Choosing a Coffee Grinder

A coffee grinder is a must have for anyone who loves coffee, for tow simple reasons: freshness and control over the coarseness of the grind.

Freshness

To keep coffee as fresh as possible you need to minimize it's contact with air. Air is one of coffees worst enemies as it destroys delicate flavors by turning the natural oils present in coffee rancid.

If you have a coffee grinder at home you can grind your coffee beans as you need them.This preserves their freshness, as a whole coffee bean has a much smaller surface area than that of a ground bean and therefore is less exposed to air.

The actual process of grinding releases many of the coffees aromatics; as you grind you can smell this in the air.If you don't quickly use these grounds then you are going to lose this aroma and deprive your cup of valuable flavors.This is another good reason to only grind coffee on demand.

Control Over The Coarseness Of Grind

Different coffee makers require a different coarseness of ground coffee. For example: an espresso machine, witch has a short brewing time (less than 30 sec.),needs a very fine powder-like grind; whereas a cafetiere, which has a long brewing time (3-4 min.), needs a much coarser grind. With your own coffee grinder you get to control the coarseness of the grind as you can adjust the grinders settings. So if you find your coffee taste bitter, a result of over-extraction, then you can adjust the grind to a coarser setting; and if your coffee tastes flat,a result of under-extraction,you can adjust the grind to a finer setting.

By James Grierson/AZ Golf Alive

Whether you’re a newbie or a skilled barista, iCoffee Gourmet has everything you need and want to know about premium, organic, decaf or fair trade coffees, gourmet espresso beans, espresso machines, coffee makers or coffee grinders. Get yours today @ http://www.iCoffeeGourmet.com.

Coffee Grinder Machines Guide

Freshly grinding coffee beans prior to brewing is one of the most important steps to a great cup of coffee. Grinding the coffee beans properly and to the proper consistency for the brew you desire is essential. There are two main types of coffee grinders on the market today, namely the burr grinder and the blade grinder. 

Blade Grinder:
The blade grinder is the cheaper of the two grinders and runs about $20. The blade grinder has a single blade that looks and spins like a propeller. Blade grinders do not have settings. Basically, the longer you grind, the finer the grind becomes. You need to "eye-ball it" to see when it has become the grind you want. Blade grinders do a decent job for drip coffee makers, but for espresso or coffee drinks that require very specific grinds, the blade grinder would not be recommended since it does not grind consistently. When using the blade grinder, the coffee picks up a static charge. This causes the coffee to stick everything, making the blade grinder a very messy tool. 

Some name brands of blade grinders include Braun, Bodum, Capresso, and Cuisinart. Although blade grinders are uneven and messy grinders, they are very cost-effective if you are willing to make the trade off! 

Burr Grinder:
The burr grinder is the more expensive of the two grinders and sells between $60 and $125. When purchasing a burr grinder, you can get one of two types of burrs: flat burrs or conical burrs. The coffee beans are drawn between the two burrs and crushed into a uniform size. The burr grinder has settings that allow an exact coarseness or fineness of grind to be selected. Burr grinders grind the coffee into uniform size and consistency, which is why they are recommended for espresso, but can also be used for other types of grinds as well. 

Some name brands of burr grinders are Cuisinart, Baratza, Bodum, Bunn, Capresso, Gaggia, Isomac, KitchanAid, Krups, Mazzer, Pasquini, Rancillo and Solis. 

The extra money for the burr grinder would be well spent since you would be getting a better quality cup of coffee and the clean up would be quick and easy! Both grinders are available with either a dosing or non-dosing option. The grinders can dispense the coffee in usable amounts with the pull of a handle usually located on the side of the grinder. The non-dosing grinders will grind directly into a ground coffee container or coffee receptacle. As with any tool you need to find the one that best fits your needs and lifestyle.

Whether you’re a newbie or a skilled barista, iCoffee Gourmet has everything you need and want to know about espresso machines, coffee makers, coffee grinders, premium coffees and gourmet espresso beans. Get yours today @ http://www.iCoffeeGourmet.com.

Author: matth02 Source: Free Articles

Coffee Gifts - Top 5

Looking for a gift for a coffee drinker in your life? They are probably just about tired of getting the same old coffee mug. But, if coffee is their way of life, there are many gifts that you can give them to allow them more convenience and better flavor. Here are some things that you should think about.

* Grind Out An Idea. Does the coffee drinker in your family like to purchase fresh coffee beans and then grinds them before bringing them home? If so, then why not purchase a coffee grinder for them. Use web consumer reviews to help you choose the best one because there are many. These are fairly straightforward pieces of equipment. But, going with a low end version is not going to be a good choice for gourmet coffee beans.

* The Coffee Gadget. There are many gadgets out there that are just amazing. There are those that are made for coffee too. To find them, look at your options on some of the coffee websites. For example, an excellent choice would be a coffee mug/burner that plugs into the cigarette lighter of your car. If your coffee lover takes his coffee to work or drives a lot, then this is the ultimate. It keeps coffee hot and fresh while you are driving. You can even find single cup coffee makers that will actually brew a cup of coffee from the cigarette burner.

* Nothing Says Love Better Than Chocolate. What does chocolate and coffee have to do with each other? Let's face it. They are just born for each other. Gourmet chocolates are an excellent compliment to coffee. If you don't want to go that route, look for those candies that are made with espresso in them for an even bolder taste and experience.

* Pack A Basket. Pack a gift basket with coffee varieties, with chocolates, with a variety of creamers and maybe even a mug. They are sure to take full advantage of this as coffee drinkers.

* Coffees from around the world? Many coffee drinkers love the richness, the flavor and the aroma of coffee. But, there are hundreds of different flavors. They come from all over the world and can offer more pleasure to the taste buds than you would have thought. You could provide them with a selection of coffees from around the world. If they like gourmet blends, then go for those. The good news is that there are many great options offered online. You literally can get a great cup of coffee on some of the online coffee markets!

Whether you’re a newbie or a skilled barista, iCoffee Gourmet has everything you need and want to know about espresso machines, coffee makers, coffee grinders, premium coffees and gourmet espresso beans. Get yours today @http://www.iCoffeeGourmet.com.

Author - sayush Source: articlecircle