Coffee Drip » theory

How to Make Spray Dried Coffee?

admin — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 23:19:59 +0000

Spray dried coffee, freeze dried coffee and liquid instant coffee are used the world over with limited appeal. But what actually is instant coffee and how are the different forms produced? The initial production process is the same for all three, but they undergo different final processes depending on the variant required.
Typically the coffee beans chosen for instant coffee production are from the lower end of the quality scale, since many of the subtle flavors and aromas of the more expensive types are lost in the production process.
Freeze dried coffee was discussed in a different article, so here we concentrate on the production of Spray Dried Coffee. Much waste product is produced in the initial brewing chambers in the form of used coffee grounds. However these days they are recycled for use in animal foods, used as organic fuels or processed as compost.
Stage One – This stage involves the production of large quantities of freshly brewed coffee using industrial bulk brewers. Freshly ground coffee is put into contact with hot water in industrial brewers until the desired degree of extraction has occurred. The process can either be the drip filter method that many use in the home or an industrial version of the coffee percolator. Much waste product is produced in the initial brewing chambers in the form of used coffee grounds. However these days they are recycled for use in animal foods, used as organic fuels or processed as compost.
Stage Two – The resulting coffee liquor liquid is then concentrated through an evaporation process where some of the volatile aroma components are removed and stored to be returned later prior to packing.
This stage produces a thick more viscous coffee liquid that is then ready for the next stage in the making of spray dried instant coffee.
Stage Three – The concentrated liquid coffee is then sent to the spray-drying tower where it is turned into powder. This is achieved by pumping the coffee concentrate through an atomizer where it is broken into small droplets. The falling droplets lose their water content rapidly as they come into contact with the drying gases. They are are suspended in the drying air and typically separated by centrifugal action.
The powdered coffee produced can however often be too fine to be easily used. Consequently it often undergoes an additional process called agglomeration, which results in a more useable and appealing product. The fine coffee particles are gathered into larger particles using a partial re-hydration process which produces a more visually tempting finished product somewhere between the consistency of powder and freeze dried coffee.
Spray dried coffee is considerably cheaper to produce that freeze dried coffee, the latter of which is considered the higher quality product. The concentrated liquid coffee is then sent to the spray-drying tower where it is turned into powder. This is achieved by pumping the coffee concentrate through an atomizer where it is broken into small droplets. The falling droplets lose their water content rapidly as they come into contact with the drying gases. They are are suspended in the drying air and typically separated by centrifugal action.

Coffee Percolators: Give Fresh Hot Coffee

admin — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:25:01 +0000

The basic principle of these coffee percolators work is about bubbles of mixture. Although more innovations have come out, the process of brewing coffee remains as conventional and lasting.

A percolator is a fashionable pot mostly used by outdoor lovers in brewing coffee. It is often used by people with strict environmental concerns because it uses less water, even without electricity. Here are some things you need to know regarding these coffee percolators.

First, before the process starts make sure that all parts of the percolator are cleaned. Then assemble it before preparing the coffee. Place coffee beans on the brew basket then add water in the carafe (the jug). As a guide, one tablespoon of ground coffee matches one cup of water.

A percolator has two chambers, one on top and one on the bottom. The top part is for the ground coffee and the bottom is for the water when it boils. The water rises through a small tube which goes to the chamber on top. A typical percolator sound is heard when water rises. The sound stops when the process is completed. Repeat the steps until the desired consistency is reached. The mixture is strained and coffee falls on the bottom chamber.

Avoid reboiling water to avoid bitterness in coffee. Throw out used coffee in the basket before pouring the mixture to cups. The concentrated coffee mixture is now ready to be served.

In order to achieve a well brewed coffee, air bubbles should be formed in boiling water at the bottom. It will then rise naturally. The pump stem tube base is actually designed for the concentration of air bubbles and geared towards the opening. When water reaches the top of the pump stem, discharges are spread on the cover to disperse water. The desired mixture will then become stronger each time the water filters through the grounds. It will move more oils into the infusion. This process only takes about 5 to 6 minutes.

Different types of percolators have different heating mechanisms. It could be electrical, stove top or microwave. Heat sources can be natural fire fit for outdoors and stove tops for the indoors. A percolator uses pressure to achieve a well-balanced coffee making process. Most of these machines nowadays use glass to be able to view the process.

