Black As Midnight Blog - All Coffee, All the Time
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Welcome to The Black as Midnight Coffee Blog! Here you'll find the latest on coffee makers & espresso machines, coffee information, recipes, brewing tips, coffee beans, gourmet coffee, and more.
Have a look around and feel free to drop us a note in the comments section!
Aug 23 2008
The name Farber has been associated with gifts and kitchen products since about 1900, and when electrical appliances first began to emerge in 1930, Farber’s wares began to take a new approach to kitchen convenience. Today, there is a Farberware coffee maker to meet many different needs, from the simple four-cup coffee maker to the 36-cup stainless steel coffee urn. While the company produces some of the most recognized kitchen utensils and products, owning a Farberware coffee maker can make a difference in the kitchen.
For some coffee drinkers, the convenience of drip brewing is all they may know. Percolators, after all went out of favor many years ago, despite innovations and improvements enabling coffee to be brewed without grounds falling through their internal metal baskets. Most of the Farberware coffee makers on the market today use the percolating method of brewing coffee, which some claim provide a better tasting product while using less coffee.
Prior to the use of electric coffee makers, percolators were the most common as they could be filled with water, a basket and the upper basket filled with coffee grounds and placed over an open fire or on a wood stove. As the water was heated, it traveled up through the inner tube, was released over the grounds and dripped back into the pot. Farberware coffee maker still uses this type of brewing and as the water picks up the flavor of the grounds, it is recirculated into the water waiting to be passed through the grounds.
Remember Appropriate Cup Size When Brewing
One of the things about a Farberware coffee maker, and most others for that matter, is the amount of brewed coffee rarely matches the number of cups claimed to be made. For instance, a four-cup Farberware coffee maker has a capacity of 20-ounces of coffee and most coffee cups are designed to hold between six and eight ounces. Most coffee makers use four-ounces as their standard for a cup size.
The number of cups of coffee produced by a Farberware coffee maker, as well as most others, will be determined by the size of the cup being used. Why five ounces was chosen as the standard has yet to be adequately explained as even with the standard unit of measure, a cup is eight-ounces. However, most people simply adjust to the cup size promised by coffee makers and instead of asking why, they accept coffee maker claims and buy one accordingly.
Aug 22 2008
Don’t let the jitters of caffeine withdrawal force you into making a hasty decision on buying an espresso machine for your home use. You could go to the corner coffee shop, but that is getting too expensive. More and more financial advisers stress how much money you can save by making your own espresso instead of going out for it. In these tight economic times, every penny helps.
What Kind?
First off, you need to know that there are two main types of home espresso machines. There are pump driven espresso machines and steam driven espresso machines. Many coffee connoisseurs claim that there is a big difference in both kinds – with the more expensive pump driven espresso type giving the best quality.
So, how important is espresso in your life? Are you going to use this machine only occasionally or almost every day for the rest of your life or the life of the espresso machine – whichever comes first? If you are only an occasional drinker, then there is no sense plunking down your dollars and cents for the more expensive pump driven kind. Keep in mind that steam driven espresso machines must cool down between brews to be used safely.
Bells And Whistles
Besides the basic difference in how they make their beverages, there are also other things to consider when choosing your espresso machine, but most of them are minor choices about the extras that come with certain machines. These extras include how big they are, removable drip trays, programmable timers, warming trays and even a frothing cup if you want to try making cappuccinos.
Ideally, you should try a cup made from the espresso machine you are thinking of purchasing before you buy it. But this opportunity doesn’t happen always in the real world. So it is essential that you find out your store or website’s return policy before you buy your espresso machine. You also need to have a warranty on it (these usually are only for a couple of months).
You also need to find an espresso machine that fits into your kitchen – or wherever you are planning on keeping it. This might seem like a no-brainer, but I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard about a friend or relative who bought a cooking appliance and brought it home to discover that the only place it fit was on the floor. Color and appearance should be the last concerns when shopping for your home espresso machine.
Aug 12 2008
Coffee Pods
The Strauss family of Kamloops, B.C. has launched a new line of gourmet coffee pods for single servings. The company has also introduced herbal coffees as well this spring. You can find out more at straussherbco.com.
