Coffee Guide

A coffee grinder is an essential piece of coffee processing equipment. Grinding the coffee beans is an important step in coffee making. The perfect grind will enable you to enjoy the best cup of stimulating coffee. The ?golden rule? to coffee making is that grinding of coffee beans should be done just before brewing.

When you shop for your favorite coffee beans make sure that you shop for the right kind of coffee grinder too. You can choose from a wide variety of coffee grinders available in the market in all sorts of shapes and sizes. You?ve got to select the right kind to make yourself a perfect cup of invigorating coffee.

In the majority of American homes the coffee grinder has become a standard kitchen appliance! Most coffee grinders made for home use are simple and easy to operate grinding the coffee beans in a jiffy. To grind the coffee beans into extra fine, fine, medium or coarse, any of the above categories, you can use these electronic gadgets that are fast and give you the perfect coffee grind.

The coffee grinder runs on an electric motor. It is fitted with either one of the following two types of grinding tools – blades or burr plates. Coffee grinding machines fitted with burr plates are more expensive than blade grinders. However, for a better grind you must always opt for burr type coffee grinders.

? Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

Randy has more articles on coffee and coffee beans at Ultimate Coffees Info such as Do Coffee Enemas Really Work?.

When you want to have a cup of delicious coffee, it is best to use coffee that is fresh and hot off the grinder. Most coffee lovers contend that it is best to let the coffee beans pass through a grinder first before brewing them in order to preserve the aroma.

Normally, ground coffee eventually loses its flavor when exposed to air for a long period, thus, the longer the ground coffee is exposed in the air, the lesser the coffee flavor.

That is why it is best that you grind coffee beans in minimal amounts or in quantities that are enough for your daily use. Do keep in mind that grounded coffee must be placed immediately in an airtight dry container to preserve its aroma and flavor.

In coffee making, these innovative coffee processors can be very useful when grinding whole coffee beans so as to facilitate an easier way of brewing them.

There are, basically, three types of grinders to be used on whole coffee beans. These are the electric blade, the conical burr, and the burr grinder.

The conical burr grinder works best in maintaining the aroma and flavor of the coffee. It makes a refined coffee texture. With its complex pattern of steel burrs, you can easily manipulate the speed of the grinding process, from high to a slower pace.

When using this type of coffee crusher, keep in mind that it is best to grind coffee in a slower speed so as to lessen the heat in the machine. This is because higher levels of heat applied to the coffee will eliminate its aroma and flavor.

Conical burr grinder is best for different kinds of coffee makers, percolators, espresso, or drip. Its maximum grinding speed is usually less than 500 rpm.

Burr grinder, on the other hand, is usually faster in grinding coffee beans as compared to conical burrs. Its actual grinding speed usually ranges from 10,000 to 20,000 rpm.

Because of its great speed, burrs are considered to be the most inexpensive way of achieving well-refined coffee grains. That’s why these are the types that are usually suitable for home use. Though, when compared to conical burr, burrs do not grind as fine.

Blade grinders are the fastest coffee processors available in the market today. Its maximum speed range from 20,000 to 30,000 rpm. Contrary to the first two types, blades produce coffee grains with a mixture of large and small granules.

Due to the coffee dust that accumulates in the blade grinder, the sieves in French presses and espresso machines are clogged. That is why blades works best in drip coffee makers and are not suitable for pump espresso machines.

Because of its fast speed, blade grinders can also be used in crushing different herbs and spices.

However, different types of coffee processors can also affect the results of your coffee grains. That’s why it is best to consider some factors when choosing the best machine to do the job. You have to consider the static, safety, noise, and the simplicity of cleaning the machine.

So, for coffee lovers out there, you do not have to purchase expensive ground coffee anymore. All you have to do is to look for the best coffee grinder available in the market that is suited to do the job you want in your coffee.

Just bear in mind to consider the different factors that may affect the coffee texture so as to preserve its flavor and aroma.

James Monahan is the owner and Senior Editor of GrinderSite.com and writes expert articles about grinders.

First, let’s start with a really quick history. Coffee was first decaffeinated by Ludwig Roselius, a German coffee merchant, in 1905 after he received a coffee shipment that had gotten soaked during a storm at sea. He experimented with the brine-soaked coffee, and found out that benzene could be used as solvent to bond with the caffeine. Since caffeine is water-soluble at temperatures above 175?, he could boil the solution to separate the caffeine from the coffee. With his process, the coffee was decaffeinated, but it had lost much of its flavor.

For the record, Ludwig improved on his process and went on to sell his discovery under the Sanka brand name. Benzene is no longer used, as it is not considered safe for human consumption.

Today there are 3 commonly used methods available for removing caffeine from coffee, with dozens of variations of those methods. Two common variations are Direct and Indirect Method.

European or Traditional Process – Direct Method:

The direct process involves softening the beans by steam first, then washing them for about 10 hours with either a methylene chloride or ethyl acetate solution to absorb the caffeine from the bean. The solution is discarded, the beans are re-steamed to remove any remaining solvent (methylene chloride boils away at 114?; ethyl acetate at 104?), then the beans are dried to their original moisture content.