One of the perks of modern percolators is its capability to boil ground coffee sans manual intervention. There’s little room for mistakes.

As the market makes way for more percolators, strict temperature control is being implemented in using such devices. A piston, French press (a familiar sight in coffee houses of the orient) and drip brewer are two of the most popular form of brewing tools. These are used to force the water over the beans and extract liquid.

Good quality coffee can be achieved with the right preparation and process. If coffee ground and water are measured properly and consistently, it will be easy to produce freshly brewed coffee. Choose the right type of percolator that will suit your needs and lifestyle.

Gaggia Titanium Espresso Coffee Machines

admin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 23:24:57 +0000

Home use espresso machines are typically cheaply made, hard to operate and break or malfunction within a short period of time. Coffee shops capitalize on this and are able to profit greatly. However, Gaggia has the answer. The fully automatic Gaggia Titanium Espresso Coffee Machine.

More than just a coffee machine, this espresso machine makes it all, coffee, espresso, cappuccino and café lungo (espresso with more water volume for a larger drink). The milk island or frothing area rounds out the beauty of the machine by automating the process of steaming milk with a nice froth on top.

Beauty in a Box

Opening the box that the Gaggia Titanium Espresso Coffee Machine is packed in gives new owners the first clue that they have purchased a top of the line product. Securely package to prevent damage to the product, all accessories and manuals are also included in the packaging as well.

The brilliant shine of the titanium coupled with its sleek design make the Gaggia an instant eye-catcher in the kitchen. The Gaggia takes up very little counter top space. Utilizing a removable reservoir and a swivel base on the reservoir as well, placement can be beside a water source or across the counter, adding water is simple in either case.

Full Featured

The Gaggia Titanium Espresso Coffee Machines contains all the features expected in an espresso machine and more.

* Simple set up, users report having coffee in hand within 15 minutes of opening box.

* 2 Boilers for rapid production of steam and heated water, allows for faster brew time between brews or brewing an espresso and frothing milk at the same time. Most espresso machines have only one boiler.

* Large bean hopper with an airtight lid to keep beans fresh.

* By-pass doser for switching to different when desired.

* Manual frothing wand and automatic frothing machine for steaming and frothing milk

* Removable brew unit for easy clean up

* Programmable LCD push buttons for brewing beverage of choice and for personalizing brew adjustments.

* Adjustable temperature, coffee strength, and water temperature

* Easy clean up with alerts when the dreg drawer and drip pan need emptied

* Burr grinder – prevents burning of beans during grinding.

Easy to use, easy to clean and an excellent espresso or cappuccino , these features are just part of what make users of the Gaggia Titanium Espresso Coffee Machine willing to pay a little more to get a quality product.

How to Make Best Gourmet Coffee at Home

admin — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 23:24:38 +0000

Making gourmet coffee at home is very simple; you only require learning a couple of things to go on with your process from an average cup to great. Following are few tips on making good gourmet coffee that you would enjoy the most.

Careful Storage

Protect your gourmet coffee from light, heat and other moisture substance. Move your coffee to an airtight container, or just keep it in a bag that is rolled tight. At higher elevations various factors come together in process of growing the best gourmet coffee. Store it in a cool and dark place or it is good to keep them in freezer as well for best preservation. The coffee bean full-grown at eminent altitudes is much stronger than those grown at lower elevations.

Grinding Coffee Beans

Grind your coffee only as much as you require just before brewing, otherwise it would oxidize and lose its flavor. It is suggested to burr the coffee grinder over a blade grinder as it has more consistency. Use the apt grind for your coffee maker. A medium grind is good for vacuum pot and a finer grind in case of a manual drip method.

Use Fresh Water

Your best gourmet coffee can be spoiled by bad water. Do not use distilled water as it makes a flat cup of coffee. You should use only fresh cold water. Filtered water is also suggested to use.

Measure

Using two level tablespoons of ground coffee powder for each six ounces of water is recommended. Adjust your particular taste according to the need and do not trust the calculation given on your drip coffee maker as they are normally wrong.

Brewing Method

Bad brewing methods may have a larger impact on the taste of coffee than does the quality of the beans. A good cup of gourmet coffee is brewed using the manual drip technique, a French press pot or may be a vacuum pot. Traditional electric drip coffee machines do a good job but select it carefully. Coffee could be kept warm on a burner for only 25 minutes before the flavor turns to bitter. Brewing coffee only for 5 minutes is good before you are ready to drink the same.

