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Yerba Mate : the Healthier Coffee Alternative to Energize, Detoxify

admin — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 12:40:18 +0000

I was introduced to a natural product called yerba mate (pronounced yerba mah-tae) about two years ago, initially as a component of diet supplements and appetite suppressants, and then as a healthier alternative to coffees and some teas as an energy booster.

It turns out, the more I learned about this fascinating natural plant, there are many therapeutic uses that can be used to promote overall health, and it’s not just another recreational energy drink like coffee, and well, energy drinks!

My interest in using yerba mate as an energy boosting drink stemmed from the fact that I am very caffeine sensitive, specifically to the caffeine that is present in America’s favorite caffeinated beverage, coffee.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m still known to once in a while indulge in a latte at Starbucks, but it is much less often than it used to be after I’ve found an alternative that not only contains no calories, but also offers a plethora of other health benefits with it. That’s a win/win to me!

You see, yerba mate is chemically very similar to green tea, and I’m sure by now you’ve heard all the studies and research that have touted the antioxidant and health benefits of green and white tea.

Well, it’s very possible that yerba mate may even be a little higher in some of these micronutrients and beneficial natural compounds as well, it’s just not as well publicized or popular, perhaps because of the name and that it is not promoted as a “tea”.

This, combined with the fact that some find the taste of yerba mate to be undesirable compared with traditional teas may be the reason why yerba mate hasn’t grown gangbusters in popularity. This can be easily remedied though, by mixing it with a natural sweetener, or what I do sometimes is mix it with a little organic peppermint tea, and this taste is then quite appealing.

Since yerba mate is sold in health food stores, in tea bags that are ready for steeping, it is also just as convenient as green tea, it just may be a little harder to find.

Some of the benefits that have been reported for yerba mate are increases in energy that are sustained and are not followed by the typical “crash and burn” that are associated with other caffeinated beverages like coffee, stronger teas, and energy drinks.

Also, yerba mate is very high in natural antioxidants, which helps promote healthy skin, healthy heart, and healthy cell reproduction which can translate into a decreased cancer risk, since cancer is in effect the unhealthy reproduction of cells.

Not only that, but some of the other, more speculative benefits associated with yerba mate as of late are increased endurance in exercise due to increased oxygen levels in the blood as well as healthier cell production, a decrease in hunger or appetite, mood improvement, acceleration of caloric metabolism, and even increased focus. Sounds better than the benefits of coffee already, huh?

I don’t know about you, but coffee most definitely does not result in either sustained energy or a lack of an energy crash after the surge, so right there, this alternative is better for me personally and I suspect for thousands of others who experience the same thing on other energy drinks.

Yerba mate has caught on more in the more organic and health conscious communities, which I am pleased to say is spreading to areas of the world that were previously more uninformed about the benefits of natural alternatives and healthier choices.

It seems that nowadays everyone is more conscientious of what they are putting into their bodies, and there is more of an abundance of health information resources available to everyone, not just “niche culture” or niche communities.

People are looking for ways to enhance their health and promote their longevity, as well as decrease their risk of catastrophic and life quality impairing diseases and health issues, and yerba mate is a hot drink that fits in very nicely with that set of values and goals in today’s more health conscious society.

Single Serve Coffee Makers – We’ve Come A Long Way Baby

admin — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 23:03:07 +0000

If you are considering a Single Serve Coffee Maker to help make your life easier then I will assure you you are making the right decision. Not only does the coffee taste great and allow you to drink different flavors for each cup but man, read this exerp below from a book I found that discribes what methods to use for the perfect cup. Thank God for innovation!

A most frequent fault in the use of the filtration method is the failure to understand the fine degree of grinding necessary to the best results. When the grind is not sufficiently fine the extraction is, of course, weak. A fine grind (like fine cornmeal) is essential. It does not retard the flow if the filter is of right dimensions. A powdered grind (like flour) is so fine that it is apt to “mat” itself into a resisting floor.

Many users of the filtration method pour the liquid through more than once. This gains some added color, but adds undesirable element, depreciates flavor and is especially inadvisable when the grind is sufficiently fine. _One pouring_ only is recommended for the best results.

