Is there a more discussed drink on the planet than coffee? Everyone has an opinion; it's good for you...it's bad for you... only have two cups a day... don't freeze the beans... no, wait - yes, go ahead, freeze the beans. Who knows!

What type of coffee maker should you buy; a single cup coffee maker, espresso coffee maker, commercial coffee maker, Bunn coffee maker, Senseo coffee maker... what's the advantage of using a coffee pod? Are you a gourmet coffee fan? What do you think of Gevalia coffee? What are your coffee storage habits like? Do you freeze coffee beans?... simply a myriad of questions and coffee is such a terrific conversation point.

Ever been stuck for a gift idea? Who hasn't. I have never failed to impress with a coffee gift basket. They make a wonderful gift and let's face it, it won't be shoved in a wardrobe somewhere to gather dust. A coffee gift basket can come in all shapes and sizes and believe me, you will impress.

Gourmet Coffee For The Morning Person?

What's the first thing people look for when they get up in the morning. Yes, that's right. A heart starter. So then how can it be bad for your heart? You've heard it often.. "I need a coffee. I need to wake up."

Instead of cutting down on coffee, the human race has found ways to expand on this popular drink. There's the famous cappuccino; a cafe latte; short black; long black; an espresso; a flat white and the list goes on and on. Fortunes have been made with coffee. Just look at some of the major franchises around the world. And then there's my favorite. Where can you get the best cup of coffee from? I bet you've got a favorite haunt. I know I do.

Too Many Coffee Beverages To Mention

Can you believe the number of coffee drinks available to consumers today? I don't know about you but you almost need a degree in coffee identification to keep up with the amount of flavors available. Here's a shortlist: cappuccinos, espresso, caffe latte, mocha, flat white, gourmet, iced, double shot espresso and the list goes on.

In my childhood days you had a choice; percolated or instant and we just drank coffee because it helped "blow out the cobwebs" first thing in the morning or gave you that kick you needed in the middle afternoon to get through the rest of the day.

Drive thru coffee outlets have been popular first stops for people traveling to work in American cities for a long time now and this phenomenon is starting to catch on elsewhere. Coffee is talked about in different terms with the world gourmet now introduced into coffee vocabulary.

Coffee Houses Became Common Meeting Places

Coffee houses spread across Europe and soon they became gathering places for those intellectuals who debated among themselves. In fact, nothing has really changed with cafe style shops commonplace just about everywhere in the western world today. Once settlers began to arrive in the Americas, coffee soon followed.

By the time of the American Revolution, since the patriots had decided not to drink tea in protest, coffee was actually adopted as the national drink. Since that time, it has continued its domination and is the most popular beverage when you take into consideration all countries.

In modern times, coffee franchises have become big business; Starbucks and Gloria Jeans are just two of the giants of the coffee industry. Street corner coffee vans are a popular first stop for many western world workers on their way to work in the morning.

The interesting thing with coffee is you don't necessarily have to drink it to enjoy it. A dose of fresh coffee aroma first thing in the morning is just about the closest thing to heaven for this author.

At Coffeemakerheaven.com we hope to provide as much information and news as possible on this popular conversational topic. So keep coming back often, grab a cuppa and read through the latest news in the world of coffee and check out the deals on all types of coffee makers.

	Senseo Day's Dawn 4-Flavor Coffee Variety Pack II, 16-to 18-Count Pods (Pack of 4) Sale Price: $23.88
	Senseo Variety Pack II "Day's Dawn" contains: 18-Count Pods Breakfast Blend, 18-Count Pods Medium Roast, 16-Count Pods Espresso Roast, 16-Count Pods 10% Kona Coffee Blend

	Senseo Bold 4-Flavor Coffee Variety Pack III, 16-to 18-Count Pods (Pack of 4) Sale Price: $23.88
	Senseo Variety Pack III "Bold" contains: 16-Count Pods Kenya Blend, 18-Count Pods Dark Roast, 16-Count Pods Espresso Roast, 16-Count Pods Sumatra Blend

	Senseo Origins Coffee Variety Pack II, 16-Count Packages (Pack of 4) Sale Price: $23.88
	For the Coffee adventurer that loves to explore the Sensational world of Coffee. This variety pack contains one bag of each of the four Country of Origin Coffees that Senseo has to offer. Each bag contains 16 Senseo Coffee Pods.

	City Steam 17590 Variety Pack Single Cup Coffee Pods, 18-count Sale Price: $10.50
	City Steam Gourmet Single Serve Coffee Pods are available in a wide selection of blends, roast colors and flavors imported from around the world. From our full-bodied 100-percent Colombian blend, our French Roast or our decaf, City Steam Single Serve Coffee will brew a perfect single cup of coffee every time...

	Senseo Espresso Coffee, 16-Count Pods (Pack of 6) Sale Price: $25.99
	Senseo Espresso Coffee Pods are specially designed and measured servings of espresso that give you a full, smooth taste and aroma. Indulge in a smooth and strong coffee with a fine crema layer. For optimum results, use with the Espresso Pod Holder.

	50 NESPRESSO Capsules Varieties COFFEE NEW Sale Price: $47.74
	You are bidding on 5 x 10 different varieties Nespresso capsules (10xRistretto,10xArpeggio,10xRoma,10xLivanto,10xCapriccio)

	K-Cup Coffee for Keurig Brewers, Flavored Coffee Variety Pack, 60-Count, Bundled with 2 Organic Green Tea Bags Sale Price: $52.98
	Enjoy a fresh cup of coffee or tea anytime with these patented K-Cup® "mini-brewers", for use with the Keurig® Gourmet Single Cup Home Brewing System. Each K-Cup contains the precise grind and quantity of coffee or tea, sealed in an airtight package with a built-in paper filter...

	Aloha Island Coffee KONA-POD, Variety Pack of our Kona & Hawaiian Blend Coffee,18-Count Coffee Pods Sale Price: $20.70
	Exclusive, Aloha Island - VARIETY PACK- Kona-Hawaiian Coffee Pods! Our Fabulous 20% Pure Kona Coffee! - Includes 6 Roasts & Flavors! - 18 KONA-PODS!

	Aloha Island Coffee Company Variety Pack, 18-Count Organic Coffee Pods Sale Price: $21.92
	Our Variety Pack is the perfect way to try all of our USDA Certified Organic selections in our 'Paradise Blend' line! Included are: 'Surf's Up!' Breakfast Blend; 'Bonzai Pipeline' Courageous Dark Roast; 'Island Sunset' Medium Roast, and 'Chill Out' No Worry Decaf...

	Wolfgang Puck 36 Flavored Coffee Pod Variety Assortment Sale Price: $25.99
	Hot Pods Coffee has hand selected this assortment to offer you the opportunity to experience the flavored varieties of coffee pods available from Wolfgang Puck. This assortment contains a total of 36 coffee pods of Wolfgang Puck's finest coffees...