Tips for Choosing a Coffee Maker

admin — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 23:24:34 +0000

You may be having a coffee maker at home, but you may still want to know the different types of coffee makers available today. You may want to try the latest one or your old coffee maker is no more in working condition and you may want to replace it. There are hundreds of types of coffee makers in the market and choosing the one that suits you is made easy with this article.

Before going for a new coffee maker you should be clear with the reasons to purchase it. It could be because you are a coffee addict and you need 10 cups every day or you may want to go for a smaller, single serve coffee maker? Do you want a coffee maker having a built in grinder so that you can grind your own beans? Do you want foam or options for espresso and cappuccino? Or, are you looking for a cheap coffee maker which makes coffee as quickly as possible? You need to answer the above questions before going to find a new coffee maker.

Obviously, the most familiar type of coffee maker is the “Automatic Drip”. Here you need to put water either in the back or side of the coffee maker, put in a filter, fill it with coffee and then press the start button. It is a user friendly coffee maker and hence it is very familiar in the market. This can prepare just one or more cups at a time. The only thing you need to think about is the type of coffee you want to put into it. You can get quality coffee beans grounded from the store and add some flavors you like such as hazelnut, vanilla and cinnamon.

“Manual Drip” is the second most standard type of coffee maker. This is similar to automatic drip but here you need to heat up and pour the water manually, into the holder where the coffee filter is filled with coffee sits. Once it is drained into the pot your job is done and these can also make either single cup or up to 12 cups but aren’t usually used commercially. People who are into fishing, hunting and camping, choose this as it is convenient to carry along and you can heat the water according to your needs. If you want a cup of coffee at any moment you can use a stove, the campfire or even a hot car engine.

For people who know exactly what they like, Espresso and Cappuccino machines are more effective. They are very expensive when compared to other normal coffee makers. Depending upon the type of machine, coffee makers utilize pressure, foam, froth and milk to prepare coffee. Nowadays, these types of machines are fast moving and are more affordable than ever before.

Apart from these, there are numerous types of coffee makers which may attract you. If you look around, you will find the outmoded percolators, vacuum brewers, French presses and many more are available, both on-line as well as with the local dealer.

What is Spray Dried Coffee?

admin — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 23:20:02 +0000

Typically the coffee beans chosen for instant coffee production are from the lower end of the quality scale, since many of the subtle flavours and aromas of the more expensive types are lost in the production process.

Freeze dried coffee was discussed in a different article, so here we concentrate on the production of Spray Dried Coffee.

Stage One – This stage involves the production of large quantities of freshly brewed coffee using industrial bulk brewers. Freshly ground coffee is put into contact with hot water in industrial brewers until the desired degree of extraction has occurred. The process can either be the drip filter method that many use in the home or an industrial version of the coffee percolator. Much waste product is produced in the initial brewing chambers in the form of used coffee grounds. However these days they are recycled for use in animal foods, used as organic fuels or processed as compost.

Stage Two – The resulting coffee liquor liquid is then concentrated through an evaporation process where some of the volatile aroma components are removed and stored to be returned later prior to packing.

This stage produces a thick more viscous coffee liquid that is then ready for the next stage in the making of spray dried instant coffee.

Stage Three – The concentrated liquid coffee is then sent to the spray-drying tower where it is turned into powder. This is achieved by pumping the coffee concentrate through an atomizer where it is broken into small droplets. The falling droplets lose their water content rapidly as they come into contact with the drying gases. They are are suspended in the drying air and typically separated by centrifugal action.

The powdered coffee produced can however often be too fine to be easily used. Consequently it often undergoes an additional process called agglomeration, which results in a more useable and appealing product. The fine coffee particles are gathered into larger particles using a partial re-hydration process which produces a more visually tempting finished product somewhere between the consistency of powder and freeze dried coffee.

Spray dried coffee is considerably cheaper to produce that freeze dried coffee, the latter of which is considered the more higher quality product.

How to Make the Perfect Cup of Coffee

admin — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 23:19:50 +0000

Whichever blend of coffee you prefer or whatever type of equipment you are using to prepare the coffee the objective is the same. To release the coffee oils and soluble coffee compounds into solution in the final beverage.

