The Art of Steaming Milk

07Nov06

      Some of you might already know how to steam your milk or get the rough idea, but actually, getting good steamed milk and froth is a very hard thing to do. I’m going to show you how to manually steam you milk step-by-step and if by any chance if you are lost and want to ask questions, you mail email me at shikinr@gmail.com For some of you who have an automatic steamer, I do not normally recommend having one, but you may learn how to do these steps as well. So let’s get down to it.

1. Slowly and lightly pour your milk (either fresh/ low fat milk) to less than half of the milk pot (I recommend having a milk pot of at least 1 liter). This is to reduce the amount of bubbles formed on the surface of the milk.
2. Place a thermometer into the milk pot. Make sure that the thermometer is clipped on to the inside of the milk pot and that the bulb or tip of the thermometer is not touching the bottom of the milk pot. This is to prevent the thermometer from measuring the milk pot instead of the milk.
3. Pre-heat the steam rod by switching it on to its minimum power for at least five seconds. Switch it off. Make sure that the steam rod is hot by lightly touching its surface.
4. Place the stead rod into the surface of the milk as you lift your milk pot.
5. Slowly switch on the steam rod to its maximum pressure.
6. At the same time, lower your milk pot slowly. You will hear a hissing sound, letting you know that froth is being formed.
7. Hold the milk pot at the present position till the hissing sound dies down and be sure to have a smooth milk surface with no bubbles.
8. When there is no more sound to be heard, lower the milk pot down again to the surface of the new level of milk.
9. When your thermometer reads 120˚F, your milk should be at least ¾ full.
10. If you would like more froth (for cappuccino), by all means repeat step number 6.
11. From here, you may continue steaming the milk until it reaches 150-160˚F. If you want your drink really hot, you may want to steam it till 180˚F. Take note that milk will be ‘burnt’ if it is heated above 180ºF.
12. Let your milk ‘settle down’ for at least 3 minutes before making your drink.
13. If you have loads of bubbles formed on the surface after steaming your milk and your froth is not sweet enough, do not worry and try steaming again.
14. Practice Makes Perfect.

Filed under: The Barista Coffee Times   |  2 Comments

Black & Decker DCM18S Brew ‘n Go Personal Coffeemaker with Travel Mug

04Nov06

Black & Decker DCM18S Brew ‘n Go Personal Coffeemaker with Travel Mug

 Hi to anyone who is a commuter, an office professional, or a one-coffee-drinker! You’re so gonna love me for this… I found this amazing coffee maker that is so useful at a GREAT PRICE!

Let me ask you some questions. Are you the workaholic who needs to get away from home to the office in the morning as fast as possible but still would like to have great cup of coffee? Don’t you just wish there was a grab-and-go coffee mug that you can drink from and keeping you company all the way to the place where you need to be?

Well, you can stop worrying because i found you the perfect solution!The Black & Decker DCM18S Brew ‘n Go Personal Coffeemaker with Travel Mug.

Warranty: 1 year

This coffee maker is a Top Seller of the Kitchen & Housewares category at www.Amazon.com. Just for this coffee maker alone, there are 212 Reviews for it! I found one that is useful for you:

Marriage saver, January 5, 2002 Reviewer: J. BURGESON (Stratford, CT USA) This nifty little coffeemaker is difficult to find in stores, so I was glad to see it at Amazon. It saved my marriage because my spouse doesn’t drink coffee (hates the stuff) and there’s no pot to clean. Even though it comes with a huge mug, the coffee tastes best when you use it with a normal china mug or cup, and with beans that are ground fine. I’m on my second one — it lasts about four to five years in daily use. Not bad for the money. I won’t drink coffee that’s been sitting for more than five minutes, so the Brew ‘n Go is perfect. If you’re the only Joe drinker in the house, it’s an absolute must!  

You could learn more about this product or read more reviews at this web page: Black & Decker DCM18S Brew ‘n Go Personal Coffeemaker with Travel Mug

Filed under: Black & Decker, Coffee Makers: Below $50   |  Leave a Comment

Braun KF600 Impressions 10-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker, Brushed Stainless Steel

02Nov06

Braun KF600 Impressions 10-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker, Brushed Stainless Steel

This coffee machine would be great for a large family or for students in a college dorm. I love the sleek hourglass design of this machine. I find it important to have a thermal carafe if you want to keep coffee hot for quite some time and unexposed to air (coffee oxidises).

