EYE OPENING COFFEE THAT'S DOGGONE GOOD!
When you wake up in the morning what is one of the first things that you think about? Other than the immediate thought of not wanting to get out of bed, of course. For most people, it is the thought of idly enjoying a freshly brewed cup of their favorite coffee blend. This thought prompts many to stroll into their kitchen and get their home coffee maker going. Even better still is the machine that can be automatically programmed to produce a cup or pot of hot coffee. As such, the manufacturers of these machines really go out of their way to find ways to improve designs and capabilities. Many people love waking up in the morning to the smell of hot coffee brewing this, of course, makes the home coffee maker one of man's best inventions.
However, with so many choices it can be tough making a decision on which home coffee maker is right for you. Of course there are things to consider and keep in mind when you are shopping around and checking out the various coffee makers. While you need to think about your individual needs, if the whole family will use the appliance, then you need to consider everyone's needs.
The best home coffee maker brands include:
If you are single or the only one that drinks coffee in the household, then choosing a single cup coffee maker or a machine with a smaller carafe will be ideal and will help to eliminate wasted coffee. a small capacity machine that will help avoid wasting coffee. On the other hand, a larger household would do better with a larger home coffee maker that has a larger carafe. A big help to those families that have many differing schedules would be a machine that includes a warming plate, thus ensuring that every family member is able to have a cup of hot coffee.
Of course there are many styles, sizes and even colors of coffee machines available. Some will even allow you to produce a professional grade latte or espresso or any other gourmet coffee simply by pushing a button. There is a home coffee maker out there for every conceivable taste, even those that can grind the coffee beans for you and then make the coffee. Or if you prefer, you can always find a machine that has a timer and is completely programmable. What this means is that you can program the machine the night before and set the timer for whatever time you want your gourmet coffee to start brewing. So, if you like to jump in the shower first or run out to get the paper, then your coffee will be ready and made just the way you want it. Also, for those who may be a little forgetful, there are even machines that shut off automatically after a set amount of time.
To ensure many years of use, as with any appliance, your home coffee maker has to be taken care of properly and this includes cleaning the coffee maker from time to time. One popular method of cleaning your coffee machine recommended by many experts is running a mixture of vinegar and water through the coffee machine about every two to three weeks and then running it through another cycle or two using clear water to be sure that all of the vinegar has been flushed out, so as not to affect the taste of the coffee. This cleaning process ensures your coffee pot will not interfer with the taste of your gourmet coffee.
Check out popular home coffee makers from these quality brands.
Cold Brewed Iced Coffee Recipe Your Coffee Maker
Simple Syrup for Iced Coffee
Stove-top method
Combine sugar and water in a sauce pan. Bring to a simmer, stirring to combine. Gently simmer until no sugar particles are visible in the water. Remove from the heat and transfer to a non-reactive container. Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate in a sealable container. Keep for up to 1 month.
Shaking method for simple syrup for iced coffee
Combine sugar and water in a glass jar with a screw-on lid. Shake as you would a cocktail for 1 minute. Let rest for 30 seconds, then shake for 15 seconds. Repeat if sugar hasn't completely dissolved. Refrigerate. Keep for up to 1 month.
Simple syrup variations for iced coffee
To make lemon syrup, add the zest of 1 lemon to the heated solution and let it cool to room temperature. Strain liquid before storing. To make vanilla syrup, cut a vanilla bean in half, scrape the seeds into the sugar and water and add the vanilla bean before heating. Or for a slightly less fancy version, add 11/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to the cooled syrup.