What is the best pod coffee maker on the market?

Primary factors:
taste of coffee
temp of coffee
ease of use
pod availability/variety
ease to clean
speed
dependability

my dad has been using a gevalia one cup "pod" coffee maker for years.

Tikanii Gourmet Single Cup Coffee Pod Brewer

	Senseo Dark Roast Coffee, 18-Count Pods (Pack of 6) Sale Price: $27.99
	Senseo Douwe Egberts Dark Roast Coffee Pods , you can enjoy a perfect cup of coffee with a delicious frothy coffee layer any time of the day. Every cup is freshly brewed to give you the same full, smooth taste cup after cup...

	Senseo Medium Roast Coffee, 18-Count Pods (Pack of 6) Sale Price: $25.99
	Senseo Douwe Egberts Medium Roast Coffee Pods are aromatic, rich and smooth. This uncomplicated coffee with a delicious cream layer is an ideal choice for any time, any occasion. Specially-designed SENSEO coffee pods are measured servings of coffee that give you a full, smooth taste and aroma...

	Senseo Decaffeinated Coffee, 18-Count Pods (Pack of 6) Sale Price: $24.95
	Senseo Douwe Egberts Coffee Pods offer the same fine taste and quality as our Medium Roast, without the caffeine. This coffee has a consistent body with a rich taste so it can be enjoyed at any time of the day...

	Senseo Paris French Vanilla Coffee, 16-Count Pods (Pack of 4) Sale Price: $17.29
	Senseo Paris Coffee Pods offers a mild vanilla flavor with a hint of caramel

	Senseo Espresso Coffee, 16-Count Pods (Pack of 6) Sale Price: $25.99
	Senseo Espresso Coffee Pods are specially designed and measured servings of espresso that give you a full, smooth taste and aroma. Indulge in a smooth and strong coffee with a fine crema layer. For optimum results, use with the Espresso Pod Holder.

	Senseo Bold 4-Flavor Coffee Variety Pack III, 16-to 18-Count Pods (Pack of 4) Sale Price: $23.88
	Senseo Variety Pack III "Bold" contains: 16-Count Pods Kenya Blend, 18-Count Pods Dark Roast, 16-Count Pods Espresso Roast, 16-Count Pods Sumatra Blend

	Senseo Vienna Hazelnut Waltz Coffee, 16-Count Pods (Pack of 4) Sale Price: $19.79
	Senseo Vienna Coffee Pods offers a smooth hazelnut flavor with a touch of chocolate

	Senseo Breakfast Blend Coffee, 18-Count Pods (Pack of 4) Sale Price: $21.16
	Enjoy the smooth, bright and mild flavor of Senseo breakfast blend. Roasted to perfection, it's a great way to start your day. It is made specifically for the Senseo Coffee Machine that ensures great tasting coffee...

	Senseo Day's Dawn 4-Flavor Coffee Variety Pack II, 16-to 18-Count Pods (Pack of 4) Sale Price: $23.88
	Senseo Variety Pack II "Day's Dawn" contains: 18-Count Pods Breakfast Blend, 18-Count Pods Medium Roast, 16-Count Pods Espresso Roast, 16-Count Pods 10% Kona Coffee Blend

	Senseo Kona Blend Coffee (10% Kona Coffee Blend), 16-Count Pods (Pack of 6) Sale Price: $28.10
	High-quality beans from the Hawaiian Kona belt form the base of this blend enhanced by Arabica beans from the finest coffee-growing regions. A pleasantly smooth taste with fruited tones, chocolaty accents and bold aroma...

whats a good place to find hot chocolate pods for a pod coffee maker

i have a juan valdez...

e-Bay is always a good bet - you can find pods imported from Europe

Cavaliere Coffee Pods production process

	Senseo Espresso Coffee, 16-Count Pods (Pack of 6) Sale Price: $25.99
	Senseo Espresso Coffee Pods are specially designed and measured servings of espresso that give you a full, smooth taste and aroma. Indulge in a smooth and strong coffee with a fine crema layer. For optimum results, use with the Espresso Pod Holder.

	Senseo 7810 Single-Serve Gourmet Coffee Machine, Black Sale Price: $45.00
	Uniquely designed, this coffeemaker brews a single serving of fresh gourmet coffee at the touch of a button. Because the machine uses premeasured coffee pods, the system is hassle-free, is easy to clean, and guarantees a flavorful, fresh brew each time...

	Baronet Coffee Cappuccino, 18-Count Coffee Pods (Pack of 3) Sale Price: $22.79
	In 1930 two brothers from Europe brought a wonderful old world coffee-making process to America. They soon discovered that their great tasting cup of coffee was the only “luxury” many ordinary people could afford in those grim days of the Great Depression...

	Mr. Coffee ECMP50 Espresso/Cappuccino Maker, Black Sale Price: $79.39
	Have the ability to make coffeehouse quality espressos and cappuccinos in the comfort of you own home. The Mr. Coffee 15-bar pump espresso maker delivers high-quality drinks on a consistent basis. The thermal block heater makes brewing faster and a removable water reservoir makes it easier to get started.

	De'Longhi EC155 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker Sale Price: $74.99
	Enjoy delicious espresso made your way with De'Longhi's pump espresso and cappuccino maker. You can choose to brew ground espresso or E.S.E pods with the unique patented dual filter holder. The choice is yours, making your espresso truly made to order...

	Capresso 303.01 4-Cup Espresso and Cappuccino Machine Sale Price: Too low to display
	Experience the full taste of espressos, cappuccinos and lattes. The Capresso 4-Cup Espresso and Cappuccino Machine features an exclusive Coffee/Steam Selector that makes it easy to control both brewing and steaming, allowing the user to adjust coffee strength to their personal taste...

	Mr. Coffee ECM160 4-Cup Steam Espresso Machine Sale Price: $39.99
	Makes delicious espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes. Powerful milk frother. 4-Cup capacity: 20-ounce. Per shot. Removable drip tray. Easy to pour decanter. Removable frothing aid. On/off indicator light.

	illy Caffe Scura Coffee, Espresso, (Dark Roast, Black Band), 18-Count E.S.E. Pods (Pack of 2) Sale Price: $25.95
	illy has made it easy to prepare authentic Italian espresso at home with E.S.E., our innovative Easy Serving Espresso. Simply insert a pre-measured serving of illy (a pod) into an E.S.E.-compatible espresso machine, and in less than 30 seconds you have rich, robust espresso...

	Bosch TAS6515UC Tassimo Single-Serve Coffee Brewer, Twilight Titanium Sale Price: $160.00
	Better brewing by design. Tassimo is a brewing system unlike any other. Remarkable in its ability to offer an exceptional combination of quality, convenience, consistency and versatility. Only Tassimo offers a choice of coffee, cappuccinos and lattes made from real milk...

