Its simple design is what keeps this form of making coffee so popular.  The French Press almost looks like a standard drink carafe with a lid and plunger on the inside.  A French Press can vary in size from 4cups to somewhere around 10cups, and just about any size in between.

To begin making coffee with a French Press you start off by bringing water to a simple boil.  Once the water has started boiling turn off the heating source and let the water stand for about 3 minutes allowing it cool.  While the water is boiling you will want to remove the top of the French Press and dump your coffee grinds into the carafe.  For best results it is recommended that you use a coarser grind for you coffee, so that after plunging grinds do not make there way into the brewed coffee.

Once you have let the boiled water sit, slowly pour it into the French Press over the coffee grinds.  Another tip is to pour just enough water to where you can no longer see dry grinds.  Let that mixture sit for a minute before adding the rest of the water.  Doing this will allow the coffee to percolate and brew properly.

After you have poured your desired amount of water into the grinds, stir the mixture together and let for about 5 minutes.  (Note that the more water you use the weaker the coffee and less water you use the stronger the result.  This may take some time experimenting on the right mixture.)

Once that is done you will begin to plunge the coffee.  Insert the plunger back into the French Press and slowly press down until you feel it stop on the grinds at the bottom.  What is left above the plunger is your freshly made coffee via French Press.

This may seem like a simple process and it actually is.  The trick is making an end result that you desire and that will take some time.  Have fun with the experience and work with different grinds of coffee (making sure they are reasonably coarse) and different amounts of water.  You may soon find yourself brewing with your French Press quite often.

The next part of this process is making the water and vinegar solution.  Many people believe that doing a 1 part vinegar and 2 part water mix works, which is does, but I think for the initial cleaning you should use a 1 to 1 solution.  This means pouring into your coffee carafe half vinegar and half water to the top line.  Once you have measured out the right amount of vinegar and water pour the solution into your coffee makers reservoir.  Be sure to carefully pour spill or over fill the reservoir.  Once you have poured the solution into the reservoir put the carafe back in place and get ready for the next step.

Now that you have the vinegar and water solution in the water reservoir its time for it to work its magic.  With the carafe back in place simply press start on the coffee machine just like you would if you were making a pot of coffee.  Allow the process to fully complete before doing anything.  The mixture of water and vinegar should be going through the internal parts of your coffee maker cleaning everything off like new again.

After the brew cycle is done and you have a full pot of water and vinegar you can remove the pot and pour the solution out.  Be sure though to make sure you have allowed the entire cycle to complete.

Now that your coffee maker is clean the last thing you need to do is make sure you have gotten all the vinegar rinsed out.  In order to do this, simply fill the reservoir up with just water and press start on the coffee maker.  Allow the brewing cycle to take place and flush the water and vinegar solution out.  You may want to do this a few times just to be safe.

And there you have it a clean and refreshed coffee maker!

Pod Dispenser? You may have noticed the newest way of making coffee with the coffee pod.  A coffee pod is the pre-package pod of coffee that you simply brew one cup of joe with.  It makes making coffee extremely easy and has become a hit for many coffee drinkers.  When shopping for an espresso machine look to see if the machine is pod compatible.  This could be an extremely convenient feature.

Hot Water Dispenser? This is a fairly common feature on the standard espresso machine, but not every model has it.  For those of you who make tea of need hot water on demand this is a must have feature as it keeps you from having to boil coffee for any of those reasons.

Cup Warmer? This is not to be confused with a warmer for the carafe.  Having a cup warmer can allow you to keep your drink warm while attending to other things.  One major thing to look for if you want an espresso machine with a cup warmer is the location.

Water Filter? What makes a great espresso is not just the grind of the coffee or barista, but also the quality of the water.  You want to make sure that you have high quality water and to do that you will want a built in water filter.  This ensures that all the unneeded minerals and chlorine is extracted from the water before brewing.

Grinder? If you are really serious about your espresso and want the freshest cup, then an attached grinder is a must.  Having a bean grinder as part of your espresso machine allows you to grind just the right amount for your next cup.

Frothing Wand? For those of you who like to make different types of espresso drinks such as mochas or lattes, then a frothing wand is a must have!  This feature allows you to steam your milk allowing you to make your favorite drink.  This feature is pretty standard.

While these are not all the features that you may find in an espresso machine, this will at least give you a start when you start your shopping.  You can find all of these things along with many different styles of espresso machines here at LiveLoveCoffee.com at our espresso machines page.