European or Traditional Process – Indirect Method:

Instead of being steamed, the coffee beans are soaked in very hot water, which extracts the caffeine along with many of the oils. This solution is then treated with either methylene chloride or ethyl acetate, which bonds with the caffeine. Then the solution is heated to the temperature at which the caffeine and either methylene chloride or ethyl acetate compounds evaporate. The oils are then reintroduced to the beans, and the beans are then dried.

About 80% of decaf coffees are processed by the Traditional, or European Process, and many serious coffee drinkers believe this method makes for the best-tasting coffee. Others worry about the chemicals involved. Methylene chloride is considered a superior solvent since it can evaporate at a lower temperature and leaves virtually no trace in the beans, but it is an environmental hazard to workers at decaffeination plants, and it is known to harm the ozone layer. Ethyl acetate can be extracted from various fruits and vegetables and so it is considered a naturally-found chemical, but most ethyl acetate used for decaffeinating is synthethically produced.

The Water or Swiss Water Process:

Also known as the water process, this process uses no chemicals, but rather hot water, steam and osmosis to remove the caffeine from the coffee in two steps. In the first step, which is similar to the Traditional, Indirect Method, the beans are soaked in a hot water solution to remove the caffeine and the flavor oils. The beans used in this step are then discarded. The solution is run through activated charcoal filters to remove the caffeine, but leave the flavor oils. A new batch of beans is then soaked in the solution. According to the laws of osmosis, the caffeine leaves the beans to go to the uncaffeinated solution, but the flavor in both the solution and the beans is equal, so no flavor leaves the beans.

The beans are then dried and shipped to the roasters. The disadvantage is that the water processing removes more than just the caffeine. Some of the oils from the coffee bean are removed as well, making it less flavorful.

The Hypercritical Carbon Dioxide Method:

In this method, which is not as popular as the other methods, the beans are soaked in a solution of liquid carbon dioxide to remove the caffeine. The get to a liquid state, the carbon dioxide must be highly pressurized (73 to 300 atmospheres), which makes the logistic cost of this method a bit higher than the other methods. After the caffeine is absorbed by the carbon dioxide, either the pressure is reduced and carbon dioxide is allowed to evaporate, or the solution is run through a carbon filter to remove the caffeine. Although more expensive, the advantage of the Carbon Dioxide Method is that since carbon dioxide is not a harmful gas, the method is not harmful to health or the environment.

Other Methods:

Since there’s no consensus best-way to remove caffeine from coffee beans, there are still new methods being developed.

One new method is the Triglyceride Process. In this method, green coffee beans are soaked in a solution or hot water and coffee to draw the caffeine to the surface of the beans. Then, the beans are transferred to another container and immersed in coffee flavor oils that were obtained from spent coffee grounds. The flavor oils contain triglycerides are a naturally-occurring combination of fatty acids and glycerol, and, after several hours at high temperatures, they are able to remove the caffeine from the beans while not affecting the flavor.

Another new method, and possibly the future of decaffeinated coffee, is the cultivation of Naturally Caffeine-Free Coffee from trees that have recently discovered in that produce coffee with no caffeine. Depending on the variety of coffee, the caffeine content already varies significantly, from about 75 mg to 250 mg per 6 oz. cup. Arabica coffee varieties normally contain about half the caffeine of robusta varieties, and dark roast coffee usually has less caffeine than lighter roasts since the roasting process reduces caffeine content of the bean. An arabica bean containing a tenth as much caffeine as a normal bean has been found, so the possibility of developing or finding a bean with no caffeine is probably a matter of time.

Paul Ballenger is a coffee lover and freelance writer. For more information on coffee makers, espresso machines and coffee please visit his web site.

When it comes to coffee, there are so many variations and options that it can almost be overwhelming. But if you want a rich, pure cup of coffee, then you’ve undoubtedly discovered for yourself that whole bean coffee is the best option. The best coffee is the freshest coffee, and whole bean coffee is the freshest you can get. Pre-ground coffee has been sitting for anything from a couple of days to many months, and it’s just not the same as brewing a cup of coffee immediately after grinding the beans. Even cheaper whole bean coffee blends taste good if you grind the beans and brew the coffee straight afterwards.

If you have the opportunity to buy good whole bean coffee in bulk, then it’s worth freezing the unopened bags. This helps keep them fresh for even longer. Of course, there is a downside to whole bean coffee – you have to grind the beans. For most of us that means buying a coffee grinder. If you’re in a hurry, it can be annoying to have to take the extra step of grinding the beans, but once you sit down with that beautiful cup of coffee you’ll forget the extra time it took to prepare it. The euphoria may even carry you right through the task of cleaning the coffee grinder!

The reality is that whole bean coffee isn’t an instant coffee fix – it takes time to get that perfect cup of coffee. So if flavor isn’t really of top importance to you, or you’re lacking time or patience, then you may be better off sticking with instant coffee varieties. Most people, unfortunately, can’t get past the instant gratification approach of today’s society, and chucking a spoonful of coffee into a cup and pouring in hot water is about as instant as it gets.