	Bosch TAS4511UC Tassimo Single-Serve Coffee Brewer, Silk Silver Sale Price: $128.99
	Better Brewing By Design Tassimo is a brewing system unlike any other. Remarkable in its ability to offer an exceptional combination of quality, convenience, consistency and versatility. Only Tassimo offers a choice of coffee, cappuccinos and lattes made with real milk, cream, tea and hot chocolate...

How can I make cappuccino in my Black and Decker Home Cafe?

I bought a Black and Decker Home Cafe machine that uses coffee pods. On the box it says you can make skinny lattes and cappuccino with it. I can't seem to find any coffee pods that make these. Does anyone know if there are any available?

well look in local stores. you may have to go to stores like Whole Foods. If none has any check online for online suppliers.

	Coffee Storage Drawer for Keurig Brewers Holds 30 Single Serve K-cup Pods Sale Price: $25.00
	UPDATED AND IMPROVED FOR JANUARY 2012. What a fantastic way to save space and keep your K-Cups organized. This tray was built specifically to take up as little space as possible for your Keurig or Keurig compatible brewer...

	Hamilton Beach Personal Cup One Cup Pod Brewer Sale Price: $15.89
	Hamilton Beach Personal Cup One Cup Pod Brewer. For fresh coffee made fast, look no further. The Personal Cup™ Brewer makes a single cup the easy way. Instead of messy coffee grounds, it uses affordable and delicious Senseo® Coffee Pods.

	Nifty 36 Coffee Pod Single Drawer Sale Price: $27.49
	The Nifty K-Cup Drawer is a stylish, space saving way to store your favorite K-Cups. The efficient, space saving design allows for you to place the brewer on top of the drawer, so your K-Cups do not take up any more of your precious counter space...

	Senseo Bold 4-Flavor Coffee Variety Pack III, 16-to 18-Count Pods (Pack of 4) Sale Price: $23.88
	Senseo Variety Pack III "Bold" contains: 16-Count Pods Kenya Blend, 18-Count Pods Dark Roast, 16-Count Pods Espresso Roast, 16-Count Pods Sumatra Blend

	Medelco RK202 One All Universal Single-Cup Replacement Coffee Filter, Set of 2 Sale Price: $8.75
	A great replacement set for worn-out originals, these two single-serve coffee filters come universally designed for use with all coffeemakers using the One All reusable single-serve coffee-filter system or Keurig-brand My K-Cup technology, including Keurig, Breville, Cuisinart, and Mr...

	Senseo Day's Dawn 4-Flavor Coffee Variety Pack II, 16-to 18-Count Pods (Pack of 4) Sale Price: $23.88
	Senseo Variety Pack II "Day's Dawn" contains: 18-Count Pods Breakfast Blend, 18-Count Pods Medium Roast, 16-Count Pods Espresso Roast, 16-Count Pods 10% Kona Coffee Blend

	Reunion Island RI58012 Kona Blend Single Cup Coffee Pods, 18-count Sale Price: $8.00
	Reunion Island Coffee was founded in 1996. Its president, Peter Pesce, is a past Chairman of the Coffee Association of Canada and has played a key role in the development of the national specialty coffee market...

	Hamilton Beach Personal Cup Stay or Go POD Brewer Sale Price: $24.95
	Hamilton Beach Personal Stay or Go POD Brewer. For fresh coffee made fast, look no further. The Personal Cup™ Brewer makes a single cup the easy way. Instead of messy coffee grounds, it uses affordable and delicious Senseo® Coffee Pods.

	Keurig K-Cup Carousel - Holds 35 K-Cups in Black Sale Price: $22.99
	The Nifty Carousel for K-Cups elegantly displays all your favorite K-Cups. The lazy susan base rotates 360-degree, making it extremely easy to find and select your favorite K-Cup flavor. The sleek black powder-coat design looks great on any kitchen counter top...

	EZ-Cup Filter Papers by Perfect Pod (50 Filters) Sale Price: $4.99
	Perfect Pod EZ-Cup Filter Papers Use any coffee in your Keurig Coffee Machines! Self tamping spring extracts a better cup of coffee or tea. The EZ Cup filter refills MUST be used with EZ Cup (Sold separtaely)...

There are literally millions of people worldwide that depend on coffee to get them going each and every day. How these people go about producing their coffee is a matter of personal preference and depends on such factors as convenience, access to electricity, desired cup quality and available space.

Regardless of the method chosen, the coffee must be ground and filtered before it's ready to be consumed. This process can become tedious for some people, since grinding beans and installing and replacing filters can be seen as additional steps that get in the way of enjoying the end product. Fortunately for these people, there is a better, more efficient alternative: the coffee pod brewing system.

A coffee pod (or coffee pad) is a device that contains ground coffee beans in its own filter. The pods contain a specific quantity of coffee beans that are meant to be infused with a specific volume of properly heated water. To maintain freshness, each pod is sealed inside an individual foil or plastic package, which can be opened just prior to use. Of course, not just any machine will accept the pods; the machine has to be designed to accept them, and some do this better than others.

Among the top rated machines, Bosch produces their Bosch Tassimo single serve coffee brewer, which currently has nearly 75 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.5 stars. The machine uses Tassimo Discs, which are Bosch's own version of a coffee pod. Each disc contains a unique bar code that is read by the machine to produce a variety of different beverage types and strengths.

For those that really catch on to the coffee pod craze, there are devices available to make your own coffee pods at home, using whatever type of coffee you desire. Whether you choose to make your own or buy the pre-packaged versions, you will be rewarded with a system that is remarkably simple and clean. A simple push of a button will be the only separating you from a great cup of coffee. For more information and basic tips on how to choose the best small coffee maker including reviews of coffee accessories, please visit http://bestsmallcoffeemaker.com

Keurig B60 Single-Cup Brewer? Coffee seems watery and machine stays fairly hot....?

We just bought this yesterday. It seems like the coffee is a bit watered down. Has this happened to anyone else? Also, I left the machine on, as stated in the manual, and even after an hour it felt fairly hot. Is this normal?

Keurig B60 Single-Cup Brewer . . . yep, this particular brand is a lemon. And if you like a full-flavored cup of coffee, the pod brewers are never going to do it for you. A good burr-grinder for the beans, and a good V-filter drip model is the best combo for a great cup of coffee.

	DeLonghi EC702 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Maker, Stainless Sale Price: $162.01
	Enjoy delicious espresso made your way with De'Longhi's pump espresso and cappuccino maker. You can choose to brew ground espresso or E.S.E pods with the unique patented dual filter holder. The Sempre Crema Filter, used with two measures of ground coffee, enhances the brewing process to produce a perfect crema...

	DeLonghi EC270 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Machine, Black and Stainless Sale Price: $88.88
	Enjoy delicious espresso made your way with De'Longhi's pump espresso and cappuccino maker. You can choose to brew ground espresso or E.S.E pods with the unique patented dual filter holder. The Sempre Crema Filter, used with two measures of ground coffee, enhances the brewing process to produce a perfect crema...

