Friday, March 25, 2011

The Best Cities to Enjoy a Cup of Coffee

Nearly every evening we will get home from work, switch on the TV, put our feet up and indulge ourselves in fresh pot of hot coffee. Coffee is a luxury that we take for granted, with many prepared to spend vast amounts of money on bean to cup coffee machines in order to ensure that we treat ourselves to the best coffee available.

These bean to cup coffee machines are a great way to start your working day, and they will help set you up for a day in the office. However, sometimes it is where you drink your coffee that will make all the difference. So we are here to list the world's best cities to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee.

1. Vienna, Austria- Vienna is popular for both tourists and locals alike who want to relax and enjoy some quality coffee and cake in their iconic 19th-century cafes, whilst in the company of partners, friends or just to read the newspaper.
But be careful when you order in Vienna because you will not be able to ask for a coffee. That's right you heard me correct, ordering a mere coffee in Vienna will get you nowhere. This is a country that takes pride in the quality of their coffee and they will offer you a wide variety of coffee alternatives to choose from which include: the Brauner (black coffee lightened to brown by adding milk), Einspanner (double espresso with whipped cream), Kaisermelange (large mocha sans milk, stirred instead with an egg yolk, honey and cognac or brandy), Melange (large cup of coffee with hot milk foam, similar to a cappuccino) and many more.

2. Amsterdam, Netherlands- A Dutch cafe carries a real charisma with it, they aren't like British cafés that serve up you favourite full English, instead they opt to sell beers, liquors and of course everyone's favourite in Coffee. Some of these cafes stay open to as late as 3am, allowing the local public of Amsterdam to drink long in to the night.
The Dutch are perceived as a very social bunch, who enjoy meeting with their friends for a fresh cup of coffee. So why not get involved in this culture, where a problem appears to be a thing of the past as everyone leisurely and collectively comes together for a social cup of coffee.

3. Rome, Italy- Rome is famous for having an abundance of coffee shops throughout the popular tourist destination. Coffee can cost up to three times more if you opt to sit in a cafe, than if you were to take it away, but why wouldn't you want to sit down for a social coffee in the glorious Italian sun whilst looking up at the iconic colosseum? Need I say anymore?

4. Melbourne, Australia- Melbourne is famed for its coffee culture, and the citizens of Melbourne owe much of this rich tradition to the arrival of Italians and Greeks during the second world war, who helped to sculpt this coffee culture. Australia has always been a country proud of its coffee's tradition, heritage and culture.
Brunswick Street in Fitzroy is Melbourne's go-to destination to enjoy some of the finest coffee from the best coffee houses. The place is decorated with a distinct 60's theme and the espressos straight from Italy at Mario's (303 Brunswick St.), which has built up a highly credible reputation for its all day breakfasts.
Bean to Cup Coffee Machines

Nespresso Machines

Caffè, Kahve, Coffee, Koffie. Regardless of the language spoken, coffee is a luxury to be savored. Is there a more luxurious way to enjoy coffee and espresso than by indulging in Nespresso? Europeans don't think so. From Italy to Japan, Turkey to Africa and nearly everywhere in between, Nespresso is offering espressos with strong rich aromas.

Nespresso's coffee experts travel the globe searching for local coffee farmers with the highest quality coffee beans. Innovative designers have captured the freshness and superiority of these beans using a unique capsule design. These capsules preserve the quality of Nespresso and provide protection from light, moisture, and air. Keeping the environment in mind, the capsules are made from 80% to 90% recycled material and are completely renewable. Nespresso capsule's eco-friendly packaging seals away over 900 different aromas, patiently waiting to be released and relished.

Nespresso offers 16 decadent varieties, each tantalizing the tongue with exotic flavors such as hints of jasmine and fruity undertones. Some present a bold experience while others soothe with sweet biscuity appeal. Each espresso variety adheres to Nespresso's strict quality criteria. Choose from satisfying blends found in every corner of the world; full-bodied Southern Indian espressos, pure Brazilian creations and delightful decafs are designed to uplift and rejuvenate. To allow coffee lovers everywhere to enjoy these wonderful blends daily, Nespresso has partnered with some of the world's most admired espresso machine builders including CitiZ and De'longhi.

