Thursday, August 31, 2006

coffee grinders : Coffee Grinder Buying Guide - HighSpeed Grinders

When you first look at our grinder page it can be a little overwhelming. The following information is a summary and head to head comparison of all the grinders we sell. This should be enough information to help you find the grinder that is best for you. Whole Latte Love's Technical Lab has tested their performance and measured these grinders in just about every way I could think of and have laid it out in an easy to read format on our Compare-O-Matic. Each grinder also has an individual page for you to visit that provides more detailed information. The grinders have been divided into three categories to make it easy to understand and compare.

High Speed

Low Speed Gear Reduction

Low Speed Direct Drive

HighSpeed Grinders
We have three grinders that fall under this category, the Capresso, Gaggia MM and the Saeco MC2002. Each of these grinders will deposit ground coffee directly into a removable coffee container. High speed grinders are designed with smaller motors to save on cost and use pure speed to gather enough force to do the job. These grinders can bog down under heavy load and clog up if you grind too finely. The high speed can generate static electricity which is a consistent complaint by our customers. However, these grinders are far better then the Blade grinders that are normally available through department stores. Grind consistency is critical to good coffee and blade grinders are nothing more then crude brute force instruments - creating a dust that clog the filter baskets of espresso machines and impart a bitter flavor.

The Saeco MC2002 is a strong grinder that provides 30 levels of fineness control. It is appropriate for drip coffee and espresso. The bean hopper will hold just over a half pound of whole bean coffee and grinds directly into to a 7.5 ounce ground coffee container. It is designed with a door located on the top of the container that opens like a car truck so you can scoop out the coffee. The coffee container is also removable for cleaning. It has the strongest motor of the three at 160 watts and our performance test show that it runs at 82 decibels while grinding. Although not quiet, it is not as loud as a typical blade grinder. Our performance test gave the grinder high marks in our temperature test where we measure the amount of heat added to the coffee after grinding 1.5 ounces of coffee (17 degrees over ambient air).

The Gaggia MM has been a solid performer for us over many years. This tough little coffee grinder runs 10 inches high and 3.5 pounds so it is small enough to put up in a cabinet after each use. It has 9 grind settings which gives it enough range for espresso and drip coffee. The whole bean hopper holds 6 ounces and the ground coffee container will hold the same amount. To adjust the grind setting you turn the bean hopper itself and look for the numerical display to determine the coarseness setting. This grinder uses a dead man switch to activate the grinder. It's what we call it because as soon as you release pressure the switch turns off. This design elements makes the grinder less suitable for drip (because of the long hold time required to grind enough beans) and more economical for espresso (because you are apt save coffee by not walking away and grinding a half pound of beans for a double shot!). Coffee is scooped out of a removable ground container. It is messy but seals the coffee pretty well.

The Capresso Select is a handsome grinder with a built in sensor that will automatically turn it off when it runs out of beans or you can turn it off manually. The bean hopper is made of clear plastic and can hold up 6 ounces of beans. It has a clever portion control feature that is will grind enough coffee for a specific amount of cups of drip coffee. With 17 grind settings it will grind to accommodate all espresso machines that have pressurized portafilters or crema enhancing devices. Not recommended for commercial portafilters. The ground coffee container is made of clear plastic and holds 4.5 ounces of ground coffee and is removable for access. The grinding burrs are the easiest to clean (of the three) but cannot be recalibrated for a finer setting.

We have plenty more information of these grinders which is easily accessible through the Compare-O-Matic. There you will find additional feature and performance specifications as well as customer reviews and the detail page that provide additional narrative and and a full Feature and Benefit set.


Copyright © 2006 Whole Latte Love.

coffee grinders : grinders

Whether you’re an espresso drinker or a coffee drinker, grinding your beans fresh is one of the things you can do to help ensure your java tastes great. Grinders come in two basic types: burr grinders and blade grinders. Depending on what you’re going to use your grinder for will depend on which type you should get. Are you using it to grind for espresso or for coffee or both? Do you want to grind very specific amounts, which is where a grinder with a doser really comes in handy, or will you grind a larger amount at one time, which is perfect for a doserless grinder? Whatever you decide your needs are, we have a wide selection in every price range to meet them. To figure out which grinder is best for you why not read our “Coffee Grinder Buying Guide” and “Grinders 101 – A Beginner’s Guide” from our Research Center? And with that, grind on.