	Gaggia 14101 Classic Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel Sale Price: $387.85
	Combining advanced technology with a classic design, this coffee/espresso machine for making hot drinks at home includes all the benefits of a commercial system. Designed in Italy by Gaggia, one of the most respected names in the espresso industry, the unit uses standard 58 mm filters to provide ample room for brewing rich, full espresso...

	Mr. Coffee ECM160 4-Cup Steam Espresso Machine Sale Price: $39.99
	Makes delicious espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes. Powerful milk frother. 4-Cup capacity: 20-ounce. Per shot. Removable drip tray. Easy to pour decanter. Removable frothing aid. On/off indicator light.

	RSVP Terry's Tamper Sale Price: $5.49
	Designed by a professional barista, this tamper is made of heavy cast metal and compresses espresso like nobody's business.

	12oz Frothing Pitcher stainless steel Sale Price: $7.95
	The Saeco FRO-TH12 12 oz. frothing pitcher is a necessary tool for creating coffeeshop espresso drinks using an at-home machine. Made of stainless steel with a soft matte finish, the Saeco frothing pitcher holds enough milk for two cappuccinos...

	Cuisinart EM-100 1000-Watt 15-Bar Espresso Maker, Stainless Steel Sale Price: $122.98
	Imagine a cup of your favorite espresso, cappuccino or latte - hot, rich, fresh and flavorful- anytime you want it. The stainless steel Cuisinart Espresso Maker is the real thing and looks like the professional it is...

	Saeco 00354 Aroma Espresso Machine, Stainless Steel Sale Price: $299.00
	Making delicious espresso at home is easy when you've got the right equipment and it can be affordable too. Saeco Aroma is a traditional electric espresso maker that can be counted on to deliver excellent espresso, cappuccino and lattes with ease and comfort thanks to the patented pressurized portafilter and panerello milk frother...

	New 20 oz Espresso Coffee Milk Frothing Pitcher, Stainless Steel Sale Price: $9.99
	This high-grade stainless steel (18/10 gauge) frothing pitcher is a must addition to your home or professional espresso coffee barista station.Dishwasher safe.DIMENSIONS:Height - 4 3/8 inchesWidth - 3 1/2 inchesDiameter (top) - 3 1/8 inchesVolume -20 ounces

	Krups XP1020 750-Watt Steam Espresso Machine with 4-Cup Glass Carafe Sale Price: $49.91
	Inspired by experts and demanding consumers with uncompromising standards of performance and quality, krups products have been built with these three key attributes in mind: passion, precision and perfection...

The following Gaggia coffee machines are very popular as they are at the cheaper end of the range, all costing less than $450, but do a good job of making café style coffee at home.

Gaggia 102532 Espresso-Pure Semi Automatic Espresso Machine - Black

Costing only $249 this Gaggia machine will make you any number of coffee variations. Its stainless steel boiler delivers hot water at the right temperature to make that perfect espresso shot. You can make use of the cup warmer to prepare your cup for its coffee and gaze longingly at it when it is dispensed with its thick layer of crema. Chrome plated brass parts help to keep temperatures stable and it can dispense hot water only for those occasions when you just prefer a cup of tea. For more convenience the machine is compatible with coffee pods as well as ground coffee which is useful when you are in a rush or just fancy an easy fix. It also has a frothing wand to add frothing milk to coffee variations such as lattes and cappuccinos. Its control panel is simple to understand and the 42 ounce water reservoir is easy to remove and fill.

Gaggia 16109 Evolution Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine

Costing another $100 at $350, the Gaggia Evolution is evolved in numerous ways. Its slightly larger 44 ounce water tank is still easy to remove, clean and fill but the control panel is even simpler to use. There are only three buttons that you need to work the entire machine - one to turn it on, one to brew and one to steam. The boiler is made of aluminium and has two heating elements to speed up the process. Other components are made of commercial grade chrome plated brass to help keep the temperatures fully controlled. There are rubber mounts to limit the vibration noise made by the machine when in use and the machine can use pods as well as coffee grounds. The steam wand is featured as usual for when you want to add that extra sparkle to your coffees. This machine is available in two colour combinations of black and silver or silver and chrome.

Gaggia 102534 Espresso-Color Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine - Red

Looking beautiful in its stunning red colour is the Gaggia Espresso Color which is on sale for around $399. Its boiler is made of stainless steel and it can make coffee with either ground coffee or pods. It comes with a single shot and double shot filter basket for convenience and a cup warmer. If you fancy cappuccinos or lattes, the frothing wand is on hand to help with foaming or steaming the milk.

Chloe Anderson writes a blog about cooking tips for making good food, which includes recipes and reviews of kitchen equipment like espresso machines such as the best Gaggia coffee machines.

Need to determine Amps requirement for an espresso machine from Italy?

I live in Canada and received an espresso machine that came from Italy. It obviously runs on 220 power, for which I plan on running a dedicated 220 line from the fuse panel. Where I need help is I do not know how many amps it will use. I don't know whether to buy the 15amp outlet or 20 amp outlet in order to power the machine.

15 is fine, on a 240 line a 15 amp circuit can handle 3600 watts, well above 950.

	Senseo Breakfast Blend Coffee, 18-Count Pods (Pack of 4) Sale Price: $21.16
	Enjoy the smooth, bright and mild flavor of Senseo breakfast blend. Roasted to perfection, it's a great way to start your day. It is made specifically for the Senseo Coffee Machine that ensures great tasting coffee...

	Senseo Breakfast Blend Coffee, 18-Count Pods (Pack of 6) Sale Price: $25.99
	Breakfast Blend is roasted to perfection, the smooth and bright flavor of Senseo Breakfast Blend is a great way to start your day. Specially-designed Senseo coffee pads are measured servings of coffee that give you a full, smooth taste and aroma...

	Senseo Kona Blend Coffee (10% Kona Coffee Blend), 16-Count Pods (Pack of 6) Sale Price: $28.10
	High-quality beans from the Hawaiian Kona belt form the base of this blend enhanced by Arabica beans from the finest coffee-growing regions. A pleasantly smooth taste with fruited tones, chocolaty accents and bold aroma...

	Senseo Kona Blend Coffee (10% Kona Coffee Blend), 16-Count Pods (Pack of 4) Sale Price: $18.49
	Senseo Coffee Pods (10% Kona Coffee Blend) are high-quality beans from the Hawaiian Kona belt form the base of this blend enhanced by Arabica beans from the finest coffee-growing regions. A pleasantly smooth taste with fruited tones, chocolaty accents and bold aroma.

	Senseo Sumatra Blend Coffee, 16-Count Pods 23.52 Oz (Pack of 6) Sale Price: $27.25
	Sumatra Blend is bold and intense due to its premium blend of Arabica beans selected from the mountainous regions of Sumatra and some of the finest coffee regions in the world.

