso machine, which was patented by Luigi Bezzera at the turn of the 20th century. Italy was the first country to serve the cappuccino, and it saw increasing popularity up until the 1940s.
In 1948, Gaggia introduced the modern, high-powered espresso machine that we know it today. This innovation made making cappuccinos easier and facilitated its proliferation around the globe. Particularly in Britain, where there had long been a tradition of drinking coffee with milk, the addition of heated milk and milk foam caught on quickly. Today cappuccinos are seen as a specialty beverage in many parts of the world, where they are usually enjoyed before noon.
Once you’ve achieve your preferred roast, your job’s not done yet. Like other foodstuffs, the beans will continue to cook once you remove them from the heat source, so it’s important to cool them down quickly. As soon as they are out of the heat, pour the beans into a colander, which will allow them to lose their heat more rapidly.
If you are roasting coffee indoors, there will probably some smoke from the beans; simply turn on the exhaust fan on the stove to dissipate it. Like all good things in life, quality roasted coffee takes time. The beans won’t reach their peak flavor until about 24 hours after the roasting process, so if you can, hold out on popping them in your Saeco espresso machines ‘til then. During this time, excess CO2 is released from the beans and the new chemical structure stabilizes
Sending a child off to college for the first time can be a harrowing task for a parent, and one of the best ways to ease your anxieties is by helping with the preparations for their departure. Not only can you ensure they get everything they need but the undertaking also serves as an opportunity for some last minute bonding. Everyone remembers to pack extra linens and toiletries, but many neglect some of the other essentials that a college student finds themselves
in need of. Here is a quick list of oft forget necessities:
~Mini-fridge: College food can grow tiresome quickly, and a mini-fridge allows your kid to stock up on some extra food and snacks.
~Coffee makers: It’s no secret that college students stay up late studying—and that’s it. So having a reliable source of caffeine close at hand it essential.
~Vacuum: Even if your kid never cleans their room, there will come a time when the dorm room is unbearable and they’ll be thankful they have a way to clean it.
One of the most frequent questions I get from people is “what is type of beans should I use in my espresso machines?” And I always give one of my favorite answers: It depends. With so many coffee varieties readily available today, you can be quite picky as to what beans you choose. If you are looking for a rich, smooth cup of espresso though, you have to start with premium Arabica beans.
The next thing to consider is the roast, which should be extremely dark. Feel free to experiment with some of the different roasts until you find one you like. Many on the market today have a hint of other flavors or aromas, which can be nice; but steer clear of flavored coffees, which typically use subpar beans and are chockfull of additives. If you are feeling particularly ambitious, you can roast your beans yourself and create your own unique flavor.
What to Consider When Purchasing an Espresso Machine
For most families, an espresso machine or coffeemaker is just another kitchen appliance. But for others, coffee drinking is a way of life. If you fall into the latter category, you probably want to take some time to research your espresso coffee maker thoroughly before making your purchase. Here are a few of the most important variables to consider:
Capacity: Be sure that your machine can easily churn out enough coffee for your entire family. If you don’t need a high-volume machine, save the money by opting for a smaller model.
Manufacturer: Always go with a well-established manufacturer, such as Solis espresso machines, as they have better designs, craftsmanship and warranties.
Peripherals: Gadgets for creating milk foam and steamed milk, touch-screen displays and automatic features will carry a hefty price tag; be sure you are going to make use of these options before you spend the extra money on them.