Precision is the hands-down advantage of a burr grinder. You can get one of two types of burr grinders: one with flat burrs or one with conical burrs. Both have a stationary burr, with its second burr spinning from the power provided by the motor. The beans fall between the two burrs and are ground that way. These coffee grinders have settings so you can select the exact coarseness or fineness of your grind. They grind consistently and, while more expensive, are highly recommended for espresso - but can be used for other types of grinds as well.

Working with a single blade that looks and spins like a propeller, blade grinders do not have grind settings. The longer you grind, the finer the grind is, so you need to eye-ball it. Blade grinders do an adequate job for drip coffee, but are not recommended for espresso or coffee drinks that require very specific grinds as they do not grind consistently. However, they are extremely cost-effective if you are willing to make the trade off.

Copyright © 2006 Whole Latte Love.

Monday, August 28, 2006

coffee grinders : Domobar Super

Vibiemme has been perfecting the Domobar Super for the last few years with a New Zealand espresso machine company and what a job they've done. This fine espresso machine is quickly moving into the US market as a high end home espresso machine for "prosumers" as well as a light commercial espresso machine for businesses looking for a lower volume professional espresso service solution.

After a good long look at the SCAA conference in Charlotte of this year (2006) Espressoparts.com is convinced that this machine is one of the best for use in a semi commercial or home environment.

The EspressoCraft espresso tamps was all the rage at the 2005 SCAA in Seattle and the 2006 SCAA in Charlotte. The most sought after tamper on the market... All the top barista have either bought one or are considering it.

Espressoparts.com has the best most complete selection of professional tools of the trade, all available online 24/7. Our dedication to our customers and to the skilled craft of espresso preparation and to quality coffee service, keeps us on the lookout for only the best in espresso related equipment and tools.
coffee grinders

Copyright © 2005 | Espresso Parts NW

coffee grinders : What else to look for in grinders

Static:
The ground coffee creates “static cling”. The ground coffee particles fly around and “cling” to surfaces.

Before removing the grounds containers (all burr grinders), tap the container slightly and remove slowly.

Before removing the lid of blade grinders, tap the top of the grinder and remove the lid slowly.

Noise:
Some grinders are extremely loud which can be very annoying. The Capresso Conical Burr Grinders (Infinity) and the Capresso Blade Grinders (Cool Grind) are among the least noisy in its class.

Safety:
Blade grinders cannot operate without the lid in place. In addition, the Capresso Cool Grind series has the fastest blade stopping action of any blade grinder on the market.

The Burr Grinder Sensor and the Burr coffee Grinder Select will not grind when there are no beans present, regardless if the grinder is open or closed.

The Capresso Conical Burr Grinders will not grind if the bean container is missing or not “locked” in place.

Ease of Cleaning:
All Capresso Burr and Conical Burr Grinders come with a cleaning brush and have removable upper burrs for easy cleaning of the grinding chamber.

© 2002 Capresso Inc. All rights reserved

coffee grinders : Why Grind Beans at Home?

Grinding just before brewing will protect the aroma of your coffee. Ground coffee interacts with the air around it and, within hours, loses a great deal of flavor and aroma. The longer the ground coffee sits around, the less aroma you will find in your cup later.
Only grind what you need now. Don’t grind for the whole week!

Once the beans are out of an airtight packaging, keep them in a dry, dark container with a tight closing lid.
Conical Burr Grinders • Burr Grinders • Blade Grinders
Capresso offers grinders in all three categories. Click here to see a comparison chart.
Conical Burr Grinders preserve the most aroma and can grind very fine and very consistent. The intricate design of the steel burrs allow a high gear reduction to slow down the grinding speed. The slower the speed the less heat is imparted to the ground coffee thus preserving maximum amount of aroma.
Because of the wide range of grind settings these grinders are ideal for all kinds of coffee equipment, Espresso, Drip, Percolators, French Press. The better Conical Burr Grinders can also grind extra fine for the preparation of Turkish coffee. Grinding speed is generally below 500 rpm.

Burr Grinders with disk type burrs grind at a faster speed than conical burr grinders and create a bit more warmth in the coffee (10,000 to 20,000 rpm). They are the most economical way of getting a consistent grind in a wide range of applications. They are well suited for most home pump espresso machines. However they do not grind as fine as Conical Burr coffee Grinders.

Blade Grinders “smash” the beans with a blade at very high speed (20,000 to 30,000 rpm). The ground coffee has larger and smaller particles and is warmer than ground coffee from burr grinders. Blade grinders create “coffee dust” which can clog up sieves in espresso machines and French presses. These type of grinders are suitable for drip coffee makers. They also can do a great job for grinding spices and herbs.