- News Canada
Aug 04 2008
Electric espresso makers are now the industry standard, and are becoming the standard for at-home baristas. While a four-spout model can easily run upwards of $3000, you can purchase a quality electric espresso maker for under $100 from many retailers. You may be familiar with the Café Moka model. It’s aluminum, it’s squat, and it’s difficult to use.
Using an Electric Espresso Maker
It’s easy to use and clean an electric espresso maker. While there are propane espresso makers, these are a minority. In fact, many propane espresso makers are dual-phase, able to be operated with propane gas or electric. The process of producing espresso is simple, although you may have a method that you adher to.
Great espresso is essential. Espresso is not, in fact, a bean, but refers to the method of preparation. An extremely fine powder is used in electric espresso makers, unlike with other methods drip coffee, which features medium-sized grains, and French press coffee, which is some of the largest you’ll find.
Grind the espresso into that fine powder. This should be ground every time a drink is made. A lack of freshness makes for a big lack of taste. Next, take a little bit of the coffee and place it in a metal filter basket, about 3/4 full. Now you are going to tamp it—there is an optimal pressure for electric espresso makers, and you’ll learn it quickly. It should be firm, with no powder adrift on top of the espresso.
Now, on electric espresso makers, you simply insert the basket and swing the handle of the basket into place. Make sure the reservoir in the electric espresso maker has water in it, and push the button. Within seconds, you will have a shot of delicious espresso. Often electric espresso makers are fitted for double shots—make sure you have two cups ready.
Often, electric espresso makers have a separate wand for frothing milk. Most electric espresso makers are designed to shoot out water at a steaming gallop. This intensity is necessary for the finely frothed milk that espresso drinkers demand when they ask for a cappucinno or latte. The milk should be heated to around 145°. Too cold, and the milk doesn’t sweeten. Too hot, and the milk can burn.
How do you know if your electric espresso maker is functioning right? Listen for a delicate whirring noise during the espresso pull, and a distinctive breathy whirring noise when the milk is frothed. And of course, the look of your espresso. It should have a delicate red-brown foam at the top. This is the crema, or schiuma. If you’ve got that, you’ve got espresso!
Aug 03 2008
If you want to make a purchase that you will never end up regretting, go with a Delonghi coffee maker. With a Delonghi coffee maker you know that you will be getting delicious, perfectly brewed coffee each and every time, and never again have to worry about getting charred or burnt roasts.
The Selection
There is the 14-cup programmable Delonghi coffee maker for one, which features a 14-cup capacity, 24-hour programmable timer which is convenient and easy to use, internal water level indicator which lets you know how much water is left in the tank, permanent gold-tone filter, shower head design, aroma button, and freshness indicator with LED lights that illuminate every 15 minutes for the first hour to let you know how long the coffee has been brewed.
There is also an advanced water filtration system used here which helps to optimize the taste of your coffee by eliminating any off-flavors that are caused by chlorine, a decalcification warning which uses an indicator light to let you know when it is time to clean the machine, a non-stick warming plate, and a pause n’ serve function which allows you to interrupt the brewing cycle to pour a cup of coffee before the full brew is complete.
This is an ideal Delonghi coffee maker for the average household and one that is truly high quality but also affordable. If you are shopping for your first coffee maker this is definitely one that should be considered, and one that will not break your budget.
Another Delonghi coffee maker that you may want to consider is the Delonghi EC701 Espresso Machine. This is a durable and full featured machine, one that produces a perfect shot of authentic espresso, cup after cup. Two portafilters are included with the machine, one that uses convenient ESE espresso pods and the other which enhances the brewing process to ensure full espresso extraction.
A few of the many features offered include rugged stainless steel housing, 15 bar electric pump, anti-drip design, ESE pod compatible, Sempre Crema portafilter, cappuccino system frother, removable drip tray, on/off indicator light, integral coffee tamper, cup warming surface with rails, and more.
Making the Decision
You may find it a bit difficult to make a decision, what with the various different models available to you, but as long as you take a bit of time and consider the different features and components that you need, then you will be able to find the perfect coffee maker for you.
Aug 02 2008
With a Cuisinart coffee maker you can have perfect coffee and an appliance that looks amazing. There is nothing that says simple modern elegance than this coffee maker. There are different models to go with your lifestyle, whether you need to hit the ground running in the morning or have the time to relax and unwind over a cup of coffee and the papers. Every model considers that you have a life that needs to be lived, not one that needs to be spent waiting around for the machines in your house to do their jobs.