Not all the soluble compounds are desirable particularly tannin so it is important to brew the coffee is just the right manner to produce the perfect cup.

Although it is possible to extract as much as a third of the mass of coffee from the grounds the optimum amount is about 20%

There are six important factors to consider when making fresh coffee.

1/ The coffee grind – By this we mean the particle size of the coffee grounds. This varies typically from largest to smallest thus: coarse, medium, fine and espresso (or very fine)

Over-extraction can occur if the grind size is too small for the method and equipment used resulting in a coffee being bitter and too strong. If the size is too large then under-extraction will occur resulting in a weak wishy-washy coffee.

Typically one would use a coarse grind for a coffee pot, medium grind for a cafetiere (French Press), medium to fine for a typical filter drip machine and espresso grind for an espresso machine.

2/ Freshness and quantity of coffee – Coffee beans should be stored in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight and ideally kept in an airtight container. The coffee should be ground to order as ground coffee will lose some of its subtle flavours and aromas if is left exposed to the atmosphere for very long.

It is vital to use the recommended dosage of coffee depending on the equipment being used. Increasing the brewing time, but using less coffee will not work very well but produce an over-extracted beverage. Using more coffee than recommended but a quicker infusion time will result in an under-extracted coffee.

3/ Temperature and water quality of the water – Always use fresh cold water to start off the brewing process. Ideally the water should be filtered to remove unwanted taints and odours and be very slightly hard.

Ideally water that is between 94 and 98 degrees Celcius should be used – not boiling water. If the water is too hot the coffee grounds can be scolded imparing the flavour.

4/ The infusion time – The length of time that the hot water is in direct contact with the coffee grounds is crucial in producing the perfect cup. In reality this is determined by the equipment being used to brew it, so always follow the manufacturers guidelines.

As a rough guide however consider the following.

10-30 seconds for espresso grind 3-6 minutes for fine grind 6-8 minutes for medium grind 8-10 minutes for coarse grind

5/ Brewing method employed – Basically there are three different methods employed to make coffee. These are steep & strain, filter infusion and pressure infusion.

Steep and strain simply involves putting hot water in contact with coffee grounds in a pot or container until under extraction has occurred. The resulting brew is strained to isolate the coffee liquor.

Filter infusion is common in many applications and uses a filter basket filled with coffee grounds that has hot water added from above. The infusion time is relatively short as the water infuses briefly with the coffee until the liquor passes thought the basket into a flask or container below.

Pressure infusion – Hot water is forced under high pressure though a small tablet of compacted grounds to produce an individual serving of coffee. This is the standard method of producing espresso.

Again it is imperative to use the right method with the correct type and grind of coffee.

6/ Cleanliness – Coffee contains oils that will leave a tarry residue on equipment that can contaminate and spoil the taste of subsequent brews. Daily washing and cleaning of equipment is an absolutely vital part in producing the perfect cup.

Have fun – producing a great tasting cup of your favourite coffee should be an easy and enjoyable task.

Features to Look for When Shopping for a Coffee Maker

admin — Mon, 31 May 2010 23:24:41 +0000

There are so many different styles, brands, and prices for coffee makers. Don’t let the complex buttons and complicated gadgets fool you. When buying a coffee maker, it’s better to look for certain features such as easy controls, pod compatibility, thermal coffee pots, and a drip free spout.

Easy Controls

A good coffee maker comes with a programmable timer and an automatic shut off. First, a programmable timer will automatically start brewing at a designated time. There is no longer a need to start a coffee maker manually. When you wake up and start your day, you don’t have to worry about running to the coffee maker the first thing in the morning. Instead, you can leisurely take your time to get ready and have a hot coffee of coffee waiting for you before you head out the door. Secondly, the automatic shut off will stop brewing the coffee to prevent hot water from dripping into the pot (which makes coffee less flavorful) or on someone’s hand.

Pod Compatibility

One of the latest innovations in coffee makers are coffee pod inserts. Instead of measuring or spilling coffee, these coffee pods are made from compressed coffee bean, which makes a perfect cup of coffee minus the mess.

Thermal Coffee Pots

You want a coffee maker that comes with a thermal coffee pot, so your coffee will stay warm. A thermal coffee pot is specially designed to keep the hot air in and the cold air out.