They are not recommended for use with pump espresso machines.
When coffee is freshly ground and freshly brewed many people can tell the difference in taste from burr-ground and blade-ground coffee.
What else to look for in grinders?
Static, noise, safety and ease of cleaning are important factors.

© 2002 Capresso Inc. All rights reserved

Monday, August 21, 2006

coffee grinders : history of coffee grinders

In the beginning, there was the hammer. Flat rocks were use too. Smashing the coffee bean was easy. However, smashing away is not all that accurate in obtaining a uniform coffee grind size.

Around the time coffee was being roasted, wheat was being ground by rollers. Coffee volume was not as large as bread but the grinding principle was tried and worked very well considering the level of mechanical development in the old days. In the early days, a person sat at a table and smashed the roasted coffee beans in a roll grinder. Electric powered stone roller roasted coffee bean grinders, using dressed stone, are used in Greece and Turkey today for making powder coffee generally referred to as "Turkish Coffee." The fact is, Turkish Coffee grinds can not be made any other way as yet.

Not much was known about coffee grind verses coffee brew in the old days. It was not until different types of coffee brewers came about did the roasted coffee grind size become important. Coffee shops had no standards until filter, drip, percolator, vacuum, and espresso coffee brewers were developed. About all that was know in those times is that whole roasted coffee beans didn't brew up well at all and it worked a lot better if the roasted coffee bean were ground. After roasting, the coffee bean is easy to grind any way.

http://www.gardfoods.com/coffee/coffee.grinders.htm

coffee grinders : How Coffee Grinders Work

A coffee grinder is a device used to grind roasted coffee beans in preparation for brewing a hot beverage known as coffee. Less expensive coffee grinders use two blades, operating at high speeds to chop and grind coffee beans. Consistency in grind size is important for the brewing process. Because of the grinding action, coffee grinders generally do not produce a uniform grind, resulting in some coffee granules that are too big and others that are too small. When grinds are larger in size, they may cause the brewed coffee to be too bitter. When they are smaller than the average grind, the coffee may be too weak.

The Best Coffee Grinders

The best coffee grinders are not those that grind or crush the coffee beans. Instead, they slice them according to a predetermined size range. The slicing action is carried out between a stationary and a moving blade. This type of coffee grinder is known as a burr, or milling style, and ensures a perfect cup of coffee by producing a uniform grind for the coffee beans.

How Coffee Grinders Work

Coffee grinders operate the same way, no matter their sizes. There are three basic components to coffee grinders: the hopper, the motor and blades, and the grind bin. The roasted coffee beans are placed in the hopper, and the unit is turned on. As the beans are ground, they enter the grind bin where they are stored until the grinding is completed.

In addition to the power switch, there are settings that allow the user to set the type of grind -- fine, medium, and coarse grind -- to accommodate the grind size required for a range of coffee makers.

By Heleigh Bostwick

coffee grinders : How to Find the Best Antique Coffee Grinder

Finding an antique coffee grinder is the best thing you can do to create a special coffee or espresso. The taste and flavor of coffee initially dissipates after the coffee beans were grinded. So it is much enticing tasting a coffee or an espresso if you were the one who grinded the coffee beans.

A coffee grinder plays a big role because the machine is essential on how the coffee beans would look like after they were ground. Espresso grinders tend to be very sensitive about the type of grind it can work best on. On the other hand, a drift coffee machine is a little more forgiving because of the quality of grinds they give.

There are many options to choose from when buying coffee grinders. You may just want to keep your antique coffee grinder and place it on your collectible items and keep save it for special coffee grinding sessions. Here are some other antique selections of grinders that are recommended for your coffee making sessions.

1. The Antique Burr Grinder can crush beans to a more uniform size. You can find Burr grinders that are conical and flat in shape. The grind setting on this type of grinder can create the similar and almost perfect grind on the beans. With their convincing accuracy, these grinders are recommended for use with any type of coffee brewing sessions.

Nonetheless, you should pay attention on the grinder setting when grinding large amount of coffee beans. Some grinders may not perform well as an antique burr grinder especially when making Turkish coffee or French press coffee.

2. The Antique Blade Grinders use only a single blade that can rotate at very high speed to grind beans. The perfection of the chops is mainly controlled for how long the blade will spin at fast mode. It is better to let longer run for the blades to create a perfect grind. The Blade grinders are appropriately matched in making drift coffee. It can actually compensate the type of grinds of drift coffee filters of the Antique Blade Grinders.

