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These coffee drink basics will help when you go to a coffee house and have a multitude of drink choices. Coffee drinks like late, cappuccino, straight shot and cafe mocha are just a few of those choices.

Coffee drink basics will help you decide what to order, because who wants to pay an outrageous amount of money for a mystery drink that you may not even like?

So after you read coffee drink basics, you will have a good understanding of how the most popular coffee drinks are made and what ingredients go in them.

Most coffee drinks start with espresso and espresso is just coffee that is brewed a certain way. It is finely ground to almost a powder then very hot water is forced through the grounds under intense pressure.

The brewing process is timed so that the flavorful and aromatic oils are extracted from the coffee and not the bitter components. This produces a strong flavored, but not bitter, concentrated shot of coffee.

Straight Shot
The straight shot refers to espresso coffee and the secret to good espresso is the extraction time, volume, and golden crema which is a thick light brown layer of frothed coffee oils that float on top of a properly extracted espresso.

The short shot or ristretto is extracted to a volume of three-quarters of an ounce. The shorter restricted pour magnifies the essence of the coffee and the chance of any bitter elements being extracted is minimized. If you have ever ordered an espresso shot in Europe they usually serve the ristretto.

The long shot or lungo is extracted to a volume of one and one-half ounces.

The double shot is a 2 ounce shot using twice as much coffee in the portafilter.

The correct way to serve a straight shot is to extract it directly into a warmed demitasse cup. The warm demitasse cup will keep the straight shot warm and prolong the crema. A straight shot is best enjoyed immediately after brewing.

It is rare to see people drinking straight shots of espresso in the US. Most people here drink variations using steamed milk mixed with the shots to make the different coffee drinks listed here.

Espresso Macchiato
The Espresso Macchiato starts with a shot of espresso and then a small amount of foamed milk is spooned over the shot. Macchiato in Italian means -marked-, as the espresso is marked with foam.

Espresso Con Panna
This is an Espresso Macchiato using whipped cream in place of the foamed milk. The drink gets its name Con Panna which means -with cream-.

Cafe Americano
The Cafe Americano is a drink similar to American brewed coffee. It is made with a single or double shot of espresso combined with 6 to 8 ounces of hot water out of an espresso machine. The result is a very smooth cup of coffee that is much hotter than brewed coffee.

Cappuccino
Cappuccino is made with a fluffy, wet foam, mixed with espresso coffee upon the pour to create a blend of the two flavors. Cold milk is essential, as is expertise in the foaming process. Cappuccino has a large volume of foam making it a light weight drink and less filling.

Cafe Late
Cafe Late is similar to the cappuccino but with much less foam and more steamed milk. A late is made by holding back the foam with a spoon while pouring the frothed milk from the steaming pitcher. The cafe late is completed by being topped with a small amount of the held back foam.

Cafe late gets its name from the addition of coffee to milk. For an iced late, cold milk is combined with the espresso and then the ice is added.

Cafe Mocha
A cafe mocha is made by adding powdered or chocolate syrup to a hot shot of espresso and blended. Steamed milk is then be added to the espresso-chocolate mixture and usually it is topped with whipped cream.

Iced mochas are made with cold milk and the ice added after the coffee and chocolate have been blended.

Flavored Coffee Drinks
Some popular coffee flavors are: vanilla, Irish creme, almond, hazelnut, caramel and fruit flavors such as orange and raspberry. These drinks usually start with a flavored syrup that is mixed with hot espresso and stirred. Then steamed milk is stirred in like in a late.

An iced version of these flavored coffees made with cold milk instead of steamed makes a delicious cold drink in the summer months.

So now that you know the coffee drink basics, try one that you have not tasted yet. Who knows, you might find a new favorite.

Before buying a coffee maker,check out the award winning Presso at Presso America. Focusing on the area of coffee makers, and espresso makers, Anthony Sastre writes articles for Presso America

There is much to be said about the perfect cup of coffee, and yet so much is clouded by old wives tales and misinformation. What counts is simple math and physics, and as long as you understand the chemistry of coffee you can produce a perfect cup every time.

