Thursday, December 15, 2011

Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease By Drinking Coffee

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We all know that drinking coffee can give you more energy, make you more alert, and overall just tastes great. This is why coffee has been so popular throughout the years, and why drinking it continues to be an important part of many people's daily routine. There are many benefits to drinking coffee however, people fail to realize one of the strongest reasons to drink coffee.

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Coffee can have tremendous health benefits. Research shows that consuming coffee in moderation lowers the risk of developing heart disease, and that drinking tea can reduce the risk of dying from it. These were the findings of a large study conducted by Dutch researchers. This study, conducted by various scientists and physicians at the University Medical Center Utrecht, analyzed data on coffee and tea consumption of 37,514 people of the Netherlands over a thirteen year period.

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These studies showed that those who had between two to four cups a day of coffee decreased their risk of heart disease by twenty-percent compared to those people who drank less than two cups of coffee a day. While four cups a day may seem like a lot drinking coffee in moderation can still provide health benefits. Coffee in moderation does not have a significant impact, but can slightly, one's risk of suffering or dying from heart disease.

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So besides all of the great reasons to enjoy a warm mug of coffee in the morning there is one more. Research continues to show how coffee can help you live a longer, healthier, and more active life!

Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease By Drinking Coffee

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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Coffee Makers: Getting a Good Deal

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Let's face it. We all need to find different ways to save money these days. In fact, things that were once a luxury are now downright unaffordable. That said, things such as coffee are always going to be around as it is the world's most popular drink. If you are in the market for a new coffee maker there are some things that you can do in order to ensure that you are paying a good price. If you are able to locate a good deal then you will benefit by seeing some pretty significant savings right away.

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The first thing that you can do in order to ensure that you are seeing maximum savings is waiting until the coffee maker that you want goes on sale. This may take a while to happen but it is definitely worth the wait if you are that interested in saving money. What you need to do is locate a few different stores that sell the coffee maker that you are after. Next, you will keep an eye on those stores to see when they are having big sales. The easiest thing to do is call the store and ask when they are having a sale. In short, most people are willing to share this information. If you do not want to call then you should take the time to browse through the circulars in your Sunday newspaper. The items for sale at different stores will be located in the circular. When the coffee maker that you want is listed be sure to get to the store as soon as possible so that you can get one before they sell out.

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Another way to get a good deal on a coffee maker is to buy it online. In most cases you will be able to get the same stuff that is for sale in stores at a better price online. Online stores are able to sell stuff at a lower price because they have less overhead. At the end of the day a store that is located online does not have any rent or employees to pay. In turn they are able to sell the coffee makers at a lower price. Make sure to find a few different websites that are selling the coffee maker that you want. Once you locate the one with the lowest price you can go ahead and make the purchase.

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Coffee Makers: Getting a Good Deal

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Tuesday, December 13, 2011

How to Use a Coffee Maker

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One of the largest industries today is the coffee industry. Virtually everyone drinks coffee which is why coffee makers are now sprouting everywhere. You can find drip coffee brewers, grind and brew coffee machines and also the manual machines like the French press coffee machine. How you are going to use it will depend on what you are using.

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Drip Coffee Brewer
If you are using the drip type of brewer which is usually the most common automatic machine, you only need to fill up the coffee basket with the right amount of coffee grounds. Fill up the water tank with the right amount of water. The measurements will depend on the coffee flavour you want. Usually, the manual will tell you the recommended measurement but it is up to you to tweak the settings.

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If the machine uses disposable filters, you will need to replenish it with coffee and water filter. Now tweak the settings to the desired taste you want and then press the "start" button. It will brew directly to the carafe.

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Grind and Brew Machines
This machine functions much like the drip one except for this, it comes with a grinder. Most dual purpose machines have grinder off settings. That means you can use the brewing function only. If you want to use the grinder, place coffee beans in the grinder receptacles and choose the right ground settings. If you are using the automatic ones, it will immediately transition to the brewing stage once you have already programmed the settings. The brewing cycle is the same as that of the drip machine.