3. There are also those Bodum products for the coffee maker enthusiasts. They have impressive coffee grinder designs with timeless classics like the antique Bodum Chambord coffee grinder that keeps old and new coffee customers to come back and drink the finest grind coffee around. As their slogan says “nothing makes your day better than a perfect grind cup of coffee." They know this even better, which is why they created the best coffee grinders in the business. Two of their popular best sellers are the Bodum Antigua Grinder and the Bodum C-Mill Grinder.

Even if you are new to the coffee world or you are a seasoned coffee lover, it is still recommended that you know how to find the best purchases of coffee grinders. There are many types of grinders you can choose from that can satisfy to your coffee making needs. Always remember to take care of the grinder that you bought and always keep it clean so that it can last for more and tasteful coffee making sessions.

By Dave Poon

Monday, August 14, 2006

coffee grinders : Fresh Gourmet Coffee

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. It's rich, full-bodied taste is a daily necessity to millions of people. Of course, coffee is not only loved for its taste. The caffeine kick is needed by many to start the day. But if you are a true coffee lover, fresh gourmet coffee has a taste that can't be beat.

Luckily, it's easy to get a hit of fresh gourmet coffee almost everywhere. There are coffee shops on almost every street corner and quality coffee beans are sold in many specialty shops as well as supermarkets.

“Fresh” is the key to fresh gourmet coffee. Coffee simply does not improve with age -- it should be used within six months of production. Some of the large coffee distributors include old coffee beans in their mixes to reduce the cost. Needless to say, this practice also reduces the flavor.

Fresh gourmet coffee costs a bit more than regular supermarket coffee. That's because it's made from high quality Arabica coffee that has been hand-picked in processed. Commercial grade coffee is made from the cheaper Robusta coffee which has an inferior taste and texture than Arabica.

Commercial grade coffee is also machine picked and processed which means that foreign substances such as twigs and leaves find their way into the finished product. When you buy fresh gourmet coffee, you are assured of the quality and taste.

You have many choices when it comes to fresh gourmet coffee. Each coffee growing region produces a uniquely flavored coffee bean and the processing method to also determines the final taste of the coffee. The roasting method in particular determines the kind of coffee taste.

Fresh gourmet coffee should be ground just before brewing. You need a coffee grinder in your home if you want to the best tasting coffee possible. A good-quality coffee maker is also a necessity when making great tasting coffee.

By Hans Dekker

coffee grinders : Gourmet Coffee Bean

The gourmet coffee bean is considered to be among the finest coffee beans in the world. The taste of fine gourmet coffee is a luxurious delicacy. It is important to understand that the gourmet coffee bean is not really some single species. These are the select, premium quality beans obtained from the best farms around the world and packaged for the delectation of the greatest coffee connoisseurs.

There are around 40 different types of coffee plant. Out of these varieties, fine gourmet coffee beans are obtained mainly from the species Coffea arabica. The Arabica coffee plants are of the most superior quality, and they are followed by Coffea robusta. The characteristicly smooth and stimulating flavor of gourmet coffee is the unmistakable hallmark of Arabica coffee plants.

Gourmet coffee beans obtained from the Arabica coffee plant impart a rich and strong taste to your coffee. The coffee plants are grown in mainly tropical countries like Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Kenya, India, Costa Rica, Colombia, and so on. Superior coffee plants grow well in places where the climate is moderately cold and there is light rain. The distinct flavor of the gourmet coffee bean depends greatly on the soil, weather conditions, temperature, etc. during the growing season.

The freshly picked green gourmet coffee bean is subjected to two crucial treatment procedures – roasting and grinding. Optimum roasting and grinding of the coffee beans will bring out the true flavors of gourmet coffee! To get that perfect cup of gourmet coffee make sure that the beans are roasted at the right temperature followed by optimal grinding.

Both light and dark roasting techniques are applied to the gourmet coffee bean. To retain the more natural flavors of the gourmet coffee bean, they are preferably light roasted between temperatures of 400 and 480 degrees Fahrenheit. Darker roasts of gourmet coffee beans tend to destroy the original flavor. So get your coffee beans lightly roasted and enjoy the smooth and energizing taste of amazing gourmet coffee.

After the gourmet coffee bean has been properly roasted it must be stored in air-tight/vacuumed containers. In this way the freshness and rich aroma of gourmet coffee beans can be retained for a longer period of time until grinding.

The gourmet coffee bean is usually finely grinded to enhance the smooth and rich taste that is typical of gourmet coffee. It is best to grind the coffee beans just before brewing. Different types of coffee grinders are available in the market. The best types of coffee grinders that will grind your gourmet coffee beans ideally are burr grinders.

