Monday, July 16, 2012

Keurig Vue, The Best Just Got Better

If you have any experience with the Keurig line of 1 cup coffee makers, then you know how convenient they can be and how good of a cup of coffee they make. Whether you want coffee, tea or cider, the Keurig can brew a perfect cup every time.
While these original Keurig machines were incredibly popular in homes and offices, there were still complaints. Many people didn't like the fact that there were only three settings available to change the strength of the drink brewed. Others said that the temperature control was difficult to use and not very accurate.
Keurig has taken all of these customer comments to heart and has recently released the new and improved Keurig Vue 1 cup coffee maker. Almost every negative that owners of the coffee maker could come up with is addressed and improved upon in the new Vue.
Below are some of the features of the newest Keurig machine:
- Intuitive touch-screen control panel which allows you to easily switch between 4-ounce and 18-ounce brew sizes and temperatures of 187 to 197 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Water reservoir size of 74-ounces with lighted background.
- One year warranty.
- Improved recyclable Vue packs for brewing individual beverages.
- Ability to froth water for a foamy topper on your coffee.
Keurig's motivation for making a new and improved coffee maker was not purely because they wanted to please their customers. The patent on its K-Cups runs out in September, so many cheaper competitors' versions will be hitting the market. Also, Starbucks is about to release their own 1 cup coffee maker sometime after September. So Keurig had good reason to come out with a new and superior product to keep their stronghold on this market.
The new Vue looks a lot like previous models, but a little bit sleeker and classier. The difference is that it is able to do so much more with a lot more options for customization when brewing your coffee. The new temperature controls are much easier to use and the fact that you can brew a decent travel-size mug of coffee is definitely a great feature. The Vue accomplishes this feat by slowly pulsing the water through the Vue pack, making a stronger cup of coffee, or a larger cup that is still strong enough.
Another complaint addressed with the Vue is that the past Keurigs did not report accurate temperatures of the coffee brewed. Reviews from Vue customers have come in stating that this problem has been definitely fixed. The coffee comes out scalding hot if that's how you like it and the temperature of the coffee seems to be with two degrees of the temperature listed on the Keurig's display screen.
For those who complained about the disastrous recycling prospects for the original K-Cups, the Vue packs are much more environmentally friendly. The originals just needed to be completely thrown away after being used, but the Vue versions suspend the filter in the cup, which can be removed and disposed of after use. Not as good as paper, but a big improvement.
While the new Keurig Vue does advertise that it can brew a cup of espresso, do not take it too seriously. If you want espresso you will have to brew two separate cups, one with milk and one with coffee. The process is very messy and the espresso is not very good. It is definitely still just a coffee brewer, although it is much improved. Amazingly, the coffee it brews is even better than the past versions. The machine itself looks better and it is much easier to use, if that's even possible. It is a bit louder than past versions, and the coffee takes a bit longer to brew, but shouldn't a great cup of joe take a bit longer to make?
If you enjoyed the Keurig machines from the past and love the coffee they make, then you will absolutely love the new Keurig Vue 1 cup coffee maker. There are more features, it is more intuitive, the coffee tastes better, and it is more friendly to our struggling environment. The best 1 cup coffee maker just got even better and is set to remain by far the most popular home brewing machine in the world for a long time to come.
Chas Henry is the author of http://review1cupcoffeemakers.com. His blog contains both reviews of 1 cup coffee makers and is slowly adding information about coffee.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7152451

