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Coffee To Go
Automatic Coffee Maker Buying Tips
Ah, coffee! There really isn't a more pleasant smell in the universe than the smell of freshly brewed coffee especially first thing in the morning. Almost everybody loves good coffee but the definitions of "good" coffee are as varied as the people who love it.
If you are considering buying a new automatic coffee maker and you haven't bought one in awhile, you are going to find a lot more choices that you ever dreamed were possible.
The first thing that you need to decide about your new automotive coffee maker is what kind of automatic coffee maker you want. Do you want an automatic drip coffee maker or a percolator? (One drips water through coffee grounds, while the other forces heated water up a spout and over the coffee grounds.) Drip coffee and perked coffee are two entirely different tastes.
The next decision is what size automatic coffee maker will best serve your needs. If you are the only coffee drinker in the household, then you only need a very small coffee maker. One that makes a total of four cups will probably be adequate. However, if there are several people who
drink coffee, or if you entertain regularly and serve coffee, you may need a larger coffee maker.
The next decision that you must make are the features of a coffee maker that are important to you. You can find coffee makers that have more controls than NASA. You will need to determine which features are important, and which ones are not of any value to you. Remember that each added feature adds to the cost.
The price of coffee makers range between $20 and $200. It is important to buy one that is large enough, but it is just as important that you don't buy one that is larger than you need.
See Also:
Espresso Machines and Gourmet Coffee Machines
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Is Coffee Good or Bad for You
Coffee with a Twist
When I think of a cup of coffee (which is often), two pictures come to mind. The first is me pouring my first cup of coffee out of my automatic coffee maker first thing in the morning, and the other is a picture of the waitress at my favorite coffee shop handing me a cup of coffee over the counter. There isn't anything fancy about the coffee in either situation. It is coffee….good, hot coffee.
However, I have discovered that coffee doesn't have to always be just plain coffee. Plain coffee is terrific, but you can make coffee as fancy as you want to make it.
For example, hot coffee in cold weather is great, but hot coffee in hot weather isn't. Iced coffee in hot weather is better…much better. The trick to making good iced coffee is to brew the coffee well in advance. Let it cool to room temperature and then refrigerate it in a very tightly sealed container until you are ready to serve it.
But wait…you can make it even better by using one of the many flavored syrups that are on the market that are specifically made for use in coffee (either hot coffee or iced coffee). These flavored syrups can be purchased in regular flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and the usual fruit and nut flavors, but they can also be purchased in some really exotic flavors as well. Flavored syrups like lavender, gingerbread, Granny Smith apple, eggnog, pumpkin pie, and cheesecake are available.
You can also add flavored whipped cream to coffee that really gives the coffee a festive air and a different taste. Flavored whipped cream recipes are available free all over the Internet, and flavored whipped cream can be purchased as well.
Coffee is great as just plain coffee, but coffee with a twist can be fun and interesting. |
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Gourmet Coffee | Flavored Coffee |
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Decaf Coffee
Is Coffee Good or Bad for You?
The question of whether coffee is good for humans or bad for humans all depends upon which of the many reports, research papers, and studies that you choose to believe. There has been a great deal of research, but certainly no consensus of agreement on the subject.
Some studies, reports, and research suggest that because coffee is a stimulant, and because it has been proven to be somewhat addictive, it is a bad thing. Coffee does increase the heart rate, but there has never been any proof of any kind that coffee contributes to heart disease or causes heart attacks. Coffee does stimulate the kidneys, but there has never been any proof that it contributes to kidney disease.
Other studies, reports, and research suggest that because coffee is a stimulant, it is a very good thing. Coffee is known to "relieve boredom, decrease depression, increase alertness, increase physical stamina, and increase performance on boring or repetitive tasks." Well, those things sound like rather positive aspects.
It is generally agreed that coffee -- or rather, the caffeine in coffee -- is somewhat addictive. Going "cold turkey" when giving up caffeine can cause some withdrawal symptoms, such as headache. Headache is the most common caffeine withdrawal symptom, but another symptom is grouchiness, which is not conducive to healthy personal relationships.
The bottom line here is that there just isn't any scientific information that firmly establishes whether coffee is good for you or bad for you. "Moderation in all things" is a good motto to live by. Drinking 25 cups of anything wouldn't likely be conducive to good health unless it was just pure water. Drink your coffee and enjoy every sip -- just don't drink too much of it.
Related Topics: What to Look for in a Coffee Maker,
Wake Up and Smell the Coffee, An Old-Fashioned Coffee Klatch
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