French Press Coffee Makers
The French presses tend to brew the best tasting coffee. This is because it functions without a filter. Also, it uses a manual brewing method. You first pour the coffee grounds (ground to a coarser consistency) and then pour hot water. They have the same compartment.

Place the plunger and then push slowly. This is the brewing cycle of this machine. Brewed coffee will settle at the bottom of the device. Since it does not use filter, most coffee essential oils are extracted which gives the coffee it brews a very flavourful taste. This is a good thing for those who have a need for a stronger cup of coffee. Just make sure you drink it immediately as it tends to get bitter due to the residues of the coffee grounds.

How to Use a Coffee Maker

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Monday, December 12, 2011

Top 5 Best Coffee Roasters in Portland

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Not Called Stumptown

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We all know Portland is no stranger to delicious coffee. As pioneers of many great local products, it only seems fitting that some of the world's best roasted coffee is made right here in this fantastic city of ours. As a purveyor and distributor of these fine coffee products let me introduce to you the best coffee you can find, not called Stumptown, in Portland, OR.

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Nossa Familia Coffee

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Clearly one of the best coffees roasted in Portland. Nossa Familia gets all of their green coffee beans from their family farm in Brazil. They've been growing coffee in the rich fertile lands of Brazil for over 100 years and the taste can't be matched. With superb roasting skills to bring out the best of the coffee bean flavor, you simply can't help but love their coffee.

Where to find them?

2 N. Killingsworth, Portland, 97217 (Ethos Builiding)

What makes them great?

Single origin coffees can be hit or miss, but when they hit they're out of this world. Nossa Familia has perfected the art of consistency and quality. You haven't lived till you've had an Ernesto's latte or a Teodoro's French press.

Cellar Door

This is one of our favorite little roasters. Jeremy and Andrea have been working hard to produce one of the finest coffees you've ever tasted. That would be good enough for most companies, but not for them. They strive for perfection from roasting, packaging, and brewing. Using 100% renewable energy to power their shop and their roaster they're dedicated to helping our environment.

Where to find them?

2001 SE 11th, Portland, 97214

What makes them great?

Their café has that neighborhood feel that just oozes charm. From the moment you walk in you can smell the waft of fresh roasted coffee as it seeps up from the cellar. All of their coffee is hand roasted in small batches ensuring the finest quality. From drip to espresso, there isn't anything they can't do.

Heart Coffee

Heart Coffee is a new comer to the coffee scene but has made a grand entrance. Small hand crafted artisan coffee that truly warms the heart. Highly skilled baristas and great pastries to boot this place is surely a repeat visit.

Where to find them?

2211 E Burnside, Portland, 97214

What makes them great?

You mean besides the expertly pulled shots or the fantastic home baked goods? The moment you walk into Heart you know you're in for a treat. With a state of the art roaster located right in the heart of the café and a beautiful espresso machine to match, the ambience can't be topped. This place is hip- Trendy hip.

Ristretto Roasters

Ristretto Roasters has been around for a little more than a half a decade. Time has really favored them as they have perfect their craft. Artisan crafted coffee that is hand roasted in small batches. As fine a coffee as I have ever tasted.

Where to find them?

3520 Northeast 42nd Ave, Portland, 97213
3808 N Williams Ave, Portland, 97227

What makes them great?

Have you ever bought a bag of whole bean coffee that is still warm from the roasting process? You can at Ristretto.

Blue Kangaroo Coffee Roasters

Considered an Old World craftsmanship coffee Blue Kangaroo stands out with their roasting process. Using no formulas or automated recipe cards they simply roast by sight, sound, and smell. Their process starts with the search for the finest green coffee beans and then roasting those to make the finest black coffee you can drink.

Where to find them?

7901 SE 13th Ave, Portland, OR.

What makes them great?

All of their roasting is done to order. If you want a guaranteed fresh roasted coffee, you simply can't pass them by. Stop in and order a bag of coffee, I bet it'll still be warm.