Reap The Health Benefits Of Coffee Beans With Coffee Beans Online

There has been a lot of negative coverage of coffee in the past. Coffee was believed to cause various negative effects in the body and was not known for any health benefits. However, recent research will encourage you to purchase coffee beans online.
This is great news for those who love coffee. Coffee lovers are finding that they can now purchase coffee beans online without having to worry about the negative impact that coffee will have on their health. They can now be confident that coffee will have a positive impact as a result of the antioxidants that it contains.
One of the most important recently discovered benefits of coffee are its anti-cancer properties. Coffee has been linked to the prevention of the development of liver cancer. Those who drink coffee regularly were found to reduce their chances of developing liver cancer by about 50%.
Further studies on the anti-cancer properties of coffee led to the observation that the beverage may have a lowering effect on the occurrence of various other forms of cancer including colon cancer, rectal, and breast cancer.
Purchasing coffee beans online is a great idea if you want to prevent the development of diabetes. Those who drink large volumes of coffee will be glad to know that their love for coffee may help prevent the development of diabetes. This is made possible by the reduction of blood sugar levels by coffee.
One of the most important ways that coffee results in the reduction of sugar levels is through an increase in the resting metabolic rate of the body. This is not only beneficial for diabetes, but also for those struggling to lose weight. You will burn more calories as a result of the increased metabolic rate.
You can also buy coffee beans online to help in preventing the development of symptomatic gall stones. This is because coffee alters the composition of bile. The cholesterol composition of bile juice is altered therefore reducing the chances of developing gall stones.
Men will be glad to know that coffee has been shown to have some effect in protecting them against Parkinson's disease. The same effect is not noticed in women unfortunately. This has been blamed on the presence of estrogen in women. The same enzymes required to metabolize coffee are the same required for the breakdown of estrogen. There is a high level of competition and estrogen is the victor.
When purchasing coffee beans online it is important to ensure that you purchase high quality products. It is also important to ensure that you drink coffee in moderation.
Experience the benefits and positive health effects that coffee can bring. Purchase some coffee beans now and benefit too.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7158963

Krups KM720D50 Programmable Coffee Maker Review

When it comes to the domain of coffee makers, Krups is a brand that is identifiable with top quality. The German design which goes into the Krups products is truly what has helped this company receive the recognition that it has. With the Krups KM720D50 Programmable 12-Cup Drip coffeemaker with glass carafe and LCD display, you get the polished and modern look of stainless steel. This is a look that would look very good in almost any type of kitchen, whatever the decor.
The elements this model boasts include:
12-cup capabilities for the stylish glass carafe
Ability to warm coffee for an hour and shuts off automatically after two hours
Coffee aroma option for richer extraction or smaller amounts
Programmable
LCD screen with controls that are easy to read
The Good
Coffee from "aroma" setting is bold and delicious
Top quality and sturdy glass carafe
Auto shut off
Programmable
Easy to use and clean
Stylish
The Bad
Tiny space to pour water in can be troublesome
Can be too warm to the touch while making coffee
Some issues with the coffee basket
Difficult to find replacement carafe
A number of grievances about not working properly shortly after purchase
What It All Means
It should come as no surprise but the bottom line with this model of Krups Drip coffeemaker is that you will get really good quality coffee. How easy or difficult it is to get that coffee made is where some of the issues come into question. Though the bulk of users seem to have few complications with the details of this coffee maker, those who did complain seemed to share the same type of concerns.
For one thing, it is very easy to use as far as being programmable. However, the bulk of criticisms came as a result of the small and oddly placed area for adding water. Details like this can make producing coffee, unpleasant and discouraging. Others felt the container itself wasn't securely in position.
Both of these details can also lead to disappointment on programmed mode. If you don't get everything just right, you may not realize it until morning when you head to pour your first cup of already made coffee and find it's botched. This alone can be reason enough for some potential buyers to look elsewhere.
The Right Choice for You?
Krups is known for quality and style. If you are willing to overlook the few possible issues some users have experienced, what you will get is a fine if not superior cup of coffee. Keep in mind some of the issues other users have experienced. Watch for these issues, especially being careful not to get burned touching the sides of the maker while the coffee is being made.
If you have performance problems early on, it would be advisable to get in touch with the company right away to see about a replacement. Ordering a backup glass carafe may also be a good idea if you tend to break or crack yours over time.
Share Your Thoughts!
We would love to hear your thoughts on this review. Please drop us a line or two... and more importantly, if you have a review of your own to share, we would love to hear from you.
Like this coffee maker review? Want to read more top rated coffee maker reviews? Visit www.topratedcoffeemakers.com for reviews, coffee tutorials, and more!