This is why many coffee experts suggest that you should avoid buying the ground variety of gourmet coffee bean available in grocery stores and supermarkets. Rather buy freshly roasted gourmet coffee beans and store them properly. Then just when you have those coffee cravings you can grind your beans just before brewing. And voila – there you have a perfect cup of smooth and richly flavored gourmet coffee waiting to be savored.

By Randy Wilson

coffee grinders : Burr Coffee Grinder

Wouldn't you like your coffee the way it was meant to be? The best way to get the real thing is by using a burr coffee grinder.

You may have thought that all coffee grinders are alike; as long as they grind the coffee that's all there is to it right? Wrong! It makes a big difference to your taste buds. There are two key types of coffee bean grinder (the burr coffee grinder and the blade grinder) and you want to make the right choice. You see, blade coffee grinders have spinning blades that generate heat by the friction of blade hitting coffee bean at high speed. That's not good. It's actually rather sad because the heat kills the flavoids in your coffee beans. We love those flavoids, in fact some of us are addicted to them, so we will do everything we can to preserve them. We will therefore only consider the burr coffee grinder here as our quest is for the perfect cup of java.

With the burr coffee grinder, the coffee beans are loaded into a holding hopper which feeds them into the bean grinding mechanism, or burr's as they are known. The burrs provide a slow grinding of the coffee beans which is perfect for best results. The burr coffee grinder then directs the ground coffee into a holding pot ready for brewing. There are also some models that will send your ground coffee directly into the coffee filter.

The main advantage of a burr coffee grinder is that it delivers a more consistent fineness of grain in the coffee grounds which is very important in achieving the most flavor from the coffee brewing process. Another advantage of the burr coffee grinder is that it can operate at slower speeds so your coffee beans are not subject to heat buildup as they are being ground.

You really must go for the trifecta to create the quintessential cup of coffee. That is the best coffee beans plus the best grinding process plus the best brewing procedure. Oh yes and it's also important to use the coffee grinds within two weeks as our good friends the flavoids start to deteriorate with time.

So if you're over the instant 'plastic coffee' syndrome, get yourself a burr coffee grinder and start enjoying the sensual aromas of a real 'caught in the moment' experience. You can pick up a great deal on a burr coffee grinder from the many coffee specialty stores online. So if you're convinced that the burr is the way to go, then it's time to do some product comparison research. I think you will find that the added expense of a burr coffee grinder will pay dividends for years to come. After all, this is an investment in your lifestyle, not just a cup of coffee.

By Bo Collins

Monday, August 07, 2006

coffee grinders : Tips to a Perfect Cup of Coffee

Few quests in human history have so captivated men and women from around the world than the search for the perfect cup of coffee. Yes, believe it or not, coffee connoisseurs have dedicated entire lifetimes in the pursuit of finding that one cup of the most heavenly coffee ever made. If you're like most people, however, you're just looking for an easy way to make a great-tasting cup of coffee to help get you started in the morning. The following 10 Timeless Tips to a Perfect Cup of Coffee should help you on you your mini-quest.

1. You Get What You Pay For

When it comes to coffee makers, quality counts. If you buy the cheapest coffee maker on the market, chances are you'll end up with an equally "discounted" flavor in your cup. To assure yourself of great tasting coffee day after day, check out the Bunn, Cuisinart, Mr. Coffee, Krups, and Senseo brands. Alternatively, check out a French press. For that personal cup of coffee, you can never go wrong with a French press!

2. Clean as a Whistle

You wouldn't cook your favorite entrée in a dirty pan, would you? So, why are so many people surprised by how bad their homemade coffee tastes when they use the same coffee pot every day out without ever cleaning it? Try baking soda and water for great cleanse after every pot you make.

3. It's All in the Bean

If you aren't grinding your own coffee, where have you bean? The best tasting coffees come from freshly ground, top quality beans. You can savor the flavor of gourmet barista-style coffees right in your own home by simply grinding up small batches of your own brew. To top off the perfect cup, you'll want to use Arabica beans-simply the best in the world! Store your beans and ground coffee in an airtight container in a cool, dark place at a temperature between 50º and 70º F.

4. Roasted and Toasted-Making the "Most-est" Flavor

Once you've decided upon the highest quality beans, you'll want to consider how you like your beans roasted. Roasting releases the flavor of the bean and helps determine whether your coffee is mellow, rich, or smooth. Experiment with a variety of roasts and choose which one you like best!