Reviews:

Attractive, solid performer…negative reviews inaccurate!, November 29, 2004
Reviewer: D. Hoffman “Dr. Dave”

First of all, I am a well-informed coffee fanatic. I only use cold distilled water, freshly roasted and grinded beans, and now a thermal carafe!!! So please keep that in mind when you read and weigh the details in my review.I am glad I ignored the–small number of–negative reviews on this model…I found them to be wrong. It works well, and does hold up to 10 cups without overflowing or causing any problems. Each brew is excellent, amazingly good coffee…forget the Mr. Coffee’s or Cuisinarts. Braun is the real deal.Very very happy that I got this one. Excellent thermal carafe. Prewarmed, it keeps the coffee hot for 4-5 hours and drinkably warm for about 2 more hours at least. No burnt coffee smell.Very attractive package, has heft and is solid, yet svelt and attractive on the counter. Go no further if you want an attractive and excellent thermal carafe performer. Some may want one with a timer, since I grind my beans right on the spot, and don’t trust a grind-and-brew for the consistent, excellent grind I am looking for this one was for me.If I had a complaint, it would be that I would have liked the carafe to be dishwasher safe (for occasional good cleaning). However, I find when I do put my pots in the dishwasher the dishwasher soap can effect the next brew. For now, I put a small bit of dishwasher soap in at night and fill the carafe with hot water. In the AM I rinse the carafe out several times with hot tap water and then let it sit with hot tap water while I grind and get the coffee maker ready. Then I pour out the hot water and place the carafe on the coffee maker. The prewarming helps the coffee stay better, longer.

Note: for what it is worth, I use unbleached paper filters rather than the gold cone, because I do not like grinds finding their way through to the coffee. That is not the Braun’s fault. I need to invest in a top grade grinder, my grinder still makes some small silt. Don’t get me wrong, the gold cone filter is amazing and it makes great coffee. Many people like thick dark coffee…they should definitely use the gold cone filter.

Finally, those wanting a whole ensemble, should know that Braun has some sister appliances that match in color/style.
 

For more reviews or to find out more about this product, visit Braun KF600 Impressions 10-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker, Brushed Stainless Steel

Filed under: Braun, Coffee Makers: $50-$100   |  1 Comment

The 9 Things People Do Not Do When Making Espresso.

31Oct06

Espresso simply means ‘to press out’ in Italian. However it is easier said than done. Let me just start off with what espresso really is. It is basically an Italian roast (dark roast) coffee with a very distinctive taste and aroma and well-liked by most people who can’t keep their eyes opened for work.

Espresso beans are dark brown in colour and have a shiny layer of oil. Although it contains less caffeine than light roasts due to the longer time taken to roast the coffee beans, it has a very strong and unique taste. Now if you have an espresso machine, good for you. But don’t you just hate it when the taste varies every single day? Don’t you wish that there are simple guidelines to making a good espresso?

Well, frustrating mornings are coming to an end for you because you’re going to realize the mistakes you’ve been doing and you’re going to work at it!

1. Check the temperature of your espresso machine.

The temperature of the boiling water in your machine should be at least 185F-203F (85ºC-95ºC). If there is a problem with the temperature, the heat exchanger located inside your machine may not be working properly and you might need professional help. Do not risk it!

2. Check the water level.

The water level in your machine should be always 70 % filled. Check the water level occasionally to see if water is being replaced after some of it has been removed while making your espresso. If this is not working properly, you might need professional help as well. Do not risk it!

3. Check your pump pressure.

If your espresso is extracted too fast it may be that your pump pressure is not working properly. Check the pump pressure and see if it is reading 9 atm or 132 psi. However, some machines need a pump pressure of 15 bar. Do check your machine manual. Adjust the knob on the pump to obtain the appropriate pressure.

4. Check your machine’s pressure.

The pressure of your machine should be standard atmospheric pressure at 1 atm (14.7 psi). To adjust your pressure, look for the pressure controller and find the regulator screw. To reduce the pressure, loosen the screw and if you want to increase the pressure, tighten the screw. 

By all means if you are still confused about the technical details, refer to the technical manual that came with your machine or you could call company’s Customer Service Support.

5. Make sure the grinding blades are working properly.

If your espresso machine has a grinder attached to it, make sure that the grinding blades are working properly. You could check by grinding some of your beans and scrutinizing them. If they are not of equal size, it means that your blades need to be repaired or replaced. Do not do it yourself!

6. Measure the ground

The ground coffee should not be filled more than ¾ of the portafilter or filter basket. If your machine uses pods, then it shouldn’t be a problem.

7. Tamp your ground properly.

After dispensing, lightly level the ground and wipe the grains on the rim of the portafilter. To tamp the ground, I recommend tamping a force of 30N for 1 second first, before tamping a force of 20N for another second, and remember, as you are tamping for the second time, twist the tamper as you tamp.

Tamp too hard and you’ll be grinding the coffee more, making it too fine and making it harder for the water in the machine to seep through. The espresso would be too concentrated and produced over the time limit. Tamp too soft and the ground would not be fine enough, making it too easy for the water to seep through, and in the end, your espresso will be diluted and produced below the time limit. 

8. The correct extracting time.

Time is a factor when extracting espresso straight to the cup. The recommended time range of extracting espresso is after 18-24 seconds and the liquid should be dark brown in color topped with golden crema. The perfect espresso is extracted after 22 seconds. Why is timing important? It is because it is in this time range that espresso is not too diluted and not too concentrated. To tell that espresso is too diluted (below 18 seconds), it has reddish brown color as it is being extracted. To tell that the espresso is too concentrated (after 24 seconds), it is black in color as it is being extracted.

