How to Make Coffee at Home Like a Pro

A big chill is sweeping the coffee industry as iced coffee beverages gain popularity.

According to the National Coffee Association, the percentage of Americans who drink iced coffee beverages increased from 20 percent in 2003 to 29 percent in 2004. Following the popularity of cappuccinos and mocha lattes, consumers are discovering that coffee is just as tasty – and even more refreshing – when served cold.

How to Make Perfect Iced Blended Coffee at Home

Iced coffee can be as easy to prepare as iced tea. A variety of options, such as flavoring syrups, cold milk, chocolate, and spices, allow you to create personalized coffee concoctions that are just as delicious as those served in your favorite cafe.

Top 10 Tips and Tricks for Better Coffee

Beverages such as iced vanilla mocha, iced rum coffee, and iced latte are easy to make at home. Here are some tips for refreshing iced coffee drinks.

* Pour the flavoring syrup into the cup first. To complete the drink, pour in espresso or coffee, then the ice, and top it off with cold milk.

* Don’t let your beverage become watered down. Cool your favorite coffee beverage with ice cubes made from fresh-brewed coffee instead of water.

* Use a machine that produces a high-quality coffee or espresso. The Capresso CoffeeTeam Luxe, for example, grinds coffee beans right before brewing and allows you to control the strength of your coffee.

* Be creative. Add a personalized touch to your iced coffee beverages with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, nutmeg or cinnamon.

Choosing The Best Coffee Machine for You

Most people who love specialty coffee drinks eventually purchase an espresso maker.

With a good espresso machine, you can make all your favourite drinks in the comfort of your own kitchen and try out a new recipe or two.

Since buying an espresso maker is a large investment, you should spend some time learning about these machines before you buy.

Look for the best espresso makers, best cappuccino machines, home coffee grinders,  press coffee makers, and ice coffee machines here on this site through these links.

Learn about the features available and then read some reviews to find the best coffee making machine for your home.

Espresso Makers: Common Types of Espresso Maker

Manual Espresso Makers

Manual machines require you to do all the work. You measure and grind the beans, tamp the grounds and brew the coffee. These are the least expensive machines. Some avid espresso drinkers will only use a manual machine.

Semi-Automatic Machines

Semi-automatics do some of the work for you. You adjust the water temperature and pressure. Grind and tamp the beans and the machine will do the rest. They are more expensive than a manual machine but much more affordable than a fully automatic model. These machines are a good first cappuccino maker.

Automatic Machines

Automatic machines do the whole job for you. All you need to do is add the water and the beans. With the touch of one button, you will have a great cup of your favorite java drink.

Super Automatic Machines

Super automatics do everything from grinding and tamping the beans to the finished product. They pre-infuse the beans with water for more flavor than other machines. The entire process is faster than regular automatics. These machines are often found in restaurants and coffee bars.

Great Espresso Maker Features

The features vary from machine to machine. When comparing two models, look at the features included with each to determine which will suit your needs better.

Bean Grinder

More expensive machines often have a built-in grinder. The beans are ground for each individual cup. This results in more flavor from the oils inside the beans. The drink will taste fresh with this feature.

Milk Frother

For cappuccino or latte drinks, you will need a frother. This can either be a frothing wand or a separate milk container. More expensive models have a container.

Pod Compatible

Pods are small packets that consist of a filter material on the outside and ground beans on the inside. The pods are pre-measured for one cup. Just put the pod in the machine and brew your coffee. Most people either love the pods for the convenience or hate them and lament the bitter taste.

Water Filter

Some of the more expensive machines have a built-in water filter to remove chlorine or other chemicals from the water prior to brewing. These are mostly carbon filters. If your water is heavily chlorinated, you will notice the difference with a built-in filter.

Cup Warmer

A cup warmer keeps the cup warm before brewing. This results in a hotter drink. This feature is usually located on the top of the machine.

Hot Water Dispenser

Some machines have a separate valve for dispensing hot water. This feature is great for making tea or hot chocolate. Most machines used in commercial establishments have this feature.

Some Other Things to Consider

• Steel or brass machines are best. Some people detect an aftertaste with aluminum machines.
• Look at the pump pressure on home coffee makers. More powerful pumps work will with finer grounds. You should have a minimum of 14 bars or more for pump pressure.
• Look for a removable water tank. This is easier for cleaning or emptying and will prevent stagnant water from collecting at the bottom of the tank.