	Senseo Colombia Blend Coffee Pods, 16-Count Packages (Pack of 4) Sale Price: $19.96
	Colombia Blend starts with the Arabica beans from Colombian valleys and ravines where coffee grows with abundant sun and fruitful soil. The result is an aromatic coffee, with a strong, full taste.

	Senseo Kenya Blend Coffee, 16-Count Pods (Pack of 4) Sale Price: $22.48
	Kenya Blend is composed primarily of coffee beans harvested from the hills of Kenya. These coffee beans have a slightly sweet taste and a soft finish with hints of fruitiness.

	Senseo Colombia Blend Coffee, 16-Count Pods (Pack of 6) Sale Price: $32.82
	Colombia Blend starts with the Arabica beans from Colombian valleys and ravines where coffee grows with abundant sun and fruitful soil. The result is an aromatic coffee, with a strong, full taste.

	Melitta One:One Java Pods,Breakfast Blend Coffee, 18-Count Pods (Pack of 4) Sale Price: $24.31
	Melitta One:One Java Pods,Breakfast Blend Coffee are 100 percent high grown arabica coffee which are individually foiled wrapped to ensure the ultimate in freshness. they also contain 30% more coffee for a fuller more richer cup of coffee.

	Community Coffee 16217 Breakfast Blend Single Cup Coffee Pods, 18-count Sale Price: $9.99
	Community Coffee Company invites you to enjoy the unique taste of Louisiana's most distinctive coffee. They start with only quality, 100-percent Arabica beans selected by the Saurage family. Through generations of roasting experience, Community Coffee has perfected a full-bodied yet smooth flavor that reflects the extraordinary culinary traditions of Louisiana...

Brazil

The stellar quality of Brazilian coffee is a good reason for it being so famous worldwide. Brazil Bourbon Santos is the most famous of them all.

Not always regarded as the best though, Brazil is the leader in coffee bean production in the world. If this blend becomes popular that may change. Once called Bourbon and presently called Reunion, is the birthplace of the cultivar from where it got its name and it makes its present home near the port it hails from.

All of us have a romanticism within us which will be delighted with the perfect balance of dark body and bitter acids of this brew.

America

Numerous blends featuring a distinctive American style however are not grown in the US. Completing instead of competing with the feast they are made so that a traditional breakfast can be enjoyed.

Central American and Columbian beans are medium ground and roasted blend to get this brew. Instead of calling attention to them, this delicate-bodied, light on the acid and smooth will complement.

Madrugada blend from Flying Goat as well as Steep & Brew provide a fruity, clean choice. perfect with pancakes for its chocolaty, sweet blend are offered by the Supreme Bean.

Ethiopia

According to legends, Ethiopia is the native land of the Arabica plant. It is this plant that produces the coffee bean containing berry. Today Ethiopia is a name to reckon with, so far as brewing a cup of coffee is concerned.

For those who enjoy a bold brew, with fruit overtones Coffee Klatch is a dark, dark coffee from the Yirgacheffe region. The sun-drenched home of Counter Culture, a dry-processed bean of the Sidamo region will invariably come in the samplers thought. From Coffee Klatch the Belle Espresso may be the perfect choice for people who look for a delicate espresso. The profile is entrancing and complex as five different regions are blended in this.

Nicaragua

A welcomed extension to the table is the Madriz, coming from Central America, which so far as coffee producing goes is the small powerhouse that packs a mean punch. A second cup is what you will want because of the full body and pungent bouquet and it hails from Terroir Coffee.

Panama

How to find the best of Panama has been shown by Oregon, a small roaster in Portland. Perfect in a French press are the beans offered by Stumptown Coffee Roasters from Don Pachi Estate. Going down smooth this fruity and flowered brew is from the Boquete region's Geisha trees.

Hawaii

To visit this Pacific island all the excuse you need is the Java Berry Black Estate Reserve. Offering a full-flavored and smooth balance it is a blend of Kona Extra Fancy and Kona Peaberry. For the lovers of straight coffee this is the one.

Checking the worldwide coffee grower's stellar products is what you must do to 'see' a little of the world, irrespective of your original country. For an international cup's delight there are many ways.

The writer Vince Paxton is interested in areas similar to one shot coffee maker and one cup coffee machines. Sharing his passion in works, the writer affirmed his know-how on ideas related to one pod coffee machine

seattles best coffee and gevalia ..?

do they have any calories ??

No calories in coffee - it is the cream, flavorings and sugar that make those coffee shop drinks add up to 700 calories.

	Senseo Dark Roast Coffee, 18-Count Pods (Pack of 6) Sale Price: $27.99
	Senseo Douwe Egberts Dark Roast Coffee Pods , you can enjoy a perfect cup of coffee with a delicious frothy coffee layer any time of the day. Every cup is freshly brewed to give you the same full, smooth taste cup after cup...

	Senseo Medium Roast Coffee, 18-Count Pods (Pack of 6) Sale Price: $25.99
	Senseo Douwe Egberts Medium Roast Coffee Pods are aromatic, rich and smooth. This uncomplicated coffee with a delicious cream layer is an ideal choice for any time, any occasion. Specially-designed SENSEO coffee pods are measured servings of coffee that give you a full, smooth taste and aroma...

	Melitta One:One Java Pods, Buzzworthy, 100% Arabica Dark Roast Coffee, 18-Count Pods (Pack of 4) Sale Price: $24.31
	Deep flavor, full bodied taste with smoky overtones. 100% Arabica beans dark roasted and individually packed fresh in nitrogen flushed foil packs to ensure freshness. Made with 100% high altitude grown beans, these higher quality beans are primarily sou

	Senseo Espresso Coffee, 16-Count Pods (Pack of 6) Sale Price: $25.99
	Senseo Espresso Coffee Pods are specially designed and measured servings of espresso that give you a full, smooth taste and aroma. Indulge in a smooth and strong coffee with a fine crema layer. For optimum results, use with the Espresso Pod Holder.

	Wolfgang Puck Coffee, Chef's Reserve, Medium Roast, 18-Count Pods (Pack of 3) Sale Price: $20.16
	Wolfgang's secret blend recipe yields a full-bodied cup with chocolate notes. All Wolfgang Puck Coffees are estate grown at high altitudes where the coffee cherries ripen slowly to allow their unique flavors and aromas to fully develop...

	Community Coffee 16215 Dark Roast Single Cup Coffee Pods, 18-count Sale Price: $9.99
	Community Coffee Company invites you to enjoy the unique taste of Louisiana's most distinctive coffee. They start with only quality, 100-percent Arabica beans selected by the Saurage family. Through generations of roasting experience, Community Coffee has perfected a full-bodied yet smooth flavor that reflects the extraordinary culinary traditions of Louisiana...

	illy Caffe Scura Coffee, Espresso, (Dark Roast, Black Band), 18-Count E.S.E. Pods (Pack of 2) Sale Price: $25.95
	illy has made it easy to prepare authentic Italian espresso at home with E.S.E., our innovative Easy Serving Espresso. Simply insert a pre-measured serving of illy (a pod) into an E.S.E.-compatible espresso machine, and in less than 30 seconds you have rich, robust espresso...

