In the Kitchen

For most of us, brewing up our morning cup of coffee is more than just a necessity, it is a matter of convenience. Each night, millions of us coffee lovers

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal live. John 3:16 (NIV)

But why would anyone spend good money on the finest gourmet coffee beans or fresh ground gourmet coffees and use just any home coffee maker.

So if you are like me and you enjoy the finest gourmet and specialty coffees available, then you must also believe that they deserve the best and most reliable coffee brewing equipment available.

Here is a quick list of the most popular coffee brewing methods & equipment starting from the best:

French Press
The French press coffee maker (or press pot) is universally recognized as the best brewing method, allowing for the truest coffee taste and aroma. This method actually brews the coffee in the hot water (as opposed to drip machines which only pass the water through the coffee and a filter). After a few minutes of brewing, a metal filter is pressed through the brew catching the coffee grinds and then trapping them at the bottom of the carafe. What is left over is full-bodied coffee with all its aroma and essences.

One of the main advantages to using a French press, other than great coffee taste, is the amount of control you have. You can control the water temperature (which incidentally should be around 190 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature that drip makers do not achieve), you can control the amount of coffee you want to add, and you can control the brew time. Four minutes of brew time and 30 seconds of "plunging" time is considered best.

Another great feature about the French press is that it is extremely portable and only requires hot water. You can take it camping or use it in places with limited kitchen space, like a boat or an RV. Some press pots can also be used to brew loose leaf teas in the same manner.

As an aside, you shouldn’t leave your brewed coffee in the press-pot with the grounds after you brew it! Either consume it or transfer it to a carafe, preferably a thermal carafe.

Vacuum Brewer
Vacuum brewers aren't very common, but they make coffee just about as well as a French press since the coffee and water are brewing together. A vacuum brewer has an upper and a lower chamber connected by a tube with a small filter inside. Coffee grounds are placed in the upper chamber, and water is placed in the lower chamber. As the lower chamber is heated, the water rises up to meet the coffee in the upper chamber where the brewing begins. After brewing, the water (now coffee) cools and seeps back down into the lower chamber leaving the used coffee grinds behind in the upper chamber. Ideally, the upper chamber is removed and the lower chamber is used as a decanter for the finished coffee.

Vacuum brewers can be electric, stovetop, or even used over a sterno can for dramatic tabletop brewing!

The Toddy Maker
The toddy maker or Cold-Brew Coffee Maker uses an unusual cold-brewing method that creates a coffee concentrate. This concentrate is then mixed with hot water to make coffee. The concentrate can be stored in a refrigerator and used to make one cup at a time if you so desire. This method produces a low-acid coffee, which is doctor recommended for coffee drinkers with stomach conditions.

Although this method of coffee brewing is sounds a bit odd, the result in taste is pleasantly surprising. One drawback is the amount of time it takes to brew. A good idea is to brew the coffee overnight. Once brewed, the concentrate can produce more than just one pot of coffee, so it's not a nightly event for a great cup of morning coffee!

Drip Grind Coffee Makers
Drip Grind coffee makers are the most common and usual coffee brewing method that we are familiar with.

In this method, water is dripped over and passes through the coffee grinds and a filter and is caught by the coffee pot below. Despite being the most common brew method it also happens to be the one which produces a coffee brew with the least amount of flavor and aroma.

There are generally 2 filter options for the drip grind coffee makers.

Permanent filters: are just what they say, permanent. They are usually gold-plated so they don't add any unwanted metallic taste to your coffee, resistant to corrosion so they are dishwasher safe and economical because they don‘t need replacing. Permanent filters are preferred because they allow for better coffee taste as opposed to the second filter option, paper filters.

Paper filters are the most common filter choice for the drip grind coffee makers. Unfortunately, paper filters can filter out more than just coffee grinds. Flavorful oils can be left behind in the filter and not make it to the finished coffee brew resulting in less coffee flavor and aroma. Since permanent filters allow for more liquid to pass through, the end result is a more flavorful cup.

As you can see, the most common brew method happens to be the one which produces the least amount of coffee flavor and aroma. Since, mornings usually need to be made quick and simple, most people have never had their coffee brewed any other way. If you are one of these people, don‘t just splurge on gourmet coffee’s, get a small French press maker, start experimenting and experience the truest coffee flavor & aroma in each cup.

