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Sunday, August 10, 2008

Specialty Coffees Are An All Time Favorite

By Clinton Maxwell


Atomic particles of exotic types comparable to a full zoo were discovered by physicists during 1930s. Muons and Kaons apart from hosts of other particles were found. The eminent physicist Enrico Fermi said that only a botanist could keep all that in mind. It can only be called ironical that later the process of using atom bombs was invented by him.

Coffee exudes the same feeling in me. The different names become impossible to memorize even if they sound delicious, romantic and fascinating!

Frappe coming with a silent 'e' is simple and elegant. A cold espresso totally popular in Europe and Latin America, it is made with 2 teaspoons of milk and sugar, and crushed ice cubes. Add some cocoa cream and a quarter cup each of brandy to get a nice variation. My hope is that those drinking it should be silent as a straw is provided with it.

Cappuccino Borgia, named after a notorious prisoner, plays the naughty counterfoil to the innocent Frappe. This one and a half cup chocolate ice cream dream with quarter-cup peeled orange is something you would die for. You start speaking Italian of 15th century after adding a quarter-cup milk to the espresso and six tablespoons of orange juice to blend it.

In the 21st century for a Calypso Cooler you catch a flight to the Caribbean. This chilled coffee is extra strong. For it you need 2 ripe bananas and 2 coffee icecream cups. You can lose your luggage if four tablespoons of rum comes as supplementary.

Caffee Zabaglone, the Latin mystery, should not be forgotten while our coffee receives a compliment from alcohol. For the feast to start, a quarter cup of sugar is added to dry Marsala in the same proportion. Whip the mix with four egg yolks and a dash of salt and stir on low heat till thick. To use the drink to cure a hangover supplement it with a cup of room temperature Italian roast.

The French of New Orleans have not effected by the Roman ancestors. If you want a Mardi Gras, take a half-cup each of eggnog, heavy cream and bourbon and then add them to American roast of double strength. So, at 4 am when I'm trying to sleep, the crowd is still loud.

Drink ordinary Turkish coffee dark and strong with cardamom. The good use of this ancient spice has not only been conceived by them. Cardamom Kaffee is made by Scandinavians too.

Add a cardamom pod (seeded and cracked), two teaspoons of Curacao, a teaspoon of sugar and an eighth-cup of cognac. Put it on fire after heating for about ten seconds in the microwave. If you are brave enough, drink it with a cup of extra strong coffee.

I have to praise the numerous creative inventors for inventing such diverse mixtures, regardless of all the names. Huge bombs may not have been invented by them but you definitely get a jolt with their products!

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Become a Masterly Coffee Taster

By Vince Paxton


Imagine your profession as a ?cupper.? Yes, cupping does exist. In fact, professional coffee tasters enjoy the profession as an addition to judging contests, coffee buying and writing reviews, among other coffee-related tasks. But, sitting with several cups of Moonson Mysore coffee among other delicious flavors is a pleasure that can be experienced by anyone, not limited to only masterly cuppers.

A ?cupper? tastes and smells coffees for their flavor, body, aroma and acidity among many other attributes. A simple arrangement can help replicate the professional setting at home.

Be sure to have plenty of filtered water, as even the highest quality grounds can be spoiled with less-than-quality water. Water can have a stale taste to it when it has absorbed odors and been tainted with unpleasant tasting minerals such as sulfur or even mildew from the pipes. Avoid softened or distilled water also since it retains too much of the salts used to soften the water. Just stick with fresh, filtered water for the best taste and cupping experience.

It is useful to have a tray that can hold about a dozen small cups or cupping bowls, as well as a variety of measuring spoons or scoops. Of course, do not forget the coffee itself.

Begin boiling the water, and then grind the beans using a burr grinder set to different settings based upon the number of trials to take place. The fineness of the grind makes a significant difference in the final cup of coffee.

Prepare the coffee but allow samples to steep for several minutes. Generally, you will want two tablespoons of coffee per six fluid ounces of water, but adjust these measurements as you experiment. The water should stay around 200 degrees Fahrenheit, but the temperature can also be adjusted as you experiment with different combinations.

Now, filter the coffee or let it settle for a moment after which you can spoon out a taste and then smell. Enjoy the aroma for a moment, then taste the coffee letting it run over the tongue. Hold the taste for just a few seconds, and then spit the coffee into a nearby container.