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7152182

Coffee and Revolution

Is coffee a word you would normally associate with the term revolution? For most people, it is not. However, all throughout history, revolutions have been stirred up while their creators stir their hot drinks. Coffee houses and cafés have served as birthplaces for countless ideas that have had revolutionary outcomes, particularly in the 17th and 18th centuries, but it is still happening today; many activists have used coffee house as places to gather throughout the Arab Spring. Here are a few examples of coffee-fueled revolutions.
Coffee Ban
Though this example might not count as a revolution, the seeds are there. In 1511, coffee was considered a dangerous, intoxicating drink by some. For fear of its potential to cause sedition, in this year the governor of Mecca shut down all of Mecca's public coffee houses. Luckily for the citizens of Mecca, the sultan of Cairo decided that this proclamation was not a good one, and soon after overturned the movement. What is interesting here is that, though there may not have been proof at the time, the governor was partially correct. Maybe it wasn't the coffee itself causing unrest, but those houses where people could exchange ideas can brew a lot more than just coffee.
The American Revolution
A coffee house in Philadelphia, ironically named "The London Coffee House," was used as a meeting place to discuss revolutionary ideas in the 18th century. In the late 1760's Americans would meet to exchange political ideas (many of them involving dissatisfaction with taxation). English conservatives even had a habit of referring to American coffee houses as "seminaries of sedition."
The French Revolution
On July 12th, 1789, Camille Desmoulins stood on a table waving two pistols in his hands at the Café de Foy. Though watched by police spies, he shouted to his fellow Frenchmen, "Aux armes, citoyens!" Only two days later, the French Revolution had begun with the fall of Bastille. This is just one small anecdote, too. French coffee houses were the go to place for French intellectuals to share their political ideas and express their various dissatisfactions.
If you think about it, this all make a whole lot of sense. Though nothing can compare to the internet for information exchange, coffee houses used to serve as a sort of hub for people to share news, gossip, ideas, and information of all kinds. And, in an environment where the patrons are unsatisfied with political conditions, this type of mass information exchange can be the perfect breeding ground for revolution.
J. Martinez is the owner of J. Martinez & Company Fine Coffees, selling gourmet estate and single-origin coffees from all over the world, including Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee and Hawaii Kona Coffee. Learn more about Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee at http://www.martinezfinecoffees.com/specialty-coffee-espresso-blue-mountain/jamaica-blue-mountain-coffee.html


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7172529

Learn The Benefits And The Disadvantage Of Having A French Press Coffee Maker At Home

There's no denying that we are all different and that we all prefer different methods for preparing coffee but the French presses is one of the most popular ways of preparing a good cup of coffee nowadays. I've tried many different methods and the French coffee press is second to none because of many different reasons. Let's have a look at some of the reasons why the coffee press is a lot more beneficial than any of the other coffee brewing methods on offer.
Advantages of using a French press
If you have never tried a coffee prepared with a French presses, it's time to change things a little bit. You need to see how wonderful it is to taste a cup of coffee prepared on a French press coffee makers, which many people are not aware of because they think that only coffee makers are good.
It's important to say that if you are going to use a French coffee press, you will have to get coffee beans to press at home but you will need to ensure that the grind you use gives you a coarse result. Once you have the freshly ground coffee, everything will be easier to get that unique cup of coffee. Remember that when you use the typical electric coffee maker, the device decides which is the best temperature for the coffee.
However, when you use the coffee press you will have to decide which is the right temperature for your coffee. It would be important not to use boiling water since you might end up with burnt coffee. Apart from giving you the chance to choose the best temperature, a French press coffee maker also allows you to decide how long you will leave the coffee brewing for. For the majority of these kinds of presses, you should leave the coffee for no longer than four minutes but if you like it lighter you can leave it for two minutes. Another great feature of these presses is that you don't really need to make use of a filter, which means that your coffee will have a lot more aromatic oils that are responsible for making your coffee robust and a lot more unique.
If you want to prepare the best coffee, you need to ensure that the water is really hot in order to pour it over the freshly ground coffee in your French presses. Once you add the hot water, you have to stir a little bit to distribute all the beans and then simply put the lid of the press to let the coffee give all its flavour away. Once you are comfortable with the time, you will have to plunge the coffee in a very careful way so as to avoid having little bits of beans in your cup.
Disadvantages of using a French press
Even when this is one of the best methods for preparing coffee, it does have some disadvantages, especially at the moment of cleaning the cups that can contain some grounds. Having a French press might seem like it's a lot of work but in fact it's not as much as you think it is compared to the amazing coffee you will be able to prepare. If you want to reduce the amount of grounds you get on your coffee, you will need to use a conical grinder and go for a coarse grind.
Don't forget that having a cup of coffee has to be according to what you like. Having a French press coffee maker will allow you to control several aspects of your coffee so that the result is unique.
French coffee press is one of the perfect device to take if you like to enjoy a cup of rich and tasteful coffee. If you want to the best French press coffee maker in the market, visit our latest website at www.BestFrenchPress.net which discussed about different type of french presses from different top leading manufacturers in the world.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7165585