Dr. Vince Manzello is simply a coffee lover. His search for a quality coffee distributor led to the development of http://www.WeBeJava.com. We Be Java is not only the distributor but they are affiliated directly with the roastery! Why is this so important? By dealing directly with the roastery, your coffee order is roasted in small batches right before it is shipped. Your coffee order is not sitting around on a shelf just waiting for you to order it! We Be Java's affiliated roastmaster hand picks beans from around the world, blends, flavors & roasts your order so you get the finest coffees available. Our gourmet & specialty coffees have even been featured in Time Magazine! We Be Java's roastery is also certified Organic Coffee Handler and Processor. Check out http://www.webejava.com for yourself and see if you don’t agree with Vince.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Web ChefJackie.com

4 Kitchen Tools Every Busy Couple Needs by P. Williards
A Quick Guide to Speciality Coffees by Fenton Wayne
Are All Kitchen Mixers Created Equal? What to Look for When Buying a Mixer by Amy Nutt
Are You Using the Right Bakeware? by Tania Penwell
Bakers Rack - An Essential Piece Of Kitchen Furniture by Jennifer Akre
Candy Making Equipment - Tools to Make Your Candy Creations Easier by Korbin Newlyn
Cappuccino Secrets: Creating the Perfect Foam by Nicholas Webb
Cast Iron Cookware by Tania Penwell
Cast Iron Cookware For Camping - Cookware That Will Outlast You by Michel Marchand
Chef Positions Explained by Paul Hegeman
Chinese Cooking Utensils by Jacklyn Chen
Chocolate Candy Molds - An Indispensable Cooking Tool by Korbin Newlyn
Choosing A Microwave Oven by Tim Sousa
Choosing the Right Kitchen Cutlery by Johnny Shaw
Choosing the Right Type of Coffee Maker by Darren Williger
Cleaning Coffee Makers by Craig Webb
Coffee Brewing Methods: Is Your Coffee Brewer Just a Drip? by Vince Manzello
Convection vs Conventional Ovens What s The Difference by Debbie Dragon
Converting Recipes for Your Crockpot by Tony Buel
Cooking Supplies for Stocking a Basic Kitchen by Joe Strini
Cooking - The Gadgets by Michael Russell
Cooking Utensils - What You Need In Every Kitchen by Kenny Vanderburen
Cookware Buying Guide by Max Vonhelsing
Decorating Kid's Birthday Cakes - The Basic Essentials by Mary-Lou Halvorson
Don't Use That Kitchen Knife Until You Know How To Care For It by D Ruplinger
Espresso Coffee - How to Make an Excellent Espresso at Home by Tom Jensen
Find Restaurant Supply Wholesale – The Secret Ways by Eddy Lam
Food Processor - A Must For Every Kitchen by Gregory Vice
Go Green With Energy Efficient Kitchen Appliances by Braeg Heneffe
Gourmets Get Ready for Induction Cooking by Emma Snow
Home Espresso Machine - Choosing The Best One For Your Needs by Dean Forster
How to Build Great Kitchen Cutlery Sets by Darrin Reservitz
How To Buy and Use Chocolate Candy Molds by Kathryn Beach
How To Clean A Coffee Maker by Gary Gresham
How To Make Cappuccino In 3 Simple Steps! by Ebenezer Heng
How to Make a Great Tasting Cup of Coffee - It's Not Rocket Science by Kate Simpson
How to Season a Wok by Johnny Waymire
Keeping Kitchen Knives Sharp by Tony Grimes
Kitchen Scales by Richard Romando
Nonstick Griddle Riddle by Peter Boston
Outdoor Kitchen Equipment - Luxury In Your Back Patio by Ernest Jarquio
Oven Mitts - Space-Age Materials for Safer Cooking by Terry Kaufman
Personal E-Chef Cooking Secrets - Gadgets You Do Not Need For Cooking Great Food and Drink by Dawn Walker
Pot Racks - The Easy Way to Become a Better Cook by Jennifer Akre
Pots and Pans - Bring Them On by Terry Kaufman
Rustle up Yummy Dishes Like a Chef With Gourmet Kitchen Appliances by Tania Penwell
Selecting Concession Equipment, Restaurant Equipment and Kitchen Equipment by Anna Woodward
Seven Awesome Kitchen Gadgets by Tim Ebl
Seven Tips for Successful Crockpot Creations by Tom Ogden
Silicone Cooking Utensils - The Way to Easier Cooking by David Nivala
Silicone - Flexible Cooking by David Nivala
Storing Your Kitchen Knives by Mary Kenkel
Terracotta Clay Bakers Bakeware Care Guide by Max Vonhelsing
The Convenience of an Electric Griddle by Bobbi Rose
The Garlic Press - Food Ruining Tool Or Handy Kitchen Gadget?>/a> by Tim Ebl
The George Foreman Grill - Revolutionizing Grilling! by Mary Wynn Lewis
The Joy of Convection Ovens - They're Not Just for Restaurants Anymore by Carolyn McFann
The Perfect Cup of Coffee by Yvonne Perry
The Well-Stocked Pantry - A Cook's Secret Weapon by Geoffrey Cook
Top 6 Ideas for Kitchen Organization by Darrin Reservitz
Use A Coffee Grinder For Fresh Flavor by James McDonald
Use the Blender - A Quick Cooking Tip by O Quinn
What Every Prep Chef Should Know About Cutlery by J Stone
What Is Tri Ply Cookware? by David Daniels
Wok Cooking 101 by Alan Beggerow

< Back to The Kitchen