You should now set back and think about that particular coffee?s profile. Did it have a woody taste and smell, or was it peppery or floral in flavor and character? It can be amazing how many different varieties of coffee there are, but a little knowledge of the origin of coffee grounds and beans should lessen any surprise considering the array of soil, preparation methods and climates.

Try coffees from different countries. For instance, you will notice that Kenyan AA is a rougher, darker coffee than Columbian which is more floral, whereas the Yemen Mocha is completely different from both offering the cupper a winey taste.

Try some of the different roasts which vary from very dark to light. Or, alter the grind from very fine to rough. Changing the grind or the roast in the same bean can make a big difference in the final coffee taste and texture. Some common attributes applied to a coffee?s profile refer to the acid (tart, somewhat dry), aroma (fruity, floral or herb-like), bitter, body, nuttiness, or sharpness.

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Different Nationalities Of People Say They Love Coffee And MeanIt

By Jack Blacksmith


There was a time in America when there was drip or instant, sugar or milk. The name of the game was Folger's. Soon enough, the world was brimful with choices including the Skybury from Australia to the Peaberry from kenya, from Barcelona to Kona. Thankfully there's plenty of variety in options of style, country and blend to make the biggest coffee aficionado become confused.

Brazil, of course has been the world's largest producer for more than a century now. A third of the countries land is suitable for coffee cultivation. Bahia and Minas Gerais produce some of the most aromatic blends from this South American country.

Though Colombia, is more famous it is second in volume and it is a sweet and light pleasure that comes in 'excelso' and 'supremo' flavors. Coffees made from Narino or Popayan are the best in quality.

Apart these two big names in coffee production theres a world of different flavors that have their own specific colors too, only adding to the exhaustive list.

Mexico retains its pride of place to better known South or Central American plantations. The variety of small beans grown here produce a soft body and light acidity, producing a mellow flavor and taste. Cuba, with its extremely strong cafe cubano - tastes like tequila competing with Spanish cousins in the shock.

As the fourth largest producer of good coffee, Indonesia is known for its mature coffees. The warm, damp climate churns out a drink with deep body and less acidity.

Not to be cowed by its more famous neighbor, Malaysia brews its coffee in a muslin bag, used to filter grounds, producing a strong cuppa. Though low on grade Liberica should be experienced.

The small Thailand also punches in with a blend touched with chicory served with condensed milk and ice, of course for the breed that enjoys its coffee not warm. Think of Mauna Loa and Kona is aromatic, sweet and having a medium body. On the other hand, Sumatra's Java is richly flavored. Kenya boasts of its beanya, cultivated at seventeen thousand feet high deep and smooth, and having a delicate aftertaste that beats all words!

The Europeans don't take second place to anybody. The cafe au lait - half and half milk and coffee concoction is a hot favorite in France. Austria still cherishes the two-thirds dark, one-third regular traditional Viennese blend for generations now.

In 1901 Thanks to Luigi Bezzera and later M. Cremonesi in 1938, Italian espressos are to die for. They contain less caffeine compared to others, you can have two and without feeling guilty. Those looking for something lighter, can try out the weaker cappuccino and latte.

For me though, the good old American black is the coffee, the whole coffee, and nothing but my coffee.

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Saturday, August 9, 2008

The coffee center is an good-looking model that has the ability

By Leroy Calstard


If you are buying a small cooking appliance, you may want to consider the assortment that West Bend has to present. They are distinctively modestly valued and propose a good price. They make small kitchen devices that encompassed popular trends for a long time plus the most recent accepted kinds of small kitchen devices.

Coffee Center To brew hot coffee it the West Bend three-in-one coffee center that permits you, to also brew espresso and cappuccino. The coffee center is an good-looking model that has the ability to brew ten cups and it will also supply four cups of cappuccino or espresso. It is planned with a steam plunger that move back and forth as well as outward for frothing your infusions such as lattes, mochas plus cappuccinos.

The model is included in the removable basket that moves back and forth which makes it easier while inserting the filter and your coffee. The unit as well contains a pause key, preventing coffee from running as you remove the carafe. What's more, this model has an adaptor that attaches to an espresso holder, which permits you to brew two cups of espresso at the same time. The decanter, the basket as well as the cover and the accessories for the espresso brewers are dishwasher safe.

Can Openers West Bend can openers are well-liked small kitchen appliances. They are good-looking and don?t take up a lot of counter space. They are planned with a cutting accessory finished from chrome and the accessory is dishwasher safe. West Bend can openers are made to open tall cans and these openers are designed with a routine shutdown. These small kitchen domestic devices as well come with a knife sharpener and a bottle un-capper. The can openers are made with an area inside the base for cord storage.