Nespresso Capsules

Expert Author Lena Baker


Nespresso Capsules: Where To Buy?
If you haven't heard of the magic of Nespresso capsules then it's time you knew about it. It has put simplicity and convenience in espresso. Making espresso can be as fast as less than a minute and you can always buy capsules online.
Espresso lovers know that the taste of espresso are highly dependent on the quality of the grinds, the fresher the grinds, the fuller the flavor. But espresso lovers also know the effort and time grinding and tamping requires... but with the Nespresso capsules, you get an excellent cup from pre-ground beans.
Of course some will be very skeptical; how can pre-ground beans compete with the taste of fresh grounds? The secret there are the capsules. The coffee grinds come in these pods or capsules that seal in the freshness of coffee by keeping it away from its mortal enemies: MASH or Moisture, Air, Sunlight and Heat. The pre-ground beans in the pods can keep fresh for months. The coffees are guaranteed to satisfy even the most discriminating coffee connoisseurs' palettes.
Nespresso being a trusted name in coffee has created a blend of Arabica, Robusta and science in a pod so you are assured of a perfect cup every time. Each pod contains perfectly measured portions of perfectly tamped and ground beans, so no guesswork or skill is required.
Not only do you get great quality espresso in less than no time, you also get to enjoy high quality blends for a fraction of a cost compared to signature drinks from coffee shops.
Nespresso Capsules Review:
The pods are tulip shaped hermetically sealed aluminum containers that are sealed in order to preserve the freshness of the hundreds of aromas and flavors of the ground coffee. The coffees are measured specifically to make one cup of espresso and coated on the inside with protective seal to keep the precious coffee away from MASH. The aluminum used is 100% recyclable material so eco-conscious coffee enthusiasts are assured that these pods won't damage the environment. Although many have suggested that Nespresso itself think of a recycling plan for the pods so as not to accumulate waste from the used pods.
Together with the capsules, Nespresso have developed Espresso machines and coffee makers that are especially designed to use pods. They usually come with complimentary capsules but for one to purchase more, all that needs to be done is to buy Nespresso Capsules online. You can customize purchase and have it delivered to your doorstep on a schedule. Delivery takes two days so despite the exclusivity, it's really not a hassle.
If you would like to find out more on Nespresso machines that are exclusively used for pods you can read our Best Nespresso Machines Reviews page.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7169960

Coffee-House Coffee Vs Home-Brewed Coffee

If you love good coffee, you probably have already checked out your local coffee houses. But have you ever considered brewing some specialty coffee on your own? Both are great ways to satisfy your cravings and try new varieties, but each comes with its own set of pros and cons. The best choice is going to vary based on what you are looking for, and what you are willing to do.
Cost
Though spending money on great coffee is definitely worth it, remember that at a coffee shop you are going to be paying a price that is well over what you would have paid to brew a similar cup for yourself. Going to coffee houses can be a great experience, but if you want good coffee daily and are looking to be a little more economical about it, you can make what they make for yourself, at no extra cost.
Guaranteed Freshness
Chances are better than good that a coffee shop that you already trust will be serving you some pretty fresh coffee. But nothing beats coffee as fresh as you could be preparing for yourself. If you do try this at home, make sure to only buy your coffee in whole bean form, as once it is ground it may be stale quicker. It is best to only grind as much as you are going to make, and to do so only right before you make it. That level of freshness would not be reasonable for the vast majority of coffee houses, but if you've got the time you should really try it out, because it makes a difference.
The Social Scene
The downside to home-brewing is missing out on that cool coffee-house vibe where you can meet up with friends or see what's happening in your area. If making your own cups would really tear you away from the scene that you love, consider having a time of day, or week, when a group of friends comes over to drink together. You could even take turns supplying the beans, and introduce each other to new varieties.
The Right Ingredients
While home brewing seems to come out on top for both freshness and value, that doesn't mean just grabbing a bag of pre-ground coffee beans is going to be a superior experience to a freshly brewed cup at your local joint. If you're going to switch to a more do-it-yourself routine, it will really only be worth it if you are getting your beans from a purveyor of fine or gourmet coffees.
The best way to see which is right for you is to go ahead and try both for a comparison! Once you've found a really nice source for gourmet coffees, brew up the freshest of fresh cups, and then compare with your local place!
J. Martinez is the owner of J. Martinez & Company Fine Coffees, selling gourmet estate and single-origin coffees from all over the world, including Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee and Hawaii Kona Coffee.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7167614