Grind The finer you grind the coffee beans, the more character you will get from each bean. In other words, more flavor can be extracted from the same amount of beans if they are ground finer. But it is the type of coffee making equipment you own that will determine what grind you can get away with.

The reason is due to the flavor compounds present in a coffee bean. GOOD flavors are extracted early in the brewing process, while BAD flavors come out later. Allowing the grounds to come in contact with too much water will lead to over-extraction and a nasty tasting brew. Your equipment will determine how much water comes into contact with your grounds and for how long.

An espresso machine, on the fine end of the scale, is designed to force a small amount of water through very tightly packed and finely ground coffee. The idea is to get a concentrate of only the best tasting flavors. Therefore, it is critical to have an even grind.

Contaminants Your cup of brew can have anything from chlorine, minerals, salts, heavy metals, and even traces of diesel in it. Ninety-nine percent of these are the fault of your water source.

Use a charcoal filter to clean the water you use to brew with. These come in models that attach to your faucet or can be installed over the intake valve of your coffee maker. Make sure you replace the filter according to the makers guidelines or when you can taste a drop in the quality of your water. It would help to purchase a small bottle of filtered water to use as your base of comparison.

If you use a drip coffee maker, use unbleached paper filters or permanent gold wire mesh filters. For the later, be sure to rinse them well in fresh water.

Quantities

One level tablespoon of coffee per cup is the standard and works well regardless of your coffee maker. We do not recommend making batches any larger than 10 cups at a time, since the higher volume of water will cause over-extraction.

Some drip coffee makers come with a dial on top of the unit that allows a portion of the hot water to go directly into the pot without passing through the grounds first. These dials allow less water to pass through the coffee, avoiding over-extraction and producing a stronger brew. It is diluted back to normal strength by the water that bypasses the coffee grounds.

Age Coffee releases six times its volume in carbon dioxide within the first 48 hours of roasting.

Green coffee is almost impervious to aging and can be stored in your cellar for years. But once it is roasted, the flavor degrades immediately and gets worse over time. If you really like the taste of coffee, know that it all comes from the skill of the roaster.

Keep a mill-type grinder next to your coffee machine and grind only enough coffee for the pot you are about to make.

Never ever use the -community grinders- present in the coffee aisles of supermarkets. Who knows what has been put through them or when they were last cleaned.

Once the coffee is brewed, switch off the heating element and serve the beverage immediately. If you find that you are brewing more than you can drink at once, consider either making smaller batches or storing the remainder in a thermal flask. Do not microwave cold coffee and do not switch the heating element back on.

The perfect cup of coffee takes practice and knowledge. DRINK UP!

Before buying a coffee maker,check out the award winning Presso at Presso America. Focusing on the area of coffee makers, and espresso makers, Anthony Sastre writes articles for Presso America

The beauty of using the coffee filter method to brew coffee is that you can opt to make a full pot, or a single cup of this popular early-morning, kick-start beverage. Here are some tips to help turn you into a world-class barista (that is coffee snob talk, for a person who serves coffee).

Coffee filters may be made from paper or metal, but the most commonly used filer is made of regular processed paper, or unbleached paper. The unbleached paper is the better choice as it will have fewer chemical additives, like bleach.

1) Start by choosing a quality coffee bean; that is a bean, not pre-ground coffee. The best coffee is made from freshly ground beans. All supermarkets give customers the opportunity to grind their own beans. Take advantage of that. Or, if you can, use a small bean grinder at home. These are available from any kitchen store or kitchen department in the larger stores.

Buy only as much coffee as you will use in a week; if necessary, store freshly ground beans in an airtight container. But NEVER, not ever, freeze your ground coffee. This will actually harm the beans flavor, not preserve it.

