Posted in Drink

Why I Love My Moka Pot And You Should Too

Since the beginning of my life, I remember how my parents used to drink coffee every morning while sitting at the small table that is perfect for two. The table right next to the big living room window that looks out over the oak tree that was planted in our front lawn. Ever since then, coffee has always had a very special place in my heart and like my parents, I start my day with a cup of coffee.

Every morning I enjoy a cup of warm grounded coffee while standing on the balcony of my 3rd-floor apartment. Every morning many people stop at the coffee cafe right in front of my apartment block to get their morning coffee on the way to work. While taking a sip from my steaming cup, I started to wonder why more don’t people just make their own coffee at home. They all like to start the day with a perfect cup of coffee anyway. It’s easy, get your coffee grounds, put it inside your coffeemaker, and then let it brew. Pour the hot steaming coffee in a cup and enjoy. While I’m thinking this, I start to wonder if there might be another, better and easier way to prepare coffee. Maybe a coffeemaker that makes strong coffee, stronger than grounded coffee or espresso.

To this day my Moka pot is still my choice of brewing, even though I own an espresso machine. I learned a lot abaout the art of brewing with a Moka pot, and I improved my skills considerably. I could probably participate in a Moka pot brewing contest, and I would be a serious competitor. But here is how it all started.

After some research, I discovered the Moka pot. Moka pots have been used by families and friends for a very long time as an iconic coffeemaker. The Moka Pot has been used since the 1900s in most Italian households. Luigi De Ponti invented the Moka Pot coffeemaker which was then in 1933 bought and patented by Alfonso Bialetti. This ninety-year-old coffeemaker is now being used in many different countries and is most famous in European Countries. It became a household name in Italy, Portugal, and Spain.

At first, I wasn’t exactly sure if the Moka pot was the right coffeemaker for me. Since I love a good espresso maybe I should just buy an espresso maker. The Moka Pot makes a really strong coffee but many people don’t consider it to make an espresso. Since to make espresso you need the pressure to be at 9 bars while the Moka pot only reaches a pressure of 2 to 3 bars. However, Moka Pots create espresso-like coffee thats not as strong as espresso, but not as light as a drip coffee. Theyre the perfect combination to get that nice in-between flavor. Though it’s not true espresso, the Moka Pot brews about 2-3 times stronger coffee than normal drip coffee, and will still satisfy any espresso craving. The Moka pot brews a heartier and robust flavor. A Moka pot is a cheaper option as the price only range between $30 to $100, while the espresso machine price range between $100 to $1200. The Moka pot is cheaper and makes better coffee.

I immediately decided to purchase a Moka Pot. So that day just before I left for work, I went on to Amazon and purchased my first Moka pot. As it arrived on my doorstep, I noticed its unique aluminum design and found it strange. It’s almost completely unknown of since aluminum isn’t considered a primary metal used on kitchenware. I learned the history behind the design of the Moka Pot and realised how much better it is. The reason why Alfonso Bialetti used Aluminum is that his business was in the metalwork and aluminum industry in France. Using aluminum as the primary metal for this coffeemaker was considered an innovation during that time. The Moka Pot brought aluminum to the limelight since the aluminum allowed the pot to heat up much faster.

The next morning I made my first cup of coffee with my brand new Moka Pot. It was the first time I have ever used a stovetop coffee maker, it’s so much smaller and more convenient due to its fast brewing time which saved me so much time during my morning routine. As I stepped out on my balcony to enjoy my cup of coffee like I do every morning, I was unaware that in only a few minutes my life would be changed forever. As I took the first sip of my coffee, I was introduced to a stronger and more flavorful coffee than ever before and I fell in love with it on the spot. I realized that the Moka Pot makes the best coffee ever, even better than an espresso I thought. Why haven’t I discovered this coffeemaker earlier? The Moka pot is so easy to use. It doesn’t have any wires, and it doesn’t have many parts. It’s faster, easier, and better. At the age of 34, I finally found the best coffee and the best coffee maker. After I finished my perfect cup of coffee, I walked to the edge of my balcony, put my hands on the railing and shouted from the top of my lungs “I love my Moka pot”.