Still, there are ways around this. When I want to make a fresh cup of coffee, I grind the beans and put the coffee onto brew. Then, as the coffee grinder is already on the bench, I grind some extra beans and store the resulting coffee in an airtight jar. Sometimes it’s handy to be able to pull out pre-ground beans for a quick cup of coffee. Maybe it’s not quite as good, but sometimes I’m willing to sacrifice a little bit of flavor to gain some time.

Check out http://coffeeinfozone.com for all sorts of great information and ideas for coffee lovers!

For coffee lovers, the rich smell of freshly ground coffee beans in the morning is enticing. The aroma fills the house and you can almost taste the coffee before you pour it in your cup. The delightful aroma increases as the coffee brews and you stand ready with your mug in your hand just waiting to take that first delightful sip. For coffee lovers such as this, an antique coffee grinder is a welcome kitchen appliance.

Reasons to Buy an Antique Coffee Grinder

You can buy pre-ground beans in packages or cans, but there is no comparison to the taste of the freshly ground ones. You can also buy whole beans at the grocery store and grind them there, but if the person who used the machine before you ground a different flavor of bean, then that flavor could change the flavor of the ones you choose to grind.

You also have to grind all of the beans at once, instead of grinding them as you need them. Grinding them all at once will still allow that fresh taste to come through in the first cups that you brew but the flavor may decrease with each successive cup that you make. That’s why it’s better to own your own coffee mill. A lot of people purchase electric coffee grinders. They work well but they make a lot of noise. There’s also the chance that it may heat up the beans and take away from the great flavor.

Unlike their electric cousins, antique coffee grinders grind the beans to the proper texture with the added benefit of not overheating the beans. Another reason to own one is that they are beautiful objects, rich in history. Since they come in different styles, you can find one that will go well with whatever decor you have in your kitchen.

What Styles do They Come in?

Some antique coffee grinders mount on the wall, while others are countertop models. They are made from a variety of materials, one of which unpainted wood. These have handles that are made of cast iron and have intricate designs painted on them. There are other collectible coffee grinders, such as the Parker Nation Coffee mill. This mill was created circa 1905, in Connecticut. The beautiful bronze finish at the top sets them apart from other antique coffee mills. Another popular one was made in the 1920s, during the famous Art Deco era. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to any kitchen.

An antique coffee grinder is a great investment, not only for the wonderful coffee it provides but also because it’s attractive and lends a sense of history to your home

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Gourmet Coffee Gifts at http://www.gourmetcoffeeplus.com

Gourmet Coffee – Not Only Gourmet Food

Gourmet Coffee, what is not to love? For those who are hooked on coffee, Gourmet coffee is what gets the day off to a good start, and it picks us up in the middle of the day.

Coffee has been around for thousands of years. Gourmet coffee however, has been around for less than one hundred years, and it has fast become the favorite of millions of coffee connoisseurs throughout the world.

There are hundreds of different types of gourmet coffee. These include Colombian gourmet coffee which has a bold, strong flavor, with a rich aroma guaranteed to satisfy every coffee lover.

There are also flavored gourmet coffees, which include French Vanilla, Toasted Almond, Cookies and Cr?me, and Hazelnut.

There are so many choices, that the Gourmet Coffee enthusiast will have a difficult time choosing,

The Gourmet Coffee lover can enjoy specialty coffee such as Pumpkin Spice, a rich savory coffee that is like a slice of pumpkin pie. These types of gourmet coffees are not available year round.

There are Gourmet coffee shop in every city and town in the United States, and around the world. The most popular of all the gourmet coffee shops are Dunkin Doughnuts, Starbucks, and Honey Dew Doughnuts.

Each of these Gourmet Coffee shops offers the standard cup of coffee, and the flavored coffees but each offers a different twist of their coffees.

What about the Gourmet coffee shops that nobody even realizes is a coffee shop? The coffee stations that are in grocery stores or in department stores? These shop sell fabulous gourmet coffee, but often they are past by. When you do a Google search for gourmet coffee, you will find that there are a variety of Internet sites that are dedicated to gourmet coffee.

The Internet sites offer specials and discount just for trying their coffee. These offers include a special type of coffee maker designed especially for one brand of gourmet coffee.

When driving through small town America, and a roadside coffee shop pops up on the horizon, one can imagine how the bigger chains got started. The bigger gourmet coffee shops have teams of coffee roasters who are dedicated to creating new and delicious flavors of coffee.

The Gourmet Coffee consumer will undoubtedly look forward to all of the new flavors that are created.

The true Gourmet Coffee consumer will travel out of their way to try a great cup of gourmet coffee that they heard mention of either in conversation or through a crowd.

Virtually at any event, sporting or otherwise, college of professional, there are gourmet coffee shops everywhere. The Gourmet Coffee consumer will unquestionably look forward to all of the new flavors that are created.

When you are making gourmet coffee at home, you will need whole coffee beans, (grinding the beans just before brewing insures the freshest coffee) fresh spring water, light cream and sugar. These are the key ingredients for the freshest, best tasting cup of coffee you will ever taste.

Celia Namart an avid traveler has collected her thoughts and ideas during her many travels around the world, back from a recent trip to Asia Celia writes about Gourmet Coffee and natural health remedies.