2) The grind quality matters very much: a fine grind (like that used for espresso) makes for an intense coffee flavor, while the medium to coarse grinds make for a weaker brew of coffee. There is usually a suggested grind on the supermarket machines indicating which quality you should choose for filtered or drip coffee.

3) Use the correct amount of grounds when making coffee, too little results in brown water; too much makes a sludge that is nearly undrinkable. A common rule is to use one LEVEL tablespoon per cup (usually defined as an 8 ounce cup, not a 6 ounce cup). You can alter this depending upon the strength of your coffee bean type. Some milder roasts may be too mild, so an additional half a tablespoon may be in order.

4) If you are making a pot of coffee, the universal rule is to fill your coffee makers reservoir with COLD water. I know, it sounds ridiculous since the water is going to end up hot anyway, but apparently there is some property to cold water that makes for a better cup of coffee.

If you are making a single cup of coffee, then the opposite is true; the water must be freshly boiled before being poured over the grounds.

As to the water source, remember that your tap water is filled with chemicals; you may want to opt for purer bottled water.

5) Tips to alter the flavor of brewed filtered coffee? Try adding a pinch of salt to the grounds, or crush some clean egg shells, and add those top the grounds. Both of these compounds have been used for nearly one hundred years, to change the taste of coffee; it is believed that these additives will reduce the bitterness in your final brew.

Oh, be sure all your coffee-making equipment (especially any metal filters) is clean. Coffee oils can build up over time, making for a very bitter brew, no matter how many of the above tips were followed. A mix of hot water and vinegar is perfect for this job. Just be sure to do several hot rinses after using the vinegar wash.

And there you have it; you are now a graduate of Coffee Brewing 101: The Filter Method. Now go and reward yourself with a steaming cup of perfectly brewed java.

Before buying a coffee maker,check out the award winning Presso at Presso America. Focusing on the area of coffee makers, and espresso makers, Anthony Sastre writes articles for Presso America

Brewing excellent coffee - better than anything you will ever be able to buy - is easier than you think. It can be a little involved at first, but you have got to speculate to accumulate, as they say, and you will find it is worth it. Just follow these simple steps.

1. Firstly, check your kitchen cupboards. If you find a jar of instant coffee, or are under the impression that this is an acceptable substitute for the real thing, stop reading now. You are wasting your time. Instead, I suggest a course of ECT, or perhaps seppuku.

Ok, for those who pass this first hurdle:

2. Green beans. These are essential for a fresh cup of coffee. They are not easy to buy on the high street, because selling them would undercut the coffee-vendors business, but you can find them easily on the internet. Take up a hobby - perhaps karate, capoeira dancing or creative writing - to while away the time waiting for them to turn up.

3. Roast your beans. You can get special machines to do this (a popcorn maker will do the job) but dry-roasting them in a saucepan on the hob also works well. Use a lid as they pop, sometimes quite violently. Disable your smoke alarm or close the kitchen door while you do this, as the process creates a lot of acrid smoke. If you do not have a smoke alarm, buy one NOW. Fire safety is very important. Experiment with the heat; you may wish to turn it up high at first, then lower as the beans roast to cook them through without burning the surface. Stop when they reach a deep brown - about the color of, say, freshly roast coffee.

4. Grind your beans. Use a coffee grinder (naturally) or the grinder attachment on a blender. You can do this while the beans are still hot. Grind to a medium-coarse consistency, or whatever your coffee machine requires. Smell the freshly-ground coffee: this, more than anything, will prepare you for the treat in store for you. The sensation can actually be physically painful to your sinuses, such is the freshness and the levels of exciting volatile chemicals (known as terpenes) coming off it at this stage. If the beans are cooler this will not be so intense, though they should still find their way through to your cup in the end. Spare roasted beans can be kept for some weeks in the fridge. Unroasted green beans will keep for many months.

5. Place ground coffee in coffee maker. You may need a little more than you would normally use. A filter coffee maker is fine, but try to find one with a mesh filter, not paper, which steals some of the coffees essential oils en route to your mug. Cafetieres also work well.

