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Coffee has been a popular start to many people’s day for many years. Though coffee is often looked on negatively due to the caffeine in it there are actually many health benefits to coffee.

Antioxidants are contained in coffee and many people are unaware. Coffee contains these health boosting antioxidants no matter if you are drinking straight coffee or a varied drink such as a cappuccino. Coffee is actually good for you like many things as long as you drink it in moderation.

Often people may avoid drinking coffee due to its effects on the body from the amount of caffeine contained. Caffeine however is not the only ingredient and unfortunately many overshadow the other ingredients in coffee, which are beneficial. The antioxidants in coffee have been proven to boost your immune system and help to ward off illness. Antioxidants are also proven to decrease the likelihood of developing heart disease.

Antioxidants also reduce the risks of developing liver cirrhosis leading to liver cancer. This is good news to many especially when so many medicines increase the risk of liver problems. Drinking coffee is not a replacement for regular checkups and screening from your family doctor. Drinking coffee is however a helpful tool to reduce the likelihood of developing these issues.

Coffee has also been proven to increase alertness and concentration in adults. This is especially good news since many people drink coffee specifically for the reason of staying alert or concentration. It is a common sight to see many people starting their day with a hot cup of coffee.

Although there is many benefits to drinking coffee drinking too much coffee has been related to insomnia, and ulcers. This is mainly due to large excess amounts of coffee. It is recommended that you consume between two and three cups of coffee per day in order to reap the benefits of coffee without causing adverse side effects.

A few other diseases that coffee has been shown to reduce are colon cancer, Alzheimer’s, Type II diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. This is been scientifically proven in various government based studies along with many private health studies.

Due to all the benefits of drinking coffee it is no wonder that coffee has increased greatly in sales in recent years. People are drinking coffee more and more due to the availability and the benefits. As more people realize some of the natural health benefits of coffee it will surely increase in sales once again.

The additional medicinal benefits of coffee are yet to be found. Other countries have recognized the use of coffee as a medicine in the past; with sufficient research it is possible that coffee may prove to be beneficial as an additional source of help for some diseases.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about this as gourmet coffee gifts at http://www.coffeeandjavashop.com

Many people have turned to organic fruits and vegetables (and even meats) in recent years, striving to live healthier, longer lives. You may be one of these people. But did you know that organic coffee is now available, too? If you can’t find it at your local health food store, then you can definitely find it online.

How Organic Coffee Differs From Traditional Coffee

The coffee plant has traditionally been grown in the company of shade trees and other food and cash crops. This approach made for healthier soil and prevented water contamination. Unfortunately, many coffee growers have abandoned this approach in favor of larger crops and hence larger profits. However, synthetic pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers have become necessary to maintain these crops, and along with them the taste of the coffee has suffered, the soil has suffered, and no one knows the potential impact they may have on the future health of the coffee consumer.

In addition, the loss of the shade trees has had a direct impact on migratory song birds. While an obvious connection may not immediately come to mind, the relationship has actually been symbiotic. These birds used the shade trees as their habitat as they migrated, and as a result they provided a natural defense against many of the bugs and pests that can ruin a coffee crop. Without them, pesticides must be used to do the job.

Unlike the large, commercial coffee plantations, organic coffees are generally grown on small farms with plenty of shade cover. There are plenty of migratory birds to control insects, and pesticides are unnecessary. In fact, the United States requires that organic coffees be grown on shaded land and be completely chemical free for three consecutive years.

Tips For A Great Cup of Organic Coffee

Whole beans should be used within a week of purchase in order to enjoy the full flavor of the coffee.

Avoid vacuum-packed coffee, even organic vacuum-packed coffee. The process of vacuum packing cannot be done immediately after roasting. The coffee must sit for nearly a week before it can be vacuum-packed. This degrades much of the flavor.

Coffee beans should be stored in an airtight container, not on the shelf in the paper bag you brought them home with from the store. And in order to enjoy the full flavor of the coffee, you should grind only the amount you intend to use just before brewing.

Whole coffee beans that will be stored longer than a week should be placed in an airtight glass container that’s kept in the freezer.

As with any coffee blend, organic or not, grind the beans according to the brewing method you intend to use. Keep in mind that if you grind your beans too fine your coffee may end up bitter and muddy; if you don’t grind them enough, your coffee may end up flavorless.