5. Grind It Up

Despite the fact that many store-bought coffees say "For All Coffeemakers," selecting the right grind for your coffee maker is key to crafting that perfect cup. A general guideline for grinds includes:

· Automatic drip: medium grind
· Plunger or French press: coarse grind
· Percolator: coarser grind
· Espresso maker: fine grind

6. What's in Your Water?

When it comes to coffee, fresh is the name of the game and, believe it or not, fresh water will make a world of difference in every cup. Think about it: Since your coffee is 99% water, you'll want to make sure you choose the best tasting water you can find. Bottled, distilled, or purified water seems to do the trick for H2O-conscious countless coffee connoisseurs.

7. Measure It

To assure yourself of perfection every time, you'll want to make sure you spoon out the correct amount of coffee grinds. Of course, your personal taste preference should be the ultimate judge, but a general rule of thumb is 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every six ounces of water.

8. Bling, Bling in Your Coffee?

While we're not talking diamonds or platinum, using gold (or stainless steel) mesh filters in your coffee maker will go a long way toward keeping your cup of coffee tasting great. Many paper filters release bleaches, chlorine, and dyes that can leave you with a bitter cup of coffee. If you must use paper, go with unbleached filters for the best results.

9. Brew It Up Right

A key to great tasting coffee every time is making sure your water is "off the boil"-a fancy term that simply means "not quite to boiling." To achieve this water temperature, bring your water to a boil and then let it cool down for few moments (195-205° F) and you'll assure yourself of a perfect cup every time.

10. Drink It Down in Style

Drink your freshly brewed, gourmet coffee in a glass or porcelain mug. Unless you like the bitter taste, avoid reheating your coffee in either the microwave or on the stove.

If you keep brewing with these ten timeless tips in mind, you're sure to find your cup runneth over with great tasting coffee every time!

By Jon Butt

coffee grinders : What is Gourmet Coffee?

Coffee beans are the seeds from the fruit on coffee plants and not actually a bean. There are a few ways to extract the beans. Whether using the wet or dry process of extracting seeds, the result is, the seed removed from the fruit.

Flavors of Gourmet Coffee

Arabica gourmet coffee is superior grade, has half the caffeine of Robusta coffee and a superior taste. It also has a far better smell. You can find almost any flavor of gourmet coffee such as:

• Almond
• Peppermint
• French vanilla
• Chocolate
• Pumpkin spice
• Chocolate mint
• Swiss mocha
• Vanilla
• Irish crème
• Amaretto


Gourmet coffee comes in caffeinated and decaffeinated. There is also gourmet coffee available for people with sensitive stomachs that are low in acid so a little more gentle. Arabica coffee ranks very high up amid the Specialty Coffee Association of America.

For anyone to appreciate a great cup of gourmet coffee, people need to know some helpful information on it. You do not need to be an expert to enjoy it but it does help you appreciate the taste more, if you know more than the corner store, which sells instant coffee. It will also help you appreciate the smell and taste that gourmet coffee lovers find wonderful.

Purchasing and Making Gourmet Coffee

Gourmet coffee should be fresh for the best flavor. Also, buy only beans roasted within the last week and 100% Arabica coffee. Local grocery stores or supermarkets are not the place to find freshly roasted coffee beans. Usually their beans are roasted up to three months earlier. Purchase a coffee grinding machine and purchase the whole coffee bean. Grind the beans when you need them.

Do not store the gourmet coffee beans at room temperature. They should always be stored in airtight containers and placed in the fridge if you are using them soon. For gourmet coffee you are keeping for a while, place the airtight container in the freezer. It will not hurt the coffee but will keep it fresh.

Make sure your coffee maker is clean because it makes a real difference in the taste of your coffee. Run water and vinegar through your coffee maker once a month. Make sure you run clean water through to remove all the vinegar and smell. When making gourmet coffee, use approximately two heaping tablespoons per six ounces of clean, filtered water. This gives you a starting point. Now adjust the amount of coffee until you have the strength you enjoy. Buy your gourmet coffee beans from reputable companies, as it does a difference.

Since the 1990's, specialty gourmet coffee keeps getting more popular and is now one of the fastest growing markets in the world. Regular coffee is fine but gourmet coffee is fantastic and do not forget the flavored gourmet coffee. There is definitely something for everyone's taste.

By Joseph Then

coffee grinders : A Guide To Grinders

Grinding is a process of refining products or objects. It is changing the objects from one state or form to another state or form. Grinders are used extensively for our daily purposes. Grinders are made to cater to various purposes and needs in our daily routine. Some of the purposes for which grinders are essential are grinding, powdering, sharpening, polishing, and digging. There are several specifications of grinders, like power required to operate, size, types of blades used, and materials used for production. They vary with the purpose for which the grinders are put to use.