6. Press the button on the coffee maker. If you cannot find the button, you are probably using a cafetiere. Enjoy the noises of brewing or, if it is a cafetiere or you never did find that button, make your own.

7. Find a mug and pour milk into it, if desired. Pour fresh coffee into mug. Carry mug outside and sit your garden patio, preferably on a summer morning. Drink coffee.

Before buying a coffee maker,check out the award winning Presso at Presso America. Focusing on the area of coffee makers, and espresso makers, Anthony Sastre writes articles for Presso America

From a 20th century technological wonder, instant coffee has now descended to the pits of Monday morning despair. The popular accessibility of coffee and gourmet coffee makers of all shapes and sizes, not to mention major chains specializing in custom coffee drinks, has given us entirely different expectations about our regular brew.

What has kept instant coffee around ever since its first love affair with the mass market in the 1950s is its relatively cheaper cost, ease of use, long shelf life (though it must be kept dry), and especially its speed of preparation. However, the last three have been made somewhat irrelevant by the modern proliferation of fast-food coffee markets. Even McDonalds now has McCafe customized options, good strong brewed coffees served up at the rate of less than a minute per customer. How can instant coffee compete?

Worse in most peoples eyes is that instant coffees do have a distinctly different taste from anything brewed, along with a metallic aftertaste. In large part this is because the manufacturing process removes most soluble compounds from the raw coffee, and thus also most of the essential oils which both give coffee its flavor and cause it to lose that flavor over time. Additionally, since the best coffee beans are kept for brewing, instant coffee uses only the lowest quality beans. Many instant coffees can also taste watery, no matter how strong you try to make them. I suspect this is because no matter how long you mix, instant coffee rarely dissolves evenly.

One stopgap solution to many taste issues is to use hot milk instead of hot water, scalded to just below boiling temperature. Add a dash of vanilla extract or nutmeg and sugar to taste, and you can have something very close to a latte. More robust custom drinks are probably beyond the standard instant coffee even to imitate.

One possibility commonly overlooked in the instant department is the powdered, flavored instant coffees, available both in single serving size and small tins. I have never yet noticed the metallic aftertaste with any of these. The base taste comes much closer to the real thing than with standard instant coffees, but at a much cheaper price per serving. Again I find most of these taste much, much better when made with milk. The latte mixes already include powdered milk as one of their ingredients.

To my taste, nothing beats a freshly brewed cup of coffee. Still, instant coffees have their place, and will continue to hold that place for some time to come.

Before buying a coffee maker,check out the award winning Presso at Presso America. Focusing on the area of coffee makers, and espresso makers, Anthony Sastre writes articles for Presso America

Coffee, the drink of choice to start, end, and get through the day for millions. If you are reading this then you are probably one of those millions, or is it billions? Either way, there are a lot of us that would never dream of getting through our day without this wonderful brewed beverage.

When you think about it, coffee may be one of the driving forces in our world. How many works of art, great pieces of literature, business ideas, government policies, or anything else for that matter were fueled by this beverage? Thinking like that boggles the mind.

As much as coffee is used to fuel the day for so many, nothing can bring the day of a coffee lover to a complete and jarring halt than a badly brewed or stale cup of coffee. The good news is, anyone can make a terrific cup of joe. Here are some things to remember while preparing that next pot.

The first thing to keep in mind is the tool of preparation, the coffee maker. Do some research and take your personal preferences into account. There are so many drip, percolator, French press, and espresso machines out there, you need to find one that is top notch. Luckily, finding a good product is not hard.

Percolators are almost obsolete. Drip coffee pots usually are of pretty good quality, and many people have their favorite brand names. Espresso machines can be a bit more tricky, always do your research as the quality is different from machine to machine.

You may look at French press pots and wonder what could go wrong. Well, is it a large pot? Do you need a thermal French press, or will the decorative glass pots suffice? I once had a French press pot with a two part plastic lid that trapped water between the pieces, which then stagnated. So even French presses should be scrutinized.