9. Throw away expired espresso.

It is best to serve espresso immediately! Expired espresso (14-18 seconds after extracting) will oxidize and the taste and aroma will be affected. Expired espresso will leave you with an extremely bland or bitter taste in your mouth, eliminating the pleasure of tasting the perfect espresso.

Filed under: The Barista Coffee Times   |  1 Comment

DeLonghi EC460 Espresso Maker

30Oct06

DeLonghi EC460 Espresso Maker

 

I read the first customer review at the  DeLonghi EC460 Espresso Maker webpage about Starbucks making bad espresso (ouch!). I don’t know much about espresso in the US, but let’s just hope that you guys can make really great espresso with this machine.

I’ve learnt that this machine is pretty much easy to clean and hassle-free. Plus, i find that the patented Sempre Crema Filter could produce the perfect crema which is one of the reasons why we love drinking espresso. If you want to find out more about this machine, head on to this webpage:

DeLonghi EC460 Espresso Maker

Enjoy!

Filed under: DeLonghi, Espresso Machines: $100-$200   |  Leave a Comment

Krups 92711-42 Artese Premium Programmable Espresso/Cappuccino/Latte Maker

29Oct06

Krups 92711-42 Artese Premium Programmable Espresso/Cappuccino/Latte Maker

Found another Krups product!

This affordable espresso machine has received good reviews and i found out that this machine could actually last really long, even up to two years. And, although i would prefer the manual way of frothing milk, this machine has an automatic milk frothing system so in a way it kind of makes things easier for you.

 Additionally, there is this CLARIS water filtration system that improves your coffee’s taste by filtering out 85 percent of the chlorine taste and other harmful minerals found in tap water. (Refer to my article, Health Check: Water)

As the reviewer Christina Vaamonde, she said, ‘For latté and cappuccino drinkers, the automatic frothing system is topnotch. Rather than frothing milk in a separate pitcher, the Artese holds up to 32 ounces (enough for eight cappuccinos) of milk in its own canister and dispenses foamed milk directly into your cup. You can also adjust the thickness of the froth to heavy for cappuccino and light for lattés. For safety, this espresso maker has an automatic shutoff feature that kicks in after the machine has been on for two hours. The Artese accepts ground coffee or ESE pods and is covered by a one-year warranty on parts and labor’.

Interested? Visit Krups 92711-42 Artese Premium Programmable Espresso/Cappuccino/Latte Maker

Filed under: Espresso Machines: Above $200, Krups   |  1 Comment

First Up! Krups XP1500 Coffee and Espresso Combination Machine (Black)

29Oct06

Krups XP1500 Coffee and Espresso Combination Machine, Black

Looking for a good coffee maker and espresso machine but you just don’t want to spend too much money on them? Don’t you wish that there is a machine that is cheap and lives up to your expectations? Well don’t worry so much because I found this product at www.Amazon.com. It is a coffee and espresso combination machine with features that i feel are convenient for a small group of people at a college dormitory for example. 3 out of 6 positive reviews for this machine is not too bad for something below $100.

If you are concerned about cheap and uneffective products, www.Amazon.com has this 1 year or 2 Year Replacement Plan for Small Appliances which i find very useful.

For more details you might want to head on to: Krups XP1500 Coffee and Espresso Combination Machine, Black

Filed under: Coffee Makers: $50-$100, Espresso Machines: Under $100, Krups   |  Leave a Comment

Introduction to Espresso Machines: Under $100

28Oct06

What i have for all of you here in this category are quality and cheap Espresso Machines that have been reviewed, some by espresso experts and others, consumers who have purchased these products. Please keep in mind that even though the price is economical, i highly recommend a bit more investment on espresso machines because of their higher quality and better performance in the long run.

Filed under: Espresso Machines: Under $100   |  Leave a Comment

The Meaning of Coffee

27Oct06

Working in a coffee house can make me do a lot of evaluation on human behavior. From business associates who are discussing and planning to launch a new product, girlfriends or housewives catching up with each other’s lives, to simply a man and a woman enjoying each other’s company on a first date.

Whatever the scenario is, on that particular table where they were discussing the aspects of their daily lives lies a cup of coffee. This shows that the second most consumed beverage in the world triggers one vital feature in our lives- communication. Or conversation. Or small talk. You name it.

There have been countless times when most of us have heard the phrases “Wanna go grab a cuppa? Or “Let’s discuss this with coffee”. Having said that, I believe that almost 35 percent or even 40 percent of the world’s conversations would not have happened without coffee. It has been intricate deeply into a part of our lives as a physical product of need for a human conversation.

So how did we actually come to that? Maybe with the temporary adrenaline rush we underwent with our caffeinated fella actually helps us to prepare for a tough meeting with our boss or maybe it helps us to relax but be alert at the same time while we’re talking to our friends. The list goes on.

But, as you can see, it is a fact that coffee is now a ‘pre-must do’ fixation before we even start communicating. It is a hidden meaning that we have forgotten or may not realize, maybe even taken for granted. So think about it when you’ve just gotten your coffee and approaching someone to have a talk. That cuppa in your hand is a salvation for your very own upcoming conversation.

Filed under: The Barista Coffee Times   |  Leave a Comment