The different types of grinders available are wet grinders, coffee grinders, pepper grinders, salt grinders, meat grinders, herb grinders, stump grinders, and surface grinders. Wet grinders are used for the purpose of grinding or blending foods like rice, dhal, coconut, chilies, and so many other things. The end product got here is not in powder form, but in the form of a batter. They are available in standard models, table top models, tilting models, and more. These types are available in various models and capacities (in liters). Price range varies for each model and capacity. Coffee grinders are used for grinding coffee beans into powder form. It is a common household article everywhere. On the basis of the quality of the powder, the speed with which the process is done, and the blades used in the process, they may be divided into three types. These are the conical burr grinders, burr grinders and electric blade grinders.

Pepper and salt grinders are used to grind peppercorns or salt to get fresh flavored pepper or salt. The salt or pepper mill consists of two metal burrs which do the actual process. Herb grinders are used specifically for the purpose of grinding herbs. The blades are specially designed to cut flowers, tree barks, roots, and other plant materials. They are available in different sizes, shapes and price ranges. Meat grinders are used to mince or chop meat. They may be manually operated or electrically operated. The amount of meat to be processed decides the type to be purchased. The price range varies accordingly. Surface movers are used for the purpose of polishing any surface. The stump grinders are used for clearing stumps, digging holes, and pruning.

Grinders provides detailed information on Coffee Grinders, Grinders, Herb Grinders, Meat Grinders and more. Grinders is affiliated with Kitchen Appliances.


By Max Bellamy

Sunday, August 06, 2006

coffee grinders : Coffee Grinder Buying Guide

When you first look at our grinder page it can be a little overwhelming. The following information is a summary and head to head comparison of all the grinders we sell. This should be enough information to help you find the grinder that is best for you. Whole Latte Love's Technical Lab has tested their performance and measured these grinders in just about every way I could think of and have laid it out in an easy to read format on our Compare-O-Matic. Each coffee grinder also has an individual page for you to visit that provides more detailed information. The grinders have been divided into three categories to make it easy to understand and compare.

High Speed

Low Speed Gear Reduction

Low Speed Direct Drive

by Todd Salzman

coffee grinders : Grind your beans fresh

Purchasing a coffee grinder is the best thing you can do for your coffee or espresso. The flavor of coffee begins to dissipate immediately after grinding, so you’ll get noticeably better tasting coffee if you’re grinding your own right before brewing. A large factor in deciding which grinder to purchase is the machine you’ll be brewing the grounds with. Espresso machines tend to be very picky about the grind that works best with them, whereas drip coffee machines are a bit more forgiving. The descriptions below should help you narrow down your search and put you one step closer to coffee perfection

Burr grinders
Burr grinders crush beans to a uniform size between two burrs that are either conical or flat. Each grind setting on this type of grinder sets the burrs a specific width apart, so you get the same consistent grind every time. Because of their unfailing accuracy, burr grinders are recommended for use with any type of coffee brewing system. However, it is important to pay attention to the amount of grind settings a burr grinder has, as some do lack the range to grind everything from French press to Turkish coffee.

blade grinders
Like their name implies, blade grinders use a single blade that rotates at high speeds to “chop” coffee beans. The fineness of your grinds is solely controlled by how long you allow the blade to spin – the longer the grinder runs, the finer your grinds. Blade grinders are best suited for use with drip coffee makers because they produce a somewhat inconsistent grind that drip coffee filters compensate for.

coffee grinders : Coffee Grinding Guide

Which grind is best for your coffee maker?
How you grind your coffee is the first step influencing the final brew. Some machines will brew better if you make sure to grind your beans to the optimal size in the first place.
Cheaper coffee grinders don't always have coarseness settings, so you will have to experiment a little to establish how long to let your machine grind to achieve the right coarseness (or fineness, depending on your point of view).

The terms can be open to interpretation (just how fine is extra fine?) These comparisons might help you gauge your grind a little better:

Coarse - Very distinct particles of coffee. Like heavy-grained kosher salt. Downright chunky.
Medium - Gritty, like coarse sand.
Fine - Smoother to the touch, a little finer than granular sugar or table salt.
Extra fine - Finer than sugar, but not quite powdered. Grains should still be discernable to the touch.
Turkish - Powdered, like flour. Most inexpensive (blade) grinders will be unable to grind this finely.
The table below will tell you which grind to choose to suit your particular coffee-brewing method.

by Sean Paajanen,

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

coffee grinders : Blade vs. Burr

What's the difference between the two kinds of bean grinder?