Smoothie Machine One more popular small kitchen appliance presented by West Bend is their excellent smoothie-making machine. The item is good-looking with a retro look. The smoothie machine comes with a 48-ounce glass container and the sturdy case is manufactured from cast metal.

Slushie machine The West Bend Slushie Express is one more of their popular small kitchen appliances. The Slushie Express can make a tasty slushie in about one minute. After the slushie has been created you simply turn over the blending pot and use it as a cup. Enjoy your slushie and with the cup that was planned for ease of grip. Stir Crazy Corn Popper The West Bend Stir Crazy Corn Popper will pop twenty-five percent more corn than other poppers and use the same measure of corn with less oil. Another benefit of the Stir-crazy corn popper is that it was designed with a non-stick popping finish. The Stir Crazy cover flips to become a serving bowl. The unit has West Bends Exclusive motorized stirring rod, along an exclusive built-in butter well. If you are looking around for some new small kitchen appliances for your residence, test out the products offered by West Bend.

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Nearby Can Be as Close as Your Own Home

By Leroy Calstard


In order to obtain the highest quality of roasting, it is essential that the beans were selected and dried with the utmost care and attention. Some producers will use a specific kind of wash. This wash is used to remove the flesh as well as separate the different kind of beans. Beans will float differently depending on their density. This makes it easier to determine which ones should be used and which ones should be removed. However, there are some producers who will use a more complex and time consuming method.

Dry processed beans usually provide the consumer with a less acidic product. Some acidity can be desired in certain blends but too much acidity can be a bad thing.

As beans heat up during the roasting process they produce different aromas and levels of acidity. They also will release their different flavor components. The first stage of roasting is when the beans absorb the heat. The beans will go from green to yellow and then from yellow to brown. Green does not necessarily mean a color but rather fresh or not yet roasted. Roasting when properly done will smell like popcorn or toast.

When the temperature is about 350 degrees Fahrenheit the sugars will caramelize. This is of course helped along by the increase in moisture temperature of the skin. Reaching the proper amount of caramelized sugars is important to develop a good brew during coffee roast.

Then at about 400 degrees Fahrenheit the beans should expand and reach about double what their original size was. They should also be light brown, but this can vary depending on what kind of beans are being used. They should also reduce in weight to about 5% less than their original weight. Then as the temperature continues to increase the beans will lose more weight and then release CO2. When the temperature hits about 450 degrees Fahrenheit, the beans should be a medium to dark brown and should be oily. Often there is a loud pop heard at this stage which is known as the second crack phase. This is where over roasting can occur and care and attention is necessary. Burnt taste can occur when the oils are boiled off and combine with the oxygen in the air. The goal is to have the perfect balance and combination of bitterness, acid, and a wide variety of different profile characteristics.

The body of a coffee is slightly misleading. It does not necessarily refer to the actual thickness of the coffee. In actuality it refers to the proteins and fibers that are found in the coffee. It specifically refers to the feeling on the tongue when it is rubbed against the roof of the mouth. It is fat content in the beverage that is largely controlled by the roasters and not the brewers. Unfortunately too light of a coffee will usually contain a bitterness in the final result. However, too dark a brew with sometimes produce too much of a chocolate tone with a burnt taste. Experimentation is the best way to find the coffee the best suits your desires without needing to go anywhere, even if it?s nearby. With this said, its time to get out your cappacino, coffee and espresso maker.

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Thursday, August 7, 2008

Brew and Savor a Lovely Espresso

By Johnathan Bakers


All baristas have their own method when making and serving coffee drinks. Here?s my method?

Everything starts with water. Coffee grounds, regardless of quality, cannot overcome using poor water. The water must be fresh and very hot at near boiling. It may sound strange, but water can become stale due to inadequate filtering and cleaning.

The coffee is next. I recommend choosing aribica regardless of whether it is from Brazil or somewhere else. It is best self-roasted or purchased not too many days after it is delivered. You always want the coffee to have a lovely, ?fresh food? aroma.

The second category of coffee, robusta, is much easier to grow and more resistant to disease, but also has less flavor and more caffeine. It is best used as a quick energy fix and not for a the finer coffees like espressos meant to be enjoyed and savored.

The coffee should be finely ground in burr grinders for a dark roast, either Viennese or French referring to the ground color. Burr grinders are preferred here b/c of their pyramid shaped teeth between two plates that grind the beans, whereas blade grinders simply chop rather than grind.