The chinaware, or glazed earthenware pot, sometimes called theFrench drip pot, with a chinaware or earthenware sieve container for the grounds at the top through which the water is poured, being free of all metal, is inviting in purity and in hygienic merit. Together with the filter bag, it is subject to the above remarks on dimensions. A chinaware sieve cannot be made as fine as a metal sieve and cannot of course hold very fine granulation as can cotton cloth. More coffee for a given strength is, therefore, required. The upper container should be wide enough, for a given quantity of coffee, as to allow an unretarded flow, and the more openings the strainer contains the better.

In any drip, filtration or percolating method the stirring of the grounds causes an over-contact of water and coffee and results in an overdrawn liquor of injured flavor. If the water does not pass through the grounds readily, the fault is as above indicated and cannot be corrected by stirring or agitation. Many complaints of bitter taste are traced to this error in the use of the filtration method.

It is not necessary to pour on the water in driblets. The water may be poured slowly, but the grounds should be kept well covered. The weight of the water helps the flow downward through the grounds. Care should be taken to keep up the temperature of the water. Set the kettle back on the stove when not pouring. If the water measured, use a small heated vessel, which fill and empty quickly without allowing the water to cool.

Learn More About Coffee to Caffeine Ratio

admin — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 22:23:37 +0000

Many have wondered how much caffeine is in a cup of coffee. When it comes to coffee it is not as cut and dry as caffeine to coffee content.

To determine the amount of caffeine you will get in a cup of coffee the strength, bean and method of preparation all contribute significantly to how much caffeine is actually consumed.

Most people are unaware that the lighter the coffee (the lighter the bean) the higher caffeine content. Most people specifically buy a light or medium blend coffee thinking that light or medium reflects the caffeine content when in reality it does not. The fact that it is lighter or medium reflects the taste and roasting method not the caffeine content in fact it has the highest. The more the bean roasts the more caffeine is extracted.

Espresso coffee is often avoided for it’s strong taste and many think that means higher caffeine but in reality espresso coffee has less caffeine then the regular coffee found in the supermarkets.

Brewed Coffee has between 80mg-135mg in the average 7oz cup

Drip Coffee has between 115mg- 175mh in the average 7oz cup

Espresso (average serving 1.5 – 2oz) has 100mg

Instant Coffee has between 65-100mg in a 7oz cup

Decaf brewed and Instant have between 2-4 mg of caffeine.

So as you can see depending on the method of preparation and the amount of actual coffee the caffeine content may be deceiving. If you would like to cut down your caffeine intake or increase it then you will need to look at, your method of preparation, the coffee itself, and the strength of the bean when picking your perfect cup of java.

Coffee Makes The World Go Around

admin — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 22:23:14 +0000

These days, it seems that everyone has an electric coffee maker. That’s because since their introduction in the 1800s, electric coffee makers have turned brewing coffee at home into a streamlined process. The first electric coffee makers were produced in France, and the process remains largely the same to this day. Simply add your coffee beans or grounds to the filter, pour water into the retaining chamber, press a few buttons, and within moments you have a steaming cup of coffee at your disposal.

However, things have gotten a little more complicated in the last century. With so many different brands of electric coffee maker on the market, it can be tough to decide which one is best for you. Unless you’re a coffee connoisseur, these minor differences probably don’t mean much to you, but for some they can make or break the deal. Some coffee makers take whole beans and grind them down to make your coffee taste exceedingly fresh, while others use pre-ground beans for a quicker, more convenient cup of joe.

Right now, some of the hottest electric coffee makers on the market are espresso machines. These machines generally hold anywhere from 10 to 20 cups worth of coffee at once. Often using single serving containers (K cups), espresso machines will produce a cup of coffee at lightning speed, sometimes as quickly as 10 seconds. Espresso machines are extremely convenient, but can be a bit cost prohibitive. While you can find single-cup electric coffee makers for as low as 100 dollars, their prices can extend all the way into the 500+ range. Espresso machines produce more waste than other types of coffee makers due to the disposable single-serving cups. Some popular brands are Breville, Keurig, Black & Decker, and Cuisinart.

Another style of electric coffee maker is the drip style machine. These machines will take either whole beans or coffee grounds. Drip style coffee makers heat up their water to partially boiling in a separate chamber, and then the boiling water flows over the grounds, brewing your coffee. The coffee drips out into your cup slowly, giving it its distinctive name. These are far less expensive, starting out as low as 30 dollars and extending into the 100+ range. These are the classic coffee maker, the first to be introduced commercially. Some popular brands include Hamilton Beach, Senseo, Cuisinart, Mr. Coffee, Jura-Capresso, Black & Decker, and KitchenAid.