The way to a fresh cup of coffee is having fresh coffee.  To keep your coffee as fresh as possible before brewing, you need to store the beans in an air tight container in a dark cool area.  Many people think that storing coffee beans in the freezer is the best place, but unless you are storing them for long periods of time it is best to keep in a cabinet.

Notice that in the above paragraph we mentioned keeping the BEANS in a cool and dark place.  Grinding the coffee beans too early can cause the grinds to become stale and lose flavor over time.  If you want the freshest cup possible then grind the beans just before brewing.  This may be more time consuming, but you will notice your coffee tasting better.

Another integral part of fresh coffee is the type of water you use.  A lot of us use standard tap water.  That is fine if you are looking for standard coffee, but for that extra kick you will want to use the purest water possible.  Here at LiveLoveCoffee we recommend using triple distilled water.  If you can’t find distilled water the next best would be purified water.  Doing this cuts down on the unwanted chlorine and minerals that can sour the taste of your coffee.

The last and maybe most important part of making a fresh cup of coffee is to make sure you have a clean coffee maker.  You can find tips to cleaning your coffee maker here.  Having a clean coffee maker allows the water to stay as fresh as possible and keeps the brewed coffee fresh.  Make sure you keep the insides of your coffee maker as clean as possible.

Drinking coffee, a lots of it, may help prevent type 2 diabetes, a disease affecting millions and on the rise across the globe, according to a new study published in the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

It’s the caffeine, say scientists from Nagoya University in Japan.

The scientists fed either water or coffee to a group of lab mice, a common stand-in for people in such studies. The coffee consumption prevented development of high-blood sugar and improved insulin sensitivity in the mice. That mean lower risk of diabetes.

There were also other benefits from drinking coffee, including improvements in fatty liver, which is a disorder where fat builds up in liver cells, primarily in obese people. That further reduces the risk of diabetes, the scientists said.

Other studies in the lab showed that caffeine may be “one of the most effective anti-diabetic compounds in coffee,” according to the scientists.

Keep sipping, there’s more study to come.

Search our site for all things coffee from some of the most popular brands on the market!

Article Courtesy of The Baltimore Sun

Search our site for all things coffee from some of the most popular brands on the market!

• List Price:$876.15
• You Save:$227.15 (25%)
• Sale Price:$649.00

professional image stainless steel body clean linear design compliments any decor reliability brew group and boiler made of brass commercial-grade brew group and portafilter

Rancilio RABASE Silvia – Rocky Espresso Machine Base
Price: $118.95
all great things need a firm foundation and that perfect foundation for the Rancilio Silvia espresso machine and the powerful Rancilio rocky coffee grinder series is the handsome two-drawer stainless steel coffee bar base. together they form an attractive trio of fine products for your espresso station. one drawer holds a durable hardwood bar for knocking clean the spent coffee grounds from your filter basket. you may put it either on the left drawer or the right leaving the empty drawer ready for supplies and accessories. dimensions 2 .125in h x 19in w x 13.5in d.

Rancilio RAROCKYD Rocky Coffee Bean Grinder

• List Price:$480.87
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Because of its tough build and performance but reasonable price the rocky is a popular choice for cafes and restaurants that need a medium duty primary grinder or a first line decaf-only grinder. its wide range of grinding options can convert coffee beans to anything from uniform coarse grinds to fine powder. this quality grinding is crucial for home as well as high-end and commercial espresso machines and it a dream for the espresso connoisseur. with so many settings you can adjust the rocky to very exact specifications.

Rancilio Epoca S Tank 1 Espresso Machine

• List Price:$3198.00
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The Rancilio company has a long tradition of building high-quality espresso machines dating back to the 1920’s. Rancilio’s goal is to maintain their position of leadership in the industry and to provide customers with a means of enjoying a great cup of espresso, anywhere, anytime: The Rancilio Epoca ST-1 is the perfect machine for a coffee shop or a little business that does more than a “few cups a day”. Made of heavy duty construction, this commercial machine excels at making a perfect espresso extraction time after time. NSF certified: Large Boiler. An over sized 3.9 liter boiler lets the user switch between brewing and steaming with no down time in between. No need to constantly fill the water tank with this size boiler! Separate Steam & Hot Water Knobs. The steam and hot water nozzles are separate on this machine and both sit on a swivel joint. For your convenience, you can put them out of the way when cleaning the machine. In addition, you can use pretty much any size frothing pitcher for making cappuccinos and your favorite coffeehouse drinks: Cup Warmer. The passively-heated cup warmer on top of this machine will hold about a dozen espresso cups and keep them nice and toasty and ready for espresso: The body of the Epoca is made of molded ABS plastic which makes this machine rust proof and scratch proof: Features: Manual Dosage. Internal Water Tank. Incorporated Water Softener. Body of machine is scratch-resistant and anticorrostive. Pod adaptable (See Accessories). Automatic water level control. Stainless steel machine body.
Rancilio