With burr grinders, the distance between the plates determines the granule consistency. A powdery consistency is too fine whereas a small-gravel size is too large. A sand grain-sized granule is a just right. Be sure the grinder is not exposed to air any longer than necessary or the coffee will oxidize and take in odors. Neither is beneficial to any good cup of coffee.

Finally, a good espresso is made in a quality, clean machine with quality meaning one that generates heat by a boiler or a thermoblock and can produce pump pressure of nine bar or higher. Try to avoid the cheaper machines that use steam to create pressure.

Now, let?s move onto the process?

Be sure to warm up the machine prior to using it by running good water through the machine. Now, turn the machine on, let the water warm up slightly before running a cup through without coffee to allow the machine to flush itself. Add the grounded granules and pack it down slightly. You should feel some spring to the grounds, but the coffee should not loose. Insert the hopper into the machine and place an espresso cup at the outlet. Start the machine and wait just a few seconds for the thin stream to flow. Add extra time for a double shot of espresso.

As you see, it is a fairly straightforward process. A great espresso is all about using quality ingredients, using clean coffeemakers and not burning the roast.

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Coffe Add Ins Create Diversity

By Linden Walhard


Many people do not understand the obsession that people seem to have with adding things into their coffee. You probably know one of these people who takes their coffee straight. They are likely to never add so much as a drop of milk to their coffee. They usually will state that adding anything just takes away for the natural superior taste the coffee has and is detrimental to its character.

However, many people disagree and believe by adding in flavors and creams that they are only enhancing the quality of the coffee. In fact, even the professionals who truly do enjoy a straight cup a little mixer now and then is a nice thing that they enjoy.

As if there are not enough different coffees before adding stuff into it, right? By adding things the number of different coffees probably triples or more. It can make even the biggest coffee expert wonder how in the world they will ever understand all the different coffees. People love adding things to their coffee, though, and it is something that is sure here to stay.

It isn?t even just adding things in, either. Some people like to mix different blends to get a whole new hybrid blend. Of course, the big thing now seems to be flavorings. People will add almost any flavor to their coffee ? mint, chocolate, alcohol, vanilla, almond, cherry, whatever is around. Coffee does seem to suit almost any flavoring pairing, even spicy, like cayenne for the bold coffee drinker. The additions of flavorings just make the coffee more interesting and unique to the individual drinker. There are even a variety of ways to serve coffee that mixes it up.

Coffee does seem to suit almost any flavoring pairing, even spicy, like cayenne for the bold coffee drinker. The additions of flavorings just make the coffee more interesting and unique to the individual drinker. There are even a variety of ways to serve coffee that mixes it up. The different methods of brewing create cappuccinos, espressos and other brews. Even ice has found its way into coffee in an acceptable manner. Iced coffees are hotter than ever in the United States and something that seems to be here to stay. These iced coffees are usually very strongly brewed due to the fact the added ice melts and dilutes the coffee. Starting with a strong brew will produce a good tasting coffee and not just a brown glass of water. They often have flavoring added and usually have some milk or cream added to them as well. They are basically just poured into a tall glass and drank cold. They are perfect for the coffee lover that hates hot drinks.

Most people will find a favorite and stick with it. Eventually they start to become known at their local coffee house and say give me the regular without a weird questioning look. People can often become set in their ways when it comes to coffee. So if you are confronted by a coffee drinker who still takes their coffee straight, give them respect and understand they have probably been drinking it that way for years and are just not ready for change.

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Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Coffee Makers for Camping - If You Love Coffee and Enjoy Camping

By Carol Hughes


Camping is a great hobby and a fun interest for many people. It can be very relaxing to connect with nature and spend a couple of days in the desert or woods enjoying nature. You are able to swim, fish, or just enjoy doing perfectly nothing. Simply because you are in the wilderness doesn't mean you can not savor a good cup of coffee though. There are a lot of a dissimilar methods you can brew a cup or a pot of coffee while camping. Coffee Makers for Camping are easily available for your convenience now.

There is a large diverseness of coffee makers that are configured particularly for coffee pot for camping. There are small ones that will make just one cup or large ones that will make many cups at one time. It all depends upon how much you prefer to carry with you and how many people are going that will want coffee. The more common coffee makers for camping are of the manual drip variety as all you do is pour boiling water over your coffee while it sits in a filter. The strain sits in a holder and you just set the holder over your cup or mug. Other kinds may need to be set on a portable cooking stove or set on ashes to boil the water. There are even some coffee makers for camping have automatic drip that have been intentional for the camper who in truth needs that added convenience. These models are rather big and are not for the camper who is going to hike 10 miles for the perfect spot. They also need a camp cooking stove.