Coffee Makers

admin — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:23:22 +0000

If you need an excellent coffee to start your day pleasingly, then in that case, you must buy a good coffee maker. A coffee maker is a quite simple and low-tech device. It prepares excellent coffee with the help of heating elements.

On the bottom of the coffee maker, there is a hot plate. A heating element is wrapped around a hollow aluminum tube. Water in the reservoir reaches this aluminum tube via a small hole in the container to a plastic hose to the mouth of this tube. After the coffee maker is switched on, the element heats up the water in the aluminum tube. Water vapors start coming out of the other end of the tube, to exit hole. Below in the filter baskets, there are coffee grounds. Hot water start dripping on this coffee and your coffee is ready.

If you are planning to buy a coffee maker, consider few important features, you might like to have in your appliance.

A popular feature in the coffee makers is the Pause-and-serve. If your machine has this feature, you can remove the coffee pot away from the hot plate, even before the brewing cycle is complete. It will not let the coffee drip on the heating plate. Once you remove the pot, the valve in the opening above it gets closed.

Another feature you would like to have is pod compatibility. You can prepare coffee easily, without any hassle, using tiny pre-packed discs of coffee grounds. Some of the advanced coffee makers allow loose coffee grounds as well as the coffee pods.

Another feature which is provided in the coffee makers with advanced features is the water filter. This water filter filters out any chlorine or iron tastes which may be there in the tap water. Of course, you need to pay more for this additional feature. And also, you need maintain it more regularly to clean the filter.

Digital controls are the other useful features which make your coffee maker more of an efficient assistant. These digital controls include things like timers, clock, LCD display screen. Among all, the timer is an essential feature for most of us. Auto-off is yet another feature which makes it more worthy. It saves you from the hard task of cleaning the burnt out coffee pots. Some coffee makers also have LED light button to help you see your coffee maker even in the dark. You can also have a coffee maker with permanent coffee filter and the integrated bean grinder.

All of these are useful features. You may look for a coffee machine having all or few of these features. It is all up to your convenience and requirement.

Is Your Coffeemaker Outdated? Be Sure To Upgrade To A Programmable Coffee Maker

admin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 23:03:11 +0000

Are you satisfied with your current home coffee maker? Many people are not, but they continue to use the same models and keep buying the same brands. If you are one of these people, consider trying a programmable coffee maker. You won’t regret it. Over the years, many advancements have been made to the traditional home coffee maker, and with the recent creation of the programmable coffee maker, it is a good example of how far the technology has come.

To begin, this new era of coffee makers produces an excellent brew of coffee. They are able to release the full richness of any brand of coffee that you may be using, and to deliver, time and time again, a full-bodied, robust aromatic cup of coffee; exactly what you need to get yourself going in the morning. Many people who don’t make good coffee assume that they are responsible and some how need to refine their coffee making skills. They believe that they are just not capable of making good coffee. Often, however, they are not to blame, the blame lies with their coffee makers.

Programmable coffee makers are usually a little more expensive than other types of coffeemakers, but they are well worth the investment. They are easy to use and to clean, and most importantly, deliver delicious coffee, cup after cup. There are many things that this type of coffee maker can provide that others simply cannot.

Programmable coffee makers come in many different styles, shapes and sizes. Some are meant to make only one cup of coffee, whiles others can make 4 or 12 cups of coffee at a time. No matter how many cups of coffee the pot can hold, you can be sure that it will employ a “no drip” or “no splatter” system. This is important because when you are pouring coffee, you generally want it to end up in your cup and not in your lap.

Another excellent feature is that the temperature of the hot plate on which the coffee pot rests can be adjusted, ensuring that your coffee is always at the perfect drinking temperature. Furthermore, the temperature of the hot plate can be programmed. In this way, the programmable coffee maker adjusts itself without any assistance on your part. Each adjustment is followed with a “beep” so you are always aware of the temperature and when it has to be adjusted.

Do not keep making coffee with a maker that you are not satisfied with. Consider some of the many exciting new options in the world of home coffee making and start making better, hassle-free coffee today.