Drip Free Spout

Another important feature you want in coffee pot that should be included in a coffee maker is a drip free spout. When you pour a cup of coffee with a drip free spout, it prevents the coffee from spilling onto people and other household objects. In other words, you can serve the coffee more easily because you don’t have to worry about scolding others.

Now, you know what to look for when purchasing a coffee maker. But, where do you find a coffee maker with all of these features. Illy USA has a coffee maker with easy controls (programmable timer and automatic shut off), pod compatibility, thermal coffee pots, and a drip free spout. In addition to the coffee maker, Illy USA has delicious dark and medium roast coffee for the coffee lover. You can also browse through Illy USA espresso machines, French press and moka pots, and coffee grinders.

Types of Coffee Makers

admin — Tue, 18 May 2010 23:24:45 +0000

Many people have coffee makers but are curious what other types of coffee makers are available. Maybe you would like to try something new or your old coffee maker finally died and you need a good replacement. With hundreds of types of coffee maker on the market, you have many options available and are sure to find something that will suit your needs.

Before you buy a coffee maker you should figure out what exactly you want out of it. Are you a coffee addict who needs 10 cups a day or should you stick with a smaller single serve coffee maker? Do you need to grind your own beans and want a grinder built in? Do you want foam or options for espresso and cappuccino? Or, do you just want something cheap that will make coffee as easy as possible? These are just a few questions you should ask yourself before going to find a new coffee maker.

Naturally, the easiest and most common type of coffee maker is the automatic drip. This is where you put some water in the back or side, put in a filter, fill it with coffee, then push start. Its ease of use is one of the things that makes this type so appealing. These can make just one cup at a time or gallons at a time. It all depends on what you want to use it for. The only thing you really need to worry about is the type of coffee you want to put into it. Quality coffee beans can be ground at stores and they can even be infused with flavors you like such as hazelnut, vanilla, and cinnamon.

The second most popular type of coffee maker is the manual drip. This is just like the automatic drip except you heat up and pour the water yourself. You just pour it into the holder where the coffee filter filled with coffee sits. It drains into the pot and you are done. These also make either single cup or up to 12 cups but aren’t usually used commercially. For people who love fishing, hunting, and camping, these are a good choice as they are portable and you can heat the water however you want. You can use a stove, campfire, even a hot car engine is an option if you really need a cup of coffee immediately.

Espresso and cappuccino machines are more for a selective person who knows exactly what they like. Unlike a normal coffee maker, these are expensive and you need to practice to operate them efficiently. They utilize pressure, foam, froth, and milk depending on the type of machine you buy. Espresso and cappuccino are gaining popularity and these are becoming smaller and more affordable than ever before.

In addition to these, there are many other types of coffee maker you may be interested in. There are old fashioned percolators, vacuum brewers, French presses, and much more available if you choose to look around. You can find anything you are looking for either on line or at a local retailer.

Braun Coffee – the History of Braun and Their Dripolator Coffee Maker

admin — Sat, 15 May 2010 23:19:47 +0000

In 1963, the Braun company had come out with one of the world’s first commercially available dripolator machines, the Braun Coffee Maker. Designed for commercial use, it changed the way people looked at making a cup of coffee.

Before the Braun Coffee Maker, people used a stove top percolator machine to brew their coffee. From home to commercial use, perking coffee was the only way to get a cup of joe. Later versions of percolator machines were electric, and could be plugged directly into a socket.

The difference between percolators and dripolators is what changed the world of coffee as Americans knew it. Instead of having to perk coffee, people were able to fill up a separate water reservoir, put coffee grounds into a filter and put the filter into a basket. From there, one simply had to plug in the machine and turn it on.

The water would then heat up in the water reservoir and drip onto the freshly ground coffee. As it made the journey through the grounds, the water would turn into coffee, much like one would brew a cup of tea. By the time the hot water made its way through the coffee grounds and dripped into the empty pot below, it was a perfect cup of coffee.

The filter kept the grounds from mixing in with the actual coffee, and a new way to complete a daily task was born. While the Braun Coffee Maker was the first one on the market for commercial use, it wasn’t the first one to hit the kitchen counter of the average American citizen.

What the Braun Coffee Maker did for commercial use, Mr. Coffee did for home use. In 1972, Mr. Coffee was on store shelves. Pitched by former baseball player Joe DiMaggio, the machine became wildly popular in the 1970s and 1980s.