Do you know what is the best technique for preparing coffee with coffee makers for camping would be? It would be a manual drip coffee maker that is specifically projected coffee pot for camping. They come in many shapes an sizes but the most important part is that they are made to resist uneven campfire heat. Stainless steel or some other fire resistant metal made the best coffee pot for camping and they must have everything built in. They typically look like one coffee pot set upside down on another. What you do is place your ground coffee in a filter in the middle of the unit and water in the bottom. You adjust it on the fire until you see steam and then you flip it over and set it someplace cool. The flipping process permits the water slowly run out through the coffee grounds resulting in freshly brewed coffee for everyone.

The filter holder process works well also. You take a filter holder, place in a filter and add your coffee. Set it over your pot or cup and pour in boiling water. This is a great method if you don't require to brew a lot of coffee and don't prefer to carry about heavy gear.

You will be able to find which type of coffee makers for camping could right for your following camping trip if you ask an experienced camper or visit a specialized camping store, There are numerous to choose from so you are able to decide on what will be the most in effect for you. Retail stores commonly have a camping aisle so you are able to look around next time you are doing some shopping at that place.

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Monday, August 4, 2008

Coffee Lover's Gift Of Choice

By Clinton Maxwell


Need that special gift for the friend everyone has a hard time buying for? If they drink coffee than the perfect choice is a gourmet gift you just can't find anywhere else. Even if you know they have gourmet coffee already, that doesn't mean the only gift for them is another bag of beans that you can't purchase in stores. There are dozens of different gifts to pick from that go along with gourmet coffee. Just take a look below and see all the different gifts that can be found.

Coffee Beans

If you think about gourmet coffee, and buying it for a coffee lover you know, the first thing that pops into mind are gourmet coffee beans that you just are extremely hard to find. Meaning beans from exotic places around the world that never make it to grocery stores and can only be purchased through importers. They all range greatly different in prices from manageable to unbelievably costly.

Makers And Roasters

A more unheard of gift for that special coffee lover would be a gourmet coffee maker. Coffee makers that can produce cappuccinos, espressos, and pretty much anything coffee related you can think of. They only bad thing about them would be there outrageous cost. They range in the thousands for simply one. That being the cost of enjoying one of the most delicious beverages in the comfort of your own home. If you don't have that much to spend on a coffee maker though, Have you thought about buying a coffee roaster for them?

Before the 20thtcentury, anyone who wanted coffee at there own house needed to roast the coffee beans themselves. Coffee companies eventually decided to market pre-roasted coffee beans, so people stopped using roasters. But a large amount of people prefer to buy un-roasted coffee beans, and roast them on their own for a unique custom flavor.

Coffee Samplers

If everything above just seems like its way over the budget for you, or even if you are afraid your friend won't like the gourmet coffee beans you choose, Try purchasing a gourmet coffee sampler that comes with a large amount of different coffee flavors in one convenient package. Averagely they include about four to six different types of gourmet coffee, and can even come with some gourmet tea and pastry as well. They turn out to be the perfect gift at any time of the year no matter what occasion. Often they even come with some token gift items such as special coffee mugs and assorted trinkets.

There you have it, a perfect gift for anyone who drinks coffee. Even if they they are a lover who you are close to who has been wishing for a gourmet coffee maker, Or simply a recently met acquaintance. Maybe even a co-worker who has been doing a great job. Gourmet coffee can fit almost any budget and any person.

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Friday, August 1, 2008

Some Great Recipes With Coffee

By Johnathan Bakers


When a drink is both ancient as well as international it has an advantage, which is, it can be prepared in wide variety of ways owing to its long history. Coffee is one such drink.

From a list that literally can go on and on, you can pick out Cuban Cubano, Grop, Mexican Mocha or the Caribbean.

The Caribbean is a tricky one, but take the risk to try this out. Set your oven to 300F (134C) and bake a coconut for thirty minutes. Take it out and let the baked coconut cool. After sometime break the shell open, separate the inner flesh and make a paste. Mix coconut milk, a half cup of cows milk and the baked paste in a pan and set it to heat till the time the mixture becomes thick. Now strain the mixture for separating any shred of coconut granules. Put a cup of coffee into the mixture. Sit back and enjoy.