Often overlooked, many people consider the most important step toward a good cup of coffee to be the proportion of water to coffee. Experts recommend 2 tablespoons for every 6 ounces of water.

In Conclusion

While you will pay more for organic coffee, just as you’ll generally pay more for organic fruits and vegetables, choosing organic coffee promotes the environment, the health of the coffee grower, and your health, too. Just as important for coffee drinkers everywhere: organic coffee tastes as good if not better than non-organic coffee.

D. Silva is the webmaster for Coffee Pleasures (http://coffeepleasures.com), a website about coffee, coffee flavors, coffee makers, and more.

You love your coffee. You have your own personal blend. You love your brewer, and have it set on a timer when you don’t forget. But the mornings when you do forget are always hectic, and more often than not, you’re in a rush just to get out the door with enough time to swing by the nearest 7-Eleven to grab a cup of coffee on the way to work.

Not quite the cup of coffee you prefer, but better than nothing.

Tired of settling?

Then it might be time for a travel coffee maker. More popular than ever before, especially with the hectic world we live in today, travel coffee makers are easy to take with you wherever you go. Set one up at the office. Carry one in the car. Keep one at home for quick brewing. Pack one for your next trip. However you choose to use your travel coffee maker, you’re suddenly back in control again.

Prices can vary dramatically, depending on the manufacturer and the features you select. On the low end, you can purchase a maker for as little as twenty dollars. On the high end, you might pay as much as a few hundred dollars. In either case, travel coffee makers all generally function in the same manner. Place the coffee in the filtered basket, add water to the reservoir, turn it on, and you’re all set.

With that in mind, here are some features to consider when looking for a travel coffee maker:

1. Assembly …. is it easy to take apart to clean and then put back together again? You’d be surprised at how difficult some travel coffee makers can be to reassemble.

2. Dual Voltage System … if you do any traveling abroad, especially in Europe, you’ll likely need a dual voltage system in order to accommodate both American and European outlets. Check with the manufacturer to make sure one is available.

3. Car Cup Holder … will the coffee mug that comes with the unit fit a standard car cup holder. If it won’t, you’re likely to find yourself greatly inconvenienced.

4. Auto Shut Off … will the travel coffee maker automatically shut off after brewing? Always a good idea for safety’s sake.

5. Filters … does the unit come with a permanent filter, or use a standard paper cone filter? Which would you prefer for your particular circumstances? Keep in mind that a permanent filter allows you that much less you have to pack when traveling.

6. Flexibility … does it have the ability to also make hot water for tea, hot chocolate, or instant foods? Very handy on those extended trips or long days at the office when you can’t get away for lunch.

7. Capacity … does it brew a single cup or more? Do you need more than a single cup maker? And finally … what is the cup capacity? 10 ounces? More? Less?

8. Construction … is the mug made of plastic or stainless steel? Does it have rubber grips to make sure you don’t end up dropping it in your lap during the drive to work?

9. Brewing Time … how long does it take to brew a single cup of coffee? Some models can brew a cup in as little as 60 seconds.

10. Taste … and most important of all, does the coffee maker influence the taste of the coffee? A cheap model can sometimes produce a cup of coffee that tastes like the plastic container. The goal, as much as possible, is to combine convenience, cost, and quality when you can.

Finally, make sure you read the manufacturer’s descriptions carefully and choose the coffee maker that’s right for your needs. If you’re a coffee lover, you’re going to thoroughly enjoy being able to take your travel coffee maker with you on trips, or to the office, or even keep it at home for a quick brew just before you’re on your way out the door.

D. Silva is the webmaster for Coffee Pleasures (http://coffeepleasures.com), a website about coffee, coffee flavors, coffee makers, and more.

It seems as though every week a new articles surfaces about the pros and cons of drinking either coffee or tea. One week caffeine is a mortal enemy, the next a tolerable friend. Likewise, green tea surfaces as a miracle cure all, only to fade to a questionable metabolic stimulant. If you enjoy either coffee or tea, here are some things to consider.

According to an article released last year by ABC News, Study: Drinking Coffee Has Health Benefits, coffee is America’s number one source of antioxidants, the agents that help protect you from toxins, starve off cancer and heart disease. But what about the barrage of information about the negative effects of caffeine that surface along side articles like this one from ABC News? Even this article from ABC points out that caffeine does in fact raise your blood pressure. So is tea a better source of antioxidants, since it contains less caffeine?