Coffee for Two
If you and your partner need to be out the door first thing in the morning with no time to sit down and have coffee then there is a Cuisinart coffee maker that is just for you. The ‘Two to Go’ coffee maker makes coffee that is brewed directly into two travel coffee mugs.
All you have to do it turn the machine on first thing in the morning and by the time your done with your shower and are ready to go to work you have two cups of coffee that will be ready for your car ride or commute.
Barista Perfection
Sick of going to Starbucks? Use the Cuisinart Espresso coffee maker to make your favorite coffee right at home. This espresso machine makes perfect espressos and has steam nozzles that will allow you to steam milk and make your espresso a latter or cappuccino.
Add your favorite syrups and sprinkles and you have the perfect latte, probably better than what they have at the coffee shop down the block. You can get as creative as you want and you’ll enjoy creating new flavors in your kitchen.
Busy Lives
If you only want certain cups of coffee at a time and hate the idea of a carafe sitting around with coffee all day then there is a Cuisinart coffee maker for you. The ‘Coffee on Demand’ machine will dispense your coffee cup by cup. You can program it the night before so that you don’t have to worry about waking up to brew coffee.
You can be guaranteed of enough coffee to last you throughout the day even in a household of more than one coffee addict, it can hold 12 cups of coffee. Whatever your choice there is sure to be a Cuisinart coffee maker that suits you and your tastes.
Aug 01 2008
Everyone loves a bargain, but if you can’t use it, than it’s not much of a bargain. If you love coffee and a bargain, it might be tempting to buy a commercial super automatic espresso machine just because it’s for sale, at a government auction or the featured item at a local garage sale. Resist the temptation, unless there are areas in your life that you could actually use a commercial super automatic espresso machine.
Fundraisers
Are you a member of a church, Meetup or PTA that does a lot of fundraising? Then this is one of those instances where getting a used commercial super automatic espresso machine may tip not only in your favor, but in the favor of any charity your support. The espresso could be sold during fundraising events like bake sales, car washes or whatever else your group does to interact with the community and get donations from them.
Small Businesses
If you have your own small business that can somehow tie into giving out or selling coffee, then you should think about getting a used commercial super automatic espresso machine. Having your customers drink an espresso might make them want to stick around and shop in your store more instead of just dashing in and out. This could work for small bookstores, diners, bakeries or massage parlors (LEGAL massage parlors).
Where Would You Find These Things?
It’s amazing what you can find on the internet, especially in online auction web sites like eBay and on online classifieds like Craigslist. Some people also haunt bankruptcy sales and government auctions, which more and more put up web sites of the stuff for sale rather than making you travel out to a tiny drafty warehouse to look the merchandise over and then hang around for hours so you can put in a bid.
You can also find used commercial super automatic espresso machines for sale in regular newspaper classifieds, especially if any local restaurant has gone out of business. One way of trying to pay off all of their debtors is to sell all of their equipment and furnishings.
Who knows? The way the economy is going, you might walk down the street and see a used commercial super automatic espresso machine on a street corner with a sign around its neck saying, “Will work for coffee”. Just think really long and hard before bringing one of these monsters into your life.
Jul 25 2008
Commercial propane coffee makers enable anyone to set up a coffee cart or kiosk anytime or anywhere. Even if there’s no electricity around, propane coffee makers—especially commercial-sized ones—will enable you to make fresh, piping hot coffee for all your customers. If you wish to expand your cart concession business, coffee is a great place to form the foundation of your personal brand. And propane is the perfect fuel to remain off the grid. This is the best way to avoid paying someone else’s utility bill.
The Economics
If you’re considering a business in cart-based food services, a commercial propane coffee maker makes perfect sense. Coffee is one of the most popular luxury items, and for good reason; it tastes good cold on a hot day, and is a delicious way to warm up when it’s chilly. Propane runs extremely cheap, usually less than a dollar a gallon, and with an efficient commercial propane coffee maker, you can make a significant profit in a short time. The initial investment of a good commercial propane coffee maker can run around $3000, a price easily recouped by establishing a dedicated clientele. This is not hard with a popular beverage like coffee.