• List Price:$2,150.00
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• Sale Price:$1,699.95
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This machine is one of the most popular espresso machines for its capacity and is well received in the home, office, coffee bar, restaurant and catered events. An espresso machine for discerning tastes, the Livia 90 is an investment in distinction and enjoyment for years to come. One of the finest semi-commercial espresso machines, it is loaded with features that contribute to its reputation for excellence. With the amazing ability to simultaneously brew coffee and steam milk, saving you time and energy! In addition it’s NSF Sanitation Certification, (required for machines used in the food service industry), make it an espresso machine for all venues. Features: -Simple semi-automatic controls and indicator lights -Frothing milk & dispensing hot water -Chrome plated portafilter -3.5 Liter water tank -Removable cup tray, drip pan and cup warming -1.5 Liter 1200 Watt copper & brass boiler -Durable, quality housing & frame -1200 watts of power -Dimensions: 12.5″H x 11.5″W x 15″D -Warranty: 12-month parts and labor

Pasquini Moka Doser Grinder in Chrome

• List Price:$780.00
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An excellent espresso machine deserves an excellent coffee grinder so you reserve the best tasting coffee. The Pasquini Moka Burr Coffee Grinder, is designed for the home, office or commercial coffee bar to do just that. The powerful direct drive motor, turns the grind wheels turn slowly, but powerfully, so the grinder will not burn the coffee grounds or clog at finer settings. It is the perfect partner for the Pasquini Livia 90, but has the ability to work with any espresso machine. Features: -Powerful motor ensures grinding results -Chrome body is scratch resistant -25 grind settings -Coffee dosing system -Tempered steel burr grinding wheels -1 pound coffee bean hopper -120 watts of power -Dimensions: 6″W x 11.5″D x 15.25″H -Warranty: 12-month parts and labor

Pasquini Double Drawer Base for Livia 90 and Coffee Grinder

• List Price:$385.00
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This double drawer base is the perfect foundation for the Livia 90 Espresso Machine and the powerful Pasquini Moka Coffee Grinder series. Together they form an attractive trio of fine products for your espresso station. One drawer holds a durable rubber bar for knocking clean the spent coffee grounds from your filter basket. You may put it either in the left drawer or the right, leaving the empty drawer ready for supplies and accessories. Features: -Base for Livia 90 Espresso Machine and Moka Coffee Grinder Series -Stainless steel -Two drawers -Dimensions: 4″H x 19″W x 16″D -Made in Italy

Pasquini Single Drawer Base for Livia 90 Espresso Machine

• List Price:$235.00
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This single drawer base is the perfect foundation for your Livia 90 Espresso Machine. Together they form a coordinated pair of fine products for your espresso station. The single steel drawer holds a durable rubber bar for knocking clean the spent coffee grounds from your filter basket. You may also use the drawer for supplies and accessories. Features: -Base for Livia 90 Espresso Machine -Stainless steel -One drawer -Dimensions:4″H x 14″W x 16″D -Made in Italy

Pasquini K2 Doserless Grinder in Chrome

• List Price:$685.00
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Features: -Chrome finish -Top quality grinding burrs -Large capacity hoppers store up to 10 ounces of coffee beans in bean hopper and 10 ounces of ground coffee in container -Dispense directly into your portafilter -Easy access for cleaning -Grinder will dispense fine ground coffee for any size batch -25 grind selections -Power: 100 watts – 120 volts -Overall Dimensions: 15.5″ H x 5″ W x 5″ D The Pasquini Doserless grinder is designed to grind directly into an espresso machine portafilter. This is a good choice for people who need a coffee bean grinder that is very high quality and at only 15.25 inches high can fit under just about any kitchen cabinet. It can grind as fine or as coarse as you would ever want.