The Mexican Mocha is a creamy mix of chocolate and coffee one of the best combinations of two ingredients. You would need a teaspoon of your favorite chocolate syrup to which you have to put a quarter teaspoon of nutmeg and cinnamon. Slowly add a cup of coffee and add organic white sugar or regular sugar as per your taste. Mixing whipping cream or outing it as an accessory on top both will make it an irresistible drink.

Grop is a conventional holiday drink originating from the British Isles. Steadily peel a big orange and divide into slices. Repeat it with a lemon. Put a slice about the size of an orange peel on the cups bottom. Now mix into it a pinch each of grated cloves and nutmeg, one-third tablespoon of butter and finally a tablespoon of butter. Cinnamon is the next ingredient to join the others. Stir while adding a half cup of coffee. For taste go free with rich cream. Wow!

Viennese, Turkish and Vietnamese are the other favored beverages.

The Viennese coffee is made when you melt one eighth cup of dark chocolate into a sauce pan while stirring in one tablespoon of light cream. Put a half cup of coffee and keep on whipping till it attains a frothy texture. Let it settle. Cocoa and cinnamon are next sprinkled across the surface and raise a toast because its done. Simple!

Now we can try the Turkish delight. If you are in possession of the special dzezva pots for boiling the coffee, then nothing like it. You have heard correctly, you need to boil the coffee! This one is a strong coffee. Begin with finely grated Turkish coffee. Pour water measuring one cup into a pot, to which you have to put a half teaspoon of sugar. Now boil it all. Take it away from the heat and add a teaspoon of the ground coffee, stir the concoction and again deliver it to the heat. Remove when you see a layer of foam floating on the surface, then let the temperature drop.

From Vietnam lets bring the lip smacking iced coffee. For this you will need a Vietnamese coffee press. This is the most difficult step. Drop the ground coffee into the press and then pour a teaspoon of condensed milk into an empty cup. Boiling water needs to be poured over the press and let the liquid drip. Stir and put ice. Simply delicious.

But you know what will be the best step to take. Why go to so much trouble. Pack your bags and taste buds, hop around the world and let the natives dish the coffee flavors to you!

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Get Yourself An Inimitable Coffee Maker

By John Bakers


Coffee makers have been popular things ever since coffee was discovered. The Ibrik from Turkey was the original coffee brewer. It was a long-handled copper container with grooved tongue. It is still popular in the Middle East. The brew produced by it is very strong because no filtering takes place.

If you believe coffee is meant to be enjoyed as a beverage rather than eaten as coffee grounds, a wide variety of types are available from the plain to the esoteric. Here are a few things to look for...

Most people these days use the inexpensive drip model of coffee maker. Pour water in the top, it's heated by an electric coil, the water has to move via the coffee grounds to a glass pot placed on a heating plate.

But beyond these basics, there are a few features it's handy to have.

Controls have been increasing in number so much so that a lot of coffee makers look more like a stereo. You have LCD screens displaying the temperature, the time, a timer, the time to brew, and several more esoteric infobits.

A control over the desired extent of the brew is a minimum, and more control is also preferred. For forgetful people, the auto shutoff is a boon. In these hectic days people don't have the time to wait while the brewing process moves towards its completion, and that results in the pot being removed before the water has completely drained. In the bygone lazy days, the coffee would go on dripping, landing on the heating plate. This problem is solved by the automatic shutoff.

Then there are the illuminated displays. Consider those semi dark beginnings of the day when the light switch seems elusive and besides, you need the coffee to open your eyes well.

Cleaning has also been made easier by coffee 'pods'. These paper coffee containers are pre-measured - you just have to let the water flow through them. With these, you also have the added benefit of having a good filtering for your grounds. When the brewing is done you just pop them out (after they've cooled!) and toss them into the waste basket. Essential for the busy - and opposed to cleaning up - coffee drinker.

You also get water filters with many models, and you will appreciate these more if you live in a city, where it is difficult to say from taste if the drinking water is from the community swimming pool or not. You may find the filters a bit expensive but then a great cup of coffee is priceless.

Some makers even come with in-built bean grinder. However, I prefer doing that in a separate device for easier clean up. I have yet to come across one, but I think I would actually welcome an integrated brewer/grinder/roaster.

But that is probably stretching the imagination a bit too tight, in my opinion. Sometimes the best way to go is the oft-trodden path of old. Maybe the wise people from Turkey were right. Maybe my coffee can do with a little more perk...

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