Propane Pros
Propane is green, a byproduct of natural gas. It’s a very safe, efficient fuel; there are still propane-run cooler from the thirties that function today! It requires very little compression to form a liquid gas (called LPG) and is thus easy to store and transport. You may be concerned about dealing with gas leaks, but propane, thanks to the additive ethanethiol, is easily detected by the human nose when released into the air.
Propane is easily stored in 20 gallon tanks; these are the squat, rounded-off drums you usually see people using when barbequing. A full propane tank is usually very distinct from an empty one; once you become familiar with your commercial propane coffee maker, you will be able to judge the fullness by the heft. If not, the weight of the empty tank is conveniently embossed on the side.
A Great Cup
Of course, moving your product will be greatly facilitated by being able to make a great cup o’joe. This is where investing in a quality commercial propane coffee maker becomes key. The industry standard is using Italian models, although there are makers from the US and German who have also come a long way in perfecting the art of fine coffee. With a commercial propane coffee maker, you’re on your way to a flourishing business!
Jul 24 2008
It was not too long ago that getting a beverage from a coffee vending machine was done so out of desperation as their reputation for providing a good cup of coffee was not real good. Typically, the drinks produced were either too strong, too weak or just downright nasty and despite the complaints of those that bought drinks from a coffee vending machine, buy them they did. It may have been because of the some of the fancy cups they used because in most cases it was not because of great tasting coffee.
Typically, many of the old style coffee vending machines simply provided hot water that was run through a portion of instant coffee that did not always completely dissolve during the process. The result was often hot water with some grounds floating on the top of the water or settled on the bottom of the cup and tasted more like coffee that was made two or three days previously. However, after years of complaining about the drinks produced by a coffee vending machine manufacturers finally made headway in making their product more pleasing to coffee drinkers.
Today, a coffee vending machine can produce a cup of brew that might even be close to the coffee produced at home in a brewer. Once activated, some of the machines grind the right amount of beans, run water heated to 110-degrees through the grounds and pour the coffee into an insulated cup.
Most Machine Coffee May Be Good But Not Great
Travelers and many others who work for a company that provide a lunch room may be limited in their sources of a good cup of coffee and if they feel a need for a burst of caffeine will buy a cup from a coffee vending machine. Even with the improvements made to the machines and improved quality of the finished product, it will never equal the product available from a coffee shop or that brewed at home.
However, there are going to be some that enjoy the brew made by a coffee vending machine, but remember that a machine is a machine and cannot adjust they way it was instructed to brew the coffee. A coffee vending machine will produce coffee that it too strong for some and too weak for others and still, to this day, will carry the stigma that the drink was made by a coffee vending machine, therefore it cannot possibly be good.
Jul 23 2008
Having too many appliances in the kitchen can take up valuable space. This is especially true if you live in a small apartment or have small kitchen. In both cases you need to optimize the space you do have and reduce the appliances that take up counter space. A coffee maker with water dispenser is both space and time saving.
You can have the convenience of an appliance that does the two essential things and at the same time will give you better coffee. It’s also perfect if you have someone in the house that drinks something besides coffee but still needs the hot water. With this coffee maker with water dispenser you can keep everyone happy.
Convenient
A coffee maker with water dispenser will allow you to have a supply of hot water on hand all the time without worrying about heating up water. This is useful for many things, for example cooking becomes easier when all you need to do for hot water is to press a button.
If you need to make a cup of tea or make up some hot chocolate this is also an easy and fast way to get things done. Perfect for early in the morning when you have more things to do than time to do them in.
Using a coffee maker with water dispenser does not really differ from other coffee makers in any other way. It will still make a great cup of coffee or tea. Despite the water dispenser feature it does not take up a lot of space. It has been designed to be compact as the main reason you are buying a coffee maker with water dispenser is to save space.
Choosing the Right One
When choosing the right coffee maker with water dispenser the big factor is the amount of water that you need. Is something that can hold 12 ounces of water enough for you? If you continually need hot water throughout the day then get something with a bigger water dispenser allowance.
If you need it to brew drinks other than coffee make sure that it can perform this function. A permanent filter for coffee and tea grounds is a good idea to look out for in the models you might prospectively buy. The amount of time that it takes to heat up water should also be taken into account. If it is too lengthy then the convenience factor is lost.