	Melitta Coffee Pods, Love At First Sip Smooth 100% Arabica Medium Roast Coffee, 18-Count Pods (Pack of 4) Sale Price: $24.30
	Fall for our premium blend of Central and South American coffees, medium-roasted to deliver a bright, full-flavored breakfast blend with a finish so smooth, you just might start blushing. Fits all coffee pod brewers.

	Wolfgang Puck Coffee, Sumatra Kopi Raya, Dark Roast, 18-Count Pods (Pack of 3) Sale Price: $20.16
	Handpicked from the Aceh region, Kopi Raya offers full body and spicy notes. All Wolfgang Puck Coffees are estate grown at high altitudes where the coffee cherries ripen slowly to allow their unique flavors and aromas to fully develop...

	Baronet Coffee Decaf French Dark Roast, 18-Count Coffee Pods (Pack of 3) Sale Price: $22.78
	Baronet Coffee has been hand crafting fine coffees since 1930. Specialty grade coffees from all over the world are slow roasted to perfection and transformed into an extraordinary assortment of coffee pods...

Have you ever walked into a coffee shop or the coffee aisle at your grocery store and felt overwhelmed by all of the choices? There's a million different things to choose from, including the type of roast.

I've definitely been there. I've been known to walk into my favorite coffee shop and go eeny, meeny, miny, moe to pick a coffee. I always drifted towards darker roasts because they were so much smoother and sweeter. However, I've learned that the lighter roasts pack all of the caffeine and anyone that knows me, knows that I need as much caffeine as I can possibly get in ever sip.

I knew that the bean color was determined by the way they were roasted, but that was just about it and I really didn't know what it all meant.

I started to do more research and talked to several coffee "experts" so that I and now you could get the best tasting cup of coffee.

One of the first things that I learned, is that the darker a bean, the longer it was in the coffee roaster. A darker roasts tastes smoother because it has less fiber and has a more sugary flavor.

A lighter roast, that spends less time in a roaster has more caffeine, but also has a slightly bitter taste. It also has a stronger flavor because the aromatic oils don't get destroyed during the short roast.

Here's what you need to know so far:

Dark Roasts = Smooth and Sugary. Light Roasts = Bitter And Chock Full Of Caffeine.

A more in depth look:

The creation of coffee starts with raw or unroasted beans that are green. If you have a coffee roaster, you can roast your own beans and you're probably way too overqualified to be reading this article. For the rest of us, green beans are pretty much useless.

Light Roast:

Light roasts usually equals poor quality coffee because the beans are acidic, but they are full of caffeine.

A few examples:

• New England Roast
• Half City Roast
• Cinnamon Roast - The cinnamon roast has a dry surface with no oils and the flavor is light bodied.

Medium Roast:

When they keep it in the roaster a little longer, you get a medium roast.  It's traditionally a breakfast coffee with good level of acidity and clean finish. It has a balanced body of flavor, which I'm told is a good thing. You can find it in grocery stores and is good for drip coffee makers, or other words, it's an every day type of coffee.

• Breakfast Roast - Slightly sweeter than a light roast
• American Roast - Not as dark as European roasts and generally considered to have a good aroma.
• City Roast - Slightly darker than the American Roast

Medium Dark Roast:

Beans that are roasted for a longer time are considered a Medium Dark Roast. They're roasted long enough to bring out the natural oil of the coffee to the surface of the bean. They have low levels of caffeine and acidity. They have a bittersweet flavor with a full body. It's commonly used in cafes and coffee shops.

• French Roast - Also goes under the name dark roast. It's used to make espresso.
• Continental Roast - It's slightly lighter and has a spicy body.
• Viennese Roast - It spends slightly longer in the roast than American roast and has a rich, chocolaty body.

Dark Roast:

Italian Roast - This bean spends the longest time in the roaster. It's roasted until the bean is almost jet black so it has a smoky, well roasted taste and masks the natural coffee bean flavor.

One last note. Just because they're called French or Italian roasts, doesn't mean that it's actually from there, it's just referring to the type of roast.

Mike Crimmins is a coffee fanatic. He's not your traditional coffee expert or barista. He's just your average joe, looking for that perfect cup of coffee. You can learn more about coffee at his blog http://dailyshotofcoffee.com/

	Senseo Dark Roast Coffee, 18-Count Pods (Pack of 6) Sale Price: $27.99
	Senseo Douwe Egberts Dark Roast Coffee Pods , you can enjoy a perfect cup of coffee with a delicious frothy coffee layer any time of the day. Every cup is freshly brewed to give you the same full, smooth taste cup after cup...

	Senseo Medium Roast Coffee, 18-Count Pods (Pack of 6) Sale Price: $25.99
	Senseo Douwe Egberts Medium Roast Coffee Pods are aromatic, rich and smooth. This uncomplicated coffee with a delicious cream layer is an ideal choice for any time, any occasion. Specially-designed SENSEO coffee pods are measured servings of coffee that give you a full, smooth taste and aroma...

	Senseo Colombia Blend Coffee Pods, 16-Count Packages (Pack of 4) Sale Price: $19.96
	Colombia Blend starts with the Arabica beans from Colombian valleys and ravines where coffee grows with abundant sun and fruitful soil. The result is an aromatic coffee, with a strong, full taste.

	Senseo Decaffeinated Coffee, 18-Count Pods (Pack of 6) Sale Price: $24.95
	Senseo Douwe Egberts Coffee Pods offer the same fine taste and quality as our Medium Roast, without the caffeine. This coffee has a consistent body with a rich taste so it can be enjoyed at any time of the day...

	Senseo Sumatra Blend Coffee, 16-Count Pods 23.52 Oz (Pack of 6) Sale Price: $27.25
	Sumatra Blend is bold and intense due to its premium blend of Arabica beans selected from the mountainous regions of Sumatra and some of the finest coffee regions in the world.

	Senseo Kona Blend Coffee (10% Kona Coffee Blend), 16-Count Pods (Pack of 6) Sale Price: $28.10
	High-quality beans from the Hawaiian Kona belt form the base of this blend enhanced by Arabica beans from the finest coffee-growing regions. A pleasantly smooth taste with fruited tones, chocolaty accents and bold aroma...

Aloha Island Coffee Company Bonzai Pipeline Dark Roast, 36-Count Organic Coffee Pods Sale Price: $43.08

Bonzai Pipeline' Dark Roast Coffee Pods. Rich, robust and vibrant flavor profile. Box of 36 individually sealed coffee pods. We named this selection after the famous Bonzai Pipeline challenge to surfers on the North Shore of Oahu! We call it our 'Courageous Dark Roast' in honor of the surfers who meet the challenge of the Pipeline! The ONLY USDA Certified Coffee Pods available anywhere! Guaranteed Organic by G...

