Thursday, March 31, 2011

The Benefit Of Owning A Coffee Grinder

Every coffee lover out there loves fresh ground coffee, no matter what kind it is. There's just something special and wonderful about freshly ground coffee that brings a smile as that first whiff floats through the house or coffee shop. In order to enjoy the specialflavor of fresh ground coffee, one usually has to own some sort of coffee grinder. Gone are the days of the tiny little box with the turning wheel on top. Today, a coffee grinder can cost hundred of dollars, if not more.
A great tasting cup of coffee is produced from whole coffee that's ground within a few minutes of brewing, and it doesn't matter what kind of coffee bean is used, whether it's an exotic blend or French Vanilla or a Columbian blend. Whole coffee beans can be caffeinated or decaffeinated. The reason why coffee tastes so much better when it's just been through a coffee grinder, is that within two minutes, or so the experts claim, the coffee beans begin to oxidize, which is referred to in coffee circles as 'staling', which is what changes the flavor. Most experts agree that the sooner you brew your coffee after you put it through a coffee grinder, the better your coffee will taste.
How do you grind coffee? There are different types of coffee grinder models out there, some with a blade and some with a burr. A coffee grinder fitted with a blade is less expensive than a burr coffee grinder. A fan-shaped blade spins to grind the coffee beans. However, with a blade coffee grinder, grains are inconsistent unless you grind the coffee to a finer texture, which is fine if you're making an automatic drip coffee maker.
If you want espresso, this method doesn't work out too well. A burr coffee grinder is the best, as it crushes the coffee beans in a consistent manner that allows for a uniform grind. Of course, a burr coffee grinder can be either an electric style or a hand-cranked style. Both work equally well, though of course the electric coffee grinder will take less time. Still, the hand-cranked coffee grinder is ideal for those who like to take the time to enjoy handling the coffee and savor the aroma while grinding. A hand-crank coffee grinder is also portable, which makes it ideal for taking along on camping trips or when RV'ing.
A burr style coffee grinder can cost someone anywhere from $75 to $400, depending on how fancy you want to get. It doesn't really matter what kind of coffee grinder you purchase as long as it does the job it's supposed to do. You don't have to spend a fortune for a good cup of coffee when a bit of patience will get you the same results. Many people enjoy grinding their own coffee, and whether you own a blade or a burr coffee grinder, you're going to enjoy a better cup of coffee no matter which style you use.




About the Author

Still looking for the perfect coffee? Try visiting http://www.AllCoffeeSite.com, a website that specializes in providing coffee advice, tips and resources to including information on the coffee grinder.

Note:  I use a Krups and love it... reasonably priced and built to last.






Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Coffee Beans Greatly Impact Coffee Flavor

There are many factors that go into making a perfect cup of coffee. While many people focus on choosing the perfect brewing method the perfect model of brewer, the correct roasting equipment, grinding method, even the type of water used in making the coffee, most people will go out and buy cheap or inferior coffee beans. This has been one fact that honestly never ceases to amaze me. 

All of the things mentioned above really are moot points unless you are using good quality beans for your coffee drinking delight. Not only do the beans need to be good quality to ensure the best possible cup of coffee, they also need to be of adequate freshness. Coffee beans are rather delicate creatures. The beans once opened are only at their best possible freshness for at most a week. Once those beans have been ground the maximum freshness only lasts for a matter of two or three days.

Freshness is monumentally important when it comes to the flavor of your coffee. It is better to use an inferior quality of coffee in its prime than it is to use a superior coffee that has outlived its freshness. The truth about supermarket coffee is that you have no idea how fresh your coffee really is by the time it makes it to the shelves in the stores, much less to your pantry at home. This coffee is by far the most questionable as far as quality goes.

Your average supermarket can of coffee will by no means match the quality, freshness, or flavor as beans that you purchase from your local gourmet coffee shop. Not only do you have no idea of how long it's been since they've been ground, you are also left to wonder about the actual quality as many of these brands are made with robusta beans rather than prime quality Arabica coffee beans or a blend of the two.

This doesn't mean that all coffee house coffees are going to provide the maximum freshness either. For better odds, it is wise to choose varieties and blends that are popular and sell rather quickly. There never is an honest guarantee for freshness unless you're getting your beans from the field, but for the most part the odds are better in a place that deals in quality rather than quantity (unlike mass merchandise supermarkets) and that really educates themselves in the finer points of coffee. This is something a small shop that specializes in coffee is far more likely to do than some minimum wage supermarket clerk.

Another way to increase your chances of getting a fresh and tasty cup of coffee is to buy whole beans rather than pre ground coffee. There are no guarantees when shopping, however the steps mentioned above will drastically increase your chances of getting your best possible cup of coffee each and every morning whether you have gone through specialized study about coffee beans or not. You really shouldn't have to have a degree in this in order to get a great cup of coffee in the morning.

About the Author

For more info on coffee and coffee beans, please visit our website. Coffee Beans