Tea has less than one third the amount of caffeine than coffee, which can be great for people who suffer from indigestion or headaches after drinking coffee (Grieger). Grieger goes on to mention some additional benefits of drinking tea, such as an increased metabolism and disease fighting qualities. According to ABC News, coffee also helps prevent disease, so coffee and tea seem to be on equal par there. And in reference to an increased metabolism, Grieger mentions that drinking green tea can help you burn up to 80 calories a day. 80 calories? It seems as though you would burn just as many calories lifting your coffee cup.

So Which Is It… Coffee or Tea?

Most of the other information out there about the benefits of coffee and/or tea seem to say the same things: coffee is an antioxidant but high amounts of caffeine can be bad; tea also has healing qualities, but is not the diet miracle the headlines would like to suggest it is. Many studies have mentioned that decaf coffee offers just as many antioxidants as regular coffee, which removes any negative effects brought on by caffeine.

When it comes down to it, drinking coffee or tea can be mutually beneficially in moderation. If you prefer drinking coffee over tea, consider drinking less to limit your intake of caffeine, or switch to decaf. If you prefer tea, great, but don’t assume that drinking high volumes of it will magically burn off the donut you had for breakfast.

Sources

ABC News Online. Study: Drinking Coffee Has Health Benefits. 28 August 2005. 31 August 2006. abcnews.go.com/GMA/Health/story?id=1074559

Grieger, Lynn. “Top 10 Health Benefits of Drinking Tea” iVillage.com 5 April 2005. 31 August 2006. health.ivillage.com/eating/0,,7kq79l90,00.html.

Eddie Lamb provides an abundance of information on a range of topical subjects. We believe better understanding your area of interest helps your decision making process immensely. You’ll find a host of useful articles about coffee listed on our site map page at http://www.CoffeeMixture.com

Everyone it seems, has an opinion on coffee. How it’s brewed, when you should drink it, whether to freeze the beans and the list goes on. It also seems that coffee maker reviews can almost generate the same kind of passion given the proliferation of machines on the market today.

There is a whole range of features that make up a good coffee maker however, if you are looking for the perfect model, one that has every feature imaginable, then you are going to be searching for a long time. Why? Because of the nature of coffee drinkers. The beauty about this little black liquid is that it’s taste is an individual thing. What pleases one person may not necessarily sit well with another.

I’m a self confessed caffe addict. In fact, I don’t mind where or how it is brewed, as long as I can taste the coffee. Whether it’s brewed from an automatic drip machine, a single cup maker, a percolator, a french press, heck, even instant, I’ll drink it. But I do appreciate there are some connisseurs out there who are particular about the taste of their brew so in this coffee maker review, I am going to point out a few features to consider when searching for the perfect machine.

Ten Step Coffee Maker Review

The ideal machine will have the following features:

1. At least a two year warranty.
2. A timer that is user-friendly and can program to the precise second.
3. Automatic features such as hands-free shut-off.
4. An automatic bean grinder within the machine.
5. Settings which include brew control.
6. Settings enabling the number of cups to be brewed.
7. Adjustable temperature hot plate. This is important because coffee that is allowed to continue to cook on a hot plate tastes, in a word, horrible!
8. Pause and serve.
9. Easy to clean. Also, many coffee makers while they brew an excellent cup, tend to be a little messy. So add a non-messy feature to your wish list.
10. Automatic milk heating and serving feature.

What Will You Settle For?

How’s that for a wish list? Trouble is, even if you find a machine with everyone of those features, and bear in mind, there are others I’ve left out, it’s probably going to “cost you an arm and a leg.” How serious are you about your brew? If you are like me then a simple functioning machine with several of the features mentioned above would do the trick.

You need to consider how often you’ll use your machine, it’s size, particularly if you are a home entertainer, and most importantly, your budget. There are a lot of things to consider aren’t there? Again, the question has to be asked… how serious are you about your coffee?

Finally, be careful when reading coffee maker reviews as some will certainly show some bias. A good place to check is online such as forums and Amazon reviews. The bottomline will be how much are you prepared to spend and whether your machine will get good use. The last thing you want is for it to become an ornament on your kitchen bench!

Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster who has a passion for all things coffee. Read the latest coffee maker reviews plus coffee related news and information at:http://www.coffeemakerheaven.com