All of the aforementioned coffee shops are local to Portland, Oregon. Put down the Starbucks and see what else Portland has to offer.

Top 5 Best Coffee Roasters in Portland

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Sunday, December 11, 2011

How Can I Make My Coffee at Home Taste Better?

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Have you ever gone out and had a really great cup of coffee and then wondered why you can't do the same thing at home? This is especially bad when you have gone ahead and purchased exactly the same coffee you just had at the restaurant or coffee house. You get home and make a pot of coffee and it tastes absolutely nothing like what you had at the shop.

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Isn't that aggravating? This happens to a lot of people. Fortunately there are reasons for this which are easy to fix.

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You need to make sure that, in addition to good quality whole beans, you grind your own coffee, you have good clean water (bottled spring water is a great choice), and a brewing method that is able to heat the temperature of your water up to between 195 to 200. You'll be surprised how many machines don't achieve this temperature, and it is vitally important. So measure your water temp.

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If you don't have a machine that can accomplish this, you can use a French press or just manually pour water that is just off the boil over your grounds using one of the manual brewers.

A good grinder is also a must. If you get all these things right you will greatly improve the taste of your coffee at home, and you'll enjoy that morning cup quite a bit more. In fact, you'll be wanting to have an afternoon cuppa as well. It is amazing how delicious coffee tastes when made correctly.

How Can I Make My Coffee at Home Taste Better?

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Saturday, December 10, 2011

Mr. Coffee Versus Bunn-o-Matic - The Coffee Maker Battle Heats Up

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For coffee lovers, there are few things more appealing than being met in the early a.m. hours by a perfectly brewed pot of coffee. That first cup sets the mood for your entire day, doesn't it? If it's brewed up right, you'll feel that extra zing in your step from morning till night. However, if that first cup is too strong or too weak, too hot or not hot enough, you quickly find yourself spiraling into a first-class coffee crisis.

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So, how do you avoid a coffee catastrophe? It's simple, buy the best coffee maker on the market made especially for your coffee-drinking needs! Sounds simple enough, right? But, who makes the best coffee maker today? In other words, who is the All-Time Champion of Coffee Makers?

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Ladies and gentlemen, we'd like to welcome you to our title bout of the day where two mighty coffee making titans - Mr. Coffee and Bunn-o-Matic - will meet in the kitchen to crown the undisputed coffee making champion of the world.

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Introducing The Coffee Maker Contenders

In the green corner, we have Mr. Coffee - long-recognized as the undisputed champion of home coffee makers. Affordable with many models to choose from, Mr. Coffee currently has over a dozen models on the market retailing from between .99 to .99. With makers serving up between one and twelve cups, he'll be hard to beat. In fact, Mr. Coffee is in great shape with an amazing array of features and settings, including single serve, speed brew, switch, programmable, and thermal models.

In the red corner, we have the Bunn-o-Matic - king of the commercial coffee making market. Found in restaurants and chosen by baristas around the world, Bunn-o-Matic is known for his professional-grade machines. With a limited variety (e.g., currently seven models, with one single serve and 6-10 cup models), judges will need to pay close attention to the details to see what kind of punch the Bunn-o-Matic packs. One thing is for sure: with a starting price of .95, Bunn-o-Matic definitely tips the scales as a higher-priced option for home consumers.

For those of you who are new to the clash of the coffee makers, here's what the judges will be looking for during the brew-off:

Cup size

How many cups can your coffee maker cook up (say that five times fast)? Most brands today have single-serve and multiple cup models, with 10-12 cups being the upper limit for most home coffee makers.

Timer

If having your coffee pre-made for you when you wake up is important, then a timer is going to be key! Timers allow you to set the time when your coffee maker will start doing its thing and brewing you up your beloved coffee.

Space

If you have unlimited counter space, then this criterion might not matter much to you. But, for those of you for whom counter space is at a premium, deciding upon a model that fits your space as well as your décor might be an important consideration.