Coffee, its Good For You!

admin — Mon, 10 May 2010 22:23:40 +0000

Countless people around the globe look forward to a morning cup of coffee whether at home, on the way to work or school. The fresh aroma and taste of coffee brings pleasure to many of us, and for many it is a way to awake their sleepy senses in the morning. Now if I tell you that coffee might be the ultimate health and anti-aging food you might think that I have gone crazy.

Coffee, for many is often an unhealthy beverage. There has always been some level of disbelief around coffee and its effect on health. Coffee is often associated with being unhealthy. Well, perhaps not any more because it seems like that this link between coffee and unhealthiness is incorrect. There is a good bit of proof that coffee is not all bad and may even be beneficial to your health in the long run.

Now you must be wondering what makes coffee the good guy all of sudden. Well it seems that coffee has two important and beneficial elements: antioxidants and caffeine. Both these substances are not only healthy in general but they also provide anti- aging benefits. The Antioxidants help in repairing damaged cells. Caffeine has been shown to help improve a range of symptoms and may even be important in fighting of Parkinson’s disease and other age related disease.

Other health Benefits related to Coffee:
Diabetes (up to 60% reduced risk)
Dementia (up to 65% reduced risk)
Colon Cancer (up to 25% reduced risk)
Cirrhosis (up to 80% reduced risk)
Gallstones (almost 50% reduced risk)
Parkinson’s Disease (up to 80% reduced risk)
Headache Relief (because of the caffeine)
Asthma Relief (caffeine)
Cavity Protection (because of anti-bacterial and anti-adhesive properties of compounds within coffee)

So, next time your worried about having another cup, forget it and drink up!

How to Choose the Best Coffee Maker

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 22:23:05 +0000

When you are cooking you know that using the best ingredients and the best pots and pans can help you to cook the most delicious meals and when you are used to good quality products it has to expand to other things, like the beverages you drink and certainly the coffee that you drink. With coffee it is in fact the same as with cooking, if you want a great tasting coffee you need the best beans (the ingredients) and the best coffee maker (the pots and pans) and when you have that, you can make the best coffee ever.

For that perfect cup of coffee, when you first wake up in the morning, you need to find the best beans that is not that hard especially when you buy and look for it online. Just sample and taste the different kinds of coffee and buy the one that you like. But you also need the best coffee maker and that can be a bit harder.

Finding the right beans is a bit subjective, the beans need to fit your taste. Well with the best coffee maker it is in fact the same way, it is also very subjective. It all depends on your taste, lifestyle, budget and eye for design. People make different choices and that is a good thing, it would be a very boring world if we all prefer the same. There are however common grounds on which we decide what would be the best coffee maker for us.

Pure simple coffee

For the purist among us the best coffee maker ever made is a French press. According to them this kind of coffee is pure and all other coffee makers are just fancy. It is true that coffee made with a French press is rich in flavor, you can buy it anywhere and it does not break easily in fact it is just a glass jar with a plunger. You just need to put the (freshly grinded) coffee grounds in the jar and fill it further with hot boiling water. After that you need to give the brew a couple of minutes to get ready and then push the plunger down. This way you will get a strong concentrated flavor and if that is exactly what you like, you do not have to look any further this is the best coffee maker for you. It does not cost much and you can try out some gourmet coffee beans to experiment with this pure strong flavored coffee.

Coffee makers for the everyday user

If you drink a lot of coffee a French press is probably not a good choice for you. There are many other choices but we would like to bring the common coffee drip brewers at your attentions, because it is not fashionable any more to like these kind of machines while they in fact are the best coffee makers available. It is not just coincidental that these kind of coffee makers are used in almost all office pantries. These machines are reliable and can make a real good cup of coffee.

You need to look around for the more expensive models that have paid attention to details like the temperature and the amount of water used. If you buy a coffee drip brewer you do not want the ones that makes a lot of coffee at one time and keeps it heated in the carafe for a long time. The first cup is good but the last few cups taste awful.

What type of machine you buy is totally up to your taste, just make sure that you buy the best coffee maker of its kind and the best beans you can get.