So don’t be like me and wait 34 years before buying your Moka Pot. The perfect coffee has never been this easy to make and it has never tasted this good. To this day my Moka pot is still my choice of brewing, even though I own an espresso machine. A kitchen won’t be complete without the iconic Moka pot. Whether you buy it for yourself or make it the perfect birthday, Christmas or anniversary gift, you can’t go wrong with a Moka Pot. It is the perfect coffeemaker for all coffee lovers.

Posted in Drink

Brewed Coffee Versus Espresso

Which is better? Actually, it depends on who and where you ask. If you’re in the America’s most would give you an answer saying that espresso is too bitter, so they’d prefer brewed coffee. If you go to Europe, most Europeans would surely go for a shot of espresso since the taste is ‘purer and fuller’ than a cup of brewed coffee. Still, no matter where you are, coffee is universal and no matter how it is prepared, it’s still loved either way. So, to answer the question, how different is brewed coffee from an espresso?

Espresso

Espresso is purely extracted from coffee beans. Espresso is prepared using an espresso machine, this is when finely ground coffee is tamped or pressed hard in a ‘portafilter’. The portafilter is then placed in an espresso machine so that pressurized hot water goes through the portafilter to produce a really concentrated amount of pure coffee. An espresso has an intense and rich aromatic flavor. Espresso is special brewing method, and it takes some knowledge and practice. As a hoby barista, you need to learn how to make espresso just as you were training for a job. There is no distinction between a home barista and a professional.

Brewed coffee

There are tons of ways you can brew coffee. Brewed coffee is essentially diluting ground coffee in water-whether it is hot or cold, but preferably hot. This is how most of the world drinks the coffee.
Typically, brewed coffee uses hot boiled water and the immersion of coffee grounds in water for a certain period of time and then sifted or filtered on to a cup.

Different ways methods to prepare brewed coffee:

  • Coffee Maker. This is the simplest way to brew coffee since you can just get a coffee maker to
    do the brewing for you.
  • Drip Method. This is letting hot water pressed into ground coffee and slowly drips.
  • Chemex is almost the same as the drip method, it uses a cloth filter or a filter paper.
  • Traditional Boil and Immerse Method. This is simply boiling water and coffee grounds.
  • Moka Pot. For more intense coffee taste, a Moka pot is used.
  • Siphon. It is similar to a Moka pot where boiling water is siphoned towards the coffee grounds.
  • French Press is a specially designed mug with a press filter to separate the coffee grounds from the brewed coffee.
  • Cold Brew. This uses cold water to brew coffee.

Aside from the different ways of preparing espresso and brewed coffee, there are different factors that affect the taste and quality of an espresso and brewed coffee.
An espresso is a very delicate drink and it is prepared by professional hands. A shot of espresso is affected by the following:

  • Coffee Roast Mix
  • Type of coffee grind
  • Quality of the espresso machine
  • Expertise of the barista
  • Brew head temperature

On the other hand, the quality of the brewed coffee also depends on the following:

  • Type and grind of the coffee beans
  • Method of brewing
  • Brewing time

Can I make brewed coffee from an espresso?

Yes, in a sense, brewed coffee is like an espresso being diluted in water. While an espresso has more of the coffee particles in a shot, brewed coffee has more parts water than coffee. And for that reason, you can also make brewed coffee using an espresso machine. One popular brewed coffee produced from an espresso machine is the Caffe Americano or simply known as the Americano. A Caffe Americano is made of a single shot of espresso diluted 6 to 8 ounces of hot water.
No matter what your preference is, a cup of brewed coffee or a shot of espresso is surely one delightful way of soothing the taste buds with a delightful sip of bittersweet caffeine.

Posted in Drink

Best Drinks for Good Health

In order to stay healthy, it is important to watch what you eat and drink. Even if you eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, if you drink a lot of cola with them, you can negate these health benefits. Moreover, the body needs a lot of liquids throughout the day in order to keep it functioning well. Water is always the top choice but these 5 are just as good.

  1. Water With Lemon

This is the best choice of drink when you wake up in the morning. Warm water with fresh lemon slices is good for your digestion and natural detoxification. It is also a great source of vitamin C, and it also kills bad bacteria in your mouth to give you fresh breath!

  1. Herbal Tea

A great substitute to caffeinated drinks, herbal tea contains important nutrients that bring anti-bacterial, antiviral, immune system-boosting, calming or energy-boosting benefits. A few of them are also great sources of antioxidants, so you can reduce free radical damage.