Pasquini Livietta T2 Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine

• List Price:$1,343.75
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• Sale Price:$1,075.00
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Features: -Stainless Steel construction -15-bar -Thermoblock boiler that heats up in less than 5-minutes -Commercial size and style portafilter handle: 55mm, 2.28 in diameter -Steams and brews espresso simultaneously -Only one wear and tear seal in entire machine -High efficiency heating systems for energy savings -”Easy foam” tip with slow start steam for greater control and safety -3-way solenoid valve: relieves water pressure off coffee when switch is turned off -Cup warmer that holds up to 6 espresso cups -Works with E.S.E. espresso pods and ground coffee -1400 watts, 120 volts -Hot water dispenser -Easy to descale -Overall Dimensions: 12.25″ H x 13.88″ W x 8.5″ D The Pasquini Livietta offers you a simple and straight forward product design. High quality heavy-duty construction, mostly stainless steel and metal. Outstanding performance in making excellent espresso that may exceed the performance of some of the more expensive high-end home machines. New thermoblock technology lets you steam milk and brew espresso at the same time?making it ideal for entertaining. Use with illy E.S.E. pods or ground coffee.

Pasquini Livietta Base

• List Price:$250.00
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Features: -Compatible with the Pasquini Livietta T2 Espresso Machine and the Pasquini Lux Grinder -Stainless steel base -2 Front drawers -Dimensions:3″H x 15″W x 15.5″D. Designed specially for the Pasquini Livietta T2 Espresso Machine and the Pasquini Lux Grinder, this polished stainless steel base will be a perfect addition to your coffee collection. It has 2 front drawers to store all of your accessories, and carries the traditional Italian quality and style.

Pasquini Pod Kit

• List Price:$105.00
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Brew your favorite pods of coffee with this adapter kit from Pasquini. It allows you to brew your coffee with pods and is a perfect complement to the Livietta machine (this will not work with the Livia 90 machines). Includes: -Pod Kit -Handle-shower screen -Screw filter 1 & 2

Pasquini Livia 90 Automatic Espresso Machine

• List Price:$2,365.00
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The Livia 90 is designed for the home, office or restaurant/cafe setting. It provides push button control so that your espresso can be brewed and poured while you are doing something else. This machine is a genius at brewing and steaming milk all the same time. With just a push of a button, you can choose either a single or double shot of espresso. Once you select the cup size amount you want, will brew a rich, aromatic cup of espresso, just the way you asked for it. You can also program the button to bring you your favorite style of espresso, every time. Another great feature is the machine’s ability to brew any size coffee with the switch of the manual override button. Features: -Chrome plated portafilter -Automatic one touch control -Powerful pump to extract thick crema -3.5 Liter water tank -Removable cup tray, drip pan and cup warming -1.5 Liter 1200 Watt copper & brass boiler -Durable, quality housing & frame -1200 watts of power -Dimensions: 12.5″H x 11.5″W x 15″D -Warranty: 12-month parts and labor
Pasquini

La Pavoni Burr Coffee Grinder in Chrome

• List Price:$414.95
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A powerful grinder for the home, the La Pavoni Burr grinder features a compact, practical design that is a nice addition to any counter top. This grinder operates 2 different ways: for daily serving applications grind directly into your coffee, or for larger amounts of coffee grind directly into the removable hopper. It features tempered steel burr grinders with 9 settings from coarse to fine and an automatic shut-off. The top hopper holds up to 1/4 lb of whole beans and is removable for easy cleaning and maintenance. Features: -Compact, functional design with chrome finish -Coffee grinder with tempered-steel conical burrs -9 settings from coarse to fine -Top hopper holds 1/4 lb of whole beans -Hopper is removable for easy care and maintenance -Please note: not recommended for continual use or commercial grinding Specifications: -La Pavoni provides a 1 year warranty -Made in Italy -Dimensions: 9.5″H

La Pavoni Burr Coffee Grinder in Brass

• List Price:$444.95
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A powerful grinder for the home, the La Pavoni Burr grinder features a compact, practical design that is a nice addition to any counter top. This grinder operates 2 different ways: for daily serving applications grind directly into your coffee, or for larger amounts of coffee grind directly into the removable hopper. It features tempered steel burr grinders with 9 settings from coarse to fine and an automatic shut-off. The top hopper holds up to 1/4 lb of whole beans and is removable for easy cleaning and maintenance. Features: -Compact, functional design with brass finish -Coffee grinder with tempered-steel conical burrs -9 settings from coarse to fine -Top hopper holds 1/4 lb of whole beans -Hopper is removable for easy care and maintenance -Please note: not recommended for continual use or commercial grinding Specifications: -La Pavoni provides a 1 year warranty -Made in Italy -Dimensions: 9.5″H