Coffee Makers antique technique with modern designing

admin — Mon, 03 May 2010 22:23:28 +0000

Coffee is one of the most loved beverages now a days and it is gaining especially more popularity amongst the youth. A coffee maker works on the mechanism that includes pouring water from a reservoir and the heating element boils the water. The steam formed out of boiling rises and pours onto the coffee grounds. One way valve prevents water from back flowing into the reservoir. The filtered coffee drips into the desired container. And the fresh brewing hot coffee is ready for everyone to drink. The very first electric coffee maker was introduced in 1972 and since then revolution is constant in the field of coffee-makers. Nowadays coffeemakers use metallic filters placed inside the funnel, set over a ceramic or glass container to have a fresh brewing coffee instantly. This brewed coffee is a blend of antique methodology in modern technology. With the advent of technology, and up to date designing the coffee makers are also getting revolutionized according the individual’s choice and requirements. Drip coffee maker, Pressure coffee makers, Pod coffee makers, semi-automatic and super-automatic coffee makers are some of the variety of coffee makers which are available for coffee lovers. Coffee urns are of large capacity and are best suited for those times when there is a large gathering at home and almost all the invitees are coffee lovers. Automatic coffee makers are most commonly used in today’s households, where the real brewed coffee taste is still relished amongst the family members. For a family of four a machine consisting of twin-cup coffee percolator is optimum. This machine takes less time in coffee making and is prompt in its services. It is so simple in its working that even the kids can operate it without any hassles. Those who are crazy about coffee can be gifted with coffee-percolator to make the person remember you every morning and evening without fail, and be blessed. Coffee makers are state of the art machinery and deliver a satisfactory quality product day by day. Therefore it should be kept at a place where it is handy to use for anyone and everyone.

Illy Coffee Is Rather Like A Fine Wine

admin — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 23:09:59 +0000

Illy Coffee

Illy coffee was founded in 1933 by Francesco Illy. Today, Illy markets a single blend of remarkable coffee made of 100% Arabica beans from nine different growing regions in Africa, India, South America and Central America. It is this blend of beans from different growing conditions that gives Illy its unique taste.

Illy thinks of coffee rather like a fine wine… they describe the tasting experience as something that not only affects the palate, but the entire person through all the senses. They strive to create a consistent coffee with every cup, offering richness, a mixture of flavors including fruity and flowery, with hints of caramel, chocolate, almond and honey blending together to create an unforgettable cup of coffee.

Illy coffee is best experienced as espresso. Illy believes that espresso is the quintessential method for true coffee lovers to enjoy coffee. The Illy espresso blend features notes of caramel and chocolate, toast and honey. It is velvety and sweet, setting the stage for the pleasant bitter tingle that is soon to follow. An authentic Italian coffee, Illy’s espresso awakens the spirit, caresses the senses, and opens the doors of the mind. Their espresso is available in a fine grind, a medium grind, as whole bean, or in moka, if you use a moka pot for preparation. They also make ESE (easy serving espresso) in pods, to use in any ESE-compatible coffee maker. Illy’s newest coffee innovation is the Hyper Espresso Capsules, to be used in the Francis Francis Hyper Espresso Machine. Any of these can be used to make creamy cappuccinos as well.

For perfectly brewed coffee every time, Illy recommends its medium grind for use in automatic drip coffee machines. Illy makes their medium grind available in a medium roast for those who prefer a smooth flavor with notes of caramel and chocolate; for those who prefer a more robust flavor, they offer a dark roast with deep notes of cocoa and hints of creamy caramel.

For those who like using moka pots, Illy offers a special coarse grind. For those who don’t know what a moka pot is, think of a better designed percolator. It is used on the stove top, cold water is put in the bottom, coffee is put in a filter, the lid is put on, and as the water heats, and it rises through the filter. When the coffee begins to sputter, it is done.

Illy coffee can also be brewed using a flip pot, a French press, or in the thick Turkish style.

Illy coffee makers are state of the art, too. They offer the Francis Francis X1 Espresso Machine, the Hyper Espresso System for the Hyper Espresso Capsules, and the Francis Francis Trio, which work with the ESEs. All are true works of art, designed by architect Luca Trazzi.

And finally, to finish off the perfect coffee experience, Illy began commissioning cups from Italian designer Matteo Thun in 1990.The first edition was available to the public in 1992. Illy offers these cups in signed limited editions, treating the cup as canvas. Each edition is decorated by a different artist.