	Aloha Island Coffee KONA-POD, Island Breakfast Light Roast, Kona & Hawaiian Coffee Blend, 24-Count Coffee Pods Sale Price: $27.27
	Exclusive, Aloha Island - ISLAND BREAKFAST, Light Roast - Kona-Hawaiian Coffee Pods! Our Fabulous 20% Pure Kona Coffee! - 24 KONA-PODS!

	Aloha Island Coffee Company Bonzai Pipeline Dark Roast, 24-Count Organic Coffee Pods Sale Price: $20.34
	Bonzai Pipeline, Courageous Dark Roast Coffee Pods brew a stand-up-and-take-notice cup of coffee that is always smooth textured and has a very rich flavor and aroma. Never, ever bitter or with a metalic aftertaste, our Bonzai Pipeline Coffee Pods will please every coffee lover who prefers a robust coffee experience...

	Aloha Island Coffee KONA-POD, Variety Pack of our Kona & Hawaiian Blend Coffee,18-Count Coffee Pods Sale Price: $20.70
	Exclusive, Aloha Island - VARIETY PACK- Kona-Hawaiian Coffee Pods! Our Fabulous 20% Pure Kona Coffee! - Includes 6 Roasts & Flavors! - 18 KONA-PODS!

It was a match made in heaven, at least if your heaven includes wonderful coffee. When Douwe Egberts, the world's second largest coffee roaster, teamed up with Royal Philips Electric, one of the world's leading innovators in electronic devices, the result was bound to be sensational. The Senseo coffee pod system is the product of a partnership between two world leaders in their field with a common background.

Douwe Egberts

Egbert Douwes opened a small shop in Joure, The Netherlands back in 1753. De Witte Os sold coffee, tea and tobacco to the townspeople, and was more than moderately successful. In 1780, his son joined the family business and together, they expanded their holdings, adding more shops throughout the region.

The company prospered, and continued to grow throughout The Netherlands, but it was not until the mid-20th century that it expanded beyond the borders of its homeland. In 1948, Douwe Egberts began selling coffee, tea and tobacco in Belgium. Over the next twenty years, the company added sales in Belgium, France and Spain. In 1978, the company was acquired by international food corporation Sara Lee. Since then, Sara Lee and Douwe Egberts has become the second largest coffee roaster in the world. Familiarly known as Sara Lee/DE, the company is a subsidiary of Sara Lee and employs over 26,000 people around the world.

The Douwe Egberts brands include Pickwick tea, Douwe Egberts coffee, Piazza d'Oro espresso, Cafitesse, Pilao coffee and of course, the Senseo system. Sara Lee sells products in nearly 200 countries. The Sara Lee brands include Sara Lee, Earth Grains, Hillshire Farm, Jimmy Dean, Ball Park, Bimbo, Kiwi, Ambi Pur, Sanex, and of course, Douwe Egberts.

Royal Philips Electronics

In The Netherlands in 1891, Gerard Philips founded a small electronics company focused on making light bulbs and other technical electronic equipment. By the 1920s, the company had begun to expand its line of products and make a name for itself as an innovator in the electronics field. In the 1920s, they began to manufacture vacuum tubes, acquiring holdings in both Germany and England as subsidiaries. In 1939, Philips began marketing their electric shaver, which is sold in the U.S. as Norelco, and which has become the standard bearer for their personal care division.

Among the other innovations that have come out of Philips are the audio cassette tape (introduced by Philips in 1963) and the compact disc (developed in partnership with Sony). Philips today is a worldwide leader in manufacture and sale of color television sets, lighting, electric shavers, medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, and one-chip TV products. Since 2001, the company has won over 60 design awards for personal care and electronic appliances.

A Beautiful Partnership

In 2001, Douwe Egberts teamed up with Philips to introduce the Senseo system, the single serve coffee system that uses a patented pad brewing system to make coffee and other hot beverages. The Senseo was first introduced in February 2001 in The Netherlands, and became available in the US in 2004.

The system uses a patented coffee pod (called a pad in some countries) that holds a premeasured amount of coffee or beverage mix and fits into the brewer. The brewer heats water to the correct temperature and dispenses the beverage after brewing. The major innovations in the Senseo were the single cup brewing system and the use of the coffee pad.

Sara Lee/DE's part of the partnership is, of course, coffee. Douwe Egberts offers a wide variety of coffee blends to suit most tastes, as well as tea in pods to fit the Senseo machine. The current blends include Sumatra, Brazil, Kenya and Colombia, each of them with the characteristics common to the named region. In addition, there are selected specialty beverages, including espresso, cappuccino and Cafe Noir, a sweet, dark blend with a chocolate finish. There are also flavored pods, which include Paris (vanilla caramel), Vienna (hazelnut, vanilla and mocha), and a number of limited edition varieties that are currently only available in select European locations. For tea lovers, Douwe Egberts offers Earl Grey and Minty Green T-pods for the Senseo.

Patent-ly Perfect

In 1998, Sara Lee/DE filed a patent in Belgium to protect their use of the coffee pad system. The patent was challenged after the Senseo hit the market and competitors realized that the patent prevented them from manufacturing coffee pods. The patent was successfully challenged in the Belgian court. As of 2004, the year that the Senseo was introduced in the US, other companies have the legal right to make and sell coffee pods that fit the Senseo system. In addition, several pod makers on the market allow consumers to make their own coffee pods. This allows flexibility in making the coffee or tea of your choice utilizing the Senseo Brewing System.

About the Author:

About Author:

Stephanie Larkin is a freelance writer who writes about topics pertaining to the food and beverage industry often discussing specific brands such as Senseo

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - The Story Behind Senseo and the Douwe Egberts Corporation

Have they discontinued Douwe egberts Cafe 'Switch' instant coffee in the uk?

was unsure where to put this question for a reply, am after instant coffee, switch, resembles egg boxes came in little pods that you squeezed, and cannot find stockists anywhere in Glasgow , have they withdrawn it I dont know?
tried asda and sainburys but they had a notice up saying this product has been discontinued. I hope it wasnt withdrawn for health reasons. Its my mums favourite and she has tried Tesco , Asda and Sainburys. But if its sold out or d/c I guess it won't be retailed anywhere once the stocks are done!

You could still get them this morning in Poundland.
That's a pound shop based in the West Midlands but all over the UK though I cannot say I have seen one in Scotland.
I use them in the office. Very handy.