Also, check out the new one serve devices out there. You know, the machines that use various (pods) of coffee. Be careful though, these are not usually favored by hardcore coffee lovers.

After finding the right coffee maker, you should now look to the most important of ingredients to a great cup of coffee, the bean. When possible, buy whole beans, preferably freshly roasted. This however is not within the time constraints or budget of all.

If you have to buy ground coffee, buy the product in the smallest amount you can find and buy often. Coffee goes stale fast, and the difference between a good, fresh cup and a cup made from stale grounds is staggering. But fresh, buy small, and buy often and you ca not go wrong.

Water, the fluid of life. Here is where a lot of people ruin their coffee experience. Water used for coffee production should be clean and cold, and preferably filtered. Tap water has chemicals and a taste that can alter your brew. Try your best to use already filtered water, or check out some of the newer coffee makers with built in filters. Your taste buds will thank you.

Now, you have your maker, your ground coffee, your clean water, now you have to put it all together. The amount of coffee to use is personal to each drinker. Some people like strong coffee and others not so strong. Notice I did not say weak, as no self respecting coffee lover would tolerate a weak brew.

If you have a drip pot, try a rounded tablespoon, up to two for a stronger brew, for each 6 oz cup. The same can be used as a guide for French press pots. The single brew machines and espresso makers usually have guidelines to follow in brewing.

So you are now enjoying your favorite brew, and you have dialed in your favorite method of producing that brew, now what? Well, you want to keep that brew at a high quality level, thats what.

Clean your pot regularly using soap and water. If this is not enough to remove the residue from old batches, then try baking soda or vinegar. Look to the user guide that came with your maker, especially if you use an espresso machine, as you may need to do special cleanings from time to time, such as lime removal.

Always make sure that your water filter is up to date. Most filters need to be changed once a month, but if you are a heavy user, the filter may need to be changed more frequently.

It is not hard to make a great pot of coffee. I know this article may seem a bit much to some people, but for a such loved beverage, it is worth it. Once you have the perfect cup, there is no going back to the mediocre.

Enjoy your brew!

Before buying a coffee maker,check out the award winning Presso at Presso America. Focusing on the area of coffee makers, and espresso makers, Anthony Sastre writes articles for Presso America

Coffee, enjoyable, beneficial, and one thing many people crave throughout the day. Whether you are buying a coffee maker for home, or for a business, it is important that you find the right coffee maker for your needs. If you find that you are in need of a large drip coffee maker, there can be several different options available to you. Here are some tips and suggestions for buying the right large drip coffee maker.

THE USE:
If you are buying a coffee maker for home use, you will first want to focus on how fast and how much coffee you will be drinking or serving at once. If you drink a lot of coffee, or spend a lot of time entertaining, you will want to buy a coffee maker that will hold coffee and keep it fresh. For single use, you can choose to buy a coffee maker that will pour coffee one cup at a time, while keeping the coffee maker full of coffee, and keeping the freshness until the very last cup. This can also be helpful for small business owners whos business is not based on coffee. If you are a large company, or if you will be serving coffee to friends often, I would recommend buying a coffee maker with a steel craft that will keep coffee hot. This way you will always have coffee available to you, and it will be hot and easy to pour multiple cups at once.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
When buying a coffee maker, you may want or need special features that are specific to each individual coffee maker. Some of these features include being able to remove the craft or pot before the coffee maker is finished brewing, or a coffee maker that can switch from two thermos cups to a craft, or coffee makers with automatic timers. Other beneficial features can include a removable, washable coffee filter, or a built in water filter to help improve the fresh taste of coffee. You might also want to consider buying a coffee maker with a temperature control so you can set your coffee to stay at a desired temperature.