CitiZ engineered a sleek, beautifully designed machine balanced with simplicity. With features such as a high-pressure pump (19 bar), removable water tank, 9-11 used-capsule container, 7.5 lbs. (3.4 kg), Nespresso quality seal technology, programmable volume control, power save mode, and elegant colors; CitiZ adds a classy and practical touch to any kitchen.

De'longhi crafted their contemporary Lattissima with an added specialty: milk containers with a rinsing function just for latte and cappuccino connoisseurs. Vibrant shades such as chrome and red complement its functionality, including a removable water tank, 15 used-capsule container, 11.7 lbs. (5.3 kg), 9-cup capacity warming plate, volume control, and energy saving and standby modes.

The Nespresso Concept joins a futuristic appearance with modern functions. The Concept has characteristics such as programmable volume, an automatic steam nozzle for frothing milk, warning and indicator sounds, electronic temperature regulation, removable water tank, and a generous welcome package from Nespresso!
Experience the meeting of style and ease with the Nespresso Essenza C101. An effortless way to make a perfect espresso or lungo with programmable coffee quantities, a 14 used-capsule container, and a compact size.

I still remember my first trip to Paris; sitting at the foot of the Eiffel Tower sipping a delicious espresso unmatched by anything available in the United States. Every taste of Nespresso reminds me of the perfection that Europe has brought to coffee. This site was made to share my love of Nespresso with you, so you might enjoy the taste of Europe in your own home. "Nespresso. What else?"
Nespresso

Monday, March 21, 2011

The Best Coffee Maker? Its All About the Ingredients

Coffee drinkers always ask us to recommend the best ways of brewing and specifically, the best coffee making equipment (actually it happens every day). It's a quest that also dominates internet search engines and reveals an obsession with coffee making gadgetry that fills dusty kitchen cupboards and lofts throughout the UK.

Coffee culture has embedded itself into the UK high street over the last 5 years and as a nation we have become more demanding when it comes to enjoying a cup of the black stuff. The jar of instant granules just doesn't seem do it any more (although it is by far still our primary way of consuming coffee in Britain). Roast and ground coffee sales are up, bean to cup machines are selling like hot lattes, and pod machines (Nespresso and the like) are appearing on kitchen worktops everywhere.

Coffee history in the UK is largely a convenience led story since the 1800's (did you know there were more coffee shops in London in the late 1800's than there are today)? Ever since the invention of the instant coffee granule in 1933, and the tea bag in the early 1900's, the UK has always considered hot beverages in the home with speed and convenience in mind. This addiction to caffeine convenience has driven developments of some of the craziest machines ever seen that contrive to mix grounds with hot water and then separate them again. The nation seems to believe that the best cup of coffee at home lies at the end of a button on a sleek brushed steel and black plastic box that costs around three hundred quid. Now, this article does not concern itself with the instant coffee pod based machines, it is about the creation of real coffee from real coffee beans or grounds.

About a year ago we decided to research the best coffee maker, the best brewer, the beans knees, the crema de la crema, the...(oh stop it) and our conclusions were very surprising: After trying countless different bean to cup machines, espresso machines, filter machines we have discovered that it really doesn't matter which coffee machine you use as long as you use good fresh beans.

Lets face it, the secret to good coffee is not in the how to brew, but in the what to brew. To explain, and I'm sorry if you were expecting us to recommend another expensive gadget, but the finest coffee experience comes from using quality ingredients. Think about it, when have you ever asked for the make and model of a cooker after enjoying a wonderful plate of food?

So, if you want a better cup of coffee, don't change your coffee machine, change your coffee supplier. Here's our guide:
  • Buy good quality coffee from small scale artisan roasters. Freshly roasted beans are best but freshly ground will do if you buy in small qtys.
  • Buy fresh coffee (If you have to buy a gadget - get a coffee grinder as beans are the best devices to store aroma and flavour)
  • Use the correct grind for your particular machine
  • Follow the instructions for your machine consistently but experiment to find your best process
For the record, we use a pour over filter made from black plastic that costs £4 when brewing for one or two and an 8 cup cafetiere (good make with working plunger) for meetings.

For more coffee know-how and great beans every month visit http://www.realcoffeeclub.co.uk

Working towards a more Epicurean and discerning nation of coffee lovers in the UK.