Grinding your own coffee beans is a fairly easy way to ensure freshness in your cup of coffee. Grinders can be inexpensive, and some coffee makers or espresso machines even have them built in.

There are basically two different kinds of grinders: blade or burr.

Blade Grinders
Most inexpensive grinders use a metal blade to chop up the beans. The blade cuts up the beans, and you control the fineness by how long you let the grinder run. Unfortunately, the resulting coffee grounds can be uneven in size, leading to inconsistant brew quality. Another downfall, is that if you are grinding finely, and therefore leaving the beans in the grinder for a longer period of time, there can be significant heat created by the blades. This can give your final coffee a burned taste. These are fine coffee grinders for basic use, but that's about it.

Burr Grinders
Burr grinders crush the beans between a moving grinding wheel and a non-moving surface. The positioning on the burr is what regulates the ground size, which allows for a more consistant grind. In the burr category, there are two different types.
Wheel Burr - The less expensive of the two burr grinders. The wheel spins very fast, and these grinders can be noisy. The higher speed rotation make these grinders more messy as well.
Conical Burr - The best grinders you can get are conical burr grinders. The burr spins slower than the wheel model, which makes them quieter and less messy. You can use a conical burr grinder for oily or flavoured coffees and it's not likely to clog, like the other kinds of grinders. These are the best type, but you will pay the price for them.

©2006 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.

coffee grinders : Top 7 Coffee Grinders

To make the freshest cup of coffee possible, you should grind the beans yourself. Then you know it's fresh and you can also adjust the coarseness of the finished coffee.
1) Braun Aromatic Coffee Grinder
Now this is a grinder for the every day coffee drinker. It's got a stainless steel blade and can hold 2.5 oz of coffee beans. You can tuck the cord in to keep your counter tidy.
2) Capresso Burr Grinder Select
The conical burr of the Capresso grinder grinds your coffee to uniform size every time. Simple to use with just one button operation.
3) Solis Maestro Coffee Grinder
Another high-quality, conical burr grinder. It's clean and quiet, and it doesn't heat up. That helps to protect the essential oils and flavours in the coffee. It can hold 5oz of ground coffee when you're done.
4) Krups Fast Touch Grinder
Here's a name we all know and love. The Krups coffee mill is small and just right for folks on a budget. It's a blade grinder, and could be used for spices or herbs too.
5) Delonghi Electric Coffee Grinder
It's hard to believe you can get a Delonghi for such a low price. This burr grinder comes in white or black. You can even set it for a certain number of tablespoons of ground coffee.
6) La Pavoni
These grinders will add a stylish element to your counter-top, in either brass or chrome finish. Lots of features, with 9 settings and 1/4 lb bean capacity.
7) Kitchenaid Blade Grinder
A simple blade grinder that comes in standard white and black, as well as red (for a snazzier look).

©2006 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.

coffee grinders : Coffee Grinders and Coffee Beans

When purchasing a product like an office coffee grinder or 12 cup coffee maker there are a number of important points that you would be advised to check before you buy this sort of coffee item, if you take notice of the tips below then you will with any luck get both the finest coffee item or accessory for your particular needs and you will be paying a minimal price for the merchandise.

coffee reviews

It may help you to check some coffee trade reviews to assist you in choosing which particular product you will purchase, it is no good acquiring an adjustable coffee table for a lower price if it turns out it does not actually meet your particular needs. Furthermore if you are wondering about acquiring a fairly pricey coffee you should certainly ask yourself, do you honestly need the more expensive product?

coffee cost comparison websites

Price checking is of great value when acquiring coffee products, nobody wants to pay a high price for a Guatemala coffee product if another vendor is selling it for 30% less than other folk, for the sake of a few minutes you might well save a good deal of cash by checking out some of the coffee directories and food and drink merchant sites.

coffee products on the ebay auction

Ebay is also a decent source of low cost coffee products and related accessories, ebay is a subject I have written about on numerous occasions in the coffee trade magazines and other publications. The ebay website is a brilliant place to find merchandise like Cappuccino Chocolate Covered coffee Beans and bunn coffee makers, best of all with the ebay listings a large number of these items are totally new and unused. Another great thing about ebay is you can find loads of coffee products that are no longer distributed and have been removed from the marketplace, since many coffee products could have been discontinued some of their attributes may possibly not have been improved or reproduced, newer does not necessarily mean better in the world of food and drink items.

So if you would like to actually order a Kona coffee product or cappuccino coffee maker you should definitely not ignore these simple buying procedures, hopefully your coffee shopping adventure will be highly profitable and you should hopefully get the most suitable products or coffee merchandise for your needs.

by Larry Whiter