A FEW HELPFUL TIPS:
If you do choose to buy a coffee maker with a built in filter, you might want to look for a large filter cup. Some types of coffee, especially freshly ground, can produce foam or depending on size of the grind hold a lot of liquid which can cause the machine to overflow. You will also want to ensure that you take out the filter when putting the coffee grounds in, because some machines will also overflow if there are any grounds sitting in the rest of the drip area and causing a block. You will also want to look for a coffee maker that is easy to clean. It is important to ensure a fresh crisp tasting coffee by cleaning the coffee maker when coffee oils start to build. When buying any coffee maker or appliance, make sure to check the warranty.

Before buying a coffee maker,check out the award winning Presso at Presso America. Focusing on the area of coffee makers, and espresso makers, Anthony Sastre writes articles for Presso America

How to clean a drip coffee maker is not as complicated as one might think. The pot itself is glass, just like any of the glasses in your cabinet, therefore any good dish liquid will clean it. If it is really stained, ice and salt will clean it very effectively. Crushed ice works best but use the smallest pieces you have and fill the bottom of the pot with it, add about a tablespoon of salt and swish it around. For the top, simply take some of the ice and salt mixture in a cloth and rub it along and around the rim.

The outside of the pot is no different than your toaster or any other appliance. Any good surface cleaner should do the job. Make sure it is unplugged when you clean it to be on the safe side. The ice and salt will also clean the burner. If your coffee maker is white and there are coffee stains that would not come off with your regular cleaner, one drop of bleach on a sponge will take it off. Rinse it well.

For the inside of the coffee maker where you pour the water, white vinegar cleans it quite nicely, but it does need a little scrubbing if you have not cleaned it for a while. A dish-mop comes in handy for this job. If you are unfamiliar with the dish-mop, they look like miniature mops, usually on a wire handle. Their primary use is for cleaning tall glasses, baby bottles and things of that sort. They can be purchased anyplace that sells kitchen utensils such as dish drainers or dish cloths.

Pour some vinegar, about a cup or so, into the coffee maker. Use the dish-mop to clean the buildup, running the dish-mop all around the bottom and sides, then tip the coffee maker over the sink and pour it out. Fill it about half-full of water, swish it around and pour it into the sink as well.

Mix one part white vinegar with one part water (the amount of which your coffee pot holds) and pour it into the coffee maker. Place the coffee pot under the brew basket, plug in the coffee maker, and turn it on. Allow the water and vinegar to go through.

Once it has gone through the coffee maker, turn off the brewer, pour the solution out, pour fresh water into the coffee maker, and turn it back on. Run two or three more pots of clean water through the coffee maker to finish rinsing it.

There you have it. Now you have a fresh and clean coffee maker ready to brew you a fine cup of coffee or tea. For regular maintenance, one pot of the white vinegar and water solution should be run through the coffee maker each week, followed by at least two pots of clean water.

Before buying a coffee maker,check out the award winning Presso at Presso America. Focusing on the area of coffee makers, and espresso makers, Anthony Sastre writes articles for Presso America

Whether it is that first morning cup of sunshine or the inspiration that follows dinner, coffee can only be truly enjoyed when it is good coffee. Although the coffee that is used is very important, so is the preparation of it.

Drip coffee makers come in different sizes, and therefore require different preparation. The same way you make (and love) your coffee in a 4 cup maker does not mean that it will taste the same when you make 4 cups in the 12 cup maker.

Start with a clean coffee maker and decanter. To maintain a clean coffee maker, wipe it down with a damp cloth after every use, including under the filter basket and brewing station. (Just because you do not see under there does not mean you do not have to clean it.) Wash your decanter, lid, and filter basket in warm sudsy water. Periodically, brew a combination of vinegar and water through the machine, and then follow it with 3 or so brews of plain water. You can also purchase chemicals made specifically for this cleaning purpose.