But, to truly separate the two competitors, our judges will also be looking closely at the following four areas:

Ease of Use

This is self-explanatory - at 6 a.m., you want a machine that is easy to use

Durability

As you know, coffee makers aren't the most pampered of home appliances. They can get pretty banged up with daily use. Choosing a hardy model is essential.

Ease of Cleaning

Starting with a well-maintained and cleaned pot is one of the best ways to assure yourself of a great cup of coffee day after day.

Style

Yes, in the end, many of us like our coffee makers to look cool. Sure, while it's true that they are simply functional machines, we want these machines to represent our love for coffee.

The fight is on between the top coffee makers in the world. So, who wins the home coffee maker battle? Bunn-o-Matic definitely has significantly higher priced models and less of a home-based selection, but is known for superior performance and durability. Mr. Coffee has a wider range of home models to choose from and most of their machines are significantly less expensive than even the lowest priced Bunn-o-Matic.

In the end, it's a personal choice for you to decide. Remember, a great cup of coffee ends up being more than your coffee maker. Quality water, beans, and the proper grind for your machine all make a big difference in whether your coffee maker and first cup of coffee are winners. Good luck!

Mr. Coffee Versus Bunn-o-Matic - The Coffee Maker Battle Heats Up

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Friday, December 9, 2011

The Origins of Coffee

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It is commonly believed that coffee had its ascent in the classical time period of Arabian practice of medicine, which dates back from Rhazes, who adopted the schools of thought of Galen and was a pupil of Hippocrates. According to certain authorities, Rhazes (850 - 922 A.D.) was the first writer to make reference to coffee. He was the first person to handle medicine in an encyclopedic way. He adopted the poetic name of Razi since he was a native-born of the urban center of Raj in Persia (Iraq). He was a distinguished philosopher and astronomer, and at one particular time, he was the superintendent of the Bagdad hospital. He penned numerous knowledgeable books on the practice of medicine and surgical procedure.

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Philippe Sylvestre Dufour (1622 - 1687), a French merchandiser, philosopher, and author, says in his treatise on coffee ("Traitez Nouveaux et Curieux du Cafe", published in the Hague, 1693), that the first author to acknowledge the attributes of the bean with the name of "bunchum" was this aforesaid Rhazes, which happened in the ninth century. Some authorities, nevertheless, is of the belief that "bunchum" signified something different and had nothing in common with the drink. In a later edition of his treatise, Dufour was prepared to acknowledge that "bunchum" could have been a root and not coffee, after all; nonetheless, he is heedful to add that there is no question that the Arabs knew about the drink as far back as the year 800. Other, more contemporary authorities, place the time that the beverage was known by the Arabs as early as the sixth century.

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Conceding that by "bunchum" Rhazes implied that coffee, the plant and the beverage, must have been familiar to his direct following; and this, indeed, appears to be suggested by like-minded acknowledgments in the authorships of Avicenna (Ibn Sina), the Muslim doctor and philosopher (980 - 1037 A.D). The earlier Arabians named the bean and the tree that yielded it, "bunn"; and the beverage, "bunchum". Rhazes expresses that "bunchum" (the drink) is hot and dry and very beneficial for the stomach.

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Certain authors claim the discovery of the beverage was in Persia (Iraq); only there are no grounds to back up the claim. Nevertheless, there are enough facts to justify a notion that in Persia, as was the case in Ethiopia, the drink has been celebrated from time gone by. However, it is a known fact that at an early time the coffee house in Persia (Iraq) turned into an instituted establishment in the main townships. These establishments were described as generally being large halls; their floors covered with carpets, and lit up by a large number of lamps at night. Many of these establishments featured singers and dancers, and many visitors came to hear to the fantastic stories of the "Thousand and One Nights."

In some countries it used to be the custom at one time to give a cup of "bad coffee" (which was a poisoned beverage) to those officials or other individuals who had demonstrated themselves unenviable to the authorities.

Although the drinking of the beverage commenced as a non-public religious occasion, it was not long after being introduced by the coffee houses that it got secularized and was relished more and more in the houses of the masses, although it did retain a specific religious importance for a number of centuries.

The Origins of Coffee

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