  1. Kombucha

This is a fermented tea drink that is very rich in probiotics. It is great for your digestion and stops you from bloating. It is able to fight overgrowth of candida and can even boost your mental capacity and calm you down.

  1. 4 Green Juice

. Your vegetables can also go into your drink, just add 3 to 4 vegetables and 1 piece of fruit into the blender and you can mix your own green juice. The phytonutrients will help cleanse and detox your body, as well as nourish and provide it with energy.

  1. Coconut Water

Coconut water is perfect for rehydrating your body, giving it enough magnesium, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, and potassium. With its low sugar content, you can easily add this to your daily routine even if you are watching your weight

If you are looking for something to grab on your way out, or during your gym session, you should reach out for one of these five healthy and natural drinks that will do nothing but great things to your body.

Posted in Drink

Great Tips To Start Juicing

There are many ways that juicing can improve your health. You will discover recipes to boost your energy, improve your memeory, target your health concerns and even methods to let your own recipes easily. Keep reading to get some great suggestions on making the most of your juicer.

Add cucumber to dark leafy greens for improved flavor. Many leafy greens have a distinct and slight unpleasant flavor. Cucumber will mask the taste and add a refreshing flavor of its own. Check out these other wonderful juicing recipes.

Drink your juice slowly and appreciate the subtle nuances. Fresh juice is unsurpassed for nutrition and taste.

Consider your juice to be a whole meal. Once you see the amount of food that goes into a glass of juice, you’ll be amazed!

Use the color of your fruits and vegetables to help you figure out which nutrients they provide. From bright reds to vibrant greens, all these colored vegetables and fruits offer many kinds of minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals. Using a wide variety of colors will give you more nutrition and many exciting tastes.

You can separate the pulp from the juice by using a coffee filter, but this such a slow way to do it. Purchasing a juice appliance is the best investment if you wish to explore juicing on a regular basis.

If you have to spend an excessive amount of time cleaning your juicer, you’re less likely to use it. One simple cleaning tip: rinse your juicer right after using it since moist pulp is easier to get rid of than when it dries.

If you have diabetes or hypoglycemia, you should just juice vegetables until you talk to your doctor. Drinking juice made of fruit content will raise your blood glucose count. It is important to monitor how much fruit you include in your juice recipes to allow for your medical needs. Vegetables are typically much lower in sugar.

Pay close attention to your body’s signals when it comes to the juices you consume. You might drink something that does not agree with you. If you have any negative reactions to a new juice, study the various ingredients to see if you have incorporated something that you don’t normally eat. Then try smaller amounts and over time work increase those ingredients. Beets and leafy greens most often upset the stomach at first.

To ensure that the juice you are drinking is as healthy as possible, you should understand that the longer juice sits, the more nutrients are lost. Therefore, to ensure that you receive the most nutrients, and the most benefits, drink your juice or smoothie as soon as you can.

Green leafy vegetables – collards, kale and spinach to name a few – will give your juice an added boost of important nutrients. You can cover up the bitter flavor of leafy greens with lemons and apples.

Juicing is a powerful step you can take to improve your health. Juicing can give you the energy to get up and exercise, and even help build muscle. If you already do heavy workouts, you could make a fresh fruit or vegetable juice to speed your exercise recovery.

Keep in mind that some juices can affect the look of your teeth. This is not harmful or lasting, and beets are one example.

Some fruits, such as tangerines and oranges, can be juiced with a very inexpensive hand juicer. Also, take extra care with melon juice as it tends not to mix well with other fruits.

Green juices are high in nutritional value, but they do not taste good. You can add a lot of healthy ingredients to alter the juice taste to whatever you desire.

The amount of pulp you create depends on what ingredients you are using. You can put it back into later batches of juice to add more fiber.

Avoid using fruits that are overly sweet. They are certainly delicious, but they might negatively affect your blood sugar. A good alternative would be to use sweet vegetables instead. You can incorporate fruits occasionally as a treat, but overall, you should generally stick with vegetables.

Juicing is an engaging and enjoyable activity that offers numerous advantages. As this article outlined, there are several different ways to heighten juicing’s benefits. Try the tips contained in this article for yourself. You will be pleased by the physical changes from including more juice in your diet.