Once you have a clean station, measure your coffee using a coffee scoop. Start with one slightly rounded scoop per cup of coffee. Add the coffee to the filter basket and then insert the basket into the coffee maker. Next, measure one cup of COLD water (yes, it must be cold) per cup of coffee. Do not measure by ounces, but rather by your actual coffee cup or mug, since this is the amount of coffee you actually want to produce. You can pour the water into your cup and then directly into the coffee maker, or you can pour the water into your cup, then into the coffee decanter. The coffee decanter method will help determine how much water for the next time, and the decanters spout may also make it easier to pour the water into the coffee maker. Turn on the coffee maker and smell the air. Enjoy.

Depending on how you like the taste of the above coffee, you will modify the scoops for the next run. If the slightly rounded scoop tasted weak, brew the next pot using very rounded scoops. If it was strong, try a flat scoop instead. Once you experiment with a couple of different variations, you will have your perfect coffee. Note: you will have to repeat this every time you try a new flavor of coffee; as the strength of the beans varies, so will your scoops.

Remember you need to do the above steps for each coffee maker. You can not assume that the 4 cup marking on your small pot is the same as the 4 cup marking on your big pot. Always measure using the actual cup or mug from which you will be drinking.

A few other tidbits about good coffee:

If you always drink filtered water, then you should use filtered water for your coffee. The taste will make a difference.

Better quality coffee does not usually require as much of a scoop as a cheaper bean. (It may be the difference between a flat scoop and a heavily rounded one.)

Coffee is best when ground fresh, so if possible, buy whole beans and grind it yourself.

Coffee should be stored in a dry, airtight canister.

Coffee should be enjoyed with every sip. It is OK to indulge alone or with friends.

Before buying a coffee maker,check out the award winning Presso at Presso America. Focusing on the area of coffee makers, and espresso makers, Anthony Sastre writes articles for Presso America

It is possible to buy drip coffee makers that will grind beans, work on a timer or probably even play the theme from Spider Man. That is not what we are talking about here, though. This is about buying a simple unit that will get you your dose of caffeine without giving you a headache in the process. I have found the two most important factors are long term reliability and having a carafe that pours well.

Unfortunately, it is pretty hard to judge the reliability of an unknown coffee maker. They tend to become history when the heating coil breaks or a non-replaceable fuse blows. The only guide here is to buy a model that someone you know has owned for a while or buy from a company you feel has good credibility with their small appliances. Otherwise, you will just have to wing it.

The issue of the carafe is interesting. There is little that is more frustrating than buying a coffee maker with one of the dreaded dribble carafes. You try to pour a cup of coffee from one of these and it goes everywhere but in the cup. Owners often feel that the problem is with their coordination, when what they are facing is simply poor design. It should be possible to bring a bottle of water into the store and test how the display model pours before you buy, but I have never actually seen anyone do this. If nothing else, it should make good theater.

If you plan to put your new coffee maker under a kitchen cabinet or in some other confined area, you might want to measure just how much space you have before you buy. Most coffee makers fill from the top and have a hinged lid that must be lifted. Trying to wiggle this in and out of a tight space can be pretty annoying, especially if you have not had your coffee yet.

Coffee makers that stop flowing when the pot is removed allow you to pour a cup before the entire pot is finished brewing. This is a must for all you impatient types out there who simply can not wait.

Coffee tastes best from a glass carafe. Some people inadvertently have backhanded the carafe into their sink while cleaning, smashing it to pieces. Obtaining a replacement carafe can be more trouble than buying a new coffee maker and cost nearly as much. If you have obliterated your carafe more than once, you might want to buy a coffee maker with a plastic one. While the coffee wont taste quite as good, it will taste better than no coffee at all.

Most people replace their coffee maker right after the old one stops working. Often, they are just not interested in all the fuss and bother involved in shopping around for a new model. They may even buy the first reasonable looking coffee maker they come across. Surprisingly, this approach is not as shortsighted as it might seem. A basic coffee maker is both a simple and inexpensive device. While one bought at random may not have exactly the features that you want, it is pretty likely to do a credible job.

Before buying a coffee maker,check out the award winning Presso at Presso America. Focusing on the area of coffee makers, and espresso makers, Anthony Sastre writes articles for Presso America