La Pavoni Mill Coffee Grinder in White

• List Price:$27.95
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A versatile mill grinder that is perfect for grinding beans, spices or condiments. It features a stainless steel chamber and blade with a body made of sturdy ABS high impact plastic. Features: -Perfect for grinding beans, spices, or condiments -Stainless steel chamber and blade -Made of sturdy ABS high impact plastic -Locking top -110 Volt -UL listed -La Pavoni provides a 2 year warranty -Height: 6.25″ -Weight: 1 lb

La Pavoni Jolly Burr Coffee Grinder in Black

• List Price:$654.95
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The Jolly grinder is ideal for those who love the aroma and delicious taste of freshly-ground coffee beans. Perfect for home-use, the Jolly is a commercial-quality grinder with a powerful burr grinder made from tempered steel, which turns at a steady 1400 RPMs which produces consistent results time and time again. This can be used as a stand-alone commercial grinder or as a secondary grinder for flavored or decaf coffee. Choose from a variety of settings to find your ideal coarseness, perfect for making espresso, drip coffee, or Turkish grinding. The hopper is made from sturdy poly-carbonate and can hold up to a half pound of whole beans. Features: -Top hopper holds 1/2 lb of whole beans -Conical burr grinders in tempered steel -Multiple grind settings from coarse to fine -1400 RPMS / 95 Watts -La Pavoni provides a 1 year warranty -Made in Italy

• List Price:$64.95
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Features: -Perfect pour double-walled, vacuum-sealed 8 to 10 cup thermal stainless carafe with drip-less spout and ergonomic handle. -One-piece cover for access to reservoir and brew basket. -Keep warm function. -Anti drip. -Detachable filter holder. -2 water level indicators. -Easy touch On/Off” switch along with the power on light indicator. Specifications: -Color: Metallic Red. -Material of Carafe: Stainless steel. -Overall Dimensions: 13.5″ H x 8.5″ W x 10.75″ D. -Capacity: 8-10 cup. -Power Output: 900 watts.

Kalorik Aqua 10 – 12 Cup Coffee Maker

• List Price:$109.95
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Features: -Brews up to 12 cups. -12 Cup glass carafe with chrome handle. -Stainless steel and glass housing. -Sleek contemporary silhouette. -Anti drip. -Transparent water tank. -Removable water tank for easy handling. Specifications: -Material of Carafe: Glass. -Overall Dimensions: 14″ H x 11″ W x 6″ D. -Power Output: 1000 watts. -1 Year Manufacturer’s Warranty.

Kalorik Espresso Machine in Black

• List Price:$64.95
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Features: -Makes 2 – 4 shots of espresso. -Swivel jet frother for great cappuccino. -3.5 Bar boiler pressure. -Removable dishwasher-safe drip tray. Specifications: -Color: Black. -Power Output: 800 W / 120 V. -1 Year Manufacturer’s Warranty.

Kalorik Metallic Red 12-Cup Coffee Maker with Glass Carafe

• List Price:$49.95
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Features: -Perfect pour 10 to 12 cup glass carafe with drip-less spout and ergonomic handle. -One-piece cover for access to reservoir and brew basket. -Keep warm function. -Anti drip. -Detachable filter holder. -2 water level indicators. -Easy touch On/Off” switch along with the power on light indicator. Specifications: -Color: Metallic Red. -Material of Carafe: Glass. -Overall Dimensions: 14.5″ H x 8.5″ W x 10.75″ D. -Capacity: 10-12 cup. -Power Output: 900 watts.

Kalorik Sunny Morning 10 Cup Coffee Maker in Tangerine Orange

• List Price:$49.95
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Features: -10-Cup capacity. -Swing open filter holder. -Durable glass carafe. -Bright and cheerful orange color scheme. -Keep-warm heating plate. -Includes 2 ceramic coffee mugs and a battery-operated milk frother. Specifications: -Material of Carafe: Glass. -Overall Dimensions: 12.5″ H x 9″ W x 9.5″ D. -Power Output: 900 watts. -1 Year Manufacturer’s Warranty.
Kalorik