	15 Ounce Black Ceramic Coffee Mug- Nice Big Cup of Shut The Fuck Up-NEW Sale Price: $14.95
	15 Ounce Black Ceramic Coffee Mug- Nice Big Cup of Shut The Fuck Up. Black coffee mug with white text. Great quality. BRAND NEW

	Yes, I really do love my GREAT PYRENEES as much as you love your kids Mug for Coffee / Hot Beverage (choice of sizes and colors) Sale Price: $14.99
	T-ShirtFrenzy offers over 30,000 designs on tons of products to offer millions of variations. You can search our store for something for everyone on your gift list or shop for yourself (our personal favorite)...

	Yes, I really do love my GREAT DANE as much as you love your kids Mug for Coffee / Hot Beverage 11 oz. MAROON Sale Price: $16.99
	T-ShirtFrenzy offers over 30,000 designs on tons of products to offer millions of variations. You can search our store for something for everyone on your gift list or shop for yourself (our personal favorite)...

	Yes, I really do love my GREAT DANE as much as you love your kids Coffee Mug Metallic Silver 11 oz Sale Price: $15.99
	T-ShirtFrenzy offers over 30,000 designs on tons of products to offer millions of variations. You can search our store for something for everyone on your gift list or shop for yourself (our personal favorite)...

	Yes, I really do love my GREAT PYRENEES as much as you love your kids Coffee Mug Metallic Silver 11 oz Sale Price: $15.99
	T-ShirtFrenzy offers over 30,000 designs on tons of products to offer millions of variations. You can search our store for something for everyone on your gift list or shop for yourself (our personal favorite)...

	Thermos Element 5 16-Ounce Leak-Proof Food Jar Sale Price: $16.49
	For over 100 years consumers have trusted Thermos brand products to keep their foods and beverages hotter, cooler and fresher. Today this tradition continues with an array of products for every purpose...

	Drive Time Travel Coffee Mug - Best Mug - Stainless Steel Sale Price: $18.95
	Brushed Stainless Steel - Coffee Travel Mugs - Chosen "Best Mug" by the Wall Street Journal the Drive Time travel coffee mugs are virtually unmatched in style and functionality. These award-winning thermal coffee mugs eliminate many of the problems of other travel mugs...

	Thermos Stainless Steel Can Insulator (Styles May Vary) Sale Price: $12.99
	Keep your drink cold (or hot) for longer by using this specially designed can insulating thermos. This patented design features double wall vacuum insulation, a stainless steel interior and exterior, and a sweat proof design.

You love the great taste of coffee when you get it from your local Starbucks or coffee house, but somehow when you make it at home it's just not the same. Am I right? Well through many years of trying various methods, I believe I have found the best method for making the tastiest coffee in your own home without using expensive coffee machines or milk steamers and with a minimum of fuss. Read on to find your way to coffee heaven!

The Equipment

You will need some equipment, namely a French Press and a coffee grinder. Firstly, for the French Press, if you just want to make one or two coffees in the morning, go for the 3 Cup French Press manufactured by Bodum. You can get one of these for around $15.00. For the coffee grinder, because we are going to be using a French Press it means that the coffee does not need to be ground really finely. This means a relatively inexpensive blade grinder will do the job. You can pick up a Black and Decker or Bodum grinder for between $15.00 to $20.00 and this will be perfectly satisfactory.

Most importantly, for the best taste you will need freshly roasted coffee beans so you can get that fresh ground taste from your coffee. Pre-ground coffee is ok straight from the packet, but it goes off very quickly and there's not really anything you can do about that.

The best place to buy coffee beans is in a specialist coffee store. The beans in these stores are roasted in small batches so that the beans in the store are fresher. You should be able to pick up coffee beans from your local supermarket, however, these are likely to be mass produced and not as good a standard as beans bought from a specialist. They are still good however, and beat any other method of making coffee.

The Method

First things first, you will have to grind the coffee beans.Take your spoon that you will have got with your Bodum French Press and take a generously heaped spoonful of coffee beans. I should also mention at this point that you should find an air tight container for storing your coffee beans (preferably not glass or see-through) and keep it in a cool dry place. Spoon the beans into the top of the grinder, put the lid on then press the button to grind for about thirty seconds. The coffee will now be ground finely enough for your French Press.

Next run your cold tap for about thirty seconds and then fill your kettle with a little over how much water you are going to use for your coffee. Now boil the kettle. Once boiled, quickly pour a small amount of water into your French Press to warm it, then throw this water away. Again, quickly (this should be no more that twenty seconds from the kettle boiling) put your ground coffee into the now warm French Press.

Now pour the water you need on to the coffee. If you are only making coffee for one, only fill the press to roughly a quarter full. What we want is a really strong potent shot of coffee. Now give the mixture a really good stir, place the top on the press (don't plunge it yet) and leave to settle.

Now for your milk, take the cup you are going to use and fill to a half cup of milk. Now you have two choices. Either heat the milk for two minutes on 600 watts in your microwave, or use a milk pan on your stove. Each way is fine, although you may get tastier milk from the stove method.

For the stove method, turn the heat off just as the milk is starting to bubble up. This should also roughly take two minutes. If you made your milk on the stove, pour it into your cup now.

So your coffee should have been sitting for approximately three minutes now. I give it four minutes to be on the safe side, then press the plunger, and leave for another thirty seconds to settle. While you are waiting, add sugar to the milk if required. Now pour your coffee into your milk and stir well. You should now have a very tasty and frothy cup of coffee, just as good as if you had bought it in your local coffee shop. Enjoy.

Dave Bett is a freelance writer and coffee enthusiast. Visit his website Coffee Pods Guide which gives an overview of coffee pod machines and how to use them.

Sunday Morning Coffee Cake from the "McCalls Great American Recipes" cards - Does anyone have the recipe?

It is one of the best recipes for coffee cake and my son absolutely loves it. I would really appreciate if someone would e-mail me the recipe!!! Thanks!

Sunday Special Coffee Cake
----- Original Message -----
From: Carolann
To: phaedrus
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2002 4:53 PM
Subject: coffee cake

Looking for a recipe from McCalls recipe collection from 1973.
Called Sunday Special Coffee Cake.

Hello Carol Ann,

See below.

Phaed

Sunday Special Coffee Cake

1/2 c Plus 3/4 c sugar
1/4 c Plus 1 1/2 c flour
1/4 c Plus 1/3 c butter, melted
1 ts Cinnamon
2 1/2 ts Baking powder
1/2 ts Salt
1 ea Egg white
1/2 c Skim Milk
1 ts Vanilla

Combine 1/2 c sugar, 1/4 c flour, 1/4 c butter, and cinnamon.
Mix lightly with a fork until crumbly. Set aside for topping.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees; grease 8" square pan.

Sift 1 1/2 c flour, baking powder and salt.

In a medium bowl, beat egg white with a rotary beater until frothy.
Beat in 3/4 sugar and 1/3 c melted butter until well combined.
Add milk and vanilla.

With a wooden spoon, beat in flour mixture until well combined;
pour into pan.

Sprinkle topping evenly over batter.

Bake 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes
out clean.

Cool partially in pan or on a wire rack. Cut into squares while
still warm.